#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: A Question of Honor @MonaKarel

A Question of Honor
A Stormhaven Love Story
by Mona Karel
Mainstream (PG13) suspense
Black Opal Books

Sydney Castleton has worked hard to put her less than savory past behind her…until her sister asks for her help. Devin Starke has fought too many battles, seen too many deaths, to look forward to a peaceful future…until his best friend and partner asks him to help return the horse his wife, Sidney’s sister, took when she left.

Stormhaven, a ranch in northern New Mexico, has become a place for fighting men to readjust to the world, a sort of decompression chamber for those who have seen too much. Devin Starke is such a man. And Sydney isn’t far behind him.

Can a woman with a past find love with a man who thinks he has no future ?

AMAZON Buy Link

A REVIEW
AYLOR JONES SAYS: "This book, like the others Karel has written, shows a depth of understanding of people and their relationships. You can’t help but root for her characters as they struggle to find their way through unique trials and tribulations. The story has a good strong plot that will keep you turning pages, but it’s the charming, heart-warming love story that will have you reading this one again and again."

EXCERPT

She knew that walk. With a slight hesitation in one leg, he prowled like a wounded predator, conditioned to succeed against the most dangerous game of all. Even limping, his reactions would be instantaneous, his balance superior. By itself, his body would be a weapon. He’d be the best man to have on your side in a battle. After the battle, he’d unwind with a drink and a woman. The drink would be strong and straight. The woman would be bosomy and not too bright. He’d very likely spend more time with the drink than the woman. 

Sydney Castleton let her mind drift through bitter thoughts and buried memories as she waited for the man who proclaimed danger with every step he took toward her. He was no different from the men who’d worked with her father: soldiers of fortune, whose luck could run out at any minute. 

What trouble had her sister gotten her into this time?

ABOUT Mona Karel
Mona Karel is the writing alter ego of Monica Stoner. After a life time of wandering the country, she settled on the high plains of New Mexico, where she writes about love fought for and found, in an array of genres. When not writing, she is showing and judging Salukis, taking pictures of New Mexico sunsets, and facing life head on.

WEBSITE  |  GOODREADS  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

Trancing the Tiger on #Thursday13 with #MFRWauthor @Rachael Slate

MFRW Author Rachel Slate brings to our attention , on #Thursday13, Book 1 of her series  


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. 

 Trancing the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series, Book 1)
Fantasy, paranormal
Blurb
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 Amazon
www.rachaelslate.com

Rachael  shares 13 sentences from her novel:

“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. 

You can stalk the author here
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#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Keeping Her Guilty Secret @AuthorAnnaJames

KEEPING HER GUILTY SECRET
Book 1, Forever Yours Trilogy
by Anna James
Mainstream (PG13) Contemporary
Soul Mate Publishing

Passion ignites between Nicole Bradford and Max Paradis the moment they lay eyes on each other, but despite the sizzling attraction and Max’s to-die-for kisses, Nicole is reluctant to get involved. She’s been burned by love before.

Carlo had been her ideal mate but the dream became a nightmare when his drug-smuggling past was revealed.

Now all Nicole wants is to get on with her life and keep the secret she’s been hiding for the last six years.

Still, how can she resist the handsome and sexy Max when he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a man? And what will she do when Carlo returns and threatens to expose her ugly past?

Nicole will have to trust Max with the truth if she wants to win his love and get Carlo out of her life for good. If she doesn’t, Carlo could destroy everything that matters most to her.

What Reviewers Say...
"KEEPING HER GUILTY SECRET is a fast-paced read that pulses with romance and passion, mystery and suspense. It’s also the first in a new series by author Anna James, and it will leave you eager for more! ***** USA Today Best Selling Author SANDRA MARTON, author of the bestselling Wilde Sisters trilogy

"Anna James’s new novel, Keeping Her Guilty Secret, is a well-written story about Nicole and Max. They meet and fall in love even though financially they are worlds apart. To complicate matters, Nicole’s previous lover shows up threatening to reveal her past. Nicole has had to take care of herself and her sisters but wouldn’t every woman want a man like Max to swoop in and make it all better? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this talented author. Write on, Ms. James!"***** Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt

He came closer and the heady scent of his cologne invaded her senses, making her lightheaded. She sucked in a deep breath and tried to steady her pounding heart. Yep, a whole lotta trouble, here.A smart woman would walk away.She was a smart woman.She was.She didn’t move. Instead, she reached out and stroked his cheek. His soft skin made her fingertips tingle.His lips parted.Blood roared through her ears, drowning out reason. Want—no, need—raced through her. Rising up on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips over his.He pulled back and stared, probably as stunned by her action as she but before she had time to say anything, he crushed her against his strong, muscular body. His mouth moved over hers, devouring its softness.Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. The rational part of her brain begged her to stop this madness. She’d only met the man moments ago. But, oh my, the taste of his mouth and the feel of his hands in her hair and his citrusy scent—A sudden noise had her jerking away from him. Turning, she found Reed standing in the doorway.Max uttered a soft curse.Reed chuckled. “Well, it looks like you two have met so I’ll spare you the introduction.”

About Anna James
Anna James writes contemporary romance novels with strong, confident heroes and heroines who conquer life’s trials and find their HEA.  Her debut story released in 2010. Since then, Anna has penned eleven novels/novellas.

Anna is married to a wonderful husband who spends countless hours picking up the slack around the house so she can pursue her dream of writing, is the proud mother of five fabulous children, and a big, loveable rescue dog the entire family adores.

website  |  facebook  |  twitter

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Desire of a Lady @LindaRaeSa

The Desire of a Lady
The Sisters of the Aristocracy
Linda Rae Sande

As the illegitimate daughter of an earl, Lily was a maid until the Earl of Trenton claimed her as his sister. Suddenly being courted by four aristocrats and a subject of the gossip rags, she wonders if her substantial dowry is the reason she’s so popular. Concerned by what he's reading in the newspapers, the earl invites her to spend the summer with him in Staffordshire so he can hear her side of the stories—tales Lily may need to embellish a bit to get her way.

William started life as a street urchin, but he worked his way up as a clerk at an import company and has a beautiful home to show for it. Satisfied with life, he has no need to wonder what's next—until he’s reintroduced to the comely blonde he once saved from a rake. The idea of courting Lily is suddenly all he can think about. But will Lily consider his suit now that she’s elevated in Society?

Lily decides she may have to spin a few tales of her own to get her way in The Desire of a Lady.

"What I cannot imagine is a life without Lily,

for I do not believe it would be a life worth living."

Buy Link

EXCERPT

Sarah Wellingham, Countess of Trenton, speared her fingers through her husband’s butter blond curls. “Why, give me a glance with those beautiful blue eyes and toss me a sovereign, and I’ll give you a tumble right here and now.”Gabriel Wellingham, Earl of Trenton, straightened at his desk and regarded his wife with widened eyes. “What?” he replied in shock. “It didn’t cost me anything last night!” he claimed in mock dismay.Grinning in delight, Sarah shrugged. “It’s those blue eyes and that blond hair,” she whispered as she ruffled up his hair with her long fingers. A gold filigree bracelet dotted with sapphires encircled the wrist at the base of her hand. Although the piece of jewelry was more appropriately worn at balls and the opera, Gabriel had insisted she wear it everyday. “You’ll need a reminder you’re a countess now, and no longer a commoner,” he had said when he first wrapped it around her wrist. Sarah tore her eyes away from the winking blue jewels and settled them back on her husband’s blue eyes. “And speaking of your very best trait, you must know your sister is receiving a good deal of attention, and not all of it because of those blue eyes and blond curls of hers,” she said with an arched eyebrow. “She was mentioned again in The Morning Chronicle.” The earl rolled his eyes and sighed. “I am a bit concerned about that,” he admitted, “Which is why I’m considering sending the coach to London for her. It would do her some good to spend some time in the country.”Sarah nodded her understanding, not about to tell him she had already sent a letter to her sister-in-law with the invitation to visit Trenton Manor. Although Sarah was still the manager of the Spread Eagle in Stretton, she had arranged for Margery Higgins, her eventual replacement, to see to the operation of the coaching inn while she prepared for her sister-in-law’s arrival. At some point, probably sooner than later, Margery would simply take over and run the inn, but Sarah had promised the owner she would continue her involvement until Margery was truly ready to assume command. With a toddler hanging onto her skirts and what she was sure was another baby on the way, Sarah hoped it would be sooner.“I fear those who pay her such attendance don’t necessarily have her best interests at heart,” Sarah said as she took the chair across from her husband’s desk. Although she had only been his countess a bit more than a year, Sarah had settled into her role much like she had when she agreed to manage the Spread Eagle. An earldom, as it turned out, was very much like a business. Gabriel frowned. “You think they mean to ruin her and ... what?” he asked in alarm.Allowing a sigh, Sarah leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Ruin her and marry her,” she clarified. “She’s a very pretty chit, but there is another reason all the young bucks, and some not so young ones, are interested in taking her as their wife.”His blue eyes widening in alarm, Gabriel shook his head. “Her dowry, do you suppose?” he asked finally.It took everything Sarah had not to roll her eyes.

ABOUT Linda Rae Sande
A former technical writer, Linda Rae’s interest in the Regency has resulted in ten books set during that era. When she’s not writing, she can frequently be found at the local cinema enjoying the latest movie. During the winter, she houses junior hockey players and is a fan of the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody. Read more about her books on her website: www.lindaraesande.com.

Website: http://www.lindaraesande.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindaraesa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Rae-Sande-Author/381743265303769?ref=hl
Blog: http://lindaraesande.wordpress.com/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7008676.Linda_Rae_Sande
LinkedIn :href=http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=2973610
Google+ :https://plus.google.com/u/0/104459146396988139872
My Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/linda2612/
AuthorGraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/lindaraesa

A REMATCH Book Spotlight with #MFRWauthor @RachaelSlate

Rematch
Chinese Zodiac Romance Series, #1.5
by Rachael Slate

Rematch is book 1.5 in the steamy fantasy romance series about the Chinese Zodiac. If you love dirty-talking alpha heroes, tough heroines who challenge them, exotic cultures, and unique twists on mythology, then this series is for you! Will they be the best match...or the worst?

Buy Link

EXCERPT

Her free hand flattened against his chest and he inhaled sharply at the warmth of contact. He hadn’t permitted anyone to touch this body. Hadn’t ever wanted anyone to. With her, the yearning was almost unbearable. He desired her hands, her mouth, her tongue. Everywhere.Her stroking lightened as she trailed her fingertips downward.He swallowed hard. He ought to stop this, whatever it was, but hell, curiosity demanded he allow her game.Her fingertips left his bare flesh, one by one, until only the tip of her index finger continued its downward path. An inch above his waistline, she paused. Her gaze flicked back up to his, one eyebrow arched. Was she asking his permission? Bloody hell, no way she’d missed the thick outline of his erection.She drew her bottom lip between her teeth. Indecisive? Perhaps he should encourage her exploration. He bent forward and feathered his lips against hers. Once. One taste, and then he pulled back.Her mouth parted, those soft, velvety lips inviting him deeper. He eased his grip off her throat and caressed his hand along her collarbone. Her warm, sweet breath heated through his body, making him shudder with need. Pressing his lips to hers again, he flicked his tongue along hers slowly, careful not to unleash too much passion upon her. She was mortal, after all.Delicate and fragile.She moaned, her body melting against his as she lifted her leg to stroke her knee along his thigh. Coaxing him closer. He released her other hand and she glided it across his abs, her exploration firing explosive sparks over his skin.This tight leather outfit she wore provoked him. Taunted him. He yearned to peel it off her. With his teeth.As he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, he skimmed his hand over her pert breast and around to grab her *ss, aiding her thigh higher. Cradling his hips against hers, he ground their lower bodies together.Suddenly, she wrenched her lips off his, twisting her head to the side. Her skin was flushed, her breathing in irregular pants. She clearly desired him, so why had she stopped?“I believe this belongs to you.”

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.

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

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Not Vanilla by #MFRWauthor Roz Lee @IWriteRomance

Not Vanilla - Bondage
USA Today Bestselling Author Roz Lee and Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynne, invite you to taste the forbidden in a brand-new series offering a tantalizing glimpse into a range of ""flavors"" that are definitely not vanilla!

NOT VANILLA - BONDAGE, will be out on July 21st, and includes HUNG UP by Roz Lee and ALPHA SUBMISSIVE by Jennifer Lynne. These sexy, novelette-length stories are designed to take you into the erotic world of rope bondage, while still holding onto the romance.

Taste the forbidden.

Amazon BUY LINK

EXCERPT
At sixteen, Colton Barnes had already made a name for himself on the football field, the baseball

field, the debate team, the academic decathlon team, and the junior rodeo circuit. He walked the halls of Jeff Davis High School as if he owned them—and, hell, he did. Every guy wanted to be him, every girl wanted to do him, and every teacher wanted to clone him. Eventually, he chose rodeo over the colleges offering him both academic and athletic scholarships. He was/is too good to be true.

Sometimes I wonder if he regrets the path he chose. He made a fortune on the Professional Bull Rider’s circuit, but the sport took as much as it gave. Forced to retire after a particularly nasty animal stomped on his right leg, smashing the bones to bits, he returned to Ft. Worth with a noticeable limp, and started a business making custom bull ropes. He mostly keeps to himself these days, occasionally showing up at The Lone Star to have a drink with his buddies from high school. That’s where he found me.

I go there every week to drink and laugh with my girlfriends. The group ranges from a few to a dozen, depending on work schedules. We’re all single, except April who’s engaged and Bailey Rose who has a semi-permanent thing going with Travis. Conversation usually revolves around our dates, or lack thereof. Everyone there knows I dance, so it’s not unusual for one of the regulars at the club to drag me down to the dance floor to teach some greenhorn the basic steps. I was headed back to my table after teaching some sorority girl how to two-step when Colton stepped into my path.

At thirty, he is even more handsome than he’d been as a teenager. Age and experience have added character to his features, something I hadn’t been aware of until the moment I crashed into his broad chest.

He apologized profusely, but hell, if I’d had two nickels to rub together, I would have paid him to let me bounce off his chest. He offered to buy me a drink, and, finding the manners bred into me as a Southern woman, I let him. I lost track of how many drinks I consumed at his expense, but when I woke up the next morning with a herd of longhorns stampeding through my skull, I vaguely remembered agreeing to pose for him. I’d found the napkin with directions on it stuffed inside my bra.

“You’re a class act, Bethany.”

CONNECT with Author Roz Lee
USA Today Bestselling author Roz Lee has penned over a dozen erotic romances. The first, The Lust Boat, was born of an idea acquired while on a Caribbean cruise with her family and soon blossomed into a five book series published by Red Sage. Following her love of baseball, she turned her attention to sexy athletes in tight pants, writing the critically acclaimed Mustangs Baseball series.
When Roz isn’t writing, she’s reading, or traipsing around the country on one adventure or another. No trip is too small, no tourist trap too cheesy, and no road unworthy of travel.

Website - http://www.RozLee.net
Blog - http://www.authorrozlee.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Iwriteromance
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/RozLee
Goodreads - http://bit.ly/1KRmJVe
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1KRmU2S

Myth, Maya and I-Magination on #Thursday13 with #MFRWauthor Cora J. Ramos

MFRW Author Cora J. Ramos reveals the 13 reasons she loves writing.

Cora Ramos is an award winning author of short stories of mystery and suspense that straddle the edge-whether that edge is the paranormal, a deadly decision or the place where science ends and magic resides.

Her current novel, Dance the Dream Awake, is a paranormal romantic suspense--a journey of self-discovery that extends into a past life that threatens this one. 


1. I love to go on adventures.
2. I learn things about myself and human nature.
3. It is better than a 9-5 job.
4. Commiserating with other authors-they're all a bit odd.
5. To sit and drink coffee for long stretches without feeling guilty.
6. Daydreaming is what I do, might as well be productive with it.
7. I stay sharp mentally.
8. Plotting to kill on paper takes out aggressions harmlessly.
9. The writing community is for the most part supportive and encouraging. Who doesn't love that?
10. I love to write--by hand that is, the actual art of handwriting.
11. Research--so much fun to learn new things and then use that information.
12. Reason to travel.
13. I might actually make some money at it.
                                    
                                    Dance the Dream Awake
                    Romantic Suspense, Paranormal 
                     Black Opal Books 
This just kept getting weirder and weirder…what in the hell was going on?

The shaman stepped forward from behind the women gathered around me. He held up my stone. “Where did you get this?”
“I—I didn’t mean to cause offense. Your ceremony was so beautiful

I was moved to place a gift on your altar.”

His face relaxed and he spoke more softly. “I see you do not know its meaning. It is very old, from early times. It has great power. You have been too generous. We cannot accept. You don’t understand what you have. We would like to help. Come tonight at dusk. We will bring someone to help you.” He pressed the stone into my hand and withdrew.

I was shaken. What—come back to this pyramid tonight? Not a chance in hell would I go back at night to this place—not for any reason.

 Buy link  Amazon

 You can find more about Cora at:
 Website
Blog
Facebook
Amazon Author Page

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Balancing Act @Jill_Blake_ #MFRWauthor

Balancing Act (The Santa Monica Trilogy, #3)
by Jill Blake
Erotic Contemporary Romance
BUY LINK

When Angie goes head to head against her old nemesis Zach, ""backroom negotiation"" takes on a whole new meaning. As lawyers on opposite sides of a case, they've got plenty to argue about. She's an environmentalist. He's in-house counsel for a land developer.

But handling difficult clients, interfering family and friends, and courtroom battles proves easier than facing a growing mutual attraction that threatens to spin out of control. While Angie wants to believe there's more to life than legal briefs, she's been burned before. Can she learn to trust Zach, or will complications of his playboy past derail any chance of a happily-ever-after?

Please note: Though this is the third book in the Santa Monica Trilogy, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

REVIEWS
"Crisply written second-chance romance about two lawyers on opposing sides of a lawsuit. We’ve met Angie before in the first two books of this series, which were about her older siblings. In Balancing Act, Angie plays the starring role. She’s funny and smart, and doesn’t take any s*** from the hero. Zach is your usual man-whore alpha type who’s about to fall and fall hard. What saves him from being a cliché is that he’s smart and has a good work ethic, and is conscientious when it comes to family... He also does some pretty sweet things along the way that show how he really feels about Angie, even before either one of them admits to being in a ""relationship""."

"One of the things I really like about Jill Blake’s books is that she builds a very realistic world and populates it with interesting quirky people. We see recurring bit players here, like Angie’s siblings and her ex-boyfriend Quinn. (I hope Quinn gets his own story!) There are also some not-so-nice characters like Zach’s squash buddy, who’s a real class-A jerk but who serves the purpose of filling both Zach and the reader in on some of the backstory."

"The pace moves quickly, with snappy dialogue and great chemistry between Zach and Angie. Overall, I really enjoyed this book."

ABOUT Jill Blake
Jill Blake loves chocolate, leisurely walks where she doesn’t break a sweat, and books with a guaranteed happy ending. A native of Philadelphia, Jill now lives in southern California with her husband and three children. During the day, she works as a physician in a busy medical practice. At night, she pens steamy romances.

Blog: http://jillblake.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.blake.3386
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JillBlake
Amazon: http://amzn.com/-/e/B00B1ZIHKS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jill_Blake_
Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/author/show/6899971.Jill_Blake

#Christmas in July BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Evergreen by #MFRWauthor @ErinCMcRae @Racheline_M @Torquere

Evergreen

Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae
Erotic GLBT Romance
Torquere Press

When bisexual polyamorous TV star Liam Campbell returns home to New York City for the holidays he finds out his best friend (with benefits) Charles Ortwin has recently acquired a serious boyfriend.

Thrown by not being the center of everyone's attention, Liam seeks out advice from various lovers and friends. each of whom are tied up with their own sensual pleasures.

When a holiday party ends in a series of arguments between Charles, the new boyfriend, and Liam, it takes a snowy Christmas, a bit of honest communication, and some delightful sexual agony to put everything back as it should be.

An interracial, bisexual, polyamorous, Hollywood, holiday romance.  What happens when a former child star goes home for the holidays?

BUY LINK

EXCERPT

When Liam gets back to his room Charles is asleep in his bed, at least somewhat undressed judging by the sweater and socks that are scattered on the floor. Liam sighs, but at this point he’s more amused than annoyed at the presumption. After everything that’s been fucked up about tonight, and even with everything they’re apparently going to have to talk about tomorrow, Charles passed out in his bed is comfortingly normal.
So Liam strips, and crawls into bed next to him, and leans over to turn off the light before wrapping an arm around Charles’ side and snuggling close. Above them, the stars on the ceiling glow.
When he wakes up in the morning, though, things feel complicated in that way Liam’s not used to, not with Charles. Charles is still asleep, his arm thrown over his head on the pillow, and Liam traces the long tendon in his wrist with a finger while he waits for Charles to wake up. While Liam’s still not sure that Victor’s right about Liam’s marriage being the trigger for Charles’s bullshit or even right that Liam and Charles are dating, he is right that they need to talk about it.
Finally, Charles stirs, and opens a bleary eye when Liam runs his whole palm along his arm. “What?” he asks, lifting a hand to rub his eyes and then squinting them shut again.
“Are you my boyfriend?”

ABOUT Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae

Racheline Maltese co-writes the Love in Los Angeles LGBT romance series with Erin McRae. Set in the film and television industry, the books (Starling (September 10, 2014), Doves (January 21, 2015), and Phoenix (June 10, 2015)) are available from Torquere Press. Their May/December "gay for you" novella Midsummer will be released Summer 2015 by Dreamspinner Press. You can also find their work in Best Gay Romance 2015 from Cleis Press.

CONNECT with Racheline & Erin

Joint Blog: http://Avian30.com

Erin’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8323893.Erin_McRae

Racheline’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1015335.Racheline_Maltese

Joint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.Racheline

#MFRWorg #Christmas in July: Champagne for Christmas @JeanJoachim AUTHOR INTERVIEW

MFRW asks author Jean Joachim some Quick & Quirky Questions.
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Married and the mother of two sons, she lives in New York City with her family. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued put, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice. 

If money were no object, where would you live?
I'd live in several places. Paris in the spring and fall, St.Thomas in the Winter and Upstate New York in the summer. Perhaps with a few weeks in NYC squeezed in.

If you were a tool, which would you be?
I'd be a jack knife, because then people could use me to solve a myriad of problems. I'm a problem solver by nature. Besides, a jack knife is a tool you take with you. I like to go along on trips and outings. I'd be a popular tool and helpful at the same time. Sounds perfect to me.

What song best represents you?
Walkin' on Sunshine. I'm basically a sunny person who likes to laugh, love and be happy. Spending my days writing romance books makes me very happy. I love what I do.

If stranded on a desert island, who would you bring?
I'd choose to be stranded on a desert island with either of my favorite authors, Sinclair Lewis or Jane Austen. I think I could live a lifetime just listening to stories about Regency England. And Mr. Lewis was a prolific American author who could write amazing books. I could learn a lot from him.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment.
My most embarrassing moment happened during my ad agency days. I was attending a conference and listening to a big lecture with the lights out and slides. Two men in front of me were gabbing. I shushed them two or three times. When the lights went up, I was appalled to see the two men were the president of my company (my boss) and the president of American Express, our biggest client. My boss made introductions and I wished I could sink into the floor.

City life or country life?
I love both city life and country life. I'm fortunate that I get to have both. I live in New York City and we have a little bungalow in upstate New York, where I go to write in the summer. I like to be indoors, cozy and warm in the winter, my least favorite season. But in the summertime, I hate being inside. I become a total outdoor girl. I adore sitting on the deck, watching the birds at the feeder and writing in the fresh air and quiet.

If you were an animal, which would you be?
I'd probably choose to be an elephant. not only do they have no natural enemies except man, but they live a long time are very social and very intelligent. All qualities I hope I possess.

Tell us about your holiday romance.

Champagne for Christmas

Contemporary Romance
Moonlight Books

Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater keep a summer romance sizzling through a freezing winter? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina, a former actress, is now a beautiful and wealthy widow...and more than a little lonely, especially during a glorious Christmas in New York City.

A chance meeting brings them together. Their passion for the stage joins their minds while love blossoms, despite their age gap. The theater, that once united them, may be the one hurdle they can’t clear. A steamy romance with a happy ending you’ll never see coming.

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"Ms. Joachim`s holiday book is a joy to read from beginning to end. I was instantly swept up and into the story. Many a time I could imagine myself standing on the streets of New York and seeing what had been so wonderfully described. The romance between an older woman and a younger man was tastefully and sensually penned. This may be one of the author`s best to date. I simply could not put it down. At one point near the end of the book, I begged off chatting with friends on Facebook so that I could find out how things ended! Of course Ms. Joachim delivered a perfect happily ever after just as she always does. If you enjoy Christmas romances you will love Champagne for Christmas." - V.L.

EXCERPT
The sultry, August air hung heavy around Nina, quickly melting the ice cream in her sundae. While gazing up at the clear, night sky to look for the Big Dipper, she dribbled fudge sauce on her new, aqua T-shirt. She pursed her lips. That’s what I get for not paying attention. With a disgusted sigh, she reached for a napkin before realizing she’d forgotten to take one. “Damn,” she muttered under her breath and doubled back to the stand before the stain set.
She rushed up to the tiny counter right as a tall, good-looking man holding a double scoop cone turned. They collided. Half of his cold treat fell onto her chest, causing her to gasp at the shock against her skin. She looked up into his light brown eyes as she grabbed the melting ball.
He slipped one arm around her waist to keep her from losing her footing. She stood wobbling, mesmerized by him. He was almost a whole foot taller than she was, with thick, straight, brown hair and shoulders a mile wide. Nina shifted the ice cream from hand to hand, not knowing what to do.
“I don’t think you can put that back on the cone. Maybe the garbage?” he suggested with a grin.
Nina jerked back to reality and stepped toward the trashcan, tossing in what was left of the melting mess. “I’m so sorry. I’ll buy you another one,” she said, reaching for napkins to wipe her shirt and hands.
“It was my fault…completely. You don’t have to buy me anything. Besides, I still have one scoop here. I’ll just…,” he began, approaching her with more napkins, and then stopping, his hand in midair, color suffusing his face.
Nina had raised a hand to halt his actions. “It’s okay. I’ve got this.” The young woman behind the counter offered him a replacement scoop for free. Nina sat down at the picnic table set up for people to eat outside. After a good look at her shirt, she knew it was ruined.
The tall, attractive man joined her. “At least let me pay for a new shirt,” he offered, sitting down next to her on the bench.
“It’s okay. I had a spill on it already. That’s why I was coming back and got in your way,” she said, finishing the last of her sundae.
“What flavor?” he asked.
“Mint chip…is there any other?” She laughed.
“Not for me.”
Nina’s gaze was drawn to his mouth, then his tongue, as he licked the cold confection off the cone first then his lips. She ran her own tongue over her bottom lip unconsciously, in tandem with him. Wonder what it would feel like to kiss him? “I’m Nina Wells.” She offered her hand, as soon as she could rip her stare from his mouth.
He shook it. “Clint Hayworth.”
“You look familiar,” she said, with hooded eyes, admiring his physique.
“I’ve seen you, too…in the garden? Next door?” he asked, looking away from his ice cream.
“You’re renting the Willis place?”
“Thinking about buying it, too.” He stopped eating long enough to shoot her a confident smile, his gaze resting on her face before sweeping over her chest and back again.

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