Book Blitz & Giveaway: Swept Away for Christmas Anthology

Swept Away for Christmas

Swept Away for Christmas Anthology
MJ Fredrick, Tanya Michaels and Trish Milburn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Date of Publication: September 30, 2013

Number of pages: 289
Word Count: ~72,900

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Sony     Kobo     Smashwords

Christmas isn’t always snow-covered with a frosty chill in the air. Sometimes it’s sandy beaches with balmy breezes.

And sometimes we find love in the most unexpected places, a place like Starfish Shores.

Here Comes McBride

Shelby James has only truly loved one man — but Finn McBride broke her heart when emotional baggage from his past came between them. Now, Shelby is serving as maid of honor at a beach wedding where Finn is the best man. Will reuniting with Finn be a Christmas miracle, or the worst mistake she's ever made?

Two Hearts a Leaping

After a break-up with her high school sweetheart, Harley Blume retreats to her brother's home in Starfish Shores to lick her wounds and figure out what she's doing next. But her brother is in the Coast Guard reserves and heading out of town, leaving her in the care of Liam Channing, his best friend since they played college football together. She's never been able to keep her tongue in her mouth when good-looking, easy-going Liam is around. How is she going to find her way if she can't keep her balance?

Cruisin’ for a Kiss

When Avery Phillips loses her magazine job right before Christmas, she heads back home to Starfish Shores to spend the holidays with the grandparents who raised her. The plan is to hit the job search hard so that she has a new position when the New Year arrives. What isn’t part of the plan is heading up a remodeling effort at her family’s beach motel or falling for the man helping to save the business into which her grandparents put a lifetime of work. As Christmas draws closer, will Avery stick to the original plan to leave town again or take a chance with Luke Taylor and a new life she never expected?

Excerpt: 

Cruisin’ for a Kiss
By Trish Milburn

If the last contractor didn’t present her with a more reasonable figure, she’d start all over tomorrow. Surely there was someone out there who’d be grateful enough for work this time of year to cut her a nice deal.

When the door opened, she glanced up expecting to see another middle-aged guy who’d gone a little soft around the middle. At a glance, she was going to guess there wasn’t anything soft about the man staring back at her. Tall, lean, dark blond hair and light eyes. It wasn’t until he shot her a hint of a grin that she remembered it wasn’t nice to stare at hot strangers.

Way to go, Phillips.

She resisted the urge to check her mouth for drool.

“You called about an estimate,” he said as he sauntered up to the front counter.

Hoping her legs supported her, Avery stood. “Yeah. We want to give the place a new but vintage look.” She broke eye contact and took her time rounding the counter so she could try to corral her suddenly raging hormones.

She led him to the area they used for continental breakfasts and told him about her idea for a soda fountain, black-and-white checked floor tiles and a pressed tin ceiling.

“I know all that might not be possible, but I’m just looking to get ballpark figures now.”

“I think we can work something out.”

Something about his voice seemed familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She allowed her gaze to stay focused on him a little too long as he wrote in a small notepad. He smiled, more fully this time, when he lifted his eyes to catch her watching.

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

She was supposed to know him? Surely she would have remembered someone that good looking. Not only remembered but had wild, steamy dreams about him.

“I’m sorry.”

She expected him to give her his name, but he didn’t. No, he left her dangling on the hook, desperately searching her brain for the names of every man with whom she’d ever crossed paths. He looked about her age. A classmate? He acted like he had some sway with whether his company took the project or not, so maybe he was the owner? The names of all the companies she’d called the day before floated through her head until one clicked. Taylor Construction.

Surely not. It couldn’t be.

“Luke?”

“Bingo.”

This definitely wasn’t the Luke Taylor she remembered. The one she knew had been more on the nerdy end of the scale than the make-me-pant end. He hadn’t been ugly, but he’d rarely looked up from his books. And he’d lived behind glasses and worn clothes that were either forgettable or further proclaimed his geekitude. She’d expected him to grow up to be a medical researcher or rocket scientist, not a construction worker.

Giveaway: 

The authors will award a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

November 4:
The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl

November 5:
Reviews by Crystal

November 6:
The Revolving Bookcase

November 7:
Musings and Ramblings

November 8:
Books to Light Your Fire
Reading In Twilight

November 11:
The Hedonistic Minimalist
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

November 12:
Susana's Morning Room

November 13:
A Chick Who Reads
Enjoying the Unique Flavors of Life

November 14:
Queen of the Night Reviews

November 15:
Beyond My Writing Space

November 18:
It's Raining Books

November 19:
Reviews Unleashed

November 20:
All I Want and More

November 21:
Unabridged Andra
Once Upon A Book

November 22:
fundinmental
Bookgirl Knitting


MJ Fredrick Bio:

MJ Fredrick knows about chasing dreams. Twelve years after she completed her first novel, she signed her first publishing contract. Now she divides her days between teaching elementary music, and diving into her own writing—traveling everywhere in her mind, from Belize to Honduras to Africa to the past.

She's a four-time Golden Heart Award finalist, and she won the 2009 Eppie Award with Hot Shot and the 2010 Eppie with Breaking Daylight. She was a 2012 Epic Award finalist with Don’t Look Back.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Tanya Michaels Bio:

Four-time RITA finalist Tanya Michaels is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than thirty books. Her stories incorporate the same elements she values in real life—community, family and a sense of humor. Her current releases include the popular Colorado Cades trilogy for Harlequin American Romance.

She lives in Atlanta, GA with a very patient husband as well as two kids and a dog who are plotting against her. When not writing, reading, or spending time with her family, Tanya watches entirely too much TV. She’s also made Twitter her virtual home. Join her there to hear about her life as a writer and the outrageous things her kids say.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Trish Milburn Bio:

Trish Milburn is the author of contemporary romance for Harlequin American Romance, paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne, young adult fiction for Bell Bridge Books and indie publishes her romantic suspense, women’s fiction and other titles. She’s a two-time Golden Heart award winner, a fan of walks in the woods and road trips, and is a big geek girl, including being a dedicated Whovian and Browncoat.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google + | Pinterest

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Chance of Rain by Amber Lin

Chance of Rain

Chance of Rain
Amber Lin

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:Carina Press

Date of Publication: November 4, 2013

Number of pages: 130
Word Count: ~48,500

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe

The only things Natalie Bouchard wants to change are the weekly specials in her Gram’s diner. So when her high school sweetheart strolls back into Dearling, Texas, she allows herself to indulge in a little flirtation, but that’s as far as it goes.

Navy SEAL Sawyer Nolan has returned to sell his father’s land and get the hell out, no matter how enticing he still finds Natalie. Until a storm rolls over the Texas hills, stranding them together at the farm…and the memories of their steamy past lead to a reunion filled with hot days and long nights.

Soon Natalie’s so far under Sawyer’s skin he can’t imagine being without her. But he has a lot of history in Dearling he’d like to leave behind, and Natalie is practically married to this town. If Sawyer wants to be more than just another person who leaves Natalie, he’ll have to give his hometown—and himself—one more chance.

Excerpt: 

She flipped the switch, and lights blinked off unsteadily down the long tiled ceiling. Only at the end of each day did it dawn on her how large the place was. Large in both its physical size and the space it took up in her life. Though unassuming and maybe unconventional, it was a legacy. Hers to keep. Hers to maintain.

She headed into the back office and gathered the papers. She returned through the swinging doors leading to the dining area with a stuffed manila folder. And ran smack into the broad chest of Sawyer Nolan with an oof.

“What are you doing here?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Having dinner.”

“We’re closed.”

“Door was unlocked.”

He wore the shadows well. The darkness seemed to enhance his handsomeness, lengthening his planes and sharpening his angles. He seemed more at ease here in the quiet dark than the bustling brightness of morning.

“I hadn’t gotten to that yet. No one usually comes around this late.”

“Guess that means no dinner.”

His voice was neutral, but it had to be a disappointment. He was hungry, and everywhere else would be closed. Unless he wanted a cold sandwich from the gas station on the outskirts of town. She wasn’t heartless enough to send him there, not when carefully packaged leftovers sat in her fridge.

Anyone else she would have invited back to the kitchen table, but not him. Oh, no. He could eat in the dim, impersonal void and count himself lucky if she even chatted with him.

She gestured to the bar stools. “Have a seat. I’ll heat you up something.”

His face cracked into a smile. “Thanks, Natalie.”

Man, he looked so genuinely happy just for that. Just for her to feed him. Her heart squeezed. Maybe she’d give him double helpings. He was broad and tall enough to need them anyway.

Giveaway: 

One $30 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

November 4:
Lis les Livres
Musings and Ramblings
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too
Ali's Books

November 5:
Harlie’s Books – Review
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic – Review
Books and Needlepoint – Review
A Little Fiction of Every Flavour – Review
Dawn's Reading Nook


Author Bio:

Amber Lin writes edgy romance with damaged hearts, redemptive love, and a steamy ever after. RT Book Reviews called her debut novel, Giving It Up, “truly extraordinary.” Amber married her high school sweetheart, gave birth to a kid who’s smarter than she is, and spends her nights writing down her dirty thoughts. In other words, life is good.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Alien, Mine by Sandra Harris

Alien, Mine

Alien, Mine
Sandra Harris

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Date of Publication: June 18, 2013

Number of pages: 319

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon

THE BLUTHEN HAVE ONE CONSUMING PASSION: THEMSELVES.

IN THEIR EXPANSION ACROSS THE GALAXY, THEY WILL GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO DOMINATE SPECIES THEY ENCOUNTER.

Torn from modern day Earth and stranded on the far side of the Galaxy, Sandrea Fairbairn must use every particle of courage she possesses to adjust to her new life and live for tomorrow.

Eugen Mhartak, a general in the Tri-Race Alliance Army, refuses to bow to the merciless Bluthen. Haunted by the loss of far too many innocent lives he has vowed to drive the ruthless invaders from Alliance space.

The strength and valor of Eugen Mhartak attracts Sandrea as no man ever has, but she struggles to read the enigmatic general’s heart. Determined to help him triumph over the Bluthen she uncovers a diabolical plot against the Alliance.

Drawn by the courage and exotic beauty of Sandrea, Mhartak battles to overcome the barriers of cross-cultural differences that separate them and claim her ardent interest. He must conquer his deepest fears to be the man she needs. When his principles are betrayed by his own government and he is faced with the impossible prospect of taking Sandrea’s life in order to save his home planet, Mhartak desperately searches for a way to keep safe both his world and the magnificent woman who has stolen his heart.

Excerpt: 

“Mhartak, move your sorry carcass!”

He glared back to the forest. A gan dressed in agricultural clothes with a familiar cast to his stance cradled a powerful rifle. Disbelief narrowed his eyes.

Surely not.

Amidst a fresh hail of enemy fire, the civilian hefted the weapon.

T’Hargen?

Alarm clanged a harsh warning through his mind. The ion wave emission gun his brother held would mulch any unprotected organ within its range.

“No!” he roared and launched himself towards the forest. Too late.

Fallen leaves whirled toward him on the leading edge of a percussion surge. The ion wave slammed into him, wrenching him from the ground and flinging him back. His armour alarm shrieked imminent overload and his armour failed to absorb the savage impact of unyielding rock. Brutal force hammered the breath from his lungs and almost snatched thought from his mind.

He shook the daze from his wits and staggered to his feet. Desperation and anger seethed through him, and he hurtled into the rocks.

Stupid son-of-a-demented-laraxdon.

“Sandrea!”

Moans drifted on a soft breeze and Bluthen bodies littered the rocks. Blood oozed from their eyes, ears, and noses. His ruthless hands tossed corpses and injured aside.

“Sandrea!”

Kulluk and Shrenkner sprang over the boulders, their horrified gazes sweeping across the carnage. A massive presence loomed beside him.

“Well, it’s nice to see you, too,” a familiar voice muttered.

Control snapped and Mhartak struck, gripped his long-lost, beloved brother by the throat and struggled not to throttle him.

Giveaway: 

Sandra will be awarding one Alien, Mine customized Phone case to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 

This will be available for Apple iPhone 5, 4/4S, 3G/3GS, Samsung Galaxy S4, SIII/S3, SII/S2 or BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 (winner to choose phone case size) and is US ONLY. 

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

August 26:
Danita Minnis

August 27:
Reviews by Crystal

August 28:
Unabridged Andra

August 29:
Pink Fluffy Hearts: Diary of a Coffee Addict

August 30:
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Booked and Loaded

September 2:
For The Love of Reading

September 3:
Musings of Mistress of the Dark Path

September 4:
Sharing Links and Wisdom
Dawn's Reading Nook Blog

September 5:
A to Z Reviews

September 6:
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

September 9:
Triad Literary Works

September 10:
Reading In Twilight

September 11:
Books and Other Spells

September 12:
Nana Prah's Blog

September 13:
Musings and Ramblings

September 16:
Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf

September 17:
Wicked Readings by Tawania

September 18:
Andi's Book Reviews

September 19:
Dalene's Book Reviews

September 20:
Long and Short Reviews

Author Bio:

Born in the far north of Australia, yearly cyclones, floods and being cut off from civilization for weeks at a time were the norm. An outrageous imagination helped occupy Sandra’s mind.

An abiding interest in astronomy and a deep-seated need to always see the good guys win naturally influences her writing. Not satisfied with the amount of romance in science fiction novels she set out to redress the balance.

She currently lives in sunny South East Queensland, Australia, with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who doesn’t seem to realize she comes from royalty and should act in a more appropriate manner.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Blitz: Fire on Ice by Dakota Madison

Fire on Ice

Fire on Ice
Dakota Madison

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Date of Publication: July 16, 2013

Number of pages: 232

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Sony     Kobo     ARe    Smashwords

He’s Fire on Ice and she’s afraid to get burned again…

“You always think a guy is going to be different until he’s not.”

Firestorm Center Kian Kavanagh dominates the ice like a rock star dominates the stage. He’s the hottest new player to be recruited for the Firestorm, a newly established professional hockey team in Northern Arizona.

After Taylor Thompson’s heart was completely shattered by her high school’s most popular jock, she vowed never to date another athlete. And she keeps that promise through her first three years of college by putting up impenetrable walls to protect her from heartbreak.

But after a chance meeting with the charming and irresistible Kian Kavanagh, Taylor’s carefully constructed walls are in serious danger of being burned down by Mr. Fire on Ice.

Excerpt: 

I shook my head and glanced around the club. Runt was right about one thing: the kids who frequented this place were loaded. Most of them were wearing top notch designer clothes and sporting hundred dollar haircuts. I grew up dirt poor, lucky to have second hand clothes from the donation bin and the occasional coupon-day haircut at Super Cuts.

Even now, I didn’t like to waste money even though I was earning good coin. I knew there was a big chance my hockey career could be cut short, so I saved as much as I could for my future, which I hoped would someday be a sports bar, if I saved enough and was smart with investing.

As I glanced around the bar at the sea of perfect young faces, I spotted a girl sitting by herself at a small table in the corner. She was looking in my direction but when our eyes met, she quickly looked down and started reading a book.

What the hell?

Who reads a book in a bar, I wondered. I was intrigued.

The first thing I noticed about her was her beautiful wavy brown hair. The long waves were tucked behind her ears, which were decorated with a single pink pearl in each center. She was wearing a flowered blouse tied over a black tank top and a long black skirt. It was such an odd outfit to be wearing at a bar. She looked like she was ready for a stroll through a museum or art gallery. Most girls at bars tried to show as much skin and body parts as humanly possible. They left little to the imagination. But this girl had her arms and legs completely covered.

I could tell she was different and I wanted to know why.

I tipped back the rest of my beer, put the empty glass on the bar and made my way over to the girl. I just couldn’t get over the fact she was reading a book in a bar. It was such a strange sight. As I got closer, I noticed the book was a lot thicker than I initially thought. A textbook? Who studies at a bar?

She didn’t even have a drink in front of her. She was just intent on reading her book.

I stood next to her table and cleared my throat to get her attention. When she glanced up at me, her expression was neutral.

“Hey,” I said and gave her a quick smile.

She just stared at me. I have to admit, it kind of freaked me out. I was used to girls doing most of the work. Usually all I had to do was decide if I wanted to take them home or not.

Her hazel brown eyes were completely captivating. I felt like I was swimming in the deep end of two delicious pools. I gulped and suddenly couldn’t think of anything to say. The girl made me nervous and I never got nervous. All I could do was stare into her beautiful brown eyes.

“What do you want?” she said finally. The question wasn’t mean; it was like she was really curious why I was standing there.

“I was just wondering what you were reading.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew I sounded like a complete jerk.

And why was I second guessing myself? That was not like me at all. From the time I was fourteen, and started to really show off on the ice, girls dropped their panties for me with little more than a wink and a winning smile on my part.

But this girl was different. When she looked at me, it was like she was looking right through me, like she could see into every part of my mind and soul. And that scared the hell out of me because there was a lot going on in there that I never wanted anyone to see.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

Have Novel, Will Edit
Christine’s Words
Stuck in Books
Brooke Blogs
Talk Supe
Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Musings and Ramblings
Socrates’ Book Review Blog
Rather Barefoot than Bookless
Romance Addict Book Blog
Urban Girl Reader
Rose & Beps Blog
Tome Tender
Authors’ Cafe
What Readers Want
Romance Me

Author Bio:

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she’s not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Last Chance Reunion by Linda Conrad

Last Chance Reunion

Texas Cold Case & Texas Lost and Found
Chance Texas, Book 4
Linda Conrad

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin

Date of Publication: August 6, 2013

Number of pages: 282

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Sony     Kobo     ARe     Publisher

Two Lone Star stories from bestselling author Linda Conrad!

TEXAS COLD CASE

Determined to solve the cold case of his mother’s murder, Colt Chance returns home to Texas. Turns out the new deputy sheriff is the woman who broke his heart. But when someone targets Lacie, Colt’ll have to decide between the vengeance he seeks and protecting the one he still loves….

TEXAS LOST AND FOUND

After witnessing a murder, firefighter Nina Martinez finds an ally in medic Josh White. On the run, they discover that Nina is the long-missing Chance sister, Cami. Will Cami embrace the love from Josh and her real family before it’s too late?

Excerpt: 

Fire exploded up the forty-foot cedar, snapping and cracking like a whip as it raced to chew off every living thing in its path.

Hotshot fire-fighter Nina Martinez struggled with the urge to hold still and ogle the magnificent flames—a firefighter’s worst nightmare. Dropping your guard during a blaze, for any reason, could get you killed.

A little while ago she’d gotten caught behind the fire-lines while stamping out hot spots on orders from her superintendent. But when they’d first arrived on site in Texas, her super gave his crew the coordinates to safety zones and added tricks to finding natural escape routes. No need for her to be overly concerned yet.

Tearing past dry cactus and mesquite not yet aflame but heating fast, she had to shift direction to miss a huge rattler in her path. After that scare, she hesitated at the top of a mesa, checking coordinates for the best course for rejoining her crew. But as she gazed to the east, she spotted a ranch house directly below her that lay in the current route of the now reigniting blaze.

Giving the house a thorough once-over with her binoculars, she tried to determine if the place had been evacuated. Thankfully it looked deserted. But as she slowly swiveled her head to find a different heading, two people standing close to a barn came into view. The male and female appeared to be having an argument and not paying any attention to the spreading smoke and flames.

Keeping them in her sights, she started downhill, prepared to give them a lecture about evacuating when told to do so. When she reached their position, there wouldn’t be a lot of time left to move them out of harm’s way.

She used her radio to raise her team, asking for ground evacuation support for the civilians. Her super was not happy about her situation and said to keep moving, in and out of those coordinates as fast as possible. The fire was spreading from the west toward her position. But he agreed to spare someone to help with the evacuation if it came soon. The fire was moving fast.

Crackling fire echoed at her back, while swirling winds showered her with stinging embers. It was difficult not pausing to dig at hot spots. Her training wanted to overrule her conscious mind. But the two civilians had to be first priority.

She closed in while continuing to keep watch on the couple, but all of a sudden a shovel appeared in the man’s hand. Before Nina could yell, he used it to bash at the woman’s head. The female dropped to her knees.

“Hey!” Nina screamed at the top of her lungs. “Stop.”

Ignoring the steep decline, she picked up her speed and raced toward the couple. “Put it down!”

The man hit the woman once again and the force of his blow laid her out on the ground. Only then did he look up toward the noises Nina was making. By that time she’d closed the distance to where he stood to a few yards. His gaze locked with hers and the deep anger in the man’s eyes nearly caused her steps to falter.

But concern for the woman kept her going. Without pausing, Nina reached into her pack for a fusee, preparing to use it if necessary in her own defense against the man. But after she fisted her hand and took a few more steps in his direction, he finally turned and disappeared around the side of the barn. Closing in on where the woman lay, still and unmoving, it was apparent to Nina that the female was already beyond help. The pool of blood surrounding her head seemed like more than any human could lose and still survive.

Nina’s stomach rolled as she swiveled and made an effort to chase the man down. After turning the corner of the barn, she expected to see a car or truck pulling away. Instead, she found an open field full of boulders and mesquite.

She spent a moment wondering what direction the murderer had gone when a bellowing roar, sounding just like a freight train, captured her attention. The winds howled, switching direction, and at that moment a sight she’d only heard about greeted her disbelieving eyes.

A fire tornado developed within half a mile of her current position and headed straight at her.

Too late to get out of its way. Within seconds the whirl was fifty feet tall and moving fast.

After dragging her face shroud across her nose and mouth, she grabbed her portable fire shelter by its handles and shook it out. Protecting her lungs and airways was the most important lesson to remember. Another lesson that could keep her alive was to strip off her pack. She pitched her gear as far away as possible, relying on years of training to do things by rote.

She tried to put as much distance between herself and the fire devil as possible in the few seconds remaining. How she prayed to find a good spot to hunker down as she leapt a few more yards away from the barn and into the boulder field. But the intensive heat soon became unbearable. No time left.

Diving for an indentation next to a huge boulder, Nina pulled the shelter over her body and curled up in a fetal position inside it. Face down, she buried her nose and mouth in the air pocket at the base of the rock.

The ferocious shriek from above roared in her ears as the whole world narrowed down to her tiny space between the shelter’s walls. The tiny space that might just save her life.

She should have known something like this would happen in Texas. For years she’d stayed away, only thinking about the God-forsaken place in her nightmares. If her team hadn’t been called in to give the Texas firefighters added backup during the worst firestorms in the state’s history, she never would have set foot inside the Texas state lines.

But wherever the team was sent, she went too.

Mind pictures of the little bit she remembered of Texas from her early childhood came unbidden as she closed her ears to the wailing firestorm outside her shelter. Horses and saddles. The smell of hay. Kind eyes and soft hands. A woman calling her “Cami, love.” A male voice cooing: “Easy, little girl.” That was always as far into the dream as she ever got before the memories disintegrated and turned to ash. Warm eyes turned cold as ice. Soft hands turned hard as steel.

Pulling herself out of that particular pit of depression, she tried turning her thoughts to something far more pleasant. Her Hotshot unit team. The only reason she’d agreed to this temporary deployment in Texas in the first place.

Her crew: Superintendent Ralston, the strongest man she’d ever met; her fellow firefighters Mad Mike; Geek; and Alabama. And Doc, real name Josh White, the crew’s medic with the sensual bedroom eyes.

As the walls of her shelter overheated, she allowed herself the luxury of concentrating on mind pictures of Doc and his sexy eyes—something she usually wanted to stop. Lustful thoughts of him had already invaded far too many of her daydreams during fire season. But she would never have let him get an inkling of how often she thought of him.

Simply picturing those eyes, green as spring grass and so full of expression, could make her melt with unfulfilled longing. Even in the middle of heavy training. Luckily, thoughts of his rip-cord lean body, all muscle and strength, usually came into her mind during slow times and instead of the nightmares, despite the fact that their relationship was nothing more than a nodding acquaintance.

Her imaginative thoughts now brought a frisson of awareness shooting through her. Being in the middle of a fire tornado was anything but normal, but those feelings for Josh were as familiar as breathing. She gave up trying to get him out of her mind now and focused on the memory of his eyes, ignoring as best she could the extreme heat and gas-filled haze filtering in through her fire shelter’s walls.

Tightening her grip on the shelter’s handles, she refused to consider her situation dire. Don’t think about it. Thoughts of the sexy doctor Josh White were as good a way as any to spend her last seconds on earth.

Giveaway: 

3 signed copies of Last Chance Reunion 
$10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Socrates’ Book Reviews
[Insert Clever Quip Here]
Sarah Ballance
Musings and Ramblings
Brooke Blogs
Christine’s Words
A Chick Who Reads
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy,&; Sissy, Too!
My Devotional Thoughts
Black Velvet Seductions Readers Blog
Just One More Chapter
Nancy’s Novels – Welcome to she said, he said
Fly High
Rose & Beps Blog
Deal Sharing Aunt
Margo Hoornstra

Author Bio:

Best selling author Linda Conrad writes for Harlequin-Silhouette Books. Her novels have been translated into sixteen languages and are sold in over twenty-two countries!

Linda’s sensual characters and passionate stories have brought her numerous awards and raves! Over the years her workshops for RWA chapters and conferences have helped many writers learn new skills and techniques.

Growing up in south Florida, Linda made up stories and read everything she could get her hands on. After college, she taught first grade in Miami and tried to give the children as much love for the written word as she’d always felt. When her own true-life hero came along and whisked her away to five cities in seven years, Linda became a sales assistant, a quality control supervisor, a ninety-unit apartment manager and finally a stockbroker and Certified Financial Planner in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

When her mother suffered a disabling stroke, Linda moved to southern California to be close. “Mom couldn’t focus well enough to read anymore. So I began reading to her,” Linda recalls. “Eventually, my sister and I started making up stories to keep her entertained. Mom remembered my high school writing attempts. Before her death, she asked me to stick with story telling.”

Today Linda is back in south Florida, living with her husband by the sea and telling the stories in her heart.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Her Sister by Karen Rose Smith

Her Sister

Her Sister
Search for Love, Book 7
Karen Rose Smith

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance & Mystery

Date of Publication: February 12, 2013

Number of pages: 232

Available at the following retailers: 

Amazon     B&N     Sony     Kobo     Smashwords

Clare's little sister, Lynnie, was abducted twenty-seven years ago. Now the retired detective who has never been able to let go of the cold case has a lead. Lynnie could be alive!

Clare's neighbor, Joe, an occasional friend until now, gives her support and...wants more than friendship.

Clare's mom, Amanda, thrown together again with her ex-husband into a crisis discovers forgotten love beneath the regrets.

Clare's sixteen year old daughter, Shara, decides to run from her problems instead of facing them.

A devoted sister, a turmoiled mom and a rebellious daughter find their way back to each other in this contemporary ebook about three generations who discover love can knit their family back together again.

Excerpt: 

Where is Lynnie? Where did she go?

In her mind, five-year-old Clare Thaddeus called to her little sister—Come back, Lynnie. Please come back.

The huge policeman crouched down in front of Clare's mother at the sofa and said in a deep, slow voice, "Mrs. Thaddeus, I know you're terribly upset. But I need details. We've got an hour before daylight. If your daughter wandered outside—"

Clare's father, who'd been talking to another man in blue, glanced at her, and Clare huddled down deeper into the big green armchair. Her dad didn't come to her but rather went to her mom, sank down beside her and wrapped his arm around her. Then he spoke to the officer. "Our daughter, Lynnie, is three. She would never go outside into the dark on her own."

"Tell us again where you were last night," the policeman demanded in a not-so-nice voice.

"I worked late, preparing a brief."

"Until five a.m.?"

"Yes, until five a.m. As I told you, I always check the girls' rooms before turning in. Lynnie wasn't in her bed. I woke my wife. We looked through the whole house and then we called you."

Clare had been sleeping in her brand new room. They'd moved in here—she studied her hand and counted her fingers—five days ago. Boxes were still stacked down here and upstairs. The house was okay. There were more rooms for her and Lynnie to play hide and seek. But she didn't like being alone in her own room at night. She'd liked it better when she and Lynnie had slept in the same room. She was supposed to watch her sister. She was always supposed to look out for Lynnie. That's what big sisters did.

Giveaway: 

Karen will be awarding a Landau charm bracelet and a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

July 8:
A Writer's Life

July 9:
Andi's Book Reviews - Review

July 10:
United By Books

July 11:
Reading In Twilight

July 12:
Deb Deb Reviews
A to Z Reviews

July 15:
Read Your Writes Book Reviews

July 16:
Sarah Grimm, Author

July 17:
Pink Fluffy Hearts: Diary of a Coffee Addict
Rogue's Angels

July 18:
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

July 19:
Book 'Em North Carolina

July 22:
Tina Donahue Presents

July 23:
Sandra's Blog

July 25:
Tinasbookreviews
Flirting With Romance

July 26:
My Devotional Thoughts

July 29:
It's Raining Books

July 30:
Welcome to My World of Dreams

July 31:
Long and Short Reviews

August 1:
Renee Luke
Musings and Ramblings

August 2:
Dalene's Book Reviews - Review


Author Bio:

Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Since her father came from a family of ten and her mother, a family of seven, there were always aunts, uncles and cousins visiting on weekends. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.

In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business. She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. Now she writes romances and mysteries full time. She has sold 82 novels since 1991.

Presently, she is hard at work on a three-book series for Harlequin Special Edition as well as a three-book mystery series for Kensington.

Married to her college sweetheart since 1971, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels, both romance and mystery, for a long time to come!

To connect with the author online:

Website | Mysteries | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

Release Day Blitz: Matchpoint by Elise Sax

Matchpoint

Matchpoint
The Matchmaker Series, Book 2
Elise Sax

Genre: Comedic romantic mystery
Publisher: Ballantine

Date of Publication: July 30, 2013

Number of pages: 288

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     B&N     Sony     Kobo

Lovably troublesome Gladie Burger runs into sizzling danger and a fiery love triangle in the second installment of Elise Sax’s hilarious and sexy Matchmaker romance series.

“Elise Sax will make you laugh. Her larger-than-life characters jump off the page and make crazy seem like a fun place to hang out.”—New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig

Since joining the family matchmaking business run by her eccentric Grandma Zelda, Gladie is always looking for love. But when an unbearable toothache knocks her out of commission and into the dentist’s chair, she prays only for relief. No such luck. Emerging from an anesthetic haze, Gladie awakes to find that not only is her tooth still throbbing, but her dentist is dead—and the lead suspect in the murder, office receptionist Belinda, just so happens to be Gladie’s first real client. Now it’s up to Gladie to find Belinda a man and keep her from being locked up behind bars.

As if that weren’t enough distraction, two gorgeous men are vying for Gladie’s attention: Spencer, the playboy chief of police, and Holden, Gladie’s secretive, gorgeously muscled neighbor. Still, Gladie’s not complaining about having a helping hand or two when the case leads her to a dangerously bizarre cult. She may have met her match—and if she’s not careful, it could be her last.

Trailer: 

An Affair to Dismember

An Affair to Dismember
The Matchmaker Series, Book 1
Elise Sax

Genre: Comedic romantic mystery
Publisher: Ballantine

Date of Publication: July 30, 2013

Number of pages: 320

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     B&N     Sony     Kobo     ARe

Certain to appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Katie MacAlister, Elise Sax’s hilarious series debut introduces matchmaker-in-training Gladie Burger, who stumbles into a dangerous quagmire of murder and red-hot romance.

Three months has been Gladie Burger’s limit when it comes to staying in one place. That’s why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family’s matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What’s more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has “the gift.” But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda’s neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family’s drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor’s death was murder. It’s not too long before she’s in way over her head—with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she’s unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued—either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?

Trailer: 

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

Lissette E. Manning
Fang-tastic Books
Roxanne’s Realm
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
Escape Into A Book
Brooke Bumgardner
Christina McKnight
Faerie Tale Books
Musings and Ramblings
Love In a Book
Cover Reveals

Author Bio:

Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before trying her hand at writing fiction. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. An Affair to Dismember, the first in the Matchmaker mystery series, is her first novel.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Huffington Post

Book Blitz Tour: Topaz Eyes by Nancy Jardine

Topaz Eyes

Topaz Eyes
Nancy Jardine

Genre: Romantic Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing

Date of Publication: December 7, 2012

Number of pages: 299
Word Count: ~90,390

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     B&N     Sony     Kobo     Smashwords     Publisher

A peculiar invitation to Heidelberg embroils Keira Drummond in the search for a mysterious collection of extraordinary jewels once owned by a Mughal Emperor; a hoard that was last known to be in the possession of Amsterdam resident, Geertje Hoogeveen, in 1910.

Who among the progeny of Geertje – hitherto unfamiliar third cousins brought together for the quest – can Keira rely on? Distrust and suspicion among them is rife.Which one is greedy, and determined enough, to hire thugs to tail her… and worse… as she travels to Vienna and Minnesota? Can Keira even trust Teun Zeger – a Californian she is becoming very drawn to – as they pair up to unearth the jewellery?As they follow a trail of clues, will they uncover the full collection before the hired gun kills them? Details remain furtive and undisclosed until danger and death forces their exposure. And who harbours the ultimate mystery item that is even more precious than the Mughal jewels?

Greed, suspicion and murder are balanced by growing family loyalty, trust, and love.

Excerpt: 

Rochester – thief in the night – 412

During the night Keira woke suddenly, though had no idea what had disturbed her. Teun wasn’t in the bed beside her and didn’t seem to be in the en suite bathroom either, since the door was open and the light was off. The door to the corridor was open, however, and dim light from the hallway window gave a soft moonlit illumination. As silently as she could, she rose from the bed, yanked on the panties and top lying discarded on the floor, and then tip-toed out into the corridor.

Ignoring the squeaks from loose floorboards, she made her way along to the staircase. There was the faintest sound coming from downstairs, as if someone closed a door down below her. What was Teun doing? The jewels? Was he doing something downstairs with them? Retracing her steps, she scurried back to Teun’s side of the bed. Feeling her way across the surface of the nightstand, she located the velvet boxes. For some strange reason a sigh of relief escaped her. Whatever he was doing didn’t include the jewels; she knew that, having made sure the jewellery was still inside both boxes, and no stray pearls having dropped on the floor.

Adam? Was it Adam who was unwell and she’d not heard him? Guilt made her embarrassed as she crept back out of the bedroom. How mercenary she’d been thinking of the jewellery before Adam’s welfare. Speeding her way down the stairs, the breath whooshed out of her as her foot left the bottom step. A muffled whimper was all she managed as someone tackled her to the floor, before a heavy body pinned her down. What the hell was happening? Face bent onto wooden floorboards, she struggled her way free, kicking her legs wildly. Before she could cry out, a hand cuffed her mouth.

“What are you doing?” Teun whispered in her ear, his arms tightly clasping her, though he did take his hand away from her mouth. He rolled over with her now on top of him, prostrate, his chest heaving into her back, his arms now a protective clutch. His breathing was so loud at her ear, it deafened.

“Teun?”

“What the hell are you doing, Keira?”

“What am I doing?” She forgot to whisper. His hand clamped her mouth again, but not so forcibly.

“Shhh…”

She felt like a punch bag, but realized immediately Teun had thought she was someone else.

“Is Adam okay?”

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

Evolved World
My Devotional Thoughts
BCM Unlimited
Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Just One More Chapter
Deal Sharing Aunt
Christine’s Words
Musings and Ramblings
Hywela Lyn – Romance That’s ‘Out Of This World’
[Insert Clever Quip Here]
Brooke Blogs
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
Romance Me
Authors’ Cafe

Author Bio:

Nancy Jardine lives in the fantastic ‘castle country’ of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with her husband of many years. She spends her week making creative excuses for her neglected large garden; doesn’t manage as much writing as she always plans to do since she’s on Facebook too often, but she does have a thoroughly great time playing with her toddler granddaughter when she’s just supposed to be ‘just’ childminding her twice a week.

A lover of all things historical it sneaks into most of her writing along with many of the fantastic world locations she has been fortunate to visit. Her published work to date has been two non fiction history related projects; two contemporary ancestral mysteries; one light-hearted contemporary romance mystery and a historical novel. She has been published by The Wild Rose Press and Crooked Cat Publishing.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page