Friday, October 25, 2013

Wolf's release promises a hot, snowy treat

Cover reveals have so much excitement whirling around them. From all the last minute details with the cover designer—and sometimes cover artist—to the final spell check to make sure all the words are spelled correctly, to the thrill of of seeing all the pieces come together at long last, the cover reveal is like a baby shower. Friends from all over show up to celebrate this momentous occasion and give one final fond wish before the book comes out into the world.

Cover reveals are some of my favorite times. There's no worrying about sales rankings, marketing strategies, blog hops or tours, the cover reveal is a joyous time. It's pure artistry.

Over the last few months I have met some pretty incredible people, authors, readers, and reviewers alike who have become part of my social circles. We sometimes hang out on FB for hours, sometimes it's a quick comment, but we stay connected.

It's always great to hear back from authors and get updates from them on their successes. I had the pleasure of interviewing S.r. Howen and reading her book, The Chief of All Time, a couple months back, and since then she's been working on another title, this one under her pen name, Shaunna Wolf.

I am thrilled to invite you to celebrate with her and the cover reveal of her erotic romance/mystery, Life Flight. She kindly sent a synopsis my way to give everyone a tease of this sexy winter tale. Fair warning, this is a mature novel and is intended for readers 18+ due to sexual content and adult language. Life Flight has a December 2013 release, from Freya's Bower.

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SYNOPSIS
Malachi Blackfeather has spent twenty years in the Army. Two of those years as a Vietnam POW. Now that he's out, all he wants is some peace and quiet to figure out what to do with the rest of his life. Between the flashbacks, and an over interest in sex that is now being called sex addiction, finding his path isn't easy.


Kat is trying to escape an abusive marriage. Her soon to be ex is a master at manipulating the system, and her family thinks she should stay with him, "because no other man will want her". She's looking for escape in any form she can get it.


When they meet, sparks fly. Trapped by a blizzard, can two damaged people, who think there is no chance of love in the world for them, find each other, and survive an unforeseen circumstance that puts both of them in danger?

Mystery, romance, and danger, fill this novel, with a story that will draw you in and not let go.

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Sexy, isn't it? Two people with nowhere else to turn but to each other. Who can't feel the heat rising? So, without further adieu, why don't we have a look at that cover, huh?





So, what do you think? Sexy, huh? Warm colors. A racing helicopter. Stencil font. You get the drift. Will Malachi's Army training be the safety net they need to get through the blizzard or will they share the same snowy fate?

I'm getting the chills just thinking about it.

Stop by the novel's Goodreads page and stay connected with Life Flight, and other titles from S.r. Howen and Shaunna Wolf.

And, of course, thank you once again for taking the time out of your busy day for stopping by. It's people like you who help authors like Shaunna meet new and wonderful people to share her smexy stories with . . . hot and snowing.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Breeze's latest cover reveal a smoky tease

Hey all you sexy peeps out there . . .

The Breeze House must be beaming with anticipation and excitement knowing that today is Cover Reveal, the day Chasity Breeze's latest Firehouse Diaries book, Blinding Obsession, peeks out from behind her desk and gives everyone a wink while the rest of her is getting dressed and put together for her official walk out onto the Red Carpet of Self-publishers.

I haven't read the book yet, but if it's as hot as the last one, well, you know, I may have to leap into the nearest pile of snow just to cool off.

Chasity, as many of you know, is a great friend to new authors. She's helped so many of us navigate our way through the e-pub world, giving us a little protection along the way with her insight and helpful, courteous advice. But she hasn't done this alone.

I'm a married man. I have a beautiful wife. I know the signs when I see them. Chasity has her man, right along side her. His name is Brock, and if you know the two love birds, you know that their love is real. Never met the guy, but a good indication that he's doing right is in the attitude of his woman. You can feel Chasity's zest for life, because she's sharing it with the man who loves her the most.

And now that love seems to have found its way one more time into the latest cover of the Firehouse Diaries. Brock is her resident graphic artist. He designs her covers and an assortment of other marketing goodies we'll be seeing for Blinding Obsession.

So, without further adieu, let's have a look at the cover for the latest installment of Chasity Breeze's Firehouse Diaries, Blinding Obsession:



What do you think? Leave her a comment. Send her some cheer. Send Brock a high-five. That tag team is on fire! And, of course, thank you very much for taking the time out of your day for stopping by. It's people like you who help authors like Chasity meet new and wonderful people to share her smexy stories with . . . Firehouse included.

If you get a chance, stop by her Facebook page.


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Parks plucks touching, lovely melody with 'Strangers'


It's a delight to read a story with haunting agony that yearns for release with just the right blend of love, humor, and second chances. Park's release, Strangers, hits the notes in all the right places. A little bit of sorrow. A little bit of hope. And a lot of human connection to round out this contemporary story. Life will never be the same for Abby. After suffering heartbreak (and in her wedding dress!) she can't pick her self up to move on, until the day she meets the stranger. He's all that she's been looking for since that fateful day, but can she allow herself to finally have these new yet familiar feelings of love and bury the man her soul wanted to marry? Strangers is a beautiful tale about learning to love again, a journey of the heart bruised by agony and troubled by longing. It's a tearjerker, just so you know, but worth the moments you find yourself nudging Abby on and into the arms of a perfect stranger

1. Before you tell us about your book, why don’t you share a little bit about yourself.
I am starting on my second career. I started out writing, graduated with an English degree, then decided on law school. The writing bug snuck up after many years sometime last year, and I have been unable to do anything but write. So, I am letting the law books gather dust, and writing about these amazing characters that keep popping into my psyche.

I live with my husband, kids, and spoiled dog outside of Washington DC; but I have lived all over the U.S., most recently in San Diego. I am very lucky to have an understanding and supportive husband that not only doesn’t gripe at me when I sit in front of a computer typing away about fictional characters and their lives all day long, but he also reads all my stuff and gives great feedback in a genre that he would not read if I didn’t write it. Lucky girl, right here!

2. Outside of writing, what sort of activities do you enjoy?
I don’t understand the question. There are other things to do outside of writing?

Kidding…

Well, like all writers, I spend a good deal of time reading. Since it is football season, I am either attending college football games, or watching them on TV. We do not have family close by, but we have great friends that we go out with, have bbq’s…the usual. We live on a wooded lot, so we have lots of nature trails that we walk on with the dog. Play soccer with my daughter…outdoorsy stuff.

3. Do you have a favorite food, snack, and/or beverage?
COFFEE!!  I have a coffee bar that consists of a regular coffee maker, coffee maker with built in grinder, and a Keurig. I am lobbying for a Keurig in my office, and the bedroom…it is pathetic.

I love Mexican food, seafood; pretty sure I could live on guacamole and chips. I am also patiently waiting for it to get cold enough to justify making a huge pot of chili.

Oh, and wine…for there must be wine.

4. Authors draw from a wide variety of experiences, from their own lives as well as the lives of others. Which is the richest source for you?
I have been so lucky to have travelled and lived in so many parts of the U.S. and abroad. Those experiences have been a wonderful resource in my writing. Just about every place I write about, I have been.

I also have a family rich in dysfunction. And I draw on the experiences and emotions in my writing. I have yet to use any specific instances in my writing, though. Some things are just too real to write about yet.

5. Of the stories you have written so far, which is your favorite and why?
I am writing a legal suspense trilogy, and am just about ready to send out queries. It is a huge MS, and I have spent the better part of the last year writing it. I know those characters better than I know some members of my family. It has been amazing learning how to let them take hold of their story, and feed it to me. I just love the characters, and their story.
That said, my debut, Strangers, is very near and dear to my heart because it is my first published novel. 

6. Embarrassing moment. Do you have one? Or better yet, are you sure you want to put it out there?
I typically have one per day! I think I am old enough now that I can just let them go a little easier. I guess the time I had too much to drink at a party, in my younger less inhibited days (no not last week!), and I dirty danced very badly…it was awful…with a guy that I did not remember the next day. Unfortunately, he did remember and felt our dancing escapades had deep meaning.

He was not my type, at all…but it did not stop my friends from harassing me about it for, well, forever. It starts off with, “Remember that guy you danced with…”

Still haunts me…

7. What genres do you write for? Are there any that you haven’t that you would like to explore?
I write mostly contemporary romance or romantic suspense. I am trying straight suspense with some romantic elements, also.

8. What advice would you give new authors?
Write, write, write…then write some more. When you are not writing – read! Do not let yourself get bogged down in the business of publishing as much, especially early. If you cannot produce something worthy of publishing, that people want to read, then no amount of understanding the publishing side of the business is going to matter. Put the majority of time and effort into your craft. And never stop learning and improving.

9. Now that we’ve had a chance to get to know you, tell us about the latest story you have out now? 
Strangers. I am so excited about where this book ended up taking me. It is so different from where it began. It started as a prompt in a challenge. It was 300 words; then a 3,000 word short story. I decided to make it into a full-length novel, and it grew to 50,000 words, before adding about 28,000 words prior to publishing it.

It is a romance through and through. It is available through Amazon on Kindle, or paperback. I also have signed paperbacks that can be purchased by emailing me (almparks2012@gmail.com).
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BLURB

From Strangers:

Bereaved bride Abby Clark is tortured by visions of the fatal crash that took her fiancé on their wedding day. She succumbs to a dark existence where loneliness, sadness and nightmares dwell; until handsome, brooding Bryce Holden walks through the door of her favorite coffee shop, wearing the same cloak of despair and grief. Abby discovers in Bryce someone who understands love and loss, and soon their close friendship grows into a deep love. But ghosts make strange bedfellows, and Abby is forced to battle the tormenting images that continue to haunt her, and confront the ethereal presence of a beloved wife to protect her future with Bryce.

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EXCERPT

From Strangers:
The city streets were bustling and alive with people moving quickly, gliding around each other with ease and grace, as if in an orchestrated ballet. The soft, swaying tones of Adele crooning about a love lost seemed at odds with the fast-paced dance that was occurring outside the window of the small café where Abby sat drinking her cappuccino, in no hurry to go anywhere or do anything. It was Valentine's Day, but the day meant nothing to her. Well, that was not altogether true – it meant nothing good to her. It meant reliving the worst day of her life.
It should have been a day overflowing with reminders of vows, pledges of love, and exchanges of rings. Instead, it was a jumbled mass of incoherent visions of wreckage, and blood, and goodbyes that came too soon. She recalled standing with her father in the Bride's room, knowing the church was filled with friends and family. She was ready to go, the time had come, but the wedding planner had not opened the door to usher them out. So she stood, holding her father's hand, trying to envision Trevor standing at the altar waiting for her.
The door creaked open slowly. The wedding planner poked her head around, and motioned towards her. Abby let out her breath and started to leave the room. Her father was asked to come out into the hall for a moment, leaving Abby standing alone, in her white dress, with her bouquet of white roses, and her red satin garter discreetly hidden away.
Her father returned; a grim look on his face. Even now, Abby struggled to recall exactly the words he spoke to her; only able to remember the rush of emotions they evoked that propelled her out the door, down the steps of the church to the white Rolls Royce limousine that made its way hastily to the emergency room. She went to him, over the vehement objections of the doctors and nurses. She grasped his hand covered in his blood, looked into his beautiful blue eyes, and demanded that he keep his promise to love her forever, to marry her and spend their lives together. Trevor returned her gaze, looked past her eyes, deep into her heart and settled into her soul. His hand grazed her cheek, a sweet simple smile on his face. He told her she would be okay. He whispered that he loved her. And then closed his eyes forever.
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Find STRANGERS on Amazon
Keep up with A.L. Parks on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ALParksAuthor

And on Twitter:

Twitter: @almparks2012

Read what others have to say about her stories on Goodreads:


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Her next novel, THE RETURN, has an anticipated release, December 6.

Here's a synopsis: Eve Carlisle had a singular purpose - sell the rustic house nestled in the Colorado ski resort town. Tortured by her husband’s betrayal, the beautiful divorcee refused to give her heart to another man. But Jake had been a happy surprise, with his mesmerizing blue eyes, warm smile, strong but gentle nature – as well as being incredibly sexy. She had convinced herself the relationship with Jake was nothing more than a fling. After all, she had a life in Newport, with society friends and a lucrative career as a family court judge. Still, Jake had a definitive hold over her, and she was finding it hard to think clearly where he was concerned. The demons of prior failed marriages haunt them both, and threaten to end things just as they are beginning. When Jake tells Eve he is falling in love with her, Eve refuses to believe it can last. Returning to Newport, the hollowness of her existence exposed, she must confront her fears before she loses Jake forever.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Matthews' deliciously crafted bondage story no shady deal


Paige Matthews
Chains, crosses, leather, these tools are not a means to an end, they are the sparks that give that end meaning. A fantasy explored, a safe word to set the limits, and more, await readers in this sexy members' only romp. Matthews' subtle attention to details and emotionally raw characters drive the second installment in her Devoured series. That place, that dungeon, it's more than a program for helping others find release through submission. Should I tell you? If I have to then you don't understand bondage. I'm no regular, but this story got me thinking and tingling in all the right places. If this is your first step into Devoured be fair warned, her turn of phrases leave you craving for more while always giving you a way out. Will you take it though? Consume Me was an electric, satisfying story; and since I like to be taken out of my comfort zones, this did the job.

1. Before you tell us about your book, why don’t you share a little bit about yourself.
I usually hate talking about myself, LOL. I live in Connecticut and currently write during any free time that I may or may not be granted. I am a mother of two very active children (3 and almost 5). I started writing during high school and continued my love of novels and writing through college and eventually my graduate studies.

2. Outside of writing, what sort of activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy reading and hanging out with my family. I am an avid hockey fan and love watching games. During the summer I enjoy traveling and visiting new places.

3. Do you have a favorite food, snack, and/or beverage?
Favorite food is chips and salsa. Sounds crazy but nothing beats a good spicy salsa and salty tortilla chips. Yummy!

4. Authors draw from a wide variety of experiences, from their own lives as well as the lives of others. Which is the richest source for you?
I think I draw heavily upon experiences of those around me and myself. I take my need for knowledge and turn it into stories. My stories focus on the emotional aspects of relationships as I try and dive into the character’s minds. I want the readers to have a full understanding of the characters' thought process, emotions, fears. Actions might not seem to fit the template of character action, but since when do we methodically plan out every reaction or thing we do in our real lives.

5. Of the stories you have written so far, which is your favorite and why?
I think Consume Me is my favorite. I feel more connected to the characters and the plot line. Marcus is divine. J My current WIP is pretty fun as well.

6. Embarrassing moment. Do you have one? Or better yet, are you sure you want to put it out there?
I almost fell flat on my face in front of a row of Publishers at the Book Expo America in NY. I tripped over a wire carrying an armload of books… I think I ran to the bathroom and hid for a few minutes!

7. What genres do you write for? Are there any that you haven’t that you would like to explore?
I primarily write erotic romances themed with BDSM elements. I am currently working on a couple of contemporary romances. I might give paranormal a shot, even though I feel comfortable within the genres that I write.

8. What advice would you give new authors?
You have to read and write. You are not going to grasp the language or how a book flows without devouring numerous amounts of them; both in and out of your genre. Write…you have to write. The only way to be a better writer is to write. You have to take the first step and do it. After that make sure you have an awesome team behind you of cover artists, editors and beta readers.

9. Now that we’ve had a chance to get to know you, tell us about the latest story you have out now?
Ahh…Consume Me. It is the second novel in my Devoured Club Series. The series revolves around three male Dominants that own a club together in Boston. Consume Me is Marcus and Emma’s story, told from alternating first person POV, yes I did first person. We see them struggle with their desires and their emotions. When Emma’s past comes to harm her, Marcus must admit his feelings or lose her. We have some killer sex scenes and a wonderful story of desire, need and love.
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BLURB

From Consume Me:


Emma O'Connor's interest in bondage and submission has led her to the training program at Devoured. With past sexual experiences less than par, Emma wants nothing more than to submit to a Master. With her need for pleasure and her desire to please , Emma finds herself exploring the desires that have remained subdued; although unsure if she could make a good submissive.

Marcus, the Dom in charge of the training program at Devoured, is more than interested in the feisty submissive. When Emma walks in for her interview, Marcus knows he's met his match. Consumed by nothing but thoughts of her, Marcus begins to doubt his ability to stay in control and his previous stance on collaring a submissive. Marcus finds himself unsure of his feelings for Emma, and his responsibility to the other trainees.

When a threat surfaces against Emma and her past comes back to haunt her, Marcus must admit his feelings for her in order to protect her, or risk losing her forever.

Join Marcus, Emma, and the rest of the Devoured Club Doms and Subs in the second installment of the Devoured Club Series.



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