Thursday Reads: Sam's Temptation by VS Morgan

Today launches a new era for the blog. In an effort to bring more consistent features, I'll be posting at least two 'Thursday Reads' posts per month. These will be short reviews, and I'll stick to five topics. Finally, I'll rate the book- yes, no, or maybe. For my first ever Thursday Read I have Sam's Temptation by V.S. Morgan. 

Blurb: On a working vacation in Montana, Chef Gabi Inez’s schedule allows her to enjoy planned activities and hangout with her cousin and his new family. She’s not looking for love, but spending time with a hunky cowboy sounds perfect. Gabi works hard, but every girl needs some fun. What if flirting leads to something more? 

Sam Malone is the brains behind Blackbird, a guest and working ranch. Since his parents’ death, his sole purpose has been family and the ranch’s survival. Burned by love in the past, he avoids the distraction that comes with beautiful women. But what’s a cowboy to do when a sweet and sassy chef gets under his skin, only to be told by her overprotective cousin she’s off limits? 

Hero: Sam is definitely the nice, quiet guy who's really a freak behind closed doors. I really loved this cross between cowboy and geek as well. I can respect a guy who knows how to crunch numbers, has a love for Star Wars, and rides horses like a pro. He's also loyal to the core and believe in putting family first, until he meets Gabi.

Heroine: Gabi is a geek chef. Yep and I fell in love right away because I'm also a geek chef. I watch science fiction shows and spend plenty of time in the kitchen. 

Plot: Sam and Gabi are meeting again. This is the first time they've seen each other in over a year. While their reunion isn't based on their relationship with one another, it is a chance to rekindle an attraction that started with their first interaction. Business as usual is hard to stick to, especially since Sam and Gabi connect to each other like moths to a bright light. Also both Gabi and Sam have given up a lot over the years to pursue their own careers or help their families, this story is all about doing something for themselves for once. 

Setting: It's a Montana ranch. Whoo hoo! I love the great outdoors, especially in books because I don't have to deal with bugs, snakes, and wildlife in general. This setting is a ranch with plenty of fun, horses, and adventures. Due to the length there isn't a ton of exploring, but what is provided are clear cut descriptions that gave me perfect mind-images of Blackbird. I was also very envious of their outdoor bar-be-que grill. 

Sexual Performance: Sam and Gabi heat up the sheets and they don't believe in a closed door policy. There's a far amount of tension in the story as well and I was impressed with how Morgan heated up the pages to a fair simmer, but still left plenty of time for the hero and heroine to get together. Sometimes with short stories it's difficult to pace the relationship, including the intimacy, but Morgan does an excellent job of timing everything just right.   

Overall, I enjoyed this book and rate it a yes. If you like quick reads, fun characters, simmering tension, cowboys, and all-things-geek you can't go wrong with Sam's Temptation. I also hope that Morgan has plans for the other Malone brothers. There are still three more that need their own stories. Especially, Nate. 

Snag your copy: Decadent ~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ iTunes

New Release: Autumn's Kiss by Beth Barany et al. #sweetromance

I am so excited to announce this collection, available today, exclusively on Amazon. Beth Barany has a short story in this collection featuring Rose and Julien and is the continuation of their time-travel love story that began in Touchstone of Love. Congrats Beth! 

Blurb: Ten sweet stories of love. Ten great authors. Ten ways to celebrate Autumn.

Falling in love is timeless. From a sexy medieval stonemason to a small town shopkeeper - Regency England to Napa Vineyards, this selection of Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal and Time-Travel short romance stories is sure to capture your heart.

AUTUMN VOWS. Patricia Kiyono. Contemporary
For 30 years, busy wife and mother Yolanda Murray pushed aside her career for family. With the kids grown now, it’s her turn. But her husband Craig needs surgery, and his worries extend far beyond his health issues. Will this couple survive the changes in the autumn of their lives?

CAROUSEL MAGIC. LaVerne St. George. Contemporary.
For Thomas Martin, feelings don't get in the way of business. As the new owner of an amusement park, he's determined to replace the old carousel with video games. Mayor Ginger Fairchild is equally determined to save the vintage carousel. Can the carousel's magic touch two more hearts?

THE FALL APPLES AND MR. CRAIGSON. Kathy Bosman. Contemporary
Trina knows most men are out for her money, so a fantasy rich husband acts as her shield. She hires attractive Seth Craigson to cut down unwanted trees, certain he won’t discover her secret. As Trina's heart leans toward Seth, he sees past her lie. Does he accept her for herself or see only her wealth?

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN. Beth Barany. Paranormal/Time Travel
Sexy Medieval stonemason Julien relies on his fiancée Rose to adapt to 21st century life and struggles to find his place in modern times. Holding down two jobs to support her and Julien in expensive San Francisco, software expert Rose has no time for romance. A weekend getaway may provide just the spark these time-crossed lovers need.

A HARVEST OF HOPE. Debby Lee. Historical
After putting away a crooked bootlegger, Meggie and Luke Preston set out for California, hoping for a second chance at life. When their past catches up with them, Meggie must find the courage to face the issues that have driven a wedge into her marriage... or she may lose everything.

THE LONELY SHOPKEEPER. Cindy Flores Martinez. Contemporary
Lately, Judy has been too busy for love. Running a small business in her hometown occupies all of her time. When she meets Graham, a visitor from Scotland, it's chemistry at first sight--and impossible. He's not here to stay. She's not willing to move. What will happen when they fall in love?

RUNAWAY LOVE. Nicole Zoltack. Historical
After harvesting his crops, the last thing Corin Jannings expects is rescuing a woman tossed from a runaway horse. A woman who can't remember who she is. She's highborn, obviously, so it's only a matter of time before someone comes for her. And since she's a lady, Corin cannot dare risk falling for her.

SOFT BURGUNDY NIGHTS. Ruth Roberts. Contemporary
For the first time since she was abandoned, Jessica Rayne has a real home and her dream job as manager of Marchetti Vineyard. After ten years, Rafaele Marchetti has returned from New York, still bitter over his father's mistakes. Rafaele may take away everything Jessica's worked for… or make her dreams of love come true.

VIKING FOR HIRE. Jo Grafford. Historical
Branwyn O’Tyre is convinced her estranged brother plans to arrest her for witchcraft, so she drinks a protection potion before he arrives. A Viking sea captain, living under a curse, witnesses her magic and offers her an escape if only she will help him. The hitch? If she fails, Branwyn's heart will be his forever.

THE WITCHING WELL. Kristy Tate. Time Travel
Celia Quinn holds Jason West responsible for the demise of her grandmother's dress shop, so when she takes a sip of water from the witching well and is transported back to Regency England, Jason West is the last person she wants to see--or kiss.

Get your copy today on Amazon! 

Blog Tour: Promise Me This by Christina Lee #giveaway #spotlight

Blurb: A new love will test the boundaries of passion between a privileged boy next door and the tattooed, blue-haired girl who helps him embrace his wild side...

Nate has developed quite a playboy reputation around campus. It's not that he doesn't respect or trust women; he doesn't trust himself. The men in Nate’s family are prone to abusive behavior—a dirty secret that Nate’s been running from his entire life—so Nate doesn't do relationships. But he can’t help himself around one girl…

Jessie is strong, independent, and works at a tattoo parlor. Nate can’t resist getting close to her, even if it’s strictly a friendship. But it doesn't take long for Nate to admit that what he wants with Jessie is more than just friendly.

With Jessie, he can be himself and explore what he’s always felt was a terrifying darkness inside him. Even when Nate begins to crave her in a way that both shocks and horrifies him, Jessie still wants to know every part of him. Testing their boundaries together will take a trust that could render them inseparable… or tear them apart.

Want a Copy: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Author Bio: Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job. 

Find her on: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Cover Reveal: If You Can't Stand The Heat by Taryn Kincaid

Blurb: 

Derek Dunne is a Cordon Bleu-trained food critic for the prestigious New York Monitor, whose scathing review of a popular Italian bistro has driven away all but the most loyal neighborhood patrons.

Lucrezia Serafina DiCicco is a clumsy business school drop-out, working as a chef and scrambling to keep her family's restaurant afloat, after her father develops diabetes and is banned from his kitchen for his own good.

Now, with The Monitor folding, Derek is searching for his next career path and longing to get back to his first love—cooking—while Lu is desperate for an influx of cash to save the struggling restaurant…even as her father puts his foot down about non-family employees.

Derek and Lu embark on a marriage of inconvenience to save the restaurant. But can Lu ever really trust the man who nearly destroyed her family, once noted her initials spelled “LSD,” and her food was like a “bad trip?”

Or will it be their hearts on the chopping block? 

Coming February 25, 2014 from Fated Desires Publishing!

Author Bio: Taryn Kincaid is a former award-winning reporter and columnist, covering everything from fires and homicides, to corrupt politicians and hero dogs. Nowadays, she haunts courthouses. Taryn reads all genres and writes erotic paranormal, contemporary and historical romance.

She is the author of the Sleepy Hollow series--LIGHTNING,THUNDER,FROST,HEAT WAVE and IN FROM THE COLD -- sexy paranormal romances for Decadent Publishing's popular 1Night Stand series; BLIZZARD, a short erotic romance for Decadent's The Edge line; HEALING HEARTS, a Regency romance from Carina Press, and SLEEPY HOLLOW DREAMS, an erotic paranormal romance from The Wild Rose Press. Books 1-4 of her Sleepy Hollow series, plus BLIZZARD, have been compiled in the SLEEPY HOLLOW edition, available in paperback and digital formats.

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

Blog Tour: Rescued by Felice Stevens

Book Blurb: Ryder Daniels has spent the last year recovering from rejection: his parents couldn’t accept his sexuality and his lover chose drugs over his love. The only bright lights in his life are his younger brother and his rescued pit bull. But now his mother's punishment for his lifestyle has cut him off from his brother he loves so deeply. Devastated, he throws himself into the work of the Pit Bull Foundation he and his friends started.

Jason Mallory can no longer hide the dissatisfaction of his relationship with his longtime girlfriend. When her marriage ultimatum pushes him to break things off, he's determined not to jump into the dating scene. But when a group of injured pit bulls are found on his construction site, he can’t forget the guy who shows up to help.

After Jason adopts one of the dogs, he and Ryder become fast friends—until one night, Ryder lets down his guard and Jason recognizes his desire. Soon, they can’t deny the passion between them but will family differences and ugly prejudices keep them apart, or can they fight to prove that love is precious, no matter the flavor?

What People are saying about Rescued:

Via Barnes and Noble ~ Dogs + Romance = A Fantastic Read! Felice Stevens is a new author and I loved her writing style. I was hooked on page one and stayed hooked to the end. This a m/m romance full of love and discovery and I enjoyed every minute.

Excerpt: 
The pulse of the music pounded into Ryder’s brain. Why he allowed Connor and Emily to drag him here, he couldn’t say. They meant well, but he had no desire to chat up some random guy to have hurried sex in a bathroom stall or a dark hallway.

“Come on, let’s get some drinks. This place looks like it could be fun.” Connor pushed him toward the large glittering bar, waving at the shirtless bartender to get his attention. “Two beers, my man, with lime, and one Sea Breeze.” He grinned, and Ryder saw the bartender wink and smile at his friend.

“Another conquest, Con.” Poor guy would be sad to know Connor was here with his wife. And not into threesomes. Ryder accepted the mixed drink from his friend and passed it to Emily. She stood, facing the dance floor, enthralled by the men dancing, the light show, or both. “Em, here, take your drink.”

“Thanks.” Her hand reached out, but her gaze remained fixed on two men out on the floor. Their bodies were sinuously entwined, arms and lips pressed together. To Ryder, they looked hot, wild, and sexy as fuck.

“They are so free and beautiful, aren’t they?” He had to bend down to hear her. “I can’t see how anyone could think this is wrong.”

A tight little grin thinned his lips. “Well, obviously my parents do, since they have no desire to ever see me again unless I become ‘normal’ in their eyes.” He gulped half his beer, licking his lips afterward.

Connor draped an arm over his shoulder. “Screw ’em, I say. You’re doing nothing wrong. Live your life and find some happiness. We’ll always be here for you. You know that, right?” His friend’s arm tightened around his shoulder as Ryder nodded.

“They’ll come around one day, Ryder. You have to believe that. In the meantime, find someone to share your dreams with.” Ryder watched his friend’s gaze flicker over to Emily, who returned his look with her sweet smile. “It’s no good to be alone, man. It sucks the soul out of you.” Connor took his wife’s empty glass and placed it on a mirrored shelf next to where they were standing. “Now I’m going to dance with my wife, and I want you to find someone to dance with.” He took Emily’s hand and pulled her onto the floor.

Ryder chuckled and took another swallow of his beer. When he finished, he looked to put his bottle down, but instead caught the eye of a man who stood watching him. He recognized that look. It was one of heat, desire, and the need to get down and dirty as fast as possible. His groin responded, but he ignored it and instead returned to the bar to get another beer.

It took a while to make his way to the front of the bar and catch the bartender’s attention to order a drink. A large palm pressed against the small of his back. “Why did you turn away from me?” The voice murmured in his ear, sending tingles up his spine while a hard body pressed him into the wooden railing of the bar. An impressive erection nestled into the crease of his ass. He could feel the heat pouring off the man’s body.

Ryder froze. He took his change from the bartender, then spoke. “You need to take your hands off me.”

“Come on, I only wanted to talk and maybe get to know you better.” The man moved closer, rubbing himself against Ryder’s ass. In another minute the guy would be humping him in public.

That did it. Snarling, Ryder whipped around to face him. “I said back the fuck up, man.”

The stranger was extremely handsome. European, Ryder surmised, with a pale complexion, dark hair and eyes, and a full, sexy mouth that hinted at all things wicked. His six-foot-plus frame was clothed in an expensive suit, which did little to hide his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The thin shirt he wore pulled against the muscles of his chest, and Ryder could see the hard nipples poking through the silky fabric. Heat blazed in his glittering black eyes.

“I noticed you as soon as you walked in, so beautiful with your golden hair and skin and those bright blue eyes like a summer sky.” He licked his lips, drawing Ryder’s attention once more to their fullness. “I like your mouth too. I watched you drink your beer and wished your lips were wrapped around my cock instead of that bottle. Imagine, a grown man being jealous of a bottle.”

Ryder sucked in his breath. He’d never been so blatantly seduced. In his mind he pictured this man stripped bare, pale body, glowing damp with perspiration, draped over Ryder’s own naked flesh. If he wanted, he knew he could take him, lead him to the back, and have him on his knees within minutes. Ryder imagined sliding his zipper down, pulling out his dick, and stuffing the man’s sexy, full mouth.

Sex with a stranger, in a club. How predictable and fucking depressing.

Finishing his second beer, he reined in his temper. “I don’t like people touching me unless I give them permission first.” He leaned closer, catching a whiff of the man’s cologne, mixed with the faint aroma of tequila and sweat. “And I didn’t give you”--Ryder touched the man’s nose with his fingertip--“permission to touch me.”

A groan burst forward from the man’s mouth as he closed his eyes. Ryder took the opportunity to escape and join his friends on the dance floor. Emily slipped her arm around his waist. “What was that all about, sweetie? He looked hot and totally into you.”

Ryder shrugged and swayed his body to the music as he danced with his friends. “Nothing and nobody. Someone looking for a fuck buddy for the night.” The music changed, and he made a face. “I hate this song. Come on, let’s get another drink.” He grabbed her hand, pushing his way off the dance floor, Connor trailing behind them, grumbling about rude friends.

“I’ve got this round, Connor. What’ll it be?” It was so tight by the bar they overlapped shoulders. Connor, touchy-feely bastard that he was, clasped the back of Ryder’s neck, resting his hand there.

“Get me another beer and Em another Sea Breeze.”

He’d given the bartender his order when he came face-to-face with the man he’d left before. Only this time the sexy mouth was sneering, and his handsome face twisted in an ugly grimace.

“So you let this pretty boy touch you, but you disappear on me?” His anger had Ryder taking a step back, forcing Connor to grasp him around the neck. The man’s eyes flashed. “He came with a woman. I saw. You like it three way, maybe? I can arrange for that.” He stepped in closer, and Ryder knew he had to get out of there.

“I’m out.” He spoke over his shoulder to Connor. “See you tomorrow.” Ryder pushed past the man and hustled out of the club. The cold wind bit through his shirt. Shit, he forgot his jacket inside. He texted Connor to get it from the coat check and take it with him when he left. There was no way in hell he was going back in there. Hailing a cab was simple, and within minutes he was hurtling down Broadway back home. Another disaster. Letting his head fall back on the headrest, he closed his eyes, and as always when he was alone and depressed, his thoughts turned to his former lover, Matt.

Was the man even alive, or had the path he’d chosen--drugs over his love--sent him to an early grave? What a waste of life. Matt had been so vibrant and healthy when they’d first met at the gym. But his easygoing, California-surfer-dude mentality hid a dark side. Drugs had always been prevalent in the music industry, but Matt wasn’t into weed. He was into the hard stuff--heroin. Ryder begged him to get help, to go to rehab, but his boyfriend insisted he didn’t have a problem. Working for an Internet radio station gave him easy access to all the drugs he could ever want.

The last ugly episode, when Ryder came home to find Matt passed out with a needle on the floor, would remain forever scalded in his brain. Never in his life had he been so scared as he was at that moment.

“Matt, Matt.” His earsplitting screams had no effect on his unconscious lover. Waiting for the ambulance to arrive, Ryder thought he’d go mad. He tried slapping Matt, pushing him, anything to rouse him out of his stupor. But Matt remained unmoving.

Three days later in the hospital, still looking like shit, Matt tried to joke it off. “Come on, dude, it wasn’t so bad. I promise I’ll cut back.” He grinned that wide-open smile that before had always melted Ryder’s heart.

Not this time.

“I can’t do it anymore. You have to make the choice.”

Matt’s grin faded. “I don’t know, man. It makes me feel good. And life is about feeling good, you know?”

No, Ryder didn’t know. “I’m sorry, but no. I don’t want any part of it.” He stared at the man he thought he loved. Did he even exist anymore, or had the drugs leeched into him too deep to let go? Was he wrong, forcing him to choose? “Aren’t I enough to make you feel good?”

“If you loved me, you wouldn’t make me choose.” Matt’s face tightened in anger, and his brown eyes darkened. “But it’s no problem, dude. I’ll pick up my stuff and head over to Troy’s. He’s cool with me.”

Pain sliced through Ryder’s chest. He gasped. “Have you been sleeping with him?” Though they always practiced safe sex, he didn’t want to know his lover had cheated on him.

A sigh of relief escaped him when Matt shook his head. “Nah, man. Troy’s not gay. We’re friends.” His face softened. “I’m sorry, Ry. We had fun, though, right?”

Fun. That was all their year together meant to the man? Matt didn’t love him, never had. Ryder turned on his heel and left Matt’s room and the hospital.

He never saw Matt again.

The gruff voice of the cabbie interrupted his thoughts. “Hey, buddy. We’re here.”

Swiping his credit card, he tipped the driver, then took his receipt. He scrambled out of the cab, anxious to get inside and out of the cold night air. By the time he made it to the entrance, he was shivering. Clarence, the doorman, pulled open the door.

“Mr. Daniels, where is your coat? It’s freezing tonight, sir.”

Ryder chuckled. “Clarence, you’re like a mother hen. Connor has it, and I’ll pick it up tomorrow. I trust you had a nice holiday?” He pulled his keys out of his pocket.

The elderly, gray-haired doorman smiled. “Yes, all the grandchildren were there, and they kept my lap busy. I trust you had a nice holiday, sir?”

Ryder nodded and knew his strained smile didn’t fool the man. “Well, good night, Clarence.”

“Shane wanted me to tell you he walked Pearl and fed her tonight. He even stayed and played with her a bit. Good night, sir.”

“When you see him, tell him how much I appreciate it, please.” Ryder took the elevator to the sixteenth floor and was greeted by a whining Pearl. She hated being left alone. Ryder gave her some treats, drank two glasses of water, and after shedding his clothes, fell into bed. Within moments he was asleep, his arm around his dog.


Purchase Rescued at: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ AllRomance Ebooks

NEW RELEASE: Desired by Stacey Kennedy #giveaway

“Characters you care about in a fast-paced story . . . one heck of a sexy read!”—New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black

Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey are sure to love Desired, Stacey Kennedy’s latest seductive, electrifying novel of Club Sin, where fantasy becomes reality.
 
Kyler Morgan, Master at the legendary Club Sin in Las Vegas, knows how to give women what they want—too well. He hasn’t had a real challenge in a long time. Then Ella Snow enters his life. Beautiful, inhibited, and innocent in the ways of submission and domination, Ella is the new blood he’s been lusting after. Soon, the thrill of training her to embrace his world brings forth desires Kyler cannot control.
 
After ending an abusive relationship, Ella makes a promise to herself to start living life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons she seeks out Club Sin. Here, Kyler’s every touch is a lesson in liberation, stirring passions that have no bounds. But as she falls under Kyler’s command, Ella discovers that some secrets are so dark they must come to light. Submission alone may not be enough to save her, leaving her Master with only one question: How can he help Ella heal while unlocking the deep pleasures she craves?
 
Desired is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Buy links:

Amazon ~Barnes and Noble ~More buying options  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy. 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Loveswept website 

Cover Reveal: A Different Class by Leigh Ellwood

Another cover reveal for an upcoming 1Night Stand from Decadent Publishing. It's definitely hot!

Not everybody is looking forward to the FDR High Class of 2004 reunion. A courtesy call to a disgruntled alum leaves Glenn Carson shaken and saddened that anybody would let old memories fester into anger. He hopes to ease the frustration of planning the reunion with a relaxing and passionate 1 Night Stand.

Known as “Mumbles” to former classmates, Rod Maloney would prefer to focus on the present, and his successful business. Past tragedies continue to haunt him, however, and he wants Madame Eve to find him a man to show him a hot time and help him forget his troubles.

He doesn’t expect, in a way, he’s going to a reunion after all.

To learn more about this book and her other work visit Leigh at: 

http://www.leighellwood.com

http://twitter.com/LeighEllwood

http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com

Top 5 Live Bands via Catherine Peace #ReleaseDay #Giveaway

This book is hawt, hawt, hawt! I won't say more then that because I could easily wax poetic about Cate's writing prowess and talents. For me this 1NS hits a lot of awesome spots for me.

What's Complete Me about? .

Best-selling romance author Claire Ergleston confines her passions to the pages of her books. When she receives a 1Night Stand date ‘to give her something to talk about in interviews,’ can she let herself be swept away?

A rock star who needs to let go….

The past has a chokehold on former rock star Ty Krause. Instead of killer tunes, he kills time writing passable songs for a British boy band and his nights wishing he had the balls to say goodbye. In a last ditch effort, he signs up for 1Night Stand, thinking that a night of no-strings-attached sex will help him break the leash of his past.

From the moment Claire and Ty meet, sparks fly—but can they overcome their pasts or will their potential love story end on a sour note? 

This book is all about the music and I'm a music lover something fierce. I'm rocking a few tunes from The Script right now. So I've asked the lovely Cate if she can some of her favorite live bands. Here's her top 5! 

Music lover that I am, I try to go to concerts whenever possible, and there are a few bands that always catch my eye when they’re anywhere near me. There’s something about being with a crowd, singing/shouting/screaming the lyrics to your favorite songs. Here the top five that I always catch whenever they’re nearby.

Chicago – I’d be remiss if I didn’t see Chicago any and every time I could, especially since so much of Complete Me revolves around the band. Definitely one of the best shows you can see.

Deftones—A bit different from Chicago, but one of my all-time favorites. Chino’s voice can be magical.

Motley Crue—Learning that one of the best rock bands of all time is retiring has broken my heart, but I’ve seen them twice and will see them again in October on their farewell tour. If you can catch them, GO.

Earth, Wind, and Fire—This is easily one of my favorite plans to see live. Every time, it’s a party. Vibrant, fun, amazing, and always well worth it.

>

Avenged Sevenfold—I saw them for the first time last year, and I will try to go every time they’re remotely nearby. It’s 1 part M. Shadows’ Texas and 1 part the unbelievably awesome crowd participation.

Now that you've properly been introduced to copious amounts of good music you need to enter Cate's giveaway. To celebrate her newest release, Complete Me, she's got a Music Lover's Giveaway—$25 iTunes gift card, a free copy of the book, and a Complete Me-inspired t-shirt of your choice! 

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Book Spotlight #New Release + Giveaway: Midwife to Destiny by Nana Prah

I'm so excited to have Nana Prah on my site today. I love stories set in other countries, and this one is definitely worth a read. Usually, I'm all about the hot and sexy, but a sweet romance is a perfect escape from my usual reads.

Want to know more?

Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.

Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again.

They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?  

Where can you get a copy? 

Amazon | Decadent |ARe | Barnes & Noble

Who is the fabulous Nana Prah? 

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

As a special treat Nana is giving commenters a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Audio Book Release: Rock Star Ex by Jewel Quinlan

You can now find it on Audible, Amazon and iTunes

Written by: Jewel Quinlan

Listening Time: 3 hrs and 6mn

Narrated by: Josh Goodman

Blurb:

Social media consultant, Eve Everett, is less than thrilled when her business partner hooks them up with a job covering celebrity rock band Arsenal.  Their new lead singer, Devon Quinn, is the man who broke her heart five years ago.  But there’s no way Eve can turn down the assignment. It’s the big break their fledgling company needs. 

To boost Arsenal’s social media presence the band’s manager wants intimate coverage, especially of Devon,  which means traveling with the band  in their tour bus while they promote their new album.  It’s not long before Devon tries to rehash the past but Eve would rather leave it buried where it is.

When Eve is asked to be part of a music video, she decides it’s a great opportunity to reap some revenge by showing Devon what he’s missing. But soon she’s the one losing control. Will Devon once again claim her heart as well as her body?

Excerpt:

“It’s good to see you again, Eve,” he said softly so the others wouldn’t pick up on it.  He knew she wouldn’t want to hear it.  It couldn’t be helped, but it just had to be said.

            Her head snapped up, eyes wide.

            “That’s what I wanted to say the other night, but you didn’t give me a chance.”

            Big mistake. 

            Her eyes narrowed.  “I didn’t give you a chance?  Then I’d say we’re even.”

            “Look, Eve, things didn’t happen the way you’re thinking.  It wasn’t like that.”  He set the bottom of Tommy’s guitar on the floor, his hand on the neck, and leaned closer in to talk to her.

            “The way I’m thinking?” she repeated.  Standing up straight, she stuck one foot out to the side and said in a low hiss, “Look, Devon, the facts are the facts.  You left and I never heard from you again.  Not once.  It has nothing to do with the way I’m thinking.” 

            He tensed.  It was happening again.  She was misunderstanding him.  “No, look, that’s not what I mean, okay?”

            “Oh, then what do you mean?”  She cocked her head at him and waited.

            “It’s…it was hard on the road, to keep in touch with anyone, for a lot of reasons.  You don’t know what it was like.  I mean we were bouncing around from place to place, driving for long periods of time and then having to work until really late at night.  It was pretty much impossible to communicate.  Besides, you had no answering machine back then, remember?”

            She visibly puffed up.  “I see, so it’s my fault you couldn’t communicate with me?”

            “I’m not saying it was anyone’s fault, Eve.  Just that there was no way to call.”  He felt relieved.  He had finally been able to tell her, to explain.  Maybe now she would understand.  Well, when she calmed down at least.

            “And you couldn’t write a letter?”   She spoke quietly but the words dripped acid. 

            She had him there.  Even though she was several inches shorter he suddenly felt very small.  He looked down and stuck a hand in his pocket, not knowing what to say.  That was an even more complicated topic.

            Her cold eyes were on him.  The silence stretched on for another moment.  Before he could gather any other words to try to explain she turned and headed back up front, her ponytail slapping him in the face as she went.

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Author Bio

From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels.  She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.

For more information visit her website and blog or you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Guest Post +Release Day: Truth or Dare by Elizabeth Morgan

I so excited to be hosting fellow Decadent Publishing Author Elizabeth Morgan. She's discussing how she got started in writing, and the rise from the ever dreaded slush pile. Not to mention find out about her latest release: Truth or Dare

Although, I have been writing on and off since childhood, it wasn’t until I was studying Musical Theatre in college that I really started to get into it on a serious note. We often got assignments that involved us writing scripts as a group. Having to do this for college, I started to play about with my own ideas and produce my own work.

After reading one of my plays a friend suggested to me that I try writing a book as I could add as much detail as I wanted in to it. (She mainly suggested this, because I had gone and wrote a huge amount of background for both the world and the characters, and naturally to some degree, it wouldn’t be needed for a play.)

A year – and tons of other stuff later – I decided I would give it ago and sat down and started planning a book. It took me nine months to complete, and then after letting a few friends read it I ripped it to shreds and began re-writing it again. (That book was Cranberry Blood. My Urban Fantasy which I am re-releasing this summer along with its prequel She-Wolf.)

I think I got about roughly 60 rejections for the first three stories I wrote before being offered my first contract. Sadly the company shut down, and I found myself back at square one, but what can I say? I was determined that someone would like my stories, and I was right, February 2011 I got a contract offer for my modern fairy-tale re-telling of Rapunzel, Razel Dazzle, which was published in May 2011. (Razel Dazzle has since be self-published and re-released, and is available to buy from most online retailers.)

Since then I’ve had seven books published – I’ve had the rights to the three mentioned above, along with two others reverted back to me, either by request, or due to one of my publishing companies shutting down. All books have been, or will be re-submitted or self-published – and today: book number eight has released.

Truth or Dare? Is a naughty little erotic romance story that I whipped up after being inspired by a scene from the Big Bang Theory. (The scene where Lenard and Penny are drinking tequila? Yeah, that’s the scene. ;-P)

Ooh, now I've never watched the Big Bang Theory, but if it's that inspirational then maybe I should give it a shot, after I read this book.

Do you dare tell the truth?

A tequila fuelled game of Truth or Dare is not Dani’s idea of fun, but when Cameron, the jerk who rejected her a year ago is the one provoking her into playing, how can she say no? Not that he’s giving her the option in the first place.

Bravado compels her forward, but when the dares get physical and their friends leave them alone, Cameron’s questions turn to her feelings for him, and unfortunately, lying is not part of the game.

Will a dare give Dani the courage she needs to tell Cameron the truth?

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Author Info:

Elizabeth started life wanting to be an actress because she loved entertaining people. She enjoyed nothing more than being able to make people laugh and to help distract them from reality for a few hours.

She studied Musical Theatre in college, but during her second year, her mind started to overflow with story ideas, so she began writing plays. Slowly, over the following three years, she was writing more and more, channelling every ounce of her imagination into the written word.

Now here she is, years later, hiding away like a hermit in her little cottage in Cheshire, England, writing like crazy and loving every minute of it.

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