Seductive Suspect by Thea Landen (VBT, guest post, exerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

 


I have the pleasure of sharing a guest post from author Thea Landen, who shares her answer to my question...

ELF:  What do you think is the strongest attraction about the genre(s) you like to write in?

TL: Ah, romance. You’d be hard-pressed to find any fictional story without some sort of romantic element in it. Even when it’s not the focus of the main plot, I love the little romantic asides. I guess I’m a shipper at heart.

It’s funny, if you met me in real life, I don’t think I come across as a romantic at all. I’m a super-organized, assertive Type A personality who probably uses too much sarcasm in her everyday life. I like schedules and routines and lists, and I even try to schedule my leisure time as best I can so I can fit everything in. I am married, but our relationship isn’t a syrupy sweet one, where we argue over who loves who more and post cute love notes to each other on Facebook. But somewhere, deep down, I suppose I do have a mushy little heart of gold.

If I had to guess, I’d say romance is so popular because at some point or another, everybody wants to be in love. Whether it’s the journey or the destination that’s more compelling, that ideal of love speaks to people. We want to cheer on our characters when they find happiness, even when (or especially when?) they struggle along the way.

Erotic romance in particular (my genre of choice) is growing more and more popular these days. A lot of people argue it’s because e-readers let you read things without letting the rest of the world know what you’re reading, and that’s probably pretty accurate. Me, I think part of it has to do with realism. Real life doesn’t “fade to black”, so why shouldn’t we see what our beloved characters are up to once they finally get together? A well-written explicit scene can make a “happily ever after” ending even more satisfying. And at the end of the day, I think that’s what all authors want, for their readers to feel truly satisfied when reading their works.

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Seductive Suspect

by Thea Landen

 ADULT title

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GENRE:   erotic romance, mystery/thriller/suspense, contemporary romance

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BLURB:

A murder mystery weekend goes awry when the guests start dying for real. Veronica is desperate to survive and escape, but can’t deny her growing attraction to Adam, the handsome man staying in the room next door. Can she trust his intentions, or has she wound up in the arms of a cold-blooded killer?

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EXCERPT

The crisp mountain air no longer felt so cold. Heat spread over my body. His head ducked down, and he captured my mouth in a gentle kiss. Soft lips pressed against mine. I melted farther into his embrace. His tongue slid forward, and I welcomed it, reveling in his sweet taste.

I ran my hands over his shoulders and laced my fingers behind his neck. Lost in his kiss, I pretended we were two normal people surrounded by beautiful scenery, doing nothing more than succumbing to a mutual attraction in one exhilarating moment. Even if something terrible happened to me later on, I could say I chose happiness over fear.

Our kiss grew more fervent, and his grip on me tightened. I let out a small whimper when he pulled away, but he beamed at me.

“Stay with me tonight,” he said.

The edge in his voice sent a shiver through me, although my cheeks burned hot.

“Since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, let’s be together now.”

A tremble shook my knees, and I was glad his strength supported me. Several tiny wisps of doubt flitted through the back of my mind, yet my desire for him overpowered them.

“Okay,” I said, the single word all I managed to get out.

Adam took me by the hand and led me toward his room. I floated across the balcony behind him in a dreamy haze. Once he opened the door, though, all semblances of tenderness disappeared.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Kobo

iTunes

Smashwords

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Thea Landen lives in New York with her husband and two children. She strives to encourage creativity and passion in all those around her, and uses writing to help inspire. Though she reads and writes in nearly all genres, she has a special fondness for science fiction, fantasy, and adventure and anything that pushes the imagination beyond its usual limits. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games.

Author Links:

Email

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Amazon

Google+

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GIVEAWAY

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The tour dates can be found here

Best Laid Plans Box Set by Robyn Kelly (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT titles

Best Laid Plans Box Set

by Robyn Kelly

ADULT title

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GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Jillian Whitkins is an event planner who is ready to throw in the towel. She is managing a birthday party with a 50 Shades of Grey theme—and it’s turning into a disaster! The birthday girl is drunk, the guests are harassing her staff, and she is about to offend a real-life Christian Grey.

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EXCERPT

He is hot. And it’s not just physical. There’s a sexual energy that radiates off him like Sterno under a chafing dish. I could stare at this man’s profile all day. I smell the faint scent of chlorine, and visualize him stepping out of a swimming pool wearing nothing but a smile.

From somewhere deep inside, I let out a little “Ohhh.” Not like in “Oh, dear.” More like “Ohhh Santa, bring me him!”

When his head turns in my direction, I know I should look away. Yet I can’t not see what he looks like. I hope there is a tremendous scar across the far side of his face (that he got in a duel) because then he wouldn’t be perfect, and if he wasn’t perfect, I might have a chance. Yet when his head turns and his eyes lock on me, I can see there’s nothing marring his square jaw and sensual full lips.

He winks. My body shudders, my grip loosens, and that expensive bottle of champagne falls to the floor. The impact dislodges the cork, which ricochets off the ceiling into the tower of flute glasses, knocking them over like bowling pins. They shatter into a million shards that rain down over the bar.

This is a sign. Anytime I’m attracted to a man, it always ends badly.

Link to buy book – only on Amazon & Amazon KU

The book is only $0.99.

(note from ELF...do yourself a favor and get this one...it's so much fun!)

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Robyn Kelly is my pen name. I work for one of the top boutique event planning companies in San Francisco, and I can't risk having our clientele (or my boss) discover my passion for aggressive, sexual, alpha men.

I write the kinds of stories I like to read. I realized the top four things I love in a romance are:

The chase. I don't care how hot or rich the hero is, he's got to work for it if he wants in to my heroine's panties—for at least four chapters!

Second chances. My heroines aren't virgins. They are women who have loved and lost before.

I'm not against virgins, some of my best friends in high school were virgins. I just think they should stick with bad boys, and leave the billionaires to us experienced women.

Humor.  I love a book that can get me both hot and laughing.

Happy endings. They’re so much better than cliff-hangers.

Website

Twitter:  RobynKellyAuthr 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here


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My review:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Best Laid Plans Box Set by Robyn Kelly features Jillian Whitkins who is about to give up on her event planning business that has capitalized on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” theme when she encounters San Francisco’s most eligible bachelor, Jackson Hunter, under less than ideal circumstances. She fascinates the dominant man by continually changing the rules of the lifestyle he is used to, and constantly surprising him. Their sizzling affair continues to amaze both of them, as they slowly reveal their secrets and their past pain, but the connection they form may not be enough to save their fragile relationship from the pressures exerted on it by others.

This is a fun and erotic contemporary story that plays with many of the elements popularized by the ‘Fifty Shades’ series. Although this is termed a ‘boxed set’, I would have been pretty frustrated to have only read a single story since I was hunting around looking for the next book when this set ended, as things were not tied up in a nice bow, and I mistakenly thought there was an additional story in the review set. One thinks that I would have realized that this too would emulate the other series, but I just wasn’t making that connection, lol.

I found the author’s style to be light and engaging, with a deft touch for blending wryly humorous situations and sizzlingly erotic scenes. I would almost term this BDSM-light, because many of the interactions play with elements of dominance and submission but leave an escape (in addition to a safeword) so there is no doubt that the activity is definitely consensual. This couple approaches life very differently yet they mesh so well, it’s amazing that the tragedies that have formed their characters have honed them into a puzzle piece that actually fits with someone else. I think that Jillian is a much more relatable character (I’m one of those who isn’t thrilled with Anastasia’s personality) because she combines naivete and snark and I was fascinated by the intensity provided by Jackson and touched by the struggle with his demons and shocked by the betrayal he has to deal with.

There are tons of laugh-out-loud scenes that entertain and balance the intense emotional elements and I am delighted to have found a new author to follow. I think this story will be enjoyed by those who like the idea of playing with BDSM as well as those who are entertained by the thought of a rich dominant man who has to be taught by a woman that not everything automatically will go his way, no matter how much money he has.



A copy of this title was provided to me for review

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Off the Clock by Roni Loren (review) ADULT title

This is an ADULT title

5 out of 5 stars

Off the Clock by Roni Loren is a contemporary erotic story that centers around Marin Rush, whose experiences during one week while she is an undergraduate student establish a pattern that will shape her future in a way she never imagined.  Dr. Donovan West has always had very definite goals and a single-minded determination to achieve them, but he doesn’t plan for the complications caused by the unforgettable Marin.  They will have to decide if the risk of their relationship is worth derailing all of their goals.  

This author never fails to enmesh me in her sensual and emotional tales that involve characters who creep into my heart and make me care about them.  I love the way each action that potentially could be ridiculed from a distance is perfectly logical as one is caught up in the situation that gradually snowballs until there is a danger of all the blocks tumbling down.  The angst and emotionalism that are hallmarks of these stories are masterfully portrayed, even as the sizzling hot intimate encounters provide more than enough explanation for the searing connection that forms between the lovers.  The remarkable ability to also have secondary characters who are intriguing yet don’t take over the story is also a plus for me, and I would love to see more about Marin’s brother and a couple of the other folks who are encountered in this story.  The bonus short story, "One Night Only", that provides a closer look at a couple of the secondary characters was a wonderful bonus but only whets my appetite for more!

One thing that intrigued me the most about this story was watching the characters mature from college to professionals and the evocation of the insecurity and exploratory attitude that one has at the cusp between student and graduate.  The glimpse of the challenges that hone the main characters gives excellent insight into their personalities and the desperation that shapes them and makes them vivid to me. This is a book that is definitely going on my keeper shelf, since it provides both a wonderfully spicy and emotionally wrenching tale that I will undoubtedly read over and over again.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review, which has been submitted to Night Owl Reviews

Her Fantasy Reality by Zenobia Renquist (spotlight and excerpt) ADULT title

Her Fantasy Reality

Reader advisory: This 11,000-word story has been heavily revised, extended, and reedited. It is for adult readers only and features steamy daydreams, a BWWM hotwife cuckold, oral sex, girl-on-girl, and just desserts. Previously published as Fantasy vs Reality.
When the line between fantasy and reality is erased, the real fun begins…

Publisher: DZRB Books
Genre: Contemporary Interracial Erotica, MF
Themes: BWWM, FF scene, Hotwife Cuckold
Pub Date: 11 Feb 2016
Word Count: 11,500
Cover Art: Kellie Dennis at Book Cover by Design

At a boring benefit dinner, Stacy keeps herself occupied by imagining erotic encounters with the other guests. When it’s time for the evening’s spousal auction, one of the sexy men she’s been fantasizing about bids on her — and wins! Will Stacy’s evening end with a demure dessert for two … or has her husband planned something much more exciting?


EXCERPT

Noah slipped his hand around her waist. “Sweets, there’s an hors d’oeuvres buffet. You missed lunch, right? Go get a snack.”

She looked in the direction he indicated. Several people were gathered around a long table of varied finger foods and pre-poured drinks. “Looks delicious. Did you want anything?”

“Surprise me.” He kissed her cheek and gave her butt a pat.

“Sure.” She smiled at Clarice. “Coming with?”

Clarice shook her head. “No, I’m saving my appetite for dinner.”

“I should do the same. I don’t want to even think about the amount of exercise I’ll have to do to work off tonight.” She put an extra swing in her hips as she walked away, knowing Clarice was watching.

Noah would be watching too. He loved when Stacy wore outfits that showed off her body so people could see how good he had it. Her dress choice of the evening wasn’t just to infuriate the women. Though it was a special bonus to bask in the murderous gazes of the women who beheld Stacy. She could hear them gnashing their teeth and the sound resembled applause.

Tonight’s dress choice was meant to get Noah hot and bothered. Stacy showed off just enough skin to pique his interest and would flirt just the right amount to spark his jealousy. Combine and let stew over the length of a benefit dinner, and Noah would be ready to rip the dress off her the moment they arrived home. With the kids visiting their grandparents this weekend, that all but guaranteed sex against the front door, and on the couch, and possibly the coffee table, before taking it to the bedroom where they could really have some fun.

Noah would be in top form and employing every trick, to remind her that she’d married him, that she belonged to him, and that she shouldn’t be looking at anyone else when she had him. Thinking about the many ways he would impress those lessons on her body made her panties wet. This evening couldn’t end fast enough for her.

She stopped to assess the food offerings. Someone bumped into her and wetness hit her back. “What the hell?” She looked over her shoulder at the man carrying a small plate and wearing an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” He gave a strained chuckle. “At least it missed the dress, right?”

“Could you get me a napkin?” She snapped, not trying to play cordial while whatever had dripped on her was wending its way down her back to the top of her ass.

“Here. Let me uh… get… uh… Excuse me.” He leaned over and put his plate down before reaching past Stacy.

She thought he would grab a napkin. A surprised squeak escaped her mouth when he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her back.

His hot mouth landed on her skin, followed by his tongue. He licked along her spine, removing the sauce, and sending Stacy’s libido into overdrive.

She nibbled her bottom lip as he trailed his mouth to the edge of her dress, making tiny flicks of his tongue at the top of the crack of her ass. She wiggled to invite him to go lower. Deeper. She wanted to feel his tongue on her rim.

He said in a husky voice, feathering his breath across the upper curve of her ass, “I think I got it all, but I’d better check to be sure. You don’t want to be sticky.”

“No, I don’t.”

Cupping her hips, he slipped his tongue beneath her dress to dance against her tailbone.

Stacy’s clit throbbed. She wished the man, whoever he was, would stop teasing her. Just yank her dress down and lick her asshole the way she wanted. The way he wanted, if his nibbling licks were any indication.

The man lifted his head and she met his gaze over her shoulder. “Maybe you should do it instead.”

Stacy blinked a few times and reality reasserted itself. The man stood with a napkin hovering above her back, wearing a sheepish expression that made him appear younger than he probably was. She snatched the napkin from him and dabbed at the sauce, getting to it right before it touched her dress.

“Sorry, again.” He retrieved his plate and walked away.

She turned to the table and stuffed the used napkin beneath one of the serving platters. This evening needed to be over sooner rather than later, if she was fantasizing about complete strangers licking her. Or maybe she was projecting. She glanced back toward the head table and found Noah engrossed in conversation with one of his colleagues.

Would he have even noticed some man with his face stuffed between her ass cheeks if it had really happened?



Buy link or free on Kindle Unlimited

To One Hundred by Melissa Blue (VBB, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

To One Hundred

by Melissa Blue 

ADULT title

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GENRE: Erotic Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Grady Addison doesn't sleep with co-eds, much less his students. Eva March has learned her lesson about sleeping with her professor. What started as an online flirtation becomes so much more. Lust and love has entrapped them in a no-win affair. Her secrets can end his career and send her life crashing down again. But they can't walk away now.

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EXCERPT


“Where are we going?”

His hands tightened against the bar handles. “To meet my brother Wade.”

Her heart shot into her throat. “What?”

His smirk somehow deepened. “You want the truth about him. I'll let him tell you.”

She stuffed her hands into the back pockets of her shorts, trying to appear relaxed even though a storm of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “What exactly will that do?”

The smirk dropped away from his lopsided smile. “It'll get you on my bike, your arms and legs wrapped around me. Outside of that, we'll play it by ear.”

All he needed was a James Dean leather jacket to perfect the bad boy statement. Then again, maybe not. He was lethal enough without one. “So you're done being the kind, understanding nice guy?” His smile transformed into a grin that promised a multitude of wicked things. Yeah. No jacket necessary. “You have to admit, it was wearing thin.”

Grady offered her the helmet. Taking it spelled trouble in all languages. Jumping on a motorcycle with a guy who wore a smile that had no good intentions behind it...Yeah. But the facts were different with him. He wasn't just her professor. He didn't prey on her vulnerabilities. And most importantly, he hadn't made her feel broken once.

Eva took the helmet, fastened it and then climbed onto the back of the bike. She wrapped her arms around his chest. One could say she copped a feel as she ran her hands over his stomach. The soft cotton shirt hid taut muscles, but now she could feel every ridge. His stomach jerked beneath her hands.

“Eva?” he asked, his voice low and tight. She leaned forward until her mouth was at his neck. “Yeah?”

He revved the engine again. “You might want to hold on really tight.”

She locked her fingers together. “I know.”




Buy Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

ARe

Smashwords

Google Play


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Bio:

Melissa Blue’s writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. Eventually she upgraded to a computer. She’s still typing away on the same computer, making imaginary people fall in love.

Where to find me online:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
You can always sign up for my newsletter to get news on my latest release


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GIVEAWAY

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The tour dates can be found here





 

Seven Dirty Words by Charlotte Howard (excerpt, review and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Seven Dirty Words

by Charlotte Howard

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BLURB:

Paige Holmes hides herself in a masculine world in a desperate attempt to remain safe.

Just as she is ready to face her fears and her past, she finds herself torn between Matt Jackson and Vance Ellery: handsome, rich, and safe – or handsome, rich, and dangerous?

Which will she choose?

The one who appears to be the most perfect, or the one who makes her use all Seven Dirty Words?

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EXCERPT

“I’ve never seen a girl eat like you.” He laughed.

“I’m starving,” I said, in between mouthfuls of prawns and peas, trying to ignore the dimming room. A crash overhead started the storm’s symphony. Fat raindrops splattered against the window as the room lit with a sudden flash. Seconds later, another rumble filled the air. I shuddered.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t like thunder storms,” I admitted, finishing the last of my noodles. The truth was I was afraid of any loud noise.

“Don’t worry, I won’t force you out in this.”

“I forgot to bring a coat,” I grumbled, rubbing my arms as though it had suddenly got cold.

Matt stood and peered out the window. “It’ll be a while before this is over.” He picked up the plates and took them into the kitchen. I followed him, not wanting to be alone.

As I walked in, I suddenly remembered the large windows, and saw the dreary sky blanketing the village. My eyes widened in fear as another flash filled the sky.

Matt smiled at me.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are.” He laughed, nearing me. “I didn’t think you were afraid of anything.”

“Appearances can be deceptive.”

“They most certainly can!” He took my hand and led me back into the living room. “Well, it looks like we’ll be here a bit longer than intended.” We sat back down on the sofa.

“And no TV to kill the time,” I said, staring at the empty fireplace. “Look, if you want to get rid of me, I can make a mad dash to the car door. It’s only rain.”           

“I don’t want to get rid of you, Paige.” As he said my name, the hairs on my neck and arms stood on end. “But I’m not willing to share you either.”

Amazon

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

British author, Charlotte Howard, was born in Oman and spent much of the first part of her life flitting between Oman, Scotland, and England. Now settled in Somerset, Charlotte lives with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets.

Her career as a writer began at an early age, with a poem being featured in an anthology for the East Midlands. Since then Charlotte has written many short stories and poems, and finally wrote her first full-length piece of fiction in 2010.

During what little spare time she has, Charlotte enjoys reading and writing (of course), spending time with her family, and watching action movies whilst eating curry and drinking tea.

Charlotte is an active member of Yeovil Creative Writers Group.

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here

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My Review

3.5 out of 5 stars

Seven Dirty Words by Charlotte Howard is the first story in the series of the same name and centers on Paige Holmes, a woman who plays rugby, does MMA training, and works in a male-dominated industry, yet does not have a person warming her bed, until suddenly she has two vying for the spot.  The intense competition for her attentions leads her to make some potentially unwise decisions and forces her to revisit past issues, threatening to unbalance her precarious and hard-won equilibrium.  Who is she going to entrust her heart to, and will she survive the decision?

This story combines sizzling eroticism and intense angst and provides a twist on the concept of a sinfully attractive wealthy male sweeping impressionable female off her feet.  There are multitudes of twists that complicate the story and I was a bit wrung out by the time I finished and a little disturbed by Paige’s decisions, even though I could somewhat understand what prompted them.  The author does a nice job of gradually revealing the details that lead up to this point but I never really got a true sense of who the main characters are, and sadly, I wound up more irritated with all three of those involved in the triangle than sympathetic, and I wasn’t terribly thrilled with some of the secondary characters, either.  I get the feeling that the story arc will intensify through the sequels and I think that those who enjoy tangled relationships and convoluted emotional journeys described with a British flavor will savor this story, but don’t expect a tame sweet happy ever after tale, because that definitely does NOT describe this work!

 
A copy of this title was provided to me for review.