Monday, 27 January 2014

GIVEAWAY! For Her Protection Cover Reveal


Blurb
Charlize Halifax has a big last name and even bigger duty to uphold. Left to pick up the pieces of her family’s haemorrhaging Communications Empire, there’s no time for distractions. But when her take-no-prisoners management style lands her in physical danger, distraction arrives in the form of infuriating body guard Connor Crowe.

Having crossed swords with him that very morning, she knows a man who thinks he can push her around has no place in her life—especially when his cave man heroics kick her libido into hyper drive.

Yet when the threat to Charlize’s safety becomes outright attack, she knows there’s only one man she’d trust with her life.


Resisting Connor’s intrusion into her life is easy, denying his affect on her body, now that’s another thing...

ADD TO GOODREADS 






Wednesday, 22 January 2014

What I Do When I’m Not Writing by Lucy Felthouse GIVEAWAY

What I Do When I’m Not Writing by Lucy Felthouse
First, I want to thank Amber for having me here. It’s so nice to be visiting.
My life pretty much revolves around books, one way or the other. My full-time job is made up of several elements – writing, reading, editing, PR & Marketing and web design. Because of this, I think it’s really important that I have a hobby that has nothing to do with books. One of those hobbies is knitting.
Knitting is a pretty new thing for me. I do to do it as a kid with my nan, but stopped doing it as I got older. But last year I decided I wanted to learn again, so my mother-in-law taught me and I quickly got hooked! Now I’ve knitted toys, wrist warmers, cowls, phone cases, Kindle cases and more. Because of this, I thought it’d be cool to do something a little different and share a knitting pattern. So here’s the pattern for a Kindle Fire 7 inch. Enjoy!

Case for Kindle Fire (7inch)
This pattern has two colours.
Needles 3.75mm.
 Cast on 35 stitches.
  • Single rib for ten rows, starting with knit. (K1, P1 etc)
  • Starting with a knit row, stocking stitch for 114 rows, alternating colours as often as you like.
  • Single rib for ten more rows in same colour used at the start.
  • Cast off in single rib.
  • Stitch up sides using mattress stitch.


Blurb:
Alice Brown has just landed her dream job. Property manager at Davenport Manor, a British stately home. It’s only a nine-month contract to cover maternity leave, but it’s the boost up the career ladder she so desperately needs.
Unfortunately, things don’t get off to the best start, when Alice finds her boss, Jeremy Davenport, in a compromising position. Far from being embarrassed by what’s happened, Jeremy turns things around on Alice and makes her out to be the one in the wrong. So when he and his best friend and head of security, Ethan Hayes, then throw an ultimatum at her, she’s so stunned and confused that she goes along with their indecent proposal.
When the dust settles and Alice has time to think about things, though, she realises that perhaps it isn’t such a bad thing. There are worse things she could be doing to advance her career, after all.

Excerpt:
Alice took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. Repeated the process once more. Then, realising she could sit there all day doing it and not feel any calmer, she forced herself to step out of the car and close and lock the door.
She bent to peer into the wing mirror of the vehicle and checked her hair and make-up. Satisfied, she straightened, then turned on her heel and walked quickly across the driveway to the great house before her nerve failed her.
Davenport Manor was currently open for visitors, so she walked in through the front door and was met by a smiling elderly lady.
‘Can I help you?’ the woman asked kindly.
‘Yes, please.’ Alice twisted her hands together nervously. ‘I’m here to see Mr Davenport. I’m here for an interview for the property manager’s role.’
‘Yes, of course,’ the woman replied, ‘that’s today, isn’t it? Follow me; I’ll take you to Mr Davenport’s office. But just hang on one second.’
She ducked through the doorway into the next room and spoke with her colleague. Alice guessed she was letting her co-worker know she’d be gone for a few minutes. A few seconds later, she was back. ‘OK, follow me, Miss …’
‘Brown,’ Alice said, then fell in behind the other woman as she led her to Mr Davenport’s office, and the interview that could change her life for ever. It was hardly surprising that she was shaking like a leaf.
Alice quickly felt lost as their journey took several twists and turns along dim corridors – their blinds drawn to protect paintings, tapestries, and furniture from the sunlight – and up a flight of stairs. She had a few seconds to worry about finding her way if she was lucky enough to get the job, then, suddenly, her guide stopped outside a door and turned around.
‘Here you go, Miss Brown. Mr Davenport’s office. Good luck with your interview.’
Alice smiled and thanked the elderly woman, then smoothed down her skirt, which also conveniently helped wipe the nervous sweat off her hands. She stood up straight, gave herself a mental pep talk about being more than qualified for the role, and knocked on the door.
‘Enter.’
Alice knew that voice could only belong to Jeremy Davenport. The posh accent, and the fact he’d said “enter” instead of “come in”, screamed money and an upper-class upbringing. Alice was suddenly nervous of her broad Midlands accent and lowly background, despite the fact she’d worked her backside off to get into a decent university in order to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree and then a Master’s degree. No matter what she sounded like, or what her past was, she had all the skills necessary to do the job she was about to be interviewed for.
Suddenly, she realised that she’d left rather a long pause before opening the door, and she turned the handle before the occupants of the room thought they were about to interview some kind of simpleton who couldn’t follow a simple instruction.
Fixing a polite – but hopefully not inane – smile onto her face, Alice stepped into Jeremy Davenport’s office. Her first thought – which certainly did nothing to help her nerves – was good God, he’s hot.
Jeremy sat behind a desk, with a heavily pregnant woman sitting beside it. Alice barely noticed the woman. All she saw was him. A man with cropped dark brown hair, hazel/green eyes, a jawline you could cut bread with, and lips that looked capable of doing incredibly wicked, sexual things to a woman. Or a man. Alice had no idea what his sexuality was, but she found herself hoping he liked women.
She chastised herself. Even if he did like women, he wouldn’t go for someone like her. A Plain Jane, with mousy brown shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, average height and above average weight. Alice had always known she’d never be a supermodel, so she’d worked extra hard academically, and here she was. About to be interviewed for her dream job.

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, and is book editor for Cliterati. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9


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Tuesday, 21 January 2014

In Too Deep Release and GIVEAWAY!



 She vowed never to return.


To save her brother from financial ruin, Piper Harland must do the one thing she swore she’d never do—return to the tiny island hometown where Ryan “West” Westlake crushed her heart. Piper is tough, resilient and a little wild—much like the remote and beautiful Stewart Island where she grew up. As a cop who’s part of the elite New Zealand Police National Dive Squad, bringing the dead back to their families still doesn’t stop the guilt she feels over her father’s drowning  death. Now nine years later she’s obligated to return to a hostile community as the outsider, and forced to work with the man who was once her best friend and first lover.

She’s a risk he can’t take.

West is an Island man, through and through. As owner of the local pub, he lives and breathes the local community, and sure as hell can’t imagine living anywhere else. But most of all he refuses to ever fall for a woman like his flighty mother. He lost Piper once to give her the chance to fulfil her dreams of becoming a cop. But now she’s back for an unexpected six week visit to help her brother—his best mate. Maybe West wants her a little bit, maybe he can’t resist the temptation to tease and touch her, but can he fall in love with such a flight risk?
Saying goodbye the second time might just destroy them both. 

(Excerpt)

Red alert. Red alert. Her next inhale stopped halfway down her lungs and her nipples budded into two hard points of Ohmigod-yes-please. She raised the tip of her chef’s knife and pointed it at his nose. “Keep your hands to yourself, Westlake.”
His gaze flared hot. “What if I don’t want to?” He took two slow steps sideways, two steps closer to her. “What if I’m tired of playing your game of ‘there’s nothing going on here.’”The knife in her hand swiveled to follow his cat-like movements. “I don’t play games. And FYI there is nothing going on here. Nothing I’m interested in pursuing, anyway.”Another step and he rounded the corner, crowding her backward until her butt hit the counter. He rescued the knife from her shaking fingers, laid it on the chopping board, and left his hand resting there, effectively trapping her.“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” he murmured.She shoved a hand against West’s chest to stop him coming closer, but all that achieved was runaway tingles up her arm from the hard, hot muscles beneath his shirt. He leaned into her fingers and the rapid bump of his heartbeat throbbed against her palm. Close enough to see her own reflection in West’s eyes, she froze when his pupils shrunk to tiny dots.His nose twitched. “Something’s burning.”Yeah, something was burning, all right. One more touch, one more second of him looking like he planned to do her on the kitchen counter and she would either catch fire or do something absurd like kiss him again. 

Links
Tracey Alvarez Facebook Page
Tracey Alvarez Website
In Too Deep on Goodreads
Twitter  


Tracey Alvarez lives in the Coolest Little Capital in the World (a.k.a Wellington, New Zealand) where she’s yet to be buried under her to-be-read book pile by Wellington’s infamous wind—her Kindle’s a lifesaver! Married to a wonderfully supportive IT guy, she has two teens who would love to be surgically linked to their electronic devices.Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, she can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework. 


Buy Links
Amazon.com 
Amazon.co.uk 
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords 
Apple

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Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Smoking Hot Teaser Tuesday

I've fallen behind on well...pretty much everything. I'll put it down to childcare being closed and getting ready to move house. So today I'm hoping you'll forgive my neglect, by giving you all a treat...



Sigh...Connor Crowe. He's a special guy. So okay, maybe he has some caveman tendencies, and okay maybe he has been known to throw the occasional lady over he's scrumptious shoulder, but no one's perfect right? Connor cuts it pretty close. I can't wait for you all to meet him, this guy stole my heart.

Also some exciting news, the cover reveal for For Her Protection will be happening on January 27th! Stay tuned because there will be giveaways! I've put together a very special swag to say thanks for following on this crazy journey.



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Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Getting Festive with J'aimee Brooker


If you're looking for a smexy little festive read with an Aussie flavour, you've come to the right place. Today I am pleased to welcome J'aimee Brooker to my blog! Thanks for joining us J'aimee.

It's almost Christmas, and I hear you have a Christmas Novella coming out, so what is your very favourite thing about Christmas?
Relaxing! Christmas is just the five of us (hubby & I and our three kids) and we live seven hours from the closest family, so although it is a busy time, it's not the chaotic busy of dashing between relatives, family and friends that used to be the case. Now, we're content to spend the day relaxing with some delicious food, fun tunes and a trip or two to the beach.

What's your favourite holiday food indulgence?
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without pork crackling, pavlova and trifle. For an indulgence, a bottle (or two) of Mumm champagne J

Do you have any holiday survival tips you could share with us?

Avoid the shops when possible! Failing that, I think you just have to accept that this is a crazy busy time of year and the shops are going to be packed, people will be frantic and (usually) quite frustrated and rude and there's very little you'll be able to do to change that. Accept, understand, and ignore!

What is the one thing you hope Santa leaves in your stocking this year?
An all-expenses paid trip to Italy! I'd love to head back and spend a few weeks exploring and soaking up the culture, food, and beauty of Italy.

Lastly could you tell us a little about your Christmas Novella?
Rescued is the story of two friends, Anya and Sophie, who've recently moved from the small town they grew up in to the big smoke of Sydney. The girls couldn't be any more different when it comes to love, Anya choosing to believe in true love like the books she's read her entire life whereas Sophie is errs toward the 'love 'em and leave 'em' way of love! After a frightening and almost fatal series of events sees Jack put his rescue skills to the ultimate test, Jack, Anya and Sophie fall together for one passionate and steamy night that sets them all on new paths.


Rescued: A Festive Novella
by J’aimee Brooker

Two gorgeous girls
A knight in shining speedos
One red-hot Australian Christmas!
Set against the glorious backdrop of Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach comes the story of childhood friends Anya Thompson and Sophie Anders and their brush with one of Bondi’s finest—lifeguard Jack Covey.

As a lifeguard, Jack’s instincts are finely tuned. He’s spent his career watching for danger and avoiding distractions but when the gorgeous Anya Thompson catches his eye, he can’t help but be intrigued by Anya and her modest and reserved manner.
Anya’s lost more than her Christmas cheer, but will one steamy night with her best friend and the deliciously handsome Jack be just the thing to restart her shattered heart?

 
Website: www.jaimeebrooker.com.au

Blog: http://jaimeebrooker.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimeebrookerauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaimee_brooker

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7032335.J_aimee_Brooker


 
Buy it now…



AUTHOR BIO:
An avid bookworm and creative and commercial writer by trade, J’aimee is the author of contemporary romance novels and novellas focusing on romance, travel, and suspense.

A creative and commercial writer by trade; J’aimee also authors novellas and short stories focused within the contemporary romance genre and incorporating themes of travel, intrigue, and suspense.
J’aimee has written for industry trade publications and lifestyle magazines, and is a regular columnist for several lifestyle magazines and lifestyle/travel websites as well as having a full-time job in radio and three kids (under 9yrs).

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Interview with Nicole Hurley-More

Today I am interviewing Nicole Hurley More! Welcome and thanks for joining us Nicole.

Thanks so much Amber for inviting me. J

Your book Dancing on Air, is about a ballerina, what drew you to writing about ballet?

My mother was a dancer and much of my early childhood was around old theatres, such as The Princess in Melbourne. I have always appreciated the skill and beauty of the ballet. However after suffering through far more than my fair share of ballet lessons when I was younger, I decided that I would much rather watch it than dance it (sorry Mum).

What is your favorite dance themed movie or television show?

There are quite a few but I really enjoyed Center Stage.

If you could only take one book with you to a deserted island, what book would you choose?

Pride and Prejudice.

How long have you been writing and when did you first know that this was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

I’ve toyed with the idea since high school but I didn’t knuckle down and concentrate on writing until about three years ago.

I'm a disorganised writer, my study looks like something exploded, there's currently a pot over-boiling on the stove, and there's two children in this place somewhere...What would we see if we walked through your writing space right now?

I understand completely. Well, I tidied up my desk this morning and got rid of a sea of sticky notes but it still looks cluttered.

What the one thing you wish someone had told you before you were published?

Persevere and don’t let the naysayers get in your head.

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?

Cinderella meets Swan Lake in a cross-class, Victorian novel about a ballerina, an aristocrat, and the space in between them.

Lisette yearns for freedom, security and love, but none are offered on the run-down stage of The Imperial Theatre. Instead she has hard work, a tyrannical aunt, and the hope of one day becoming a prima ballerina. Dancing on the stage she catches the attention of two powerful men: Lord Gainswith and Lord De Vale.

Lord Evander Gainswith never expected to fall in love, let alone with a woman so wholly unacceptable to his family and his peers. The sinister Lord De Vale covets Lisette's youth and strength, and is willing to pay well for it. Lisette may dance roles in fairy tales and fantasies, but the real world is about to intrude, bringing with it the harsh realities of life for a young girl with dreams of rising above the demimonde.


Amazon shortened link -   http://goo.gl/a8jlMD



Excerpt
London, 1884
Lisette was weightless as she leapt into a grand jeté across the stage. She was free and in that moment her heart soared past the walls of The Imperial Theatre. She landed lightly and began the fouetté en tournant, whipping her leg from fourth position to behind her knee; she created impetus to spin on pointe. After the eight revolutions, she planted her feet and lifted her hand in the air, stopping in front of her aunt. There was a slight wobble in her legs and she tried not to wince. Fixing a smile on her face she prayed that her aunt had not noticed. Lisette had wanted perfection but had fallen short. A trickle of sweat slid its way down the middle of her back, her heart beat rapidly and she tried to catch her breath as her aunt stepped forward. 

            Marie Devoré regarded her niece for a second. Her eyes bore into Lisette’s before she raised her hand and slapped her across the face.

            Lisette’s head jerked to the side as the burning sting radiated over her cheek.

            ‘What was that? A farce...? A comedy perhaps?’

 ‘No, Aunt Marie, I am sorry that I wobbled,’ she said as she looked at the well-worn wooden floor and resisted the urge to cradle her cheek.

            ‘When you finish, the movement must be sleek, clean and set in stone, without any trace of a tremble.’

 ‘Yes, Aunt.’

 ‘Go, out of my sight. Prepare the costumes for tonight’s performance,’ Marie said with a wave of her thin hand. ‘You will practice again tomorrow. Without the wobble.’

            Lisette bowed her head before running off into the wings of the stage. She ran as fast as she could past the burgundy velvet curtains, beneath the scenery fly and the rigging, down the narrow flight of stairs that ran beneath the stage, until she was in the cool and narrow corridor, which led deeper into the bowels of the theatre.

Her cheek burned but it was the sting of failure that hurt all the more. 


ABOUT NICOLE
Nicole has always been a lover of fairy tales, history and romance. She grew up in Melbourne and has travelled extensively, whilst living her life through the romance of books. Her first passion in life has always been her family, but after studying and achieving her BA in History and Honours in Medieval Literature, she devoted her time to writing historic romance. She is a full time writer who lives in the Central Highlands of Victoria with her family, where they live in the peaceful surrounds of a semi-rural town.






Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Ten Men to Fall in Love With

I am honored to have a special guest on my blog today Chanel Cleeton. She'll be discussing my favorite topic--Men erm Fictional Men. Thanks Chanel!



Ten Men to Fall in Love With
By Chanel Cleeton

I started reading romance novels when I was ten years old.  The moment I read my first romace, I fell in love.  There’s something about a great romance novel— you fall in love with the story, the writing, the characters.  You live within the pages of the novel.  More than anything, though, so many of us fall in love with the hero.  Over the years, I’ve ready so many great stories about dukes and businessmen, assassins and vampires.  Alpha men.  Men who are willing to fight for their heroines and risk all for a happy ending.  But of all of these heroes, these ten men stand out the most:

1.      Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
I can’t say enough about Mr. Darcy.  He is the ultimate romance hero.  He’s charismatic, powerful, and undergoes a transformation that has readers falling in love with him.  He’s sexy too— without even kissing Elizabeth, he’s able to conduct a courtship full of passion and love.  He’s a gentleman, one who is made better through his love of Elizabeth.

2.      Rhett Butler, Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Okay, so this one is arguably, not a romance, but Rhett Butler is the kind of character who doesn’t play by the rules so he earned his place on this list.  He is the ultimate alpha male.  He challenges Scarlett and is the quintessential Southern gentleman— with a naughty twist.  He’s also the perfect example of a rake redeemed.

3.      Hardy Cates, Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Hardy is another alpha male.  He’s a Texan whose success is entirely self-made.  He’s a little rough around the edges, but the way he cares for Haven, the story’s heroine, will melt your heart. 

4.      Matthew Farrell, Paradise by Judith McNaught
Matt is probably responsible for my unrealistic views on men.  I read this contemporary romance when I was a kid and fell completely in love.  He’s another alpha male— self-made and proud of it.  He can be brash and over-confident, but his love for Meredith defines him.

5.      Leopold Dautry, Duke of Villiers, A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
I’m a total sucker for a story with a duke.  A wicked duke? Even better.  Villiers is really more of a duke redeeming himself— he’s trying to track down the many illegitimate children he’s lost track of— but he still has plenty of opportunities to be a bit wicked.  He’s a chess prodigy and brilliant, challenging the novel’s heroine at every turn.  If you like intelligent, witty heroes, then he’s the one for you.

6.      Calder Hart, The Deadly Series by Brenda Joyce
Calder’s another one of those heroes who I fell in love with in a young age.  He’s the quintessential alpha male— jaded, powerful, loved by many women.  But then he meets Francesca, the series’ heroine.  The best thing about Calder? He loves Francesca for who she is, accepting her bluestocking ways and unorthodox profession (she’s a sleuth).  He’s an easy hero to fall in love with.

7.      Will Sumner, Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren
Will’s in between a nice guy and a player, until he meets his match.  A successful venture capitalist, Will’s budding relationship with his friend’s younger sister, Hanna, is enough to make the reader fall in love.  Will’s confident and sexy, but not an over-the-top alpha male.  He’s the kind of guy who is a great “catch.”

8.      Jason Fielding, Marquess of Wakefield, Once and Always by Judith McNaught
Pretty much every hero ever written by Judith McNaught belongs on this list.  No one writes alpha males like she does.  But Jason has a special place in my heart.  He carries a lot of dark, difficult baggage with him and strains under the weight of an immeasurable loss.  It isn’t until he meets Victoria, the novel’s heroine, that he begins to open his heart again.  Jason is a complex, jaded hero, but he’s also one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

9.      Rehvenge, Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
You would think it would be hard to make an occasionally impotent, drug-dealing vampire wearing floor length fur coats sexy.  Somehow J.R. Ward does it…and then some.  Rehvenge is another tortured hero with a really dark past and a pretty tough present.  But, Rehvenge is also the ultimate alpha male and when he meets his perfect match, he sets out to change his life.  J.R. Ward writes the best heroes.

10.   Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, How the Marquess was Won by Julie Anne Long
I struggled a bit with this one because I LOVE all of Julie Anne Long’s heroes.  But Julian stands out because he has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read and he pretty much steals the story.  His love is fierce, protective, and changes him completely.  This book is a bit of a Cinderella story and Julian is a perfect Prince Charming.

These are some of my absolute favorite heroes.  What heroes have you fallen in love with?

Chanel Cleeton writes New Adult contemporary romances and Young Adult thrillers. Her New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, will be released on February 1, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, Chanel is happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, puppy cuddles, and her fighter pilot husband. Chanel loves to travel and is currently living an adventure in South Korea. 
 
www.chanelcleeton.com
www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton
www.twitter.com/chanelcleeton
www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleeton
 

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