Monday, April 29, 2013

REVIEW: Angel's Heart: The Keeper by Lisa Bilbrey



Angel's Heart: The Keeper
by Lisa Bilbrey
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Length: 242 pages

BLURB: An age old prophecy, secret societies, and an enemy she never even knew she had, Sophie Crenshaw always thought of herself as just being average. Along with her two best friends, Deva and Tabitha, Sophie sets off on what she thinks is a normal vacation. What she doesn't know is that everything she thought she knew about who she is, and what she can do, is about to change. With the help of people who she's never met, but know everything about her, will she be able to get control of the feelings steering up inside of her? Or will it be too much for her to handle?
Henry Chang grew up hearing the stories about the legendary Keeper of the Angel’s Heart.  In a divine moment, he's tied to her heart forever. Will their growing love give Sophie the strength and courage to face the greatest challenge of her young life?


EXCERPT: PRELUDE

The dark, ominous sky wrapped around Oliver Chang as he walked down the cobblestone street. He pulled his jacket tighter around his body in a vain effort to keep himself protected from the bitter cold wind biting at his skin. The streetlights did a poor job of lighting the way, illuminating only small portions of the street. The temptation to broaden the range of the lights pulsed through him, but it was imperative to play it safe tonight. Even with the shadows creeping up around him, he couldn’t put everyone at risk.

Oliver turned left, walking down the alley between two deserted buildings and sparing a look behind him. Tonight more than any other, he had to make sure that nobody followed. Dangerous people were out. Oliver couldn’t be sure who to put his faith in. Only a few select people had earned his trust, and even then, he’d learned to tell them only what he deemed necessary. Checking once again that he was still alone, Oliver ducked down a set of stairs that led to the basement.

The door’s hinges creaked as he let himself in, and a sigh slipped out when the blast of warm air sank through him. Oliver tugged his jacket off, walking down the dank hallway and coming to a stop in front of a large, steel door. He raised his hand, knocking three firm and distinct thumps that echoed through hallway.

“Password,” a steely voice asked from the other side of the door.

“Marigold,” Oliver said low, but clear.

A loud click came a moment before the door crept open. Oliver quickly stepped in the room, not wanting to stand idly in the hallway. Closing the door, the man behind him took his coat and offered him a respectful nod. Oliver looked around, noticing how everyone sat around the large, oak table in the middle of the room, anxiously awaiting any news. However, while everyone waited, nobody spoke. Everyone here knew tonight would change everything.

Oliver moved around the table, taking his usual seat. “Have we heard anything?”

“No, nobody’s called yet.” The woman who replied to him leaned back in her seat, dragging a frustrated hand through her long, black hair. “How can you be sure that your information is correct?”

“Nora.” At the mention of his wife’s name, quiet murmurs echoed throughout the room. Nora Chang wasn’t to be taken lightly by anyone. “She’s with them now.”

Before anyone could say anything, the door to the room flew open, and Nora Chang came bustling in. Her dark hair flew behind her and she had a wild look in her eyes. “She’s here,” she announced.

“Is she safe?” Oliver moved next to his wife, slipping his hand into hers.

“As safe as she can be for now.” Nora looked around, letting a smile spread over her lips. “Today, the world as we know it has changed. We now have the responsibility to do everything we can to protect the Angel’s Heart.”


Angel's Heart hits the ground running; you don't really stop until you reach the end, and are left wondering: Where's the rest? But not in the bad way; in the good way of you want more. 

Watching the page count climb as I worked my way through the book was bittersweet; I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but knew that every page turned would take me closer to the end. Bilbrey writes with a smooth flowing style that lets you envision the lush island all around without losing focus of the story line and her amazing characters. There is never a dull moment with the large ensemble of unique cast that make up the story. 

In my opinion, Angel's Heart is a great YA – more to the adult side of the spectrum – novel. A handful of well placed swear words, a fantasy 'first time' that should go down as one of the best, and a spiteful aunt hell bent on violent revenge all tip the scales toward making this a tale for more mature readers. 

If you like using your imagination and escaping into a world of magic, beauty, and the love of soul mates, then Angel's Heart: The Keeper is for you. Grab your copy, get cozy, and sit back for Bilbrey's adventure where Hawaii is just one stop on her fanciful journey!

5 butterflies for sure!



Find out more about Lisa Bilbrey HERE








Wednesday, April 24, 2013

GUEST AUTHOR: Tamaria Soana

Everyone, please give a warm welcome to my guest today while she tells us about her steamy, contemporary romance, Southern Embrace.

Tamaria Soana

Hello, I’m Tamaria Soana a contemporary romance author. My stories tend to be on the steamy side and always end with a happily ever after.

Southern Embrace my newest release was a very different story line for me to tackle. The story opens with Savannah my heroine trying to pick up the pieces of the broken heart her high school sweetheart Lance left her with when his family moves away the summer after graduation and he cuts her out of his life.

With some prompting from her best friend Nikki, Van (Savannah) goes out with the girls to a club and meets the handsome older Stephan. He sweeps her off her feet and she begins to heal. The stories over and they live happily ever after right? WRONG. The story is just beginning. In chapter 1 we learn that Stephan was killed in a car accident (I hated doing that). Savannah is twenty-three and the grief consumes her. Nikki her best friends steps in once again and arranges for Lance to run into her at the mall. Will Savannah give Lance a chance to explain and let him back into her life?

Southern Embrace is an emotional story about overcoming grief, forgiveness, and second chances.

I hope you’ll fall in love with Savannah and Lance as much as I have. Southern Embrace is from Savannah’s POV. I’m currently writing Southern Desire, the story from Lance’s POV.


Buy links:  
Beachwalk  Press       Barnes & Noble      Amazon

Blurb:

Can a long lost love mend a grieving heart?

Widowed at twenty-three, Savannah Grant is devastated and consumed with grief, a grief that she can't seem to move past. When her high school sweetheart, Lance Peterson, re-enters her life, Savannah struggles with the feeling that she would be betraying her deceased husband by moving on. Plus, she can't forget the way Lance broke her heart all those years ago.

Lance never stopped loving Savannah. He wants a second chance, and he's willing to do anything it takes to convince her to give him one. Will she give in and let Lance love her, showing her a passion beyond anything she thought possible?

Content Warning: adult language, explicit sexual situations, anal play

Excerpt:
Van’s cellphone rang as she was leaving the shoe store. She dug around in her bag to find it. With her head down and her steps brisk, she ran right into someone.

"I'm so sorry. I'm such a klutz," she said as she looked up into the brown eyes of her first love. She gasped and took a step back, surveying him. His light brown hair was a little shorter and he was built like a man now, not the boy she used to know. She stood frozen in place, staring at him. This can't be happening. A tidal wave of emotions rushed through her at once. Anger, resentment, hatred, but mainly pain…so much pain.

"Van."

"Lance? Oh my God!" She took another step back. "How?"

"I-I talked to Nikki. She told me you would be here. I needed to see you. When I heard what happened…" He paused. "I knew I couldn't stay away any longer. I'm so sorry."

The more he talked, the more Van's anger flared. Who does he think he is? He left me! Turned his back on me when he cut all ties!

"What exactly are you sorry for, Lance? That my husband died or that you broke my heart all those years ago?" The words she spoke were full of acid. "You have a lot of nerve just showing up here like nothing ever happened. Go away." She turned to leave.

"Please, Van, just talk to me. Give me a chance to explain," he begged as he reached for her hand.

"Don't you dare touch me," she said through gritted teeth, yanking her hand away. "What do you want from me?" She stared at him while plotting all the ways she was going to torture Nikki for her betrayal.

She seethed as he looked around. "Calm down, Van. People are starting to stare. Please, can we go somewhere more private and talk? There is so much I need to tell you."

"What could you possibly have to say to me that would make up for what you did? I mean, I know you had to move, but you cut all ties with me. Like the three years we spent together meant nothing to you, like I meant nothing to you. Damn you, Lance, you didn't even try to make it work."

"Please, Savannah. Give me a chance to explain."

"Give me one reason why I should."

"Because I still love you. I. Never. Stopped. I cut all ties with you because I had to. Long distance relationships never work out. I was afraid you would wake up one day and resent me. Being apart from you was killing me. 


Still need convincing? Watch the book trailer!



About the Author:

Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun. She writes sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story. 

She’s married and a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful young girls, they reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights. 

Besides writing, she co-owns Shades of Rose Marketing and hosts a talk show on Talkshoe called Live with Tamaria ~ Giving authors a voice.

Where to find Tamaria:
Site     Facebook Author Page     Twitter









Tuesday, April 23, 2013

K.I. Lynn's BREACH Blog Tour

Please welcome to the blog today, friend and fellow author K.I. Lynn for the release of her debut novel Breach. It will be available for purchase on April 24th!




Blurb:
Delilah Palmer has control of her life and outward personality, blocking the truth just below the surface. A façade meant to be normal and hide the scars of her childhood. She’s made a good life for herself, became a lawyer, and is free from the tortured past that haunts her daily. Until he comes along and breaks open the cracks. 

Nathan Thorne has a past of his own. On the surface he is loved by all, personable, extroverted; everything Delilah isn’t. Hidden beneath is a dark and tormented man that only Delilah has to power to unveil.

Crammed in a small office together they see through each other’s masks, and the draw becomes too much, igniting an explosive relationship. Holloway and Holloway Law has a strict non-fraternization policy, forcing them to conceal their breach. Despite their efforts, separation becomes impossible, deceptions escalate, and Nathan has trouble coping; teetering on the edge of being overtaken by his past demons. 

What secrets does he harbor that could keep him from giving in? What keeps him from healing and moving forward? And Delilah, where does she fit into all this turmoil?

Can they accept love and deal with all the trials that come their way when secrets are exposed? Or will they fall through the cracks of their pasts and be consumed by all that haunts them?

Book 1 of the Breach Trilogy.


Excerpt:

     “You are so much more than pretty. That was what I wanted to say to you that night. Instead I was inadvertently mean to push you away.” He pressed his body against me, pushing me into the counter. His forehead fell forward, resting against my own. “How do you do this to me?”
     With a small tentative move, I tilted my head, testing him, giving him an out before my lips found his. He didn’t move at first, didn’t breathe, but then his hands were in my hair, his tongue slipping in to find mine, his teeth biting my bottom lip when he gave in.
     “Fuck, you taste so good. Could fucking eat you for dinner,” he said with a growl, his hips rocking forward, pressing his cock into my stomach. He was hard and my eyes closed from the euphoric feeling of what I wanted.
     “Please.”
     “Please what?” he asked. His hand moved down to my ass, squeezing it, pulling me closer to him as he continued to rock into me.
     My fingers clenched around the fabric of his shirt, the heat in my cheeks rising. “Please, Nathan, I need you to fuck me. I need you inside me. I’ve waited all day.”
     I received a moan of appreciation as the hand in my hair tilted my head back and his mouth began its journey down my neck. I was panting with need, still so worked up from earlier.
     He was unable to take any more, and lifted me up onto the counter. My legs wrapped around his waist, and the new position had him lined up with my throbbing pussy. He pushed his hips into mine, rubbing the length of his clothed cock against me. I moaned at the sensation, what I’d been dreaming about all day.
     “You like that? Little wanton slut begging for my cock. Is that what you want? Me to shove my cock in you? Make you scream?”
     “Yes, fuck yes!” I pulled him back down to my lips. We shifted again as need took over.
We worked to remove our clothing as swiftly as possible. It was difficult, what with our lips crashing together, and hands doing anything we could to get closer, but somehow we managed to remove them.
     “Fuck.” He shuddered as I took his cock in my hand, stroking him. “God, you are so fucking insatiable.”
     “Good thing you can keep up,” I managed to say as he lined up and pushed his hips forward, filling me one inch at a time.
     “So wet for me,” he moaned as he pulled out and slid back in, his hips stilling.
     His mouth moved down to my nipple, teasing it, the sensation sky rocketing down to my abdomen. I mewled, my hips trying to get him to move. My scalp cried out as he pulled my head back, exposing my neck, bowing my body and granting him access.
     His gaze was commanding as he sneered at me. “I’ll fuck you when I’m good and ready. Until then you will sit there with my cock shoved up your cunt and be happy it’s there.”
     A shiver ran down my spine at his words, and I complied. His hand moved down to where we were joined and his fingers began teasing my clit. I whimpered as the fire grew, my walls clenching around him, every flick of his fingers or tongue making me tighter. After a few minutes, his need to move took over. He started with short strokes that drove me insane. His teeth pulled on my nipple, and it was the final straw. My orgasm ripped through me, leaving me shaking.
     “That’s it, baby, come all over my cock.”


Boy, is it hot in here? You can read my review of Breach HERE.
You can ENTER to WIN an autographed copy of Breach HERE.
Join the Facebook release party HERE.

A fun fact of K.I. Lynn:
"Umm...my husband's response was that I make cute noises. I, on the other hand, would say I have a degree in fine arts."


K.I. Lynn spent her life in the arts, everything from music to painting and ceramics, then to writing. Characters have always run around in her head, acting out their stories, but it wasn’t until later in life she would put them to pen. It would turn out to be the one thing she was really passionate about.

Since she began posting stories online, she’s garnered acclaim for her diverse stories and hard hitting writing style. Two stories and characters are never the same, her brain moving through different ideas faster than she can write them down as it also plots its quest for world domination…or cheese. Whichever is easier to obtain… Usually it’s cheese.









Thursday, April 18, 2013

GUEST POST & EXCERPT: Shelly Crane's WIDE AWAKE Blog Tour



Today I am fortunate in that I get to participate in the Wide Awake blog tour. Shelly Crane is the well-loved author of the Significance Series, and is back with a new tale. Please help me welcome her, and be sure to check out the giveaway at the end!

Blurb:

A girl.
A coma.
A life she can't remember.

When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.

Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?


EXCERPT from Wide Awake:
          The next couple of weeks brought plenty of action and events. I focused harder on the therapy and tried to focus less on Mason. He seemed to be doing the same. I had renewed vigor, which led to stamina, which led to more workouts, which led to exhaustion, which led to tons of sleep, which led to healing, which led to me walking.
          All.
          By.
          Myself.
          This simple task, this simple thing that we all take for granted, that's so cute and monumental when a baby takes his first steps, but these first steps were so much more than that. Though I cried like a baby, I wasn't one. And though my mother cooed and fawned over me (because I had invited them that day to come because I just knew that day was going to be the day) I wasn't a toddler. I was me. I was finally getting a little piece of myself back. And though I tried so hard not to, my eyes drifted to the one person in the room that I knew would understand all this better than anyone else.
          Mason's eyes were already on me from across the parallel walking bars. This time, I didn't shy away from his gaze. I knew that our terms were shaky, but so was I, and I needed the stability of my lifeline. As our gazes collided, I expected a smile and happiness, but I didn't expect the level of pride and utter joy to be so prominent. The man was bursting at the seams with it. It filled his face and the smile he wore was the beautiful one that made me feel like everything was going to be OK.
          His lips parted and even in the loud room, I could still hear his breath. He said quietly, "You did it, Em." He moved forward and touched my arm. It was the first time he had touched me in weeks that had nothing to do with therapy. "I'm so proud of you."
          As his fingers circled my elbow, and I tried not to shiver in his grasp, I asked softly, knowing the answer, "You didn't believe that I was going to walk again some day?"
          "Of course I did." He smiled wider. "But today was the first time that you've ever believed it."
          He was right. Having faith and having hope were not the same thing, and I was just now understanding that.

Where to BUY Wide Awake:


About the Author:
YA author of Wide Awake and the Significance, Collide and Devour series. I'm also a mom to two boys and a wife to the best guy ever. I have a crazy love for paperbacks. And candy corn. And book playlists. I'll stop now.

Where to find Shelly:
 Blog
Twitter @AuthShellyCrane

ENTER BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN:
Each blog during the tour has the option to give away one e-book of WIDE AWAKE. So be sure to visit each of the blogs below for a better chance to win. 
April 13th
*Lila Felix (Dream Cast)
*I Read Indie (Review)
April 14th
*A Diary of a Book Addict (Review)
*Always YA at Heart (Review)
April 15th
*Book Nerds Across America (Review)
*Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!! (Review)
*RK Ryals (Excerpt)
April 16th
*Book Crazy (Review)
*Jenna's Junction (Review)
*Brianna Lee Book Reviews (Review)
*If These Boobs Could Talk (Review)
April 17th
*BookBesties (Review)
*Belle of the Books (Review)
*The Alternative Kryptonite (Review/Interview)
April 18th
*From the desk of . . . R.E. Hargrave (Excerpt)
*Please Another Book (Review)
*The Book Cafe (Review)
April 19th
*To Be Thode (Review)
*A Book and a Latte (Interview)
*WhirlWindBooks (Review)
April 20th
*One Stop Indie Shop (Review)
*Buffy's Ramblings (Review)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Humpday Giveaways and News!


Head over to Fandom Fanatic's blogspot and enter for your chance to win TWO giveaway bundles of autographed books by Renaissance Romance Publishing authors:  B.F. Betty, Lisa Bilbrey, Lorenz Font, M.B. Feeney, S.A. Jones, Elizabeth M. Lawrence, Michele Richard, and myself.  I'll be autographing a print copy of Sugarplum Dreams! Once you've entered, you can scroll to the bottom of her post to take part in the giveaway blog hop.  GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!  ENTER HERE


Now for the news . . .

Have you signed up to receive Renaissance Romance Publishing's newsletter? You can do so HERE so that you are always in the loop on open calls, giveaways, blog tours, new authors, upcoming releases, and more!

~*~*~*~

Check out this great new interactive site that gives you the chance to earn free books simply by sharing the love!  Libboo.com shows great potential and I'd love it if you'd FOLLOW MY PROFILE there!

~*~*~*~

And last, but certainly not least, Renaissance Romance is looking for bloggers to host summer tours for multiple releases, including my next anthology contribution to Summer Heat, Haunted Raine. Hope to have a full tour! ;)


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

TSiD Trailer Video!

A little late in coming, but my wonderful cover designer JC Clarke worked her magic once again to put together a trailer video for my novel, To Serve is Divine. The video can also be found on the Trilogy tab (see above), but I wanted to spotlight here with a big ol' Texas THANK YOU to JC ~ love ya, babe!







Tuesday, April 9, 2013

GUEST POST & EXCERPT: Lisa Bilbrey's The Journey of Champions TOUR

Howdy, everyone! Today I get to be part of the launch of friend and fellow author Lisa Bilbrey's latest book release with an excerpt and a guest post. The Journey of Champions is the second in a planned four book series.


Blurb:
Travis McCoy thought the journey home would be the hardest choice he ever had to make. It isn’t until he finds himself walking out the door and leaving his family behind that he realizes his journey is only just beginning. Now, with only a handful of weeks until Christmas, Travis tries to find his way back home. This time, he plans on staying forever.

Excerpt:

An hour later, Penelope parked in front of Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. The trip had been filled with awkward conversations mixed with deafening silence. She had prattled on about what she and Max had planned for the coming week. While Travis knew it was just her way of trying to distract him, it hadn’t worked. All he could think about was how he’d miss one more of Max’s football games, how he wouldn’t be able to hear about Mr. Nickels giving too much homework or to read with him before bedtime. These were all things that he had gotten used to doing, and now he wouldn’t be able to — not until he came back, anyway.

They climbed out of the car without speaking, Travis grabbed his bags from the trunk, and they walked into the airport. Penelope stayed next to the sliding doors while he checked in for his flight and picked up his tickets. Turning back to her, he swallowed against the lump in his throat. Saying goodbye to Max had been hard, but the thought of leaving Penelope had Travis trembling.

“Well, I guess this is it,” Penelope said with a wistful sigh. She placed her hand on his chest and sniffed back her tears. “I thought I could do this without crying.”

“If you cry, I won’t be able to go,” Travis murmured. 

She smiled. “Then maybe I should start sobbing.” She shifted her attention up to him. “Promise me that you’ll come home.”

“I promise,” Travis replied. “I promise to come back to you and Max. Just remember that I love you, Penelope.”

“I love you, too,” she whimpered before leaning up and brushing her lips across his. “Hurry back to me, love.”

“As fast as I can,” he whispered.

Somehow — and he wasn’t sure how — Travis managed to pull himself away from her. He fought the urge to claw at the ache in the middle of his chest. Just the few seconds that he’d already spent away from her had him rattled. How was he supposed to go a week or longer without holding her in his arms or feeling her gentle kiss?

In a daze, Travis managed to get through the security check-point and down to his gate. Settling down on one of the hard, plastic seats, he placed his elbows on his knees and rested his forehead against the palms of his hands. His stomach was in knots, and more than a few times he swallowed against the bile that had been creeping its way up his throat. 

Just when he was about to hightail it to the nearest restroom, someone sat down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Travis looked up, gasping when he saw Russ there.

“Didn’t think I was gonna make it before they called for our flight,” Russ chuckled before he could utter a sound. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” Travis asked.

Russ smiled and shook his head. “I’m coming with you, boy. I once made the mistake of letting you go. I’ll be damned if I let it happen again. Besides, Miami is a huge part of your life, Travis. It’s time for me to see it, don’t you think?”

“But I thought you hated to fly.” Travis lifted an eyebrow in his father’s direction. 

“I do,” Russ admitted. “But for you, I’m willing to give it a go. Just don’t laugh at me if I get a little scared. If people were meant to fly, God would have given us wings.”

Travis laughed. “You have my word, Dad.”

“Good,” Russ muttered, stretching his feet out in front of him. 

“Dad, thank you for coming with me,” Travis said, his voice sincere. “It means a lot.”

“You’re welcome, Travis. Today is a new start for both of us — a new journey.”

Travis nodded. “The journey to forever.”



For the guest post, I asked Lisa to tell us about three things on her bucket list, and why they were on the list.

Three things on my bucket list and why they are there, huh? Well, that could be harder than I thought as there are a lot of things I want to do before I die. That’s hard to say when I’ve already accomplished something I never thought possible by getting one book published, much less seven with two more lined up in the next six months.

I suppose the top item on my bucket list is to see the day when my daughter doesn’t have to give herself insulin shots anymore. I pray that they find a cure for Diabetes in my lifetime and we’ll be able to look back and say, “She once had diabetes.” I know that’s not a realistic goal to have, but when you’ve had to sit back and watch your child whimper and cry because for the fifth or sixth time that day they’re having to stick themselves with a needle, you’d understand. She’s amazingly brave and strong, but there is only so much a child can handle. So, yeah, finding a cure for Diabetes would be on top of my list.

The second item on my bucket list is to go to Hawaii. I fell in love with the islands when I was writing Angel’s Heart and would love to go there myself and get a firsthand view of the amazing places I wrote about. I tried to convince my husband that I should be able to go for research purposes, but he didn’t like that idea — especially since it meant he’d have to stay home with the kids!

Last, I want to get a tattoo. I don’t have one yet, though I really want one. For me, it would be a permanent reminder of my accomplishment. What I want is very simple. On my shoulder, leading down my back, I want a butterfly, resting on a vine. Along the vine would be small flowers that would represent each of my books. One day, I will make it happen — that’s a guarantee. 





About the Author:

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. 
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. 
In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley. 

Where you can find Lisa:


Congratulations, and best of luck on your newest release, Lisa!










Monday, April 8, 2013

REVIEW: Breach by K.I. Lynn

*I received an ARC copy of Breach in exchange for an honest review*





Breach 
by K.I. Lynn
Genre: Erotica Romance
Available April 24th, 2013

Blurb: 
Delilah Palmer has control of her life and outward personality, blocking the truth just below the surface. A façade meant to be normal and hide the scars of her childhood. She’s made a good life for herself, became a lawyer, and is free from the tortured past that haunts her daily. Until he comes along and breaks open the cracks. 

Nathan Thorne has a past of his own. On the surface he is loved by all, personable, extroverted; everything Delilah isn’t. Hidden beneath is a dark and tormented man that only Delilah has to power to unveil.

Crammed in a small office together they see through each other’s masks, and the draw becomes too much, igniting an explosive relationship. Holloway and Holloway Law has a strict non-fraternization policy, forcing them to conceal their breach. Despite their efforts, separation becomes impossible, deceptions escalate, and Nathan has trouble coping; teetering on the edge of being overtaken by his past demons. 

What secrets does he harbor that could keep him from giving in? What keeps him from healing and moving forward? And Delilah, where does she fit into all this turmoil?

Can they accept love and deal with all the trials that come their way when secrets are exposed? Or will they fall through the cracks of their pasts and be consumed by all that haunts them?

Book 1 of the Breach Trilogy.

Breach will soon be available for Kindle and in Paperback.


There wasn't much that I didn't like about Breach, so it will be easier to start there. In my opinion, the F bomb could've been used a little less – that's it. Now, for what I did like: the story line is well executed, and almost error free (we are all only human, and some mistakes always get by us). 

From the get go the reader is sucked into the love-hate relationship of Nathan and Delilah. 

Both are so determined to protect themselves that they don't feel letting anyone in is an option; but the heart wants what it wants, and cannot be denied. The main characters can tell themselves its nothing more than a lustful attraction, but as the story progresses, Lynn takes you on a tumultuous breaking down of their inner walls. 

The journey is filled with passionate explosions of need that will leave you panting and squirming, yet with a breaking heart over their pain and suffering. Everything seems against these star-crossed lovers: their pasts, their almost non existent friendships, and above all, the rules of their employer. They shouldn't be more than friends, but Nathan and Delilah soon discover that brief moments of peace can be theirs if they give in.

What an outsider would see as a scandalous, almost abusive relationship – they both get rather physical and possessive with each other – is in actuality, therapeutic and dare I say, healing. Losing themselves in one another allows them to forget all the hurt they've experienced at other's hands, and little by little, they find that not only are they capable of loving, but of being loved in return – if they'll allow it.

Hands.

They were punishing. He grabbed my waist with a feral grip, pulling me to him hard while he thrust into me even harder. The way we both needed it.

There would be bruises in the morning from where his hands found purchase, but I didn't mind. 

The day was the same as the one before as he took from my body, my heart, my soul. In return he gave himself to me the only way he knew how: with bruising hands, passionate kisses, and hard thrusts.

His body was sin, his cock was sin, and I was a sinner.

His hands moved up my thighs, his long, slender fingers playing my body, bending me to his will. They were a delicious torture, just as much as his words.

His lips sucked at my neck, teeth digging in, making my eyes roll back; another mark.

I grinned. He loved marking me, and I loved hiding them from people. They were proof, a reminder of his need, his pleasure.

My tongue ran up the column of his neck before I found the perfect location to mark him as well. The spot I choose, just below his ear, would make it visible, unable to be hidden by the collar of his dress shirt.

It would make his admirers mad with wonder when they came around to bug him the next day. 

The sex scenes are scorching, and the back story riveting. With this first book we get to know Delilah's past, and are given small hints as to what happened in Nathan's past, but as any good series does, the reader is left with unanswered questions at it's conclusion. I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the Breach Trilogy, and urge you to get your own copy when it becomes available later this month.


Goodreads Giveaway ~ 
for your chance to win one of three autographed copies. 
Giveaway closes May 01, 2013




Monday, April 1, 2013

GUEST POST & EXCERPT: Jennings Wright's IXEOS Blog Tour



Once again I get to participate as a Blog Tour host with an official Jitterbug PR book release tour! Please welcome Jennings Smith as she tells us a little about the first book, IXEOS, in her new trilogy, and I ask her to share an inspirational event from her life that led to her writing. Also, be sure to check out the rafflecopter giveaway at the end!


IXEOS Blurb:
The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose:  to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader.

The aliens aren't the only problem on Ixeos -- the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved.

The worst part? There's no way home.

What led you to write, Ms. Wright? (sorry, had to)

Write What You Know

I have a shelf full of books on writing. I have taught middle and high school age homeschoolers creative writing. I have heard all the conventional wisdom about writing. But until I started writing novels in 2011, I didn’t realize how much of that conventional wisdom didn’t work for me! 

Now obviously, one doesn’t toss out the writing observations of Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, or Elizabeth George, all multiple best-selling authors. But, either because I’m now what is nicely called “middle age” and so a bit more experienced and confident about my own abilities, or because the indie author revolution has brought out so many new insights, I am beginning to trust myself a lot more than the shelf full of books and the few on my Kindle.

One of the main things writers hear is “write what you know.” In some ways, this is certainly true. I’d say in relationships, emotions, and conflicts that’s good advice. If you’ve never been in love, don’t write about it. You’ll only pass on clichés you’ve learned from movies or books, and your writing won’t have the ring of authenticity. But in other ways, this is really stupid advice.

My newest book, IXEOS, is set in an alternate earth. Initially, this seems like what I know. Ixeos has the same history as our earth, up until 2012.  So far, so good. At the time of the novel, however, the planet has been taken by humanoid aliens, more than 99% of the humans have been killed, and most of the rest enslaved. Because EMPs and WMDs were used in the war, the only power, internet and transportation available is owned by the Firsts, who protected their grids.

Now, I do live without power when I’m in Uganda, frequently. But there are still stores with fresh food, still places to go with internet, my cell phone works at least as well there as in the States, and there are lots of cars and motorcycles. So living completely without power, with no supply chain for necessities… I don’t know what that’s like. 

Aliens? No experience with those. Dystopian nightmare? Nope. (Thank God!) Living underground? I can’t say I have, nor do I want to.

The same is true with my other books. I haven’t searched for treasure. I haven’t been chased by bad guys with guns. I haven’t lived in a cave for a week or found secret doorways or deciphered maps in Old Master paintings. I didn’t live during the Civil War (or any war, for that matter) and can’t fully appreciate the horrors I would have seen had I done so.

Think about Star Wars. The Hobbit. Terminator. War of the Worlds. Harry Potter. Works of science fiction and fantasy, steampunk, even, I daresay, erotica, are imagined, taking the basics we know of human emotion and existence and projecting the “what if” scenarios based on other, completely unknown, elements.

I suspect that the “write what you know” advice didn’t start out to limit flights of fancy, but I think it does, especially in young writers. Young writers have limited experiences to draw on. I remember being told, “Write what you know” in a college class and thinking, “I don’t know much of anything!”  So I didn’t write much, and was glad when the class was over. Perhaps I was just too literal, but I don’t think I was alone.

I would say, “Write whatever you can dream of.” Make up worlds if that’s what you see in your mind’s eye. Use the internet to find out about locations you’ve never visited but want to write about. Invent technology. Conjure up alien races. Create languages. Live on Mars. Bring a story into being from nothing. It’s in you! 

Write what you don’t know, and tell it in such a way that we all learn it by reading your work. That’s a lot more interesting, don’t you think?

What a fabulous answer! Certainly makes one stop and think.

Excerpt from IXEOS:

Crawling down the pipe quickly became painful on Neahle’s knees, and her eyes didn’t seem to adjust as quickly as she’d expected. She could hear the boys following behind her, Marty first, then Clay, both muttering under their breath. She smiled. Marty didn’t do a lot of outdoors stuff back home, that was obvious, and she took a perverse pleasure in dragging him along with them. To be honest, she enjoyed his company, too — he was sharp witted and funny, in an annoying sort of way. Her brother would be grinning by the time they exited the tunnel on the other side. 

“I thought you said we’d be able to see,” Marty complained, his voice echoing on the metal sides of the pipe. 

“I can’t see squat.”

“It’s not like we’re going to get lost,” Neahle said.

“At least you’ll run into the nest of snakes first,” Marty said. “Just send them ahead, not behind, please.”
Neahle laughed and kept crawling forward. She didn’t know how far they’d come, but the dune wasn’t terribly wide and she thought they should be able to see the round eye of light from the Slough-side by now. At least they hadn’t run into any creatures — as much as she’d teased Marty about the snakes, she was more worried about spiders.

“Shouldn’t we be seeing the end by now?” Clay called from the rear.

“I was thinking that, too,” Marty said.

“I dunno,” Neahle said over her shoulder. “But it’s been going straight, so we’ll come out eventually.”

“Great…” she heard Marty grumble.

After another few minutes, she thought she could detect a circle of dim light ahead. “I think I see the end!” she called back. “There must be a screen over it or something; that’s why we couldn’t see it before.”

“I hope we can get out,” Clay said. “I guess we can always turn around and go back.”

“Probably some kind of filter,” Marty said. He was just happy that they weren’t lost. Although he wasn’t sure how they could get lost in a straight length of pipe.

Frowning, Neahle kept crawling forward, wincing as her bruised knees tried to find the smooth places between the corrugated ridges. The light didn’t seem right, even for a screen. And having a filter didn’t make sense, unless there was one on both ends; the pipe would just clog up with debris. Conscious of the guys behind her, she kept moving.

When she was ten feet from the end, she stopped. The light coming from the end was extremely dim. Marty didn’t realize she’d stopped until he ran into her.

“What’s wrong?” Marty asked.

“This isn’t right…” Neahle said softly. “That’s not the outside. I can see a wall.”

“Did you say a wall?” Clay said from behind, confused.

“Yeah… Hang on.” 

Crawling slowly, Neahle tried to make sense of what she was seeing. She stopped two feet from the mouth of the pipe and stared, confused. In front of her was a rough, light-colored stone wall, but no screen. There was a dancing orange light, which made her think of a fireplace. The air coming from outside the pipe seemed stale and damp, but in a musty way, not from sea air.

Sitting on her rear, she turned back and ran into Marty. “I told you to wait!” she hissed.

“Yeah, right, like that was gonna happen,” he said. 

She could see both of the boys in the dim light. They were leaning over, trying to look around her, confusion on their faces.

“Did we turn into the dune somehow?” Clay asked, scowling.

“And run into a fire? I don’t think so. We didn’t turn, anyway. The pipe went straight.” Marty said.

“What do we do?” Neahle asked. “Go back?”

Marty craned his neck around her. “I don’t see why. We can always go back; the pipe’s not going anywhere.”

As he was speaking, they heard a soft sound and small scufflings. Leaning forward, Neahle laughed. “It’s the ducks! They came down here after all!”

“Why in the world would they come so far?” Marty wondered.

“Maybe there’s some killer duck food here. It could be some kind of feeding station for the Rachel Carson Preserve. Maybe they’ve trained them to come here, so they’ll come in a hurricane,” Clay said.

“That makes sense,” Neahle said. “The light could be some kind of solar or wind powered lamp. We might as well check it out.”

She scooted forward on her bottom, dangled her feet over the edge and dropped down three feet to the ground. Looking down, she was surprised to see that the floor was rock, not sand. Marty and Clay followed close behind her, looking around. 

“This doesn’t look like the inside of a sand dune…” Clay said, toeing the rock. “This is solid.”

Marty scowled. “I don’t know what the inside of a sand dune looks like, but I don’t think it’s this.” He reached out and knocked on the rough wall. “That’s not sandstone. That’s rock.”

“And that’s not solar,” Neahle said, pointing to a flickering torch stuck into an iron sconce on the wall.

Simultaneously they all turned around, looking back to the pipe. It wasn’t there.




Author Bio:

Born and raised in Rockledge, Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn't spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of the South and the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of script doctoring, business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit to Uganda.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She's written four novels and a screenplay in less than a year, with more ideas on the drawing board. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a writer, and two children, and travels extensively.

Where you can find Jennings Wright:


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