Teri Riggs's Blog

Wounded Heroes Blog Hop



It’s Blog Hop time!!




Bringing Her Home  by Teri Riggs
In Bringing Her Home, Tommy Raintree is a detective sent to rescue his ex-girlfriend and ex-FBI partner. You might remember him from my book, The MIA Groom. Tommy was the hero’s partner in that book. I had several readers ask if Tommy would have his own story and was happy to revisit the Chicago PD’s Bureau of Organized Crime and the characters. I hope you’ll love Tommy and Jessica’s rocky love story as much as you did Tuck and Jillian’s.

Here's a short excerpt:  
Tommy
“We’re going to die!” Jess yelled.“Not today, darlin!” I shouted over the noisy report of bullets flying around us. “We’ve got this!”“You should break the news to the ass-hats shooting at us, Tommy. They obviously haven’t received the memo.”We returned a steady stream of fire, taking out more traffickers. We’d been ambushed, and the rest of our team were down. I had no clue if my FBI team was dead or alive. I saw Jazz move his hand once. The other two? Not a muscle twitch or response to our shout outs. Not a good sign at all.“Dammit, Tommy. What happened to our simple take down?”“Fuck if I know.” I fired a couple more rounds, wishing I had my sniper rifle. “My guess? Someone in the Bureau sold us out.”“My thoughts too,” Jess said.Nobody liked to admit people they trust would betray them. My shock at being ambushed turned to anger.I reloaded my Sig, took aim, and fired again.Ten more minutes ticked by. I estimated three or four men were left firing at us. At the first break in the shooting, I rushed the remaining shooters. I nailed two of them, and Jess, who’d followed, took out two.“I’ll check on our guys. You take care of these bastards,” Jess said, pointing at the dead men.“Will there be a reward for my good behavior?” I tease. “Like maybe sex?” “Oh my God, Tommy. That’s so inappropriate.” She laughs and winks at me. “When we get home, that’s the plan.”Yeah, inappropriate, but I wanted to see one more smile from Jess before this nightmare gets worse. Our team members are likely dead, and she’ll take it hard. I kicked one of the trafficker’s boots. Dead. Before Jess took two steps, she turned around and gave me a thumbs up. That’s when another one of the dead bastards rose, pointing his gun in my direction. He’d had a fucking Kevlar vest on.




A few facts on sex trafficking from a July, 2019 USA Today article:

1.       There are more than 4 million victims of sex trafficking globally.2.       99% are women and girls.3.       There are no official estimates of victims in the U.S.4.       1 in 7 reported runaways in the U.S. in 2018 is likely a victim of child sex trafficking. 5.       Profits from forced sexual labor are estimated to be at $99 billion worldwide.



I’m glad you stopped by and would like to leave you with this riddle:

I am something people love or hate. I change peoples appearances and thoughts. If a person takes care of them self I will go up even higher. To some people I will fool them. To others I am a mystery. Some people might want to try and hide me but I will show. No matter how hard people try I will Never go down. What am I?
Please leave your guesses in the comments below!! 


Blog hops to go to for more fun and chances to win:
Nia Farrell-Post on 31st
https://www.facebook.com/NiaFarrellAuthor/
Debrah Parmley- Post on 30thhttps://threadingtheweb.wordpress.com/
Pamela Ackerson- Posted now! http:://adcmagazine.com/realblog.html



Answers to the riddles will be announced on the 31st at:
https://www.facebook.com/NiaFarrellAuthor/



Wounded Heroes -- /WoundedHeroes

Check out my Amazon page for more great stories! Teri Riggs' Amazon Page

Here's a lot of reads for just $.99! The proceeds all go to charity.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW!!!!
ONLY 99 CENTS!!!!
*ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO KULTURE CITY, AN ORGANIZATION AIMED TO RAISE AUTISM AWARENESS AND SUPPORT ACCEPTANCE.
This anthology includes 20 stories from 21 of your favorite bestselling authors, ranging from so sweet to velvety hotand releases on April 10, 2018.[image error]❤Amazon: http://amzn.to/2HgNIyb
[image error]❤Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2GfBZ1p
[image error]❤iTunes: https://apple.co/2sz4Z2e
[image error]❤Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EvMCAW






Julie Morgan, USA Today Bestselling AuthorPlaying Her Body
When shy meets wild, keys will be played.
Attending a bachelor party, Jordan wasn’t looking for anything that night, other than keeping his best friend, Blaine, safe from the paparazzi. Everything had been moving along well until she walked in.
Natalie knew of the band, Deep Ember, but never thought she’d find herself sharing her bed with the keyboard player, Jordan.
Blaine’s wedding was coming. Jordan was ready as best man…at least until he saw who was the bride’s maid.
Nicole Garcia, New York Times Bestselling AuthorDecadent Dreams
NicoMy dreams haunt me. I feel as if I am falling into a pit of impending doom, but even that has not prepared me for the roller-coaster of emotions that flood over me when I'm near Phoenix. I have to keep my distance from her. I need to. It's the only thing I can do to keep from getting hurt again. Staying away from her proves to be a much harder task than I could have ever imagined. She's not only my assistant, she's half my age. She gets under my skin and irritates the shit out of me, yet, one smile, one laugh, and I'm melting into a puddle at her feet. Falling in love with her is a bad idea, a very bad idea because she just may be the one who breaks my heart for good this time. 
PhoenixNico is my boss. He's demanding, bitter, brooding, and a downright bully at times. But, all that doesn't deter me from him at all because I can see the kindness and compassion in his eyes. I know the secret he's keeping from everyone and why he's so guarded with his heart. I don't care about his secret, nor do I care that he's twice my age. What matters is the undeniable attraction we feel for each other. If only he can just let go of the past and see what's right in front of him.





Claudy Conn, NY Times & USA Today Bestselling AuthorRunaway Heart
Spirited Chelsea decided she’d sooner run away to London than return to her vain and selfish guardian, Aunt Augusta.But in her wildest dreams, she never imagined her dear godmother would arrange a Season—or convince the ton’smost eligible bachelor to take her under his wing.
Lord Wainwright was a handsome rogue who was not interested in coy games and missish airs. He expected a country mouse with no polish, but instead he found a thoroughly engaging minx, and was oddly irritated by all the male attention she received.
Chelsea with her unspoiled eye saw beyond Wainwright’s pursuit of hedonism to the intriguing man underneath. But to her shock, it appeared his heart belonged to her horrid Aunt Augusta!

Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling AuthorsPainkiller
All it takes is one night to fall far too deep…
In the battle of wills between Johnny Cage, a wild, out of control rockstar, and Evie Pierce, a disciplined, determined female MMA fighter, who will score the first hit? Or better yet...just who will be pinning who? Check out this prequel novella to the new steamy, suspenseful rockstar series Made in Oblivion featuring the band Brooklyn Dawn.
Teri Riggs, USA Today Bestselling AuthorSex in the Crazy Zone
Ten years into their marriage, the love Ben and Angie have for each other is stronger than ever. They’re living the dream. They have a nice house in the suburbs. Ben drives a Mercedes Benz, Angie a child-safe SUV. Ben is a busy prosecuting attorney. Angie is taking time off to focus on raising their four kids and the family’s two elephant-sized dogs. Life in general is good.Their sex life? Not so much.With demanding schedules and the kids always under foot, their time beneath the sheets is practically non-existent. Always up for a challenge, Ben dreams of a few creative ways to keep their sex life alive and kicking.Will Angie go along with his ingenious plans for sex in the crazy zone, or leave Ben with a bad case of blue balls?


C.L. Pardington, Amazon Bestselling AuthorIn the Midst of a Hurricane
Emory University student, Remy Lockwood, led a privileged life on his family’s plantation in Savannah, GA. All he wanted was a week of fun with his best friend when he hit Miami Beach for Spring Break, and a chance to get away from his ex-girlfriend, Willow. He never thought that his decision to get away would lead to Davina Romero, a waitress struggling to put herself through school at Johnson and Wales University. Sparks fly and unavoidable attraction consume them; however, Willow isn’t about to let go and is willing to do anything to derail any chance of a future between Remy and Davina.
Time, jealousy, and mistrust are all tough foes to fight, and Remy and Davina’s fates seem determined to tear them apart.
Will tragedy and disaster brought on by Mother Nature finally bring them together?

Lily-Ann Johnson, Amazon BestsellingBlondie's Hero (Heart of Teufel Hundens 1)
Mary-Alice Roberts (Blondie) owns one of the busiest Marine Bars on the East Coast. Getting dumped via Text Message is just the start of her problems. She also needs an experienced Bartender who can fill in right away. 
Marine Staff Sergeant, Jake Peterson is medically retired he needs a job to keep his mind busy and not live in the past. The Bartending job at Teufel Hundens sounds like the perfect solution. 
When Blondie's Ex decides to blame Blondie and Jake for his misfortunes and retaliates against Blondie.
Will Jake be the Hero Blondie needs and save her? Or will revealing his actual wealth and him being the cause of her ex's anger have Blondie doubting not only Jake but their budding love as well?
Cassandra Carr, Amazon Bestselling AuthorTwo on One Breakaway
Ian and Derek are professional hockey players who work and play together both on and off the ice. They share both games of skill and of the heart, but when Ian gets traded, Derek fears those days are over. Then the men are given a second chance and both want is to recapture the magic. Success with their new teammates is coming, but they want more. Haley is the answer to their prayers, if they can convince her being part of a menage would make all her dreams come true.
Haley has never been in a menage relationship before, but these two men make a great case for trying it. Both dote on her, support her, and keep her topmost in their priorities. Never before has Haley experienced this kind of love, and she's becoming addicted. But will this Valentine's Day be a happy one, or will all three lose their chance at a happy-ever-after?
Cherime MacFarlane, Award-Winning AuthorDeidre of the Sorrows
Deirdre, deserted by her stepbrother is stuck with a stepfather who is becoming crazier with each drink, and he drinks a lot. Sylvie, his youngest child, is in as much danger as Deirdre. Left with no choice, Deirdre takes matters into her hands to protect not only Sylvie and herself but her child by the monster. Daniel had to go after graduation. His alcoholic father couldn’t deal with having another grown male in the house. Daniel did the only thing he could do and joined up. Now he is home and finds his father vanished without a trace. Deirdre has a young daughter and a relationship with his half-sister, Sylvie that makes Daniel think going home for Dee was a bad idea.

A.J. MatthewsCome Undone
Nineteen year old film student Trini Diaz thinks she has everything: a hot boyfriend, a loyal best friend named Mac, and a mom who’s pretty cool. Over winter break, this all gets turned upside down. Her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her mom reveals Trini’s dad actually isn't her biological father, and Mac tells Trini he’s loved her for a long time. Her life will never be the same. And maybe that’s a good thing. 
Twenty year old Mac lives at home with his parents. He has no ambition to leave, or at least that’s what many people think. He has a dream to be a successful singer-songwriter, like his hero James Taylor. But fears induced by autism, anxiety, and depression keep Mac in his shell. One night he takes a chance, kissing Trini and confessing his true feelings. Even if she doesn't feel the same, Mac knows that making that leap of faith is the only way to move ahead. Can Trini and Mac make that leap into the unknown together, even if it’s the scariest thing either will ever do?
Summer GraystoneA Different Kind of Pain
There was just something about them, about the couple in the picture. An ad for a caregiver for a beautiful woman a woman who was dying. Though Melia’s sass and rough-around-the-edges attitude meant she couldn’t take every job out there, she should’ve been able to handle this one. There was a problem though a big one. The dying woman’s husband, Luka. Those brilliant, haunted eyes of his… did something to her. They were the kind of eyes a girl had no defense against. Maybe she could take the job but she wondered if her heart could. Falling for a man she could never have and should never have was simply wrong, no matter how right she knew it would be. Sure, she needed the pay… but there was a whole lot more at stake here than money. For Luka, life had become one thing waiting. For a cure, for a miracle, for the end. For the one that Susan was convinced would be coming, of course, he didn’t really believe it, that the plan his beloved wife had cooked up would ever really work. But if she wanted something, he’d move heaven and earth to give it to her. Even this, no matter how much it might hurt, no matter how wrong, how insane the very idea was. 
Then with one look at the gorgeous Melia, he allowed himself the one thing he’d never allowed himself to feel, not since that final diagnosis. Hope. Give me this one thing, she’d told him. Give me this one last wish for my husband before I’m gone. Let me leave him a piece of me in the form of another woman, another sub to kneel for him, to obey him. To love him. It didn’t matter how much he argued it, how much he refused he knew he’d give in, even on this. For though she might have been his in all ways, bent her will to his, and obeyed him as her Master, she was the one who really held the power and always had. Could this crazy plan really work though? Would Luka be able give Susan this one last wish, something more profound, more precious than he ever deserved? The one thing that none of them were prepared for though, was that love and the selfless giving of that love could come at a terrible cost... to the heart and the soul.
Anna EdwardsMisguided Control
What do you see Marie Easton as? The jealous secretary whose desire for her boss turns her into a lustful bimbo. Appearances can be deceiving though as new finance director Callum Ashworth is about to find out. Can he help her see the true person behind the mask she wears and how beautiful she is? Or will his attentions lead her down a path she never thought she would go? 
And what about Callum? Is he the boring Accountant that you expect him to be? Or does he hide a secret that nobody ever expected, least of all Marie. 
With a trip to Rome, and a journey to the dark side of London. Misguided Control with take you on a love affair born out of the fiery pains of hell. 
Kim LoraineUntil the Stars Fade
Lola I've never believed in love at first sight. Insta-lust? Definitely. But it's impossible to fall in love in a day. Sowhen I meet a sexy as hell Frenchman at a music festival the summer before my senior year of college, I'm determined to keep him from stealing my heart. I didn't plan on Luc. He's got the stars on his side and won't let me go without a fight. 
Luc Lola has me bewitched from the moment I see her. I know we're destined for more than a weekend in my bed. But I have to return to France in a few short weeks and she's afraid to let fate take control. I've only got a few nights under the stars with her to prove we've got more than desire between us. I'll make her mine and show her love can strike without warning, just like the storm that brought us together.
J.M. MaurerSeeking Love
Three years after a bitter divorce, Jessica Winters isn’t sure she’s ready—or capable—to move on. The thought of another relationship terrifies her, but things quickly change when she meets the playfully witty and handsome sex therapist Matthew Moi. At first, she tries to ignore him, but something in the way he levels his sultry gaze on her awakens her soul. 
Secretly in love with Jessica, Matthew has been giving her the space she needed to heal. Incapable of waiting any longer and eager to work his way into her broken heart, he seizes an opportunity to have their paths cross. But when her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten their future, Matthew must prove to Jessica that a shot at true love is worth the risk.

Tuesday EmbersLiberating Mr. Gable
Anson Gable wasn't looking to stay, but when he met Etta, he found he didn't want to leave.Etta Brossetta is nursing an injury when she decides to take Anson Gable into her Bed and Breakfast. When he makes her laugh for the first time in months, she begins to let her guard down around the handsome stranger, despite his many eccentricities. Bonds form beyond a fleeting kiss, but Etta wonders if it will be enough to overcome her past, and shed a little light on his. They face life's challenges, and eventually have to decide if they will spend forever together or apart.
Jamallah BergmanAre You Lonesome Tonight
Being a parent is hard enough when you’re dealing with a teenage daughter, especially when they don’t talk much about their feelings. So, Christina Quinn takes Felicia to visit her own mother, knowing how close the two are.
When they arrive, Christina realizes what she can do to reach out to Felicia. She tells her daughter a story about herself when she was her age, during the Civil Rights era when racial tensions were high. She tells of love and loss as she reveals her relationship with a boy named Bud…A boy who would play a pivotal role in her life.


Louis was the man of Cara's dreams.She thought she was his dream, too.But when she receives the best news of her life, he reacts by walking away. Now he's back and asking for another chance. The last time she fell, he wasn't there to catch her.Louis let Cara go once. Now, he's determined to win her back and to show her he's here to stay.But Cara's going to need to believe that, this time, the leap will be worth the fall.
J.A. LaFranceFrom Sweet to Tart
Jacinda Wannacott is a mature woman with self confidence issue. At work she is surrounded by immature little boys that make comments, but when she goes to the club she can let go and be free.
What happens when she catches the eye of one of the clubs owners and he makes it known that she is his, to everyone but Jacinda.
What will she do when the feeling of dread settles in her stomach, will she leave the club, a place that she can be free at or will whoever claimed her finally step forward?
Beth FredThe Other Marlowe Girl
When twenty-four-year-old dance school drop-out KammyMarlowe is evicted by her mother, she goes to her favorite hangout. She finds an unlikely friend in the blunt eye candy, Enrique. But Kammy knows there is no way she and Enrique have a shot because he’s her brother-in-law’s brother and has been privy to her wild past.
Enrique swears he’s only interested in the person she is today, but their relationship is tested when her ex-husband’s drug dealer attacks her, looking for money. With no options and a money hungry drug dealer on her back, Kammy accepts a position as a dancer at a strip club. But when Enrique shows up at the club, their relationship is over. With no reason to stay in Texas anymore, Kammyauditions for the Bolshevik Ballet and gets the opportunity to go to Russia. Only Enrique is determined to stop her.
Will she give up the chance of a lifetime to stay with the man she still loves?
Mary RogersSpring Fling
A druid's bargain gives Carson revenge against his former lover Carrie--at the price of her memories of them together. But did she truly steal his magic all those years ago? Or was the real theft his heart?

Hi Readers,  I've got a treat for you. I'm one of the sponsors of the Night Owl Reviews SUMMER FUN Scavenger Hunt.  During this event I'm going to help you find some great new books. Make sure to check my featured title out along the way.  The grand prize is a $100 Amazon Gift Card.  $900 in prizes and over 90 Winners!  Enter Now at: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Summer-Fun-2017  Event Dates: July 19 - Aug 9

Diamond MoonBlack Hills Wolves Book 12Celia Breslin
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Decadent PublishingDate of Publication:  March 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-61333-803-2ASIN: B00T2E7ZEY
Number of pages: 85Word Count: 29,737
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Book Description:
Human-wolf hybrid Darci Diamond spends every full moon locked in auntie’s basement in Southern Oregon. Her excruciating shifts terrify her, the last one causing her heart to stop beating. Seeking a cure, she journeys to Los Lobos.
Ross Luparell returns to the struggling Tao pack, using his millions made in the tech industry to build homes for pack families in need. He never imagined he would also find his one true mate. But when a hybrid with the biggest green eyes he’s ever seen lands on his doorstep in the middle of a wicked summer storm, there’s no denying it. She’s the one.
She wants a normal human life, free from pain-filled shifts. He won’t give up on her Wolf, and will do whatever it takes to help her accept her true nature. But can he convince her to trust him with her heart?
Available at:
All Romance
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Bookstrand
Google Books
iTunes
Kobo
Add Diamond Moon to your TBR List on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Excerpt:             He reached out with his Wolf senses. The feedback froze his fingers on the doorknob. Female. Damn, she smelled good. Human. Wolf. Wait…both? The copper tang of blood hit his nose. And injured.
            He flung open the door. His abrupt move caught his visitor off guard, one small, white fist raised to knock. The woman startled and fell forward. Catching her, he pulled her inside, kicking the door shut with his foot.
            She sagged against him, a shivering bundle of wet woman. Underneath the dampness, her scent drop-kicked his gut. Apples and cinnamon. Roses and honey. His body perked up, taking extreme notice. He fought the growl of possession threatening to tear out of his throat. Holy hell, had his potential mate just walked into his home in the middle of a storm?
            The scent of her blood jump-started his brain into action. He lowered her gently to the floor. “Jesus. You okay?”
            His instincts urged him to check her for wounds, but he was a stranger and didn’t want to spook her. But goddamn, he wanted to touch her. Peel off her wet clothes. See all of her. With a jacket covering her torso, tight jeans hiding her legs, and her ball cap pulled low on her face, all he’d seen so far was her quivering pale chin, full red lips, and those delicate, trembling hands.
            “S-s-sorry, d-dripping all ov-v-ver your f-f-floor,” she said, teeth chattering. Her snow white fingers curled on the hardwood, arms trembling with her effort to keep herself upright. Blood streaked the wood. A line of liquid crimson slid down her jaw and dripped from her chin onto her jacket.
            To hell with propriety. “You’re injured. Let me help you.” He pulled off her cap and damn near swallowed his tongue.
            Big green eyes blinked up at him from a face so pale it made him think of moonlight. Drenched, short black hair lay plastered to her head, the ends framing features reminiscent of the fairies his sister loved to draw for the hidden-object games she designed. Ethereal beauty. My beauty. He stroked a knuckle down her cheek then ran his thumb over her soft, full lower lip.
            She flinched and batted his hand away, falling to her side in the process.
            Ross snapped back to reality with a healthy hit of guilt. “Shit. Sorry.”
            His gaze shot to her forehead where a two-inch cut sent blood trailing over her prominent cheekbone with its silky-smooth skin he’d so enjoyed caressing—
            Shit. He gave himself a mental ass kicking for scaring her. “I’m Ross. You’re safe here. Promise.”

About the Author:
Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, and the Fae. Her award-winning vampire series - The Tranquilli Bloodline - is available from Champagne Books.  Diamond Moon is her first werewolf story for Decadent Publishing’s Black Hills Wolves shifter line.
When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/
Blog: http://www.celiabreslin.com/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslin
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/celiabreslin/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bxqwRL
 

A year ago, I released Fireworks at Midnight , thinking I would leave the world of A Witch���s Night Out forever (I���d planned the series as a trilogy). Unfortunately, my characters had other plans. Since I���d sicced Madame Eve on her cat familiar, earth mage Shelley Dupree insisted I make things right. To be fair, I���d already given her a magical handicap, forced her under house arrest, and buried her in bills���taking away her feline companion did seem a cruel and unusual punishment.
It took me two months of fictional time to even the scales with Feline Valentine.  Part of Decadent Publishing���s 1Night Stand series, my interracial paranormal romance is set in Washington, D.C., where magic-wielding folk try to live alongside us pesky humans. It���s my first true ���shifter��� AND ���foodie��� romance (talk about ticking two boxes with one book), and a quick read of the blurb should tell you what I mean. To celebrate this unexpected return to my favorite series, I���m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post [or at my website: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine].
Feline Valentine (A Witch���s Night Out) by Tara Quan Under magical house arrest in her great-grandmother���s suburban cottage, college graduate and reluctant earth mage Shelley Dupree whiles away most mornings spying on the warlock next door. Though erotic daydreams offer some distraction, she faces long working hours, cash flow problems, and a repeat burglar. On Valentine���s Day, she sets a trap for the mysterious intruder, intent on ending his crime streak once and for all. But her scheming cat familiar foils her best-laid plans, and, with a little help from Madame Eve���s 1-Night Stand service, she discovers a far more dangerous species of magical feline.After moving in next to a ramshackle building on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., pastry chef Adrien Chatdurois is plagued by repeat sexual fantasies starring the same curvy brunette. In a state of constant arousal, he devotes his early mornings to grueling exercise and spends the rest of his day handcrafting the city���s best chocolates. When his younger brother stirs up trouble on the shop���s busiest day, the frustrated shifter is forced to pay a surprise visit on his reclusive neighbor. He soon learns not all witches are wart-covered hags, and one in particular might prove the most delicious of desserts.Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Comedy, Interracial/MulticulturalBuy Links: Amazon |ARe | B&N|iTunes | Kobo| GooglePlay| GoodReadsCheck out the rest of the series here!
[links as text, mirroring the ones embedded above]Amazon                 http://mybook.to/felinevalentine  ARe                         https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...                       http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/felin...     iTunes                   https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/feli...                      https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...           https://play.google.com/store/books/d...           https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...                     http://mybook.to/witchsnightout
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$15 Giveaway  - Rafflecopter Embed Code: <a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp..." rel="nofollow" data-raflid="86e3143324" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_s15h28bn">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com...
alternative link: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine
About the AuthorGlobetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. To receive updates about her new releases and get a free sexy read, subscribe to her mailing list at www.taraquan.com/newsletter.
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Excerpt 3 (R-Rated) ��� 635 Words���Stop hogging the binoculars. It���s my turn to ogle the warlock next door.���Ignoring the high-pitched whine, Shelley Dupree zoomed in on a pair of sweat-slicked pecs. A prolonged spying session on her new neighbor seemed the perfect cure for Valentine���s Day doldrums. Though Dulcina, her best friend and cat familiar, could turn into an absolute pest when thwarted, the reward for tuning out her incessant requests superseded all risk. After all, Shelley needed to stock up on copious amounts of drool-worthy imagery. How else was a single witch on house arrest supposed to while away the most romantic night of the year?Prolonged sexual frustration had long since warped her brain, part of the reason she couldn���t tear her gaze from the delicious male specimen on the other side of her crumbling wall. As she watched the man execute a strict pull-up over his doorjamb, her lips tingled. She imagined trailing them over his lightly tanned chest, pictured herself tracing those rippling muscles with slow, sipping kisses.Her tongue darted to wet the corner of her mouth as she envisioned sliding her hands under the waistband of his red workout shorts. She���d fuel his arousal with teasing strokes before catching the fabric between her teeth and yanking the garment off.His body lowered, filling her magnified view with a visage stunning enough to choke off her next breath. Thick fringes of sooty lashes framed dreamy, moss-green eyes. His pale skin darkened to a rusty hue as he sped up the repetitions. Glistening with perspiration, midnight curls clung to his sharp, slanting cheekbones. An overlong forelock snaked down to graze his pronounced nasal bridge.With his lips pursed and eyes narrowed, the intense, menacing expression he wore added fodder to her prolonged sexual fantasy. She could almost feel his coarse chest hair rasping her chin and cheeks, taste salt as she explored the expanse of taut, supple flesh. Her pulse raced, her erratic heartbeat a warm flurry over each fingertip.As if by magic, his waistband slipped down his hips, sending his shorts pooling to his ankles before they dropped to the floor. Entranced by the unexpected striptease, her attention zeroed in on his penis. Even from afar, the warlock didn���t disappoint.With a contented sigh, she imagined tracing the ridge, swirling her tongue over the long, thick shaft before taking the engorged tip into her mouth. While she contemplated the way he might taste, deep grooves formed between his thick brows. His full, sensuous lips flattened into a grim line.She closed her eyes and ventured deeper into the familiar daydream, a moan catching in her throat as his erection slid back and forth over her flesh. Instead of the binocular���s cold metal chilling her hands, the toned, flexing ass she���d always admired warmed her palms and fingers. She took him deeper, until she could almost feel the head brushing the back of her throat. A hoarse, masculine groan echoed between her ears when she hollowed her cheeks and������Meow!��� A quintet of sharp claws swiped down her calf, the sudden pain shattering her erotic fantasy.Spinning around, she nudged at the brown, shorthaired cat with her toe. Her friend must really want attention if she���d resorted to shifting into her hated feline form. A familiar stockpiled more magic as animal than human, so the amount of time her companion spent coughing up fur balls around the house directly correlated with the accuracy of her premonitions.For whatever reason, the witch preferred to keep the future at bay.���Damn it, Sweets.��� She tapped her foot on the diabolical cat���s head. ���Scat. If you don���t stop bugging me, I���ll tell your boyfriend you���ve been gawking at another man on a daily basis.���Arching her spine in a sinuous stretch, the feline stuck out her tongue.
Excerpt 4 (R-rated-ish + Extended) ��� 1,182 wordsSince she���d removed the plastic wrap but had forgotten to eat, Adrien reached over and brought a strawberry to her lips. Shelley stared at him for a long moment. With a shrug and a grin, she swirled her tongue along the chocolate before clamping her teeth over the fruit. Biting off a chunk, she drew back and licked her lips clean.Shifting his stance, he tried to focus on anything but the blood rushing to his groin. He hadn���t thought his jeans could get any tighter. He���d thought wrong.The activity in the kitchen screeched to an abrupt halt.She studied him through lowered lashes. ���What? Is something wrong?���Two could play this game. Caging her between the counter and his body, he brushed his fingers over her upper arm and along her neck. When she tilted her head to the side, he lowered his head so his lips grazed her earlobe. Grinning when her breath caught, he reached around her, his arm missing her breasts by a millimeter as he wiped her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. ���You missed a spot.���Her skin darkened to the color of milk chocolate. Though he couldn���t wait to find out how she tasted, he mustered enough self-control to return to the task at hand. The sooner he fed the witch, the sooner they���d shift to more delicious activities. ���Keep eating. I don���t need another tantrum on my hands.������Oonn ieet.���As she polished off the strawberries, he whisked a pair of eggs in a separate bowl before combining his two mixtures. He placed a small container of butter in his palm. A few seconds later, it softened and melted. Shifters generated far more body heat than humans or elemental mages, which came in handy since his host���s microwave seemed to have been rescued from a 1980s Dumpster.Soft footsteps approached him from behind. ���Can I help?���He turned, glanced at the empty plate on the counter, and answered her sheepish grin with a smile of his own. ���Feeling guilty?������You���re not off the hook, or anything.��� Her cheeks darkened. ���But my temper might have been a bit more���explosive than usual. I���m sorry I punched you in the face, but you���re not forgiven for acting like a horny asshole.������I kind of am horny thanks to������ He managed to shut his mouth before allocating part of the blame to her vivid sexual fantasies. ���Erm���. Anyway���. All is forgiven. Blood sugar dips make women���s moods go haywire. When paired with my lack of filter���let���s say there���s a reason I learned how to cook.���Her nose wrinkled. ���I���m pretty sure male moods are affected by hunger as well.������Yes, but we tend to prioritize filling our stomachs over most other tasks.���Finding an empty patch of counter space, she seated herself and watched as he finished off the batter with freshly grated orange zest. ���Do you always say what you think?������Yup. It���s a hazard.��� Covering the bowl with plastic wrap, he placed it in her fridge to rest. ���Then again, there���s no point getting someone to dig a fake version of me.���He turned in time to catch her rolling her eyes. ���You might want to give them some time to warm up.������Oh, stop pretending. You like me. Admit it.���She looked him up and down. ���I hate to break this to you, but while I might think you���re hot, your attitude leaves much to be desired.���He worked on the oranges and lemons for the sauce. ���What���s wrong with my attitude? Here I am, slaving away to put food on the table������She snorted.���What? It literally describes what I���m doing. And what about the repairs I did before finding out what you looked like? All my altruism has to count for something.��� He floated a pan over to the stove and started melting some sugar and butter. The distinct smell of caramel soon filled the kitchen.Rolling her shoulders, she arched her back. The stretch puffed out her chest, and his physical reaction almost made him lose control of his telekinesis. He���d never met a female so unaware of the gorgeousness of her boobs. At this rate, he risked permanent damage to a very important body part.An idea hit him. With a slow wave of his finger, he sent melted sugar into the air, allowing it to cool for a moment before directing a slow stream toward the witch. When she opened her mouth, he deliberately dripped the caramel over her chin and down her neck before bracketing her body with his.���What������her voice turned husky������are you doing?������Snacking.��� He ran the tip of his tongue from the base of her throat, up the column of her neck. The sauce���s smoky sweetness lingered as he followed the sticky path to her mouth.When he caught her lower lip between his teeth, her fingers trailed up his forearms to clench over the sleeves of his shirt. He sucked, teased her with light nips until she sighed and melted against his chest.She tilted her head back, and he took it as permission to devour. Hidden under layers of chocolate and strawberry, he discovered his personal addiction. He pushed her further, forcing her to meet him stroke for stroke.���This is a bad idea,��� she murmured between sipping kisses. ���Madame Eve isn���t any old dating service.������I don���t care.��� He circled one arm around her waist and pulled. Her thighs parted, the counter height positioning her for his taking. He ground his tented fly between her spread legs, relishing her soft moans as she hooked her ankles behind his back.Lifting a hand to fondle her breast, he pumped his hips. His quest for relief only aggravated his arousal. He channeled his mounting frustration onto her neck, leaving hickeys as he nibbled his way to her collarbones. Pulling down her hoodie���s zipper, he marked the swells of silky skin then tugged at her neckline so he could explore.When he lifted his head to examine his handiwork, he found her flushed and panting. Each labored breath lifted her plump breasts, their perfection marred by his dark brands. The rush of possession brought an indescribable high, the cat in him recognizing what neither human seemed ready to admit.���Your clothes,��� Adrien rasped. ���Take them off.������You first.��� A split second before Shelley surrendered to temporary insanity, the sharp crack of breaking glass yanked her from the brink. Cursing her wayward hormones, she jumped off the counter and headed for the back door.With a rumbling curse, Adrien grabbed her upper arm and swung her behind him, using his much larger body as a shield against the harmless kitchen exit. ���Stay inside. I���ll handle���������Oh please. It���s my house. All you���ll do is stumble around the backyard half-blind. I���ve got this.���Spinning on his heel, he gaped at her. ���You���re seriously pulling a women���s lib moment on me now?������Yup.��� She pointed at the stove. ���Finish the dessert like a good househusband while I deal with the break-in.���

Alternative Guest Posts Author InterviewWhen and why did you begin writing?As a kid, I read a lot. I don���t know when it started, but I remember at times wanting to change the ending, the pairing, or specific scenes in certain books. That���s probably why I wrote fanfiction in my teens, and I progressed to creating my own worlds after finishing college. What inspired you to write your first book?My first manuscript, which will forever dwell in the bowels of my laptop, was a vampire romance inspired by my love of Nalini Singh���s style of writing. My first published book is a retelling of Rapunzel, set in a post-apocalyptic zombie world, and it was inspired by a creative submissions call. Do you have a specific writing style?Despite numerous failed attempts to emulate my favorite authors, my sense of humor gets the better of me. My stories tend to be funny, light-hearted, and a little tongue-in-cheek. Of course, I���m a romance junkie and it shows.What books have influenced your life most?There are too many to count. I think my path to becoming an (English-language) bookworm started with Enid Blyton���s The Enchanted Wood. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?Although I adore Nalini Singh as a reader, I think my writing style most closely approximates that of Julia Quinn. I think I learned a ton of language tricks by reading all her books.How did you come up with the title?This one was easy. It���s a story with a ���big cat��� shifter, and it���s set on Valentine���s Day. I was so stoked when I looked up Feline Valentine on Amazon and discovered it wasn���t taken yet. On the subject of titles, what book are you here to plug?Alas, I must end with a moment of shameless self-promotion. The paranormal romance I���m here to plug is Feline Valentine. If you get a chance, check out the sample read below or on my website (http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine). Until the end of February, I have a giveaway going on for a $15 gift card.


What type of reader are you?I have a confession: I���m a romance reader. Growing up, my parents wanted me to express an interest in the classics. So I faked my way through works by Charles Dickens, discovered I very much enjoyed anything by Jane Austen, and realized I didn���t have the patience for Leo Tolstoy (no, not even Anna Karenina). For the sake of dinnertime debates with my better half, I���ve braved Richard Dawkins��� The Blind Watchmaker and skimmed Jared Diamond���s Guns, Germs, and Steel. But a quick perusal of my past Amazon.com purchases reveal the undisputable truth. My favorite authors are Cherise Sinclair, Kresley Cole, and Nalini Singh. The books I read all fall under the same genre.So what makes me a romance reader? 1. I can���t stand it when books don���t end in a happily ever after. In fact, I almost always read the final pages of every book first, just to make sure nothing bad happens. As much as I adored Erich Segal���s Love Story, I will never re-read it. The books on my shelf with worn pages and creased spines are ones with endings that make me smile. Many of them also feature covers with lace-lined bodices and handsome rogues. 2. I���m a sucker for a love story. Don���t me wrong���I���ve strayed from the romance genre on several occasions. The fantasy lands of George R.R. Martin���s The Song of Ice and Fire and the sci-fi planets of Frank Herbert���s Dune both lured me to sample other types of fiction, but even those stories contained characters who loved and made sacrifices for love.What can I say? I���m a hopeless romantic. I like reading books about people who fall in love, who then live happily ever after, and, who, upon occasion, have a bit of kinky sex along the way. To celebrate an unexpected return to my favorite series, I���m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post [or at my website: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine].

A year ago, I released Fireworks at Midnight , thinking I would leave the world of A Witch’s Night Out forever (I’d planned the series as a trilogy). Unfortunately, my characters had other plans. Since I’d sicced Madame Eve on her cat familiar, earth mage Shelley Dupree insisted I make things right. To be fair, I’d already given her a magical handicap, forced her under house arrest, and buried her in bills—taking away her feline companion did seem a cruel and unusual punishment.
It took me two months of fictional time to even the scales with Feline Valentine.  Part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series, my interracial paranormal romance is set in Washington, D.C., where magic-wielding folk try to live alongside us pesky humans. It’s my first true “shifter” AND “foodie” romance (talk about ticking two boxes with one book), and a quick read of the blurb should tell you what I mean. To celebrate this unexpected return to my favorite series, I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post [or at my website: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine].
Feline Valentine (A Witch’s Night Out) by Tara Quan Under magical house arrest in her great-grandmother’s suburban cottage, college graduate and reluctant earth mage Shelley Dupree whiles away most mornings spying on the warlock next door. Though erotic daydreams offer some distraction, she faces long working hours, cash flow problems, and a repeat burglar. On Valentine’s Day, she sets a trap for the mysterious intruder, intent on ending his crime streak once and for all. But her scheming cat familiar foils her best-laid plans, and, with a little help from Madame Eve’s 1-Night Stand service, she discovers a far more dangerous species of magical feline.After moving in next to a ramshackle building on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., pastry chef Adrien Chatdurois is plagued by repeat sexual fantasies starring the same curvy brunette. In a state of constant arousal, he devotes his early mornings to grueling exercise and spends the rest of his day handcrafting the city’s best chocolates. When his younger brother stirs up trouble on the shop’s busiest day, the frustrated shifter is forced to pay a surprise visit on his reclusive neighbor. He soon learns not all witches are wart-covered hags, and one in particular might prove the most delicious of desserts.Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Comedy, Interracial/MulticulturalBuy Links: Amazon |ARe | B&N|iTunes | Kobo| GooglePlay| GoodReadsCheck out the rest of the series here!
[links as text, mirroring the ones embedded above]Amazon                 http://mybook.to/felinevalentine  ARe                         https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...                       http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/felin...     iTunes                   https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/feli...                      https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...           https://play.google.com/store/books/d...           https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...                     http://mybook.to/witchsnightout
Extras (for you to use, or not use, as you see fit)
$15 Giveaway  - Rafflecopter Embed Code: <a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp..." rel="nofollow" data-raflid="86e3143324" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_s15h28bn">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com...
alternative link: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine
About the AuthorGlobetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, paranormal worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Her characters, armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. To receive updates about her new releases and get a free sexy read, subscribe to her mailing list at www.taraquan.com/newsletter.
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[Links as Text, mirroring the ones listed above]Website                  http://www.taraquan.com/FB                            https://www.facebook.com/taraquanauth...                   https://twitter.com/LaylaTararGoogle+                  https://plus.google.com/+TaraQuanGood...             https://www.goodreads.com/taraquanPin...                 http://www.pinterest.com/taraquan/Amazon                  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00B19HWJQ



Excerpt 3 (R-Rated) – 635 Words“Stop hogging the binoculars. It’s my turn to ogle the warlock next door.”Ignoring the high-pitched whine, Shelley Dupree zoomed in on a pair of sweat-slicked pecs. A prolonged spying session on her new neighbor seemed the perfect cure for Valentine’s Day doldrums. Though Dulcina, her best friend and cat familiar, could turn into an absolute pest when thwarted, the reward for tuning out her incessant requests superseded all risk. After all, Shelley needed to stock up on copious amounts of drool-worthy imagery. How else was a single witch on house arrest supposed to while away the most romantic night of the year?Prolonged sexual frustration had long since warped her brain, part of the reason she couldn’t tear her gaze from the delicious male specimen on the other side of her crumbling wall. As she watched the man execute a strict pull-up over his doorjamb, her lips tingled. She imagined trailing them over his lightly tanned chest, pictured herself tracing those rippling muscles with slow, sipping kisses.Her tongue darted to wet the corner of her mouth as she envisioned sliding her hands under the waistband of his red workout shorts. She’d fuel his arousal with teasing strokes before catching the fabric between her teeth and yanking the garment off.His body lowered, filling her magnified view with a visage stunning enough to choke off her next breath. Thick fringes of sooty lashes framed dreamy, moss-green eyes. His pale skin darkened to a rusty hue as he sped up the repetitions. Glistening with perspiration, midnight curls clung to his sharp, slanting cheekbones. An overlong forelock snaked down to graze his pronounced nasal bridge.With his lips pursed and eyes narrowed, the intense, menacing expression he wore added fodder to her prolonged sexual fantasy. She could almost feel his coarse chest hair rasping her chin and cheeks, taste salt as she explored the expanse of taut, supple flesh. Her pulse raced, her erratic heartbeat a warm flurry over each fingertip.As if by magic, his waistband slipped down his hips, sending his shorts pooling to his ankles before they dropped to the floor. Entranced by the unexpected striptease, her attention zeroed in on his penis. Even from afar, the warlock didn’t disappoint.With a contented sigh, she imagined tracing the ridge, swirling her tongue over the long, thick shaft before taking the engorged tip into her mouth. While she contemplated the way he might taste, deep grooves formed between his thick brows. His full, sensuous lips flattened into a grim line.She closed her eyes and ventured deeper into the familiar daydream, a moan catching in her throat as his erection slid back and forth over her flesh. Instead of the binocular’s cold metal chilling her hands, the toned, flexing ass she’d always admired warmed her palms and fingers. She took him deeper, until she could almost feel the head brushing the back of her throat. A hoarse, masculine groan echoed between her ears when she hollowed her cheeks and—“Meow!” A quintet of sharp claws swiped down her calf, the sudden pain shattering her erotic fantasy.Spinning around, she nudged at the brown, shorthaired cat with her toe. Her friend must really want attention if she’d resorted to shifting into her hated feline form. A familiar stockpiled more magic as animal than human, so the amount of time her companion spent coughing up fur balls around the house directly correlated with the accuracy of her premonitions.For whatever reason, the witch preferred to keep the future at bay.“Damn it, Sweets.” She tapped her foot on the diabolical cat’s head. “Scat. If you don’t stop bugging me, I’ll tell your boyfriend you’ve been gawking at another man on a daily basis.”Arching her spine in a sinuous stretch, the feline stuck out her tongue.
Excerpt 4 (R-rated-ish + Extended) – 1,182 wordsSince she’d removed the plastic wrap but had forgotten to eat, Adrien reached over and brought a strawberry to her lips. Shelley stared at him for a long moment. With a shrug and a grin, she swirled her tongue along the chocolate before clamping her teeth over the fruit. Biting off a chunk, she drew back and licked her lips clean.Shifting his stance, he tried to focus on anything but the blood rushing to his groin. He hadn’t thought his jeans could get any tighter. He’d thought wrong.The activity in the kitchen screeched to an abrupt halt.She studied him through lowered lashes. “What? Is something wrong?”Two could play this game. Caging her between the counter and his body, he brushed his fingers over her upper arm and along her neck. When she tilted her head to the side, he lowered his head so his lips grazed her earlobe. Grinning when her breath caught, he reached around her, his arm missing her breasts by a millimeter as he wiped her lower lip with the pad of his thumb. “You missed a spot.”Her skin darkened to the color of milk chocolate. Though he couldn’t wait to find out how she tasted, he mustered enough self-control to return to the task at hand. The sooner he fed the witch, the sooner they’d shift to more delicious activities. “Keep eating. I don’t need another tantrum on my hands.”“Oonn ieet.”As she polished off the strawberries, he whisked a pair of eggs in a separate bowl before combining his two mixtures. He placed a small container of butter in his palm. A few seconds later, it softened and melted. Shifters generated far more body heat than humans or elemental mages, which came in handy since his host’s microwave seemed to have been rescued from a 1980s Dumpster.Soft footsteps approached him from behind. “Can I help?”He turned, glanced at the empty plate on the counter, and answered her sheepish grin with a smile of his own. “Feeling guilty?”“You’re not off the hook, or anything.” Her cheeks darkened. “But my temper might have been a bit more…explosive than usual. I’m sorry I punched you in the face, but you’re not forgiven for acting like a horny asshole.”“I kind of am horny thanks to—” He managed to shut his mouth before allocating part of the blame to her vivid sexual fantasies. “Erm…. Anyway…. All is forgiven. Blood sugar dips make women’s moods go haywire. When paired with my lack of filter…let’s say there’s a reason I learned how to cook.”Her nose wrinkled. “I’m pretty sure male moods are affected by hunger as well.”“Yes, but we tend to prioritize filling our stomachs over most other tasks.”Finding an empty patch of counter space, she seated herself and watched as he finished off the batter with freshly grated orange zest. “Do you always say what you think?”“Yup. It’s a hazard.” Covering the bowl with plastic wrap, he placed it in her fridge to rest. “Then again, there’s no point getting someone to dig a fake version of me.”He turned in time to catch her rolling her eyes. “You might want to give them some time to warm up.”“Oh, stop pretending. You like me. Admit it.”She looked him up and down. “I hate to break this to you, but while I might think you’re hot, your attitude leaves much to be desired.”He worked on the oranges and lemons for the sauce. “What’s wrong with my attitude? Here I am, slaving away to put food on the table—”She snorted.“What? It literally describes what I’m doing. And what about the repairs I did before finding out what you looked like? All my altruism has to count for something.” He floated a pan over to the stove and started melting some sugar and butter. The distinct smell of caramel soon filled the kitchen.Rolling her shoulders, she arched her back. The stretch puffed out her chest, and his physical reaction almost made him lose control of his telekinesis. He’d never met a female so unaware of the gorgeousness of her boobs. At this rate, he risked permanent damage to a very important body part.An idea hit him. With a slow wave of his finger, he sent melted sugar into the air, allowing it to cool for a moment before directing a slow stream toward the witch. When she opened her mouth, he deliberately dripped the caramel over her chin and down her neck before bracketing her body with his.“What”—her voice turned husky—“are you doing?”“Snacking.” He ran the tip of his tongue from the base of her throat, up the column of her neck. The sauce’s smoky sweetness lingered as he followed the sticky path to her mouth.When he caught her lower lip between his teeth, her fingers trailed up his forearms to clench over the sleeves of his shirt. He sucked, teased her with light nips until she sighed and melted against his chest.She tilted her head back, and he took it as permission to devour. Hidden under layers of chocolate and strawberry, he discovered his personal addiction. He pushed her further, forcing her to meet him stroke for stroke.“This is a bad idea,” she murmured between sipping kisses. “Madame Eve isn’t any old dating service.”“I don’t care.” He circled one arm around her waist and pulled. Her thighs parted, the counter height positioning her for his taking. He ground his tented fly between her spread legs, relishing her soft moans as she hooked her ankles behind his back.Lifting a hand to fondle her breast, he pumped his hips. His quest for relief only aggravated his arousal. He channeled his mounting frustration onto her neck, leaving hickeys as he nibbled his way to her collarbones. Pulling down her hoodie’s zipper, he marked the swells of silky skin then tugged at her neckline so he could explore.When he lifted his head to examine his handiwork, he found her flushed and panting. Each labored breath lifted her plump breasts, their perfection marred by his dark brands. The rush of possession brought an indescribable high, the cat in him recognizing what neither human seemed ready to admit.“Your clothes,” Adrien rasped. “Take them off.”“You first.” A split second before Shelley surrendered to temporary insanity, the sharp crack of breaking glass yanked her from the brink. Cursing her wayward hormones, she jumped off the counter and headed for the back door.With a rumbling curse, Adrien grabbed her upper arm and swung her behind him, using his much larger body as a shield against the harmless kitchen exit. “Stay inside. I’ll handle—”“Oh please. It’s my house. All you’ll do is stumble around the backyard half-blind. I’ve got this.”Spinning on his heel, he gaped at her. “You’re seriously pulling a women’s lib moment on me now?”“Yup.” She pointed at the stove. “Finish the dessert like a good househusband while I deal with the break-in.”

Alternative Guest Posts Author InterviewWhen and why did you begin writing?As a kid, I read a lot. I don’t know when it started, but I remember at times wanting to change the ending, the pairing, or specific scenes in certain books. That’s probably why I wrote fanfiction in my teens, and I progressed to creating my own worlds after finishing college. What inspired you to write your first book?My first manuscript, which will forever dwell in the bowels of my laptop, was a vampire romance inspired by my love of Nalini Singh’s style of writing. My first published book is a retelling of Rapunzel, set in a post-apocalyptic zombie world, and it was inspired by a creative submissions call. Do you have a specific writing style?Despite numerous failed attempts to emulate my favorite authors, my sense of humor gets the better of me. My stories tend to be funny, light-hearted, and a little tongue-in-cheek. Of course, I’m a romance junkie and it shows.What books have influenced your life most?There are too many to count. I think my path to becoming an (English-language) bookworm started with Enid Blyton’s The Enchanted Wood. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?Although I adore Nalini Singh as a reader, I think my writing style most closely approximates that of Julia Quinn. I think I learned a ton of language tricks by reading all her books.How did you come up with the title?This one was easy. It’s a story with a “big cat” shifter, and it’s set on Valentine’s Day. I was so stoked when I looked up Feline Valentine on Amazon and discovered it wasn’t taken yet. On the subject of titles, what book are you here to plug?Alas, I must end with a moment of shameless self-promotion. The paranormal romance I’m here to plug is Feline Valentine. If you get a chance, check out the sample read below or on my website (http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine). Until the end of February, I have a giveaway going on for a $15 gift card.


What type of reader are you?I have a confession: I’m a romance reader. Growing up, my parents wanted me to express an interest in the classics. So I faked my way through works by Charles Dickens, discovered I very much enjoyed anything by Jane Austen, and realized I didn’t have the patience for Leo Tolstoy (no, not even Anna Karenina). For the sake of dinnertime debates with my better half, I’ve braved Richard Dawkins’ The Blind Watchmaker and skimmed Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel. But a quick perusal of my past Amazon.com purchases reveal the undisputable truth. My favorite authors are Cherise Sinclair, Kresley Cole, and Nalini Singh. The books I read all fall under the same genre.So what makes me a romance reader? 1. I can’t stand it when books don’t end in a happily ever after. In fact, I almost always read the final pages of every book first, just to make sure nothing bad happens. As much as I adored Erich Segal’s Love Story, I will never re-read it. The books on my shelf with worn pages and creased spines are ones with endings that make me smile. Many of them also feature covers with lace-lined bodices and handsome rogues. 2. I’m a sucker for a love story. Don’t me wrong—I’ve strayed from the romance genre on several occasions. The fantasy lands of George R.R. Martin’s The Song of Ice and Fire and the sci-fi planets of Frank Herbert’s Dune both lured me to sample other types of fiction, but even those stories contained characters who loved and made sacrifices for love.What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic. I like reading books about people who fall in love, who then live happily ever after, and, who, upon occasion, have a bit of kinky sex along the way. To celebrate an unexpected return to my favorite series, I’m giving away a $15 gift card. To enter, leave a comment here and drop your details in the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post [or at my website: http://www.taraquan.com/felinevalentine].

Book two of the Hot Model Mine trilogy is finally here! Did you wonder what happened to erotic romance author Andrea and her irresistible cover model, Yushka, after the conference in Cannes?
In book one, The Perfect Shoot, things were complicated for the couple. He was much younger than her—practically the same age as her twins—and she'd spent half her life without a man. After much reflection, she ended up giving into her desire and taking Mr. Hot Model for lover. But what then after they traveled back to their separate lives?
Wait no more: They're here to tell the continuation of their sizzling love story J


BLURB:
The writing conference in sunny Cannes was fantastical, a dream. Back at home, reality catches up with author Andrea Johnson and the sexy cover model of her book, Yushka. With tough working schedules, challenging family relations, and seductive temptation from all sides, the couple’s explosive romance is put to the test.
Will their love be strong enough to have a future?
BOOK TRAILER:


EXCERPT:
While Yushka gets his duffel bag in the back seat, I lean against the side of the Corolla and stretch my arms on top of its roof. “You got everything?”“Yeah.” He lifts the bag over his shoulder and tilts his head in direction of the front door. “We good to go?”My pulse beats a little faster at the thought of him dropping that bag on my bedroom floor and lifting me in his arms instead. I’m so excited to be with him, I simmer inside, aching to touch and hold him. I want to have all of him at once, right now. A spark of amusement plays in his gorgeous Asian eyes as he waits for me to make a move. “What’s on your mind, Princess?”Holding his gaze, I smile, my fingers tapping a beat on the car hood to buy some time because I don’t know what to reply. I have a feeling whatever might come out of my mouth now, like I can’t wait to rip those clothes off youor I’m going to make you scream, will sound too cheesy. Why do we need to put our attraction into words, anyway? Once we’re home, there’ll be no reason to talk that much. We’ll do the talking with our more-than-capable hands and … um … mouths. I tap a quick rap before stepping back from the car. “Come on.”“Okay.” Widening his smile, he follows me to the front entrance. I unlock and push the wood door open. “I hope your bag’s not too heavy. The elevator doesn’t work.”“When are they gonna fix it?”“Huh, good question.” I step forward, but when in the doorway, I spin to hold the door open for him. “I have no idea.”“No?” With a raised brow, he passes me.      Just then, I move toward him, chest-to-chest, blocking him and his thick bag between myself and the doorframe.“Oh!” He laughs.As the door pushes into my back, squeezing me tighter against him, I put my hands on his waist. First above his clothes––the thick leather jacket and his shirt––then sneaking underneath both of them, my fingers splaying on his warm skin and stroking him. Completely stuck, he tilts his head and stares into my eyes, his own sparkling with playfulness. “What are you up to?”“You have a problem?” I move my hands out from beneath his shirt and go downward to palm his tight ass cheeks, pulling his crotch to me. My lower stomach and increasingly heating inner thighs seek to meet his. I want to be so near him he’ll feel my lust, and I want his lust to grow, too. I need us to join and be a match, a melting pot of desire, irresistible and untamable.“I have to bribe you?” he asks, voice lower, and leans down to kiss me. How did he guess? At the warm touch of his parted lips, delight rushes through me as if I’d had a shot of alcohol. He retreats his face a few inches, enough to have a view of what he just kissed. “This good enough for you?” His voice comes out husky, a bit short of breath. With his free hand, he strokes and kneads my butt. “One more,” I mouth with the next exhale of air. Though the door bores painfully into my back, I don’t want to move, loving the feel of being so close to Yushka, so intimate. It’s amazing how instantaneous and intense our connection is. Just wait till we get our clothes off.Again, his warm lips land on mine, and we kiss greedily, nose-to-nose, wet tongues playing with each other. My inner pussy muscles clench, remembering too well what it’s like to have his cock inside. I breathe faster. A growing hardness in his crotch presses against me, provoking more tightening. Oh, God. Hot wetness glides down my pussy, wetting my panties. So ready, so soon… I mew into his mouth, and he rewards me with a guttural response, our mouths practically eating each other. But this isn’t the right place. We need to move and play this torturous game and its grand finale somewhere else. Releasing his lips, I gasp from our separation, but still manage to pull away. “Fuck, you’re hot.” He inhales deeply and looks up, feverish eyes widening and trying to refocus. As I step backward, forcing the door to open again, cold evening air sneaks between our heated bodies. “Let’s go,” I say with a croak, my chest heaving.He gives a small nod and steps inside the low-lit lobby.
WHERE TO FIND MINE TO LOVE:
Evernight | Amazon.com | Amazon.uk | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand | Smashwords | iTunes
Add the book to your Goodreads list, and check out my inspiration on Pinterest!
Would you like to read the first book, The Perfect Shoot? You can find it here.
AUTHOR BIO:


I like my reads hot, fast, and edgy, and strive to give my own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with my debut novel Wild Hearted, I divide my writing time between psychological thriller, suspense romance, and erotic contemporary romance.
I love to hear from my readers! Write to leabronsen@yahoo.com or meet me on:Website| Lea's Crazy Nights Blog | Facebook profile | Facebook page | Twitter| Amazon

Please check out Valerie Mann's First Comes Marriage!



Blog Title: Arranged Marriage...What?!Who agrees to an arranged marriage in the 21st century? Beth Malone can’t believe a date request with the 1Night Stand service morphed into an arranged marriage offer. But after a heartbreaking divorce and no knight in shining armor coming to sweep her off her feet, her desire to find that knight and have a family is looking more like a dream than a reality.After filling out a 1Night Stand questionnaire worthy of the CIA, Christian Ramos is stunned when Madame Eve offers to arrange more than a date for one night: she suggests a wife! What the hell? And after his best friend Jackson Castillo stops laughing, he advises him to consider the offer. Between the fortieth birthday looming on the horizon and his Latino upbringing, Chris is forced to take a hard look at his life. Reality check—time is running out for what he wants—a family and a woman to share his life.First comes love, then comes marriage isn’t part of their matrimonial situation, but neither Beth nor Christian anticipated the immediate attraction and contentment that comes with saying, “I do.”
I hope you love Chris and Beth as much as I do! Madame Eve definitely knew what she was doing bringing these two lovebirds together! You could win $25 USD in Amazon funny money to spend on anything you want (heaven knows they get lots of MY money pretty regularly), plus I’m giving away a 3-book e-book bundle—you choose the great reads!—from Decadent Publishing, and a Decadent audiobook of your choice from Audible.com! 
Only one thing is mandatory: You MUST purchase First Comes Marriage (http://goo.gl/kjTk6h) from Amazon before midnight tonight. It’s only 99 cents, but for the chance to win awesome prezzies...so worth it!  Email me the receipt—a screenshot of the Amazon receipt or confirmation email is fine—BAM! You’re in the running for the big win!
If you read First Comes Marriage and leave a review, please let me know! I plan to give away ANOTHER bag of prizes to one reviewer at the end of August.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Valerie is the co-owner of a Decadent Publishing, as well as Wizards in Publishing, a company that provides editing and formatting services for authors and publishers. Where to find her:


Email:      valeriemann09@yahoo.comTwitter:    http://twitter.com/mannvalerie Facebook: http://facebook.com/valerie.mannBlog:         http://valeriemann.comAmazon:   http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0053Y5AUSGoodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/valerie_mannManic TRR:  http://manicreaders.com/valeriemann/Google+ :  http://tinyurl.com/ValerieMannTsu:  http://www.tsu.co/valeriemann