Guest Post: Holly Hood - Wingless Series

Holly Hood - Wingless: Misery's Company

• Pub Date: August 26, 2013
• Publisher: Createspace
• Format: Paperback/Ebook, 290 pages
• Age Range: Young Adult

How do you learn to love death when you’re so afraid of it?

What if the one person you love the most is taken away from you? What would it take to move on? Who would you run to? And what would it take to feel alive again?

Eve Cardwell has lost everything: her brother Marcus, her sense of security and her ability to believe that life is worth living. Another day drinking in the woods should be no different than any other day.

But, it turns out living life dangerously can be just that. And she should be dead.

He saves her. Saves her from herself, from everything she is trying to run away from. She will learn to feel again, even if it’s the last thing she ever wants to do.

How do you put the pieces back together? Would you run to the one person you should be running away from?

5 Things My Character Can't Resist

All my characters are unique. I spend a lot of time on each of them. If they are a big part in my book they are there for a reason. I put my characters through a lot of abuse, so for that they must be the kind of people that can take it. So, for my guest post I thought writing about the five things that my characters can’t resist would be a good introduction to me, Holly Hood.

Before I start, I would like to take the moment to introduce myself. My name is Holly Hood, yes that is my real name. Thanks to my husband I didn’t have to search out a pen name.

I write dysfunctional love stories. That’s what I do.

Okay, so five things that my characters can’t resist.

1. Being horribly honest.
My characters have the kinds of mouths that get them in trouble. They say what they are thinking and most times it’s not what anyone wants to hear. If they aren’t saying it out loud they are thinking it. And sometimes the truth hurts all that are involved.
2. Getting involved with the wrong kind of guy/girl.
Maybe they didn’t get enough hugs when they were little. Leave it to my characters to involve themselves with the most dysfunctional guy or gal in the room. They love it, and it makes for some good stories later on.
3. Pissing the readers off.
My characters have a bad habit of doing all the wrong things and realizing what the right thing was and waiting until it’s too late. They shatter lives, they love the wrong guy and they run from the one they should be running to. It’s what they do. *shrugs*
4. Having great sex.
It’s pretty self-explanatory. My characters are a bunch of horn dogs. They weave sex filled webs made of naked limbs and cheap lingerie as they tear through the scene. The sex is hot; they know it and they aim to please.
5. Making someone cry
There have been many times I have been contacted because of the tears someone shed because of one of my characters. And I think that is a great thing. Emotionally powerful stories are the best kind to read.

So there you have it ladies and gentleman. Five things about my characters. I hope you enjoyed my guest post. And I hope you take a chance and read one of my books. Thanks so much!!

Holly is a wife and mother of four. In her spare time she enjoys writing paranormal romance. Writing has been a passion since eleven years old.She enjoys watching reality TVand is addicted to good music.Holly loves to laugh and believes the key to a good life is never taking yourself too seriously.

Find Holly:

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Book Highlight: Tellulah Darling - My Date From Hell

Title: My Date From Hell by Tellulah Darling

Genre: Young Adult

Series: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy, #2

Sophie Bloom’s junior year has been a bit of a train wreck. After the world’s greatest kiss re-awakened Sophie’s true identity as Persephone (Goddess of Spring and Savior of Humanity), she fought her dragon-lady guidance counselor to the death, navigated mean girl Bethany’s bitchy troublemaking, and dealt with the betrayal of her backstabbing ex, Kai (sexy Prince of Darkness). You’d think a girl could catch a break.



Yeah, right.



With Zeus stepping things up, it’s vital that Sophie retrieve Persephone’s memories and discover the location of the ritual to stop Zeus and Hades. So when Aphrodite strikes a deal that can unlock Sophie’s pre-mortal past, what choice does the teen goddess have but to accept?



The mission: stop media mogul Hermes from turning Bethany into a global mega-celebrity. The catch? Aphrodite partners Sophie and Kai to work together … and treat this suicide mission as a date. Which could work out for Sophie’s plan to force Kai to admit his feelings for her–if she doesn’t kill him first.



Add to that the fact that BFF Theo’s love life and other BFF Hannah’s actual life are in Sophie’s hands, and suddenly being a teenager—even a godlike one—seems a bit like … well, hell. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?



The YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology fireworks continue to fly in My Date From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book two of this teen fantasy romance series. Breaking up is easy; dating is deadly.

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Aphrodite
pointed her gun at me again, kind of casually. “Your problem is you’re too hung
up on the past. You gotta move forward with yer life.”

I heard
Hannah give a smothered laugh.

“You got
this cutie pie in love with ya, and instead of enjoying his company, all you do
is whine.” With a quick flick, Aphrodite opened the cylinder to reload.

“He’s not
in love,” I said.

She peered
at Kai. “Whattya talkin’ about? Sure he is. Everyone knows Kyrillos
loves Persephone.”
       “I’m Sophie,” I ground out.

She waved
the gun around. “Ya ya. That too.”

That too?
I took a deep breath, folded my fingers over my palms and looked slightly to the
left of her in case I accidentally started blasting. Didn’t want to go down in history
as the girl who killed the Goddess of Love.

“Nope. It’s
just desire,” I said with faked calm. “Kai is so resistant to the idea of being
in love with me that your arrows don’t work. Besides which, when he actually does
fall so hard for me that he doesn’t know which way is up, I want him to know he
chose that of his own free will. That he chose me.” I threw him a sweet smile.

“Chose you?”
Kai got this look of “have we had this conversation before?” on his face. My smile
got tight.

Aphrodite
scooped up a saclike pink purse laying on the ground. She rooted around in
it. “Desire is part of romantic love, silly,” she said to me.

She pulled
out a handful of bullets and dumped them in Festos’ hurriedly outstretched hands
before turning back to Kai. She gestured with the still-open chambered revolver
toward him. “Your body knows what’s what. Stop fighting it.”

Kai glowered
at her.

She laughed
it off, reloading. “And you,” Aphrodite said to me, as she plucked more bullets
from Festos’ hand to load into the chamber. “Yer just as bad with your own issues.”

She couldn’t
know about my insecurities around Persephone could she? Aphrodite narrowed her eyes
at me.

I gulped.

Aphrodite
shot me a look of disgust and popped the final bullets into the chambers. She gestured
at each of us in turn with one pink, sparkly manicured finger. “I’m gonna start
gettin’ real mad about how youse is all dealin’ with love.”

“There’s
a whole bunch of drags around here where love is concerned,” Festos agreed.

“Thanks
so much for inviting him along,” Theo said to me.

I grimaced
an apology at Theo, then shot back at Festos, “Seems there’s a whole bunch of dogs
here, too.” I looked between him and Kai.

“Oh don’t
forget Pierce,” Festos replied cheerfully. “He’s a total mimbo.” “He is not,” Hannah
defended. “He’s pure love.”

Aphrodite
threw her a fond smile. “I like you, girlie.” “Love in name, hormones in game,”
Theo countered. “Look at us all in agreement,” Festos replied.

“No, because
you’re talking about lust,” I protested.

“Lust is
pretty good too,” Aphrodite said, “but it ain’t nothin’ like the real thing.” She
clicked the cylinder into place and looked at me. “We got a deal? You’ll get Jack
to kill the campaign?”

“You’ll
undo the love thing?” I asked.

“Nope. You
could do with a little love in your life. Kyrillos is obviously brimming with love
for ya now,” she ignored Kai’s snort, “so you’re gonna enjoy it.”

“Meaning
what?” I asked.

“A date,”
Kai piped up. “I’d say I’m ready now.” He arched an eyebrow as if to say “ball’s
in your court.”

“I think
it’s a great idea,” I slid my arm around his waist and pressed myself up against
his side.

A look of
surprise flashed across his face. “Perfect.”

I could
outdate him any place, any time. I brightened. This was going to be fun. The touching
part wasn’t a downside either.

“The fate
of the world does dee-pend on you loving each other,” Aphrodite said. “So, good.
We’ll start with a date.”

“Still say
it’s a euphemism,” Festos burst out. “And Kai doesn’t date.”

Kai snaked
his arm around my waist before pressing his fingertips into my hip. “Never wanted
to before. Sophie’s the exception.”

“The euphemistic
exception?” Festos asked. “Shut up,” Kai and I fired at him in tandem.

Festos took
it in stride, waggling his eyebrows cheerfully at Theo who pretended to look disapproving
but totally wasn’t. Even Hannah didn’t bother to hide her smile.

“Only thing
is,” I told Aphrodite, “I have to be back at school by Sunday morning. I have a
meeting I can’t miss. So I’ll have to get this thing with Jack done quickly to have
time for the date.”

“Going together
to find Hermes is the date.” Aphrodite looked at me like I was an idiot.
“You two need as much together time as possible.”

No way.
I needed all my wits about me to handle Kai. Something that couldn’t happen if I
had to track down Hermes at the same time. I tried a new tactic. “A date involves
dinner and a movie. Something romantic. Finding Hermes hardly counts.”

She pinned
me in her gaze. “Had so miny of them, Miz Expert? All a date is, is two people spendin’
time to deepen their attraction.”

“Or kill
it,” Hannah piped up.

Aphrodite
scrunched up her nose. “Huh?”

“There are
far more first dates than second,” Hannah explained. “Which means that after spending
time, those people realized they were not a match.”

“What she
said,” I seconded.

Aphrodite
narrowed her eyes at Hannah. “I don’t get ya. You talk like that but you’re so brim
up with love.”

“I’m a confounding
enigma,” Hannah replied cheerfully.

Aphrodite
threw her hands up. “Enough’a this nonsense. You’ll go together to find Hermes.
And you’ll be date-like doin’ it.”

That sounded
like a threat.

“Almost
like you planned it that way,” I said to Kai.

His smile
grew wider as he gave my waist a squeeze. “Told you I get what I want. Feel
free to let that sink in.”

Tellulah Darling



noun



1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.

2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.

3. Sassy minx.

Geeks out over: cool tech.



Squees for: great storytelling.

Delights in: fabulous conversation.

Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.



Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?

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Black Friday Extravaganza: SM Reine - Sacrificed in Shadow

S.M. Reine - Sacrificed in Shadow

• Pub Date: July 26, 2013
• Publisher: Red Iris Books
• Format: Paperback/Ebook, 326 pages
• Age Range: Adult

Lincoln Marshall is a small-town deputy with a very big problem. Six members of his church have been found dead, killed by a rogue werewolf. He'll have to make a deal with the Devil to save victims that have gone missing -- maybe literally.

Elise Kavanagh, preternatural investigator and exorcist, is the expert when it comes to violent deaths at the jaws of evil. She's also the demon known as the Godslayer. Elise jumps at Lincoln's case, and it's not just because of his down-home charm. Someone's laid a trap for her in Northgate, and she wants to find out who.

She'll have to team up with Rylie Gresham, Alpha of the last surviving werewolf pack, to figure out who's trying to blame the murders on werewolves. Only together can they stop the killings -- and uncover the secrets buried in Northgate.

Buy the Book:

Amazon: http://amazon.com/dp/B00DYUMCPY

B&N: http://smarturl.it/bnsis 

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/sacrificedapple 

I’m an Air Force brat who was born in the midwest, lived overseas for a few years, and came back to the United States to settle down in beautiful, barren Nevada. I’ve known that I wanted to be a writer for almost my entire life, after I finally gave up on becoming a velociraptor, and I wrote my very first book when I was twelve.

When I’m not writing–which is seldom–I’m nose-deep in geek culture. I am insane about movies. My favorite part is arguing about them, because whatever opinion you have is definitely not as good as mine. I’m also a big dork for video games. My Steam library is a force to be reckoned with, and my favorite game of the week is Kerbal Space Program.

Other hobbies include tickling my son until he passes out from giggling, cuddling my army of black kitties, and eating the delicious Italian food my husband’s restaurant makes. I’m also a strict meatarian and eat bacon for two meals every day.

Find S.M.:

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Book Spotlight: MJ Fletcher - The League of Skull & Bones

MJ Fletcher - The League of Skull & Bones

Jess Grimm has the ability to travel to any dimension in the multiverse. There’s only one problem... it’s killing her.

Jess is a in a race against time to find a device that can slow the progression of the power inside her, but she isn’t alone. Others want her power, and they don’t care how they get, or if she is dead or alive when they do.

The only person willing to help her is the mysterious Ronan Sparrow a member of the League of Skull & Bones, one of the very groups that want her power. But what does Ronan want in return? Can Jess trust him or will she find herself alone with enemies on all sides?

The League of Skull & Bones, Book 1 of The Grimm Chronicles

Prologue

I wasn’t alone in the dark.

Snarls and growls surrounded me, running my blood cold. I moved my head from side to side, scrunching my eyes, trying desperately to catch sight of the beasts before they reached me. My crimson swords weighed so heavily in my hands that I felt as if I’d been fighting for what seemed like eternity.

Claws and fangs suddenly slashed out from the darkness and I did my best to defend myself, though in my heart I knew it was a losing battle. The beasts were overpowering me and soon I wouldn’t be able to stop them. No one was coming to save me. I was alone.

Talons slashed across my back and warm blood trickled down as pain shot across my spine. I stumbled and the beasts—I was sure—tasted victory. They moved in at me in waves. I spun my blades trying to battle the never-ending tide, trying to survive.

It was hopeless. For every monster I took down, another two took its place. I wanted to live, I wanted to fight, but the agonizing pain of my flesh being torn and sliced was too great to bear. I couldn’t go on. The jaws of one of the beasts clamped on my wrist, and I lost my grip on one of my swords. It fell from my hand and clattered to the ground and with it went my last vestige of hope.

Blood drained from my body and my vision faded. I would soon black out, and then the beasts would feast on me. A scream bubbled in my throat and my mouth fell open, but no sounds came out. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see my own death and hoped that darkness would take me before the beasts did.

I bolted out of bed, my mouth still open in a silent scream, and my sheets tangled around me soaked with sweat. I stood at the foot of my bed, my breathing coming in ragged gasps.

The nightmares came almost every night. I couldn’t escape them no matter how hard I tried. I yanked at the sheets, dragging them off me and tossing them back onto the bed.

I’d worn only an old t-shirt to bed, though now I wished I had worn more. I didn’t want to see my scars, didn’t want to be reminded yet again, but I couldn’t stop my fingers from tracing over the ugly scars that marked my arms and upper torso.

I walked from the top floor of my loft, down the stainless steel steps to the kitchen area. I yanked open the fridge and grabbed the container of milk and took a gulp. I placed it back in the fridge and slammed the door closed. I slipped down onto the couch that faced the large windows dotting the walls of my loft and sighed at the breathtaking view of Paris. It always calmed me.

My fingers mindlessly drifted over the scars on my arms. They were a reminder of the very real night I had been trapped in a nearly unwinnable fight. Monsters had surrounded me and had almost killed me. If it hadn’t been for my friends, I would have died.

But I hadn’t died, or had I? I was far from the girl I had once been. Once I was the prettiest girl in school, and the girl who had hit every club and had had a blast when she had moved to Paris. But after the vicious attack everything had changed, most of all me.

My fingers suddenly stopped, settling on the edges of identical tattoos on both my forearms. I glanced down at the image of a Skeleton Key. My scars refused to cross paths with the tattoos, as if they knew that they dared not go near them.

I slid my finger over the tattoo, and felt a buzz of power run through me. These unwanted tattoos were another reminder of something else entirely. But unlike my scar, I had chosen these.

The monsters may not have gotten me, but these tattoos were a different matter. They marked me for death.

I pulled my knees up into my chest and took a deep breath. Maybe I would wait here until dawn. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about any more nightmares or death that constantly stalked me.

I sat alone in the dark looking out on the City of Lights, awaiting the dawn and praying that I could keep death at bay and that I wouldn’t hear the sound of monsters.

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MJ Fletcher was born in New Jersey and now lives by the beach with his very understanding wife and daughter. He has been writing since he first stapled pages together as a child and called them a book. He finally realized his ambitions when his comic book series Adam Zero The Last Man of Earth was published by Ronin Studios. His other comic book work includes Digital Webbing Presents and The Hero Initiative. His first novel The Doorknob Society released in 2012 was nominated for a Cybil award in the young adult category. He has continued writing the Doorknob Society Saga his rollicking steampunk adventure series as well as working on numerous other writing projects.

website † twitter † facebook † goodreads

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey all. Mickey here. Just taking a minute to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads my blog, chats with me on Facebook and Twitter, and works with me in the book world. You all rock so hard. I love you all so much, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this community. I can't tell you enough how much you mean to me. My hope for today is that you are all enjoying this day with your families and friends. Take this day to remember the small things and be thankful for being alive and well.

A lot of my life is different now than it was last Thanksgiving. Since last year, I started my own freelance editing business and quit my day job. I've lost 45 pounds and changed my lifestyle around completely. I'm happier and healthier, and even though I know more changes are ahead, I am looking forward to each and every one. Thanks so much for being here with me on my journey. <3

PS - This is my 1000th blog post. HUGS!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Release Day: Rachel Brookes - Breathless

image from HEA BookShelf

Rachel Brookes - Breathless

• Pub Date: November 26, 2013
• Publisher: Rachel Brookes
• Format: Ebook, 134 pages
• Age Range: New Adult

One look from Savannah Rae was all it took for Tate Connors to fall.

From the first moment he laid eyes on her, his world was irrevocably shaken. He’s willing to accept that his life will never be the same again, but when she has to leave for New York the distance becomes more than either of them expected.

Tate is left alone with not only an empty bed but also a thousand thoughts running through his head. Insecurities soar as he wonders if he could ever really be the kind of man Savannah deserves.

When the demons of his past continue to threaten the future he so desperately craves, Tate knows he has to make the ultimate choice. Risk destroying his relationship and his family with one life changing decision, or gamble on fate and hope the past stays exactly that…the past.

Buy the Book

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Rachel Brookes is from a coastal town on the east coast of Australia where beaches, kangaroos and surfers roam free. She writes angsty love stories with a pinch of craziness, a dash of drama, a cup of romance and a spoonful of sexiness… oh and the main ingredient hot guys.

Rachel sometimes forgets to eat, sometimes forgets to sleep and sometimes can’t remember the last time she cleaned her apartment but that’s because she is in a long term relationship with her laptop and is constantly writing.

When she does step away from her laptop she can be found taking too many photos, making scrumptious cocktails, laughing at Adam Sandler movies and spending her time with her amazing family and friends.

Find Rachel:

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Blog Tour: Janna Jennings - A Grimm Legacy

Janna Jennings - A Grimm Legacy

• Pub Date: October 29, 2013
• Publisher: Patchwork Press
• Format: Paperback/Ebook, 302 pages
• Age Range: Young Adult

Enchanted castles and charming princes thought to exist only in stories come to life in this classically twisted fairy tale that combines the timeless quality of generations old folktales with the challenges of the modern world.

The woods of Elorium appear ordinary to Andi Grace, until birds start talking and elves answer doors. Along with three others, Andi has been whisked out of her world and finds herself the reluctant guest of the perplexing millionaire, Mr. Jackson—a stranger willing to help get them home, but who’s keeping secrets of his own.

Discovering unexpected family connections to this fairy tale land, the group must rely on each other as they dodge evil fairies and battle giants, intent on keeping them in Elorium.

Faced with characters short on whimsy and bent towards treachery, Andi, Quinn, Fredrick and Dylan are forced into fairy tale roles to find the way home. But in Elorium, happily ever after is never guaranteed.

Excerpt from A Grimm Legacy

by Janna Jennings

Stories below, the center of the castle opened into an enormous atrium. Balconies identical to the one Fredrick stood on spiraled around the open space, drawing the eye to a riot of color and sound. Hundreds of birds filled the space, all trying to out scream each other. Their songs echoing off the glass paneled walls created a sound like a waterfall.

Dotted among the rainforest of trees, ferns, and vines hung cages from every available branch, while more crowded for space on the floor. Tiny golden cages held delicate canaries, finches, chickadees, and sparrows. Tremendous wooden cages large enough for Fredrick to stand in were half hidden behind massive ferns. These held the larger birds—regal macaws, coral colored ibises, peacocks, and Fredrick thought he even saw a black eagle staring at him from her own cage suspended at eye level.

How would he ever find Quinn in all this? He looked for both Quinn and the old woman. He chuckled when he spotted the black cat that beat him into the atrium and perched among the cages in a tree, napping.
None of the staircases led directly to the ground floor, forcing Fredrick to follow the spiral of balconies down. He ducked under a hanging branch and peered into each smaller cage suspended from the trees carefully. There was no sign of Quinn.

He finally found a small dark bird hopping around and trilling in the company of a few finches.

Opening the door, the birds peeped in alarm and beat their wings frantically around the tiny space, trying to elude his hand. He hadn't realized she would be this difficult to catch, especially one handed, without crushing her against the side of the cage. He snagged one delicate clawed foot and dragged her through the cage door. As soon as his hand left the confines of the cage, the finches calmed down and satisfied themselves with chirping indignantly at him from behind the bars.

The tiny black bird flapped in frantic desperation, trying to free herself from Fredrick's grip. He pinned her wings to her sides and she settled until only the buzz of her heart gave away her anxiety. He brought up the flower and gently touched it to her head.

A faint POP sounded and the bird was gone, but a young woman with dark hair hiding her face sprawled at his feet. She looked disoriented as she cradled her head in both her hands.

Fredrick bent and touched her shoulder, "Quinn?"

The woman turned and peered into his face, confused. Then she screamed. Fredrick

staggered back several paces. This wasn't Quinn.

Janna is a Colorado based YA author who loves a good fairy tale. She’s married to her own real life Prince Charming, and will usually admit to being mom of three, including her incorrigible middle child.

She has a good deal of education in subjects that are somehow not related to writing, which includes a Masters in Education. Currently she teaches toddlers important life skills like which end of a spoon to use and that gluesticks are not for eating. They lack a few things that make a good literary critic, but she loves her students all the same.

Besides wrangling with kids Janna can be found doing some therapeutic baking, dreaming of the ocean, and of course, curling up with a good book.

Find Janna:

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Cover Reveal: Brittainy C. Cherry - Our Totally, Ridiculous, Made-Up Christmas Relationship

Brittainy C. Cherry - Our Totally, Ridiculous, Made-Up Christmas Relationship

Pub Date: December 17, 2013

All families have secrets, and Jules Stone’s is no exception. Deciding not to follow in her family's Oscar-winning footsteps, Jules chooses to take a more behind-the-scenes career in one of the Top 10 Talent Agencies in Chicago. After being dumped five hours before spending Christmas with her dysfunctional family, she needs a plan to avoid their judgmental eyes.

Enter: Kayden Reece.

Kayden is the black sheep of his family, being the one actor drowning in a world of doctors and lawyers. Never really getting a jumpstart at his acting career or landing a big time role, he can feel his dad’s disappointment soaking into his spirit.

When Kayden gets a chance to meet and sign with a big name agent at Walter and Jacks Talent Agency, he’s ready to prove everyone wrong. Jules stumbles into the building in shambles, ugly crying, and begging to pay an actor a big sum of money to be her made-up boyfriend for five days, Kayden jumps at the opportunity—finally able to say he landed a role.

When secrets start to unravel, Kayden and Jules must learn that all families have their baggage, sometimes co-stars fall in lust, and it’s important to always have invisible mistletoe hanging around.

This holiday season join the two fake lovebirds as they partake in the role of a lifetime.

Excerpt from Our Totally, Ridiculous, Made-Up Love Story

by Brittainy C. Cherry

When Kayden takes my hand, he pulls me up from my sob party for one and walks me over to the door. Placing my back against it, he takes my other hand into his. His proximity to my body is extreme and somewhat petrifying. The cold wood from the door touches the back of my neck, creating powerful shivers. He positions himself in front of me, his body demanding my attention. He’s at least six-foot-four, which makes me appear short at five-foot-eight. Is he going to kiss me? Because I’m not going to kiss him. I don’t even know you!

“I’m not going to kiss you,” he explains.

Oh. My lips frown for a moment, but I hope he doesn’t notice.

“Well, not yet at least. Close your eyes.”

“Kayden, I understand you really want this job but let’s forget about it. It’s a stupid idea and it’s hardly a real acting job. How about an ‘IOU’? I promise you another audition for a great role and…” I argue all of the reasons why this actor shouldn’t be hovering over me, and I’m pretending to try to pull away. Truth is, I really want to pull him closer and have him press against my body, allowing him to slowly introduce his tongue to mine. He raises an eyebrow towards me; I arch one back and sigh, closing my eyes.

His face presses against mine. The itchiness of his beard brushes against me as my hands fall to my sides. He places his hands on my shoulders, willing me to stay put.

“Stop comparing yourself to your sister.” His hand slides to my lower back, and before I have the power to go weak, he tightens his hold, pulling me closer to him. When I hear him mention my sister, I go to open my eyes but he stops me. “Keep them shut. You’re nothing like her. And she’s nothing like you. Forgot about all of the losers who didn’t know what type of treasure they let get away. They don’t exist anymore. No one on this planet does. It’s just you and me for these five days. There’s nothing to worry about. No commitment. No planning. Just us and our holiday.”

I can feel his lips mere millimeters away from mine as the words roll off of his tongue with such ease. For a minute, I forget we are standing in my office—er, my boss’s office—and that my mascara is still running down my cheeks. I forget we met five minutes ago when I offered to pay someone an obscene amount of money to be my made-up boyfriend. I forget who Richard, Danny, and Lisa are. All I want to do is find the taste of the man with his hands around my waist.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he warns, edging his face closer to mine. “Unless you stop me.”

I don’t speak a word; I have no reason whatsoever to want to stop him.

When his lips find mine, I feel as if I’ve won the sexdorable lottery. His lips are soft, addicting, and gentle at first before the kiss grows deeper. I place my hands on his chest, stilling myself from tumbling over as his tongue slowly brushes against my lips. The way his rock-hard abs feel against my touch, makes me moan for more. My hips involuntarily rock in his direction, and he lifts me up against the door, kissing me harder, deeper, in a way that makes me feel as if we have been sharing these types of kisses for a lifetime. He allows my legs to wrap around his waist, and he holds me, making me feel so safe at his touch. His fingers stroke through my curly locks of hair, and when he pulls his mouth away from mine, I cannot help but miss his taste, his heat, his made-up passion. His eyes open to find my blues staring back at him, and he tilts my head, giving me one last kiss before I feel him smiling against my mouth. When my feet find the ground, my knees almost forget how to keep me standing, but Kayden’s hand is around my back, holding me, protecting me from falling.

“Well then…” I clear my throat once, “You are a fantastic actor,” I say, breathless and emotionally drugged up on Mr. Sexdorable.

He doesn’t step back, but I open my eyes to be flooded with his greens. He smirks a small amount and shrugs, “I figure if we’re going to do this then we should have our first kiss now instead of in front of your family. That would take away from the awkwardness of it all.”

“You didn’t even audition for the part yet.”

His tongue runs across his lips and he moves his hand through his dark hair. “I guess I jumped the gun.”

“The gun has been jumped.”

We’re still for quite a bit of time before I blink and realize that if this is happening then we have to hit the road before I come to my senses, wake up from this dream, or have a heart attack from how beautiful he is. I know guys don’t like being called beautiful, but he is.

So. Freaking. Beautiful.

Brittainy C. Cherry has been madly in love with words since the day she took her first breath--okay maybe not THAT long, but pretty darn close! She lives in Wisconsin with her loved ones and she adores a great romance. Her debut novel, The Space in Between, released August 9th, 2013 and she has many more stories in the works! Other hobbies she loves include: screenwriting, acting, dancing (poorly of course!). Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three staples that she believes everyone should invest in! It's also a known fact that whenever Brittainy is trying to write there is a fur baby or two begging for hugs and kisses--which she gives the spoiled animals of course!

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Cover Reveal: Selena Laurence - Concealed

Just in time for Christmas! Releasing the Week of December 15th, CONCEALED, the sequel to the Top Selling Military Romance Camouflaged.

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Two years ago, Gabe Thompson stood in the desert of Afghanistan and watched the love of his life drive away. When his tour of duty ended six months later, she wasn’t waiting. Now Gabe’s ready to go after the one thing his life is missing – the woman he’s never been able to forget.

Twenty-year-old Alexis Garcia rues the day she decided to volunteer for a UN mission to Afghanistan. The sexy, exasperating soldier she met there nearly destroyed her carefully constructed life with the boy next door. She’s spent two years trying to forget Gabe, working to show her parents and her boyfriend that she knows where she belongs.

But when Gabe shows up at Alexis’s door, complete with tattoos, a Harley and enough attitude to start another war, everything she’s tried to conceal could be exposed, starting with her heart.

Selena Laurence lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and spends a hell of a lot of time at soccer games, on her laptop, and reading. She requires a Mocha Latte every day to function, keeps a goldendoodle at her feet most of the time, and has more kids than she knows what to do with. Her husband, Mr. Laurence, spends as much time as he can at the office and the gym in order to avoid the kids, the dog, the laptop and the reading, but he always shows up for the soccer games, and he makes a mean Mocha Latte.

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