Showing posts sorted by relevance for query three twenty-one. Sort by date Show all posts
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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Blog Tour - Heir to the Duke by Jane Ashford | Character Interview, Spreading the Word & Jane Ashford Book Bundle Giveaway

Today I'm showing off Jane Ashford's "Heir to the Duke," which happens to be the FIRST BOOK in her The Duke’s Sons series and comes out this January! Also, to celebrate, we invite you to get to know James Gresham, one of the six sons of the Duke of Langford, and to check out an excerpt from the book!

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run from December 27, 2015 - January 24, 2016]



My Q&A with a character from "Heir to the Duke" :

Character's Name : James
Character's Age : 26
Character's Occupation : Officer in the Royal Navy
Character's Appearance : Height: 6’ 0” | Hair Color: Auburn | Eye Color: Blue

How would you describe yourself? (100 words or less)
    I’m always wondering what’s over the horizon, what I’ll find at the next landfall. I was born a rover.

If your brothers had to describe you, what would they say?
    I think they might have difficulty doing that. I left home at sixteen and have been mostly at sea since then.

What is your favorite way to spend your time?
    On the water – lake, river, or ocean.

What’s one piece of advice you would give the newlyweds (Nathaniel and Violet)?
    Without hurting others, do as you please, not what people tell you to do.

If money was no object and you had no commitments for the next two weeks, what would you do?
    Get hold of a fine yacht and sail down to Cornwall, around Land’s End, and back up again.



"Heir to the Duke"
[The Duke’s Sons Series, Book 1] by Jane Ashford

Author's Book Description :
    Book 1 of The Duke’s Sons series

    From bestselling author Jane Ashford comes a brand new series of sparkling Regency Romance

    Life is predictable for a Duke’s first son

    As eldest son of the Duke of Langford, Nathaniel Gresham sees his arranged marriage to Lady Violet Devere as just another obligation to fulfill—highly suitable, if unexciting. But as Violet sets out to transform herself from dowdy wallflower to dazzling young duchess-to-be, proper Nathaniel sets out to prove he’s a match for his new bride’s vivacity and daring.

    Or so he once thought…
    Oppressed by her family all her life, Lady Violet can’t wait to enjoy the freedom of being a married woman. But then Violet learns her family’s sordid secret, and she’s faced with an impossible choice—does she tell Nathaniel and risk losing him, or does she hide it and live a lie?

This book is available to order on :

Amazon (e-Book) | Amazon (Paperback) | IndieBound (Paperback) | Kobo (e-Book)

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **



About the Author :

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. Her historical and contemporary romances have been published in Sweden, Italy, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, and Spain, as well as the U.S. Twenty-six of her new and backlist Regency romances are being published by Sourcebooks. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. She is currently rather nomadic.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Married to a Perfect Stranger



Book Excerpt :

Nathaniel Gresham, Viscount Hightower, stirred in his sleep. His hands groped for bedclothes, found nothing. Sensing wrongness, his consciousness rose through layers of befuddlement and wisps of dreams. He opened his eyes to find a gaping maw of three-inch fangs inches from his throat.
“Aah!”
Nathaniel threw up his arms to shield his face and twisted to the side. The convulsive movement brought him right to the edge of a large four-poster bed, and he scrambled to avoid falling three feet to the floor. He twisted in the opposite direction and struck out at the sharp, yellowed teeth. They did not snap shut on his forearm or lunge into his face once more. Indeed, they did not move at all, except sideways under his blow. There was no snarl or slaver, no spark of rage in the shiny eye behind the fangs. Nathaniel shoved them farther away and sat up.
He was stark naked, on a large bed stripped bare of linens, covered only by a moth-eaten gray wolf skin. The wretched thing’s head had been carefully placed on his chest, to ensure the rude awakening. His hips still rested under its hindquarters. Molting fur peppered the bed. The mere sight of the ancient pelt made his skin itch. Revolted, he pushed it all the way off and moved to the foot of the bed, struggling to get his bearings. This wasn’t his bedchamber. The blue-striped wallpaper was alien, the furnishings unfamiliar; the windows with their slant of early morning light were in the wrong place. Then he remembered. He was staying at the Earl of Moreley’s country house, because tomorrow—no, today—he was to marry the earl’s daughter at their local parish church.
Nathaniel glared at the wolf skin, then rubbed his hands over his face. This was what it meant to have five brothers—five younger brothers—on one’s wedding day. Or rather, on one’s wedding eve, a night they’d insisted upon marking with bowls of rack punch. Had it been three? Or had he lost count? No wonder they’d kept filling his glass, if they had this prank planned. Where the devil had they found a wolf skin in a strange house? And hadn’t he told his father, when Robert was born in his sixth year, that four sons were quite enough? Even for a duke, six sons were excessive. At this particular moment, Nathaniel thought that his parents might have been content with just one.
He rose, stretching stiff limbs and marveling that he had only a mild headache. Revenge on his brothers would have to wait for another day. Today, he was getting married. He was doing his duty to his name and his line, pledging himself to a woman who would be an admirable duchess when their turn came—may it be far in the future. The match was eminently suitable. All society acknowledged its rightness. And despite Violet’s irascible grandmother, the occasional bane of his existence, he could have no complaints.
Indeed, why had the word even occurred to him? No one had rushed him into marriage. He had enjoyed a plenitude of seasons in London and a number of agreeable flirtations and liaisons with delightful females. Though they had never spoken of it, he was aware that his parents had given him every opportunity to fall in love. But the passion that had overtaken them in their young days had not befallen him. He wasn’t sure why, but once he’d passed thirty he concluded it never would. He’d had more than enough time to observe that such a bond was rare in the circles of the haut ton.
Nathaniel stretched again, his bare limbs a bit chilly. This marriage was certainly not a penance. He liked Violet very much. They’d been acquainted for years. He did not know whether she’d had other offers, but he supposed that she too had waited for love to find her. They had that in common. They were also well suited by background, had similar tastes, and enjoyed the same even temperament. When he’d decided that the time for marriage had come, he’d simply known that she was the proper candidate. He expected their union to be gracious, harmonious, and ideal for the significant position they would someday be called upon to fulfill. And now it was time to stop wool- gathering, put on his dressing gown, and begin this momentous day.
Nathaniel walked over to the oaken wardrobe on the far wall and opened it.
It was empty. All his clothes had disappeared.
He stared at the bare hooks. This part of the prank would be Sebastian’s doing, he imagined. It had his next younger brother’s touch. Nathaniel met his own gaze in the mirror set into the wardrobe door, and acknowledged the spark of amused annoyance in his eyes. His brothers had a fiendish facility for complicated jests.
The figure in the glass shook its head. All the sons of the Duke of Langford were tall, handsome, broad-shouldered men with auburn hair and blue eyes. Sebastian was the tallest. Robert the wittiest. Randolph was acknowledged as the handsomest, James the most adventurous, and Alan the smartest. But he was the eldest, and the heir.
For as long as he could remember, Nathaniel had felt the weight of his destiny. The others said it was a burden to have everything done ahead of them, but he’d felt the onus of being the pattern, setting up the expectations, being the son visitors scrutinized the most. He would be the next duke; he must show he was worthy. Thus, he kept a tight rein on his wilder impulses. Instead, he was the one who came to the rescue when one of his brothers went too far, kicking up a lark.
And so now, he did not slam the empty wardrobe shut, but simply closed it. He would leave it to his valet to straighten this out. He wanted hot water for washing, and then clothes, and then breakfast. He went to ring for Cates, and discovered that the bell rope had been removed. He could see the wire to which it had been connected, near the ceiling, twelve feet up. It must have taken two or three of his brothers to reach so high.
For a moment he just stood there, staring at it. This final touch would be Robert’s idea, no doubt. He’d always been the most ingenious, the brother who added the crowning climax to a prank. Robert would be the one to set the others guffawing—describing their elder brother slinking through the corridors of the Earl of Moreley’s house wrapped in a wolf skin, like some sort of demented ancient Celt. Even Nathaniel had to smile at the picture. How would Violet’s fierce stickler of a grandmother like that? And all the other near and distant relations visiting for the wedding? He’d barely met most of them. Perhaps he’d twine some ivy from outside the window in his hair and attempt a Gaelic war cry.
Nathaniel laughed. Truth to tell, it was a splendid prank, unfolding like a puzzle box upon its hapless victim. All that remained was for him to wiggle out of the trap so cunningly set.
He eyed the windows and considered pulling down some of his almost-mother-in-law’s elaborate draperies to wrap about himself. But one panel would trail behind him like a coronation robe. The picture was little better than the wolf skin. Perhaps he would just wait until Cates arrived on his own. It couldn’t be too much longer. In fact, judging by the sunlight, his valet ought to have appeared well before now. Where the devil was he?
As if in answer to this thought, there was a knock at the door.
“Nathaniel?”
The voice was the last he expected. “Violet?”
“Are you all right? James said you needed to speak to me most urgent—” The door opened, and Nathaniel’s promised bride looked around the panels. “Oh!” Her mouth dropped open.
Nathaniel—stark naked, next to a bed sporting only a rumpled wolf skin—braced for a shriek, a shocked retreat, babbled apologies. But Violet just looked at him. Indeed, it seemed as if she couldn’t tear her eyes away. He could almost feel her gaze traveling along his skin, as if it left trails of warmth. He saw something stir in those gray eyes, something he’d never observed before, and his body began to respond to the possibility of much more than he’d expected from his suitable marriage. Respond all too eagerly.
Nathaniel moved over behind the bed. “My brothers’ idea of a joke,” he said with a gesture toward the wolf skin.
Violet blinked. Color flooded her cheeks, and she looked away. “How did they...?” Her voice was rather choked.
“They are endlessly inventive. They stole my clothes as well. Would you have someone send Cates to me? I would ring but”—he pointed to the bell wire—“they were quite thorough.”
Violet glanced at the denuded wire, swallowed, and gave a quick nod. “Of course.” In the next instant, she was gone.
“Well, well,” murmured Nathaniel to the wolf. “That was interesting.”
His days of being capable of interest long past, the wolf made no reply.



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Sunday, August 7, 2016

Entangled Ignite & Select Suspense Shooting Gallery Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Post, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway


Welcome to the Ignite and Select Suspense Shooting Gallery Booth! Authors Mari Manning, Christina Elle, Avery Flynn, and Julie Castle each wrote an original scene featuring new or existing characters at the shooting gallery at a summer carnival.. We hope you enjoy them, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway and grab your copies of the books below! [Blog Tour will run from August 5 – 14, 2016 & Giveaway will run until August 15, 2016]



Summer Carnival-Ignite & Select Suspense Scenes Featuring Mari Manning, Christina Elle, Avery Flynn, and Julie Castle

~ "Shooting Blue-Eyed Ducks" By: Mari Manning ~

“Go again, McCaffrey?”
Thomasina Lind turned to the man standing next to her at the Shoot ‘Em Up booth. The Zapata Texas County Fair surrounded them with sounds of laughter and tinny music, and the smells of popcorn and hot dogs. The evening air was thick and humid.
Jake McCaffrey looked down at her, and a half-smile—a friendly, but far from intimate half-smile—tugged at his mouth. “Until we have a winner,” he said. “Course, we already know who that will be.”
“You are every kind of fool if you believe that.” She tried to smile past the squeeze of her heart.
He tilted his head and frowned. “You just swallow a horsefly?”
“What?” Jeez.
“You heard me.”
“No.” She lifted her long, thick hair off her neck. “I’m just a little hot.”
For a split second his gaze dropped from her face, sweeping down her body, then it was back. “There’s hot, then there’s hot.”
Was that an interested look? “What?”
“That horsefly must’ve bit your tongue.”
She opened her mouth, then shut it when she realized she was about to say ‘what?’ again.
This was not going well. Not well at all. Jake McCaffrey was her best friend. They’d been part of a group of friends in college, and when they ended up in the same town, well, it seemed natural to hang out together. Except Jake had grown on her until every time she saw him, her mouth would sort of water, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off his wide mouth and baby blues, his mile-wide shoulders, his—
“Seriously, Tommie. Are you okay?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m okay. I just, uh, I just wanted to tell you something.”
“Shoot.” He grinned at his bad pun.
She glanced around. The old geezer in the booth stared at her, and the two girls behind Jake giggled. “Not right here.”
“What is going on? Are you sick?” He leaned into her.
The warmth of his body and woodsy scent of his aftershave filled her with a sweet-sad feeling because she wanted him and he wasn’t hers. Maybe he never would be. But there was only one way to find out. The hard way.
She wanted to holler at him, “Look at me, Jake McCaffrey. Really look at me. I’m a goddamn woman.” Just get it all out. The bottled-up feelings, the tingling desire to touch his skin, the need to be in his arms. But she lost her nerve. Instead she said, “Sometimes I feel like we’re more than friends.” Her heart was banging in her chest, and she almost gagged on the word ‘more’.
Surprise flashed in his eyes, then the light changed to recognition. He knew what she was saying. He tugged on his Stetson, and his handsome face fell into shadow. “Let’s see what you got.”
She couldn’t help herself. “What?”
He lifted his gun. “Best shot gets to ask any question he—or she—wants, and the loser has to tell the truth. Straight up. Deal?”
Confused, she sought his gaze, but in the shade of his hat, his eyes appeared dark and unfamiliar. She turned away and lifted her gun. What choice did she have? She’d gone this far. Their friendship was already damaged because he knew.
“Ladies first.”
“Thanks.” She slid the word between them, cutting the tension with sharp sarcasm. And sounding normal. Almost.
A Texas girl born and bred. She’d been shooting since she was eight. She lifted her gun. It felt familiar, and her nerves settled. The red and yellow ducks paraded across the target. A blue-eyed yellow duck emerged. Bang. Duck one. This was fun. She waited for another blue-eyed duck. Followed it in her sites. Bang. Duck two.
One more to go. Should she send a message? Just because I want you doesn’t mean you can mess with me. Yeah. Definitely. She waited. Three brown-eyed ducks, one green, then the blue was back. She felt full of life and optimism. She pulled the trigger. Bang. Duck three—gone.
She looked up at Jake and shrugged.
“Seems like you got something going for those poor blue-eyed critters.” The half-smiled tugged at his lips, and she wanted to lasso the world for him.
“Seems like I do. Your turn.”
He lifted his gun. “Maybe I should take out the brown-eyed ones.”
Well, at least he’d noticed the color of her eyes. “Shouldn’t be hard. There’s more of them.”
He chuckled, then shot a blue-eyed duck. “Dang.” But he didn’t sound sorry. He tightened his stance and shot again. Another blue-eyed duck went down.
One more. Whether he hit the next duck or the contest went on for a few more rounds, truth time was close. Sweat dampened her shirt, and dust dried in her throat. She was sorry she started this. They were friends. It was better than nothing, wasn’t it?
“If it’s a draw, let’s just leave it,” she said. “Besides the show is starting soon.”
He didn’t even look at her. “Bullshit.” Then he shot. A red duck dropped.
So did her jaw. He lost. Jake lost.
He set down his gun and turned to her. “Ask me anything.”
Stunned, she backed up a step. She’d expected to do the explaining. But now. It was yes or no, and he got to decide.
His hand slid over her arm, and he guided her around the side of the booth. Beside her, the ping, ping, ping of the shooting gallery seemed like it was a million miles away. She glanced up expecting sympathy or uncertainty. But his expression was closed.
“I don’t know if you’ve…I mean I wondered if…Have you ever considered…” Her cheeks began to burn.
He shifted. “That’s what I thought you meant.” Then he bent and cupped her face, tilting her mouth up to his. His baby blues shone softly.
One long, slow, sweet kiss later, he said, “Yes.”

~ By: Christina Elle ~

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Samantha Harper gazed at Ash Cooper with defiant blue eyes and a hand planted firmly on her hip. He’d grown accustomed to that look in the short time they’d known each other. It meant that an argument was on its way.
“When you said let’s practice, I didn’t realize you meant with guns that don’t shoot bullets.”
Well, yeah. With her aim and accuracy, the no bullets part was the biggest appeal.
They stood in the middle of St. Stanislaus Church parking lot, where a carnival had been erected to help raise money for a mission trip to Honduras. There wasn’t much wind in the middle of July in Baltimore, which added to the muggy and stifling air quality. A shocking amount of people turned out given the high temperature and humidity. It was the kind of day that when you stepped outside you walked through a wall of moisture.
A thick sheen of sweat soaked the back of Ash’s grey T-shirt, his boxer briefs were suctioned against his skin, and his flip-flops squeaked when he walked. If he was going to be this hot and sweaty, he’d much rather it be for a more physical and private reason.
But he’d promised to help her get better at shooting so she could pass the police entrance exam, and that’s what he was going to do.
Without bullets.
“You need help handling a gun,” he said, gesturing to the Shoot ‘Em Up booth. “And this is the best way to do that without all the pressure of a real weapon.”
She opened her mouth, most likely to rebut since that was one of the only things she did know how to do, but must have agreed with his logic because she snapped it closed.
“Well, yeah,” she said, “but where’s the sense of danger in shooting water into a clown’s mouth?” She pointed to the painted face with open mouth about ten feet away that had seen better days.
Again. Kinda the point. If she missed with these guns he’d only go home slightly wetter than he was right now. But with the other kind of gun? He shuddered thinking about the damage to his favorite organs.
There was enough distraction today because of her attire. No need to add anymore with the use of real ammo.
Sam was in one of her tank tops with thin straps. The kind that did wonders at warming his already heated blood. The damn woman was a nuisance and a burden on his common sense. The top of her shirt danced on the cusp of showing just enough cleavage to tease him without taunting him, but tight enough to show off her small, perky breasts. It was one of the reasons he’d suggested they get out of the house in the first place. His row home, which was next door to hers off 19th Street, was much too small with her staring at him in that thin fabric.
They’d been arguing again about her insistence to help him and his DEA teammates find a dangerous drug lord. He’d told her to stay the hell away. She’d told him to go to hell. He was ready to either strangle her or screw her senseless. Since his DEA Regional Director wouldn’t approve of either option, the only alternative was getting out and being around other people.
Still didn’t extinguish his desire. In fact, it heightened it. He kept glancing around the carnival and fantasizing about all the dark places they could sneak into for a few hot interludes together.
He shook his head and reminded himself that he’d brought her here with a purpose that didn’t include getting the two of them off.
They’d spent the first hour at the carnival enjoying the robust scenery of people, eating funnel cake and corndogs, and riding some of the more tame rides.
He could see another argument bubbling inside her right now. The tense turn of her bony shoulders. The firm set of her jaw. The challenge in her wide-set eyes. She was gearing up to dispute his logic of practicing her shooting skills at the carnival.
Stubborn woman.
“This used to be one of my favorite games as a kid,” he said, trying to distract not only her tenacious attitude but his lust too.
“Really?” she asked.
He gave a small smile in response, remembering the hours he’d spent every summer sneaking away from his paper route to shoot a couple of rounds. Then, how he’d had to slip the stuffed animals he’d won through the back door of their two-bedroom house before his dad would see them.
Ash picked up the gun next to hers and yanked upward to loosen the hose connected at the butt of the weapon. A familiar sensation coasted through him. The feel of metal in his hand. The rush of water shooting out the barrel. The pure joy he felt being stellar at something.
He rested his elbows on the counter and closed one eye to look down the imaginary sight. He aimed at one of the clown’s vacant eyes, which was a dingy white orb where the pupil should have been. Then he moved the barrel to the clown’s mouth where red paint had chipped away, revealing spatters of white plaster below. He lowered his attention. The target in the back of the clown’s throat was MIA and his green and white polka dot bowtie was cracked in half. The rest of his friends in the lineup were just as bad off. They looked more like something out of Stephen King’s IT, than a fun, family-friendly carnival game.
Setting the gun on the counter, Ash turned to her. “You made me ride on those slow-ass sissy rides. Now we’re gonna do something I wanna do.” He crossed his arms, readying for her verbal attack. “Besides, shooting is shooting. Whether it’s water or bullets, you still have to hold the gun, aim, and fire. All things we both have witnessed are issues for you.”
The intensity in her eyes died and hurt crept in, making him feel like a dick. But he didn’t apologize. It was the truth, and no one climbed great walls by sugarcoating the vast desert they had to cross to get there.
She glanced at the face across from them that wore a faded blue newsboy hat, round red nose, and a deflated yellow balloon protruding from the top of his skull, and bit her lip.
“Afraid you might lose?” he asked, knowing that would pull her out of her hesitation. If there was one thing Samantha loved, it was a healthy dose of competition.
So did Ash. He reveled the push and pull against a worthy opponent who wouldn’t give up or give in. And he knew for damn sure that Sam didn’t ever give in. On anything. Which was what made sex with her so appealing. She wasn’t one to be dominated, two things that Ash craved. He dominated everything. So to have a woman give back just as much as he was putting out. Well, let’s just say he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to ignore their attraction.
As expected, she snapped her head in his direction, a line forming between her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” He propped his hip against the counter, placing one foot over the other. “I’m gonna whoop your ass. Is that why you don’t want to give it a try? You afraid to lose?” Ash picked up the water gun, glancing at her, and pointed it toward his clown. “Understandable. I mean, I am an excellent shot.”
“Oh, please,” she said, her posture growing more confident with each second. Straightening her spine, her shoulders went back and her neck elongated.
Goddamn she looked amazing when she got all worked up. It took everything he had not to tug her against him and crash his lips onto hers.
“No, no, it’s fine,” he said, standing and setting the gun down. “Most people can’t compete. I don’t want you to feel bad after I pop my balloon before you even have a chance to blow yours up.”
She lifted onto her toes to make up the difference in their height, intruding on his personal space, so he dipped his chin to meet her halfway. Her blue eyes blazed and her lip snarled slightly.
It was a hot fucking sight. One he wanted to see in a much different situation. One where he could really push her limits and feel the full intensity of her wrath.
His mouth curled. Go ahead. Take it out on me. I’ll take everything you got, and then some, sweetheart.
“You think you have this in the bag?” she asked, her cheeks growing pink. “You think I can’t do it? I can’t beat you?”
“I know you can’t,” he said, loving the way her eyes widened in barely contained fury. His fists curled at his sides so he wouldn’t reach out for her. “There’s no way you’ll beat me.”
Still on her tiptoes, she narrowed her eyes. “Oh, yeah?”
He lowered even more, nearly resting his nose on hers. “Yeah.”
She swallowed hard. “Want to bet on it?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Sam dropped to her normal height and glanced past him. “Hmm,” she mused. “I don’t know yet. But I want it to be really, really good. So how about we just say that I reserve the right to pick once I win?”
“But you’re not going to win,” he said.
Hand on her hip again. “How can you be this confident?”
He returned the gesture. Just for fun. “Which one of the two of us can shoot their target perfectly with one hand behind their back and their eyes closed?” He lifted his eyebrows at her.
Instead of the embarrassed expression he expected, she gave him a self-satisfied smirk. “Guess which one of us just upped the ante.”
“The what?” he asked. “What do you mean?”
“Since you have the advantage, you’ll be shooting with one hand behind your back and your eyes closed.”
“Now, wait just a second. How the hell am I supposed to see the target?”
She shrugged. “You tell me, Dirty Harry. You’re the genius who bragged about your abilities. Figure it out.”
“This is bull,” he said. “There’s no way I’ll be able to fill my balloon in time. It takes precision. I need to be able to gauge the water’s trajectory.”
She crossed her arms and quirked one eyebrow. “Now who’s afraid to lose?”
He wasn’t going to lose. That couldn’t effing happen.
Not with his training and experience.
“Wanna back out, chicken?” she asked, still grinning. She even clucked. Clucked!
“Hell no,” he said. No way.
“Then let’s do this,” she said, slapping a dollar bill on the counter.
An older woman around fifty years old with short light blonde hair came from the dunking booth next door and greeted them. “Ready to play?” ‘
“Yes, we are,” Sam said. “Aren’t we, Ash?”
“Sure,” he grumbled, pulling out another two dollars. “Best two out of three though.” He wasn’t taking any chances on a fluke.
The older woman nodded and flicked a switch on the side of the booth.
“Have fun,” she said, smiling as she walked away.
Sam turned to him. “So how do we do this? Just count one, two, three, go?”
Not answering, Ash picked up his gun, rested his elbows on the counter as he’d done before and tried to concentrate on the target before she made him closed his eyes.
Sam didn’t change her posture. Just picked up the gun and pointed with one hand in the direction of the clowns.
“Don’t forget,” she said, staring ahead, “eyes closed when I get to three.”
“Yeah, yeah. Start counting.” He kept his absolute attention on the open mouth of the clown in front of him. That’s all that mattered right now. Eye on the prize.
“Fine,” she said. “One…Two…”
A steady stream of water shot from her gun and landed perfectly in the open mouth of her clown.
“What the fu—!” He caught sight of the older woman to their right, giggling, and stopped himself from finishing the curse. He pressed the trigger on his gun as hard as he could, not bothering to close his eyes. He watched as Sam’s balloon filled up twice as fast as his. “Cheater.”
She didn’t turn, but he knew she heard him because she let out a loud bark of laughter. “What? I needed some sort of advantage.”
Within seconds, her balloon popped first.
She turned with a triumphant grin. “That’s one. One more to go.”
“Next round you won’t get so lucky.”
“Actually, I probably will,” she said. “I’ve got a new balloon.” She nudged her chin in the direction of the older woman strapping a pink balloon on Sam’s clown. “Yours is all stretched out. It’ll hold more water before it pops. Mine has tighter resistance, so it should pop first.” She flashed him all teeth, and he actually had to remind himself to breath. Almost had to beat on his chest to get his damn ticker to restart too.

Ash blinked, bringing himself back to reality and the importance of winning this damn game. “Let’s just get this over with. I’m counting this time.”
Sam shrugged, unconcerned. “Have at it.”
He readied himself on his elbows again, focusing on nothing but that small, open hole. “One…Two…” He snuck a peek at her. She had one eye closed and her tongue half out of her mouth in concentration. “Two and a half…”
Sam let out a small chuckle. “Come on, or I’m going to shoot right now.”
“Three.”
Both of their guns fired at the same time. His stream hit his target immediately. Hers waivered. She muttered a brief, “shit,” before she righted her aim. His balloon filled up much faster this time, and she must have sensed that the trophy was drifting farther out of her reach, because she quickly raised her other hand to hold on more firmly to the gun.
His balloon kept filling.
And filling.
And fucking filling.
Hers was half the size of his when it popped.
Damn it.
Despite holding onto the trigger like it was his lifeline, the water drained and he had to set the gun down.
“I want a rematch,” he said. “That was rigged.”
She turned with a broad, triumphant smile and threw her arms around his neck. “I won!” she shouted through laughter. “I freaking won! I beat you! I can’t believe it, but I beat you!”
Before he had a chance to react or understand what was happening, she pulled his face down to hers and she planted a quick, chaste kiss on him that rendered him speechless.
“Admit it,” she said, arms still around his neck. “I won. Not quite fair and square, but I still won.”
He wasn’t concerned with the score anymore. “If I agree with you, will you kiss me again?”
A small smile played on her lips. “Why don’t you try and see what happens.”
“You wo—”
She yanked his face down again, and this time when she placed her lips on his, it wasn’t quick and it sure as hell wasn’t chaste. It scorched every piece of him, burning through his entire body until he felt nothing but the desire to carry her back to his place and show her just how much she really had won.
One…two…three kisses at a time.

~ "Bad Boy on Tap" By: Avery Flynn ~

Aurora Calvert was twenty bucks in and no closer to a fuzzy unicorn the size of Rhode Island than she’d been when she’d stepped up to the Fantasy Shoot ‘Em Up booth. The ten year old behind her was getting restless. Her trigger finger was sweaty. The hot guy manning the booth was looking at her like she’d lost it. Maybe she had.
In her defense, setting foot back in Salvation, Virginia had the tendency to make a person go nuts. Fast. But when her shithead of a cousin, Myron, had bet there was no way a girl who’d spent the last five years in the city could still do the Salvation County Fair Ride and Shoot Challenge, she wasn’t about to back down. All she had to do was hit one measly target—easier said than done after six back-to-back turns on The Hammer of Death.
“You’re not giving up are you?” Myron asked, as full of himself as he was of a six pack of Sweet Salvation Brewery’s finest.
“Just suckering you in.” Oh yeah, and buying some time for her double vision to chill the fuck out. “Care to raise the bet?”
“A thousand,” he sneered.
She gulped. “Fine.”
“Are you sure you wanna do this?” the carny asked.
Even seeing two of him thanks to the way her brain had been shaken and stirred while she’d been spun around and around in the Hammer’s metal cage before plunging almost to the ground, she had to admit that the dude was hot. Tall with broad shoulders and a tight butt, he had tattoos climbing up both thick, muscular forearms. His aviator shades didn’t give anything away, but she’d bet her agent’s share of her last TV hosting gig that his eyes were dark, brooding and more than a little bit wild. Just when her stomach had finally settled, the hot carny had the butterflies doing the tango.
She blinked hard. “I’m good.”
One dark eyebrow arched high enough to be seen over the rim of his shades as he handed her the freshly loaded BB gun. “Do you ever back down from a challenge, honey?”
She raised her chin an inch higher. “Never and I’m not your honey.”
She lined up her shot, focused on the clown’s nose in the middle and—
“DON’T MISS!” Myron shouted in her ear right as she pulled the trigger.
She jerked the BB gun in surprise. The shot went wild, ricocheted off hot carny’s very large and very ornate belt buckle and hit the middle clown square in the nose, knocking it down.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Aurora put the gun down before she gave into the temptation to shoot Myron’s boney little ass with it as he ran away.
The carny rubbed a calloused thumb over the BB-sized dent in his belt buckle. “A few inches south and I’d be giving my answer in a higher octave.”
“I’m so sorry.” Embarrassment heat her cheeks to face-of-the-sun temperatures. “I’m usually a much better shot.”
“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll let you make it up to me with dinner.”
Aurora was in Salvation for a week to prep for the next season of her newest show for House and Garden TV, dinner with anyone—let alone a totally hot stranger who spent his life traveling from town to town—was not on the menu. She’d learned her lesson about bad boys and wanderers. It wasn’t one she ever needed to repeat.
“I don’t think so.” She softened the refusal with her best sweet smile. It was the one she used when the design swap contestant obviously hated their house makeover.
He took a step closer so that only the edge of the booth separated them. “It’s not a request.”
“Say again?” She took a defensive step back.
He slipped off the sunglasses, revealing eyes so blue the summer sky in June could take a few pointers from him. She knew those eyes. Adrenaline shot through her veins hot as rocket fuel and just as fast. Beau McCullum. See bad boys exhibits A through ZZ. He wasn’t just the lesson. He’d been her master class in poor decisions and lifetime regrets.
“What’s wrong?” Beau turned on enough sex appeal and dangerous charm to give her a sunburn. “Don’t you recognize your own first love?”
She hadn’t fainted from riding The Hammer of Death. She hadn’t lost her nerve when it came time to get on The Dragon’s Tail for the third time. But faced with the man who’d broken her heart and nearly ruined her life? Oh yeah, her knees got more than a little wobbly.
“I thought you were in prison.” It came out breathy and weak. How in the hell had she missed his release?
“Not any more, honey.” All the heat disappeared from his eyes, replaced by cold, black ice—-the kind that you never noticed until it was too late. “And you have a lot of explaining to do about how I ended up there while you got off scot-free.”

~ "Shooting Stars" By: Julie Castle ~

It was bad enough that she was roaming Chicago’s Navy Pier at midnight when she should still be partying at the Hyatt with her fellow new Delta Star Grads, but even worse Cassandra McLean didn’t exactly know what the blazes she was doing here. A cryptic note left in her evening bag had told her to come to the Shooting Gallery for her first assignment. It was highly unusual, to get a posting this way, even for an agency that flew under the covers like Delta Star did. At the same time this was too big an opportunity, and too intriguing to pass up.
Especially for someone like her who’d barely scraped by in training, almost getting drummed out of the agency when she stuck up for an instructor who’d been tarnished by false accusations. Dylan Fox might be a lot of things but dirty wasn’t one of them. Cool, untouchable, a legendary secret agent yes, but dirty no. You’d think Director Frost would be pleased when she defended Fox at the top of her lungs. He hadn’t made the drug buy he’d been accused of. She’d been in the gym at the time the buy had allegedly gone down. It had never happened. Instead of thanking her for trying to exonerate one of his agents the Director had been quietly pissed; even Fox himself had given her the cold shoulder before he left.
Shaking in her spike heels, she cursed the fact that she’d let her roommate talk her into wearing high heels to the party, as she took in the mixed crowd that jostled for position around the Shooting Gallery. The park would be closing for the evening in about ten minutes and it seemed everyone wanted to get in their last shot. Not that she could blame them, even if these games were rigged. A slick businessman in a tailored suit was mowing down tin ducks like they owed him money. Sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Station, pristine in their crackerjack uniforms that always made her smile were missing more than they were hitting, teenagers were placing bets and showing off for their girlfriends, and the girls pretending they couldn’t shoot. At least she didn’t have that problem, no romantic entanglements for her. Yikes how could she find her assignment amidst the crowd?
Blending in was impossible given that she was in evening clothes, but then whoever’d sent her the note had to know that. The sea parted as the teenagers walked away. She walked up to the concession booth and froze. Dylan... was dirty alright! From the stubble on his chisled face to the tats covering his toned arms bared in the black wife beater tank top he sported, and non-regulation longish hair she wanted to rake her hands though, he was all kinds of dissreptuable.
What on earth! Had this all been a cheap trick on his part to ruin her graduation party? He was leaning on a half wall chatting up a couple of giggling twentysomethings who ought to know better, flirting with a carnie. He winked at them as they walked away and Cassie fumed. What was he trying to pull? He said something to the older woman stocking the prize wall beside him and she smiled and walked away.
So he could be nice when he wanted to, not that he’d ever extended that courtesy to her. And now he’d ruined what should have been one of the happiest nights of her life, the dirty, rotten, SOB. She stood frozen as he turned to gather the shooting gallery rifles and saw her standing there. The shock of recognition in his whiskey brown eyes made her freeze, even as it made her heart race. Then his lambent gaze swept over her from her spiked heels, to her silver party dress, the skirt billowing around her bare legs in the summer breeze off Lake Michigan, to the body hugging camisole top containing her breasts that crazily tingled and budded as he looked at them, to her dark hair upswept in a French twist.
She’d tried to look sophisticated for the party tonight and not like the wrong side of the tracks tomboy she was. She’d even let her roommate talk her into trying heels. Apparently she’d succeeded going by the smile on his face as he gazed at her. Heart slamming against her ribs she couldn’t have run even if she wanted to. Besides she suddenly didn’t want to and he had some explaining to do, didn’t he? She had to at least get that out of him.
“You’ve grown up little Cassie.”
“I’m not little,” she replied annoyed. She hated when he used that little condescending tone, like when he’d taught a class on counter terrorism, before he’d been disgraced and fired on trumped up charges.
He smiled. “Believe me, Precious, I know.”
Was that a crack about her weight. Tall, and built along somewhat Amazonian lines she’d always been a bit sensitive about that. But no his sultry gaze lingered in the vicinity of her breasts. The hussies that they were, they swelled as his gaze lingered on them longer than was polite.
He appeared to realize it too as he shook his head and looked down. “So, Precious, what are you doing here, slumming?”
~
Dylan Fox did his level best to ignore the beauty before him, trying to think. What the hell was going on? Come on think stupid this is what they pay you the combat pay for. Sexy little Cassie McLean didn’t just casually come down here by chance. Something was rotten with this set up. He’d known it from the start. Things had almost been jinxed from the beginning when the little firebrand had vocally defended him at Delta Star, almost ending his mission before it started. She had more guts than many he could name which is why he’d convinced the Director to keep her on when he’d been inclined to fire her for insubordination. No harm, no foul, and it had been a novel experience to have someone try to save him. And now she was here in the middle of this clusterflop.
He really didn’t give a shit about himself but he would not lose her to not so friendly fire. Okay, so the sailor boys were pounding beers and missing the targets. The slick in the suit was aiming like he was a sniper, and soccer mom looked like she wanted to kick a wall. Nothing looked wrong but his gut told him it was. He always listened to his gut. Hell maybe she’d tracked him down because she wanted to see him. Yeah, and pigs would fly soon. He finally met her gaze. It was the look in her emerald green eyes that got to him the most, sharp as hell, incisive, and hurt. Great now he wanted to kick a wall. Instead he put the shooting gallery guns back in their holders on the counter, buying himself some time. Cassie was glaring at him, practically vibrating with outrage. So her looking for him for a quickie was off the menu he told himself with a smirk trying to keep it light. All he had to do was move her along try to figure this out.
~
Cassie seethed as he all but ignored her. What a jerk and to think she’d stuck up for him. Obviously the Director had him bang to rights. But no, that drug buy had never happened and she always told the truth. Lies only festered and caused pain, life had taught her that lesson. So what kind of lies was he telling? Damn it all he could at least pay attention to her. And what was with that slumming crack of his? He was so not going to get away with blaming this debacle on her. It was a good thing the park was starting to empty because she was going to tell him exactly what she thought of him. “As if you didn’t know,” she hissed. “What the hell are you trying to pull, luring me down here just to make fun of me?” She saw the startled look in his eyes at her words, saw him scan the crowd behind her again, as if they just washed off his back. “You could at least be polite and look at me when I’m yelling at you.”
~
Dylan’s gut clenched at her confirmation that someone had sent her down here. He sure as hell hadn’t done it. Her class of Delta Star Grads were whooping it up at the Hyatt, which explained the gown she was wearing. He was used to seeing her in uniform or sweats at the gym, nothing like this glamorous getup. Maybe that was why he’d been a little slow on the uptake. Yeah and maybe your losing your edge after one too many missions. But all that was meaningless now. She’d had his back at the academy and he had to have hers now. He looked past her to assess the situation. He scanned the crowd, his focus mainly on the slick in the suit, the wanna be rambo. The guy finished his shots, set the toy rifle down, and reached into his jacket. Shit, Dylan automatically drew his weapon, training kicking in along with adrenalin. He kept his weapon in the shadows hidden along his thigh while Cassie glared at him clearly not picking up the source of his tension. “Five bucks lady,” he said gruffly reaching down to pull a rifle out from under the counter. No way he would keep her undefended if they took him out.
~
She actually gaped at him when he thrust the rifle into her hands her outrage tipping over into hurt feelings territory. What now, was he just trying to make a buck off her? She opened her mouth to accuse him of just that when the weight of the rifle broke through her fog of outrage. Cold, heavy, long barrel. Oh shit! She glanced down to confirm what she’d instinctively sensed and gulped when she saw the sniper rifle in her hands. She’d aced that class, graduating as a sharpshooter. That’s when she saw the Glock in Dylan’s hand. He was keeping it out of sight but it was there. Okay time to stop going on hurt feelings, start acting like an agent, and get a flipping clue. No he, and the Director, hadn’t sent her on this assignment but it had found her just the same. She looked up at Dylan and saw the resolution and worry in his eyes and nodded. He didn’t send the note. She’d been the Jonah leading his enemies to him. Distracting him and letting someone get the drop on him. Around her she saw movement. Sailors laughing, the businessman shooting, others strolling by.
“Any advice?”
~
Dylan sighed when he watched the slick in the suit drop a tip in the jar and start to walk away. He noticed Cassie following his lead and felt a little better. At least she had good instincts, it might give them a chance. He didn’t drop his guard watching the suit walk away.
“What’s going on,” she said softly.
“Can’t you feel it,” he said making sure that the suit was really moving away.
“Oh,” she shivering.
Yeah it was like a laser beam was hitting him between the shoulder blades. Okay time to get her out of sight and the line of fire. “Get your ass back here McLean,” he said opening the gate. She started to move toward him when a motion to the right caught his gaze. She froze at the same time and he knew they were in sync. “About that advice. The rifle pulls a little to the left.” he said and spun toward the sailor with the gun in his hand.
~
Cassie didn’t need any other warning. Her early warning your about to be shot instincts going red hot she feinted a little to the right a second before the back of the booth was shot to peiced right where her head had been. Spinning she caught one of the Sailors with a round house making let out an oof and jump to the side, catching him off guard. The sneaky SOB had almost got the drop on her. He retaliated by b backhanding her seeing her reeling into the booth. She saw stars and fell to the floor just as Dylan swear and saw him leap over the booth losing his cool completley. Couldn’t be she thought as darkness claimed her he never got mad, he never cared about anything.
“Come on Precious, wake up,” Dylan said.
She felt his hand brushing her hair out of her face, smelled his singular sandalwood, leather, and man scent as he held her and opened her eyes. Now she knew she was dreaming. The relief in Dylan’s whiskey brown eyes stunned her. “What happened?”
“Welcome to the war on terror, partner,” he said gravely.
“Holy cats playing canasta,” she said looking up at him.
He smirked, “Indeed.”
“Did you say partner?” she asked stunned. Vaguely aware of what looked like Delta Star EMS carting away the Sailors and working in the background.
He nodded, bending closer shutting out the world. “How about we seal it with a kiss?”
Then Dylan’s mouth claimed hers and she groaned kissing him back, knowing this was just the beginning.



"Stranger at My Door"
[A Murder in Texas Series, Book 1] by Mari Manning

Author's Book Description :
    The only thing standing between her and disaster is a man she can’t trust…

    As far as Dinah Pittman is concerned, men can’t be trusted. Especially cops. Her own father was a former cop and a convicted felon who stole a small fortune before dying in prison. The best part? No one knows where the money is…and someone is willing to kill off everyone who knows anything about it.

    And Dinah is next.

    Rafe Morales left the Dallas police force to settle down to a simpler life in the small Texas town of El Royo. Instead, he finds himself protecting an infuriating, tough-as-nails, oh-so-sexy victim—and driving himself crazy with a thoroughly unprofessional desire.

    But as the body count rises, Rafe and Dinah must find a way to trust each other…before they both end up dead.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"On Her Six"
[Under Covers Series, Book 1] by Christina Elle

Author's Book Description :
    First rule of stake-outs – don’t fall in love.

    New neighbors are bad news in Samantha Harper’s experience. Especially ones as suspicious and brooding as the guy who just moved in next door. So when the dangerous but sexy stranger seems to be involved in something illegal—the aspiring cop in her takes action. If only she could stop thinking about how he looks naked...

    All DEA agent Ash Cooper wants to do is lay low and survive this crap surveillance assignment. But after a run-in with his attractive neighbor, he realizes that’s going to be much harder than he planned. Keeping the woman out of trouble is hard enough, but keeping his hands off her is near impossible.

This book is available to order on :

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"Betting the Billionaire"
by Avery Flynn

Author's Book Description :
    If that man calls her one more time… So what if Gabe Campos is a model-dating billionaire who gets Keisha Jacobs hotter than a Ferrari’s engine on the straightaway? He keeps pushing her to sell her family’s furniture business, but she’ll never give in—not unless she wants to give her father a second heart attack.

    All Gabe should be thinking about is how he’ll finally get revenge on the man who killed his father. But when he meets the man’s daughter, Keisha, instead of focusing on destroying Jacobs Fine Furnishings, he can’t get her warm-whisky voice out of his mind.

    Forced by a snow storm to spend the night together, their passion ignites. The next day, however, it’s back to business. The only way Keisha can save her family is to win a bet with the billionaire. But neither realized their hearts are part of the bargain…

This book is available to order on :

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"Bound to Serve"
[Dangerous Liaisons Series, Book 1] by Julie Castle

Author's Book Description :
    Condor earned his reputation by being Delta Star’s ultimate secret agent. He’s untouchable, unstoppable, and he always nails his targets. But no matter how many times he’s saved the world, he’s a ghost who will never take credit. He works best alone, and to continue to protect his country, he’ll stay alone.

    New Delta Star field agent Bridget Jamison is obsessed with capturing Simon Perez, the elusive terrorist responsible for her ex-fiancé’s death. When the Delta Star director hands the case over to Condor, a mesmerizing ghost agent who has the power to make her weak in the knees with one intense look, Bridget agrees to be Condor’s partner so that she’s not dropped from the case and her chance for justice.

    Now they’re on a mission to infiltrate a dangerous criminal organization and capture Perez. It’s up to Condor to keep this beautiful, determined agent out of harm’s way, and to keep their explosive passion contained long enough not to risk their cover…and their lives.

This book is available to order on :

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"Untrue Colors"
[True Lies Series, Book 1] by Veronica Forand

Author's Book Description :
    She’s on the run…

    Brilliant art appraiser Alex Northrop’s ex used stolen art to fund his nefarious activities. Now he wants her dead. But it isn’t just herself she’s worried about – if he discovers who she really is, he’ll kill her family.

    Professor Henry Chilton is shocked to find a beautiful stranger passed out in his bed, and even more so when she reveals a priceless painting is a forgery – the painting he’d planned to use to fund a woman’s shelter. She’s mysterious and frightened, and he is determined to discover why.

    Alex’s knowledge of art is undeniable—just as Henry’s attraction to her is irresistible. But in order to help him recover the real painting, Alex isn’t just risking exposure…she’s risking her life.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




About the Authors :

Mari Manning is the author of several contemporary romances and three romantic suspense novels set in the Texas Hill Country. "Stranger at My Door" is the first in her A Murder in Teas series. The second, "Stranger in My House" debuted June 13. The third book in the series is "Stranger in My Bed." Currently Mari is working on a series of cozy mysteries.

She and her husband live in Chicago.








Christina Elle believes that laughter really is the best medicine, which is why in her stories she blends a healthy dose of hilarious hijinks with gritty suspense.

When she’s not writing fun contemporary romance or quirky romantic suspense, Christina can be found devouring books in every genre, watching Chris Hemsworth on TV, playing board games with her family, working out, checking out Chris Hemsworth on Facebook, napping, stalking Chris Hemsworth on Instagram, and shopping…for Chris Hemsworth’s latest DVD.

Christina lives near Baltimore with her husband and two sons, who give her an endless supply of humorous material to write about.

She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Maryland Romance Writers.



Award-winning romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.



Julie Castle always had a love affair with the written word. As a child growing up in a small town Julie loved visiting the local library, a converted gilded age mansion, and getting lost between the pages of a book. The drafty old mansion could be a spooky place but she still loved it. Julie enjoyed poking into behind the scenes areas she wasn't supposed to venture into. She is still the same way which is why she loves writing romance with an edge, paranormal, suspenseful, super sexy, or just laugh your pants off funny which she hopes you'll find it in her books.



A Bostonian by birth, Veronica Forand regrettably lost her Boston accent while moving from state to state and country to country. Cleveland probably had the most profound effect on her ability to pronounce the “r” in the word “park.”

She does try to return now and then to visit family and eat long neck clams and lobster. Summers on Cape Cod are also high on the priority list.

Her experience in crime involves time as a court appointed attorney. Eventually, she switched fields to where bigger crimes take place, corporate tax. The allure of spending mornings in her pajamas homeschooling her children and writing fascinating fiction caused her to change careers again. Now that the kids are out of the house (in school), she writes novels and practices law by day and is the perfect wife and mother at night.

Her experience in romance is limited to one man. Luckily, he’s still finding ways to charm her by taking her on vacations to the south of France, Fiji, and the Green Mountains when time is short. Avid travelers, they love to roam with their kids across continents in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and the perfect piece of chocolate.

She’s lived in London, Paris, Geneva, Washington D.C., and the accent destroying city of Cleveland. She currently resides near Philadelphia.

Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Boroughs Publishing Group, and The Wild Rose Press.


My Previous Review(s) for Veronica Forand : Flirting on Ice

My Previous Mention(s) of Veronica Forand's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesday: Flirting on Ice | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015



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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Made the Grade: Taming the Alpha by 20+ Fabulous Authors

Okay, I apologize. Life got away from me. I started reading/going through this novel with all its novellas in April 2015 and then I put my reading of it on pause. But now I've paused to long and I find this novel is no longer in publication. Therefore, I'm still posting this "spreading the word" / review post to show off all these authors' wonderful novellas. If you are curious as to where to purchase each novella than I have buy links attached to each individual novel I could find for it. Also be sure to look through since I gave a teaser for each. - Jess

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 1847 KB | Expected Release Date: December 9, 2014 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: NetGalley

"Taming the Alpha" by Viola Rivard, S. E. Smith, Mandy M. Roth, Michelle M. Pillow, Sidney Bristol, V. M. Black, Shelli Stevens, Jessie Donovan, N. J. Walters, Ella Drake, Eve Vaughn, Jaycee Clark, Lauren Hawkeye, Scarlett Dawn, Natasha Logan, Jaide Fox, Tracey H. Kitts, Reagan Hawk, Candice Gilmer, J. S. Hope, Inez Kelley, Eryn Blackwell, Sherri L. King, Kennedy Kovit, & Madelyn Porter

Authors' Book Description : Taming the Alpha Box Set: Over 20 Alpha Male Tales of Contemporary, Military, Werewolves, Shifters, Vampires, Billionaires, Witches, Dragons, Demons & More

When an alpha is too hot to handle, what's a girl to do? Simple...Tame the Alpha and make him purr.

From deliciously sizzling contemporary bad boys, to pulse-tingling paranormal hotties, you're sure to fall in love and in lust with any or all of these alphas. Over twenty fabulous authors bring their A-game to tempt your every desire.

Anthology Includes: Werewolves & Shifters, Demons & Devils, Paranormal & Urban, Military, Vampires, Genetic Engineering, Witches & Wizards, Contemporary, Special Forces, Dystopia, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense, Special Forces, Dragons, Demons, Billionaires, Magic, Fantasy, Futuristics and so much more!

Authors:

Viola Rivard--"The Dragon's Appraiser"
What can she offer the dragon who has everything?

S. E. Smith--"Taking on Tory: Magic," New Mexico Book 2
Discover what happens when a reclusive Werewolf finds out he isn't the only one who likes to bite!

Mandy M. Roth--"Broken Communications"
Immortal Outcasts, Book 1--Part of the Immortal Ops World

Michelle M. Pillow--"Determined Prince"--Captured by a Dragon-Shifter
With no one left to marry on the planet, the dragon shifters are starting to get desperate.

Sidney Bristol--"Bound and Tamed," Bayou Bound #4
She's a woman on a mission to retake her body. He's a man with the talents to push her to new levels.

V. M. Black--"No Gentleman"
A reckless debutante. A jaded, deadly vampire.

Shelli Stevens--"Falling for the Firefighter"
When her cousin sets the kitchen on fire, Kim comes face to face with a man from her past. Despite the sparks that fly, she’s afraid to fall for the firefighter who might leave her burned.

Jessie Donovan--"Cougar’s First Christmas"
Despite coming from two worlds, can their love survive the greatest of tests?

N.J. Walters--"Coming Home"
A burned-out DEA agent discovers home is where the heart is.

Ella Drake--"River Arrow"
Don't get involved. That grim policy has saved Jared's skin in his post-apoc world. But when Mari faces a drifter gang, he risks losing his boat, his trade route and his life.

Eve Vaughn--"Theirs"
They’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim what’s Theirs

Jaycee Clark--"Reconnected"
Lee tried to forget the woman who stole his heart years ago, but now that there’s a killer after her, he’ll do whatever he must to keep her safe.

Lauren Hawkeye--"Mistaken Identity"
In her job as a decoy sent out to catch cheating men, Hannah thinks she's seen it all. Yet nothing can explain her attraction to Adam... or what she does as a result.

Scarlett Dawn--"Valan Playboys"
Never human, never bored, Lana Claire meets her magical match in Valan royalty.

Natasha Logan--"Under His Spell"
Destiny comes with a price.

Jaide Fox--"Renegade"
Altered by science, the Renegades are the ultimate warriors—indestructible and deadly.

Tracey H. Kitts--"Once Upon a Full Moon"
Freya's life is changed forever one full moon.

Reagan Hawk--"Performance Criteria"
What do you get when you mix a high IQ and a lot of spare parts? The man of your dreams, of course.

Candice Gilmer--"His Velvet Touch"
He was going to use her, but he didn’t expect to need her.

J.S. Hope--"Foxheart"
Can an unexpected visitor vanquish the demons that lurk in the darkness of a lonely man's soul?

Inez Kelley--"Hail Mary Honeymoon" - Josie and Wade will either win it all or lose everything when they play a risky game to save their marriage.

Eryn Blackwell--"One Night of Passion"
Death cannot keep them apart, but he only has one night to prove to her they are meant to be together.

Sherri L. King--"Legendary Choice"
She chose to live a life less ordinary, never knowing it would involve a sexy demigod who would show her just how legendary that life could be.

Kennedy Kovit--"The Bet"
When his best friend bets him that he can’t romance the pants off their boss’s daughter, he can’t resist.

Madelyn Porter--"Rite of Passion"
To escape he plans on seducing his beautiful captor.



"The Dragon’s Appraiser" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 1] & [The Dragon’s Appraiser (Three Part Story), Part One] by Viola Rivard

Author's Story Description : What can she offer the dragon who could have anything?
Left at the mercy of a dragon god, Madja must use her encyclopedic knowledge of ancient artifacts to charm him into sparing her life.

She will change everything…
Enchanted by the human’s stories, the world-weary dragon discovers a whole new depth to existence.

This is the first novella in an ongoing story.
It contains mature content and is unsuitable for readers under the age of 18.


My Story Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars. Stolen in the middle of the night and left inside dragon “god” Sevrrn's lair as a tribute, Madja's life has just changed for good. Madja never believed Sevrrn was real until he finds her sorting through his riches and tells her she is his now. As they grow into a “companionable” existence together, Madja can't decide if her life has gotten better or worse, since Sevrrn says he will find a way to make that certain she will never die but she will not ever leave him. Though one thing is for sure, it will definitely be an interesting ride...

In truth, while I didn't find this novella romantic I liked reading about Sevrrn and Madja's growing relationship quite a bit. As through Madja's “knowledge,” Sevrrn learns more about his “human” half, which is intriguing all by itself. Add in their sexual interest in one another and it makes for an entertaining read.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Dragon’s Appraiser (Part One) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Dragon’s Appraiser (Part Two) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Dragon’s Appraiser (Part Three)

Author's Story Extras : The Dragon’s Appraiser FAQ

Story Teaser :
"I do not generally eat humans," he informed her.
The 'generally' gave her pause.
Sevrrn went on to say, "Most of them are more bone than meat. I vastly prefer cows. You are fortunate to not be a cow, otherwise I would have most devoured you."
She offered him a weak smile. "Well, you wouldn't happen to have any beef lying around here that I could eat, would you? This is an awfully big pile of treasure. I'll probably starve before I appraise everything."
Sevrrn appeared pensive and then finally nodded. "It is important that you not die."
Thank the gods that we're both in agreement on that. ~ within Chapter 4
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Viola, then please check out her website.



"Taking on Tory" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 2] & [Magic, New Mexico Series, Book 2] by S. E. Smith

Author's Story Description : Twenty-four year old Tory Carson is dying to get out of Magic, New Mexico and explore the world. She has spent her whole life cocooned in the protection of the close-knit community. When she finally gets a chance to go somewhere for three weeks, she would be crazy to say no. Even if, her father is screaming it!

Simon Drayton is a reclusive billionaire who has reinvented himself over and over again through the centuries. He has temporarily settled his headquarters in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina.

He is used to taking what he wants. He has learned that wealth and power are potent motivators for those who are greedy. Confusion reigns when he sets his sights on a beautiful, young female who is oblivious to his power. After centuries of getting what he wants, he is shocked, and just a little bit fascinated, when he discovers that not all things are for sale.

Things heat up when the irritating, young ‘human’ woman refuses to play the game by his rules. She isn’t impressed with his wealth. She isn’t impressed with his looks. In fact, she acts like she isn’t impressed by anything he does, even when he flashes his teeth!

Find out what happens when a centuries old Werewolf discovers he isn’t the only creature who loves to bite.

My Story Review : 5 out of 5 stars! Wanting to finally spread her "wings," Tory's older brother allows her to accompany him on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina and unintentionally finds her mate.

This fast-paced paranormal romantic comedy keeps you entertained the whole way through! Tory and Simon's whirlwind romance was fun to read, especially as they go about learning each other. Then even though I found the ending to be a little abrupt, it helped that this novel has a full cast of enjoyable characters that keep you wanting to read more. I HIGHLY recommend this one!

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Taking on Tory (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : Magic, New Mexico Series

Author's Story Extras : Taking on Tory - Excerpt

Author's Series Extras : Magic, New Mexico Series - Overview | Touch of Frost - Excerpt

Story Teaser :
"What is your name?" The man demanded.
Tory bit her lip to prevent the word Elvira from popping out. She didn't think he would appreciate her reference to the 1980's Mistress of the Dark. ~ within Chapter 4
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by S. E., then please check out her website.



"Broken Communication" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 3], [Immortal Outcasts Series, Book 1], & [Immortal Ops Series World] by Mandy M. Roth (aka Reagan Hawk, Kennedy Kovit, Rory Michaels, & Elle Spencer)

Author's Story Description : NY Times & USA Today Bestseller!

Genetically altered into a super soldier who can shift into a wolf, Casey Black should have been the perfect asset—but that wasn’t to be. The scientists who conducted DNA splicing experiments on him put a little too much wolf in his cocktail. Considered a danger to society and a risk to the survival of the secret project, the government tried to eliminate him. The former Immortal Operative has spent the majority of his life on the run and off the grid from the very government who’d helped him be ‘all he could be’. When the sassy, headstrong woman who makes his body burn with need vanishes, he realizes it’s not his head, but rather his heart that is broken. And he’ll do whatever is called for to mend it.

My Story Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. I found this novella hard to read through. Not that the plot wasn't good or anything like that, but I found the scenes in the beginning that were just of Casey to be very slow and it just didn't capture my interest as I had hoped it would.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Best Intentions

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Broken Communication (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : Immortal Outcasts Series

Author's Story Extras : Broken Communication - Overview

Author's Series Extras : The Immortal Ops Series World - Overview

Story Teaser :
"You even know what a mate is?" he asked snidely.
"Yes, it's the poor, unfortunate female the Fates up and decide will get handed to one of you furballs," she snapped back.
He grunted. "Oh yeah, you're a peach." ~ within Chapter 4
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Mandy, then please check out her website.



"Determined Prince" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 4] & [Captured by a Dragon-Shifter Series, Book 1] by Michelle M. Pillow (aka Madelyn Porter, Naomi Kalling, & Natasha Logan)

Author's Story Description : A Dragon Lords Romance

Dragonshifter Prince Kyran has studied the Earth people and is ready to assimilate. Female shifters are all but going extinct on his planet of Qurilixen, and his people are desperate for mates—so much so they’re taking matters into their own hands. What better place to capture a woman than Earth? After all, dragonshifters had come from there centuries ago. Surely a human female would be honored to be selected by one as fine and fierce as himself?

While on Earth, Kyran stumbles upon the most beautiful woman he’s ever imagined, singing something the natives call rock ’n’ roll. His blood simmers and he knows Eve is the one for him. But taming this feisty female is going to take much more than his training prepared him for.

Author's Series Description : Captured by a Dragon-Shifter is a modern day prequel series installment to those first books. They take place long before the princes you know and love ever found their mates, long before "The Dragon’s Queen," in a time when the dragonshifters and catshifters actually—wait for it—liked each other and hung out as friends. They also don’t have Galaxy Brides to bring them women. What they do have is the old portal that they used to escape Earth. There’s no one left to marry on the planet and things are starting to get desperate.

Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.

My Story Review : DNF. I wanted to like this novel, I really did but I just couldn't deal with how it flows. One minute you’re made to believe that they weren't just going to capture their brides, and the next (because of miscommunications) that is exactly what they were doing. Plus, I never had a moment where I could say, "I liked this character," as both Kyran and Eve were a little too self-absorbed. Therefore, once I got to about 50% of the way through I gave up on this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Call of the Sea | Commanding the Tides | Spellbound

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Determined Prince (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : Captured by a Dragon-Shifter Series

Author's Story Extras : Determined Prince - Overview | Determined Prince - Note from the Author | Determined Prince - Excerpt

Author's Series Extras : Captured by a Dragon-Shifter Series - Overview | Rebellious Prince - Overview | Rebellious Prince - Note from the Author | Rebellious Prince - Excerpt | Mischievous Prince - Overview | Mischievous Prince - Note from the Author | Mischievous Prince - Excerpt

Author's Series Trailer :

Story Teaser :
"My name is Kyran. You look like an honorable woman," he whispered, practicing what he would say to any prospective mate. "I have a home with my parents and my brother. There we will live and you will be part of our family. Would you like to give me children?" ~ within Chapter 1
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Michelle, then please check out her website.



"Bound & Tamed" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 5] & [Bayou Bound Series, Book 4] by Sidney Bristol

Author's Story Description : Rosaline Isnard is a woman on a mission to experience all the pleasures of the body following a devastating break-up. An arranged play-date at a private club with a dark new lover sends her on a roller coaster of highs and lows. As her damaged heart begins to beat again for a new love, she discovers that her mystery man has an objective of his own.

Kasper Hrna has harbored a desire for the hacker R0$3 since high school. Now, he needs that brilliant mind of hers to put a gang of criminals behind bars, but Rosaline has needs of her own. She pushes his control and the limits he thought he could keep on their relationship. What began as a matter of the flesh becomes one of the heart as Rosaline proves just how much power a submissive can have over her Dominant.

My Story Review : N/A -- it looks like a good novel but I just wasn't interested in reading it so I skipped it. I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 2.5

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Bound & Tamed (Book 4)

Author's Story Extras : Bound & Tamed - Overview & Excerpt

Author's Series Extras : Pinterest: Bayou Bound | Bayou Bound Series - Overview | Midnight Ink :: Picture Her Bound, Bayou Bound #1 - Overview & Video | Picture Her Bound - Overview, Video, & Excerpt | Duty Bound - Overview & Excerpt | Love Is... :: Picture Her Loved - Overview & Excerpt | Hot Ink :: Bound Memories - Overview

Story Teaser :
"Do you cook all the time?" she asked.
"When I can."
"I might have to marry you." ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Sidney, then please check out her website.



"No Gentleman" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 6], [Cora’s Choice Series], & [Cora’s Bond Series] by V. M. Black

Author's Story Description : In the Gilded Age, it was a young lady's role to be courted, to wed, and to step into her role as a society matron. But Hattie Buchannan rebels from such a fate, and when a mysterious and compelling Frenchman named Jean Morel appears in Southampton, she is more than willing to flout convention--and walk straight into the arms of a vampire.

"No Gentleman," telling the back story of Jean and Hattie from Cora’s Choice and Cora’s Bond.

My Story Review : 4 out of 5 stars! A young lady who pushes the boundaries of propriety becomes enchanted to a man, who isn't what he seems.

This fast-paced novella is very fun and flirty! Henrietta (Hattie) is vivacious and daring, who brings Jean out from his dreary state and changes her life into something of her choosing. I really liked them together as they complemented each other so well. Plus, I liked reading their banter.

Story Teaser :
She wrinkled her button nose and snorted. "Why did you invite me here tonight?"
"Why did you come?" he returned.
Her eyes raked over him. "Because you interest me. I haven't met a man like you before."
He took another sip of brandy. "Well, then, that is why I invited you."
"You haven't met a man like me?" she shot back instantly.
"Clever," Jean said. ~ within Chapter 6
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by V. M., then please check out her website.



"Falling for the Firefighter" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 7] & [Hot Zone Anthology] by Shelli Stevens

Author's Story Description : When her cousin sets the kitchen on fire, Kim comes face to face with a man from her past. Despite the sparks that fly, she’s afraid to fall for the firefighter who might leave her burned.

My Story Review : 4 out of 5 stars! This intense novella is about two people meeting up again after their previous encounter pulled them apart.

I thoroughly enjoyed the buildup of this novel. It’s intense, charming, and pretty captivating as you reading about Kim & Lucas' growing relationship. I liked their whirlwind romance! I just wish that the ending wasn't so abrupt even though it, thankfully, does give you an update on how their relationship is doing.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Hot Zone (Falling for the Firefighter is Novella #2)

Author's Story Extras : Hot Zone - Overview | Taming the Alpha is now available!

Story Teaser :
"Was it really your birthday that night? Or was that just a line to get me to dance with you?"
"It was my birthday. Dirty thirty."
So he was four years older than her. "Mmmm. I bet you are."
He arched a brow and tilted his head.
"Dirty," she murmured, in case he'd missed it.
His mouth curved into a sexy smile. "Guilty as charged. Maybe you'd care to find out?" ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Shelli, then please check out her website.



"Cougar’s First Christmas" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 8] & [Cascade Shifters Series, Book 1.5] by Jessie Donovan

Author's Story Description : Willing to chance arrest and jail time, cougar-shifter Sean Fisher wants to make human Lauren Spencer his mate and Christmas is the perfect time to do it. However, on the way to obtain her parents’ approval, a car runs them off the road. When Sean wakes up, he’s tied up and alone, at the mercy of an anti-shifter group.

Six months ago, Lauren never would’ve pictured herself with a cougar-shifter, but Sean was everything she hoped for and was willing to risk it all to be his mate. Yet when a staged car crash tears him from her side, Lauren must reach out to his clan–a clan she’s never met–for help before it’s too late.

Can Lauren and Sean be together for Christmas? Or, will their differences be too much to overcome and rip them apart?

My Story Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! After six months of being together Sean wants to officially claim Lauren as his mate and propose to her, even if that means going against the laws and figuratively putting targets on their back for the purist groups to attack them...

Sean and Lauren's connection is palpable in a way that make the reader want to read more about them! Both are feisty which made reading about what they go through to protect one another, and their relationship, an enjoyable experience. It definitely got me interested in this series! In addition, it also reminded me a bit of Ms. Ashley’s Shifters Unbound Series with the way the world knows about shifters, most don’t like them, and there are laws against them.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Cougar’s First Christmas (Book 1.5)

Author's Story Extras : Cougar’s First Christmas - Overview | New Release: Cougar’s First Christmas

Author's Series Extras : Convincing the Cougar - Overview | Reclaiming the Wolf - Overview | Resisting the Cougar is Live!

Story Teaser :
"I think your mother likes me for my hotness."
After giving a mock slap, Lauren said, "I don't need to hear about my mother lusting after you."
"Oh, I don't know; it's kind of funny to watch you when you're embarrassed." ~ within Chapter 8
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jessie, then please check out her website.



"Coming Home" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 9] by N. J. Walters

Author's Story Description : Burned out from his last assignment, DEA agent Tobias Slater has come home to Chicago a changed man. Disillusioned and uncertain about his future, the last thing he expects is to run into Kansas Fielding on his first night home.

Kansas has loved Tobias for years. They shared one memorable kiss two years ago before he walked away. Now he’s back, and this time she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make him admit his feelings for her.

My Story Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars! An intensely driving novella about a man coming home after being away for quite some time, trying to get over the disturbing experiences that recently happened in his life, and reuniting with the one woman he could never get over.

In truth the story description made me not interested in this novella, but because I'm a fan of Ms. Walters I gave it a try and I'm so happy I did! Kansas and Tobias are a great match up! Reading about them reunite was very heartening and I could not get enough. I just wish there was an epilogue so I could see where they went from here.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Alexandra's Legacy | Finding Chrissten

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Finding Chrissten

Author's Story Extras : Taming the Alpha...Coming Soon | Taming the Alpha is finally here!

Story Teaser :
"What?" One word was all he could manage at the moment. He'd always had complete control of his body and himself. Everyone he'd been around for the past few years were always bitching about his control. Kansas made a mockery of it.
"Payback is a bitch." ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by N. J., then please check out her website.



"River Arrow" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 10] & [New Guardsmen Series, Book 2] by Ella Drake

Author's Story Description : Jared Covington is about to veer off course. He’s survived the end of known civilization by staying focused. His crew, his community, and his own life demand he take no chances. Working the Mississippi River carries enough risk, but it pays to avoid trouble where he can, including never getting involved with the ragtag communities on his trade route. He doesn’t count on Mari and how involved he wants to get.

Mari is a survivor. An attacking drifter gang has captured her entire village and she’s the only one who can stop them. If she’s going to die saving her people, least she can do is finally get her hands on Jared, the man she’s dreamed of since she first set eyes on him. When her entire life is upside down may not be the best time to get him in her bed, but she’s not taking chances.

Mari knows Jared is her lucky break. She just has to convince him of that. Later. For now, their sizzling attraction is put on hold. Because, unless they free the village from the drifters, there is no future.

My Story Review : N/A -- it looks like a good novel but I just wasn't interested in reading it so I skipped it. I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : River Arrow (Book 2) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : New Guardsmen Series

Author's Story Extras : River Arrow - Overview

Author's Series Extras : Desert Blade - Overview & Excerpt | Badland's Edge - Overview & Excerpt

Story Teaser :
"We'll work it out. It's our home and we'll protect it."
He nodded. "Home is worth fighting for."
"Glad you see that. Weren't sure you understood." ~ within Chapter 6
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Ella, then please check out her website.



"Theirs" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 11] by Eve Vaughn

Author's Story Description : When scandal breaks, Alex is exiled from town. Years later she's moved on from her past. But a letter from the men she vowed to forget threatens to pull her back.

Cash and Rusty Bradford have never stopped loving the woman who claimed both their hearts and they'll stop at nothing to reclaim her.

My Story Review : 5 out of 5 stars! After years of heartache of her past Alex’s men—Cash and Rusty—come back into her life to set things right.

I’m a fan of MFM romances but only when all three get a HEA. This novel hits their HEA right out of the ballpark it’s so sweet, erotic, and entertaining! I loved how it updated the reader as to their past relationship with one another while bringing them all back together again. It was very sweet! Plus, it makes the reader really believe in Cash and Rusty as Alex’s “heroes” and gives you hope for their future.

Story Teaser :
"You two aren't going to kill me, are you?" She laughed uneasily.
"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it when you put that frog down my back when we were ten."
She couldn't help but giggle at the memory. Those were happier times. "Okay. But if you two murder me, I swear to God, I'm coming back to kill the both of you."
"Duly noted. Let's go."
~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Eve, then please check out her website.



"Reconnected" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 12] by Jaycee Clark

Author's Story Description : Rainy witnessed a murder and needs a safe place to stay. Lee tried to forget the woman who stole his heart years ago, but now that there's a killer after her, he'll do whatever he must to keep her safe.

My Story Review : N/A -- it looks like a good novel but I just wasn't interested in reading it so I skipped it. I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Story Teaser :
"We're not talking about my name."
"We could be." He leaned across from her on the other side of the bar. His arms crossed on the granite as he leaned closer. "So tell me, Rainbow, what the fuck trouble did you find yourself in now?"
"I really hate my name."
"I could call you Rainbow Bright, or just RB." He grinned, and his dimple winked at her. ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jaycee, then please check out her website.



"Mistaken Identity" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 13] by Lauren Hawkeye (aka Lauren Jameson)

Author's Story Description : Being bad never felt so good... In her job as a decoy sent out to catch cheating men, Hannah thinks she's seen it all. Yet nothing can explain her attraction to Adam... or what she does as a result. "Mistaken Identity" by Lauren Hawkeye explores the consequences of blind attraction.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Story Teaser :
He looked like sex and smelled like sin.
The punch of his appeal hit me in the gut, staggering me, leaving me breathless. ~ within Chapter 1
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Lauren, then please check out her website.



"Valan Playboys" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 14] by Scarlett Dawn

Author's Story Description : Orphan, Lana Claire, drinks too much and parties too hard. Eighteen-years-old, and a wild child, Lana does whatever she wants, whenever she wants. When a crazy encounter at a new bar ends with bodies littering the ground, Lana wonders if she may have discovered a path that leads to answers she desperately needs.

Never one to walk blind, she treads carefully. What she finds is more than she ever hoped for. Lana knew she wasn’t human, but an entire community of others like herself blows her mind. And the men! Heat and passion burn bright when Valan men are on the hunt for their mate, but Lana never expected to be the spark for two of their hottest playboys. More than ready to sizzle with the alphas of Valan, Lana does what she always does. She dives right in.

*Intended for readers 18+*

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Valan Playboys

Story Teaser :
I wasn't human. I had known that forever, born this way.
But now, I knew exactly what I was. It had taken three months to get caught up on all things 'me', but I had gained extreme knowledge under Callie's tuteledge.
First, there was an actual name for what I was. ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Scarlett, then please check out her website.



"Under His Spell" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 15] by Natasha Logan (aka Michelle M. Pillow, Madelyn Porter, & Naomi Kalling)

Author's Story Description : Destiny comes with a price.

Valerie Walsh has gotten more than she bargained for as the new owner of Olivier Manor. The real estate listing said nothing about supernatural tenants, the mysterious old cottage, or a prophecy needing to be fulfilled. Out of everything, perhaps the most unsettling of all is the sexily wicked Troy Olivier.

Troy doesn't want his family's old home, but that doesn't mean the creatures of the house don't still want him. He tries to run from the legacy of his family, but the mystery surrounding his past won't let him leave. Destiny has plans of its own and those plans just might include the captivating Valerie.

This is a standalone story. Originally published in the NY Times #8 and USA Today Bestselling Book: "Taming the Alpha"

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Call of the Sea | Commanding the Tides | Spellbound | Determined Prince (review above)

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Under His Spell

Story Teaser :
He's spent his entire adulthood trying to keep the demon blood in him from simmering. For the most part, it had worked. However, the second he saw her, he knew there was no fighting destiny. This plan had been laid out the day he was born. He had no choice. Prophecies were meant to be fulfilled, and Valerie was part of his. ~ within Chapter 1
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Natasha, then please check out her website.



"Renegade" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 16] & [Beyond Human Masters Series, Book 1] by Jaide Fox

Author's Story Description : Altered by science, the Renegades are the ultimate warriors—indestructible and deadly.

When border patrol brings a suspected Renegade into town, Dahlia knows he’s moments from condemnation and death. Sick of the violence and killing of innocents, she thrusts herself between the stranger and the townspeople—too late discovering their suspicion is fact. Now Dahlia must put herself in harm’s way again and discover if the enigmatic stranger is there to bring about their destruction and raid their town for anything of value. But when Connor, the Renegade, looks at her, sensations she’s never experienced begin wearing down her resolve to remain aloof, and she begins to wonder if the townspeople aren’t the real threat.

RATING: Contains mild violence, descriptive adult language and situations. Post-Apocalypse, Futuristic Romance. If you purchased Taming the Alpha Box Set, you have already bought this book and don’t need to purchase it again unless you just love the author and want to have a separate copy with the new kick butt artwork. This title is a romance with simmering tension. It is not an erotic romance with gratuitous love scenes.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Renegade (Book 1)

Story Teaser :
"Didn't think you'd be back out here," he said, keeping his eyes shut.
"I didn't have much choice. I've got to watch you the next few days."
He cracked an eye open and looked at her. "Can't take your eyes off me, hmm? Interesting."
She gasped at him. "I didn't say that!"
"You might as well have, sweetheart." ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jaide, then please check out her website.



"Once Upon a Full Moon" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 17] by Tracey H. Kitts (aka T. K. Hardin)

Author's Story Description : Going for a dune buggy ride under the full moon sounded like a good idea at the time. However when Freya gets injured by a werewolf, her life is changed forever. But thanks to the sexy wolfman, Dorian, she doesn’t have to go through this ordeal alone.

This is a NOVELLA 21,289 words in length.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Once Upon a Full Moon

Story Teaser :
"Werewolf," I said, shaking my head.
I sat up, flinging back the covers as I swung my feet over the side of the bed. For a moment I just sat there, staring at my dirty feet.
"What the fuck?"
I looked back and saw my white sheets were covered with dirt and pieces of leaves.
"What the fuck?" I said, a little more urgently.
By this time, my pulse was racing and I felt dizzy. I ran into the bathroom, stopping in front of the mirror.
"I'm naked," I gasped. "This isn't happening." ~ within Chapter 2
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Tracey, then please check out her website.



"Performance Criteria" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 18] by Reagan Hawk (aka Mandy M. Roth, Kennedy Kovit, Rory Michaels, & Elle Spencer)

Author's Story Description : What do you get when you have an IQ that is off the charts, the inability to let go of someone you love and a lot of spare parts? The man of your dreams, of course.
Dr. Aeron Braxton is on the verge of unveiling her newest creation---a droid who can pass as either human or Vanos.
An alien race took the man she loved away from her, but her revenge is at hand. Aeron has rebuilt Brad into a living, breathing killing machine she hopes will save the outer quadrants from a mass Vanos invasion.
Too bad the brilliant scientist didn't calculate the probabilities of love getting in the way.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Best Intentions | Broken Communication (review above)

Story Teaser :
Wonderful, she gives me the ability to shut off pain but I can't get an erection to go down. Some space age warrior I am. A hot blonde can bring me to my knees. He tapped his foot. In her defense, she had no clue my reproductive organs are operational. Hell, she wasn't even aware I was operational.
The corners of his lips twitched at the irony of it all. ~ within Chapter 4
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Reagan, then please check out her website.



"His Velvet Touch" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 19] & [Barrum, KS Series, Book 0.5] by Candice Gilmer

Author's Story Description : When Harper walks into Chris’s life on a hook-up dare from her friends, he wants nothing to do with her until he realizes he can use her to his benefit. She works for an investment firm, and Chris needs an investor for his company that’s about to get bought out by his biggest competitor.

He's not going to lose his business.

Harper's pride made her walk across that coffee shop that day, but when Chris plays along and kisses her in front of her friends, she knows there's more to this guy than just a quick romp. When she learns of his business's dire situation, she's happy to help, since money is her life.

The more time they spend together, the more they find a connection, however as much as they connect, that still doesn't mean they trust each other.

After all, she can't keep a plant alive, and he's a landscaper.

How can that possibly be a good match?

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Brightest Shadow

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : His Velvet Touch (Book 0.5)

Story Teaser :
"So you just need me to take you out of here? They won't want to see my underwear or anything?" His fingers laced with hers and he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.
She glanced at their joined hands, then back at his face. "I'll just tell them you go commando."
"You're kind of feisty."
"I'm also kind of a pain in the ass."
"Is that a warning?"
"No, just my PSA for the day." ~ within Chapter 2
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Candice, then please check out her website.



"Foxheart" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 20] & [The Brothers Goodfellow Series, Book 1] by J. S. Hope

Author's Story Description : Having seen enough death and destruction to last a lifetime - including the murder of his own family - former police officer and Marine sniper Michael Goodfellow retreats from the world, carving out a solitary existence for himself in the forests of the Swiss Alps.

What he finds there isn't peace, but at least he can lose himself in the physical work of surviving.

It is enough, until the day he discovers an enigmatic young woman caught in one of his game traps and his whole world is turned upside down. Can his unexpected visitor vanquish the demons lurking in the darkness of his soul? Will he open up enough to even let her try?

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Foxheart (Book 1)

Story Teaser :
Live brilliantly, little furface, because next time the fates might not be so kind. ~ within the story as there isn't any chapters
For more information on this book and/or any other books by J. S., then please check out her website.



"Hail Mary Honeymoon" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 21] by Inez Kelley

Author's Story Description : Josie and Wade had it all in their marriage. Then disaster hit. As both struggled to cope with the fall out, they grew further apart until they crumbled as a couple. Wade proposes a last ditch effort to save their marriage. They need to play a game, the Hail Mary Honeymoon. They will either both win it all or both will lose everything.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Story Teaser :
"Mamamamama..."
Leaving the case in the hallway, Josie walked into nursery with a ready smile. Sadie was buck naked, standing in her crib and dancing in excitement.
"Where are your clothes, Tatertot?"
She tossed her hands up and flopped back on the mattress. "All gone."
"You're turning into quite a little stripper, child. This has got to stop before you start eyeing poles and shoving dollar bills in your diaper." ~ within Chapter 1
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Inez, then please check out her website.



"One Night of Passion" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 22] by Eryn Blackwell

Author's Story Description : Death did not separate them, but Bishop only has one night to prove to Skyler he knows she is his soul mate.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Story Teaser :
All she felt was him.
All she knew was him.
All she could sense was him.
He was her anchor. ~ within Chapter 2
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Eryn, then please check out her website.



"Legendary Choice" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 23] by Sherri L. King

Author's Story Description : What do you do when the Norse pantheon asks you to fight in the battle to end all battles? It's not easy to decide when they send the sexiest demigod in existence to persuade you and even he doesn't know what you should do. Just go with the flow, it's not the end of the world. Right?

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

Story Teaser :
But those eyes...those incredible blue eyes of his had pierced right through her. They'd seemed to see everything. She'd never encountered a color so pure and so clear. And the way he had met her gaze...the way he had stared right into her, exposing everything she'd fought so hard to bury---it had spooked her. ~ within Chapter 5
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Sherri, then please check out her website.



"The Bet" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 24] & [Blazing Hearts Series, Book 1] by Kennedy Kovit (aka Mandy M. Roth, Reagan Hawk, Rory Michaels, & Elle Spencer)

Author's Story Description : M/F Contemporary Western Erotic Romance

Tyson is a man with a dark past and he isn’t much on wagers. But when his best friend bets him that he can’t romance the pants off their boss’s daughter, he can’t resist. See, he’s had the hots for Ms. Lexie Garnes for years, but she was too young to act on it. Now that she’s a college graduate, and more than legal, he’s all in. Tyson can’t hide his feelings for Lexie any longer. With a bet on the table, he has no choice but to man up and find a way for her to accept him and his kinky bedroom tastes.

Lexie is glad to be back down south. Her time away did her good but made her miss home. Middlefield may lack excitement, but it has something Boston never did—Tyson Morrows. Her father’s ranch foreman is sexier than ever and suddenly seems to have eyes for her. Is this too good to be true? Will his commanding hands in the bedroom prove to be too much for her and what will happen when she learns he only made his move because of a bet?

Rating: This novella contains steamy sex scenes, a hero who is all about getting the heroine into bed and teaching her things good girls just shouldn’t know, and a couple who has had feelings for one another a whole hell of a lot longer than they’re willing to admit. This novella isn’t for everyone, and if you don’t like your sex dirty, your men alpha, and your women willing to learn, then this isn’t the book for you.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Best Intentions | Broken Communication (review above)

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : The Bet (Book 1) | Amazon.com (e-Book) : Blazing Hearts Series

Story Teaser :
"Damn woman, I bet you taste like Heaven."
"Tyson!"
"Don't give me that look," he said. "We've been dancin' around this for years. If you don't want me this way, say so now and I'll walk you back to the main house. But, Lexie, know if you walk out that door I'm done chasin' you."
"Chasing me?" she asked. "You've never chased me. You have no interest in me that way."
He laughed and shook his head. "Woman, are you blind?" ~ within Chapter 3
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Kennedy, then please check out her website.



"Rite of Passion" [Taming the Alpha Anthology, Novella 25] & [Warrior Women Series, Book 1] by Madelyn Porter (aka Michelle M. Pillow, Natasha Logan, & Naomi Kalling)

Author's Story Description : Shana of Themis is proud to be of the female dominated race of the Amazon. But, when the time comes for her to become a mother, she's less than thrilled. Following tradition, she must take the males they have captured into her bed.

Captain James Alexander was caught answering a distress call, when the Amazon's overtook him and two of his men. Now, to escape, he plans on seducing his beautiful captor.

My Story Review : N/A -- I never got around to reading it ... at some point I might but I'm posting about it since it's a part of this book, therefore I'm just "Spreading the Word" about this one.

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Call of the Sea | Commanding the Tides | Spellbound | Determined Prince (review above)

Purchase This Novella Here : Amazon.com (e-Book) : Rite of Passion (Book 1)

Story Teaser :
"You are weak?" she challenged, her brow arching as she teased him. "I am not surprised. You are a man and it is to be expected. A true warrior doesn't complain."
"You call me weak?" He growled, flipping her beneath him and pinning her hips to his.
"You speak of not being able to go on."
"I seem to remember someone begging me to give them a small rest last night."
Shana actually felt a blush heating her face. Then, her expression turning very serious, she stated, "Someone? I did not know you went to another woman last night. I might have to kill them." ~ within Chapter 7
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Madelyn, then please check out her website.



My Book Review : For the full book I give it 3.72 out of 5 stars, if you have a chance to read any of the ones above individually I say GO FOR IT! =0) Sorry I didn't post this earlier this year but I hope you still enjoyed it. *hahaa*

Authors' Anthology Extras : Taking on Tory: Magic, New Mexico #1.5 | Taming the Alpha Box Set - Overview | Taming the Alpha is Here!!! | Pre-order Taming the Alpha

Book Teaser(s) :

DETERMINED PRINCE by Michelle M. Pillow -- It's a part of TAMING THE ALPHA ANTHOLOGY -- REVIEW TO COME
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Saturday, April 11, 2015

RECONNECTED by Jaycee Clark, Author -- It's a part of TAMING THE ALPHA ANTHOLOGY #teaser #meme
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
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