by Sarah | Mar 24, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
Hunter Dennison has been an overachiever in all aspects of his life. He knows what he wants and goes after it, and he intends to follow suit in his love life with the young and beautiful Molly. His patience is at its last resolve as he waits for her to come of age, but finally the time has arrived, and he prepares to tell Molly how he feels.
What he doesn’t know is that someone else has set their own selfish agenda into motion, wreaking havoc on Hunter’s intentions and his confidence in Molly’s character.
Believing the vicious lies, Hunter veers off his planned path. He finds solace and comfort in another’s arms, never realizing that he leaves in his wake a devastated Molly.
However, fate cannot be fooled.
Now, twenty years later, they both have settled into their own lives in Clearwater Falls. Hunter intends to rectify the past by letting Molly know that she is the one he wants now, just as he had wanted then.
Can passion all these years in the making overcome the weight of regret that they both carry? Or will the price of their previous mistakes leave an insurmountable divide in their chance at forever?
WARNING: Recommended for adult readers (18+) only. Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content.
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DENNISON SERIES, BOOK 1
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I live in New England with my young family. I’m a stay at home mom to two very active children. For all of you who are familiar with the stress of this job, I decided to complete an item on my bucket list and write a book. When I’m not writing, you will find me cooking, reading, shopping or being silly with the kids. In my opinion, one of life’s greatest pleasure is being able to get lost in a book.
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by Sarah | Mar 20, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
Win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card w/ Ebook
or Additional Ebook Prize
Tiger Lily
Tiger Lily # 1
Amélie S. Duncan
Released February 10th, 2015
Self-Published
What
started as an assignment became more than Lily could have ever hoped for...
Lily
Salomé has encountered more challenges than the average twenty-four year old.
After a horrendous crash killed her parents, an abusive relationship was all
she needed to calcify her broken heart to stone. So when Lily’s boss comes to
her with a challenge most girls would balk at, she knows there isn’t much left
in this world to be afraid of.
The
target: Jonas Crane, a brooding business mogul who hasn’t smiled once since his
divorce. Dark, dangerous and mouthwatering, Crane has written a book about life
in the fast lane and with the recent publicity, Lily’s boss wants the rights.
Problem is, Crane won’t return a phone call, let alone agree to a meeting. But
if a pretty publishing assistant happens to run into him at the Waldorf, with a
business card and a smile…what could go wrong?
A
lot, it seems. Lily thinks she’s going to the Waldorf to meet a rich jerk, or
worse, a playboy, but the truth is way more challenging. Jonas Crane is smart,
engaging…and devastatingly out of her league.
BUY NOW
I managed to not stare in awe
at the murals, and walk confidently inside the softly lit lounge of Sir
Harry’s.
The sleek mahogany bar with
porcelain snack bowls dotted along the top took up a prominent portion of the
room, and thereby was the first thing I noticed upon entry. Searching for a
place to stand or sit, I zeroed in on one of the empty Japanned leather bar
stools, and briskly made my way to secure the seat before someone else. With
luck, I captured the vacant seat and swiveled around. Eyeing the eclectic mix
of patrons, I stared over the high-fashioned starlets, middle-aged tailored
gentlemen, and nouveau-riche designer clad tourists and wondered where I fit
in.
Not sure, but I patted my
back on arriving with ten minutes to spare before Jonas Crane was due to
arrive. Jonas! It finally dawned on
me I didn’t have a plan for approaching him. Knitting my brows, I tilted my
head down and tried to focus on making an impromptu plan. What would be a good
opener? Hello, yes. Jonas? Can I call you
Jonas? I’m Lily Salomé from Arch Limited, and I’m your publishing house
stalker, nice to meet you.
Fidgeting and inward gazing
didn’t mix. At least not when holding my satin handbag with sweaty palms.
Unfortunately, this realization came too late and my bag took flight, sliding
across the floor.
Shit. I had
barely made it inside the bar and hadn’t even ordered my first drink or eaten a
pistachio nut without embarrassing myself. Straightening my shoulders and
ignoring the burning of my cheeks, I lifted my chin and eased over in the
direction of my bag, doing my best to pretend I was bored and didn’t care, or
that I had maybe even purposely tossed it around. Spotting the bag, my insides
winced at the polished leather shoes it had bounced against. I hastened my
steps, but paused as a pair of large tanned hands with a golden ring on the
left ring finger picked it up.
Gazing up further, I met the
most luminous eyes I had ever seen. They were a rare combination of blue and
turquoise like a tropical sea. He had black wavy hair that hung a little longer
on the top and sides. Some lines around his eyes, but boasted of an otherwise
flawless face. With a smooth angular jawline, straight nose, and well-defined
cheekbones most women would die for, he was divine. Not to mention, full
sensual lips were flashing a perfect set of teeth.
My hand trembled a little as
I took my handbag from him, and recognition finally set in. He was not only
gorgeous, but he was the man I had come here for, Jonas Crane. Serendipitous or
cliché, it didn’t matter. My “accidental on purpose” encounter with him had
taken place.
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Amélie S. Duncan writes contemporary, erotic romances with a
dark edge. Her inspiration comes from many sources including her life
experiences and travels. She lives on the West Coast of the United States with
her husband.
by Sarah | Mar 19, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
“A king who always cares for the elephants like his own sons is always victorious & will enjoy the friendship of the celestial world after death.” Kautiliya, scholar of Buddhism in India.
Whether it is a colorful figurine, a carved miniature, or a real live titan of an animal, the elephant is revered by many in the Indian culture. Said to be a gentle giant (the largest land mammal on earth), the elephant possesses attributes that humans strive to cultivate in themselves: intelligence, sensitivity, empathy, and self-awareness.
Indian mythology states that the gods (devas) and the demons (asuras) churned the oceans in a search for the elixir of life—nectar (amrit)—in hopes of becoming immortal. Through the churning of the ocean, the nine jewels (navratnas) surfaced, one of which was the elephant.
Reverence for the elephant has also been born from stories of the elephant being chosen as the carriage for Indra (the god of all gods) and visions of white elephants foretelling the birth of Gautam Buddha, in his mother’s dreams before his birth.
The Asian elephant, the species that resides in India, has seen its numbers dwindle drastically in the past 15 years. At the turn of the century, nearly 200,000 animals roamed wild; now only 35,000 to 40,000 remain. Elephants are herbivores and eat up to 300 pounds of food a day. Preservation of habitat and eliminating ivory trade are vital aspects to keeping the elephant from extinction.
Elephant mothers are the ultimate example of a nurturing parent: carrying their babies for a gestation period of 22 months, giving birth to 200-pound baby, nursing for two years, then caring for and protecting the young elephant for the next sixteen years.
With so many endearing qualities and a history of cultural significance, the elephant is well deserving of its place of honor in the hearts of many Indians.
Excerpt from The Accidental Wife:
Inside it, she found some clothes just like the oversized ones hanging in the closet. They were of no interest to her. What caught her eye was a beautiful silk sari, tie-dyed in a rainbow of colors with decorated elephants marching along the borders and tiny shiny mirrors that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds. She flung it around her neck like a shawl and felt deeply comforted by the strong fragrance of sandalwood.
Underneath was a finely inlaid wooden box, inside which on a bed of tissue, lay several glass bangles in red, green and orange tied together with a string. Slipping them over her hands, she wondered if they were a gift from Rihaan. Instinct told her they were, thus filling her with a warm glow.
Trembling with excitement she dug deeper, and at the very bottom, found a large album. She flipped the pages over, only to find random black and white shots, of people and children on the streets. Nothing else. No blissful wedding pictures, in particular no family portraits, as if she’d severed all ties before coming here.
Feeling utterly wretched and frustrated, she tore the bangles from her hands and sank sobbing to the floor.
Inconvenient Relations is FREE on AMAZON!!
Grab your copy NOW!
The Accidental Wife
Simi K. Rao
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 270 Pages
March 4th 2015
Some accidents are meant to happen…
Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his ‘requirements’. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. Inconvenient Relations is her first published novel.
The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao’s down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.
by Sarah | Mar 18, 2015 | Cover Reveal, Guest Authors, Writing
He’s trying to protect his heart…
She’s a shell of the girl she once was…
Can he chase away the demons threatening to destroy her?
Mackenzie Delano craves control. After tragedy strikes during her freshman year of college, she compensates for the helplessness she felt by micro-managing every aspect of her life, from her business life to her social life…to her love life. But she wasn’t expecting to cross paths with a mysterious man who seems to invade her every thought.
Tyler Burnham has been living his life with one rule in mind…never fall in love. Focusing solely on his career, he is able to remain a detached observer of life… Until a case is dropped in his lap, forcing him to form an intimate relationship with a sharp-tongued woman in order to obtain the location of a man deemed an enemy of the State.
When Tyler finds himself falling for Mackenzie, will he be able push his feelings aside and recover the information he needs? Or will he put the mission and their lives at risk to follow his heart?
Chasing The Dragon is the first installment of a two part series of deception and betrayal where nothing is as it seems.
***Note – Chasing The Dragon is the first book in a two-book duet and is a spin-off of T.K. Leigh’s USA Today Best Selling Beautiful Mess series. It is not necessary to have read that series in order to read this duet, but it will contain a mild spoiler from the third book in the Beautiful Mess series, Gorgeous Chaos.***
T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn’t until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre.
When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
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by Sarah | Mar 13, 2015 | Guest Authors, Writing
B&N| iBookstore | Kobo | Smashwords
For New York Kings’ first baseman Scott Harper, scoring women is easy. He’s ready to get naked anytime, anywhere. But when a hacker leaks his nude selfies, he’s unprepared for the scrutiny his full-frontals receive.
Carrie McKenzie has a love-hate relationship with her body. No longer the fat chick guys can ignore, she wins the job as the Kings’ clubhouse reporter. With her svelte new figure, she nabs an exclusive interview with Scott to get his take on the scandal.
However, the two are already on a first-name basis after Scott came on to her in the hotel bar, and she woke up in his arms. The problem is that Scott doesn’t do relationships and Carrie doesn’t date jocks, yet the way they burn up the sheets is deserving of more than just a one-night stand.
Scott shows Carrie that he has a sweet, caring side beneath all the swagger. But can she really trust her heart to the biggest player in the game?
Top 10 Favorite Childhood Books
1. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
2. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
3. A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban
4. Bony-Legs by Joanna Cole
5. The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
6. Sweet Valley Twins series by Francine Pascal
7. The Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant
8. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
9. Sounder by William H. Armstrong
10. Little Bear by Elsa Holmelund Minarik
Beta Reader Reviews
I read and really enjoyed the first two books by Collette West (Game Changer and Game On) so I snatched this one up as soon as it was released. One thing that sets West’s romances apart is the fact that she also knows a lot about the sports her characters are playing, which adds depth to the stories and makes them that much more realistic!
Perfect Game is exactly what I needed after this horrible winter. Collette West really knows her baseball, and every time I read one of her stories, it brings back so many memories from all the years I spent following baseball. And I’ll admit, I always dreamed of marrying a ballplayer myself. (Shh, don’t tell my husband.) Now of only she was writing about a team based on my beloved Red Sox and not that pinstriped team from NY. 😉
…with conspiracies, family woes and fraud and trades elevating the story to epic proportions, it literally left me wondering what in the hell was going to happen next, it was a roller-coaster ride with no end in sight and it was brilliant. As always superbly written by Collette with complex and layered characters and a great family of ball players and their better halves to offer counsel and hilarity when needed. I can’t wait for the next book in this awesome sports series.
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About the Author
Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball’s biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette‘s impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.
Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers.
by Sarah | Mar 11, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Excerpt, Guest Authors, Writing
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo
Blurb
The USA Today bestselling author of How to Eat a Cupcake and All the Summer Girls returns with an unforgettably poignant and funny tale of love and loss, confronting our fears, and moving on . . . with the help of a poodle, a mutt, and a Basset retriever named Seymour
As a pet bereavement counselor, Maggie Brennan uses a combination of empathy, insight, and humor to help patients cope with the anguish of losing their beloved four-legged friends. Though she has a gift for guiding others through difficult situations, Maggie has major troubles of her own that threaten the success of her counseling practice and her volunteer work with a dog rescue organization.
Everything changes when a distraught woman shows up at Maggie’s office and claims that her dog has been stolen. Searching the streets of San Francisco for the missing pooch, Maggie finds herself entangled in a mystery that forces her to finally face her biggest fear-and to open her heart to new love.
Packed with deep emotion and charming surprises, Dog Crazy is a bighearted and entertaining story that skillfully captures the bonds of love, the pain of separation, and the power of our dogs to heal us.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/02/dog-crazy-novel-of-love-lost-and-found.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22573873-dog-crazy?from_search=true
Author Info
Meg Donohue is the USA Today bestselling author of How to Eat a Cupcake and All the Summer Girls. She has an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and a BA in comparative literature from Dartmouth College. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she now lives in San Francisco with her husband, three young daughters, and dog.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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(Print Book Bundle of Meg’s Releases including:
ALL THE SUMMER GIRLS, HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE & DOG CRAZY)
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EXCERPT
Leanne’s face softens into a smile, but I can tell there’s still a note of concern there, so I force myself tostay and watch as she searches in her bag for her car keys and then noses her old green Mercedes back andforth what seems like a hundred times, providing plenty of ammunition for my theory that there’s an inversecorrelation between driving skill and vehicle size. When she finally frees the car from its parking spot, shebeeps and gives a jaunty wave.
I plaster on a grin and wave both of my trembling hands in the air above my head. It’s only when I catch aglimpse of Leanne’s face screwing into a puzzled expression that I realize I must look like one of those peoplewho direct planes out of air- port gates. Or maybe a Bhangra dancer.
I wait until her car turns out of sight before spinning around and hurrying back down the path to myapartment.
The relief floods through me as soon as I’m inside. I make a beeline for the bathroom and scrub my hands inthe sink. Leanne looked like the picture of health, but you never know the truth until it’s too late. The water is sohot that my skin turns pink. I persevere, humming the “Happy Birthday” song twice under my breath—a handylittle tip I picked up during a recent study of the Centers for Disease Control’s website. When I read the CDC’sadvice, I immediately wondered if my mother knew it. I managed to stop myself from calling her in Philadelphiaand asking, but I can’t stop myself from thinking of her every time I put my hands below that scalding waterand watch my skin change color.
I shut off the water and listen as my shallow, uneven breathing slowly quiets.
Ninety–eight, I think.
I look at my reflection in the mirror above the sink. I’m paler now than I was when I moved here, but my eyebrows are un-changed: amber-colored, well defined, expressive. My best friend, Lourdes, tells me I have trustworthy brows. She calls themmy moneymakers. Who knows? She might be right. Even the most reticent patient eventually reveals her secrets to me . . .black pieces of coal held so tight they’ve turned into sharp, gleaming diamonds.
“Ninety-eight,” I say aloud. It’s an interesting number, the silky shimmy of ninety, the slammed door of eight. Isay the number again. Tomorrow a new one will take its place and it seems impor- tant I keep track. “Ninety-eight.”
It’s been ninety-eight days since I set foot beyond that gate at the sidewalk.
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