Thursday, June 30, 2016

Authors After Dark Spotlight: Patricia Scott James









INTRODUCING PATRICIA SCOTT JAMES


My name is Patricia Scott James and I’ve been writing for years. This year I decided to take my passion and bite the bullet and offer the books I’ve been hording to the masses.  I write steamy romance, mostly steamy romantic suspense. The last thing I’ve finished is a trilogy that combines romantic suspense with a touch of the paranormal. No, it’s not weres or vampires or shifters. The paranormal that I incorporated to the story deals with psychic abilities including telepathy and prophetic dreams. That was fun to write in itself, but the story was spiced up further with a heroine that is deaf. Talk about challenges. Actually writing the story was a lot of fun. I hope you find it fun to read.

As far as the heat level of my stories, from a range of 1 to 10, I think I average somewhere around 7.5.

Publishing and having people read and like my stories would be the icing of my life, another check on my bucket list. Speaking of bucket lists, what’s on yours?  Mine is full of places to see, and experiences to enjoy. From rappelling into a cenote, to ballooning over the Loure valley, to climbing natural rock formations (Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland), to taking a camel ride on the Giza plateau, to playing with baby tigers or swimming with a whale shark, I’m ticking some of my list off and still have so much more to accomplish. Meanwhile I also love to sit on my couch, cuddled by my kitties as I read a book, watch tv, play on the computer and paint blown eggs, I’m all for doing the creative and original.

And another thing to check off the bucket list is that I’m going to my first convention as a writer. Authors After Dark.  I’m super excited about going and meeting some readers. If you are going, come find me. I’ve got some great gifts I’m giving away. I’d love to meet you.

The Second Sight Series is trilogy of steamy romantic suspense novels each with a slight paranormal twist.






Her Highland Rogue by Violetta Rand Blog Tour & Giveaway

Her Highland Rogue
Violetta Rand

Genre: Historical romance, Highlander

Publisher: Random House/Loveswept

Date of Publication: June 21, 2016

ASIN: B00XG9BWZE

Number of pages: 170
Word Count: 52,000

Cover Artist: Random House

Book Description:

Errol MacRae’s days of gallivanting across the Highlands are nearing an end. His father’s health has taken a turn for the worse, and rumors are swirling that the crown intends to transfer ancient lands into the hands of the MacKenzies, the clan the MacRaes are sworn to defend. Errol expects to lead his men into battle soon. So he isn’t pleased when his father instead sends him to retrieve a beautiful flame-haired lass who has fled into the mountains.
Orphaned as a young girl, Aileana vividly remembers how the MacRaes rescued her and welcomed her into their clan. For ten years, she has served them loyally—until the night she’s nearly despoiled by one of the laird’s captains. Aileana risks her life and her reputation to seek refuge in the snowcapped peaks of the Five Sisters, the one place that has always felt like home. But after the strong-armed, strong-willed Errol tracks her down in a blizzard, she finds herself tempted to risk something even more dangerous: her heart.

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Excerpt:
           Aileana opened her eyes, confused by her surroundings. She’d fled the MacRae stronghold after Broc cornered her in the kitchen, long after the other women had gone abovestairs to sleep. She’d stupidly volunteered to keep watch over the remaining men in the hall in case they required more bread and meat—or in Broc’s case, more ale. Once she’d refilled his cup, even leaving a full pitcher behind for the great beast to finish off, he stumbled after her, smelling of sweat and spirits, and drooling on her neck.
She’d known him nearly all her life—at least for the time she remembered being alive. Before her tenth year, she held no clear memories. The occasional flash of a face or spoken word, but nothing that could connect her to a family or place. So she wandered through life nameless, though the MacRae laird had offered to recognize her as part of his clan. But whenever she considered it, something inside her warned not to do it. For once ye denied your name, whether you knew it or not, your fate might change. And she didn’t want to lose her only chance at true happiness. Deep down, Aileana knew there was more to her existence than being a bastard.
That’s what half the women within the MacRae keep called her. Behind her back mostly, but sometimes directly if she was blamed for burning the bread or spilling wine.
She kicked off the fur covering her from neck-to-foot, cold air sending a chill down her body. A fire burned at the opening of the rock enclosure, and she padded over to it, desperate for warmth. She stared beyond the flames, the world outside covered in white. Winter had come early to Kintail. And only by God’s grace had she met a woman last night in the hills. How could she turn down an offer of hot stew and a pallet to sleep on? So she’d walked quietly with the stranger to her cave.
As soon as she finished eating and drained her cup of wine, sleep overwhelmed her. That’s all she remembered. And now she woke up alone. But there was a loaf of bread and a cup of milk on the table by her pallet, hopefully meant for her to eat. Her stomach growled with hunger.
“Good morning,” Aileana heard as she reached for the cup.
She turned and met the woman’s smile. “Thank ye for allowing me to stay here last night. I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you, no money or goods to trade.”
The woman joined her, picked up the loaf of bread, then tore it in half. “I don’t remember asking for payment, child.”
“But your generosity must be rewarded in some way.”
“Aye,” she agreed. “Your company will do nicely.”
Aileana took a bite and it melted in her mouth, as tasty as what she cooked every morning in the MacRae kitchens. “Whatever you wish,” she said. “I prefer staying here. I wasn’t prepared for the snow. If ye hadn’t found me, I’m afraid I would have perished in the cold.” Though she had a fur cloak and thick-soled boots, she hadn’t had time to gather anything else before she ran away.
The woman sat down. “My name is Sgùrr.”
“Aileana.”
The woman studied her in silence, her dark gaze wandering more than once to her hair. “Who is your father?”
Aileana took another sip of milk, then put the cup down on the table. The idea of admitting to a stranger that she had no family was as humiliating as what Broc had done to her. “I don’t know.”
“And why were you roaming the hills alone? Surely someone will miss ye?”
“Laird MacRae is my guardian.”
“Your mother has passed?”
“I’m afraid I know nothing about my birth.” She walked the couple feet to her pallet and picked up her cloak. “Eight years ago a MacRae guard found me in the forest, cold and hungry, close to death I’ve been told. He bundled me in a blanket and took me home with him. I’ve lived there ever since.”
“Has the laird been kind and generous?”
“Laird MacRae is not only kind, but treats me as his own daughter. A day never passes without him greeting me. Sometimes I wonder what would have become of me if the MacDonalds or MacLeods found me instead.”
The older woman nodded. “Don’t put much stock in the affairs of men. Clan feuds are the last thing a lass needs to worry about. ’Tis your heart and charitable acts that define your character.”




About the Author:

Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Violetta Rand spent her childhood reading, writing, and playing soccer. After meeting her husband in New England, they moved to Alaska where she studied environmental science and policy before attending graduate school. Violetta then spent nearly a decade working as a scientist, specializing in soil and water contamination and environmental assessments.

Violetta still lives in Alaska and spends her days writing romance. When she's not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband, pets, and friends. In her free time, she loves to hike, fish, and ride motorcycles and 4-wheelers.








Tour giveaway

$10 Amazon gift card









Breaking His Rules by R.C. Matthews #BlogTour #Giveaway

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BreakingHisRules-MEDIUM

Book Title: Breaking His Rules 
Author: R.C. Matthews 
Genre: Erotic Romance 
Release Date: May 19, 2016 
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

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book blurb
When I landed the best bartending job in downtown Chicago, the rules were as clear as the Grey Goose martini I mixed for him. Don’t sleep with the patrons. I had no problem with that. Money didn’t impress me. But Damon Baxter’s eyes did. Midnight blue, just like the name of his nightclub. The way they undressed me made me consider risking the most sought after job in the service industry. Nailing the position had been hard. Obeying the rules? Even harder.

Good thing I like it hard. I was never one for following orders. For one night with him, I would have sold my soul to the devil. And that’s exactly what I did. Let me tell you, hell in the company of Damon Baxter was blissfully hot. I offered him a single night of pleasure, but when he demanded another in that deep and sexy whisper, what could I say? He was my boss, and I always aimed to please…when it pleased me.

He didn’t care that I broke his rules. But was I ready to break my own?
excerpt
“You’re new,” he said.

It wasn’t a question, but a firm statement. Like he knew every person in the place except for me and that fact irked him. My head snapped up. His gaze raked across every inch of my upper body, leaving a warm trail in its wake. When his eyes finally returned to mine, he lifted one eyebrow.

“Yes, sir,” I said, ignoring his implied question. He wanted to know my name. Let him want. Names were not part of the deal. If I was going to fuck him—and I hadn’t unequivocally ruled that out yet—then there would be no exchanging names. It was a hard and fast rule I lived by. No names guaranteed an evening of unadulterated pleasure.

“And young.” He added after a moment, leaning one forearm casually against the bar. His gaze lingered on my face. “Too young to know what you’re doing behind a bar. I’m surprised they hired you.”

I accepted his comment at face value—a calculated move on his part to get a reaction out of me. Controlling and arrogant. Arrogance and confidence often went hand in hand. As long as it translated well in the bedroom, I wouldn’t complain. But what I could not abide was pettiness. Was he lashing out at me for refusing to play the flirting game by his rules? It was time to find out. “Why don’t you reserve your judgment until after you’ve tasted my martini, old man?”

Tilting his head slightly, he regarded me closely and then chuckled. The gesture softened the edges of his mouth, making him even more attractive, if such a thing was possible. Okay. He was not petty.

“How old are you?” he asked.

Taking up a muddler, I began to gnash olives in the bottom of a mixing jar. “At least twenty-one,” I replied with a cheeky grin.

A slight tightening of his square jaw was the only indication that he disapproved of my evasive answer. He was accustomed to receiving prompt and direct responses to his questions. That much was clear.

After pouring the gin, vermouth, and olive brine over plenty of ice, I stirred the contents in the jar thoroughly before fine straining the mixture into a martini glass. Three Mediterranean olives as garnish and his drink was served. “Taste that!”

Folding my arms, I stood back to assess his reaction. He lifted the glass to his full lips and sipped, letting the liquid fill his mouth and wash over his tongue. I could almost feel it gliding down my throat and taste the saltiness. The way he savored the drink and then licked his lips, showed his appreciation.

“That’s not bad,” he said, flicking his gaze to the martini. “But mine is better. Perhaps I can interest you in a drink?” A sudden sparkle gleamed in his eyes and I steeled myself against the words I knew were coming. “What time do you get off tonight? I’d like to take you to my place and show you how a pro makes it.”

I threw back my head and laughed, basking in the warmth of the moment. The man had some serious balls, and I wanted nothing more than to accept his offer so I could feel the weight of them against my tongue. The rule said no sleeping with the patrons. I had no intention of sleeping. Perhaps I could stay at his place for an hour. Maybe two.

meet the author

R.C. Matthews is the author of contemporary romances featuring bold, sassy heroines and magnetic alpha heroes. Warning! The chemistry between her characters is off the charts hot, so read at your own risk. She resides in the Midwest and is surrounded by men: her husband and three sons. During her free time you'll find her watching The Walking Dead, reading a fabulous book or hanging out with her family.
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The Color of Us by Laura Ward & Christine Manzari Blog Tour & Reveiw

Title: The Color of Us
Series: College Bound #2
Authors: Laura Ward & Christine Manzari
Release Date: June 20, 2016
Eighteen year old Alexis Sinclair is lost in the darkness of grief. Since the death of her sister in a car accident, she can’t find the will to get out and enjoy life again. When she’s forced to face her biggest fear and take a summer Driver’s Ed course, she’s surprised to find hope in the most unlikely person. 

Liam O’Connell is trouble. He isn’t proud of his dark past, and he knows Alexis is the one girl he has no business pursuing. Doing the right thing has never been easy for him, but this time, it just might be impossible. 

The perfect girl and troubled boy are all wrong for each other, but as Liam helps Alexis cope with her grief, they realize nothing has ever felt more right.

That is, until Alexis uncovers a secret about Liam that breaks her heart. 

Liam knows he can’t allow the one good thing in his life to walk away without a fight, and he’s determined to convince Alexis they can find their way out of the darkness together. 

Can he prove he’s worthy of her, or is some love too tainted to be saved.


Over The Rainbow by Chase Holfelder
Beam Me Up by P!nk
I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons
I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
Nothing Without Love by Nate Reuess
Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith
Kiss The Girl from Little Mermaid by Chase Holfelder
True Colors (cover) by Anna Winblad
Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift 
Start Again by Conrad Sewell
Angel by Massive Attack

This book was so amazing!!! Once I started reading....I was hooked!! I loved book 1 and did not think any book could top it but this one definitely did!! 

My heart broke for Alexis from the start. After the death of her sister due to a car accident she is racked with so much guilt and grief. Driving is the last thing she ever wants to do but her mom forces her to get out and go to driving school so she reluctantly goes.....and it's there she meets Liam. With one look she can tell Liam is the ultimate bad boy and everything her mother would not want her to be around. The more time she is around Liam the more she is able to open herself up to him, she trusts in him, he is her safe place.......

What secrets could Liam possibly be holding that would cause him to lose Alexis? When her mother finds out who she is dating how will she react? Will Alexis be able to move past the things she learns and be with Liam before it's to late? Will she lose him forever?

Holy moly I wanted to shake the crap out of Alexis. I loved Liam!!! He was the absolute sweetest book boyfriend ever. The love you could clearly see he had for Alexis would melt your heart. Losing her is the last thing he ever wants to happen so when she pushes him away he makes a very big decision for his self to become a better man......would he live to regret that decision?

This book definitely tugs at your heartstrings!! I never wanted this book to end!! The ending was incredible and I can't wait for more book by Laura and Christine!!

The Pledge (College Bound #1) – Released July 27, 2015

Taren needs a do-over. She’s decided the best way to put the high school bullies behind her is to pledge a Taylor-Swift-lip-syncing, beer-guzzling, sorority. Sisterhood helps Taren find the acceptance she’s always craved, but not the love she needs.

Alec wants freedom. To escape his father’s iron fist and unrealistic expectations, he pledges a campus acrobatics club where he finds that drugs and alcohol aren't the only ways to get high. His addiction to danger helps him gain his independence, but it comes at a heavy price.

When the two cross paths, Alec fears his undeniable attraction to the party girl just might threaten everything he's worked so hard to earn. Taren hasn’t forgotten that Alec humiliated her back in high school, but she also can't deny the chemistry they share.

Alec and Taren have nothing in common, but fate is bound and determined to bring them together. They know falling in love is a risk, and yet it’s too hard to ignore. When their worlds clash and they both end up suffering, will they fight to stay together? Or are some pledges too hard to keep?
Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels. Her debut novel, NOT YET, is a Top 100 Amazon Bestseller.

The first thing Christine does when she’s getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She’s addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeinated, bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books. 

Cover Reveal: Bound by Blood by Victoria Renteria

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Captive and bound by the one person who vowed to cause her harm since her very first breath, Kylee Parker finds herself facing the demons of her past. Lost among the shadows, she struggles to maintain her sanity in hopes of surviving. In the clutches of the underground mafia, she fights to find an escape from the person who gave her life.
Alexander Grant’s sole focus has been his work: serving his country and taking down the bad guys. While leading an elite group of soldiers on a highly classified mission in South Korea, he finds himself thrust into the throes of passion with the woman who changed everything. But when danger comes calling and she is kidnapped, he must choose between his heart and his job.
Will he jeopardize the career he is bound to . . . or risk it all to save her?
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Former Director for a major corporation, Victoria has spent most of her life inside of a book. When she wasn’t reading, she was busy scribbling down stories of her own. Meeting her husband while he was in the United States Army, Victoria quickly adapted and learned the role of the military spouse.
After finishing her Business Management Degree in college, she spent years working in the corporate world where her writing quickly fell to the wayside. Finally, taking time away from the corporate world, Victoria has been able to dive into her stories and create a whole new world for you to live in.
She now resides in the sunny Tampa, Florida area with her husband, son, and two amazing boxers. When she isn’t writing, you can find her on the beach or hiking. Maybe even writing on the beach . . .
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