COVER REVEAL: A Divine Life, Book 2 of The Divine Trilogy

I can't believe the day is finally here and I get to show you the next cover in the Divine Trilogy! Thank you to the amazing JC Clarke for putting up with my crazy ideas and ramblings while you took my ideas and made them reality. A special shout out to JA Mash for stepping in last minute to do some polishing. You are both wonderful!

Summary:

Over the past year of being Jayden Masterson’s collared submissive, Catherine O’Chancey has worked through the mental terrors left behind by her old Dom — or at least she thinks she has. To celebrate their collaring anniversary, Jayden organizes a special day, during which her final fantasies will be realized and her limits tested. Will it prove to be more than she can handle? Can she endure the erotic onslaught her mind and body will experience and survive unscathed?

While Catherine faces these dark shadows and pleasurable highs, Jayden will find his own inner strength being tested, too. He has come to realize that, somewhere along the way, Catherine has taken possession of his heart, mind, and body. Now, he faces his biggest challenge ever; he must let go of all his submissives but one: his jewel, Catherine. Can he leave his philandering ways behind? Has he made the ultimate mistake by putting his jewel into the hands of others? Will his gift to Catherine wind up costing him the one thing that has ever meant something real to him?

Jayden has helped Catherine heal from past wrongs and chase away the nightmares. In return, Catherine has shown him what it means to care for someone beyond mere sexual gratification. Their strengthening bond as Master and submissive has paved the way for deeper emotions — if they can find the courage to open up to each other.

Join Catherine and Jayden for an emotion packed weekend that could forever change the future of their relationship. This could be their best chance at love, but first both Dom and sub must gain control over the one thing they can’t put in a collar: their deepest doubts and fears. For this kind of healing, the necessary treatment must be mutually given. Is it too late to erase some old scars?

Add A Divine Life to your Goodreads "Want to Read" shelf HERE

Goes ON SALE August 6, 2013

My special Divine Trilogy Giveaway and 50% off sale is still underway. GET DETAILS HERE

SIZZLING SUMMER BLOG HOP

Please join over 40 authors and bloggers as we celebrate summer with some fabulous romantic tales. 

Each blog will feature a SIZZLING excerpt from one of the author's own books or from one of their favorite reads.

CHECK IT OUT!

  

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my offering for the Sizzling Summer Blog Hop! 

Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post, as well as the other participating blogs for your chance to win additional prizes! 

A grand prize winner will be chosen by the hop host:

The Romance Troupe.

To keep up with the hop on Twitter, use hashtag #SizzlingHop

On August 6, 2013, the second installment in The Divine Trilogy will be released. 

Because of this, I decided that sharing an excerpt from A Divine Life would be appropriate after a little reminder of book one To Serve is Divine.

Excerpt from 

A Divine Life; Book Two of The Divine Trilogy:

Catherine could feel a light breeze lifting and tossing her hair while the birds chirped in the back-ground. Using her toes, she pushed off the ground, causing the hammock to swing a little. She let the motion affect her and tipped her head back to enjoy the sounds of nature around them and the sun on her face.

Off to the side, the camera clicked and whirred.

In a subconscious gesture, Catherine licked her lips while the concept of what they were doing settled into her head. She could do this; she could even have fun with it.

Faint sounds could be heard while Shawn moved around her, and the wanton female felt the wetness starting to seep between her thighs. She leaned further back into the hammock, locking her fingers in the net to test and make sure she wasn’t going to flip herself out of it.

The snapping shutter captured her pose.

In an attempt to achieve some friction, Catherine allowed her thighs a discreet rub against each other. In such a short amount of time, she had become quite turned on, surprising herself.

That’s why you’re an exhibitionist, Erin.

“You’re doing great, doll. Now, take your hands and roam them along your body the way your Mas-ter would,” Shawn said softly.

A breath caught in her throat at his words. Could she do this? Of course she could —– and she would for her Master. Bringing her trembling hands to her knees, she started running them up her body, feeling the skirt gather and lift as she did.

Fast and furious, the camera’s sounds broke through the chirping birds.

A hiss escaped her when her fingers came in contact with the fresh ink, and it soon turned into a needy moan. Another click told her Shawn wanted to preserve everything. Her self-perusal continued until she was cupping her breasts through the transparent material. To be naked at that moment would have been heaven.

More pictures were taken while Catherine gave her breasts a gentle squeeze, and then took the rings between her fingers and pulled. Her wet lips fell open in a silent moan.

“That’s it, doll; let go. Enjoy that lingering touch. Tease yourself,” Shawn coaxed.

One hand kept tugging on a ring while she ran the other up over her chest to her neck, where Catherine fingered the paddle on her collar. A single click hit her ears before a momentary shift of the breeze carried that delicious musk and spice scent from earlier to Catherine’s olfactory lobe. Her heart rate picked up, and she sucked a finger into her mouth.

Shawn continued snapping the pictures and giving her verbal cues, and all too soon, the breeze shifted again, taking the scent with it. Catherine missed it at once without understanding why. Taking her now-wet finger, she slipped it under her blouse and began rubbing her thick nipple.

“Work your skirt up for me further, doll. Does that finger feel good?”

“Mmhmm,” the amateur model moaned and kept rubbing her nipple, adding in a light pinch while her free hand found the bottom of the skirt. Slow and steady, she inched the material higher, exposing her pale skin.

Several more images were saved to the memory card.

“Good girl. Part your legs; let your Master see you glisten.”

And there you have it! Sound like something you want to read? 

Visit the Get It Here page for all your retail options (after 8/6).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comment on this blog post and You could win...

GRAND PRIZE
An iPAD MINI
(US ONLY)
(Alternate prize for international winner)

GRAND PRIZE #2

$50 Amazon Gift Card + surprise digital books from participating authors

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #1
+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC
+ Several surprise digital books
(US ONLY for Swag)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #2
+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC
+ Several surprise digital books
(US ONLY for Swag)

We can't wait to meet you!
Follow all Hop announcements via
www.theromancetroupe.com
and on Twitter hashtag
#SizzlingHop

**Regarding the main hop giveaway: Winners will be chosen using Random.org
A winning blog will be chosen via random.org for each prize and then another number will be drawn to determine the winning commenter. Only comments with email addresses will be considered valid entries for the prizes. This process will be repeated for all prizes. The Romance Troupe will not retain any contributions past the date of the event.**

JULY 8, 2013 UPDATE: 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! 

REVIEW: Fireworks by Lindsey Gray

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

Fireworks

by Lindsey Gray

Genre: Romance

Length: 92 pages (novella)

Amazon

Blurb:

Sophie McKibbin finds herself back in Sam Crawford’s life after ten years. Unfortunately, Sam is dating Lola, Sophie’s high school nemesis. Lola dumps Sam the day before he was supposed to introduce his mystery girlfriend to his family over the Fourth of July holiday. With the looming fear of disappointing his mother once again and his long held feelings for Sophie, he asks her to take Lola’s place. With family feuds, an old flame, and feelings that have been locked away for a decade, there is bound to be some fireworks.

For a novella, Fireworks packs a punch, spanning a decade in less than 100 pages. This is a story about what could have been and second chances. Gray’s writing style is clean and easy to follow, allowing the reader to disappear into Sam and Sophie’s tale for a couple of hours.

Circumstances weren’t right the first time the main couple meet. An age gap and an overbearing mother keep their blooming attraction stifled. Time marches on, however; Sam and Sophie move ahead with their lives and careers until chance brings them together again.

And this time circumstances are in their favor . . . almost. No one ever said love was easy, but Gray doesn’t make it too painful.

Fireworks earns a solid four butterflies from me, and my vote of confidence that you’ll enjoy this feel good summer romance.

Fireworks by Lindsey Grey BLOG TOUR

Welcome Lindsey Gray to the blog today in honor of her upcoming novella Fireworks. Below you'll find Lindsey's response to my request to discuss her bucket list, a GIVEAWAY, and you can read my review of Fireworks HERE.

Title: Fireworks

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 Goodreads Listing

Publication Date: June 20th, 2013

Blurb:

Sophie McKibbin finds herself back in Sam Crawford’s life after ten years. Unfortunately, Sam is dating Lola, Sophie’s high school nemesis. Lola dumps Sam the day before he was supposed to introduce his mystery girlfriend to his family over the Fourth of July holiday. With the looming fear of disappointing his mother once again and his long held feelings for Sophie, he asks her to take Lola’s place. With family feuds, an old flame, and feelings that have been locked away for a decade, there is bound to be some fireworks.

“Fireworks” is a novella, approximately 22,000 words.

What's on your bucket list, Ms. Gray?

I have thought about doing this for years, but never sat down to write it all out. This was an experience to say the least. I know I can’t achieve all of the things on this list, but I’m sure as hell going to try to take a big chunk out of it.

My Bucket List

(in no particular order)

1. See my children grow up and get married.

2. Visit the homeland of my ancestors, Ireland.

3. Watch my grandchildren grow up.

4. Visit Harry Potter World. (The closest I will ever get to living in a book.)

5. Write a novel that reaches number 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

6. Be nominated for an Academy Award. (I’m not sure I would want to win because I think I might die right then.)

7. Ride in a hot air balloon. (Even though I’m terrified of heights)

8. Earn enough money to pay the tuition for whatever college my children wish to attend.

9. Have a photo shoot where I am dressed up as a 1940’s film noir heroine.

10. Meet the Doctor and get a tour of the Tardis.

11. Visit Epcot Center, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios.

12. Go to ComicCon and sit on a panel.

13. Learn how to draw.

14. Have my own radio and/or television show.

15. Act in a staring role in a movie and/or television series.

16. Act in a supporting role in a movie and/or television series.

17. See my novel, “Redemption”, made into a movie.

18. Visit Italy with a fluent translator at my side.

19. Celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary and still love my hubby as much as I do today. (He has promised to become a curmudgeon in his later years, so we’ll see.)

20. Build a sandcastle on the beach of an ocean. (The lake 30 miles from home doesn’t count.)

21. Watch my children succeed in their choice of vocation.

22. Attend the Cannes Film Festival.

23. Attend the Sundance Film Festival.

24. Make my role in life resonate my passions.

25. Visit Napa Valley, California and find out the secrets to wine making.

26. Build and live in my dream home without it turning into a nightmare.

27. Visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and snorkel if I can, no scuba diving.

28. Visit Sydney, Australia and the Sydney Opera House.

29. Have a drink in a real pub in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

30. Vacation in Cape Cod with a house on the beach.

31. See the Northern Lights.

32. Learn how to play the guitar.

33. Be listed as one of People Magazines Most Beautiful People. (I know my mom would vote for me to be on this one.)

34. Own a bookstore.

35. Own a production company.

36. Ride as many rollercoasters as I can.

37. Learn how to make Pizza Hut Pan pizza gluten free.

38. Visit Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania and get chocolate wasted.

39. Decorate my whole house for Christmas with a live tree, stockings hanging on the fireplace, and lights on the house that would make Clark Griswold cry.

40. Swim under a waterfall.

41. Participate in a flash mob.

42. Visit Carlo’s Bakery and have Buddy make me the best gluten free cake ever made.

43. Own a gluten free bakery.

44. Attend a Masquerade Ball.

45. Invent some really cool family traditions.

46. Reach my goal weight and fit into a size 8 again . . . okay, maybe a size 10 would be more realistic.

47. Own a houseboat and take my kids and grandkids out on it every summer like my parents and grandparents did.

48. Go Indoor Skydiving. There is no way you are getting me to do the real thing.

49. Find a cure for all of my ailments.

50. Visit the Cancun, Mexico for a second honeymoon.

There are a few more personal ones I would add, but I’ll save those for another time. What are some of the things on your bucket list?

Rafflecopter Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Lindsey Gray dreamed of being several different things as a child such as a doctor, an actress, and a chef, but none held her attention like putting pen to paper and creating her own world through words. She has written three full-length novels and one short story for The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and is now taking the self-publishing leap with her novella, "Fireworks".

A mid-west native, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading almost anything she can get her hands on, and making life interesting at each and every turn.

Where to find Ms. Gray:

I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Amazon I

Other titles by Lindsey Gray available through:

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Purchase Links:

Smashwords * Amazon

The rest of the Fireworks tour:

July 1^st

Lisa Bilbrey ~ Review & Guest Post

Ali's Book Shelf ~ Review & Guest Post

Lissa Bryan ~ Review & Interview

July 2^nd

L.V. Lewis ~ Review

July 3^rd

Hook Me Up Book Blog ~ Promo Post

R.E. Hargrave ~ Review & Guest Post

Offbeat Vagabond ~ Review

July 4^th

N.K. Smith ~ Review & Guest Post

Mich's Book Reviews ~ Review

Shawna's Surveys ~ Review

Block 24 by Evan Tyler BLOG TOUR

Today I get the pleasure of hosting Evan Tyler on her blog tour for the release of her novel Block 24. Enjoy the excerpt and be sure to check out the Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY at the bottom!

Blurb:

A re-emergence of the past…

Natalie Clarke might be spiteful at best and vicious at worst, but was that reason enough for Phillip Gise to leave her lonely and diseased? Fortunately, she has a set of devious plans that just might keep her busy enough to forget her present situation.

Guy Lewis has played Best Friend Extraordinaire to Natalie since grade school, supporting her through all of her daily drama. This time around, Guy runs into his own troubles when his fierce, wealthy manager gives him the type of attention he never asked for…or expected.

Julia Clarke, Natalie’s younger sister, has arrived in Brooklyn to uncover their grandmother’s secret life in Block 24, the site of Auschwitz’s little-known brothel. What Julia discovers proves more relevant in the present age than ever before.

Both heady and sobering, Block 24 is a look at the ways evil from the past can so insidiously visit the present.

Excerpt from Chapter Three of Block 24:

Philip lay back on the bed, resettling the pillow behind his head and crossing his feet at the end of the bed.  Natalie stared at his toes.  “You know,” he said, “my mother went a little crazy when she found out I wasn't a virgin anymore. She sent me to a priest.” He chuckled. “I was nineteen. ”

Natalie gasped. “What, is she insane? Or just a slut-shamer?”

Philip climbed up to her end of the bed, lying on his side in front of her, his face a kiss away from hers.  “Neither. She raised me with a lot of faith values. Church every Sunday. Sacraments. Catholic school. All of it.”  He looked at her carefully, sliding a stray eyelash from beneath her eye and staring at it on his index finger. “My dad and mom left their countries to practice their faith freely. It’s a big deal to them.”

Natalie dropped her eyes. “What about their kids? They can’t expect you guys to be who they are. Or believe what they believe.”

“They do. I'm still a Catholic, baby.” He laughed. “A pretty fucked up one, but still. And all three of my sisters are still virgins.”

She looked back up. “How do you know that?”

“Male intuition.”

She shook her head.  “So, what about me? Could you tell I was a whore when you first met me?”

Philip gave a short laugh, shaking his head, rolling his eyes, ultimately dismissing the question. “My mother and father were both virgins when they married. Kinda wild, when I think about it.”

Natalie humphed  “Not wild. The exact opposite of wild, really. And while I’m sure that your parents' so-called purity really impresses you, I hate to break it to you—they're not virgins anymore.”

“What gave that away?” He smiled.

Natalie wanted with all her indignant heart to wilt that smile. “I’m sure they enjoy their sex life. Sure your dad gets some even more than you do. Sure your mom's a super freak.  It aint a crime, Philip.”

“She’s married, Nat.” 

“And you’re not,” she said, mocking his stillness with her syrupy, school-teacher voice.  “You’re not them. We're not your fucking parents.  We’ve got no reason to feel bad. You've got absolutely no reason to feel guilty.”  She went suddenly into crude mode, her voice gruff and loud.  “You’re Philip Fucking Gise.  The original PG.”

He looked down, his eyelashes casting a shadow right below his eyes. “Well, we both could afford to be a little more G-rated, Nat.  Come on,  baby, let’s get up.”

She reached for his wrist before he could slide off the bed. “If I'm such a whore, why are you with me? Why do you fuck with me? Better yet, why do you fuck me? There are enough girls like Julia in the world. You could go find one.” 

About the Author:

Evan Tyler is an author by day, a lead guitarist by night. Her favourite authors are Toni Morrison and John Steinbeck. Her favourite guitarists are Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. She aspires to be like all of her favorites. Her debut novel,  A Happy Accident, was the merging of her musical and literary aspirations. Evans second novel, Block 24, is a venture in a whole new direction.

Facebook I Twitter I Website I Goodreads

Meet Evan on You Tube!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who's Ready for the BEACH?!

After months of writing, editing, cover designs, and all the smaller behind the scenes stuff that goes into getting a book out to the public, I'm so thrilled the time is upon us for the release of 

Summer Heat, Beach Reads Volume 1! 

I'm in excellent company authorwise on this anthology and can't wait to hear what everyone thinks. 

Summer Heat on Goodreads

In My Mother's Footsteps
by Forbes Arnone

Just Like in the Movies 
by M.B. Feeney

Haunted Raine
by R.E Hargrave
 

For teasers, author interaction, prizes, and a lot of fun . . .

Join the release party HERE

Divine Trilogy GIVEAWAY

***CALLING ALL READERS***

I'm super excited to unveil my next giveaway! Because we're less than two months away from the release of A Divine Life 

and just under a week from the cover reveal, 

I wanted to do something fun. 

I'm offering up a chance to win a 

Divine Trilogy charm bracelet, made by yours truly.

Bracelet charms: “DIVINE,” Stiletto, Horse shoe/head, Giraffe, “C,” and “J”

Assorted beads in purple, gray, and green. Some decorated with ‘orchids.’

The rules are simple:

Get a copy of To Serve is Divine 

(I’m going to help you out with this at the end!)

Read To Serve is Divine 

(I’ve been told to suggest ShamWow Panties while doing so.)

Review To Serve is Divine on your choice of forums 

NO LATER THAN 8/5/13:

Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Goodreads // Smashwords

Here's the most important part . . . I won't know you want to be entered unless you email the link(s) for your posted review to me at

rehargrave@gmail.com 

For each link you send me, I'll enter your name into the drawing (i.e. If you post your review on Amazon and Goodreads, then you'll get two entries; Amazon, Goodreads, & Smashwords would be three entries, etc). If you have already reviewed To Serve is Divine, you are more than welcome to participate! Just email me your entry links! Open to all countries.

Winner* will be announced on August 6, 2013 AT the 

A Divine Life release party 

(along with another giveaway opportunity)

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@REHargrave) 

or LIKE me on Facebook for details regarding the party.

Now, to get your hands on To Serve is Divine . . .

Renaissance Romance Publishing 

has graciously offered to put TSiD ON SALE through August 6. Normally $6.99, now you can purchase your ebook copy for $3.50

through Smashwords using the following promotional code:

Promotional price: $3.50

Coupon Code: PQ38W

Expires: August 6, 2013

~ Please spread the word ~

Happy Reading and Good Luck! 

Don't forget to email me those entries.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the release of 

A Divine Life!

*Author reserves the right to reject entries based on negative or degrading reviews.