Sunday, September 29, 2013

In the Spotlight: Donina Lynn

I'm so delighted to have Donina Lynn today with her new book, Arms of Serenity. You've got such a hot cover, dear.


Arms of Serenity by Donina Lynn
Rock Services, Book One

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! I’m very excited to be here and to be sharing my debut novel Arms of Serenity.   
When I first sat down to think about what I wanted to write, the one thing I knew I wanted to incorporate was a message. That being that the events of the past shouldn’t dictate how we live our lives in the future.  We should learn from our experiences and look to the future as an opportunity for a new beginning. Simple, right? But when we are unable to move beyond those events and they threaten to determine who we are today, is it ever that easy to forget and find the peace within ourselves to allow happiness into our lives? Life and especially love are never that simple.
In Arms of Serenity, you meet Nick and Becca. Both are emotionally damaged and in desperate need of someone to show them how to let go of their pasts and that love is possible as long as they are willing to let it in. Their story is full of inner struggles, laughs, romance and even a smidgen of danger. Doesn’t every good love story need at least one or two bad guys? J

Blurb:

Plagued by guilt, Nicholas Hollsten ended his military career in the Special Forces and returned home only to be forced into a life he never wanted. Nick found himself running his father’s company and making good on a promise to his team. Angry and frustrated with the direction his life was taking, he calms his thoughts by filling his evenings and bed with soft distractions. Until one woman captures his interest.
Rebecca Klayton thought she was happy in her small town, running her bakery and avoiding love. That emotion only meant heartache and being left exactly where you started—alone. Lesson learned. But, when the sexy stranger from their hot New Year’s Eve party shows up at her counter, will she be able to ignore the temptation or will she find what she’s been missing in the Arms of Serenity?

Excerpt:

Becca got as far as the curve outside before she heard Nick’s voice calling her name. She closed her eyes and groaned.
Almost made it.
Why was he following her? Couldn’t he just leave her alone? She held up her hand to signal a taxi and hoped ignoring him would work until one stopped.
Becca heard him say her name again. Only this time he was too close to pretend that she didn’t hear him. She turned to find him holding the picture frame.
“You forgot this.”
He just wanted to give her the frame. She sighed in relief and reached to take it from him.
“Thank you.”
He looked at her and put a smug smile on before saying, “You forgot these also.” He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a glimpse of white lace material.
Becca gasped when she realized it was her forgotten panties. She got closer to put her hand out.
“Thank you for finding them.”
Nick pushed them back in his pocket. “How about that coffee?”
Becca took a step back and crossed her arms. “Are you seriously holding my underwear hostage until I go out on a date with you? Doesn’t that border on blackmail?”
Nick laughed. “Just using whatever means I have at my disposal to get you to say yes.”
Becca would laugh too if she wasn’t so angry. He was being an arrogant pushy ass. She glared at him. From his polished shoes, tailored pants, and what looked like a cashmere sweater, he was head to toe everything that Becca wasn’t. Why was he doing this? Damn him for coming after her. Damn him for wanting more when he could go back into the ballroom and have anyone of those models sitting at the table.
“You’re not my type.” She turned away from him and once again put her hand up in the air.
She stood there not wanting to look back. He hadn’t answered her, and Becca silently hoped that he had walked away. She was a mess. Her insides trembled at the conflicting emotions of anger and longing coursing through her. It would be so easy to give in and go with him.
Becca felt a hand brush against her neck and his voice against her ear.
“I’m going to have to argue that statement. I seem to remember being exactly your type last night as you shook and screamed in pleasure when I was buried deep inside of you.” He kissed the spot behind her ear, and she gasped in response. Shivers cascaded through her, and she leaned back melting into his body.
Becca cursed herself.
Dammit, Becca get some control! He’s just a rich guy who thinks he can get anything he wants.
Becca pulled away and turned around to face him as a taxi finally came to her rescue. Opening the door, she stood behind it to use as a barrier between them and took a breath to steady her trembling legs and gain some courage.
“Nick, last night was great, and thank you for not saying anything back in there.” She nodded her head in the direction of the hotel and continued. “But I’m just not interested.” She got in the cab, closed the door, and stared ahead as she gave the driver her destination. As the taxi pulled away, she could see him in the rearview mirror. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, she left him just standing and staring after her.

Available at:


Author Bio:

Hi! I live in a small rural Pennsylvania town on the outskirts of the Poconos. As in small, I mean we don't even have a traffic light. We do, however, have a DG, a pizzeria and a Chinese restaurant. Thank goodness! Because, I would probably starve without takeout and a microwave. Cooking is something I enjoy during the holidays and for special occasions. But on a normal day, I take full advantage of a supermarket's frozen section. 
Even though I was born and raised a country girl, my idea of communing with nature is gazing out my window while guzzling mass quantities of coffee. Next to the microwave, my Keurig is my prized possession. Seriously, the inventors of that gadget deserve an award and are personal heroes of mine. 
When I'm not at my day job, hanging with my family or friends, curled up with my Kindle, or typing away at the computer, you can find me in front of the TV watching anything paranormal, sci-fi or a good action flick. Kudos go to any movie or show that incorporates explosions, big guns, and gratuitous butt shots. 
My addiction to romance novels started as soon as I could turn a page and has stayed with me until much later in life when I decided to sit down and give writing one a whirl. Who knew that decision would have brought me here? I am extremely grateful it has and hope you enjoy reading about the characters that have taken up residence in my head. There is a bit of a warning, however. I have a fondness - bordering on obsession - with the military, public service, bad boys, and men with bald heads, goatees or tattoos.  Heroes with one or many of these traits might be a reoccurring theme until I can work through these issues. :-)

You can find me at:

Saturday, September 28, 2013

In the spotlight: Tamsin Baker

Anyone for m/m sexyness? Come check out new Tamsin Baker's novel, Blond Truth!

 


Blond Truth by Tamsin Baker
M/M Contemporary Erotic Romance.

Blurb:

Tommy is thirty one, an architect, gay and gorgeous. Yet, no one has ever really ‘seen’ Tommy before. Sure, they all see his pretty face, blue eyes and hot arse, but they never care enough to see that he’s more than that. Tommy’s getting more frustrated by the day, especially with everyone pairing off. Even Marcus, his best friend and ex lover has found true love. But with little to no relationship experience, how will Tommy find what he needs when he doesn’t even know what that is.

Big Bear Ben is thirty nine, a power lifter and an extremely successful business man. He’s never found a man who holds his interest longer than a few months and, having spent ten years under a pile of paperwork, he probably wouldn’t have noticed them even if he had met them. Tommy, a mutual friend sparks his interest like no other. The gorgeous brat brings out Ben’s dominant side and when his chance arrives to get his hands on Tommy, he finds he’s unwilling to let go.

Excerpt:

Ben dropped his head and stopped, mere millimetres from Tommy’s lips.
“You sure you want this? I don’t want you to think I’m harassing you.”
Tommy shivered as Ben’s breath tingled across his skin. He shook his head avidly. “No.”
Ben didn’t move, just stared down at him. “No, what? Tell me what you want baby?”
Tommy swallowed the moan that rose. This guy was one sexy bastard. That voice was enough to make him weak at the knees. But first he had to beg a little, and rightly so considering his earlier behaviour. “I want you to kiss me.”
Ben didn’t wait a second more. His eyes flared a little, then he bent forward and kissed him. If you could call it that. This kiss was out of this world. Ben had thick, soft lips that demanded a response. Tommy moaned low in his throat as Ben swept his tongue inside and tasted him.
His neck muscles loosened, and his head began to tilt away from the kiss. Ben’s hands moved quickly, one cupped the back of his head, anchoring him in place, while the other hand slid down to his hip.
Tommy moaned again and pushed up against the wall of muscle, needing to get closer. He ran his hands down Ben’s back, stopping at the sculpted arse to squeeze hard.
Ben growled and pulled back, panting and trembling. “You are too much.”
A surprised laugh flew out of Tommy. He had never been accused of being too much of anything.  “You going to take me home, big man?”
Ben’s cock was thick and hard between them, making Tommy’s balls ache for release. He really wanted some of that.
Slowly, Ben shook his head and Tommy flushed with anger and embarrassment. He struggled to get up and away from this big idiot who he’d actually thought had wanted him mere seconds ago. Big hands came down on him, pulling his arms behind his back.
Something strange surged inside Tommy as he fought and couldn’t get free. “Let me go Ben.”
Ben chuckled and bit down on the chord of muscle that ran down Tommy’s neck. He shuddered as another wave of longing passed over him.
“No way, baby.”
Tommy stopped struggling and Ben kissed along his jaw, the soft lips driving him crazy. “Well, why the hell not then? Don’t you know today is my birthday?”
Fuck! He wanted to call the words back as soon as he had said them. He sounded about twelve.
Ben pulled back to look at him, yet effortlessly kept Tommy immobile. His brown eyes were assessing and intense as they bore into him.
“Really? Well birthday boy, I want time to enjoy this gorgeous body of yours and I don’t have any tonight. Go out with me tomorrow night and if you’re a good boy then, I’ll take you home.”
Ben’s voice had dropped half an octave and if Tommy was less aroused he would have been offended by that offer.
“Where?”
Was that his voice all breathy and wanting?
Ben dropped a kiss on his lips and Tommy pressed his pelvis harder into the man holding him so tight. A strangled, needy noise rose from Ben and Tommy smiled to himself.

Tamsin Baker Links:

Buy Links:
Amazon
Steam eReads

In the Spotlight: Cody Kennedy

I am so delighted to have the very talented Cody Kennedy on my blog today. I fell in love with his on-going series, Fairy, and can't wait to get my hands on his debut novel, Omorphi, (which I heard I'd only get from Amazon in November.) *hangs head* Yeah, I ordered the paperback version because a book that thick I will not expect myself to read on my screen. Uh-uh, no way.

Anyway! Sorry for rambling. Shall we carry on to the very sweet interview with Christy (and Michael by his side)? (And I'm sorry, Cody. I have to say this. This interview would not exist if not for Cody himself. Yeah. I specifically asked him to ask his characters some questions as I couldn't imagine me asking Christy anything as I haven't known him yet.) So now here's the interview on my behalf. :)


 


High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. He’s a star athlete, has great friends, and parents who love him just the way he is. What’s missing from his life is a boyfriend. That’s a problem because he’s out only to his parents and best friend. When Michael accidentally bumps into Christy Castle at school, his life changes in ways he never imagined. Christy is Michael’s dream guy: smart, pretty, and sexy. But nothing could have prepared Michael for what being Christy's boyfriend would entail.

Christy needs to heal after years of abuse and knows he needs help to do it. After the death of his notorious father, he leaves his native Greece and settles in upstate New York. Alone, afraid, and left without a voice, Christy hides the myriad scars of his abuse. He desperately wants to be loved and when he meets Michael, he dares to hope that day has arrived. When one of Michael’s team-mates becomes an enemy and an abuser from Christy’s past seeks to return him to a life of slavery, only Michael and Christy's combined strength and unwavering determination can save them from the violence that threatens to destroy their future together.

Omorphi now available from:
Harmony Ink Press:
ARe/OmniLit:
Amazon:


A Q&A with Christy Castle:

Iyana: Thank you for joining me today, Christy, and congratulations on your first interview yesterday with best-selling author Wade Kelly.

Christy: Thank you, Mrs. Jenna. Wade is a very nice person.

Iyana: Please call me Iyana and, yes, she is. I understand that you decided to come to the US by yourself. Tell us how you arrived at the decision to come here.

Christy: My father was very popular in Greece and I am not popular. The first time I walked down the street in Athens, the first time I am in the sun for years, people stared at me. Some crossed the street to be away from me. One person hit me with a newspaper like a dog, and then threw it at me. Like this, so, I looked for a country that would not dislike me. Also, I am broken, so I looked for someone to help me. The place where I live has this specialty. I did not know such places existed in the world and I like this. It is amazing to me. And the doctor, Rob, is helping me.

Iyana: That’s wonderful, Christy. I understand that you’ve never attended a school until now. Tell us how you felt on your first day of school?

Christy: *shifts uncomfortably* I was very afraid but I had to do it. I did not understand many things. I did not understand the changing of the classrooms and the organization of the school. I had trouble with reading the map and I went to the wrong places often. Then, I wanted to be like the others and I did not wear the clothes that were acceptable. I wore a suit and this was the wrong thing to wear. Many people stared at me. The first day was... very hard.

Iyana: But you persevered.

Christy: Yes, I did this. It was important to me. If I am to be successful in learning to live again, I must be strong.

Iyana: Awww, we should all take lessons from you. Let’s hear it for Christy!

::thunderous applause from the audience::

Iyana: Tell us about the first time you saw Michael.

Christy: *blushes and glances at Michael*

Michael: *smiles at Christy* Even I want to know the answer to this question, babe.

Christy: *laughs softly* I did not see Michael, I heard Jacob. Jake, Michael’s best friend, said “Get off me, gay boy.” I see Jake push Michael and I think it is not good to be this thing gay. Then Jake and Michael make a hug and Michael kissed the side of Jake’s head and said, “You love that I am queer.” I did not understand these words so I performed the research. I do not understand why Michael is happy and odd. It made no sense to me so I asked Rob about it, and he explained homosexual. I didn’t know you call the way we are gay and queer.

Iyana: *laughs softly* So, what did you think when you saw Michael for the first time?

Christy: I think he is handsome, and a little bit funny. I like this.

Iyana: And?

Christy: I like his hair and eyes. He has the very green eyes. I like this.

Iyana: And?

Christy: He is brave. He has the good laugh. It is very natural. It comes from the heart. I like this. And I like his... body. He is healthy. He is thin, but strong. He has the nice skin. He has the small moles. I like this. I think it is sexy.

Michael: Wow. You thought all that?

Christy: *blushes* I did. Then... Then I try to imagine him as my... as someone who would care for me and I can see it in my mind. *eyes tear, takes a deep breath* I can see for the first time in my life someone who might love me... just a little.

::soft applause from the audience::

Iyana: Awww, that’s so touching, Christy.

Christy: *thinks for a long moment* It is a little embarrassing.

Iyana: No, it isn’t. Then what happened?

Christy: *blushes again* I decide I must research Michael, so I follow him and I learn that he is the runner on the hurdles. I watch this and I am amazed. Michael says he feels as if he can fly when he runs. I wish to do this one day.

Michael: *surprised* Seriously?

Christy: This would be wonderful for me.

Michael: *in awe* Well, I guess we’ll just have to teach you how to do it.

Christy: You would do this?

Michael: *pause* Of course, I would, babe.

Christy: Truly?

Michael: Definitely.

Christy: *looks at Michael as if he’s kidding*

Michael: I would.

Christy: *smiles for the first time in interview and points at Michael* Michael will teach me to make the hurdles.

Iyana: Something tells me that you have already cleared a number of hurdles, Christy. Hurdles that none of us could have ever cleared.

::soft applause from the audience::

Iyana: So, what happened next?

Christy: I follow Michael and then I make the mistake of following too close. This was a bad calculation because when Michael turned I was in the way and we...*glances at Michael* What is the word?

Michael: I bumped into you.

Christy: Yes, this is what happened. Then Michael liked my eyes.

Iyana: *laughs softly* Then what happened?

Christy: I watch Michael practice running on the hurdles.

Michael: *chuckles*

Iyana: And then?

Christy: *blushes” The story is in the book with the name of Omorphi. It is very easy to purchase and read.

Iyana: *laughs* You heard it from Christy! The story of Christy and Michael is in the book Omorphi! An excellent read. I highly recommend it. Thank you for being with us here today and for chatting with me, Christy.

Christy: Thank you, Iyana. It was a nice time. 

::thunderous applause from the audience::

Michael: *kisses Christy’s cheek* Do you really want to learn to run hurdles?

Christy: I wish to do this.

Michael: *sidelong glance at Christy* Okay.

Christy: This is the good idea for me.

Michael: Okay.

Christy: I wish to go now.

Michael: Okay.

(Iyana: Umm, I don't mind getting one of them kisses on the cheek. Oh, sorry.)

~*~

Continue following Omorphi’s blog tour for one more chance to win an ebook copy of Omorphi!
September 29th - Author Zoe Lynn - The Notes Behind Omorphi’s Play List
October 4th - Sid Love's Blog - Why the title Omorphi?
October 5th - Author Madison Parker - What makes Omorphi unique?
October 6th - Author John Ames - Q&A with Michael Sattler
October 11th - Boys on the Brink - Omorphi: Writing Sex and Violence in Young Adult works
October 12th - Author Jamie Fessenden - Cody shares Omorphi Trivia with Jamie
October 15th - Granny Irene - A week in the Life of Christy Castle before Michael
October 18th - Author Sara Alva - A week in the life of Michael Sattler before Christy
October 19th - Author Sam Kadence - Cody Talks About Writing Action and the Suspension of Disbelief
October 20th - Cody’s Blog - Omorphi's One Month Anniversary Trivia Contest and a SECOND chance to win an ebook copy of Omorphi - In order to enter this contest you must:
1) have visited and commented on each stop on Omorphi’s Blog Tour - please be sure to leave your name and email address in your blog comment. “Anonymous” comments won’t qualify; and 
            2) you must correctly answer the trivia questions posted on Cody’s Blog by placing your answers in the comments section beneath the questions; and 
3) along with your answers to the trivia questions, you must leave a comment about Omorphi’s Blog Tour. 
The winner will be selected by Kismet, Cody’s greenwing macaw.
To make things even more exciting, a new contest will begin on October 21st on The Novel Approach Reviews Blog to win an ebook copy of Cody's novella, Safe, due out October 24th from Harmony Ink Press!

Get ready to read and win!

About Cody:

Raised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, Cody Kennedy doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as: If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary.

Find Cody:
Twitter @CodyKAuthor