Best Woman for the Job – FREE

Happy Labor Day weekend! In celebration of Labor Day AND the soon to be released – Still the Best Woman for the Job, my short story – Best Woman for the Job (the prequel) is *FREE* on Smashwords until September 6, 2013! Find out below how you can get your copy.

NEVER SAY NEVER…ESPECIALLY IF THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB…IS A WOMAN

Cincinnati police officer, Craig Logan, needs a plumber, but not bad enough to hire a woman.  “No way am I letting some woman wanna-be plumber anywhere near my pipes!”

When Toni (TJ) Jenkins shows up at Craig’s house to repair his plumbing issues, he thinks it’s a joke, but soon finds out the joke is on him. Toni is the finest plumber he’s ever seen. Will Craig realize before it’s too late, that not only is she the best woman for the job, but she’s also the best woman for him?

Excerpt

If Craig Logan was surprised to see a female plumber standing at his door, he didn’t show it. Instead he leaned against the door jamb, arms folded, wearing a police uniform – gun and all, looking sexier than any man had a right to look.

“And who did you say you were again?” His voice rang with authority but was as smooth as silk.

“I’m Toni Jenkins from Jenkins & Sons Construction.” She handed him her business card. “You called regarding some plumbing issues.”

Used to men checking her out, Toni didn’t take offense when he did a slow perusal of her from head to toe, before his eyes returned to her face. His lips curled into a cocky smile and Toni drew in a breath. In her line of work, she was around men all the time, but none that looked as good as this one. With smooth skin the color of sandalwood, intense eyes that seemed to see into her soul, and a body that made you want to rake your hands over every muscular inch of it, she had no doubt that he made women’s heads turn wherever he went. The brother was fine.

His hazel eyes crinkled around the edges as he released a hardy laugh, and she was awed by the rich bass sound of it. Hold up. Is he laughing at me? She didn’t care how gorgeous he was, she wasn’t about to stand there and be some Robocop’s form of amusement.

With her clip board in one hand, she shifted her weight and her other hand flew to her hip. “I must’ve missed the joke. What’s so funny?”

His smile faded and he straightened before stepping out onto the concrete stoop, towering over her by at least a foot. “What’s so funny?” He moved close enough to entice her with the scent of his woodsy cologne. “You’re kidding right? I can’t believe you’re the person they sent to take care of my plumbing. Can you even lift a pipe wrench?”

Not another one. Why was it so hard for people to believe that she was a plumber, especially men? Not only had she completed a five-year apprenticeship just like every other journeyman plumber, but she was a master plumber with advanced skills. Yet, on almost every service call, she had to take crap from some idiot who didn’t have a clue that this was the twenty-first century where women could do anything a man could – except pee standing up.

“As a matter of fact, I can lift a pipe wrench, as well as a toilet auger, kitchen sink and a bathtub if I have to. But I’m not going to stand here and argue with you about what I can or can’t do. I was under the impression you wanted the best person for the job. Well, I’m her, but if I’m too much of a woman for you, then I suggest you call someone else.”

****

Craig didn’t know how long he stood outside staring after Toni once she pulled her van away from the curb, but he eventually turned and went back into the house. Most people were intimidated by his imposing height, as well as his uniform and gun, but apparently not her. It wasn’t often he got told off by a pint-size female plumber. Scanning her business card, he chuckled.

“Toni “TJ” Jenkins huh? No way am I letting some woman wanna-be plumber anywhere near my pipes, no matter how attractive she is.”

Tradesmen sure don’t look like they used to, he thought on the way upstairs to his bedroom. As the old guys used to joke – she was short on both ends, a few inches over five feet, and she probably barely tipped the scale at hundred and ten pounds. But he had to admit, he liked her curves, the way her red T-shirt stretched across her generous breast and the girl was working the blue jeans. He shook his head. What happened to the beer belly, pants hanging, butt-crack-showing plumbers?

**

Get your *FREE* copy today! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/155997 – Use coupon code HH79V   Coupon expires: September 6, 2013

Coming Soon: an excerpt from Still the Best Woman for the Job (book 1 of the Jenkins Family Series and the sequel to Best Woman for the Job), available September 25, 2013!

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Legal Ease – Giveaway and Review

It is with pleasure that I welcome Lori Ryan, author of Legal Ease (Sutton Capital Series) to my blog! Lori is sharing a little about her writing process, sharing an excerpt and doing a giveaway! Oh, and I had the pleasure of reading Legal Ease, so check out my review below. But first, lets here from Lori. Take it away, Lori!

From: Lori Ryan

One of the best parts about writing fiction is the shopping. Yup, you heard me. The shopping. It’s only window shopping, but it’s fun just the same.

For example, when I sat down to write Legal Ease, I realized Jack Sutton needed a house. And, it needed to be a pretty spectacular house at that. So, I jumped on Realtor.com and put in a budget of ten to fifteen million and this is what I came up with after shopping around:

Gorgeous, isn’t it? You should see the inside! Here’s the view from the roof outside of Jack and Kelly’s window.

Makes you want to move right in, doesn’t it? It’s still for sale, if anyone is in the market…

Next came the cocktail dress Kelly needed for the party she and Jack hosted and then jewelry for Jack to give to Kelly to go with her dress. Oh, and don’t let me forget her engagement ring.

As I write, I jump online and choose each item so that I can describe it to my readers in lifelike detail. I have to run no, as a matter of fact. I’ve got to go choose a pair of shoes for one of my current heroines. Jimmychoo.com, here I come!

Blurb

Jack Sutton is a man who’s used to getting his way. So when his mother’s will forces his hand, he does the only thing he can. Jack cuts a deal with the confident, sexy law school student who walks into his office with a proposition he can’t refuse.

The deal may have kept Jack in control at Sutton Capital but his private life quickly spirals out of control. Just when Jack realizes that he wants more than a year with Kelly, his wealth puts her in great danger and he is left scrambling to save her life and their future together.

Excerpt

“Jack, darling…” Jack’s Aunt Mabry breezed into the room. “I’ve decided to redo my kitchen and the downstairs floor of my townhouse. Chad has a friend staying with him right now so I need to stay at your place for a few weeks until my kitchen is completed.”

Jack had to work to keep from rolling his eyes. He knew perfectly well what Aunt Mabry was doing. She wanted to spy on him and Kelly. There was no way she’d be redoing her kitchen if she didn’t want an excuse to stay with him. And she would normally stay at the Omni downtown or at a spa by the water instead of with him. She had never stayed at his house before, not for a day in his life, even when his mother was alive.

She was spying. He was sure of it. His mind filtered through the excuses he could give her but when he quickly weighed all of the factors, he decided it was best to just let her move in for a bit to get her off their backs. Besides, if his aunt were around he and Kelly would have to pretend to be husband and wife a lot more often, and he liked pretending that where Kelly was concerned.

With unexpected enthusiasm, Jack smiled and said, “Sure thing, Aunt Mabry. You’re welcome anytime. When do you need to move in?”

“Right now,” she said with a Cheshire Cat grin. “I’ll just head over there right now.”

With that announcement, she walked out of the office as breezily as she had waltzed in. Jack stared after her for a minute when suddenly it dawned on him. Kelly and he didn’t share a room. Oh, hell. His aunt wouldn’t buy the happily-ever-after marriage if she found out he and Kelly didn’t share a room. He grabbed the phone to try to catch Kelly or Mrs. Poole in time to warn them.

***

Kelly whipped through the house and up the stairs, calling out for Mrs. Poole as she ran. “Mrs. Poole, come quickly! We have to move. We have to move.” Kelly continued yelling as she ran into her room and grabbed drawers full of clothes and piled hangers with slacks and dresses on them.

Mrs. Poole came up the stairs with a puzzled look on her face. “What on earth are you hollering about, Kelly?” she said as she tried to enter the room. She had to jump out of the way as Kelly made a mad dash to Jack’s room.

“We have to move all of my stuff into Jack’s room,” Kelly said, out of breath from her packing and running. “Jack’s Aunt Mabry is on her way here and she’s staying with us for a couple of weeks,” Kelly blurted out as she ran back down the hall to gather more of her belongings.

“Oh Lord,” Mrs. Poole rolled her eyes and followed after Kelly. She quickly grabbed clothes and toiletries and rushed down the hall to Jack’s room. She and Kelly repeated the trip half a dozen more times as they transferred everything and set it into place. Mrs. Poole cleared out half of Jack’s dresser and closet and made room for Kelly’s things while Kelly folded and put her clothing away to make it appear as though the two had been living in holy matrimony since day one.

Kelly put away the last of her things and took a deep breath. She turned to survey the masculine-looking room. There was a dark mahogany dresser and matching armoire against the deep green walls. Large windows looked out on the same beautiful waterfront view that her guest room windows had shared. She stopped suddenly and held her breath when her eyes landed on the king-sized bed in the center. Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to her that she and Jack would now have to share a bed. Kelly’s smile fell away as she realized that keeping her attraction hidden from Jack just became a lot more difficult.

***

Buy it on Amazon

About the Giveaway

Prize:  $25 Amazon Gift Card

How to Enter: Rafflecopter Giveaway

Deadline: October 21, 2013

My Review

In exchange for a gifted copy of Legal Ease (Sutton Capital Series), I agreed to give an honest review.

First, let me just say, the book cover, the blurb and the title doesn’t do this story justice! This was the first book I’ve read by this author and what an enjoyable read! The main characters in Legal Ease, Jack and Kelly, were very likeable and multi-dimensional characters. Once you get pass the first few pages (a little slow and repetitive) the story takes off and is not only engaging, but the author does a good job weaving humor, creative plotting, and a little suspense into a fun read.

The theme of the story is – marriage of convenience. Jack needs to get married in order to hold onto his business. Prior to Jack’s mother’s death, she held a large amount of shares in his company. In her will, the shares of the company would go to Jack if he’s married. Jack wasn’t too concerned about the shares until it was time for a major vote and without the shares, he wouldn’t have enough leverage to tilt the votes in his favor (which his conniving aunt was counting on). And then enters Kelly – a woman who was accepted into Yale’s law school, but couldn’t afford the tuition. Within minutes of Jack possibly losing his company, in walks Kelly pretending to be his fiancé. I won’t spoil the story by telling you more of how they hook up, but I will say – this was one of my favorite scenes in the story – clever and cute.

Considering Jack didn’t know Kelly prior to her showing up (out of nowhere) to his office, the chemistry between them was instant. It was refreshing to read a romance story where the characters liked each other immediately and their relationship blossomed easily, despite a meddling aunt. Add in a sweet housekeeper, fun friends, and a little suspense (which was a nice touch) and you have an enjoyable read.

So, if you’re looking for an easy read, that will offer romance, a little humor, and a touch of suspense, this is the book for you.

I would recommend Legal Ease.

Overall Rating = 3.9 Stars

Book Cover = 2.5 Stars

Book Blurb = 3.5 Stars

Writer’s Voice /Style = 4.5 Stars
Character Development = 5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars

About the Author

Lori is an award winning author and stay-at-home mom. Her second book, Penalty Clause, won first place in the romance category in Lcuky Cinda Publishing’s Annual Global Writer’s Contest in 2013.

Lori has had a number of careers before embarking on her newest adventure of writing novels. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law, she practiced law for three years, working primarily in the areas of utilities law and intellectual property litigation.

More recently, Lori owned and operated a dog training business in Austin, Texas, where she specialized in aggression and became an expert in the field of dog bite analysis. Lori sold her dog training business in 2013 and is now a full time writer and mother of two.

Lori still lives in Austin with her husband — who is endlessly supportive of her changing career paths — and her two children, one cat, and three dogs.

Connect with Lori Ryan

Website: http://www.loriryanromance.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loriryanromance

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/loriryan.

Mailing List: http://www.loriryanromance.com/#!join-my-mailing-list/cdpp.

Want to be a part of Lori’s online street team? Email her at Loriryanauthor@gmail.com and put the words ‘street team’ in the subject line. She’ll email you back with directions for joining her team.

Click here for the rest of Lori’s tour schedule

Book Spotlight – See No Evil By Tanya Anne Crosby

Join me in welcoming author Tanya Anne Crosby to my blog! Tanya is introducing us to her novel – See No Evil.

About See No Evil

“Dangerously addicting. “-Sherrilyn Kenyon #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Crosby serves up suspense, secrets and Southern scandal like no one else! “ – Harlan Coben #1 New York Times bestselling author

Lifting the veil of secrecy on a grand Southern family in decline, New York Times bestselling author Tanya Anne Crosby explores the lives of Caroline, Augusta, and Savannah Aldridge, three sisters who share a dark past and an uncertain future…Caroline Aldridge was surprised by the number of mourners at her mother’s funeral. Evidently the newspaper heiress who had caused her children so much pain was well-loved by everyone else in Charleston. Now she was gone, leaving behind countless secrets–and a few demands: Caroline and her sisters must live together for one year or lose their inheritance. And Caroline must take over The Tribune. But a killer is making headlines, and Caroline may have unwittingly stepped into the crosshairs…

A series of kidnappings and murders resurrect the sisters’ memories of their brother’s disappearance as a child–and Caroline fears she may be next. Yet in the midst of her turmoil, she may be rekindling a romance she’d extinguished long ago. With Jack back in her life and the tattered bonds of sisterhood slowly mending, Caroline hopes the family can restore its position in Charleston society–unless a sinister force beyond their control tears them apart forever. . .

Excerpt:

He took another swig of his Guinness and reached into his pocket to grab his cell phone. Three missed calls from Kelly. Zero from Caroline.

Then, again, he hadn’t expected Caroline to call. She was as prideful as her mother—damn her! Even ten years later, she wasn’t about to forget a stupid mistake. He set the phone down on the counter and drained his glass, eyeing the cell with some malice.

The bartender eyed him curiously. “Bad day?”

Jack shrugged. “Buried a friend,” he said.

And fought with the woman who somehow still managed to consume his thoughts even after all these years, but he didn’t offer up that part. It was nobody’s business.

Caroline was the sole reason he couldn’t settle down with Kelly, he realized. Every time he’d considered it, Caroline’s face popped into his head—like one of those annoying carnival games. He didn’t think that was the way it was supposed to be—married to one girl, obsessed with another.

There was nothing wrong with Kelly.

She just wasn’t Caroline.

“I’ll take another.”

Kyle nodded and complied.

Okay, so maybe as a description of the past several years, “obsessed” was a bit of an overstatement, because he had pretty much managed to put Caroline out of his head—except whenever lifechanging decisions were about to be made. This minute, however, it was a full-on obsession, complete with phantom touches that were hijacking his body. Just seeing her had done that to him. It left him with a sense of longing that was acutely disagreeable, and he couldn’t shake it.

Eyeing the phone again, he considered calling her—just so he could stop thinking about her—and it dawned on him that she was probably the reason he had never changed his number. That thought had never even entered his brain before this moment, but he was pretty sure it was true. He wasn’t over her. Worse, he was afraid he was never going to be over her, and the thought of living his life in limbo made him feel like chain-smoking half a dozen packs of cigarettes right in front of her.

His cell phone rang and his heart thumped hard. Then he saw the number and felt the letdown: Kelly.

He couldn’t avoid her forever.

Draining his glass once more, he took out his wallet, paid the tab, grabbed his cell, and almost as an afterthought, reached into his pocket, digging out his last pack of cigarettes, still half full, and tossed them on the bar, then walked out. The phone stopped ringing, but he would call her back. Now that it was all clear in his head, he realized holding on wasn’t fair.

It was time to let go.

*

Buy It Now

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

About the Author:

Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two cats in northern Michigan.

Connect with Tanya Anne Crosby

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Follow Tanya’s Blog Tour!   http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/08/booktour-speak-no-evil-no-evil-1-by.html

Book Spotlight – Celebration House By Annette Drake

Join me in welcoming Author Annette Drake to my blog today as she shares an excerpt from her novel – Celebration House!

About Celebration House

Carrie Hansen spent her life caring for cardiac patients. Little did she know she would become a patient herself. After recovering from her own heart surgery, she realizes she has a special gift: the ability to see and talk with the dead.

Now, with her new heart failing, she leaves the bustle of Seattle behind and returns to Lexington, Missouri, the small town where she spent her childhood. Here, she sets out to restore an abandoned antebellum mansion and open it as a venue for celebrations.

Carrie’s work is cut out for her. The 150-year-old Greek revival house is in need of serious repair. Her sister, Melanie, tries to bully Carrie into returning to Seattle, predicting “her little project” is doomed to fail. Finally, Carrie’s health gives out on her, requiring emergency surgery.

But she will not give up. Carrie’s unique gift allows her to build relationships with the mansion’s original occupants, especially Maj. Tom Stewart, the handsome Civil War soldier who died a hundred years before Carrie was born. He encourages and comforts her, though not in the physical way they both desire.

Then there’s the builder of the house, Col. Bartholomew Stratton. If there’s one thing this 19th century horse trader cannot abide, it’s the living trespassing on his estate. He delights in scaring these intruders away, even if they are paying guests.

Will Carrie finish restoring Celebration House or will it finish her? And how can she plan a future with a man who has only a past?

Excerpt

Driving up to the house, Carrie smiled. She loved the long driveway, the poplar trees on both sides. Behind the trees, the fences had fallen into disrepair. Just one more thing she’d have to fix. She parked her car alongside the house and stacked her groceries and camping gear on the front porch. Seeing a small barn behind the main building, she decided to explore and see if there was room to park her car inside.

Carrie opened the door and stepped inside. Sunlight streamed in through the dirty windows. Even though the barn had been vacant for years, she smelled hay and horses.

Looking to her left, she saw a man shaving. He was bare from the waist up, his chest finely proportioned, lean, and muscular. His arms were powerfully built, and his right hand remained steady as he scraped the white soap from his angular jaw. His dark blue uniform pants were tucked into black leather knee-high riding boots. He stood at least six foot tall, and though Carrie hadn’t made her living in the carnival, she guessed he was probably younger than her, likely in his mid 20s. He peered intently at a small mirror tacked up on one of the barn walls. She waited to speak until after he’d finished the last swipe with the ivory-handled straight blade and had dipped it into the basin of soapy water.

“Good morning.”

He turned towards her suddenly, his expression an equal mix of surprise and annoyance. He dropped the razor and grabbed his shirt off a nearby nail. He turned his back to Carrie and pulled it on.

“You can see me, ma’am?” he asked, buttoning his shirt before stuffing it into his pants.

“Yes. Do you see me?”

“Yes, but I believe I have the advantage. I am dead. You are not.”

“I’m sorry to intrude on you. I’m Carrie Hansen,” she said, stepping toward him and extending her hand.

Without even thinking, he reached to shake her hand but his passed through hers. They both jerked back.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude,” she said.

“You surprised me. That’s all. We don’t get many visitors out here, especially living ones who can see us,” he said, putting his blue uniform coat over his shirt and buttoning the long row of brass buttons. “I’m Maj. Thomas Stewart, at your service,” he said, bowing formally at the waist.

“I am sorry I startled you. I sometimes forget that ghosts aren’t accustomed to being seen.”

“How may I be of service to you, Miss Hansen?”

“Where can I find Col. Stratton? I need to speak with him.”

His dark blue eyes showed his puzzlement. “The living do not go looking for Col. Stratton. What business do you have with him?”

“I bought this house, and I intend to live here.”

*

Buy It Now

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Annette Drake’s work is character-driven and celebrates the law of unintended consequences. Her debut novel, Celebration House, debuted on August 1^st in e-book format for readers everywhere from Tirgearr Publishing.

Annette left high school after two years to obtain her GED and attend Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. There she earned a degree in journalism before working as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Missouri and Kansas. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing in 1994 from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and worked as a registered nurse in hospitals throughout Missouri, Alaska and Washington for 18 years before returning her focus to writing

Annette recently completed her middle-grade novel, Bone Girl, and is hard at work revising her steamy contemporary romance, A Year with Geno.

She is the mother of four children. The oldest just graduated from the University of Washington; the youngest just graduated from kindergarten. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. She loves libraries, basset hounds and bakeries. She does not camp.

You can follow her writing at www.Annettedrake.com. She welcomes correspondence at: Write2me(at)annettedrake.com.

Bachelor’s Special by Christine Warner (Giveaway)

I’d like to welcome Christine Warner back to my blog! Today she will be telling us about her novel, Bachelor’s Special and sharing some fun facts. Take it away Christine.

Author Christine Warner

Today in celebration of my latest contemporary romance from the Indulgence line with Entangled Publishing, I’d like to share 10 Fun Facts about Bachelor’s Special that not many people know.

I hope you enjoy learning a few behind the scenes workings of my book and I hope you like the blurb and excerpt that follows!

Ten Fun Facts About Bachelor’s Special:

1. When I wrote the story my working title was Blind Date Billionaire. I still love that title and hopefully can use it someday for another story.
2. This story was a true labor of love. I added several scenes and deleted several others which ended up changing the story a lot.
3. I originally had a scene in which Chet’s mother played a major role—kind of a busy-body if you will—but took it out because I found her unlikable and I didn’t want that.
4. Bachelor’s Special takes place in Michigan.
5. Originally Mel bought Jill a membership to a dating service and chose her first date—which happened to be Chet. After much thought I changed it around so that Mel didn’t buy a membership for Jill, but decided to fix Jill up on a blind date with Chet— who just happens to be Mel’s future brother in law. Confusing? Lol
6. I wrote the opening scene 4—or maybe it was 5—different ways before I decided upon writing a prologue.
7. One of my favorite lines in the book is “A woman knows when she’s about to be kissed.”
8. I never changed any of the character’s names. When I made my choice for each character, they stuck J
9. One of my favorite characteristics about Jill is her love for the 1950s and the fact that she wears vintage clothes.
10. I borrowed Jill’s last name, Adgate, from a family who lives in the small town I live in. They owned a grocery story called Adgates, but it closed about 10 yeas ago.

About Bachelor’s Special

Saute, simmer, and flambé…

Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, the devoted love of an exceptional man, and a family. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life.

Chet Castle is a prosperous businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved with any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.

Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: Work for him for the next eight weeks as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking with her commitment-phobic employer is a recipe for disaster…but it’s just too tasty to not take a bite.

Excerpt

Her body hummed as his smile wavered. Although he wore sunglasses, she’d bet her last dollar his gaze swept across her chest, lingering on the betrayal of her pert nipples pushing against the fabric of her suit.

Until this moment, shyness had never been a trait she possessed. Air stalled in her lungs, her palms grew sweaty, and she itched to cover herself with a towel. Even though her replica vintage swimsuit hid more than most sets of women’s underwear, she felt too exposed. She turned to the side slightly and folded her legs up. Not that it helped, but it made her feel a bit less exposed. Chet slid his feet from his sandals, brushing a hand through his hair. The heat from the sun wasn’t the only thing scorching her skin. She trickled several droplets of water over her arms, but she couldn’t drag her focus from his toned flesh.

Jill soaked in his ripped abs and the obvious package of goodies covered by his brown swimsuit—the same sexy brown as his hair. Damn, did a man have a right to fill out a pair of swimming trunks like that? Flecks of hair, just enough to give him a manly appeal, covered the etched muscles of his long, tan legs. She licked her lips, hoping she could still speak.

“Do you want some privacy?” Yes, say yes. She needed an excuse to make an escape without coming off like someone desperate to be making an exit.

*

Hell no, he didn’t want privacy. Through the shield of his sunglasses, he inspected her body from the tips of her pink-painted toenails to the top of her brightly flowered swimming cap. Did people still actually wear those things?

“No, you look comfortable. Stay and enjoy the day.”

“Oh…are you sure?”

“Sure.”

Amazed at his own ability to talk without his tongue hitting the cement, Chet turned to throw his towel and sunglasses on a nearby lounge chair. Damn.

The red and white polka-dot halter-style suit featured a tight bodice, but her slender hips and shapely thighs hiding beneath a matching skirt grabbed his attention until all oxygen left his blood. Even showing less skin than the average girl on the beach, she far exceeded sexy and alluring.

Get a grip, Castle. She’s off limits, no matter how delectable. He turned and stepped onto the diving board. He bounced along the surface as he made his way over the water. When he looked at Jill’s bathing cap covering her head, he held back his grin. The neon rubber flowers reminded him of something his grandmother would’ve worn, but there the similarity ended. Everything beneath that cap was far from making him think of Grandma.

Buy it now!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance e-Books | Kobo Books | iTunes

About the Giveaway:

Prize: $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card

How to enter: Rafflecopter giveaway

Christine, how can readers contact you?

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the author:

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends. Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines. A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.

Hot Summer Heroes Blog Hop and Giveaway

What better way to round up the summer than with the Hot Sumer Heroes Blog Hop sponsored by Caris Roane and Bella Media Management? Not only do you get to meet some “hot” heroes, but you also get a chance to win LOTS of books and prizes (including a $100 gift card)!

I’ll tell you about the giveaway shortly, but first let’s discuss how hard it is to go through the summer, reading and talking about hot summer heroes without talking about Quinn Hamilton, the hero in Rendezvous with Danger, book 2 of the Reunited Series. There are many things that make him a hot hero: his amazing ripped body, disarming smile, and his sexy swagger to name a few, but what makes him stand out from the rest is that – he loves hard. When it comes to Alandra Pargas, his love interest in Rendezvous with Danger, he proves over and over again how much he loves her and will do anything to keep her safe.

Blurb:

Alandra Pargas, ex-CIA counter-intelligence officer, plans to wreak vengeance on the people who tried to kill her. A little rendezvous with danger is not what scares her, though. It’s seeing the tall, dark, and dangerously sexy man she vowed to love forever that has her running for cover.

Former U.S. Special Operative, Quinn Hamilton, left the world of covert operations after the love of his life died in his arms during a black op. Three years later, he still loses sleep wondering if maybe he could have done something more to save her – until Alandra shows up on his doorstep. With her lies and betrayal, he wants nothing to do with her, yet, his heart won’t cooperate. It’s not until unknown enemies come after her that he must decide if he can leave the past behind and protect the woman he’ll always love. Will they survive this last mission and rekindle the love and passion they once shared?

Excerpt from Rendezvous with Danger, book 2 of the Reunited Series

Quinn released a long ragged sigh and leaned against a nearby wall, his muscular arms folded across his chest. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these last few years, thinking you were dead? Thinking I’d never be able to touch you, hold you, or make love to you? Hell, I watched you die, Alandra, in my arms! You have any idea what that feels like? To watch the one woman you loved more than life get gunned down.”

His voice broke, but he held his gaze steady, maintaining his usual tough-guy composure, and Alandra’s heart crumbled. She blinked rapidly to keep tears from falling. He had always been so hard, tough, and strong willed. It had been too easy for her to forget he was just a man. She drew in a deep breath as she walked toward him.

“Quinn, I’m sorry, but I lost too. I’ve missed you so much, and staying away was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. So many times I wanted to call you, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t safe.”

He pushed slowly away from the wall and approached her with concern in his eyes. “What do you mean it wasn’t safe?” He reached out to touch her, but dropped his arm.

Disappointment crept in when he took a step back as if she were toxic, as if touching her would somehow weaken him. Alandra swallowed hard and decided it was probably for the best. Had he pulled her into his arms, there was no telling what would happen. Besides, that wasn’t why she had come. Three years ago someone tried to kill her, and now she was determined to find out who and why, but she needed Quinn’s help.

She sighed, anxious about getting him to understand. “Quinn, I’m in the midst of something big and you’re going to blow my cover if you keep coming to the hospi—”

“Are you kidding me?” he yelled. His angry eyes pierced her soul deeper than any knife ever could. “This three year disappearance is connected to some goddamn op?”

She stepped to him and placed her hands on his chest in hopes of calming him down. “No. No, you don’t understand. It’s just that—”

“I can’t believe this shit!” He jerked away from her and raised his fist as if he were going to punch through the wall.

“Let me explain,” Alandra grabbed his arm.

He turned abruptly. “Explain? Hell, you’ve had three damn years to explain.”

“But I couldn’t. I—”

“Yeah, you could have,” he said in a hoarse whisper. He held her face in his large hands, his lips inches from hers. Her pulse quickened. “Lan, baby, there is nothing I wouldn’t have done for you including give my life. I mean absolutely nothing. And you knew that, so don’t tell me you didn’t have a choice.”

But it now: 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | All Romance ebooks

Note: If you haven’t read the prequel to Rendezvous with Danger – Secret Rendezvous – it’s *FREE*! Click here for your copy.

Books by Sharon C. Cooper

About the Giveaway:

This is how the blog hop works. Here’s the list of over 60 bloggers participating in the blog hop. Each blog spot is giving away prizes AND there is a grand prize. You can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. That means you can enter over 60 times!

Here’s what you can win:

1st Prize – A $10 Amazon or B&N gift card (you must be a subscriber to this blog or follow me on Facebook)

2nd Prize – An ecopy of either of my backlist titles (winner’s choice – Rendezvous with Danger not included)

Grand Prize:

 A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (winner’s choice)

How to enter to win:

* Leave a comment in the comment section below. Include your email address.

* Visit other blogs that are participating in the Hot Sumer Heroes Blog Hop. Each time you comment on ANY of the blogs participating in the Hot Sumer Heroes blog hop (including this one) you are entered to win. NOTE: Each blogger is giving away prizes!!! Did you get that? That means you can enter well over 60 times for a chance to win some amazing prizes (just make sure you leave a comment on the blog sites AND your email address).

Deadline: You must enter no later than 11:59 p.m est on Sunday, August 18, 2013. That means you can enter to win any day from today, August 15, 2013 thru Sunday, August 18, 2013!

I will post my winner in the comment section below by Tuesday, August 21st. Note: The winner will have been contacted via email by this time.

Good Luck – I hope you win!

(don’t forget to leave a comment below and incl. your email address)

Click here for the list of  blogs participating in the Hot Summer Heroes Blog Hop.