Tuesday 31 December 2013

***REVIEW*** Auctioned to the Honorable Dom by Doris O'Connor

A drunken dare sees Laura Anderson sign up for the Club Spectrum Auctions. A night of kinky sex with a real Dom is just what she needs. It was never meant to be with Slade Douglas, the only man she's ever loved. The man who left her standing at her parent's grave, and fled the country without an explanation.

Fifteen years her senior, Slade had thought her too fragile and innocent for the lifestyle then, and he made a promise to her brother to leave her alone. This time he cannot walk away, especially as Laura is not the innocent girl he remembers. She has grown into a beautiful woman, willing and able to gift him with her submission, and their chemistry cannot be denied.

As he explores her boundaries and pushes her further than she has ever been taken before, Laura flies, but their painful past may prove one obstacle too many.

There's only one thing Slade can do…


I received this as a gift from the author for winning a competition. I was very grateful as always :D 

I love Doris series, so I was happy to see this is a series too, The Spectrum Auctions book 1.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one from Doris. The relationship between Slade and Laura is a really nice thing, it goes so much deeper than Dom and Sub. One of my favourite scenes was when Slade bought Laura at auction, in that whole scene afterwards you could just feel Slade's emotions, especially when Mike turns up. 

Slade and Laura are the main characters in the story, a few other minor characters pop up now and again, like Mike who is Lauras brother. I actually hope the second in the series follows on from this one as I NEED to see what happens to Mike!!! Mistress Scarlett I liked. Her hard exterior hiding a soft heart inside. I'm looking forwrd to seeing both of these guys again!

Another recommendation from me :)

Monday 23 December 2013

Movie Monday

MOVIE MONDAY!!
picture courtesy of sweetclipart.com

Hi guys.

I've decided on a Monday I will be doing a movie review, therefore let Movie Monday commence!!!

Today's movie is 'The Help'.

I remember reading this book and falling completely in love with it, it's now one of my favourite books ever. It took me a long time to get round to the movie, as I tend to think movies spoil books, but this one didn't actually disappoint me much at all. The book touched me a lot, and the movie did too, not as much as the book, but still a lot.

Lets start with the story. The Help is a story of, well, the help. It is set in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. It's about the help, black women working as maids and nannies for the white folk. (I hope I don't offend anyone by calling the help 'black people', that is how they are referred to in the book and movie). One lady, Miss Skeeter, decides she wants to write about 'The Help', from their points of view. This starts a lot of lovely conversations with Miss Skeeter and Abilieen, the main character. 

The actresses done rather well I must say. Emma Stone was cast as Miss Skeeter, and she played a lovely role. Viola Davis played an amazing Abileen Clark and Octavia Spencer a wonderful Minnie Jackson.

These 3 women made the movie. Minnie brought a lot of laughs, Aibileen a lot of sorrow, and Skeeter a lot of kindness. But the main thing in this movie was friendship. Minnie and Aibileen's friendship seemed like the stuff most people wish for. They hugged, they laughed together, and they cried together. 

Other characters I liked were Miss Celia and miss Hilly's mother. Miss Hilly and her little 'crew' on the other hand were nasty ladies.  

Aibileen's relationship with Mae Mobley is wonderful. Aibleen tells her every morning, 'You is kind, you is smart, you is important'. A beautiful friendship between the 2 is potrayed well.

There are a lot of funny things in the movie. Minnie's 'terrible awful' and the toilet prank on Miss Hilly are just to name a few.

There are sad times too. One thing that I remember hitting me hard was the whole toilet situation. The maids weren't allowed to use the same toilets as the 'white folk'. Knowing that this is what the world was like back then well it makes me grateful that things have changed now.

I loved this story, a lot of heartbreak, laughs, sadness, and friendship. I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't seen it, but in my opinion, please read the book first, it just gives you a little bit more.

*****     5 stars

Sunday 22 December 2013

***MOVIE REVIEW*** Hysteria

MOVIE REVIEW

So I know I haven't been around for a while, so today I thought I'd do a movie review. Today's review will be on the movie 'Hysteria'.

I watched this today on my trusty Netflix account. I'd seen the trailer quite a while ago and thought it looked rather amusing.

Hysteria is based on true events back in the 19th century. Women were quite commonly diagnosed with hysteria, and the way to cure it? Basically a doctor found a way of using his fingers to bring each lady to orgasm! This then lead to another doctor making the first ever 'vibrator', and this was then used in doctor surgeries too, and then finally was produced to help 'hysterial' women at home.

The movie wasn't amazing I must say, I gave it 3/5, although I'm changing my mind to 2 stars. The best thing in the whole film was Hugh Dancy, just his beautiful face though :) very easy on the eyes that guy is.

Rupert Everret brought a small amount of comedy to the movie, but other than that, he didn't bring much else.

Would I recommend? If you want to know the story behind the worlds best selling sex toy then go ahead and watch it, otherwise, I woulnd't bother with it.


Wednesday 18 December 2013

Release Blitz :Vendetta by Autumn Karr and Sienna Lane

Vendetta Blitz
Vendetta Cover
Title: Vendetta
Authors: Sienna Lane and Autumn Karr
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Suspense
Release Date: December 17, 2013
 
Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18331733-vendetta

 
Buy the Book
[Insert Buy Links]
 
Synopsis
I am not a good man.
I have lied and cheated and stolen. I've decided between life or death, like it was my due. None of it matters, not anymore. These are not my sins.
I see her raise her hands, the dark metal she's clutching reflecting the moonlight. Her finger trembles as she cocks the gun pointed at me. Her eyes are cold, determined, but I know.
I know her.
My name is Devon Andre and I confess my sin. I am not a good man because this is the woman I love.
She pulls the trigger.
* Standalone contemporary romance. * Mature reader advised due to sexual content and strong language.
 
Vendetta Teaser 3
 
Excerpt
“Fuck,” he curses, taking in the weapon. I squeeze it in my hand and try to swing again, letting him know I won’t give it up. “You’re going to hurt yourself.” He pries the shard out of my clenching fingers, and then puts his hand around my neck, squeezing. Warning. “You move, and I’ll fucking kill you,” he growls, strengthening his grip. I let my body go limp. He looks at his hand around my throat, and then his eyes find mine. I try to swallow, but he's practically suffocating me. He snatches his hand away and I gasp for air. “I didn’t even think of the fucking mirror,” he mutters to himself, sounding shocked, and maybe even a little impressed. He pulls out some rope from his back pocket. His fucking pocket. The man is psychotic.
 
About the Authors
Sienna Lane and Autumn Karr are two friends with a joint love of reading, writing, candy, and Disney heroes (and Disney songs, of course.) When they aren’t scheming against fictional characters, or talking about their favourite books, you can find them ogling tattooed models and trying to figure out how to get them to do a cover shoot for their next book. Together they wrote VENDETTA, releasing this December, and hopefully many more books to come.They love to hear from readers, so don't hesitate to contact them through their Facebook page (http://on.fb.me/18TGRU9).  
Connect with Sienna and Autumn
Our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/karrandlane Sienna’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7195737.Sienna_Lane Sienna’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sienna.lane.39 Autumn’s Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7195738.Autumn_Karr Autumn’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumn.karrauthor Our blog: http://karrandlane.wordpress.com/  
Giveaway
(4) $10 Amazon Gift Cards
(5) eBook copies of Vendetta
(1) Signed paperback of Vendetta with Swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
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Monday 16 December 2013

COVER REVEAL!! Discovering Lucy by Laura Dunaway

Discovering Lucy Cover
Title: Discovering Lucy
Author: Laura Dunaway
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Expected Release Date: February 2014
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Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18756985-discovering-lucy

Goodreads Giveaway

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/71496-discovering-lucy

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Synopsis
After three long years of living in a hell she never could have imagined, Lucy Jane Simmons courageously escapes to New York City for a fresh start. A new beginning...
When Lucy meets Knox Taylor, the intoxicating man in the business suit, everything she thought she knew about relationships changes. He is strong, seductive and makes her feel safe. But can she open up enough to let him in?
Will Lucy Jane escape the scars of her past? Can Knox give her the future she ultimately deserves? A story of rediscovery...
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About the Author
Laura Dunaway
Laura Dunaway has been married to her prince for 17 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she's always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn't until this past year that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, Distorted was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she'd written The End. When she's not busy shuttling her kids to lessons and practices and making dinner, she's busy behind her computer writing her next book, Discovering Lucy, which will be out winter of 2014.
Connect with Laura

Facebook | Goodreads

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Other Books by Laura Dunaway
Distorted
Distorted
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Giveaway
(1) $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
gmail

Release Day Blitz: Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers

Release Day Blitz
***
Best Fake Day
by
Tracey Rogers
Contemporary Romance

Buy links

***
Blurb
Faking it never felt so good.
Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn't want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.
Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn't a little girl anymore. She's definitely all woman, and there's an attraction between them that's hard to ignore.
Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can't deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can't refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.
Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?
Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

Excerpt
"Let me work off the money," Izzy said.
She felt Jack's gaze rake over her body, watched the clench of his jaw. "And how are you planning to work it off, Isabel?" he almost growled. "Is that what all of this is about?" he asked as his hand made an indicating sweep over her body. "Dress to impress so you can pay me in kind?"
"Oh God, no," she spluttered. "This is me showing you I'm not the weak, naïve girl I used to be and I won't be pushed around!"
The hard glint in his eyes softened slightly. "You were never weak. Naïve…" He trailed off. "So how exactly were you planning to pay me back?"
"Working here for you for free until I pay you back. I could collect glasses, work the bar, or clean."
"And you have experience in any of those roles?"
"No. But I could learn."
"But what about the house repairs?"
She shrugged. "I could do that during the daytime and work here at night. Then when I'm earning again from my day job I'll pay you back."
"And what exactly is your day job?"
"I'm a photographer. I could even do that here. Take photographs of the patrons and sell them for you."
"You work freelance?”
"I have my own business." She hesitated before elaborating. "As a wedding photographer," she said quickly, hoping he wouldn't snag the teasing opportunity.
Too late. The corner of his mouth quirked until it bloomed until a grin. "A wedding photographer. How appropriate. I knew playing dress-up with your mother's veil and having teddy bears as your guests would have an influence on you one day."
"You mean like wanting to have a traditional wedding where the groom doesn't have to bribe the bride? Yeah, my childhood messed me up real bad," she said with sarcasm.
"You're not working here, Izzy. And this conversation is over."
"No, it's not. I'm giving you a solution to paying off what I owe. I'll work off the amount Ellie paid for our debts and the rest you get from her. So when do I start?"
"You are not working here."
"Why?"
"Do you really want to have some guy groping you as you serve drinks? Or a group of guys? I run a tight ship and look out for my staff, but sometimes it happens."
"I can look after myself. I have been groped before, you know. I can deal with it."
He slid his chair closer, bending his legs so hers surrounded him without touching, but close, very close. He looked up at her under dark lashes. "So if some guy puts a hand on your leg you wouldn’t mind?"
She shook her head.
"And if that hand strayed beneath your dress?" he asked as his hand reached out to graze the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, making her shudder.
She shook her head slowly, earning a dark look. Of course she would mind. But this was Jack.
He stood abruptly, stepping into the v of her thighs. "And if a guy tried to kiss you?"
"I have been kissed before, remember?" she said, inwardly cringing at how breathless she sounded.
"I remember being a boy kissing you as a girl. If I were to kiss you now I wouldn’t be holding back and I wouldn’t be kissing you as a boy—I’d be kissing you as a man."
"Then do it," she demanded.

Author bio
A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that world and refuse to leave.
I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.
You can find me here: http://traceyrogers.wordpress.com/

Thursday 12 December 2013

Elodie Parks is here with her latest novel 'A Little Mysterious'!

A Little Mysterious’ my November 27 release with Evernight Publishing was inspired black swans and a man I met in my work. I say met, but it was a fleeting meeting. I don’t even know his name. The black swan idea has been with me since I went to Australia on holiday and saw them, flocks of them swimming in the edge of the ocean in a place near Melbourne. There was also a tame one that lived on the pond where I was renting a holiday house in Perth.

The man who inspired, Dhruv, my alpha male in ‘A Little Mysterious’ came into the antique shop where I work. He was gorgeous, so polite, and cool, that I went to the window so I could secretly watch him walk away down the street.
****
Below the blurb for A Little Mysterious (mine, Evernight haven’t yet provided one)

He’d been sent off course…he thought he was lost…until he found Daisy.

His vampire abilities were special. He belonged to an elite group. Moving home, they are set off course by a storm that lands Dhruv alone, hungry, and desperate in a strange town.
A story of lust, love, and coincidence.

****
Today the main characters from ‘A Little Mysterious’, Dhruv and Daisy are visiting the blog.



Daisy, would you like to tell the readers about how you and Dhruv met?

Daisy
We met on the high street in the café I worked in didn’t we Dhruv?

Dhruv: We did formally meet then, although I took a while to sat much to Daisy. I liked her as soon as I saw her. That was before we actually met. I’d seen her around shall we say. I don’t want to give spoilers.

Daisy: That’s true, but I wanted you right away. I could hardly take my eyes off you. When I went up the back of the café and cleared the tables, I used to stare at you.

Dhruv: You did more than stare you sighed over me. I knew it. I could sense it. I could feel your need and it fuelled mine.
He leans across and kisses Daisy, then keeps hold of her hand.

Dhruv, Can you describe when you first knew you were in love with Daisy?

Dhruv: You know, I’m sorry but I can’t. It was weird for me. I couldn’t admit it to myself. I think Daisy loved me right away. Did you Daisy?

Daisy: I knew I wanted to make love with you, but I felt such a strong attraction to you I think I might have loved you right away. Then I knew the first time we made love, it was sex that turned into making love. For me anyway. Although I liked him the moment I saw him, in the cafe doorway. I wanted those arms around me right away.

She leans across and kisses him this time .I better ask another question since now they are starting to get a little heated.

What’s one thing you might have changed about your story?
Daisy: Nothing, since it’s the real story. Although I’ve never been happy with my name, and that I’m not very tall, Dhruv can tuck me under his arm. Although things are a little different now since we really got together, but I can’t tell you that. It would be a spoiler.

Dhruv: That’s so sexy Daisy, that I can pick you up and cuddle you into my body. You’re beautiful the way you are.
As for me changing the story, more sex, although there’s loads, I’m addicted to Daisy now and I find it hard to keep my hands off her. I might have said a little more about our lives after we got together, but that might be better in another book.

Dhruv, tell us something about Daisy, how would you describe her in a few words?

Dhruv: She’s very pretty, slender, intelligent. I think she’s kind and generous, and she treats people really well. She’s brave too. She likes the countryside and water. Starts to laugh and hugs Daisy.

Daisy, describe Dhruv in a few words.
Very sexy, giving, clever, thoughtful, a great lover, knows what he wants or needs to do and goes for it. He’s very creative, and talented artistically.

So what’s hot about the story?
Dhruv:
The steam rises from the love scenes.
I think the way Daisy responds to me.
Daisy:
I think it’s the way you talk dirty to me.
Dhruv: Do I?
Now Daisy is stroking his arm, okay time for an excerpt.

How about you both choose your favorite scene from the book.

Daisy: It has to be a love scene for me, what about you Dhruv?
Dhruv: I think so, the hotter the better. (Grins)

****

Buy the book:
Available All Amazon sites, AllRomance, Evernight Publishing and Siren Bookstrand
****
About Elodie:
About Elodie:
Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.
Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.


EXCERPT

Long after she’d showered, and lay in bed, it was as if she could still feel him inside her pussy. Daisy felt swollen, sexy, and sensitized. She knew if he showed up at her door right then she’d beg to have his cock back inside her, sliding in, stretching and filling her. It made her sweat. She pulled her pillow down to hug and rub against it. The love bite he’d given her pulsed slightly as she rubbed her clit on the end of her pillow. Daisy pushed the corner of her pillow hard between her legs and thought about Dhruv kissing her. It didn’t work. She couldn’t come rubbing her clit that night. She told herself it was because she’d already had a gorgeous orgasm, and fell asleep thinking about Dhruv.
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2013

Sunday 8 December 2013

How time flies when you miss someone.....

Today is the 9th anniversary of my Grandmas death.

I have a saying, 'if we didn't love people so damn much, it wouldn't be so hard to say goodbye'. It's the truth, but unfortunately we can't help our hearts, and we do love our nearest and dearest greatly.



I actually can't believe it's been 9 years already. She battled with cancer for a good long time, a fighter she always was. I had a pretty hard time dealing with it when it happened. I was 19, and it was the first proper experience I'd had with death, actually it was the first death in my family since I was 2 years old. I carried  lot of guilt around with me for a lot of years afterwards, as I had been out with friends at a gig when she passed, and I knew for some reason earlier on that I had wante to leave the pub and go be with her in the hospice. But I didnt, and that weighed heavy on me for a very long time. I'm learning to accept now that what happened happened, and I'm sure she would have been happy that I was trying to enjoy myself. 

I had some pretty bad times afterwards, but with a lot of help and encouragement from my wonderful other half, friends and family, things have become easier. I still struggle to listen to the songs that were played at her funeral without crying, Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy and Flying Without Wings by Westlife, but I will get there.

My Grandma was an amazing lady. I have very fond memories of her. Some of the best memories of her were from our big family holiday to Florida in May 2004, just months before she passed away. I  remember one specific moment in one of the water theme parks. She was in her wheelchair, she couldn't walk really, and couldn't stand for long.But she was pretty damn happy that she was there. I remember watching her stand up while everyone else was in the water, and she walked down to the waters edge. She just stood there with her feet in the shallow of water, but she stood. That memory hits me with such happy feelings when I think of it.





I remember her face when she waited in line to get her photo taken with Pluto!


She lived 2 doors down from me since I was 2 years old, so she was always around. me and my brother and sister used to take turns staying over night on the weekends, and she always made me cheese on toast for my breakfast. She would come along to our house and help us make bean pasties, lol. I loved how she love the McDonalds advert on TV (ba-da-da-da-da, I'm lovin' it), and every time  I hear it I think of her and smile. I still laugh at remembering how chuffed she was when Lou Bega's Mambo No 5 came out, and it said 'a little bit of Mary all night long'. I don't even think she cared about what the song was actually about lol, she enjoyed hearing her name in it :)

She was such an amazing lady and I feel so privileged to have had her in my life. My daughters middle name is Mary, after the most lovely woman that has ever been in my life.

9 years today Grandma, and I still miss you like crazy xxx

She has a Gone Too Soon page if anyone would like to read a little more about her:

 http://www.gonetoosoon.org/memorials/sleeping-angel

Thursday 5 December 2013

Sleeper by S.M Johnston!!! Giveaway!!!

 Sleeper by S.M Johnston

A new heart should mean new life, not a living nightmare.

Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her heart transplant. With new boyfriend, Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s on.

Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.

Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.
Looks good right!!!

Ms Johnston is also doing a fab giveaway, check out the Rafflecopter here

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88d39a10/

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Their Merry Little Christmas by Jessica Ingro book tour

Title: Their Merry Little Christmas (Love Square #2.5)
Author: Jessica Ingro
Tentative Release Date: December 2013
Cover Designer: Cover It! Designs

Goodreads link:

Synopsis:
With the past behind them and all their skeletons out of the closet, the couples have just begun to settle into their relationships when they find things shaken up yet again.

Will Sam and Aiden’s marriage be able to survive the demands of work, shopping, decorating, and of course… baby Tessa? Will Jacob make a good first impression with his future in-laws and secure Kara’s position by his side until death do them part?

Join your favorite Love Square couples as they deck the halls and have themselves a Merry Little Christmas!

Excerpt:

**Disclaimer: This content is unedited and subject to change**
Copyright © Jessica Ingro

“Fine. Bring me the damn suit,” I grumble begrudgingly.

“You’re the best! You know that?” Kara kisses me chastely. Her father is still there after all.

Bill laughs once Kara bolts up the stairs.

“Laugh now. Next thing you know she’ll make you be my elf!” I threaten good naturedly.

“I’d love to see that,” he says in between chuckles.

“Ah crap!” I pull my hands through my hair, seriously wanting to throw a child-sized temper tantrum at this turn of events.

“Think of it this way, son. It will be good practice for when you have kids. And you’re making those girls’ night.”

“Yeah… alright. I guess I can try to look on the bright side of things,” I concede. The last thing I need is for my soon to be father-in-law to think I’m a big baby.

Kara returns twenty minutes later with a giant red bag. I drag it into the bathroom and take my time changing. Part of me hopes that if I take too long the girls will fall asleep or something. Stranger things have happened.

“It’s Christmas Eve, Jacob. The girls won’t want to fall asleep regardless, so don’t think you can get out of this,” Kara calls through door.

How the hell does she do that? It’s worse than the eyes in the back of her head.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I yell through the door.

After I velcro the giant pillow onto my belly, I turn to the side and stick my stomach out further, poking at my now enlarged gut. I roll my abdominal muscles making the pillow bounce and ripple. Chuckling at my nonsense, I step into the red, velvet pants. I pull the black suspenders over my shoulder and do a little jig watching as my stomach bounces around.

Apparently this suit sucks the seriousness out of you. Maybe it’s a magic suit…

I stop my musings and proceed to put the jacket on and button it up.

I look damn good in red. Even with a giant stomach.

Next comes the wig and beard, followed by the hat. Now I have absolutely no reason to walk out of this bathroom. Damn.

Opening the door, Kara is the first thing I see. Her face lights up and she graces me with a wide smile. She lifts her arm, and then she does the unthinkable when she snaps a picture with her cell phone.

“Lump of coal for you!” I shout and make like I’m going to attack her. When I lunge for her, she screeches and runs across the room.

Once I catch up with her, she reaches out and rubs red shit on my cheeks. “Really?” I ask not wanting to deal with this shit.

“You are so going to get lucky later,” she mumbles so only I can hear her.

“Damn straight. You owe me one creative session, Sunshine.”

“There is this new position I heard about that I’ve been curious to try.”

“It’s a good thing this suit is big, otherwise my sister would think Santa was a giant perv. What do you think you’re doing telling me that now?” I gripe, knowing my nieces can’t sit on my lap while I’m turned on.

“Sorry. I forget,” she says like that explains it all.

“You’re lucky I love you.” I kiss her forehead and start towards the stairs. “Let’s get this over with.”



Author Bio:
Jessica is the author of the Love Square series. She grew up in Central New York, where she spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world.

Jessica currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.

Author contact information:

Love Square (Book #1) Information

His Ever After (Book #2) Information

Monday 2 December 2013

Ann B. Harrison book tour 'From the Outback' and author interview!!!





Title: From The Outback

Author: Ann B. Harrison

Publisher: Self Published

Formats Available In: Digital

Blurb: Although desperate to get out of her dead end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted...especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door. 

Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Excerpt:

A thump sounded on the bedroom door, jarring her from a deep sleep.

"Go away." Samantha Grace Rose Darling groaned into her pillow.

"Sami, phone."

"Tell them to fuck off and let me sleep." She threw a pillow at the door seconds before it eased open and her brother poked his head in the room. "Garth, I'm warning you, go away."

He sighed and she waited for the usual whine to follow. "There's an old guy on the phone. Said he wants to speak to you."

"Tell him I'm not here." She rolled over, brushed the hair from her face and then glared at him through half-closed eyes.

"I did but he insists on speaking to you. Said he wasn't going to go away until he does."
She groaned, pushed her blanket off with her hand and slowly slid out of bed. With languid grace Sami advanced on her brother intent on doing bodily harm to whoever it was who had the audacity to disturb her sleep. Holding out the phone, Garth waited for her to take it before he backed out of the room and quietly shut the door, leaving her alone.

"This better be bloody good. I pulled a double shift last night and I'm freaking tired."

Walking over to the window, she pushed aside the faded curtain and flinched when the bright Alice Springs sunlight filled her room, scorching her tired eyes. She promptly dropped the curtain into place wishing she'd left it alone. Sami rubbed her eyes and waited.

"Am I talking to Miss Samantha Grace Rose Darling?"

"Yeah." She dropped down to the edge of her bed, her fingers tracing a bruise on her leg from when she had bumped into a tray of glasses last night. I am such a klutz.

"Miss Darling, my name is Rupert Newland. I'm a solicitor with Newland, Newland and Cooper in Singleton, New South Wales."

She spat out a laugh before covering her mouth with the heel of her hand.

"I'm glad I amuse you. Now if you would be so kind as to contain yourself, I have news for you."

The voice on the other end of the phone was clipped and precise.

"I am acting on behalf of your grandfather's estate with regard to his final will and testament."

"I don't know who you're talking about. I don't have any family." Names ran through her mind but grandparents didn't come into the picture she had tucked away in her memory. "Nope. No grandparents I can lay claim to, sorry mate. You obviously have the wrong girl."

"Miss Darling, I have checked the facts and you are indeed the granddaughter of my late client. I need you to could come into the office for the reading of the will."

"Where did you say you were again?" Sami kicked through the pile of clothes on the bedroom floor and picked up the crumpled jeans from yesterday. She tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder to hold it firmly while she pulled her jeans on. One foot after the other she slid each leg into the jeans and yanked them up, wiggling her butt to pull them over her hips. Sami popped the button and did up the zip before she took the phone in her hand again.

"New South Wales, Hunter Valley. Singleton to be exact," he said.

"Mate, I don't know if you looked at the post code before you called me but I live in Alice Springs. In the middle of the frigging desert in the Northern Territory. I can't pop down the road and see you, understand?" She blew a stray curl from her face.

With one hand she opened her bedroom door and walked out to the lounge room. Garth tidied up his breakfast dishes and she smiled in his direction. He pointed to the coffee machine and Sami blew him a kiss.

"It will be worth your while to drive or fly down Miss Darling."

"I can't afford it, okay? It's not like I do double shifts at the pub because I enjoy the work. I need the money and there isn't enough at the end of the week for a happy little visit to your office. Tell me what you want to say and let me get on with my day now you've dragged me from my bed." She lifted a hand and rubbed at her eyes.

"Very well. You have inherited Buttercup Farm and it's contents. There is also a bank account with a small balance which I will disclose once you have formally proven your identity."

"Are you serious?"

Garth looked over at her, his shoulders raised in question. She shook her head and turned away.

"I did send you paperwork last week but I didn't receive a reply, hence the follow up phone call today." The solicitor’s bristling attitude irritated her.

A pile of unopened mail sat on the cluttered kitchen counter and Sami screwed up her face. Out of habit she threw the next day's mail on top of the pile, dreading the bills inside the envelopes. The longer she ignored it, the larger the pile grew.

"Sorry. I've um... been a bit busy and haven't got around to opening the mail for a few days."

"Well I suggest you do that. I need signatures to transfer the bank account into your name. It would be significantly easier if you were here in town. Since you are not, I would appreciate it if you could go to the nearest courthouse and have a Justice of the Peace witness your identity and your signature where I have indicated. It might be best if you Express Post the papers back to me today. You have to decide what to do with the farm and the stock." There was silence for a few seconds. "If I might make a suggestion? There are interested parties if you should decide to sell the property. Would you like me to have it valued for you? I can arrange everything from this end if you would prefer."
"No, no. I need to think about this for a bit. I'll ring you back after I read your letter. Thanks for calling." Sami hung up and threw the phone onto the couch and dropped her head into her hands.

"What is it? Was the landlord after his rent again? Sami, tell me."

"No, Garth. It was a solicitor." A wobbly laugh rose in her throat. "It seems as though we had family after all, even though he's dead."

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INTERVIEW!!!!

1. Please tell us a little about yourself. - I live in the beautiful Hunter Valley wine region in Australia.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your book? - Actually when we moved down here from the desert. I knew I had to come uo with something when I saw the rolling green hills and manicured vineyards - so different from where we had spent the last eight years in the middle of the red desert.

3. When did the characters first pop into your head? - It didn't take long for Sami to make herself known to me. Mason took a little longer because I really wanted a different character for her to fall in love with. She is a fiery girl from the outback and he was a more cultered city guy. He needed to be just right and totally opposit to her.

4. Without giving away any spoilers, was the story always straight forward for you to write, or did it pop up any surprises along the way? - My characters always surprise me and these two gave me a couple of big surprises along the way.

5. Where do you like to write? - I have a beautiful old desk a friend gave me which is cluttered with my laptop, mail, research books and most importantly - my teapot and cup. I put my headphones on so I don't annoy anyone with my constant P!nk tunes and lose myself.

6. Do you read a lot? - Heaps but not as much as I would like.

7. Who are some of your favourite authors?- Nora Roberts, Deborah Harkness, Abbi Glines

8. And last but not least, have you any words of wisdom for aspiring writers out there? - If this is something you really want - don't give up. So many people do because it all seems too hard. I have this thing that annoys me and a lot of people may disagree. Writers block. I don't believe in it. Your brain works 24/7. The ideas coming to you may not be what you want or or like but getting down words, one sentance at a time is what writers do regardless of how hard it is. I always come back to this saying from the very determined Nora Roberts. "You can't fix a blank page."

About Ann B. Harrison:

Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reader has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing...and publication.

She lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog Hugo and fighting with her computer.

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