A Dose of Passion – Sneak Peek

Hi All,

I thought this would be a good time to give a sneak peek at A DOSE OF PASSION, my third Harlequin Kimani book coming soon.

About the characters:

The main characters in this book were initially introduced in other stories. First there’s Derek Logan. Remember him? He’s the brother of Craig Logan (STILL THE BEST WOMAN FOR THE JOB). He’s also an architect and a single dad raising Jason, his cute little son  (in my mind he’s a cutie). At any rate, Derek hooks up with Macy Carter. Remember her? She’s the oldest sister of Iris Sinclair-Dupree (from LEGAL SEDUCTION) and she’s a pediatrician.

Okay, so here’s a sneak peek of the story:

Blurb:

A prescription for sweet satisfaction…

Pediatrician Macy Carter has been so busy expanding her practice she’s had no time to build the family she craves. Her late, much-loved surrogate father apparently had some matchmaking in mind when he arranged for a sexy architect to take over his home and company. Too bad Derek is a single dad who’s been there, done that, and intends to remain unattached. Their priorities are totally out of sync. Their chemistry? Unbelievably potent.

Thanks to his former mentor, Derek Logan just inherited an architectural business, a house and the gorgeous client next door. He’s keeping away from forever relationships, but this doctor’s sensual touch is addictive. Helping Macy build her dream medical complex awakens Derek to how much more he now wants out of life. But has he hesitated too long to prove he’s ready for and deserving of her love?

Excerpt:

Derek stepped out of the shadows just as she crossed the invisible property line, giving him a better view. Desire traveled through his body as she moved closer and he got a better look at her appearance. Her hair, curled at the ends, covered part of her face as she monitored each step she took. Normally, she sported a ponytail, but he loved seeing her hair hanging loose around her shoulders. The sheer blouse covered a camisole, and that damn skirt that had him salivating earlier was shorter than he’d originally thought.

His traitorous body reacted immediately when his gaze finally landed on her toned thighs and killer legs.

“What the hell were you doing with that guy?” The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Macy stopped short. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

She gripped her clutch purse tighter. “Are you drunk?” She studied him with concern.

“No. I’m not drunk.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead and released a noisy breath. He stood only inches away, his hands itching to touch her. “How are you just going to go on a date? What about us?”

“What?” She narrowed her eyes and stared at him as if he had lost his mind. “There is no us. Besides, the last time I checked, I was a grown woman who could go out with whomever I want.” She huffed, pushing hair away from her face. “You know what? Coming over here was a bad idea. I’m going home.” She turned to leave.

“Don’t.” He reached for her hand and she stopped. He knew he wasn’t thinking straight, but at the moment he didn’t care. He was tired of denying his feelings for her, and it was time he did something about them.

*

A DOSE OF PASSION is available for pre-order! Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Official release day – October 1, 2015. 

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Bejeweled: What a Tangled Web We Weave

Today I’m welcoming author Chelle Ramsey back to my blog! Chelle is on a book tour for her upcoming release, BEJEWELED: WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE, and my blog spot is one of her stops. So let’s check out her upcoming -June 11, 2015 -release!

 

BOOK BLURB:

BEJEWELED: WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

Olivia’s dreams have finally begun to come true, as she marries the man who’s held her heart for twenty years. Her beauty salon is prospering, and she has begun rebuilding her team, after seeds of discord were sowed and bonds were broken. Everything is beginning to look up, or so she thinks. When a scandal is leaked to the media, Olivia’s dream of expanding is in jeopardy. She must step up and play hard ball in a game with which she’s unfamiliar.

Nikki had dreams of building a beautiful family with a loving husband. But after looking at the shattered pieces of her broken life, she is losing hope and desires more. She wants more than the shame of barrenness, and more than physical abuse from his drinking binges. One phone call gives her courage to escape the deadly clutches of her husband. Yet, when she finds strength in another’s arms she finds herself spinning more lies. Nikki’s web of deceit is going to cost all those who are close and it could just cost her, her life.

When deception is the name of the game, who all will have to share the pain?

Excerpt:

The pain was easing up somewhat as Nikki and Wesley entered the breezeway at his apartments. Unlocking the door, his eyes softened when he looked at her face once again.

She saw a mixture of anger and compassion nestled there.

“What?” she asked when he continued to stare at her longer than what she deemed comfortable.

“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. Wesley led her into a galley kitchen and pulled a sandwich bag from one of the cabinets, filled it with ice, and then wrapped it in a paper towel before applying it to her face.

She was in awe at the tenderness with which this man handled her. Every time he touched or said a word to her, it was with such protection, like she had never known. This was a side of Wesley that she had not seen in the five years of knowing him.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing her by her free hand and leading her to the back of the apartment. She looked around at his bedroom; not at all what she would have expected for a single man. Decorated in oranges, greens, browns, and yellows, it had a Caribbean look and feel to it. The room was small, but neat and exhibited a nice décor. The full-sized bed sat directly opposite the black-framed, chestnut-colored dresser. To the right of his bed was a small nightstand in the same black framing and chestnut top as the bed and the dresser. To the left of his bed was a double-paned window, with orange, brown, and green curtains blocking out the midday sun. He walked over to the window and opened the curtains halfway and then opened the blinds to allow the sun to stream through.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” she asked with a look of apprehension in her eyes.

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Just to the bathroom, Nikki. I’ll be back.”

Exhaling a deep breath, she realized that a new fear had come over her. In all the altercations she had endured with Carlos, he had never left her for dead. Why did he leave like that? What if the neighbors didn’t come? I could’ve died in that bathroom, she thought.

She tried to fight back the tears, but they betrayed her. Sucking in her sobs, she stood and walked to his dresser and began looking at his pictures, anything that would take her mind off her problems. There were a couple of him and his father at various stages of his life, a few of some children, and one of a lady she assumed to be his mother. She stood up and walked to the bed, staring at the amazing likeness he had to this woman.

“That’s my mom.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice; she hadn’t heard him return to the bedroom.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you come up. Are you always so quiet?” she asked as he came and stood beside her. She still had not looked at him, wishing she could make the tears disappear from her eyes and face.

“No. Are you always so scary?” he teased. He regretted the words almost the moment he said them. Her body tensed up, and she looked down. Her fear had come as a result of the relationship she was in. She was always tense and on edge, because she never knew what fuse Carlos was about to blow.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry. Here, look at me,” he said, turning her face up towards him. “Why are you crying?” he asked as he wiped her tears away with his fingers.

“I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know.” She couldn’t explain if she wanted to. No one would understand her confusion or pain. She could forgive Carlos if he just had not left her. Didn’t he love her? Didn’t he want to work things out? Maybe he didn’t love her, after all. If he did, he would not have left her there like that.

“Don’t be sorry. You haven’t done anything wrong. I have the feeling you have spent many years apologizing,” Wesley stated.

He lovingly caressed the bruise that had formed on the right side of her face.

“Too beautiful,” Wesley said, being drawn into the power of her presence in his bedroom.

“Huh?”

“You. You’re too beautiful for this. I don’t want you to be scared every time people come near you. Relax, okay? Just be…I promise I won’t ever do nothing to hurt you,” he said as he drew her nearer to him. Looking down into her big, dark brown eyes, he felt himself getting lost.

Nikki didn’t know what she was feeling or what was happening between the two of them. And she couldn’t contain herself as he pressed his full firm lips against her soft, lush ones. As their foreheads touched, he continued to gently apply pressure to her lips, asking for permission to enter in.

*

Preorder your copy today! Amazon

Get other books by Chelle!

AMAZON: C. Michelle Ramsey Amazon or Chelle Ramsey Amazon

PAPERBACKS: https://www.createspace.com/4706061v

About the Author:

ABOUT CHELLE RAMSEY: An original Georgia Peach, Chelle Ramsey is the author of five published and several waitingon-the-shelf contemporary fiction books, with a focus on women’s fiction. Many of her stories are based in her birthplace of Atlanta or her husband’s hometown of Cincinnati, where readers can relate to local hot spots and events. Chelle wants people to become empowered to rise above life’s adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves. She sprinkles words of encouragement and inspiration throughout all of her real life fiction novels.

Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her property management role by day, while she writes her fiction novels by night. Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she loves listening to music, and becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, and Nora Roberts. She especially enjoys trying to solve the engaging mysteries of James Patterson and Stuart Woods, while eating a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. Chelle resides in a rural community of Atlanta, GA and enjoys writing, family time, ministering through dance at church, and watching NBA games with her husband.

CONTACT INFO: BLOG |  WEBSITE |  FACEBOOK | FACEBOOK_NOVEL  |  TWITTER | EMAIL  |  INSTAGRAM  | GOODREADS

Dearly Beloved Series

Hi all!

It’s always a pleasure having Margo Hoornstra on my blog! Today she’s stopping by as part of her blog tour with Novel Book Tours, to share a bit about her Dearly Beloved Series. Margo is also giving away a $15 Amazon gift card! More about the giveaway shortly. First let’s check out the books in the series.

NIGHT STARS AND MOURNING DOVES

Get your copy today! Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:

Elyse Monroe may be her sister’s maid of honor, but that doesn’t mean she has to follow the bride’s example and fall in love. Battle-scarred and weary from previous relationships, she has no desire to take a chance on another–no matter how many hints her little sister drops about the best man.

Devastating life events have taken a toll on Eric Matthews. After losing his wife and unborn daughter, he’s come home to heal. Serving as best man at his kid brother’s wedding is the only relationship he cares to contemplate–no matter how attractive the maid of honor.

Thrown together again and again by wedding duties, Elyse and Eric reluctantly agree to explore a possible relationship–only to have their casual date turn into a glorious night of passion. Can two hearts, convinced a happily ever after will never happen, recognize love when it finds them?

Excerpt:

Eric slammed open the door to the hospital emergency entrance nearly blinded by terror at what he might find once he was inside. The last time he’d been summoned to a hospital like this–The sharp smell of antiseptic invaded his nostrils, blurred both eyes. He paused to lean against a wall tiled in puke green to get his bearings. A woman in blue scrubs and a stethoscope looped on her neck walked by.

He grabbed her arm. “Jay Matthews. Where is he?”

“I don’t know, sir. You’ll—”

When she attempted to pull away, he hung on. “My son. I got a call that he fell at his daycare. Someone brought him here.”

“You’ll have to ask at the desk. Down there.” Reaching over to pry away his fingers, she indicated the direction he needed to take with a nod of her head. As soon as he glanced that way, she yanked free.

“Where’s my son?” He lunged for her then stumbled when she hurried away. “What?—”

A hand clamped on his shoulder from behind; he spun around and found a green-eyed gaze holding his.

He clutched at Elyse’s upper arms. “Where is he?”

*

 ONLY IF YOU DARE

Get your copy today! Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:

All the pleasures and none of the pain, that’s what Cynthia Buckingham wants in a relationship these days. A one-night stand with Jonah Colt seems to fit that bill perfectly. Newly divorced, she’s too busy planning her daughter’s wedding for any serious involvement. Besides, her true passion is helping victims of PTSD reclaim their lives.

Waking up after spending the night with a woman he barely knows, Jonah is stunned to realize sex for the sake of sex isn’t enough for him anymore. A veteran of more military battles than he cares to count, he wants to forget it all and focus on peaceful civilian life. Except flashbacks won’t allow it.

Falling for Cynthia makes Jonah regret his weakened state, but he’d rather hide the truth than face it. When she sets aside everything she believes in to help him heal, can he accept her help–and her love?

Excerpt:

She looked up into dark eyes that revealed nothing about his inner thoughts. Except to shine with appreciation each time his gaze fell on her.

“Jackie and I try to get together to jog-walk on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.”

“Small world.”

“It is. Would you like to come in for a moment?” To her surprise, the invitation slipped from her lips.

When he readily agreed, she waited until he’d followed her into the garage then depressed a button on the wall to lower its paneled door.

“By now, they’re sitting down to dinner back at the country club. I have some chicken Kiev in the freezer I could heat up.”

“You don’t need to feel obligated to feed me.”

She unlocked the door to her side entrance, and they stepped into the small mudroom. One more door and he’d officially be inside her house.

All of a sudden, she was certain that was exactly where she wanted him. “I feel I owe you at least some snacks for pulling you out of there before they served dinner.”

“I was looking for a reason to take off, anyway.”

*

ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY! Here’s your chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card! Click here to enter into the drawing.

About the Author:

Like many writers, it’s hard to determine exactly when my fiction writing career began. I remember composing a short story in grade school (I have no idea about what) which was chosen for publication in an all school anthology. A journalism class taken in junior high school led to a job on the school newspaper and a weekly column.

I always loved reading. I loved writing too. Someday, I thought, maybe when I grew up and received the right training, I could actually write a book. After all, I was often told, laughingly most times, I had an extremely vivid imagination.

Through the years, the desire to write was always there. I had so many ideas and characters roaming around in my head, so many stories. But the business of living—going to college, getting married then raising a family—took precedence over something as frivolous as writing a book.

Then one day out of the blue I was downsized—effective immediately—from a job I’d held for over thirty years. What seemed so unfair at the time, I now recognize the tremendous gift I was given that day. As I’m now able to spend more and more time doing what I love—writing romantic fiction—I find I really do have an abundance of stories to share.

Letters From Inside

Hi All!

Help me welcome Teresa Blue to my blog! Teresa is sharing a little tease from her latest release, LETTERS FROM THE INSIDE. Check it out!

Blurb:

Detective Tom Harrington’s touch is like a warm balm, soothing life’s scratches from Linda Wheeler’s troubled heart, but he is also the last man she should trust: a stranger, a cop, a threat to all she holds dear.

INSIDE 
Leaving her two-timing, alcoholic husband was tough, but single parenting is harder. Still, waitress Linda Wheeler will do anything for her teenage daughter. Jessica might be rebellious, but at her core she’s sweet and good, and a mother’s love must remain deep and true. Even when her child makes a terrible, perilous mistake that might end her in jail—or worse.

AND OUT 
Detective Tom Harrington has personal reasons for keeping an eye on Carl Jenkins, so he follows the recently paroled rapist to the small Michigan town of Berrien. There he finds something even more personal…and confusing. Why would a seemingly decent woman write letters, pouring her heart out to such a dangerous convict? Is she really as lonely as she is beautiful? Linda Wheeler is a mystery that demands unraveling, just as her soft lips demand kissing and her wounded heart demands soothing. Above all, he must protect her—and his own secrets.

Excerpt:

The bedroom door slammed behind her as Jessie threw herself on the ruffled spread stretched smooth across the bed, the one chore her mom still seemed willing to do as part of her motherly duty.

Grabbing the slim-line phone, Jessie dialed her best friend. If she had a cell phone she could have called her sooner, like the moment she’d opened the mailbox and saw the cryptic handwriting, knowing immediately it was from him.

“Hey, Lisa. What’re you doing?”

She turned on the small Holly Hobby lamp that had belonged to her mom and, with the phone cradled next to her ear, removed a wrinkled envelope from beneath the waistband of her jeans.

“Not much,” Lisa said. “Same-O-bull.”

“Well…guess what?” Jessie lay back against the headboard. “I got another letter today.”

“Another one? That makes what? Four? Five?” Lisa’s high pitch squeal blasted through the receiver.

“Five, not counting the card he made me.”

“Seriously? I can’t believe you’re actually writing to a convict.”

“I am very serious. I stopped playing games a long time ago.”

“Aren’t you the least bit afraid? I mean, convicts are dangerous you know.”

“First of all, I like to think of him as a kindred spirit. Like me, he’s someone whose rights have been taken away. He probably didn’t do much of anything, just couldn’t blend in with the so-called normal people.” She blew at the bangs hanging over her eyes. “As if we all can.”

“Yeah, but Jess–”

“But what? Mom’s doing her best to keep me a prisoner around here, I may as well find out first hand what being locked up is all about.”

Jessie rolled across the bed and placed her feet against the headboard.

“Okay, I see your point,” Lisa agreed. “What will you do if he wants to meet you or something? Or, oh my God, what if he’s like, a sex pervert? He could be a real psycho.”

“You’re starting to sound just like my mom. I’m not going to write him forever, you know.”

Her stomach fluttered and she wondered for a moment if maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea, and then envisioned her mom’s stern face and squelched the thought. With all the crap she’d been through lately, this diversion was just what she needed.

“Don’t forget the guy’s locked up, remember? Unless he’s Houdini there’s not much he can do behind bars,” Jessie said, and let go a long exaggerated breath. “Guess what I asked him?” Her girlish giggles erupted and she dropped her voice barely above a whisper. “If they really make license plates,” she said and snorted with laughter. “Can you imagine? I get my permit next year. I could probably get a discount on my tags.”

The sound of her mom’s footsteps stopped outside her room.

“I’m leaving for work now, Jess. Be sure and lock the door, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. I will.” Soon after, her mom’s car started up and rolled down the driveway.

“I’ve heard those cons have humongous biceps. I mean all their spare time is spent pumping iron, right?” Her face became hot just thinking about what the mysterious pen-pal might look like. “I’ll bet he’s a hunk.”

“Well, I still think you’re crazy, Jess. What are you going do if your mom sees the letters? Or, even worse, suppose he were to call the house or something?”

“Relax. Our mail doesn’t come until late afternoon and I always get it first. And I didn’t give him the phone number. I’m not totally stupid, you know. Besides, it’d probably be collect and my mom would never accept the charges. You know how freaking cheap she is. I mean, come on, I’m probably the only living person on the planet who still uses an old-fashioned house telephone. I mean, would it kill her to shell out eighty bucks a month for me to have a freaking cell phone?”

“She told you she didn’t have the money, Jess.”

“Whatever.”

“I don’t think you should write him again. Besides, couldn’t he, like, get in trouble, you know, writing to a minor?”

“I already thought of that. I signed the letter Linda Wheeler. Cool huh?”

“You did not!”

Jessie held the phone away from her ear until the yelling died down. “Chill out, will ya? I’m sure I’ll probably never meet the guy. And if by chance he does show up, so what? Mom doesn’t appreciate a good man. Let’s see how she deals with a bad one.”

*

Get your copy today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance | Kobo Books | Boroughs Publishing

 

About the Giveaway: Here’s your chance to win a free ebook copy of LETTERS FROM THE INSIDE! Click here for more details.

About the Author:

Teresa Blue grew up in a Southwest Michigan town so small it didn’t even have a stoplight. Sweltering summer evenings were spent on the front porch hoping to catch a breeze and life seemed to crawl. She discovered books and by the time she entered high school, had sailed the high seas with Captains and rode the English countryside with highwaymen, robbed stages– well, you get the idea. She fell head over heels in love reading romance.

And for awhile reading was enough, until the day it wasn’t. For whatever reason,she picked up a pen and just wrote. And has been at it ever since. Happily married for thirty years, the mother of three, she’s also a grandmother to four. Her favorite day of the week is Monday when the kids – and grandkids – all return home for a hot cooked meal. And for a few hours the house is filled again with kids, cartoons and chaos.

Teresa is a member of Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of America.

Find Teresa online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page