Friday, April 6, 2012

Book Spotlight-Hot Summer by Judy Powell


A hot-tempered spitfire and a sexy, arrogant man - put them together and sparks fly!
After her first embarrassing encounter Summer Jones vows to stay away from suave record producer, Lance Munroe. But then she ends up working for the man. Her quick temper and sharp tongue keep landing her in hot water with him but no matter how hard she tries she can't deny her growing attraction for him. Then they go on a business trip to Jamaica - and her world is turned upside down.
Lance is intrigued by the feisty woman who practically tells him off the first time they meet. When they begin working together he realizes how much he enjoys the challenge of taming the little tigress. But, before he knows it, he's the one caught in the snare of passion. The tables are turned - the tigress has tamed the lion.
If you love the sizzle of a romance between two strong-willed individuals, follow Summer and Lance from Chicago to Jamaica and be swept away in the thrill of their hot summer.
Judy Powell is a writer and marketing consultant who lives in Ontario, Canada. Her works are diverse, featuring romance novels, a historical novel and non-fiction essays which have appeared in anthologies.  Her titles include ‘Hot Summer’ which placed second in the Toronto Romance Writers Contemporary Romance Competition, ‘Hot Chocolat’ – the sequel to ‘Hot Summer’, ‘Some Like It Hot’ – a sensual multicultural romance novel, and ‘Coffee, Cream and Curry’ – a literary work which received the silver medal in a national creative writing competition.  
Judy is a great lover of learning which is reflected in the diversity of her studies which includes Masters degrees in Spanish, Marketing, Literature and Creative Writing and a BA in Foreign Languages & International Business. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa (US Honor Society), Romance Writers of America, Toronto Romance Writers, and Writers and Editors Network of Canada.  She loves to travel and has lived in countries including Puerto Rico, the USA, France, Jamaica and Canada.  She likes to feature diverse cultures in her works.  
EXCERPT 
As he spoke he leaned back into the couch and peered up at her through half-closed eyes. She turned away from his gaze and quickly opened the bottles and poured bubbling liquid into both glasses.
“Here you go,” she said with a smile and handed him the drink. She sat on the edge of the sofa beside him but as far away as was polite. She put the glass to her lips and sipped the sharp cold liquid, feeling the bubbles bursting in her mouth. 
She felt his eyes on her and gulped more liquid, then opened her eyes wide as it flooded her throat. Her eyes burned and she struggled to swallow but it was no use. Before she could cover her mouth she coughed violently, spraying her lap and the coffee table with soda.
Summer clapped her hands over her mouth, but too late. The damage was already done.  Her eyes grew huge with distress and she looked across at Lance, hot with embarrassment.
“Are you alright?” He’d quickly rested his glass on the table and was leaning towards her, a large white handkerchief in his hand. She took it gratefully, still coughing. Then the spasms gradually subsided and she was able to look at him again. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
“Are you crying?” He looked incredulous, almost out of his depth, as he raised his hand and wiped away a tear with his thumb.
Summer dabbed at her eyes, sniffed, then looked up at him again, her lips curling into a grin.  “Of course not, silly. I’m not crying. It’s the coughing that made my eyes fill up with tears.” Somehow, seeing him look so nonplussed had made her more at ease with him. 
“Silly, huh?” He smiled back at her.  “You’re the one who gulped down a carbonated drink too fast and ended up losing the whole lot all over yourself. So, who’s silly?”
While he was speaking Lance had rested his arm at the back of the couch right behind her head and had begun to gently stroke her nape with his thumb. Summer swallowed hard but couldn’t get the lump out of her throat.
 “I guess…I am,” she said, her voice breathless.
“Yes,” he whispered as he leaned forward to press his warm lips against the side of her neck, “you are.” 
Summer’s breath came in shallow gasps as she sat still, not feeling she could move even if she wanted to. She was like a bird frozen in the mesmerizing stare of a snake, knowing it was about to be eaten alive but not able to make a move to save its own life.
She moaned and closed her eyes as his lips stroked the sensitive skin then moved to the base of her throat where he licked softly and gently. She didn’t realize that she was still clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand until she felt his strong fingers pry hers open to pull it away so that he could seduce her palm with his thumb.
“Relax, baby.” He moved his lips up her neck and to her ear.  “You’re so tense. Just relax.”
As he spoke he pushed her back gently into the plush pillows and began to nibble her ear lobe. He gave a lick just behind her ear and shock waves ran down her spine.
“Oh, God,” she breathed, “what are you doing to me?”
“What someone should have done to you a long time ago, Summer Jones,” he whispered.  “Teach you what it means to be a woman.”
He dipped his head and slid his lips back down her neck, over her collar bone and down to that oh, so sensitive place between the curves of her breasts. Here he paused and she held her breath, eyes shut tight, wondering if he was going to stop now. She prayed he wouldn’t.
She was not disappointed. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as he slipped a warm tongue down her cleavage, sliding it between the orbs and teasing her soft flesh until her body screamed and she felt she would die from the sweet sensation. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed him into her, wanting more of the pleasure, more of the sweetness…

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Book Spotlight-Clear As Day by Babette James


Thank you, Lynn, for letting me visit and share a little about my debut novel, Clear As Day, which released yesterday from The Wild Rose Press.

Clear As Day is a spicy contemporary romance about two friends with benefits facing the fears and uncertainties of their changing relationship and is set against the background of the summer heat and cool waters of Lake Mohave. I loved writing Clear As Day, it’s been a story of my heart in many ways, so seeing this story published truly has been a dream come true. I hope you enjoy Nate and Kay’s journey as much as I have. Receiving the 4 1/2 star scorcher review from Romantic Times and being able to hold my book in my hands have been truly thrilling moments.

Blurb:
What’s a girl to do when her summer lover wants forever?

Haunted by dark memories of her parents’ volatile marriage, artist Kay Browning keeps her heart locked behind a free-spirit facade and contents herself with the comfortable affair she has every summer with easygoing photographer Nate Quinn.

The only trouble with her plan? This summer Nate’s come to Lake Mohave to claim the lover he can’t let go. He’s done with the endless traveling and settling for temporary homes and temporary loves. Kay’s always been more than just a vacation fling, and now he must convince this woman, who sees love as a course to certain heartbreak, to take that leap of faith and learn how safe love with the right man can be.

Excerpt 1:
“Kay!” That male voice was not her imagination.

“Oh, shit!” She twisted and dropped into the water, sinking neck-deep.

Mother always said, among other things, that a lady never goes skinny-dipping and must always wear a proper hat. Kay was only half skinny-dipping, but she fervently wished she’d worn something a bit more substantial than a baseball cap and the bottom half of the quintessential teeny-weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.

Shit, oh, shit, oh, shit. She so hated when Mother was right.

Okay, time to find out who’d just gotten an eyeful. The guy had called her name, so she should know him. Oh boy, if she’d flashed old George…

She wiped water from her face, sucked in a breath against her pounding heart, and peeked around.

Nate.

She must be sun-dazed. Nate? With a beard? Hair curling over his ears? No way.

Just because a familiar slouchy fishing hat topped those unruly, sun-bleached blond curls and just because this guy possessed the same deep-water tan and footloose taste in clothes as Nate with his electric blue Hawaiian shirt, bright orange swim trunks, and beat-up deck shoes didn’t mean—

“Hey, babe. Now that I’ve finally caught your attention, how about a hug from my girl?” He opened his arms. “Am I coming in after you or are you coming out?” Only Nate’s voice held that mellow timbre like chocolate for her ears.

“Nate! What…” Giddy delight flushed over Kay, clearing her shock. She dashed from the water and into strong arms, a wonderful hug, and a better kiss that launched her mind into a blissed-out whirl of oh, yes and why?

The oh, yes won out until the need to breathe forced them apart.

Nate gave her a long look, his usually easy gray eyes holding a new, simmering heat.

Wow. Whoa.

Excerpt 2:

If anything could beat waking to the sight of Kay’s beautiful face and breasts, at that moment Nate didn’t care.

She blushed and brushed a curl back from his forehead. “Hi there, sleepyhead.”

“Sorry I crashed on you.” He swept his gaze over her, enjoying how she flushed even deeper and her nipples tightened. Kay was a delicious mix of bashful and bold. “I’ve been seriously jet-lagged and road-lagged for days. Any phone calls or messages while I was out?” Guessing by the shifted shadows, he’d been out cold for a couple of hours. Not the most romantic move, but he felt rested.

His lame joke nudged a smile out of her. “Not a one.”

“One of the sincere advantages of no phone service.”

“You’re a nut, you know?” She leaned over and hesitantly kissed him. “I know I said it before, but I’m glad you’re here.” Kay was always soft-spoken, but the vulnerable note in her voice this time seized his heart hard.

With the I love you he wanted to say straining at his throat, Nate tugged Kay down into his arms and drifted his fingers over her spine. He had to do something about the tension gripping her. She’d stayed with him while he slept. That was a change, a very good one, but he still needed to soothe and distract her before she slipped away and disappeared into her thinking, planning, and painting. He let his hand circle in an easy, undemanding caress.

Why not say it? Doubts? No, no doubts at all. He felt it, he meant it, he’d even typed it into e-mails, but why keep swallowing his I love you now?

“So, you missed me?”

Her elusive grin flashed. “Well, it’s nice having someone else clean the fish for a change.” Soft giggles escaped her, and her tension released under his hand.

“Ah hah! An ulterior motive all along. Here I just thought you wanted my body.” He chuckled and tickled her side, and dove in for the sneak assault of kisses on her sensitive ears.

Want me for more.

Stifling her giggles, she caught his hand to her side. “Hmm…it is such a lovely body. I’m very fond of it.” She made a playful show of ogling him head to toe, her glowing smile making his formerly sated body wake right up and his heart crack with joy. He stroked his thumb over the lush handful of her breast, teasing the pert nipple, smiling at her catch of breath. “I may have mentioned I had some fantasies…” He tugged her over to straddle him and stroked his hands over the soft curves of her bottom.

“Anything in particular?” She leaned forward with her hair spilling over her shoulders, her breasts playing hide and seek behind the silky locks, and she teased her body over his rapidly hardening shaft.  Her eyes filled with laughter, and the sweet curve to her mouth was pure feminine mystery.

He sucked in his breath and arched under her. “Anything you want, babe.”



Bio: Babette James writes contemporary and fantasy romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. A teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! She lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and three extremely spoiled cats.

Links:
Babette loves hearing from readers and you can find her at:





Youtube Book Trailer:
 
You can find Clear As Day at: 






Come fall in love at the river.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Hump Day Inspiration

Wow! Time is flying here. I'm gearing up for the RT Convention in Chicago. Yes, I'm trying not to hyperventilate. Just the thought of so many people, sights, sounds... *grabs paperbag, breathes*

Okay. Better now. I'm signing at the Book Expo on Thursday April 12 and Saturday April 14, I'm at the FAN-tastic Party.

So here's what you're really here for, Hump Day Inspiration. Who says a man has to take off his clothes to be sexy? Getting him out of his suit can be just...sinful. :-)









While scouring pics, I've learned one thing to a appreciate a man in a suit. Especially if he's not the type of man to wear one.

Hmm, I wonder what next week's inspiration will be? Maybe men with long hair or should I try to find dimples? Maybe I'll play it by ear and see which cover models inspire me :-)

Until next time Indulge Your Inner Romantic!

Happy Hump Day!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Some Like it in Handcuffs



1-Tell the readers a little about yourself.
I am living my dream in rural Michigan along with my husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.  
Besides laughing until my sides hurt, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, reading, writing—but no arithmitic.  I find it interesting and am a confessed people watcher.  You’d be surprised how many times this activity has given me inspiration for stories.  I love to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.
I also have a new addiction.  I’m a girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned.  I enjoy meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and my website at christine-warner.com. 
2-As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?
My reading time has sadly downshifted.  I love to read but find that I don’t have as much time as I used to.  As for what I like to read, I’ve always loved true crime books and enjoy everything written by Ann Rule.  I also LOVE contemporary romance and wouldn’t ever be able to pick just one author I enjoy…there are way to many.  This year I did vow to read books outside my comfort level, so although I don’t have a great deal of time to devote to reading, I do have some books loaded on my Nook that are paranormals, sci-fi and a few other genres.  I’m looking forward to reading them
3-How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative?
I don’t.  Does that sound odd?  If I’m having a hard time writing and my muse has taken a vacation, I focus on something else.  It will usually be something else writer related, but I don’t force myself to work on the story that is giving me troubles.  I find if I do that, I end up unhappy with what I’ve written and delete it anyway.  So, instead I will work on character sketches or outlines for another story I plan to write, or I will blog, play on facebook or if I’m totally desperate I’ll clean.  LOL
4-If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go?
This is a tough question.  There are so many places I’d LOVE to go.  Alaska, Ireland, London, Barcelona…but some place I’ve dreamed of going since I was a little girl has been Hawaii.  Whenever I see pictures of those gorgeous islands I get the urge to pack up and go.  Hopefully I’ll make it there one day and if I do I just want to do the total tourist thing.  Visit all the sites, shop, go to a luau, walk around and if I am feeling adventuresome I might give a ride on a zip line a try.  Looks like fun! 
5-What is the hardest thing for you to write?
Fight scenes.  Not necessarily physical fights, but when the hero and heroine are having a major disagreement.  The emotion can get so intense.  I know emotion is off the charts when writing a romantic or love scene as well, but the energy when writing that is positive…whereas writing a fight scene is negative.  They can be really draining
6-If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?
I’d have to say my heroine Sunny because I love that she speaks her mind, jumps in feet first before she totally thinks things through and takes chances.  Wish I could do that more often.  I tend to over analyze everything before I make a move…lol
7-The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?
This is simple.  Eat chocolate.  Lol  Especially Dove chocolate…yum!!
Some Like it in Handcuffs blurb:
Sunny Kennedy, the only female in a family of blue blood male detectives, is determined to prove testosterone isn’t the only qualification required to solve a cold case. Handcuffed while undercover then taken to the precinct by an attractive detective, her domineering family demands she work with Detective Judson Blackwolf, or she’s off the case.
Judson Blackwolf thinks women in law enforcement should work behind the scenes. The prospect of working with his Captain’s sexy daughter doesn’t thrill him. He only agrees in hopes of solving the murder of his one time mentor’s daughter. Once the case is over, he’s moving to Montana to heal his wounds from the loss of his last partner.
But when their investigation takes a dangerous turn, Sunny and Jud soon realize their feelings for each other cannot be denied.
Excerpt:
“This isn’t how I wanted it between us.”  Judson grabbed the neckline of her sweater, dragging her body to meet his with a solid thump.  Sunny licked her lips in answer to the question in his eyes.  He lowered his head to move his mouth over hers.  
Sunny closed her eyes, a small whimper escaping her lips.  She didn’t want it like this either, but that wasn’t possible.  Unable to resist her attraction she accepted it wasn’t an affair, or a long distance romance she craved, but for him to love her back.  It was all or nothing for her.  Her heart sank.  She accepted this as their goodbye kiss.
With no thought to what was happening upstairs, Sunny rose up on her toes demanding more.  Her lips pulsated against Judson’s.  When his hand trembled against her cheek in a soft caress she lost touch with reality.  
“Judson.” Sunny’s weakened body drifted farther into Judson’s as his fingers glided down her arms, pulling them to her sides where their fingers intertwined.  He forced them behind her before his tongue thrust into her mouth.  
Their bodies molded together, she heard her own heartbeat and his as well when he curved his fingers around her rear and squeezed.  
That’s when the click of the handcuffs against her wrist connected her to the handle of the locked cupboard.  
“What the hell…Judson?”  She looked up at him, her knees shook, her body still inflamed with fever.  
“Like I was saying, you wait here and I’ll go upstairs to check it out.  Backup’s already been called, so you’re safe until your brothers arrive.”  Judson winked before walking toward the steps to the third level.  Once he reached them he turned toward her and smiled.  “Gotcha,” he whispered with his notorious grin.
Some Like it in Handcuffs is available in print and digital format at:
And you can find me at:
My blog/website:  http://christine-warner.com/
Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords
My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay on top of what I have in the works: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013
I love to hear from readers and other authors
Thank you so much for having me…I had a great time!  

Monday, April 2, 2012

Manic Mondays

I love Mondays.

Okay a bit of housekeeping. For the Luck of the Irish blog hop. Congrats Tammy and Donna. I'll contact you shortly for your info to send the mug full of goodies.

Also I'm participating in Night Owl Review Spring Fling. Check out the link and have a good time.


Then I wanted to show off my niece. I'm very proud of her. She participated in a parade and for she's a great role model.


Miss Jr. Teen Michigan Aaneisha Napier
Once the parade was over, she didn't want to take off her sash and crown. Can't blame her though, if I had a tiara and a pretty pink dress I wouldn't want to take it off either.

Until next time. Indulge Your Inner Romantic