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BookBub Follow Giveaway
Now through November 20th when you follow me on BookBub you’ll be entered to win a $50.00 Amazon Gift card. Share with your friends for additional entries.
Winner will be notified via email by November 22nd.
Enter Here: BookBub Entry Form
7th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza – Let Me Love You – Pre-Order
Happy Day-After Thanksgiving or as the retailers like to call it – Happy Black Friday! Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday and if you are one of those Black Friday shoppers, I do hope your long waits in line were worth it!
Welcome to the 7th Annual Black Book Friday Bonanza. I’m thrilled to be a part of this blog hop because it falls perfectly before the new release of my new novel – Let Me Love You.
Twenty-three-year-old Ren Haynes returns home after graduating college with two goals–start his engineering career and claim the heart of his parents’ thirty-one-year-old divorced neighbor, Stacey Williams.
Stacey is nursing her broken heart and shattered ego. Not only did her ex-husband have an affair, he got the woman pregnant. Picking up the pieces of her life isn’t easy, so when Ren taps into her need to feel desired again, she finds herself in a position she never imagined.
Can Ren help to rebuild her confidence and convince her that age is just a number?
This story is near and dear to me and a long time coming. Back in 2015, I started writing the story of Ren and Stacey. At the time, it was called Love Thy Neighbor. I submitted the first 5,000 words of it to the Pages From the Heart writing contest just for the heck of it. And it won! 🙂
But commitments to other projects and life got in the way of me completing it. It sat in my WIP folder begging to be told. I worked on it periodically in the early part of 2017 with a promise that I’d publish it before year-end. After attending the RWA National Conference in Orlando in July, I was revived and inspired by so many aspiring and well-known authors that the rest of the story just starting pouring out of me. And as the story unfolded, I realized so did a new title for the story. If you pre-order it and read it on December 18th, you’ll understand why. Pre-order it on Amazon here.
As part of this blog hop, I’m giving away a $15 Amazon gift card. All you have to do is subscribe to my newsletter. Plus, you can earn extra points in the giveaway by tweeting about my new release or following me on Facebook. Good luck and happy blog hopping.
Giveaway:
A big thanks to Kim @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Marlene @ Reading Reality for hosting this blog hop.
Don’t forget to the visit the other sites to find new authors and enter the numerous giveaways. You don’t want to miss out.
Claim your FREE copy of Legal Desire for a Limited Time!
Now through September 24th, you can download a copy of my contemporary romance LEGAL DESIRE for FREE. Just sign up for my newsletter. You’ll get sneak peeks, release info and exclusive members only giveaways. You can unsubscribe at any time. I hope you enjoy Legal Desire!
Legal Desire
A Standalone Romance
Released February 19, 2016
Add to Goodreads
Derek Sage doesn’t mix business with pleasure—certainly not after he’s been burned. Being one of the top plaintiff’s attorneys in the Tampa Bay area requires focus and he can’t afford to lose that focus again. But a difficult case has Derek looking to a new attorney for assistance and she brings more than her legal expertise to the table. Raina Dillon spent her first couple of years as an attorney at the public defender’s office, defending criminals and learning more than she ever imagined. Now, she’s ready to take on the legal world at one of the Tampa Bay area’s premier law firms. What she doesn’t expect is Derek Sage. Can they put their attraction aside or will it consume them?
Download your FREE copy today: Legal Desire
Happy Reading! As always an honest review at your favorite online retailer is appreciated.
Unspoken by R.A. Padmos – Money Matters
Money Matters
By R.A. Padmos
We like money. O rather, we like the positive effect of having enough money to not needing to worry about our next meal, the roof over our head, the cost of accident or illness. A bit more money to be able to have some fun in life is something that most of us wouldn’t say no to either, but knowing that we have at least enough to get through life without big worries about our basic needs is a huge factor in human happiness. It scores high on deciding factors for happiness in a relationship. Money can’t buy love, but a severe and chronic lack of it sure can break a marriage.
Can this be one of the reasons why romance novels, be they gay or straight, are not very often about characters in a (near) permanent situation of poverty? Of course, a temporary inconvenience that ends with the right kind of millionaire falling for our hero of heroine makes for a great story. And if not that, then a rags to riches story by sheer talent is equally fine. It gives the reader hope, even if for most it’s a fantasy that lasts a couple of hours before reality strikes with its lack of available men/women with big money and equal lack of insane talent combined with an even more insane amount of luck.
In Unspoken, money, or rather lack of it, is one of the big deciders for how Stefan, the main character, interprets the choices he has when it comes to his romantic and sexual feelings for another man. Of course he and his lover have their fantasies of getting away from it all, but they are brave and decent enough to face the reality of the situation. Stefan has the responsibility for his wife and their four children in a time of economic crisis followed by war and occupation. He also has found the love of his life, and he’s not planning on giving that up either.
Not a story to forget reality, I give you that. But perhaps it can be an inspiration to say in difficult times, “I’m not sure how I’ll manage to deal with this, but I’m giving it my best try.”
What’s it about?
When Stefan meets Adri, it is love at first sight. It does, however, take some time before he recognizes his own feelings. He’s a married man—a family man—with a strong sense of responsibility. In Dutch society of 1935, sex between men over the age of twenty-one might be legal, but acceptance is still a long way off.
As a working-class man without a steady job, he doesn’t have the means to ignore society’s rules and create his own little paradise in which both he and his lover can be together, without his family having to suffer poverty and shame. Despite all this, the lovers find a way to carve out moments of intimacy and happiness.
Then the Germans march into Holland and nothing will ever be the same again. The occupation, which will last five long years, offers both danger and chances, but choices have to be made—choices of the head and choices of the heart.
Readers might be interested to know that Stefan, Adri and others also play a role in The Bookshop, the story of bookseller Jakoba.
A small taste?
This scene takes place when Stefan and Adri visit Jo Swart, an old friend of Adri’s.
He recognized the avenue where Johannes Swart lived from work—a place with nothing but big, stately homes owned by families who had been rich enough for long enough to have lost all memory of ever having to do a manual job to get by.
“You never told me your friend had that kind of money.”
“Why should I have? He helped me to find my way in life, recommended me for a room, work, paid for evening classes but most of all he helped me to become an independent adult. And that can’t be bought with money. I have no idea about his fortune, but it must be huge since he hasn’t worked for his living for a single day in his life. Can you imagine that, trading in art just for fun? I bet it’s made him even richer than he already was. He could afford to be a patron for young artists and poets. He wouldn’t miss the couple of hundreds a year anyway.” There wasn’t even a hint of jealousy in Adri’s voice, not even when he said, “With his money, I could settle your family in a nice little cottage close to my own villa, make sure your kids went to proper schools and your wife never wanted for anything, and have you almost entirely to myself.”
“You were saying something about being an independent adult? Doesn’t that count for me too?” teased Stefan.
“Then we do it the other way around, with you being filthy rich, living in the big house with your family and me in the servants’ house. You can visit me any time you like.”
“And any time just happens to be every night?”
“Something like that.”
Where can I buy this book?
https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/unspoken
http://www.amazon.com/Unspoken-R-Padmos-ebook/dp/B01BVDK8A6/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unspoken-R-A-Padmos-ebook/dp/B01BVDK8A6
A few words about me?
In no particular order: woman, writer, in a relationship with my wife since 1981 (though we had to wait until 2001 until we could actually get married), mother of two grown sons, owner of cats (I can pretend, can’t I?), reader and a lot more.
I write in different genres under different names. I’m also S.Dora for my M/M erotica and Ella Laurance for my M/F erotica.
Where can you find me?
My blog: https://rapadmos.wordpress.com/
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007130133554
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAPadmos
Win a free e-book
Anyone giving a reaction to this post has a chance of winning one of my books. Winners choice. I do need an e-mail address for obvious reasons.
Evernight’s Holiday Hangover Blog Hop
Happy New Year from Evernight!
Now that the Christmas cookies are gone, gifts unwrapped, and your holiday visitors have left, you’ve earned some well-deserved TLC. Evernight authors not only have the cure for your holiday hangover, they have fantastic new books for your 2015 reading list, too!
Be sure to visit every stop on the hop and answer each question. The more blogs you hop, the more chances to win the GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini sponsored by Evernight Publishing (one entry per blog). Plus, hop each blog for a host of other fabulous prizes.
So sink into your favorite chair and enjoy your holiday hangover!
So Long Resolutions! Hello Goals!
Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2015?! I can’t! With the new year often comes new year’s resolutions. Dictionary.com defines a resolution as “determining upon an action.” Statistics have proven that by January 30th ninety-two percent (92%) of people have already failed at the resolutions they set. Ninety-two percent! Within thirty days of setting it. To be honest, I’m not all that surprised by that number. I’m not really a resolution kind of person and on the very few times I’ve claimed some new year resolutions, I, too failed.
My husband and I actually sit down on New Years Eve and discuss and plan our goals. Personal. Couple. Family. And financial goals. What’s the difference between a resolution and a goal? Dictionary.com defines a goal as “a result or achievement toward which effort is directed.” To me, the difference between a resolution and a goal lies within the definitions themselves.
A resolution is simply determining an action. Say – I’m going to lose weight this year. The action is to lose weight. Or I’m going to start working out. Or I’m going to save money. Or I’m going to write more. You’ve defined the action but not how you’re going to get there nor have you set forth a clear result.
A goal, on the other hand, has a clear result or achievement in which you want to reach. Say – I want to lost twenty pounds by June. Or I’m going to workout three days per week. Or I’m going to save $5,000 in my savings account. I’m going to draft one novel of 50k words or more and prep it for submission. These results are specific. You know exactly what you want. You’ve spelled it out clearly what results you are going to achieve.
But if you’re setting goals, you aren’t done. Now you have to figure out how you’re going to reach those results. Let’s take the writing goal since that one is near and dear to me. How am I going to get there? This is what my written goal looks like given the fact that I work a full time day job:
Write 50k words or more novel and have ready for submission
- Drafting to be completed within 30 weeks – leaves 22 weeks to revise and edit
- Need approximately 1700 words per week
- Dedicate two hours every Saturday and Sunday to writing – even if that means getting up early
- Wake up early one week day to write
- Make chart with word count each week to keep track of results and determine whether I need to make up time and words
Yes, this took a little time to create. I had to figure out in my crazy schedule how I was going to find the time to sit down and write (which sadly with a full time job, three young kids, a husband, a dog and guinea pig J is not always easy to do). I broke down my goal into small efforts that I could do to help me work toward my result.
I’m not saying it’s foolproof. You do have to hold yourself accountable for the goal. Write it down. Pin it somewhere you will see it every day. Cross out the steps you achieved along the way that bring you closer to your end result. When you hit the achievement… CELEBRATE!
I hope you and your families have had a safe and wonderful holiday season. May 2015 bring you all the things that make you smile. Don’t forget to answer the question below and then click the link to continue your hop.
Enter for a chance to win Evernight’s GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini and my blog prize by answering this question (be sure to include your email address to be eligible to win):
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR 2015 GOALS?
One commenter will also win my new release – Board Indiscretion.
Your Holiday Hangover continues here:
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“Taking Advantage” of Evernight’s Birthday Bash
Roll out the Red Carpet ~ Evernight celebrates four years of publishing!
Join authors, bloggers and reviewers as we take a RED CARPET tour featuring Evernight’s smart and sexy books. Slip on your virtual stilettos and walk the red carpet of award winning titles, spectacular reviews, and paparazzi style interviews.
Be sure to visit every stop on the tour where you can enter for a chance to win great prizes, including a new eReader, gift certificates, swag, books and much more!
Now I turn the spotlight on my smart and sexy book…
Last year, I had this idea to do a series based on three men, who all sit as members on the board of directors of Advantage Insurance Company. All three guys are extremely good-looking (of course – these are romance stories :)), at the top of their game in their careers and single – for their own reasons. Each man has his own book and love interest, but you will see John Dorsey, Greg Snow and Mark Olson in all three books… in some respect. After many mishaps on my way to completing the third book in the series, I finally submitted and went under contract with Evernight Publishing for the third and final book in this Taking Advantage series. Since the third book, Board Indiscretion, will be out in November, I thought I’d highlight the first two books in the series for those of you that are unfamiliar with the members of Advantage Insurance Company’s hot and sexy board of directors.
First up is Board Stiff – Book 1, which was an Evernight Publishing Editor’s Pick, as well as a Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews. (You can click on the covers to find the link to purchase.)
John Dorsey’s life is good. He is the owner of Dorsey Construction. He’s the youngest person on the board of directors for Advantage Insurance Company. He lives on the beach. And he knows he can have any woman he wants. John’s got the world at his fingertips… except he’s yet to find a woman that stimulates both his body and mind.
Elizabeth Wright worked hard in a large Tampa law firm making a name for herself, but it came at the expense of her personal life. When Advantage Insurance Company offers her a job as corporate counsel, Elizabeth cannot turn it down. The thought that she can have a successful legal career and a life excites and intimidates her.
But when their worlds collide one day in the Advantage board room, neither Elizabeth nor John knows what’s hit them. All they know is they can’t stay away from each other.
Here’s what Chris from Night Owl Reviews had to say about John Dorsey and Elizabeth Wright:
John Dorsey is a dream come true. Aggressive and not afraid to ask for he wants, he enters the picture like a tornado and sweeps Elizabeth right off her feet. Their first meeting gave me the tingles and it just gets better from there. Both are at the top of their game in their respective fields and both can have their pick of partners. Elizabeth is initially put off at John’s coarse handling but her inner secret submissive self finds it intriguing. Sure she’s in control at work, but why not cut loose with John? How hot is it that they want each other and don’t let conventional relationship rules get in the way?
This is a quick read and doesn’t try to be more than that. The author starts off fast and it just goes faster. I was totally into the chemistry and sex that John and Elizabeth generate together and happy with the optimistic ending as well as the clues that Elizabeth was different for John right from the start. I really look forward to the next story in this series. – 4 1/2 stars
Next up is Board Approved – Book 2, which was my first tackle of the May-December romance between a hard-working lawyer and a young yoga instructor.
After his divorce, Greg Snow dedicated his life to his work as a corporate attorney in a large law firm and as a member of the board of directors of Advantage Insurance Company. He liked it that way… at least that’s what he thought until Tessa Mills entered his life.
Growing up with an alcoholic mother and never knowing her father, Tessa Mills has not had an easy life. And her relationship decisions have been less than stellar. But she’s finally making a life for herself and running her own business – a yoga studio. It’s her saving grace and that’s all she needs… until Greg Snow turns her world upside down.
Tessa and Greg have a strong attraction, but is it enough to overcome all their differences?
Here’s what Melissa from Romancing the Book had to say about Greg Snow and Tessa Mills:
Board Approved is the second book in the Taking Advantage series by Jessica Jayne. While this book is part of a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. I chose this book because after reading the summary I just had to know how it turned out.
Greg Snow is corporate attorney in a large law firm and a member of the board of directors at Advantage Insurance Company. He is happy with is life as it was until he stumbles across Tessa Mills. She manages to turn his life upside down for the best. Tessa owns her own yoga studio and works at different business giving yoga lessons.
When Tessa and Greg meet, you could practically see the sparks fly. I loved that Greg made a spilt second decision and it changed his life for the better. It does make you think of all the decisions that we make in our lives, and how life can change in a second.
This book was well written with fascinating and lifelike characters. Two characters from the first book make an appearance. At 49 pages, this is one hot and sexy quick story. Overall, this was a great story. – 4 stars – Lovely Rose – An enjoyable read. I would recommend.
And last but not least will be Board Indiscretion – book 3, which will tell the story of Mark Olson and Suzannah McCormick and will be coming out this November! Here’s my inspiration for Mark and Suzannah:
And here’s a short excerpt from Board Indiscretion. Mark is sitting at his favorite bar sipping on some whiskey to help wash away a long day at work and his struggle over what to do with his desire for Suzannah:
A familiar giggle wafted in from the direction of the dance floor. The delicate sound stirred his cock to life. It stiffened against his black trousers instantly. After several weeks of clandestine meetings involving dirty talk and hard fucks, he’d know that giggle anywhere. He’d heard it many times afterwards when they lay tangled in each other’s limbs. Turning his head in the direction of the dance floor, anger heated his face and his hands clenched into fists on the bar top at the sight he witnessed.
Sandwiched between two guys that he’d now refer to as dickheads, danced the woman that wreaked havoc on his single life status. Her little black dress clung to her trim frame, emphasizing her small, but very perky breasts and showing off her figure that could easily grace the cover of any fashion magazine. Her legs stretched for miles and her creamy white skin contrasted nicely against the jet black of her dress. Flinging her silky blonde hair over her shoulder and down her back, her pink Pursecase carrying her iPhone dangled from her wrist as her hips gyrated against her two dance partners. The taller man dancing behind her slipped his hand over her hip and rested it over her low belly as he rubbed what Mark was sure to be a rock hard erection against Suzie’s ass.
What the fuck was she doing?
First, she never came to the Beach Club. Never. In all his regular visits to this club over the last couple of years, he had yet to see her in here once. Not once! Second, she was practically dry-humping two guys in the middle of the dance floor. That wasn’t her typical style.
Answer my question in the comment section for a chance to win (be sure to include your email address):
* Your choice of an Amazon Kindle Fire HD or Kobo Arc 7
* $100 Amazon GC
* $50 Evernight GC
* My blog prize: $20 Evernight GC
Question: What do you think Mark should do after spotting Suzie dancing with two guys on the dance floor?
Don’t forget to keep hopping to see other great sites for chances to read about other EP books and a chance to win various prizes. Click on the link below.
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“Will and Pleasure” by Iyana Jenna
Welcome Iyana Jenna back to the Spicy Butterfly Garden. She’s here introducing us to her newest release, Will and Pleasure. Thanks for stopping by, Iyana!
BLURB:
After his parents’ nasty divorce, Jake Welther was raised by his mother, so when his father dies, he’s surprised to find his name among his brothers’ in the will. Jake never thought he’d get anything from his old man, but neither the house nor the money is his inheritance. It’s a young sex slave named Luke. Luke is a product of the streets. One unfortunate night, a bad encounter with a client ended with him curled up in an alley, filthy and hurt. When Craig Welthier Sr. took him in, Luke thought he was finally safe and protected. Little did he know Craig would turn out to be worse than any of his previous clients. With his father gone, Jake doesn’t know what to do with Luke. His three brothers see no harm in continuing to use their father’s slave for their own twisted purposes. Though he doesn’t think of himself as anyone’s hero, he knows what Luke has endured at the hands of his family is wrong. Can Jake stand up to his brothers to rescue Luke? Will Luke find his happy ending after all?
EXCERPT:
Now Luke regretted not paying more attention to the other words Craig had spoken.
My family. In the darkness, his world was falling apart.
“Running away, are we? Forget it. Your place is here, among those of us who love you.”
His eyes flew open as his head was yanked back by his curls.
“And I see that you’re neatly dressed, eh? Since when have we permitted that?”
A flash of fury flickered in Luke’s mind. You can’t order me around, I don’t belong to you.
Alas, it seemed he could read Luke’s mind. The fingers around his arms tightened, so that he whimpered. His silent fury was replaced by trepidation. He looked up in terror at the man standing before him.
“You don’t think you belong to us now?” Craig Jr. gripped Luke’s jaw tightly. “What? What, you dare to talk back now?” The older man growled as he saw Luke attempt to say something. Craig squeezed his jaw one last time before he released it. Vision blurring with tears, Luke panted for a moment before he whispered his answer.
“I-I owe you nothing. My arrangement was with your father.”
That earned him a brutal backhand across his face. Luke almost forgot to breathe, and the brother clutching him was so surprised he almost let go, which would have sent Luke sprawling to the ground.
“You don’t talk to your owner that way,” said Craig. “Bring him inside!”
As the two at his sides heaved him back into the house and Craig slammed the door behind them, Luke realized that this time, the door was closed to him forever.
* * * *
That was the best dream ever, Jake thought, as he turned over, still half-asleep. His right arm stretched out and smoothed the pillow beside him, reveling in the warmth of it.
It sent Jake’s eyes flying open, a frown creasing his brow. Warmth? What was the meaning of that? Had someone been there?
With a start, Jake turned sharply to his side and lurched into a sitting position. His breath came hard and fast.
That wasn’t a dream at all. He’d experienced the most gratifying pleasure that was brought to him by … by Luke, his late father’s sex slave. Jake almost gagged at the thought.
Jake shot out of his bed, grabbing his jeans and buttoning his shirt as he rushed to the door. He had a hunch that Luke had attempted to flee and two things whirled in his head — one, that his brothers had captured him and were now giving him the most heartless punishment …
… and two, which shocked him, that he was infuriated at Luke’s ploy. Somehow he felt cheated. How dare Luke do something like that to me! Jake felt like thrashing the guy himself instead of letting his brothers do it.
BUY LINK:
JMS Books: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=1176
About Iyana:
Iyana lives in Jakarta, a city famous for its traffic jams, a lot of cars and motorcycles, and people selling stuff on the roads. You can spend two hours on the road going to a place you can reach in half an hour in a normal situation. Thanks to the traffic jams, though, Iyana can come up with a lot of stories, mostly shorties, as she prefers to spend the time during her trips writing into her cell phone rather than sleeping.
Another thing Iyana loves is kitties. Right now she has five of them. Their names are Larva, Nyil, Cil, Betsy, and Horus. When she doesn’t write, she plays with them, or they would play with her when she writes.
Author’s Links:
GIVEAWAY
Taking Courage by S.J. Maylee
I have the wonderful and talented S.J. Maylee here at the Spicy Butterfly Garden showing off her new Evernight Publishing release, Taking Courage (Love Projects #2). Thanks for coming by S.J. I look forward to reading this one.
Thank you so much for having me, Jessica! J I’m super excited to share my latest release. The initial inspiration for TAKING COURAGE came from my journey into writing. I thought first of a heroine who is having a hard time finding her own way in life. When she’s finally at the right place at the right time, she stumbles. I felt like that a million times already on this writing journey. The trick is to get back up and try again. That is exactly what my heroine, Janna does. I’m so dang proud of her strength. I hope you get a chance to read Taking Courage and that you love her story as much as I do.
Taking Courage (Love Projects #2)
BLURB:
Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart, but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny. Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.
EXCERPT:
“Head up now.” Something was agitating the tender bundle in his arms. Simon wanted to help her through it. He may have taken a step back on his training responsibilities since his last experience, but Janna felt perfect under his hand. He’d have to find out if she’d be back.
“Yes, Sir.”
“What’s troubling you, pet?”
“I forgot to mention something earlier.” She tucked the blanket under her chin.
“Oh?” He rubbed in big circles around her back. “Why don’t you tell me now?”
“This was my first time, Sir.”
“Your first?” His confusion was thick. She tried to hide her eyes from him, but he saw shame. Sometimes newer submissives struggled with firsts. “Is this your first time being a guest?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Is your home club much different?” The safe rules of BDSM clubs were pretty universal, a real gift to traveling kinksters, but sometimes a scene in a different setting could be unsettling.
“I don’t have a home club, Sir. Well, not one that I physically visit.” She rubbed the edge of her blanket. “I’m an active member of their chat rooms.”
He hadn’t heard her right. No. She felt like an experienced submissive. Was she just playing the part? Anger ticked a quick pace up his spine.
“Are you telling me I just gave you your first scene?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Why did you withhold this information?” When she didn’t answer he added, “Why weren’t you honest with me?” He pushed her slightly, in part to get some distance and to keep her safe from him. “Answer me, now.”
“I forgot. It all happened so fast, and I forgot one of my lines.”
“Lines.” He finished shoving her from his lap and stood. “I hope you had fun tonight.”
“I did, Sir,” she said as she stood to join him. She tugged at the edge of the blanket that had stuck in the couch. “Please, let me thank you for tonight.”
“There is no need. You lied to me, and you had your fun.” He scratched his brow. “Go home now.” He took two storming steps away and stopped. He forced himself to return to her, disgusted by how good it felt to see her face once more. He stopped within an inch, forcing her to look up. “Do yourself a favor. Enter that club at home, get yourself in a training program, and do not ever lie to a Dom again.”
He wanted to hit something. What was it with submissives and their lies? The lie might have been smaller this time, but it was still a lie.
He thundered past the scene areas and kept walking, increasing his speed. Folks saved themselves and moved out of his way. Fury radiated down his arms curling his fingers into fists, almost there.
Some members thought Keller was crazy when he’d installed the small gym next to the club. When the roster quickly filled, it was Keller that was laughing all the way to the bank. Simon had a regular date with the bag hanging in the corner. He may no longer enter the ring, but the regimented workouts kept him strong and centered.
A couple more steps and he’d entered the gym and saw the innocent bag hanging right where he needed it to be. He slammed his fist into the bag. Pressure reverberated from his hand straight to his heart, but it didn’t release the revulsion.
“Damn her.”
He needed to get this out and get back on the floor. One of his best friends was about to collar his sub. The bag swung around. He walked around it and rolled his shoulders back. He wanted to witness the happiness a pair could have when things worked out and no one lied.
It was just a scene, something he could shake off, and she was just a guest sub. There was no possible way she could have felt as right as he thought. The anger was tricking him. She was just another lying sub. A sub to forget. A sub he would never see again.
“Damn her.”
An image of her regret filled face tugged at his resolve. His fingers flexed as he remembered her velvet channel. His cock twitched, and he hit the bag again.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND TAKING COURAGE:
Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks | BookStrand
Add it to your Goodreads TBR: Goodreads
________________________
GIVEAWAY!
SJ’s giving away one $10 Amazon gift card and THREE swag packs. To enter: read the excerpt, answer this question in the comments, and click away on the rafflecopter.
Simon definitely sees Janna again. Do you think she’ll get a second chance with him?
________________________
ABOUT S.J. MAYLEE:
S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.
When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.
As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook Page | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page
Book Spotlight: Midwife to Destiny by Nana Prah
BLURB
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.
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.
creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?
delicious, unfamiliar tingle when Dr. Lartey touched it.
she forced herself to not sigh at the pleasure his gentle probing touch evoked.
very bad sprain so you have to be careful with it,” he said, sounding all
business-like.
man, with the need to get to know him better, intensified.
her doctor seemed unaffected.
His spicy, with a citrusy undertone, cologne filled the sterile hospital air,
making her nostrils flare to take in more of his unique scent. Deep brown eyes
had perused her chart as she’d taken in his short-cropped hair, high
cheekbones, and thick lips that brought kissing into her mind. Dark smooth skin
rivalled the richness of high quality chocolate.
broad-shouldered, towering stature, for cameras. Could she be on a reality TV
show? Starring in one had never been a life objective, but the crew might have
caught her unaware. No visible cameras, but those producers were sneaky and
could place one inside a stethoscope.
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.
: www.nanaprah.blogspot.com
@NanaPrah
Evernight Publishing’s Book Boyfriend Blog Hop – Meet Firefighter Matt Riley of In Flames
The Book Boyfriend Blog Hop is back and better than ever!
The authors of Evernight have a brand new team of swoon-worthy book boyfriend candidates. A sexy assortment of cowboys, Doms, detectives, millionaires, royalty, vampires, soldiers, firefighters and shifters are just a click away.
Get ready to find your next book boyfriend…
Book boyfriends come in all forms, quite literally, that’s the great thing about reading romance. But the ones that seem to get my heart racing and juices flowing the most are the ones that seem the most real to me… with a past, with emotion, with heart! No true hero is perfect! That’s why we love him! Perfection is overrated!
Last year, Matt Riley from my book, In Flames, arrived right around the time of Evernight’s first Book Boyfriend Blog Hop. In fact, he arrived on April 25, 2013 (so it’s also kind of my publishversary for In Flames)! Matt had been on the scene of the fire when his brother was killed on the job. Not being able to save his brother plagued him for quite some time. He and his sister-in-law, Gracelyn, leaned on each other to get through the loss and a love formed between the two of them… a love that marred him with guilt, but a love that he desperately wanted to give in to. Read Matt’s struggle in In Flames to find out exactly how Matt got to his happy ending! 😉
You can find Matt and Gracelyn’s story here: Evernight Amazon ARe Bookstrand
Aside from being a strong and sexy firefighterMatt’s also a guy with a lot of emotion and a very big heart!
What makes Matt a great book boyfriend? I could tell you what I think makes him a great book boyfriend. Or we can ask him some questions and you can see for yourself.
My front door creaks open! Damn! I need to get my husband to WD-40 that thing!
Look at that! Speak of the devil! Here he comes, swaggering into my living room in a pair of jeans slung low on his hips and a nicely fitted red t-shirt that hugs his chest in ways that make a girl go weak in the knees. He’s got a little scruff along his jaw line and I must admit, it looks good!
Jessica: Hey Matt!
Matt: Jess! It’s been awhile. Do you need me to fix that squeaky door for you?
Jessica: Nah! But thanks for offering. The hubby likes projects! *winks* Come on over and have a seat! *waves him over to the couch*
Matt: Can I give you a hug before I take that seat?
Jessica: Of course! *smiles big*
He gives me a big squeeze and I enjoy the feel of his strong arms and his woodsy scent…for crying out loud, he’s dreamy! Pulling back, his mouth quirks up on one side as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He takes a seat on my new shale colored sectional couch.
Matt: Wow! This couch is comfy.
He bounces around on it like a kid and I can’t help but laugh.
Jessica: Thanks! Just bought it a few weeks ago. We love it. Needed something comfortable but sturdy with the kids.
Matt: I’m going to have to talk to Gracey. We’re in need of a new couch and I really like this. It’s firm where it needs to be but soft and comfortable all the same. Kind of like a good woman. *he winks*
Jessica : *blushing a little at his statement* Speaking of Gracey, how is she?
Matt: She’s fantastic, as usual.
His golden eyes get that glassy look of someone thinking of about the person they are head over heels in love with.
Jessica: *clears throat*
Matt: Sorry. Got lost when you asked about Gracey. We had a great morning.
He gives a naughty smile and I sigh. Lucky girl!
Matt: Anyway, she’s busy at work at the court house and Josh and Jenna are both in spring soccer, so we’re both hopping after school and on Saturday mornings with practice and games. Plus, Brian kicked some serious ass in football last fall and has already started the spring training for next season.
Jessica: So lots of family activities?
Matt: Absolutely.
Jessica: I know your son, Brian, took things a little hard initially. Has he adjusted to things?
Matt: He held out hope for several years that his mom and I would get back together. I think a lot of kids of divorce do that, especially if they’re young when it happens. But he’s known Gracelyn his entire life and he already loved her. He’s come around.
Jessica: Good to hear. Kids are so resilient. And Josh and Jenna? How are they doing with you as a father figure instead of just Uncle Matt?
Matt: It was a little easier adjustment for them because I’ve been around regularly since Chad’s passing.
His voice cracks and he dips his head. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he inhales deeply and looks at me.
Matt: I’m sorry. I still sometimes get choked up when I talk about Chad. I’ve come a long way since that day, but it still hurts. I miss my brother every day. I’m trying to help Gracey raise his kids in the best possible way, so they know how much their father loved them. Some day, I hope it all makes sense to them.
Jessica: *a little misty-eyed* You never have to apologize to me.
Matt: Thanks *smiles softly*
Jessica: So are you and Gracey still in the “honeymoon” phase?
Matt: I’d like to hope that we’ll always be in the “honeymoon” phase.
Jessica: That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?
Matt: Definitely. But yes, we’re still in the “can’t keep our hands off each other” stage. And I love it. I love being around her, being with her.
Jessica: You know this conversation is about what makes you a great book boyfriend, so we’re going to have to get into some of the nitty-gritty of what makes you tick.
Matt: *laughs* Like what? My favorite position during sex?
Jessica: That sounds like a great place to start. So, what is it?
Matt: *laughs* In all honesty, I do love all positions. I love sex! What can I say? But my favorite position is one where I can look into Gracelyn’s eyes when we’re making love. I love watching her come apart all around. That gets me off more than the act itself sometimes. Doesn’t necessarily have to be missionary though there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll admit, there are times when doggie-style is what you need. Oh, she’s going to kill me when she sees this. *laughs*
Jessica: What do you find most physically attractive about a woman?
Matt: Eyes and smile, first. You can tell a lot about a person by the expressiveness in their eyes and the depth of their smile. Women particularly. I’ve loved Gracey’s blue eyes from the moment I met her, back when she was dating Chad. I told him the first time he introduced her to me that he’d better hang on to her and it had a lot to do with the warmth in her eyes and her genuine smile.
Jessica: Awwww! You’re such a sweetheart!
He smiles at me.
Jessica: And once you get past the face?
Matt: I’m an ass man. *grins* Don’t get me wrong, I don’t shy away from a woman’s breasts, but I love watching Gracelyn walk around in a tight pair of jeans that hug her backside. God! Or sometimes at night, she’ll wear these little panties and one of my t-shirts. I love curves on a woman. Women aren’t supposed to be skin and bones. Gracey’s got this muscular, curvy body that I just can’t keep my hands off. I can run my hand over the curve of her low back to the rise of her ass and be hard in an instance. Shit! Can we change the subject? I’m getting myself worked up over here.
Jessica: *chuckles* Okay! But all the ladies out there like the idea of working you up.
Matt: Only one lady I’m worried about, Jess, besides you, of course! *winks*
Jessica: Since you’re sweet talking me, I’ll move on. *smiles* Your job as a firefighter is physically challenging. How do you stay in shape for it?
Matt: I run about ten to fifteen miles per week and I hit the gym at the station house pretty hard. Plus, we have regular training.
Jessica: Will you show us a little bit of your washboard abs?
Matt: Are you trying to get me in trouble?
Jessica: I’ve already spoken to Gracey and she’s okayed every question thus far, including this one. She knows you’re hers, so she doesn’t mind showing you off.
He stands up on my plush honey colored rug, his dark brown work boots contrast nicely. His cheeks flush a little as if he’s embarrassed.
Jessica: Are you embarrassed, Matt?
Matt: Maybe a little.
Jessica: Let’s go in the backyard and make this like a nature shot. A shirtless shot of you in my living room isn’t as sexy as a rugged outdoor shot.
We both start laughing.
Matt: Seriously?
Jessica: Yes! I mean you did pose for the 2014 Northeast Ohio Firemen’s Calendar. This should be a walk in the park. You do want to win best book boyfriend, right?
Matt: Of course, I do! *winks*
We walk out my back door and into my backyard, which is shrouded by a woody preserve. He lifts his shirt. Good God! He is ripped and sexy as fuck! Gracelyn is a lucky lady! I snap a picture with my phone.
After I snap the picture, he puts his shirt back down and walks over to hug me.
Matt: *looking at his photo on my phone* Do you think that picture will win it for me?
Jessica: It should definitely put you in the running, Matty. Thanks so much!
We walk back into my house. I pour us each a glass of iced tea and we chill out for a bit talking about life and such. Matt Riley, he really is one fucking cool guy!
What’s up for grabs?
- One lucky hopper will win a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate sponsored by Evernight Publishing.
- Plus, each author is giving away their own unique prize! So visit each blog hop stop for a host of fabulous prizes to win
- I’m giving away a free ecopy of In Flames and a ten dollar ($10) gift card to Evernight Publishing (combined for one winner)
- How to enter? Answer this question in the comments below…
Aside from good looks (which we all can agree is important for a book boyfriend), what is the one quality that your book boyfriend must have?
Be sure to leave the answer and your email address to be eligible to win a prize. Each comment gives you an entry for the grand prize (one per blog hop stop).
Keep hopping to the next author or blogger. After you’ve met each hero click here to vote for your favorite book boyfriend. You’ll earn an extra grand prize entry!
You’re one step closer to meeting your next Book Boyfriend…
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