Spotlight on Angela Smith

This week, my spotlight shines on Angela Smith and her newest contemporary romance, Burn on the Western Slope.

Blurb:

Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels. With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time. When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life.

Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the death of his partner, Special Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain retreat. That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door. He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes compromised when his attraction to her heats up. Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?

 

Buy Burn on the Western Slope on Amazon

Also available:  Fatal Snag by Angela Smith

Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amzn.com/B00XZCNEQW

Blurb:

Hollywood fashion consultant Naomi Fisher is happy to use her obsessive-compulsive planning to assist with her cousin’s wedding, but her history with the sexy and sullen Chayton Chambers, the groom’s brother, terrifies her. When the groom is kidnapped at his own wedding, Chayton and Naomi rush to find an important relic to satisfy the ransom before her cousin becomes a widow before a bride. Naomi trades garters for guns as survival, and love becomes a deadly game impossible to resist.

About Angela: Smith

Angela Smith is a Texas native and was dubbed most likely to write a novel during her senior year in high school since she always had her nose stuck in a book. Although high school was decades ago, the dream began when her mom read ‘Brer Rabbit’ to her and her sister so often they could recite it back to each other before ever learning to read. Research is one of her favorite parts of piecing together a story, and she loves creating new characters. Angela started with writing romantic suspense and is branching into other genres, but she hasn’t been able to write one yet where falling in love doesn’t come into play. She works as a certified paralegal and office manager at her local District Attorney’s office and spends her free time with her husband and the animals on her small farm. Although life in general keeps her very busy, her passion for writing and getting the stories out of her head tends to make her restless if she isn’t following what some people call her destiny.

 

Angela Smith LOVES talking to readers. You can contact her in the following ways:

 

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Smith/e/B00DYBSIMY

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaSmith

Twitter – https://twitter.com/angelaswriter

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/asmithauthor

Website – http://www.loveisamystery.com

Email – angela@loveisamystery.com

 

 

Burn on the Western Slope Excerpt:   

“The snow’s great, the skiing is great. When are you going out to ski?” Garret asked.

Reagan fumbled with the button on her sweater. When Chayton set her drink on the bar, she tightened her hands around the glass to curb her jitters.

“I hate to admit it, but I don’t ski.”

“You don’t ski?”

“I mean, I never have.”

“You have to be tempted, right?”

“Uh, not really.”
This was where he’d leave. He would think she was crazy, boring, uninteresting, and he’d find someone more fitting to talk to. Only, he didn’t. He smiled, his eyes twinkling with interest. At least, she thought it was interest. It could have been pity, or mockery, or…

No. She cupped a hand over her cheek, as if that would soothe her insecurities. The cold condensation from the glass she’d held sent a chill between her shoulder blades.

“How long are you staying?”

“A month, at least.”

“Do you want to learn to ski? Because I’m a pretty good teacher. And Tanyon is a great place to learn. It’s busy, but not as busy as some of the bigger resort towns.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Yes. You have to try it at least once. You’ll love it. Chayton can hook you up with gear.”

“Well, I’ve always had a secret desire to plunge down a twelve-thousand-foot drop.”

Garret’s eyes sparkled, like sunbeams skipping across the ocean and landing under her skin. But even sunbeams on a clear summer afternoon wouldn’t affect her like this.

“It’s not so bad,” he said. “We’ll start on the bunny slopes. Then, if you fall it’ll only be half that.”

“I’ve seen the size of these mountains and there’s not a bunny slope in three-hundred miles.”

“Sure there is.”

Reagan clamped her mouth over the straw and slurped the cocktail. It tasted divine, the sugary, minty flavor inciting sweet thoughts of Garret’s lips.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”

Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?”

Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.”

“We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”

She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing.

“I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.

“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.

“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”

“But I don’t know them either.”

 

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Spotlight on Jewel Quinlan: She’s Got it All

Today my spotlight woke up late, but it shines nonetheless. This time it found Jewel Quinlan and her latest, She’s Got it All. This book makes me want to go out to a club and dance the night away. Read on!

To Join the Facebook Release Day Party on October 24th click HERE

 

She’s living her dream, not knowing she’s stolen someone else’s…

For Kayla Cross, getting a job as a DJ at legendary club Grace in Ibiza is a dream come true. It’s what she has worked for her entire life. Even if she had to do it behind her parents’ back, like a dirty secret—then and now. She left everything behind in order to give it her all, and she finds it’s going to take far more than the level of confidence she has in order to pull it off.

Lex Granger thought the job was his. But it wasn’t. And not getting the DJ job means another season of bartending, and watching longingly as others play on stage. When his boss orders him to make Kayla feel at home, he almost rebels. But his need to pay bills wins over his emotions. He resents his competition but can’t help being affected by her sunny disposition, talent, and long, lean form. Walking the line between admiration and envy can be agony…

Now available for just 0.99!

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | Nook

Or add it to your shelf on Goodreads

Enjoy this excerpt from She’s Got It All:

Kayla had seamlessly taken control of the sound system a few minutes ago and the stuff she had been playing was good, better than the typical pre-recorded shit. But what caught his attention now was the sound of her voice. She was singing into the mic on her headset. Not lyrics but a beautiful stream of notes that seemed to flutter from her gut up to her vocal cords in a lilting sound that was captivating.

The notes she sang rose and fell, exotic and mysterious with the intriguing underlying beat. Her voice called, it drew…and soon women rose from their seats to the small dance area to move and sway with the music, and the men followed them. The same people who had been oblivious of the music a moment before as they’d smoked and talked were now giving their full attention to Kayla.

It wasn’t just the music that mesmerized them; it was Kayla herself. She was a vision. Her blonde hair gleamed under the lights, and her shoulders and hips writhed in a sexy dance, and all the while she continued to turn knobs and flip switches to make the music she sang to. She was absorbed in it and having a great time. Sometimes her hair flicked when she gyrated, as if in punctuation to her movements. Combined with the sound of her voice, she was like a beacon—the song of an angel caressing and drawing everyone in. It was like nothing he’d ever heard before.

“Hola!” said a man in an aggressive tone, waving a one hundred Euro bill. “Can we get ten shots of Patrón?”

“Of course. Right away, friend.” Lex focused back in on his job.

It was awhile before he could come back up for air. But when he did, he noticed that the space was packed with bodies dancing to the music Kayla played. And, although she was keeping it mellow as instructed, it was the biggest crowd he’d ever seen on the terrace during the day. Security continuously went through, trying to keep key paths clear.

Hands holding cell phones were up in the air, outstretched toward her, as they took pictures and videos. Through it all, she wore the brightest smile he’d ever seen, occasionally lifting one hand to press the earphones closer. She changed the tempo to a faster beat and the crowd responded with cheers. She bounced up and down in joy, hand waving above her head with exhilaration, and the people lifted and pumped their fists in mimicry.
She was every bit as good as any DJ they’d had before and more. She was the embodiment of everything he thought he would have experienced and felt had it been him on the stage. Somehow, she caught him watching, and gave him a cheery wave. Embarrassed, he waved awkwardly back, and then pulled his eyes back down to the bar. And, even though he could acknowledge that Rick had been right, that she was good, he couldn’t help feeling the tiny nugget of palpable distaste lodged deep in his chest.

About the author, Jewel Quinlan:

Restless by nature, Jewel Quinlan is an avid traveler and has visited 16 countries so far. Lover of ice cream, beer and red wine she tries to stay fit when she’s not typing madly on her computer concocting another tale. In her spare time she likes to do yoga, hike, learn German and play with her spoiled Chihuahua; Penny. It is Penny’s mission in life to keep Jewel from the keyboard. But, with the help of dog-chew-making-companies, Jewel has been able to distract her canine companion and continues to get thousands of words on the page for your enjoyment.

For more information about Jewel Quinlan

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest

Or subscribe to Jewel’s newsletter if you just want to get the most important updates

Spotlight on Waking Beauty by DL Jackson

My spotlight shines on D L Jackson and her sizzling Decadent 1Night Stand, Waking Beauty. D L writes terrific military heroes. I loved her Cinderella Wore Combat Boots and Waking Beauty is part of the same military themed 1Night Stand series.

 First there was Cinderella Wore Combat Boots, about a female Marine soon to retire. She’s not ready to take the step, but has no option. Uncle Sam is about to give her a shove into the civilian world and she’s scared to face the unknown alone. Buy Links/All Versions

 

Followed by My Boogie Woogie Bugle Guy, a story about loss and discovering, with the right person by your side, you can get through anything. Buy Links/All Versions

 

 Then, in Being Prince Charming, I bring you a story about empty nesters and embracing the things that are important to us before they are gone. Buy Links/All Versions

 

Beauty and the Brigadier brings you a tale of two mature adults, who discover love doesn’t end at fifty, and neither does attraction. Buy Links/All Versions

 

 Finally, I bring you a story of two women hiding from who they are. One a combat helicopter pilot who finds out “don’t ask, don’t tell” is no protection from old school beliefs. And another who feels she can’t have both her career and identity. I hope you enjoy the latest installment in my military 1Night Stand series, Waking Beauty. Buy Links/All Versions

 

Blurb:

Once upon a time, a beautiful combat helicopter pilot crashed to the earth. For weeks she lies sleeping, waiting for her princess to wake her from her slumber.

Chris Carlson, her heroine and a shy school teacher, comes to her rescue, by contacting Madame Eve to make all her dreams come true. Little does she know, the one magical kiss that wakes beauty will also start a snowball reaction, one which will change her life forever.

Sometimes, life’s greatest challenges also bring the biggest blessings, and when you walk through fire, it makes you appreciate what you fought for so much more.
Chris is about to step into an inferno.

 

Excerpt:

Chris pulled up in front of the hospital and reached into the center console of her Jeep to pull out the invitation.

Congratulations,

Your date has been arranged. You can meet her at 325 Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, room 202A. I understand this is rather unconventional, and most dates don’t meet until the 1Night Stand, but this preliminary meeting is necessary. When you are ready to proceed, I will forward more details.

Sincerely,

Madame Eve

No name. No picture. Nothing else to tell her what Madame Eve had planned. Did her date have the details of where they were going and what they were doing? And what did she mean by when you are ready to proceed?

This had to be some kind of mistake. The building didn’t look like any kind of residence she’d seen. Well, not in the traditional sense.

Maybe her date worked here? She read the cream-colored card again and flicked her thumb back and forth across the edge. With a sigh, she tossed it onto the passenger seat. Okay…right address. So, what are you waiting for? This is what you’ve wanted your entire life.

She opened the door and slid out. A nurse, pushing a wheelchair with a double amputee who wore dog tags, approached, stopping her cold. Attractive. Ice seemed to grip Chris, gluing her soles to the parking lot. She wanted to jump back in the Jeep and run, but, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move, let alone breathe.

“Good morning,” the nurse said and continued on by.

“Morning.” The tension leaked from her shoulders, flowing away. Chris blinked and then twisted to watch them go. The woman in bright-pink scrubs wheeled her patient toward a mini-park off to the side, without looking back. No. The nurse didn’t look like what she’d described as her ideal woman. Too…girly. Silly to assume her date would come out to meet her with a witness. Oh hell. She hadn’t even made it to the front door, and she’d already freaked. This didn’t bode well at all.

She ran her sweaty palms down the front of her denim shorts and took a deep breath, replenishing her courage. Time to stop pretending—hiding. “I can do this.” Chris fisted her hands at her sides. A public location.She surveyed the area, taking it all in. Everywhere around her—people.Seriously? She’d wanted to take baby steps into the same-sex dating world, come out of the closet slowly. Had to. Her career depended on it, and she’d told Madame Eve she needed to be discreet.

So why here? There couldn’t be a more public place. Her stomach churning, she swallowed the lump forming in her throat. Why am I doing this?

No matter what people said, the support gays and lesbians received from the stars and media didn’t mean anything in small town America. In her world, kindergarten teachers weren’t lesbians. She’d struggled with this tug-of-war between her professional and personal life for four years, until her sister came right out and told her she knew.

Intrigued?  Click here to read more! . Buy Links/All Versions

Spotlight on Kristina Knight

Today my spotlight shines on Kristina Knight and her rocking new trilogy, Anthem.  Light my Fire is already out, Start me Up released yesterday and Call Me drops October 5th.  Lucky you, I’m sharing all three today.

Book 1: Light My Fire

Lily MacIntyre’s life is offtrack, and she knows exactly how to right it: shed her America’s sweetheart image in a big way. Getting down and dirty in a limo with rocker Nate Lansford seems like the perfect solution. Plus, she’s had a mad crush on him practically since birth. The only problem? Nate is her brother’s best friend…and he doesn’t see her as anything other than a surrogate little sister.

Available now

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Light-My-Fire-Anthem-Book-ebook/dp/B013S2S6IO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1439896313&sr=1-1&keywords=light+my+fire+by+kristina+knight

BN – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/light-my-fire-kristina-knight/1119640966?ean=2940152154252

iB – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/light-my-fire/id1029779462?mt=11

KO – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/light-my-fire-23

 

Book 2: Start Me Up

Matchmaker Nina Wright might work in LA but she keeps Hollywood types off her client list. She doesn’t need their drama and she doesn’t like the way so many of them exchange lovers like last year’s accessories. But she needs one happy, high-profile client to get her business off the tabloid pages and back on solid ground.

Hollywood hottie Chase MacIntyre wants the gossip surrounding his lastest fling to stop and he knows exactly how to do it: show up on his next red carpet with a new woman and once he meets Nina Wright he knows she is the woman to stop the presses.

The problem? Once they’re under cover, this business-only agreement is definitely too hot to handle…

Available now

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Start-Me-Up-Anthem-Book-ebook/dp/B013S2SBIO/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

BN – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/start-me-up-kristina-knight/1122509752?ean=2940152157291

iB – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/start-me-up/id1029778830?mt=11

KO – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/start-me-up-12

 

Book 3: Call Me

Katrina Phillips is itchy. The job that has always challenged her seems stifling, her friends are all pairing off and she’s been without male companionship for seven long months.

Josh Hanna is paying off a debt: fly to LA, play backup for the house band during the season finale of Star Power and then back to his boring – and sober – life in San Francisco.

But five years hasn’t been long enough to douse the flames between them, and its hard to remember why things went so badly in the first place…

Coming soon

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Call-Me-Anthem-Book-3-ebook/dp/B013S6IHPM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

BN – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/call-me-kristina-knight/1122509743?ean=2940152323542

iB – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/call-me/id1029779472?mt=11

KO – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/call-me-13
Want a taste of Book 2?   Start Me Up:

She sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. “You can’t be serious.”

His posture was the exact opposite of hers. Everything about him was opposite. Where she wore a pretty Stella McCartney blouse and prim pencil skirt, he wore ripped jeans and a tight black tee. Her strappy Manolos hadn’t a single scratch. His Dr. Martens had to be from 1999 and looked like they’d cleaned up after one too many groupies in the green room.

You’re in control here, Nina. You’re the professional. He’s the client. Shoo him away like the ass he really is.

Oh, but what a fine ass he has, the part of her brain she was definitely not listening to today said.

“I assure you I’m serious. I need a non-clingy, well-proportioned date for a gala fundraiser in two days and I’d prefer she have no illusions as to what this is about.” He sat forward in his chair and Nina was sure she saw his abs ripple. She caught her breath and then forced her gaze from the spectacle and back to those blue-blue eyes. And promptly forgot to breathe again. “The money raised will keep music programs in at least fifteen local schools. To keep the cash coming I need the headlines to be about the event, not my social life.”

“Then you should go alone.”

“Going alone will keep the gossip rags talking. What I need is a pretty date for a one- night-only performance.”

Nina blew out the breath she’d been holding. She didn’t believe for a second this was a mercy date situation. More like a mercy hookup. She didn’t do hookups. Her business set up marriage minded people who were matched based on an algorithm her aunt developed ten years before. An algorithm that had made the company a go-to in Los Angeles.

She shot a glance out the window at the press corps on the sidewalk below her window.

Well, until this morning, anyway.

“I think you’ve got my firm confused with…something else entirely, but for future reference—” she typed a few words into the search engine on her computer and flipped the screen to face him “—I am a matchmaker. A noun, meaning one who arranges relationships or marriages.” She opened the next tab and gestured to the computer screen. “I am not a madam, although madams are also nouns. There is a very large, very cavernous area between matchmaking and houses of prostitution.”

 

Author Bio:

Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police–no, she wasn’t a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer’s capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she’s living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!

Author Links:

Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristinaknightromanceauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorkristina/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5827833.Kristina_Knight

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+KristinaKnightAuthor/posts

Spotlight on A Model Hero by Sara Daniel

Today I’m shining my spotlight on Sara Daniel and, A Model Hero, aka Mr. September in the sizzling Calendar Men series.  Sara answered the tough questions a few weeks ago, but I invite her back to find out about her latest.

Time to pull out your Calendar Men calendars. While you’re doing that, I’ll give you some background on how they came into existence…

Leonidas Russo is a former US Marine-turned-fashion model. He uses his connections in the fashion world to put a call out for models to be featured in a charity calendar he’s put together to honor the memory of his brother, an Army soldier who died in the Afghan war. Proceeds for the calendar in the stories will benefit The Fallen Warriors Family Fund, a charity that gives scholarships and assistance to the families left behind.

All together now, flip the calendar page up and gaze in adoration and unabashed lust at the ripped physique and chiseled face of Mr. September. This is his story… 

 

A Model Hero

Gretchen Meyers is a full-figured woman living in a model thin world. Desperate to end her mother’s constant, nagging stream of dieting and fashion “advice,” Gretchen tackles the challenge of reviving her mother’s faltering modeling agency. All she needs is to woo back Kyle Ramsey, once the hottest model in the country.

 Making the preemptive choice to turn his back on his career seemed Kyle’s only option until Gretchen comes calling. He doesn’t care what she wants to offer him, the answer is no. Still, he’s intrigued by her refreshing personality and all her lovely, lush curves.

 When tragedy strikes, Kyle finds comfort and healing in Gretchen’s arms. But he can’t trust her with his career-ending secret and she doesn’t believe their relationship will survive the long term. He’s perfect and she’s not even close. Can the fragile ties holding them together survive Kyle’s opportunity to become a true model hero?

 

Read on for a sample! Excerpt:

The restaurant scene, then, had done its job. Gretchen would have to send Jamie flowers. No, she’d send a box of fattening chocolates instead. “Did you enjoy your evening after I left?”

Kyle’s gaze narrowed, he pushed himself out of the chair. “Did you arrange with Jamie to drop by our table?”

“How could I, when I had no idea where we were going for dinner until we were there?” Not to mention, she’d have preferred to sever essential body parts than ask Jamie Feldman for anything. But her irrational possessiveness was her own problem. “The important thing is you had a good time, and you’re ready to make up for everything you’ve been missing over the past year.”

“Those things aren’t important at all.” He advanced on her slowly.

She took a step back and came up against the door she’d closed a moment before.

Kyle flashed a predatory smile. He took her purse and briefcase from her shoulder, setting them aside. Then he rested his forearms on either side of her head and stared into her eyes, his lips a scant inch from hers as he spoke. “I’m here for you. Our date deserves another shot.”

Her heart thundered. The thick eyelashes framing his gray-green eyes mesmerized her. He stood too near for her to formulate a coherent response. This much physical perfection and sex appeal should be outlawed. Her mind was not equipped to handle it.

“What do you say?” he asked.

Yes, take me. “I say, why me?” Her voice rose with an embarrassing squeak as she struggled to compose a rational argument and remind herself she was in her office, just feet away from her employees who’d never seen her anything less than one hundred percent professional. “I get why you went out with me on Saturday. You’d shut yourself away from the world, and I was the first woman to find you. But you’ve been reminded you can have Jamie or anyone else you crook your finger for. Why do you still want me?”

His gaze softened with a tenderness that pierced her heart. He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “How could I not want you, Gretchen? You’re smart and funny and beautiful and not afraid to let a guy who has no idea what you like order for you on a first date.”

Buy Links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Model-Hero-Calendar-Men-ebook/dp/B00MYJPP5A/

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-model-hero

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-model-hero/id911835986?mt=11

Decadent Publishing http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=980&osCsid=ikh5q70apmn539c8aasam1tp61

 

Sara Daniel writes what she loves—irresistible romance, from sweet to erotic and everything in between. She lives her own happily-ever-after romance with her hero husband. Connect with her online at:

Subscribe to Sara’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/rx_AL

Website: http://www.SaraDaniel.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SaraDanielSaraShafer

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SSaraDaniel

Blog: http://saradanielromance.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ssaradaniel/

 

To celebrate A Model Hero’s release, Sara’s giving away a $20 Amazon gift card. Fill out the Rafflecopter form here or on her Facebook page to enter. http://tinyurl.com/nn757av

Talking with Tara Mills

Today I have the lovely Tara Mills here to answer the tough questions and tell me more about her latest release, Sexual Politics, now available from Beachwalk Press.

What inspired you to write Sexual Politics? I heard an interesting Behind the Music story on CBC Radio 2 one day. The wife of Former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, caused a scandal when she disappeared for seven days and seven nights without word to hang out with the Rolling Stones in New York City. When Margaret was eventually located, at their hotel with them, eyebrows shot even higher. Under pressure to return to her waiting husband, she promptly flew home and announced she wanted to get her own apartment in NYC and commute back and forth to Ottawa.

This story made my mind race. It wasn’t exactly your typical political scandal where the husband cheats and the stoic wife stands at his side, a rock, even if a bitter one. I started to think about how I could play with the traditional script. Whether Margaret was innocent or not, the speculation remains. It inspired me to create Justine and the chaos that results when you flip the norm on its edge.

 I remember hearing that story and the interesting gender flip. What types of books do you enjoy reading? What is on your nightstand? I read everything, fiction and nonfiction alike. At the moment, I’m finishing The Cuckoo’s Calling, the detective novel penned by JK Rowling’s alter-ego, Robert Galbraith.

Tell me about your favorite place to write. What makes it special? My office is in the large dormer off our bedroom. The room opens to my left. There’s a large double window to my right looking down out driveway and into the woods, and behind me are two large, full bookshelves. It’s a very pleasant and bright place to work.

Sounds beautiful. Since a musician helped inspire this story, do you listen to music when you write? If so, what? No. I want absolute quiet while I write. I need to be in my zone. No distractions. I do like to find songs that seem to capture my stories though. I’ve usually got one or two picked out for them and I will listen to them when I want to get into the proper mood.

Let’s play “Dump the purse” – what’s in yours? Believe it or not, I only carry a little coin purse with a little cash and my ID most of the time. That’s it.

I’m impressed! If your hero or heroine were babysitting my kids (age 6 & 10) what would the night be like? I think you’d come home to find Sean and Justine have taken a lot of wonderful pictures for you. They’d get the kids to dress up and pretend. Most beautiful of all though, would be the portraits he took that capture their true personalities. Sean’s hired!

We’re at a bar with your hero and heroine, what are they drinking? Champagne or wine. Nice

Dessert time! Give me your “either—or” answers

• Chocolate, fruit or other? Chocolate
• Warm or cold? Cold
• Buttercream or fondant? Buttercream
• Cookies or brownies?   Brownies
• With nuts or without?  No nuts.

Perfect! Let’s run off  and get dessert before my kids stuff a chair into that tiny coin purse, but first, please share more about Sexual Politics and let my readers know where to find you.

Is the scandal worth it? Only she can answer that. For two years Justine Hubbard has played the supportive wife role for her husband in public…and nowhere else. Senator Gary Hubbard’s philandering ended her love for him. But sometimes there are reasons people decide to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage when the relationship is over. Living a lie until after the election wasn’t an issue—until she met Sean O’Donnell. She can’t fool the perceptive photographer. He understands her. He wants her. After feeling invisible to her husband, that’s an intoxicating discovery. But having condemned her husband for his hushed affairs, it would be hypocritical to give in to her desire for Sean. All it would take is a whisper of scandal for her husband’s political enemies to bring him down. She wouldn’t dream of sacrificing Gary’s career, their causes, and her own good name. But how can she stay away from Sean now that she’s fallen for him?

Buy Sexual Politics now at Amazon,Amazon UK, Amazon Au, All Romance, Beachwalk Press, and Barnes & Noble.

Excerpt

The senator put his arm around his wife while she stood, frozen, her smile brittle on the edges. “Justine is a big patron of the arts. I’m glad she found someone interesting to talk to tonight. She hates these functions.”

Sean smiled tightly, noting her discomfort. “She’s not the only one.”

“Yes, well…” The senator rubbed his hands together. “The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get home.”

Sean felt the next perfunctory kiss was for his benefit. His heart went out to her.

“Don’t wait up,” the senator said to his wife.

One more insincere handshake with Sean and the man was gone.

She seemed to shrink, as if letting go of the tension took an inch off her height. “I think he forgot to call for my car.”

“I’m just about to leave. Would you like to share a cab?”

The corner of her mouth twitched and she nodded, her lovely hazel eyes shining, though not a tear fell.

They ditched their glasses and headed to the atrium. Twice his hand strayed automatically toward the small of her back as they walked. He had to remind himself not to touch her.

Collecting their coats, he helped her into hers then slipped on his own, winding his slate gray scarf around his neck.

He didn’t hesitate to offer his arm on the way out. Her high heels demanded it. Even though the sidewalk had clearly been shoveled once already, snow continued to fall, the scattered salt leaving circular patterns of melt amidst the slick. The doorman waved a cab forward and opened the door for them. Sean helped her into the back then slid in after her.

The doorman shut them in as Sean adjusted his long coat on the seat around him. “Let’s drop you off first.”

“All right.” She leaned forward and gave the cabbie her address.

* * * *

Justine was hyper aware of O’Donnell’s hand resting on the seat not eight inches from hers as they rode across the city. If they both stretched out a pinky, they might even touch. Beyond handshakes, she hadn’t touched a man in so long. Gary no longer counted. He only touched her in public. After his second brief affair, she’d insisted.

Her life, her marriage, her husband—all of it was a sham.

Glancing surreptitiously at Sean O’Donnell as he watched the scenery pass, she was struck by how handsome he was, in a completely natural way. There was no hint of product in his hair to tame and control the wayward curls flaring out behind his ears. If anyone gave Gary’s hair a little pat it would shift on his head like one solid, perfect helmet.

Even though it was faint, she could smell Old Spice coming off her quiet seatmate. It made her smile. Ah, memories. Back in the day, she used to love that aftershave. Gary only wore expensive cologne.

Sean cleaned up nicely, but she could tell he was as uncomfortable with the public side of his life as she was with hers. There was something genuine about him. After living with a facsimile of a human being for seven years, that was an attractive quality to have.

The cab turned onto her street and she began to worry the purse in her lap. Their ride had taken no time at all. They pulled to the curb in front of her townhouse and she started to open the clasp on her purse for her share of the fare. That’s when Sean O’Donnell finally touched her bare hand, stopping her.

“It was on the way,” he said.

“Thank you.”

He exited the car then held the door, assisting her out. “I’ll walk you up.”

Afraid it would feel too much like the end of an awkward date, she declined his offer, though she appreciated his consideration. “That isn’t necessary.”

“Don’t forget, the Russell Gallery. I hope to see you there, Mrs. Hubbard.”

Flattered, she laughed softly. “I’ll be there. But please, call me Justine.”

She liked how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Sean.”

“Thank you for the ride.”

“My pleasure. Goodnight, Justine.” He stood there, silent and seemingly unaffected by the large, fluffy snowflakes settling on his hair and shoulders.

“Goodnight, Sean.” Feeling a blush coming on, she hurried up her front steps and slipped her key in the lock. He was still watching over her from the open car door when she turned on the light and stepped into the foyer. Lifting her hand, she gave him a final parting wave.

Nodding once in return, he dipped his head and got back into the taxi.

As the car pulled away, she fell against the door and turned the deadbolt, her heart racing in a thrilling and inappropriate way.

 

About the Author, Tara Mills

I’m a pampered wife, adoring mom, incurable romantic, and a contemporary romance novelist. I’m also a lousy driver and have OCD tendencies. I’ve been called perky and cute most of my life. Can’t help that. I’m a morning person. Yep, that’s proven incurable too. If you enjoy stories with heart, heat, a bit of suspense, and plenty of humor, I’ve got a story for you.

Please visit my website Tara Mills Romance for some awesome reads and my quirky blog. You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, or follow me on Twitter.

Talking With Becky Lower

Today I’m delighted to have Becky Lower here to talk about her contemporary romance Voice of an Angel. 

So Becky, what inspired you to write this book? Voice Of An Angel was inspired by two things. First was the movie, Eddie & The Cruisers, one of my all-time favorites. The lead singer of a rock band fakes his own death to get out of a bad contract. Great sound track. Second was the very real life of a folk singer in the DC area who died way before she should have, and whose music is still being sold and heard today. I kind of mashed those two story lines together to come up with Evelyn Hammer’s own unique tale.

As a fan of some singers who died way too soon, I’m intrigued. How do you make time to write? I like to write in the morning, which has never been a problem since I began to take writing seriously. My little dog usually joins me in the study and finds the spot where the sun is, or curls up on her rug behind the desk. But my sister has just moved in with me. She has her own space in the house, and I’ve warned her not to talk to me in the mornings when I’m working, but she has lapsed a few times. I raise my hand, don’t lift my eyes from my computer, and she backs out of the room with an apology. I’ve been able to cut down on my part-time job since she moved in, so it’s been a blessing to have her here. And, I do take time in the afternoons to go to the movies or just sit and read with her.

Sisters. Mine is an aspiring fiction author. What is your favorite part about being an author? I love the process of writing. Especially when I can get into the zone and just lose myself in the story. And I love it when some new-to-me reader loses herself in my stories. Makes it all worthwhile.

I have lost myself a few times in your wonderful Cotillion Ball historical series. Thinking of lost, let’s play “Dump the purse” – what’s in yours?  A cell phone with no minutes left, a change purse that’s about thirty years old and showing it, used tissues, my name badge from my part-time job, and a notepad and pen, in case I overhear a bit of conversation or talk to someone about something interesting. Never any money.

 I’m always hopeful I’ll find some, but I know where the money really goes. My kids built a time machine out of Legos.  When and where are we headed and why? Since I write historic romances as well as contemporary ones, I’d set the time machine for 1830 in the American west. Maybe we’ll run into Jedediah Smith.

Adventuring with Jedediah Smith would be fun, but then I’d miss out on dessert time!  Give me your “either—or” answers

• •          Chocolate, fruit or other? Cake. I like cake.
• •          Warm or cold? Warm, about ten minutes out of the oven.
• •          Buttercream or fondant? Buttercream. On cake.
• •          Cookies or brownies? Brownies, if cake isn’t available.
• •          With nuts or without? Nuts, of course. And sprinkles.

Yum! Before we rush out for dessert, would you share more about Voice of an Angel and how my readers can get in touch with you?

Voice of an Angel

Max Bainbridge is an ace newspaper reporter who gets all the biggest assignments, most recently covering the fighting in Afghanistan. When he is shot on the battlefields, he is operated on and then flown home. The nurse responsible for his subsequent care is Evelyn Hammer, a 35-year-old woman who ran for her life, and from the musical spotlight, when she was 17 and on the cusp of fame. Her new identity has been in place, and impenetrable, ever since. Over the years, she’s found singing is a more soothing way to wake people from surgery, and they are usually so foggy they don’t realize she’s been singing to them. Until Max, that is.

Evelyn knows she’s breaking one of the cardinal rules of nursing by dating a patient, but she can’t resist Max. What begins as an innocent affair with a definite expiration date when Max leaves for his next assignment becomes a real threat to unmasking Evelyn’s hidden identity. Max can’t control his journalism instincts as one clue after another emerges and he realizes he doesn’t know the person he’s fallen in love with.

Only by uncovering Evelyn’s secret past can they move forward with their future. But her past is still there, and threatening. Some secrets are better left alone.

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLVNS8U

More about Becky Lower

Becky Lower has traveled the country looking for great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love, amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it present day middle America or on a covered wagon headed west in the 1850s. Contemporary and historical romances are her specialty. Becky is a PAN member of RWA and is an active member of the Northeast Ohio RWA. She has a degree in English and Journalism from Bowling Green State University, and lives in an eclectic college town in Ohio with her puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary. She loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at http://www.beckylowerauthor.com

 

Talking with Nana Prah

Today I’m talking with fellow Decadent author, Nana Prah about her new book Midwife to Destiny.  I had so much fun getting to know Nana, and you will too, especially since she’s offering a giveaway to one lucky person.

Ready to learn more about Nana Prah and Midwife to Destiny? Read on.

Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.

Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again.

 They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?  ****

Wow! The setting alone hooked me.  I had to find out more about the author.

What types of books do you enjoy reading? What is on your nightstand?

I’m a romance addict. A friend of mine asks me how I can still like romance novels after all these years. It’s the happily ever after aspect that keeps me going back. I will read other genres, but I return to romance time and time again. Right now I’m reading Tallas by Cathrina Constantine, not a romance, but it’s really good. Conversations with God- book Three by Neale Donald Walsh is there, too (trying to show my nonfiction side), Nana Malone’s last book in her Stilettos series, Sassy in Stilettos, is waiting for me (I don’t want to say goodbye to the characters yet, but I’m looking forward to the read).

Someone else who always has a stack by the nightstand. Do you listen to music when you write?  If so, what?

Music distracts me when I write. I love to dance and sing so when music is playing I’m doing those two things instead of writing. So like Depeche Mode says, I “Enjoy the silence”

Ha! What is your favorite part about being an author?

Being famous and raking in loads of money. Lol. I have yet to reach that far yet. Having taken the risk to write a book and have it published. It makes me proud of myself.

It is a huge accomplishment. Congrats. Let’s accomplish something else and play “dump the purse.” What’s in yours?

*giggling* Three tubes of lipstick, a pen drive, two red pens (I’m a teacher), five blue pens, my Kindle, a pocket flashlight, my wallet, money – our currency is Ghana cedis, a small notebook (a must for a writer), a sanitary napkin (I’m always ready), Menthos gum (sugarfree and delicious), a packet of tissues, a few loose papers that I should really throw away, and some lint.

The dreaded lint.  Now that our purses are clean, let’s head out. But I need a babysitter.  How would the hero and heroine of Midwife to Destiny handle my 10 and 6 year olds?

Ora, the heroine, would play some games with them, nothing too outrageous, ensure they’re fed with a healthy nutritious meal, that she’d probably cooked, ensure they had a bath, and got into bet at precisely their bedtime. When they were asleep, she’d make sure the house was straightened up before you got home.

Jason would fill the kids with junk food, destroying the house with raucous running games. Your kids would be so wired on sugar they wouldn’t sleep until the high came down, long after you got home and he left.

Ora is hired, but the kids would prefer Jason. I can’t wait to see how this couple gets to their Happily Ever After.  In the meantime, let’s get dessert. Give me your either/or:

• Chocolate, fruit or other? Chocolate
• Warm or cold? Warm
• Buttercream or fondant? Buttercream
• Cookies or brownies? Brownies
• With nuts or without?  With

Yum! While Nana and I get dessert, I have a treat for you too. Enjoy this excerpt from Midwife to Destiny and be sure to enter the rafflecopter. Nana Prah is giving away a twenty-dollar Amazon gift card!

Ora focused on putting one foot in front of the other as if she were a one-year-old learning how to walk. After turning the corner and seeing the back of his head, she froze. She would know that head anywhere. He’d grown his hair out a little, but his adorable, Will Smith ears gave him away. Initiating the process of pivoting and sprinting out of the ED unnoticed sprang to mind when he turned around and his gaze caught hers.

 The air became charged with tension and neither of them moved. Her heart threatened to pop out of her chest with the force of each beat. The nurses stood between them, looking back and forth as if they watched a tennis match. They didn’t bother to hide their expressions of curiosity.

 They’d never seen Ora behave in such a manner. Not cool as a cucumber super nurse. Like herself, they kept looking at the new doctor just because of his tall, broad-shouldered, gorgeous stature. The past three years had matured him, adding a few lines around his eyes and the new feature of a goatee with a moustache changed his countenance a little. But otherwise, the same man she’d met three years ago, at least in the physical sense, stood before her.

 After an eternity, Ora snapped back to attention. “Akwaaba, Dr. Lartey. Welcome to the ward.” Madam Professional stuck out her hand for a handshake.

 Her words seemed to drag him out of his own stupor. “Uh….”

 She had rendered the man speechless. Ora’s gracious nature—that’s what she blamed it on, anyway—took pity on him and she touched his shoulder. The contact sent sensual awareness through her and she recoiled her hand.

 “Hello, Aurora. Please forgive me. It’s just that I’m a little surprised to see you.”

 “Not as much as I am,” she muttered, attempting to squash both the joy bubbling up inside of her at seeing him again and the overwhelming sadness of what she’d been missing for so long.

 “Pardon me?” he asked.

 “I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a surprise to me, too.”

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You can buy Midwife to Destiny at

Amazon | Decadent |ARe | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

Blog : www.nanaprah.blogspot.com

Twitter: @NanaPrah

Facebook: Nana Prah, Author