A View to a Nerd #Thursday13 Sentences from #MFRWauthor @ChrisRedding

MFRW Author Chris Redding shares her book on Thursday Thirteen.
Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two kids, one dog and two show rabbits.  She graduated from Penn State with a degree in Journalism and is still a diehard Nittany Lions fan.  Her books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.  When she isn’t writing, she works for a local winery.

13 Sentences from A View to a Nerd

""Joe and I were friends when we were both going through some tough times. I met his father briefly at Joe's house. I wouldn't have thought he would remember me or my friendship with his son.""
Bob looked her over. ""In that dress, a blind man would remember you.""
She playfully punched his arm. ""I was celebrating my divorce last night. I wanted to look good for me, no one else.""
Two uniformed officers passed and she noticed Bob glaring at them. ""Well, other people agree you look good for them. Here's an officer to take you to the hospital.""
""Thanks, Bob. Do the reporters know my name yet?""
""No, we haven't told them we've questioned anyone."" He put a hand on Miriam's shoulder. ""I realize you probably don't want to go through the wringer again."" She noted he left off the ""like when Mark was indicted"".

A View to a Nerd
Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day. When a wise-cracking interior decorator wants to put her past behind her, the dead body of the mayor’s son makes it pretty clear that won’t happen too easily. A conservative former computer geek for the FBI is holding on too tightly to his past. His wife died under suspicious circumstances and he believes the decorator has the information to solve the case. Unfortunately for him, she isn’t talking… until a series of events convinces her she needs protection especially when her biggest secret threatens to destroy both their lives.

This is book two in the Nerds Saving the World Series. Originally published as A View to a Kilt.

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Connect with Chris Redding

Website: www.chrisreddingauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/253606058045505
Google+: https://plus.google.com/101743269602364199911/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/chrisredding/

READ the PROLOGUE to Evening of the Dragonfly by #MFRWauthor Mary Montague Sikes @MaryMontague7

Evening of the Dragonfly
Mary Montague Sikes
Oak Tree Books

Threatening telephone calls and strange cars with dark-tinted windows plague artist/teacher Farrah Ferand. Recovering from the tragic loss of her mother, Farrah is trying to adapt to the life of a small-town art teacher when she encounters Dirk Lawrence. Her attraction to him is immediate and electric until Farrah discovers Dirk is part of an investment firm that led to her mother's downfall a few years earlier. Farrah's not too perfect dating relationship with Tom Douglas, the town favorite football coach, worsens. An unexpected encounter leads to dates with Dirk and his help with the construction of a dream art studio in her rented house. But trouble looms with Tom who believes he and Farrah are engaged, and the entire town appears to be drawn in. Haunting dreams and lost memories overwhelm Farrah as she creates paintings for a one-person art show.

Will shadows of the past ruin all hope for Farrah and Dirk?

Repressed memories haunt the life of artist/teacher Farrah Ferrand who is falling in love with a real-life hero while her small town attempts to link her with the high school football coach. Resolution to memories of her past are revealed in the paintings she creates for a one-person art show. All the while, danger surrounds her.

Can Farrah survive?

AMAZON Buy Link 

A PROLOGUE
Martha Ferand stepped from the real estate office onto the dimly lit brick sidewalk. Not used to the darkness, she fumbled inside her purse searching for her car keys. When she found them hidden in the very bottom, she pulled them out and headed for her small gray car parked nearby.

All of a sudden, someone jumped out of the shadows and clasped a hand over her mouth. Caught by surprise, Martha struggled but soon found she was no match for the heavyset attacker. One huge
arm held her tight while the dark-clad man pulled a vile-smelling handkerchief from his pocket.

""Help!"" she screamed, but the towering stranger stifled her words with the crush of the damp cloth against her nose and mouth. Martha struggled against his iron grip. She tried not to breathe,
but she was unable to hold her breath for long. Despite all her efforts to stay awake, her body wilted against the man's unyielding arm.

How strange.

All of a sudden, Martha was looking down. She was watching a man clad in black drag a helpless woman over the rough brick side walk. He had Martha's keys and unlocked her car. Then he flopped
the limp body inside.

Who was the woman? Martha couldn't see her face. She tried to move, tried to help her, but she couldn't. She could only watch. The sinister assailant rushed around to the driver's side of the car
and slid beneath the wheel to start it. Then, they sped away into the darkness heading in the direction of the country club road that led to the lake.

“Why was that?” Martha wondered.

How odd.

Martha floated above them. She watched, but she could not speak nor scream. She wanted to help the woman, wanted to wake her up, wanted to pull her from danger. But she could only observe as the man parked the car along the edge of the lake by the road. So close to the edge. Too much danger. Martha tried harder than ever to scream, but not a sound came from her mouth.

A dark hood shadowed the face of the man who pulled his limp victim across the seat to the driver's side, propped her against the steering wheel, set the car to drive, and leaped out in a flash. Moments later, he shoved the vehicle from the rear until it started to roll into the water.

Another car pulled up, and the man vaulted inside. A small shaft of light fell across the face of the driver.

Martha felt a tear slide down her cheek. She knew the owner of the vehicle. She did not understand.

All of a sudden, Martha was inside her car, struggling to get out. Struggling as the water seeped in. Struggling as the little gray sedan disappeared beneath the still waters of the dark summer lake.

Within a few moments, all the world turned black and the struggling ceased.

ABOUT Mary Montague Sikes
The power of words and their effect on others has always intrigued author, artist, and photographer Mary Montague Sikes. Since early childhood she has written about and painted the world around her. Her background includes writing award-winning freelance articles about people and travel for newspapers and magazines nationwide. She is author of eight novels, a coffee table book, hundreds of published newspaper articles and photographs, a "how-to-book, and more. Among her publishing awards is third place for Daddy's Christmas Angel in the 2013 National Federation of Press Women's Communication Contest. Her latest book, Evening of the Dragonfly, is a romance novel with psychological undertones.

www.marymontaguesikes.com  |  http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/MaryMontagueSikes2   |  https://twitter.com/marymontague7
https://www.pinterest.com/monti7  |  https://plus.google.com/u/0/101297600960679947877/about

#MFRWauthor @MichaelaRhua delivers a *MOON DANCE* BOOK SPOTLIGHT

Moon Dance
Moon Maidens, Book 1
Michaela Rhua
Evernight Publishing

A night of sex was just what Raya was looking for. Only meeting Amari set her insides on fire and she has to have more of the Indian beauty. Witches and shifters aren’t meant to bond, but Raya and Amari can’t ignore the chemistry flowing between them.

Trouble strikes the lovers when a past trauma hits Raya, and Amari’s mother could be to blame. When Raya has a chance to get even with the old witch, that revenge reveals secrets that throw everything Raya believes into question.

Can the lovers unite to help Raya find her true self or is it all too late?

AMAZON Buy Link

ABOUT Michaela Rhua
Michaela Rhua always dreamed of writing but this never happened until she met the lovely group of ladies known as UCW. Their passion for writing and encouragement inspired her to see if she could do it too. Now she is a published and loves writing!

She has teenage children who also keep her busy. However, it is whilst travelling into work that she has time to create her characters and imagine other places in which they exist as her world skims by the window.

Website: http://michaelarhuaauthor.weebly.com/
Blog: http://www.michaelarhuaauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelaRhua
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/michaelarhua/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichaelaRhua

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Rebel's Redemption by #MFRWauthor Jacquie Biggar @jacqbiggar

The Rebel's Redemption

Book #2, Wounded Hearts series
Mainstream Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Jacquie Biggar

Annie Campbell has made a good life for her and her young son in the mountain town of Tidal Falls. She’s dating the sheriff, owns a successful business, and has the support of the community.

So why isn’t it quite enough?

Jared Martin left Tidal Falls a hotheaded youth, and now, after eight years in the military, he returns a bitter, disillusioned man.
Then he finds out he’s a father.

When an old enemy follows and causes mayhem in the small town, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he’s always loved and the child he never knew, or will it be too late?

BUY LINK

REVIEW
"This is book 2 in the Wounded Hearts series and it doesn't disappoint. Jared and Annie have a past; long time friends and a one night love affair. Jared took off to join the Nave SEALS the day after their union and 9 months later Annie delivered her son Chris.

Now 8 years later, Jared is back and learns he has a son and is still in love with Annie. Jared doesn't want to ruin her life however. But then trouble follows Jared to town and endangers the boy. Can they work together for the sake of their son? Will they work out as a couple as well? 2 Thumbs Up for a great book."  - Comment by Barb

EXCERPT

“Miss Campbell, guess what? Jake’s here. He was outside when we went to get Susan. How cool is that?”
“That’s pretty cool all right. How’d he get here? And where’s Chris?” She’d grabbed up a napkin to wipe the ice cream from her lips, when a voice out of the past lifted the hairs on the nape of her neck and sent a shiver down her spine.
“He’s here. With me.”
The smooth tones rolled over her, and sucked all the air out of the room. Annie stiffened, then crumpled the napkin and slowly turned in her seat—yep, it was Jared all right. And Chris.
Oh.
My.
God.
He looked good. The random thought floated through her mind even as she tried to digest the fact he was finally back. Eight years too late, but he was here. She wanted to grab Chris and run. Run before what was obvious to her became obvious to everyone else. Shit.
“Hello, Annie, it’s been a long time.” Why was he looking at her as if she’d betrayed him? She wasn’t the one to cut and run without a single word in all this time. Goddamn him.
“Jared. Yes, it has been. A very long time. There were no phones where you were? Your mother probably would’ve appreciated knowing whether you were dead or alive.” Not to mention herself. She’d promised herself she wasn’t going down this road, the blame road. It was time to leave.
She turned her back on him, looked into Jack’s concerned eyes, and forced herself to smile as if her heart wasn’t shattering into a million tiny pieces. “I better get back. Tina needs to take her break. Call me later?”
He gave her waist a warm squeeze, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before sliding free. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but for what it’s worth, I’ve got your back.”
Near tears, she stood from the table, and without looking at either man again, grabbed both children’s hands and hustled them out the door.

ABOUT Jacquie Biggar
Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her her husband, daughter, and grandson. Loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. Spoils her German shepherd, Annie and calico cat, Harley. And can't function without coffee.

Have You Read It? AWAITING FATE by #MFRWauthor @JL_Sheppard

Awaiting Fate

Erotic Paranormal Romance
J.L. Sheppard
The Wild Rose Press

Cain Thaler’s lived more than four hundred years fighting rogue immortals, avenging the family he’d lost. It’s all he’s needed, all he’s wanted. That changes the fateful day he lays eyes on his fated mate. Olivia Waden, a werewolf princess, is nothing like him. Unwilling to give her up, he sets a plan into motion: ignoring his need to claim her, he befriends her.

Despite Cain’s best efforts at friendship, Olivia has fallen hard for him. It is him she dreams of, him she wants as her fated mate. But she is sure he doesn’t feel the same way. In way over her head, she has no option but to run away from the only man she’s ever loved.

Will Cain find Olivia before it’s too late or will their differences tear them apart?

BUY LINK

EXCERPT
“What?” She managed the strength to mumble.
He drew closer, pressing his chest against hers. The heat of his body caressing hers, she grew warm with craving. Helplessly, her gaze drifted to his thick full lips. Her mind wandered. What she’d give for a kiss, a single mind-blowing kiss?
Cheeks flushing, her gaze darted toward his again. “Why are you…” Her body’s desires overwhelming her, she gasped for breath.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”
He wasn’t just angry. He was livid, and he was livid with her because she’d left.
She didn’t know what to say, had no excuse, not one she could tell him anyway.
Shutting his eyes firmly, his anger intensified, coiling rapidly against her until she not only felt it but tasted it. Still, she wasn’t afraid. With each passing moment, all she felt was heat, his and hers, and how badly she wanted him.
“Answer me,” he demanded harshly. “Tell me why you left without telling me!”
His tone startling her, she jolted against him, her body rubbing his. A desire so powerful rippled through her and spiraled inside her, pooling liquid between her legs. It clouded her every thought and every action, so as she stared straight into his eyes, she couldn’t remember what he’d said.
Clenching his jaw, he ground his teeth in anger, so close to losing it. “Olivia, tell me!”

ABOUT J.L. Sheppard
J.L. Sheppard was born and raised in Miami, Florida where she still lives with her husband and son.

As a child, her greatest aspiration was to become a writer. She read often, kept a journal and wrote countless poems. She attended Florida International University and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors in Communications. During her senior year, she interned at NBC Miami, WTVJ. Following the internship, she was hired and worked in the News Department for three years.
It wasn’t until 2011 that she set her heart and mind into writing her first completed novel, Demon King’s Desire, which was published in January of 2013.

Besides reading and writing, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.

Lucky Seven #Thursday13 Favorite Books of #MFRWauthor @E_L_Esch

MFRW Author E. L. Esch shares her 13 Favorite Books on Thursday13.

I do not believe there is a linear way to write a romance, or any genre for that matter. I like books that make me think, the ones that make me work to understand the characters and what they go through, because "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." :)

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13 Favorite Books

Lovers, Dreamers, and Me

Diary of a Seducer

Skin Hunger

Pride of Baghdad

The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal

Lovers and Souls

Player's Ruse

The Last Wish

Guardians of Ga'Hoole

The Name of the Wind

The Drowned Cities

Silverwing

No. 6

EL Esch published her latest book, Lucky Seven, an Erotic New Adult Contemporary

Romance, with Loose ID.

Dante Mathers, college student, fifth year, has a track record for being dishonest with himself, and is about to undergo the biggest, scariest change of his life.

Dante's forced himself to go out with girls in the past and he does it again when he's approached by the beautiful Serena one day on campus, desperate to prove to himself that he's ""normal."" But when he loses a drinking contest and is dared to go to the next campus GLBT meeting by his best friend, he’s not sure how to handle it. Sure he could blow it off and say he went, but something nagging at the back of his mind compels him to go anyway. After all, he’s had problems with intimacy in the past and his first crush was a boy in high school. But is he really forcing himself to go, or is he finally starting to be honest with himself? No need to over think this, Dante tells himself. It'll be get in, get out. No need to talk to anyone. Easy, right?

But then he meets Sven. Sexy, toned, wearing a leather jacket with spiked up bleach-blond hair, Sven's bad-boy flare sticks out on campus and catches Dante's eye. But there's more to Sven than his punkish looks, and Dante's about to find out all the sultry little details.

Are you up all night to get Lucky?
Newly released Romance Novel from Loose ID publishing--Lucky Seven.

BUY LINK

REVIEW
""Oh yes...I really liked this...I love me some angst but not all the time...This one had a little angst but not too much and a lot of sweetness which was just right....I'm off to read Seeing Red....""

~ Dana at Goodreads.com

EXCERPT

“I’m Mandy, and I’m bi.”
“My name’s Cole, and I identify as gay.”
“Terry, and if you can’t tell I’m gay, you need your brain checked, okay?”
The room chuckled, and then everybody’s gaze fell on me. “Uh…” I coughed. My throat felt like it was filled with sand, and I practically had to spit out my next words, “I’m Dante.” That’s it, just Dante. Now move along…
Fortunately when he realized I wasn’t going to say any more, the man next to me piped up with his introduction.
I whistled a sigh of relief. When I got out of this frigging trust circle, I was going to wring Greg’s scrawny neck!
I felt like a huge asshole sitting in this circle of ten people in a secluded underground room of the student union. They were here because they wanted to share with other people like them, to hang out and not be judged. Well, I wasn’t judging by any means, but the only reason I’d found my way to this LGBTQ meeting was because I’d lost a bet and my friend was still immature enough to find this kind of thing amusing.
The guy next to me nudged me in the shoulder, and I nearly flew ten feet out of my chair. I looked around the room. Introductions seemed to be over, and now everyone was just talking.
“You’re a fourth year, right?” he asked. His voice was smooth and rich. It reminded me of syrup, or tree sap.
“Fifth.” I swallowed. “I’m only finishing up electives this semester. I already have a job in my field.”
“Ah, must be nice.” He threw back his head over the edge of his chair and sighed. “In this little town it’s hard to find an internship close to home. I’ve been going through hell trying.” He grinned. “What’d you study?”
“Physical therapy.”
“Ah, that explains it. There are so many old folks and people who work with their backs around here. You’ll be in business for a long while yet. Or did you have plans to leave town?”
Part of me wondered if this was the kind of small talk I’d thought about making with that girl before. This guy was a hell of a lot better at it than I would’ve been. But whatever his motives, I didn’t mind. Greg was the only close friend I had on campus, and he hated talking about school life and work. The change of topic from girls and clubbing was refreshing.
“Nah, not leaving.” I shook my head. “Born and raised here in the country and no plan on leaving. I stick to my roots.”
He nodded. “I feel the same.” He held out his hand to me. “James.”
“Dante.” I took his hand warmly.
“So…” James leaned back in his chair and gestured at the whole of the room. “I haven’t seen you at one of these before.”
“Um…”
“Hey, it’s cool if you don’t wanna talk about it. Just making an observation. This place is so no pressure.”
It certainly didn’t feel like no pressure to me, but maybe it was the overwhelming guilt that made my stomach feel like it was tangled in knots. I wasn’t going to lie—I’d been curious in the past, but nothing ever came of it. Then again I’d never had a girlfriend either, which was why Greg had thought this would be so hilarious. I found men and women attractive in their own way, but that hardly made me gay or bisexual. Damn, if Greg knew how much stress this was really causing me inside, he’d probably look at me like I’d grown another head.
“Terry over there…” James set a hand on my shoulder and pointed to the guy who’d introduced himself earlier. “Biggest flamer in the whole damn school, and proud of it. You’ll see him at every drag show, and he’ll probably win. Sets the rest of the competition on edge, I tell ya.” He chuckled and pointed to another guy sitting three seats to my left. “The guy with the lumberjack beard is Carl. He’s quiet, not too wild. You two would probably get along.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
James laughed. “Because you’re new, and I can tell you’re the shy type. Just put yourself out there. Nobody here bites…” He winked. “Often. Ah, I just noticed Seven is missing. Bummer. Not surprised, though. He’s a shy guy too. He’d be the perfect one for you to talk to. Better than me.”
“Seven?” What kind of a name was that?

BOOK SPOTLIGHT on Pumpkin: a Cindermama Story by #MFRWauthor Ines Johnson @InesWrites

Pumpkin: a Cindermama Story
Erotic Fairytale Retelling
Ines Johnson
Heartspell Media, LLC

Single mother Malika “Pumpkin” Tavares lost faith in fairytales after she fell for a toad. Now she believes she’s not cut from the storybook, heroine cloth and searches for Mr. Good Enough amongst the sidekicks and supporting men of the town.

Love at first sight isn’t a cliche for town royalty Armand “Manny” Charmayne. For generations the Charmaynes have spotted their soulmates by seeing a golden aura the first time they laid eyes on The One.

When Manny meets Pumpkin he sees…nothing, but sparks fly off the richter scale. The more he gets to know her the more he considers defying fate, if only he can convince her to take a chance on love again.

BUY LINK

EXCERPT
The Mistress of Ceremonies hurried through her introductions and then the microphone was in Manny's hand, but he didn't take out the notes of his prepared speech.

""Many of you knew my mother,"" he began. There was a murmur of nostalgic assent throughout the crowd.

""You may not know that after her diagnosis, she spent most of her days watching romantic comedies. She believed she could laugh the illness out of her body. Her favorite moments in these films were something called the Grand Gesture. That scene just after all hope is lost because one of the lovers, normally the guy, has done something stupid that's led to the end of the relationship. So he thinks up this bold, romantic move to get the woman back.""

A glance around the room told Manny that he held the largely female crowd in rapt attention.

""An example of a grand gesture would be a guy telling his estranged wife that she completes him in the midst of an angry mob of women. Or rescuing her underwear from the class geek and returning it to her at her sister's wedding. Or holding a boom box over his head, in front of her bedroom window, early in the morning, while blasting the song that was playing as he deflowered her.""

A different wave of nostalgia swept through the crowd this time as they remembered these treasured moments of Hollywood cinema.

""In the real world, some people might call these behaviors creepy, or stalker-ish. But not my mother. She loved them. She believed in love, believed that when you loved someone you said it loud, you showed it often, and you never gave up.""

Manny paused here, partly for effect, mostly to collect himself as visions of his mother's joyous face played in his head. He rubbed the heel of his hand against his chest.

""The national divorce rate is 50 percent.""

There was no surprise in the room, where most of the men were older and the women on their arms were younger.

""There's never been a divorce in the Charmayne family. Not one recorded anywhere in our family line.""

The sparkle of young women's eyes threatened to blind Manny from where he stood on the stage.

""What that means is when a Charmayne gives you their pledge, they are committed.""

The decision was a split second one, but once Manny made it he stuck with it. He stepped around the podium, mic in hand and dropped to one knee. The gasp of every woman in the room was near deafening.

""To earn your vote, I will do whatever I have to, including blast Peter Gabriel in the streets. Charmaynes don't quit. I'm committed to this, to the people of this town. I hope that I can count on your vote.""

The room erupted in thunderous applause, and the women's eyes sparkled even brighter.

ABOUT Ines Johnson
Ines writes books for strong women who suck at love. If you rocked out to the twisted triangle of Jem, Jericha, and Rio as a girl; if you were slayed by vampires with souls alongside Buffy; if you need your scandalous fix from Olivia Pope each week, then you’ll love her books!
Aside from being a writer, professional reader, and teacher, Ines is a very bad Buddhist. She sits in sangha each week, and while others are meditating and getting their zen on, she’s contemplating how to use the teachings to strengthen her plots and character motivations.

Ines lives outside Washington, DC with her two little sidekicks who are growing up way too fast.

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24927912-pumpkin
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ineswrites
Twitter
https://twitter.com/ineswrites
Website
https://inesjohnson.wordpress.com/

Trancing the Tiger BOOK SPOTLIGHT @RachaelSlate #MFRWauthor

Trancing the Tiger

Chinese Zodiac Romance Series, Book 1
Erotic Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Rachael Slate

Delve into a world steeped in tradition and superstition…
After her parents become infected with the Red Death, Lucy Yeoh flees to Malaysia seeking answers. Everything in this closed-off section of the world is paradise—from the lush tropical climate to her sexy new neighbor, Sheng…who just might be delusional. He claims the Plague God unleashed the Red Death and only a circle of Chinese Zodiac spirit animals can cleanse the Earth. Even more, he insists she’s one of them: the Rabbit. Long furry ears and fluffy bunny tail included.

He’ll show her how to fight to save the world…
She’ll show him a love worth fighting the world to save…
Sheng’s enemies draw closer, and not everyone wants Lucy alive. Together, they’ll have to navigate a treacherous world where a line between duty and their hearts has been drawn between them. They must either sacrifice one, or find a way to surrender to both.

BUY LINK

“The thrill of discovering a new author with such talent is an amazing feeling. Trancing the Tiger had my attention from the first page…. A beautiful, well written story.” – Becky Cox, IsaLovesBooks Blog

EXCERPT

Sheng grappled for control that seemed as fleeting as his sanity. Lucy was off-limits. He’d reminded himself a thousand times tonight. Yet when Tiger had pinned her to the ground, Sheng would have taken her. Right then, right there.
If not for the intrusion of his friends.
Worse, she’d melted right into him the moment she’d realized his identity.
She trusted him and didn’t even bloody know why. Once he got her somewhere safe, he’d enlighten her with the logic fueling her instincts.
Tiger puffed out in supreme satisfaction. He almost hadn’t caught her; she was so swift. If not for the inclined tree trunk providing a bounding point, he might have missed.
Sheng’s shoulders tensed, on alert for more of Snake’s “friends.” Penang Hill—behind them—served as the boundary between the Hai San and Ghee Hin territories. The Gardens were the gateway to the Ghee Hin Kongsi’s residence in the Batu Feringghi—the stretch of posh beaches on the north coast of the island. He had to get Lucy out of here before Snake caught sight of her and realized what she was.
Where she might have argued with him, she simply obeyed. Her light footsteps padded behind him. That blind obedience concerned him more than her bolting. She shouldn’t trust a stranger with such ease, certainly not one who looked like him.
He raked his hands through his hair to stop from lashing out at her…or drawing her into his arms and shielding her. He wasn’t sure which instinct would win.
Even more reason to hold his tongue.
He straddled his motorcycle, unclasped the helmet, and offered it to her.
She approached him, her golden eyes wide and wary. Great. Now she chose to be cautious. “Who were those men?”
“You wanna stay and find out?”
Her nose twitched. “Do you work for my uncle? Are you my bodyguard? Where are you taking me?”
“Get on.” He dismissed her questions and waved the helmet. No time for this, not here.
Her hands trembled as she accepted it and secured the strap around her chin. Without questioning him again, she slipped onto the bike behind him.
“Hold on tight.” He reached back, seized her wrists, and clasped her hands together around his waist. “I don’t do slow.”
He revved the gas, the tires squealing while they pivoted around and peeled away. Her body slammed into his, her grasp cinching tighter as they sped through the streets. Lucy’s slender fingers spread across his abdomen, causing his muscles to tighten and his cock to throb. Was she purposefully teasing him with her velvety touch?
She slid her fingers beneath the hem of his t-shirt and his abs jerked as though sparked by a live wire. He growled once, in warning.
“Sorry. My fingers are cold. Do you mind?” Her murmur against his ear spiked his blood.
Was she actually cold or did he detect a sultry note to her voice? Did she suffer the same raging attraction he did?
With his concentration on navigating the streets and his hands gripping the handlebars, she had him at a disadvantage against the fanning of her fingers.
Her warm fingers.
They rounded a corner, and her body crushed against his. She didn’t draw back, and the imprint of her full breasts branded his back. He swore he could even feel her tight little nipples rubbing against him. He fought the urge to swing around and take her on the motorcycle. To hell with crashing—as if they’d even notice. They’d both survive.

ABOUT Rachael Slate
Rachael Slate resides on the West Coast of Canada with her husband and two children—or as she likes to call them, her own little blended world. One of the best parts about sharing in her husband’s Chinese-Malaysian culture is definitely the food—and the awesome celebrations!

Rachael writes stories that blend the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. And always, scorching hot romance.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachaelSlateAuthor
Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RachaelsRushHour/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachaelSlate
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/RachaelSlate
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Slate/e/B00S49W9MQ/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rachaelslate/
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/RachaelSlate
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RachaelSlate
Newsletter: http://rachaelslate.com/Register/Maillist
Website: http://www.rachaelslate.com

Within The Mist #MFRWauthor Interview @DenyseBridger

MFRW Author Denysé Bridger talks with us about her latest book.
Canadian born and bred, and a lifelong dreamer, I began writing at an early age and can’t recall a time when I wasn’t creating in some artistic form. My life has had several on-going love affairs that shape much of what I write.  In the past half dozen years, I’ve released books in all lengths and genres, and it’s something I hope to continue to do for many more years. A visit to my websites will show the diversity of what is currently available, as well as other surprises and extras!

Why did you decide to write romance novels?
       I think I always wrote romance stories, no matter what subgenre I work in, there was pretty much always at least a romantic element to the story. I started reading my mom’s Harlequin’s when I was eleven, and I fell in love with them. I write other genres, but it’s rare that there isn’t a romance theme somewhere in the mix.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
I think we have to include our life experience in our writing. The older we are the more wisdom we bring to our work, so it has to reflect. For me personally, I don’t find I want to write really young characters now because I find the slightly older hero and heroine so much more interesting, their responses to their situations are more “adult” and to me far less emotionally high-strung. I’ve read so many books where the main characters are in their twenties and they respond to life like teenagers, everything is life altering life and death important. I think most of us realign our perceptions as we get older, and I find the thoughtful approach more interesting to read about in a book.

What kind of research do you do for a book?
I tend to do a little research for all my books, even if it’s only reading an article of some kind to refresh my memory on some point. When I write historical setting, I do a lot of hunting down things that will allow me to add small touches and detail that perhaps don’t take centre stage, but they do enhance the setting and mood of the story for readers. When I wrote my Devane stories, I was very careful to make sure my Jack the Ripper facts were accurate, because that was a key part of the story’s background. When I write Westerns, they have to have an authentic feel to them, so that requires some general knowledge of the era and clothing, etc. I love research, it keeps things interesting for me!

Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I write in so many genres now, I think all I can do is find new ways to blend them and integrate them into new, multi-genre stories. I love so many styles, depending on what interests me or sparks my imagination. I think that’s the key to keeping things fresh and exciting, stepping into new worlds keeps me motivated and entertained, and when that happens, I believe readers are kept interested, as well.

Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story? Where did the idea come from?
The idea for this story sort of dropped on me when I was listening to the music of a friend of mine, a young Italian singer named Riccardo Foresi. A photographer friend in Rome had send some photos to me, a series he’d taken in Venice for me relating to another story. He captured the image that is on the cover of the book, and all of a sudden I was having visions of “Phantom of the Opera” and a mysterious vampire… so, Within The Mist was born.

Within The Mist

Evolutionary Publishing

The misty evening air of a Winter in Venice cloaks many things…. Some who are passionate lovers hoping for stolen moments….. others who are merely the cutthroats and thieves that plague any city filled with the wealth of visitors and citizens of palaces….. But what else lies hidden within the mist? The voice of an angel lures…. each perfect note beckons and promises untold pleasures…. until, finally, a broken heart succumbs to desire…. and Fate weaves a new thread into the tapestry that is the mystery of life itself…. The evening air of a Winter in Venice cloaks many things… Passion, destiny, sorrow… Perhaps even the spectre of death waits within the mist… BUY LINK

EXCERPT

He continued to sing, the lyrical, lilting Italian words caressing her spirit and pulling

her closer to him. When she finally stepped into the chamber where he was, she stared in wonder. The room was lit with what appeared to be a thousand candles, their soft glow reflecting off the polished wooden floor and throwing frenetic shadows everywhere. Seated at the piano was a slender man, dressed all in black. His hair was dark, and the hands that whispered over the keys of the instrument were long-fingered and elegant. Hands shaped for making love in any form he chose. He played the last notes of the mesmerizing song and slowly turned to look at her. His dark eyes glittered, flames dancing wildly in their ebony depths, and he held out his hand to draw her forward. She went to him and dropped to her knees, head bowed, tears streaking her face as she let the hood of her cape fall to hide her shame. “You came to end my life. Why?” “I cannot bear the pain of not knowing you.” “But you do know me. I am part of you.” “You are madness!” She retorted with real anger surging into her being, giving her strength and making her look up at him. “You have taken everything!” “I took nothing,” he admonished with gentle warmth. “I am part of you.” “How can that be?” He smiled. She felt the kiss of his indulgence touch her heart. “You created me,” he murmured. “The night he died, you gave me life.” She was confused, and the room was suddenly growing colder with each beat of her heart. “Why did you let me find you?” He tilted his head to one side and considered her question. “Perhaps because it is time for me to return the gift of life to you, tesoro mio?”

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Mostly these days, I try to turn off the computer about mid-evening and force myself to do relaxing things. I watch old TV shows that I love, or pick up one of the many books that are next to my comfy chair. Failing that, I often grab a notebook and make notes for future work, or fill in details for what I am writing. I still handwrite letters to friends I’ve had for years all over the world, too–my first pen pal and I still write to each other, and it’s been decades!

Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
Lara Adrian, Lucy Monroe, Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes fan forever here), Elizabeth Goddard is a new author for me, but I love her. Same with Annie West, Elisabeth Naughton, Kristin Painter, Cynthia Garner. So many wonderful and talented people in this business it’s hard to name just a few.

How can readers connect with you?
Mobile friendly site: http://www.denysebridger.weebly.com
Fantasy Pages (general): http://www.fantasypages.ca
Bound by Passion (adult content): http://www.boundbypassion.ca
Random Acts of Sex and Romance (fiction blog):
http://randomactssexromance.blogspot.com
Sensual Treats Magazine: http://www.sensualtreats.webs.com
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/denysebridger
Newsgroup: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/denysebridgernews/
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romanceandfantasy/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/denysebridger
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/denyse.bridger
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Romance.and.Fantasy
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/denysebridger/
LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/denysebridger
Tumblr: http://denysebridger.tumblr.com/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DenyseBridger/
Romance and Fantasy Google+ Page:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116695999970048906060/116695999970048906060/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/denyse.bridger
Instagram: http://instagram.com/denysebridger/
tsū: https://www.tsu.co/DenyseBridger

Borrowing the Doctor for a BOOK SPOTLIGHT with #MFRWauthor @VictoriaPinder

MFRW Author Victoria Pinder released Borrowing the Doctor, a Mainstream Contemporary Romance, with Soul Mate Publishing.

BLURB

Party girl. Art thief. All around bad girl. It’s what all the newspapers call socialite and heiress Kate Sparrow. It’s all untrue. Kate’s been set up and she’s following the orders of the FBI to get the real criminal, her father. She’ll have to put up with her sister, the wedding fiasco, and her own fears that someone is after her, trying to stop her to get what she needs to prove her innocence.

Doctor Daniel Collins joins his brothers on a cruise to the wedding of his young cousin. His cousin begs him to keep a close watch on the bride’s sister, Kate. He's to keep her from ruining the wedding.

Kate doesn’t trust Daniel's help in her life, but the man’s interference is blocking a few problems. She lets him. After all, he spent a few years in the military and having a friend like Daniel is nice. But when her fears become true, someone is after her, pretending to be in a relationship with the sexy doctor has its benefits. What she hadn’t planned was opening her heart to trusting him. But if she doesn’t open up, she’s going to lose out on far more than her life, she’d lose out on love.

BUY LINK

EXCERPT

Daniel slid into his seat and away from Eric, but his arms remained tense. His brothers wouldn’t like this plan. He didn’t like this plan. “I’m to babysit the spoiled rich princess and keep her away from the cops and the alcohol, this trip.”
He pressed his lips together. He expected his brothers to have an opinion, but silence greeted his ears.
All eyes went back to the door.
His collar grew warmer. Daniel glanced around to stare in the same direction. He assumed Kate Sparrow had stepped into the club.
His eyes scanned the room, and then the crowds parted. He had his first look. Time might have stopped, and he heard his own heartbeat. Brown hair with a bit of a curl, brown eyes, small frame, unusually large breasts for a woman her size, and an energy that took his breath away. He also noted that Kate’s eyes held a gleam, and Daniel’s mouth fell open. Kate Sparrow was the most beautiful woman he’d seen in a long while.
Beauty meant trouble. He turned back to his beer and refused to stare at her.
The pictures in the papers hadn’t done her justice at all. How did they turn that pretty woman into a viper with a camera? His mind raced. Did she have a Jekyll and Hyde personality that came out at night? 

ABOUT Victoria Pinder
Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion.

She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.

The Zoastra Affair, Chaperoning Paris, Borrowing the Doctor, and Electing Love, Mything the Throne and Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush will be published in 2014.

Now she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Also she’s the Vice President for the Florida Romance Writers.

Website: http://www.victoriapinder.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriapinder1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriapinder
Blog: http://victoriapinder.com/?cat=6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8120316.Victoria_Pinder