Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Release Day Blitz: With Brave Wings by Cara Dee

Title: With Brave Wings
Author: Cara Dee
Series: Breaking Free #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Summary:
What happens once you've broken free?

Sophie Pierce has shed every part of her old life. She has said goodbye to her father, the friends she once partied with, and even the man she may have lost her heart to. Now, it's time for her to spread her wings and become the person she wants to be, and she's more than ready to work for it. But much like the paparazzi Sophie has come to despise, the past will sneak up on her—much sooner than she could've imagined. It's only a matter of months before she learns that her final night in Vancouver was never the end at all. It was the beginning.

When Tennyson Wright lets Sophie go, he knows something has to change. He's lost sight of who he is, and the wakeup call isn't pretty. Deciding to take a page from Sophie's book, he begins a journey of self-discovery, though everything comes to a screeching halt when he learns through the tabloids that the girl he can't stop thinking about is pregnant.

Their romantic relationship may have ended, but soon their co-parenting responsibilities bring them together to play the Hollywood game by their own rules.


     Noah hummed, pausing at some action movie that had recently started. "Throwing up, gaining weight, moody…"
     "I haven't been moody." Sophie got defensive.
     He chuckled. "Uh-huh. That’s what my sister said before she found out she was pregnant."
     That was funny. "How did I not know you have a sister?"
     It was Noah's turn to shrug a little, which made him drop a spring roll on the floor. "Where's Cujo? Shit." He licked some sauce from his T-shirt. "Shit, shit, sorry about that."
     Men.
     "Pick it up," Sophie laughed. "Max isn't eating that crap. Now, about your sister?"
     "Oh, right." He picked up the roll and shoved it into his mouth. "She lives in Berlin, so we don’t see each other often. We text and Skype and stuff. She's got two cute kids, but I hate when they visit our parents in Pittsburgh. Makes my folks wonder when I'm gonna settle down."
     "Poor you," Sophie mocked. "So you don’t want kids of your own?"
     "Fuck no, I'd ruin them." Noah went back to flipping channels. "Unless they pop out as hockey fans. Then we're good."
     She snorted a giggle and ate some more.
     "Seriously, though." He pointed his fork at her. "You sure you're not pregnant?"
     "Oh my God, yes." Sophie rolled her eyes. "I think I'd know if I was growing a person. Besides, I haven't had sex since July—whatever date the wrap party was."
     It was mid-November now.
     "The twenty-fifth," he murmured, pensive. "So…that would make Tennyson the dad."
     She ignored the pregnancy crap and stared intently at her food. She'd never said anything out loud to Noah about her and Tennyson, though most people had their suspicions.
     "I'm not pregnant, Noah."
* * * * *
     "You're pregnant, Ms. Pierce."
     Sophie sat in her doctor's office and stared, waiting for the punch line.
     The doctor went on with a nod. "That’s what's been causing your body to change so quickly. You are pregnant."
     Sophie waited some more, and then she let out a nervous laugh. "Be serious, please. What's wrong with me?"
     "There is absolutely nothing wrong with you," he told her patiently. "You are simply pregnant. Now, since I know you have a demanding schedule, I took the liberty and made you an appointment with a colleague for an ultrasound—right after we're done here."
     She pursed her lips. Her brain was completely blank aside from the word "pregnant" going on a loop.
     There was no way.
     She was only twenty-one. She hadn't had sex in…almost four months. Four fucking months.
     "I imagine this is coming as a surprise for you." The doctor went through a stack of papers that sat on his desk. "I have the records here from your doctor in Vancouver, and you've said your period's been irregular?" With every word the doctor spoke, more color drained from Sophie's face. "Due to your previous condition with undernourishment, that can obviously affect your ability to get pregnant, but it's far from impossible—"
     "I'm on the pill!" she blurted out.
     All of a sudden, her breaths came out fast and shallow.
     Holy shit, this couldn’t be happening.
     She and Tennyson had been protected, goddammit. They'd used condoms until they'd spoken about safety. They'd both been clean, and she was on the pill.
     "Did you ever miss taking one?" the doctor asked gently. "Remember, birth control is never one hundred percent."
     "Oh my God," Sophie whimpered.
* * * * *
     Coming out of the bathroom after his shower, Tennyson fastened his watch and tapped it pointedly for Asher to get off the damn phone. Tennyson would've been more patient if it weren't for the fact that this was his vacation and he was hungry as fuck.
     Asher nodded and held up a finger. "Okay, that’s great," he told whomever he was on the phone with. "No, I was only surprised because she's worked so hard. But it's good that she's not canceling." There was a pause, and Tennyson wondered if they were discussing Sophie. "Rescheduling is fine, and have the interviewer fly out if she wants to stay in LA for whatever reason."
     By the time he wrapped up the call, Tennyson had dressed in a pair of jeans and a hoodie, and he sat down on the edge of his bed to find his eye drops in his toiletry bag.
     "What's up?" he asked.
     Asher's brow furrowed and he scrolled down on his phone. "Sophie. I need to call her tomorrow. Remember I thought she was canceling a bunch of appointments?" Tennyson frowned and nodded, and Ash went on. "She's not—but she's rescheduling, and I don’t know why."
     Tennyson didn’t know what to say, other than he was worried. Ever since she'd put her diva antics and princess behavior behind her, she'd been nothing but accommodating. She always pushed herself to be her absolute best.
     "You ready to go eat?" Ash asked.
     "Yeah." Tennyson ducked into the bathroom real quick to insert some drops into his eyes, and then he grabbed his wallet before they left.
     On the way to the restaurant, he made a mental note to call Sophie when he got back to the hotel. If something was wrong, he wanted to be there for her.
     The desert town was lit up for Christmas, but it didn’t really feel like the holiday had arrived.
     "Hold on." Asher grabbed Tennyson's shoulder as they were passing a bodega. "What the fuck is this?" He walked over to a newsstand and snatched up a magazine.
     Upon seeing it was a tabloid, Tennyson rolled his eyes. "Since when do you read gossip?"
     Asher turned and slapped the magazine to Tennyson's chest. "Since I learned your ex is pregnant."
     What?
     Tennyson held up the magazine and saw the headline.
     "The Party Princess is Pregnant!"
     Having lived and breathed the industry for years, Tennyson was ready to brush it off as bullshit, but then he saw the grainy photos. Three of them on the cover, one with a circle around Sophie's belly. Then a centerfold that was all about her. Several photos of Sophie, Max, Brooklyn, and Maliah on the beach.
     Sophie was wearing what looked like cotton shorts and a bulky sweatshirt, but at some point, she had unzipped it. And it was clear as day. Her snug top underneath the hoodie hugged a small, yet very distinct baby bump.
     Photo after photo. Sophie and Maliah were tossing a tennis ball for Max to chase, and the wind blew the shirt aside. So many angles of proof. She was pregnant.

Breaking Free #1
Summary:
The Hollywood scene has always fit Tennyson Wright like a too-tight sweater. A highly respected director, he has managed to avoid the games and power plays of Tinseltown. Until now. To gain more publicity for the film he's shooting, the studio has decided a PR relationship is in order, and soon Tennyson finds himself pushed into the spotlight with one of the actresses on set. Rich, spoiled, much younger, party princess Sophie Pierce.

Sophie, famous for being infamous, got her part in the film due to her daddy, the studio chairman. But there’s more to her than wild nights and drunken tabloid photos, and she’s aching to prove it. Under Tennyson’s protective wing, she begins to navigate the uncharted territory of responsible adulthood and takes the first steps toward a legitimate, lasting fame based on her talent, not her reputation.

But in order for Sophie to truly soar on her own, she’s going to have to shed every part of her life.

Freedom has a price.

Author Bio:
There aren’t many things better than picking up my Kindle and getting completely sucked into a whole new world—where words morph into images and characters’ moods suddenly reflect my own. Aside from good plot and writing, for me, it boils down to relatable characters.

As a writer, I’m not finished until the men and women in my books come to life, until I can see them as real people, until I can connect with them. Which means I write what I want to read: everyday heroes and heroines who have the same struggles we all do. They evolve, have flaws, make mistakes and amends, learn, and find the endings they fight for.

Those are the characters who take the readers on a journey away from work, laundry, grocery shopping, and to-do lists.

When I’m not writing, researching, or brainstorming, I’m either planning my next trip (never-ending bucket list!), reading, watching hockey, or spending time with family and friends.


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With Brave Wings
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Breaking Free #1
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Release Day Blitz: Cage of Deceit by Jennifer Anne Davis

Title: Cage of Deceit
Author: Jennifer Anne Davis 
Series: Reign of Secrets #1 (Spin-off from the True Reign Series)
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Published By: Clean Teen Publishing
Summary:
Jennifer Anne Davis’ best-selling True Reign series captivated readers from the very first page. Now, get ready to become entangled in the follow-up series, Reign of Secrets. In this new series, follow Allyssa, the daughter of the beloved Emperor Darmik and Empress Rema— and find out what happens after happily ever after.

Seventeen-year-old Allyssa appears to be the ideal princess of Emperion—she’s beautiful, elegant, and refined. She spends her days locked in a suffocating cage, otherwise known as royal court. But at night, Allyssa uses her secret persona—that of a vigilante—to hunt down criminals and help her people firsthand.

Unfortunately, her nightly escapades will have to wait because the citizens of Emperion may need saving from something much bigger than common criminals. War is encroaching on their country and in order to protect her people, Allyssa may have to sacrifice her heart. Forced to entertain an alliance through marriage with a handsome prince from a neighboring kingdom, she finds herself feeling even more stifled than before. To make matters worse, the prince has stuck his nosy squire, Jarvik, to watch her every move.

Jarvik is infuriating, bossy and unfortunately, the only person she can turn to when she unveils a heinous plot. Together, the unlikely pair will have to work together to stop an enemy that everyone thought was long gone, one with the power to destroy her family and the people of Emperion. Now the cage Allyssa so longed to break free from might just be the one thing she has to fight to keep intact. In order to save her kingdom, she will have to sacrifice her freedom, her heart, and maybe even her life.


     Allyssa despised sparring in a dress. However, that was the way her father had taught her to fight.      He said if someone attacked her, she would be in a gown, so she had to be able to maneuver in heavy fabric.
       “Faster,” Marek instructed. “You’re not focusing.”
       She wanted to growl because he was right, she was too distracted. Putting all thoughts of the pretty prince out of her mind, she gave Marek her full attention. He swung his sword, hitting hers near the hilt, making her drop it. Not intending to lose their match so easily, she twisted and came in close to him. When he went to grab her, she rammed her elbow into his stomach. He hunched over and she yanked him down, slamming her knee into his face.
       He dropped his sword.
       “I win,” she declared.
       Catching his breath, he wiped his forehead. “You seem to have gained a few new moves.” Not a question.
       “Perhaps,” was all she said in reply. The training room was lined with her personal guards. She knew her father didn’t want her practicing—he’d rather she prepare for the ball. But in order to make it through dinner and dancing, she had to release her anger and frustration.
       Marek took their wooden swords and put them back on the rack.
       “I’m not ready to return to my rooms.” She still felt off balance and unsettled.
       He glanced to the door where Mayra and Madelin were waiting for her. “I need to go over some security details with my father,” Marek stated.
       “Then go.” She waved him away. “I’ll only be a few more minutes.”
       He briefly spoke with the guards before he said, “Your Highness,” and left.
       As soon as he was gone, she put leather gloves on and went to the hay figure secured to the wall.      Taking a deep breath, she started punching it, imagining the dummy was the prince. Smiling, she started hitting it harder and faster, allowing all of her aggression to evaporate.
       Someone started clapping, and she spun around about to yell at whoever had interrupted her.
       Prince Odar stood there with a smirk.
       “What are you doing here?” she demanded, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her arm. He was accompanied by two of his soldiers and the squire she noticed earlier in the Throne Room.
       He clicked his tongue. “A testy remark from someone so delicate and lovely.”
       Her eyes narrowed. She was dirty, smelly, and certainly not the picture of a princess at the moment. The squire clasped his hands behind his back, staring daggers at her. He must not approve of a woman who could take care of herself, knew how to fight, and who dared to sweat. She hated him almost as much as she hated the prince.
       “I’m sorry, Your Highness,” she said, trying to keep the detest from her voice. “Please excuse me, I must prepare for this evening.”
       Mayra rushed forward and placed a cloak upon Allyssa’s shoulders. The princess yanked the hood up, concealing herself so no one from the court would see her all sweaty. She swept out of the room, not looking back. She could have sworn she heard the prince chuckling as she hurried down the corridor.
       “Why didn’t you use the opportunity to speak with the prince?” Mayra asked, trying to keep up. “He obviously sought you out.”
       Allyssa’s eyes sliced over to her lady-in-waiting. “Because,” she snapped, “I don’t want to talk to someone who flatters with pointless words.”
       Mayra laughed. “He is rather charming.”
       “He appears to be exactly as a prince should,” Allyssa said. “And I have no interest in princes.”
       “Aiming a bit higher?”
       “No,” Allyssa replied. “I’m aiming for someone a bit more real.”

What do you feel about the number '13'?
When I was in high school, the first date I had with my now husband, was on Friday the thirteenth! So instead of being freaked out over the number, I love it!!

What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?
I love receiving messages from my readers telling me that my book has touched their lives. There’s nothing better than that!

Do you read reviews of your books?
Always. I want to know what my readers think. If they liked the story, I want to know why so I can make sure I keep doing it!! However, if there was a problem or something they didn’t like, I want to know so I don’t make the same mistake twice!

What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?
I had a girl come up to me, in tears, saying that my book helped her get through some stuff she was dealing with personally. (My book deals with sexual assault, so hearing that I helped someone is beyond words.)

Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.
There’s been so many . . . how to choose only one?

Favorite color? Blue
Favorite movie? Pride and Prejudice
Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint Chip
Favorite song? Christina Perri, A Thousand Years

Author Bio:
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.


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Release Day Blitz: Coletrane by Rie Warren

Title: Coletrane
Author: Rie Warren
Series: Bad Boys of Retribution MC #4
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Release Date: August 25, 2015


Summary:
Coletrane:
Her name is Sinclair Chatham. Sin. That’s exactly what she is—walking, talking, in the flesh sin. She’s haughty, privileged, so goddamn starlet sexy, with an ass I want to grab and spank raw.

I want her to give herself over to me. I want her to lose that polished princess veneer. I want to strip away the money, the manicures, the maids, the immaculate façade.

I need her to be mine. But I’m a grunt. A biker. A tattoo artist. I’m blue collar all the way, and her family will probably shit bricks if they ever meet me.

Not to mention, I’m running from a bad past that’s about to catch up with me.

Sinclair:
I would never go for Cole in a million years. He’s gruff, rough around the edges—and covered in ink. He’s unapologetic, demanding, and sometimes scary as hell. He tells me what he wants, how he wants it, and why he’s going to ruin me for all other men.

Coletrane destroys my vanity, gets inside my head while he gets into my bed, and I can’t say no to him. He’s not what I expected—tender at times, taking no prisoners at others. He breaks me down, builds me up.

He is not my type.

They say opposites attract, and they’re right. I just didn’t expect him to turn my cushy life upside down and inside out. But it’s too late, and someone’s going to get hurt.


     GODDAMN. SIN LOOKED FIIINE. It was a Saturday. I guessed her idea of slumming it was wearing a sarong that bared the length of one of her amazing thighs, a pair of sandals that wrapped up her calves in soft leather, and a strapless top that hugged her fuckhot figure in all the right places.
     And her idea of going ghetto must’ve been trawling down here by the train yards.
     Shock carried across Sin’s face as she took in Trixxie, me, and the aforementioned cock ring.
     “Oh, hon. You worried about a little cock ring? Cole has things up his sleeves you ain’t even—”
     “Trixx,” I cut her off midstream.
     “Yeah. Yeah. I’ll zip it.” Swooping into one of the back rooms, she poked her head out for a final zinger. “Call me if you need a fluffer for her.”
     Sinclair stood just inside the door, shafts of sunlight making a halo of her hair. “Are you with her?”
     “No. We’re coworkers. I don’t fuck where I earn money.”
     “Then how does she know about your cock rings?” Staring at the silver ring I closed my fingers around, she perfected the hands on hips stance once again.
     “Why? You jealous?” One of my eyebrows hooked up.
     “Hardly.” She flicked back her amazing pure blonde curls and peered at me. “Just seems like something personal.”
     “We tattoo and pierce each other, see half-naked bodies all day long. Ain’t much that’s personal around here, precious.” I punched my knuckles down on the counter, the muscles in my shoulders and arms bunching. “Your driver waiting outside?”
     “No. I drove myself. I have my own license and everything.” She used that same give it to me, big boy breathy voice she’d taunted me with last night.
     Like she knew exactly what I thought about her—overprivileged, unused to hard times, freewheeling and fancy-free without a care in the world.
     Her soft green eyes widened to complete the look of total ingénue. Too bad her body spoke another story. And I knew she was taking me for a ride with this Little Miss So Innocent façade.
     I stalked to the windows and checked outside. Then my mouth dropped open. I rocked on my heels. I looked some more.
     I groaned. “You’re fucking kidding me.” Pressing my index finger to the window, I think I probably drooled. Like a fool. “Tell me that’s not yours.”
     “All. Mine.” Her sultry whisper hit my neck, and damn, that was hot, but not as hot as the car illegally parked outside the shop.
     A kick-ass ’77 Trans Am.
     “Four hundred horsepower in that thing?” I asked.
     “Kicks like a mule with the engine of a bull on ’roids.” Sin slid next to me as I goddamn salivated over the muscle car.
     With the pop-out top windows and the massive hood bird decal an authentic red and black Firebird, the car was sex-on-four-wheels.
     “Fuckin’ A.” I almost jizzed in my jeans. I wanted to fuck her in it, on it, see her drive it, and get behind the wheel with her in my lap. Fuck. “I thought you’d drive a Merc.”
     “This is my weekend car.” Her fingers traipsed down my arm. “What can I say? I have a thing for hot rods.”
     And I just happen to have the one for her.
     It fucking thumped in my jeans.
     Dragging myself away from the imminent girl plus car-gasm, I walked back to the counter and ignored the ancient black bakelight phone ringing at the far end.
     “So, what can I do you for, Sin?”
     And how soon can I do you?
     “Sadie told me where you work.”
     Of course she did.
     I made no comment.
     Sin glided across the floor as I heard Trixxie get on the horn in the room next door, answering the call I’d tuned out.
     “I think I want some ink.” Sin stood right in front of me.
     “What did you have in mind?”
     “I’m not sure yet. Can I see some examples?”
     We-elll, there were photos all over the walls, but I just so happened to have some living art to show her.
     “Sure.” I whipped off my shirt.
     I wasn’t a small boy. I was a badass man. The muscles came from daily workouts. The height—a mere six foot two that put Sin half a foot under me—matched my framework. The tats? They detailed memories, moments, people . . . my life.
     Sin sucked in a breath and her eyes grew wide. She rounded the counter. Her touch on my chest fizzled through my skin, but I stood stock-still.
     I remained silent except for a low grunt when she tugged on one of the nipple barbells.
     “You weren’t kidding about the piercings.” Her warm gust of breath hit my skin, causing havoc to my willpower.
     “I might be an asshole sometimes, but I never lie.”
     She licked me, right across one of the barbells, right there in the middle of the shop.
     My hand flew into her hair, and I pulled her back. “Unless you wanna get your pussy reamed across the counter right now, you better stand down.”
     She moved back so suddenly she almost knocked over one of the boxes on the counter.
     I shuddered all over, lifting half-mast eyes to her. “I’m not about to mar your perfect skin. Tattoos are off the table.”
     She was gorgeous. Untouched. Peaches and cream and obviously protected from the hot South Carolina sun.
     And she looked sooo damn good as she was, glaring at me.
     “I don’t take no for an answer.” Her leg slid from the slit of her sarong as she cocked her hip and curled her lips.
     “Too bad, precious. Ain’t gonna happen.” I smirked as I approached her. “And I’m more than happy to say no to you.”
     “Then I’ll just get your colleague to do it.” Her arrogant chin lifted.
     “The fuck you will. You don’t need another damn thing on you.” I set my lips to her ear. “You’re sexy. A stand-out. A walking wet dream.” I licked those lush lips I’d kissed the night before—just a taste. “There is something I wanna do to you though.”
     “What?” she whispered, searching for my lips as I pulled away.
     “I’ll pierce your nipples.”
      Her mermaid eyes flicked to mine then down to my nipples. “Like yours?”
     “Oh, no. Although I’m sure you’d like that.” Lifting my hands to my chest, I tugged on the two barbells and twisted them.
     Hot flames of arousal coursed through me.
     Sin moaned through parted lips.
     I’d been hard before, but now my cock suddenly broke new records stiffness.
     My voice dropped, and I skimmed a hand down the clenching ridged muscles of my abdomen. “It can make your nipples ultra sensitive.”
     Her gaze drifted lower, following the path of my hand. “I can see that.”
     Leaning forward, I whispered against her ear. “For you I’d do hoops. Pretty little ones for what I bet are your pretty little nipples. Hoops I can attach things to, charms . . . ” And weights. And delicate chains . . .
     Oh hell yeah.
     Sin licked her bombshell lips.
     I set my teeth lightly on her earlobe then bit down with firmer pressure until she moaned.
     Drawing back, I observed her with a lazy smile. She practically trembled, and it was an insane turn-on seeing her lose her control.
     “Unless you’re too much of a good girl?”
     “I’ll let you do it.” Her hair whipped over her shoulder as she met my burning gaze.
     I inhaled harshly, the image of her baring her tits for me, holding still while I pierced her nipples, overwhelmed me with a surge of animal-like lust.
     Not yet though.
     Dragging my shirt back on, I grinned. “You have to earn it first.”
     “What?” Her voice rose several octaves.
     “You heard me.” I checked the clock.
     Twenty minutes until my next appointment. Definitely not enough time to do what I wanted to with her. Not here. Not now.
     Sin wouldn’t go down without a fight, of course. That was what made baiting her so damn fun.
     She shoved me on the shoulder when I turned back to my sketch.
     “Let’s get one thing absolutely clear, Cole. I’m the Executive Director of The Fairley-Chatham Family Foundation. I manage millions of dollars per annum. I might’ve been privileged”—she stomped her foot—“but I work for what I have, and I’m damn successful. So if you think you can keep treating me like some harebrained flake just because of where I come from—”
     “Then act like it, precious.” I cut her off mid-riff.
     Pressing up onto her tiptoes, she got in my face, hissing, “Stop calling me that.”
     I glanced behind her, then quickly pushed her away from me. Three rough-looking hoodlums were outside with their hands all over her car.
     “You need to leave now.” I prodded her to the door, going cold all over.
     “But I’m not done—”
     “You’re done. We are done.” My voice flinty hard, I urged her to hurry up as the gang bangers strutted inside.



Author Bio:
Rie is the badass, sassafras author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series–a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command. Her latest endeavors include the Carolina Bad Boys, a fun, hot, and southern-sexy series.

A Yankee transplant who has traveled the world, Rie started out a writer—causing her college professor to blush over her erotic poetry without one ounce of shame. Not much has changed. She swapped pen for paintbrushes and followed her other love during her twenties. From art school to marriage to children and many a wild and wonderful journey in between, Rie has come home to her calling. Her work has been called edgy, daring, and some of the sexiest smut around.

She is represented by Saritza Hernandez, Corvisiero Literary Agency.


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Playing by the Rules by Emily Robertson

Title: Playing by the Rules
Author: Emily Robertson
Series: Portwood Brothers #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Summary:
Payton always had one rule she lived by, no boyfriends until after college. No one seemed to agree with her, even her own mother who had her at age sixteen. Returning to school after an accident that flipped Payton’s world upside down left her feeling out of control. Holding on to her rule seemed to be her only lifeline.

Josh had been letting the past rule his life for too long. Finally being at school, he’d become his own man, and he’d been putting all that behind him. Just when he thought he had it all put together, life got crazy. Not only did his ex show back up, but Josh also found he couldn’t get Payton Whitmore out of his head.

Once Josh convinces Payton to give him a shot, she’s so closed off that he wonders if it’s even worth it. Josh can tell there’s something special about Payton though, and as soon as he goes all in, he’s ready to show her that some rules are made to be broken.


“Hey look!  It’s Geoff.” Payton pointed out his car pulling into campus and waved real big at him.  When he flashed his lights, she knew that he noticed her.
He parked his car in his parking lot and got out.  When he was out, Payton saw him wave back at her.  She was so glad she had a friend like him.  The streetlight illuminated him and he was looking sharp.  Payton was always surprised he didn’t have a girlfriend.  When an extra door closed, she realized he wasn’t alone, and her eyes darted over to the passenger side, and dread filled her.  She tried to whisper, but she was sure that with all the booze in her system it wasn’t really all that quiet.
“Hailey!  That’s him!”
“Who?  Wha-“
“Him!” Payton cut her off.  “It’s the guy I was telling you about.  With Geoff.”
“Damn girl, you were right.  He’s hot.”
“Quick look away.  I think he’s staring at us,” Payton said frantically trying to find something else to concentrate on.  She was looking around like a spaz, but she couldn’t help herself.  Suddenly she noticed Hailey wasn’t only looking at the guy, she’d turned and was downright staring at him.
“What are you doing?” Payton hissed.
“I’m looking at this nice specimen of a man that seems to be staring at you.  Pity you can’t look back, it’s a nice view.”
“What?  No!” Payton felt her cheeks heat even more than they already were.  She risked a quick glance, and sure enough, he was looking at her.
“Well, do something,” Hailey encouraged.
“What am I supposed to do?  I’m not going over there.  I’d make an ass out of myself.”
“So?”
“So, I…oh hell,” Not having much reasoning still from all the Patrón running through her she yelled the first thing that came to mind as loud as she could, “HEY!  YOU’RE KINDA CUTE!”
Payton planted her palm on her face, What the hell?  Of all the things, that had to come out?  Knowing she had to get out of there now, she started to pull on Hailey’s arm trying to get her to move.  “What are you doing?  Let’s go!” Payton hissed at her friend.
“I’m not going anywhere, you can leave without me if you must, but I’m staying right here.”
Payton knew Hailey was playing this card because it was a pact they had.  It was best friend rule number one.  You never EVER left the other alone especially when it was night and they were drunk.  Payton and Hailey always made sure the other was home and safe.  It looked like her BFF was using the rule against her tonight though.
“I kinda hate you right now,” Payton muttered under her breath.
“What was that?”
“Come on, they’re on the way over.  If you love me, you’ll go, now.”
“Nope.  Consider this my Christmas gift to you.”
Payton looked over and realized it wasn’t just Mr. Hot coming, but Geoff was headed their way too.  Maybe she could still save this.  Oh, who was she kidding?  She couldn’t save this.  She’d made an idiot of herself plain and simple.  Hailey wasn’t doing anything to help; in fact, she was just rubbing it in.
Payton leaned in close and said, “Just remember Hailey, paybacks suck.”  She plastered a fake smile on her face when she heard them approach.  Turning towards Geoff she said, “Hey Geoff, buddy, how was your poker night?”
Geoff smirked, “Not too bad.  I got creamed though.”  He leaned in and gave her a hug.  It took her by surprise.  They’d been friends for a while, but they’d never really been the kind of friends who hugged just because.  Something was off.  Who was she kidding?  The whole situation was off.
“Hey Hailey, how’s it going?” Geoff asked.
“Not too bad Geoffrey.  Who’s your friend?”  Hailey nodded in Josh’s direction.
Geoff cocked an eyebrow probably realizing he’d been scolded.  No one used Geoff’s full name, ever.  “Well, this is my friend Josh.  Josh, this is Hailey, and that’s Payton.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Josh said with a knowing grin to Payton like it was more of an inside joke.
Payton’s cheeks reddened, “Thanks.  I can’t get you outta my head either.”  When she realized what she’d actually said, she planted her palm on her face.  Stupid Patrón shots.  “Anyway, sorry, we’ve gotta go.”
Payton grabbed Hailey and yanked her towards the door.  It wasn’t easy since Hailey was busy laughing her butt off.  After she shoved Hailey in the door, she turned back to the guys.
“Night guys!”
“Night Mr. Gorgeous,” Hailey yelled through the open door, and Payton’s mouth dropped open.  She needed to find a hole to bury herself in.
“Hailey!”  Turning back towards the guys, “Sorry, we’ve had way too much to drink.  Can we just pretend this whole thing didn’t happen?”  She studied everyone’s faces and was mortified, “Didn’t think so.”



1. What is the biggest influence/interest that brought you to this genre?
What I love most about New Adult is the experiences that the characters are facing and what they feel.  I remember when I went off to college and the things that I faced.  I remember the things that I thought were a big deal then and really they were nothing.  I remember facing things that I hope no one else has to, and what trials that brought.

Even though I would never want to relive that time in my life, there’s something about that period in our lives.  There’s something about the experiences we face during those years, and how we all handle them.  That’s what draws me to writing about characters that are just starting out in their adult lives.

2. When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process(outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
I can honestly say it’s none of those examples.  I’m what they call a pantser.  The most I do before I write a book is what I like to call “The Questions of Doom.”  It’s three pages of questions that range from easy (Name) to pull my hair out (What keeps your character up at night).  I found after writing one book that I needed to have a place where I can keep facts about my main characters to reference so I can keep things straight.  Other than that, I just write.  I like to joke that most of the time I don’t see the plot twists in my books coming, so hopefully the readers won’t either.

I think my favorite part of writing a book has to be when I’m really in a scene, and it’s just flowing.  I get this rush, almost like an adrenaline rush.  I can just feel it coming out even though I may not know what’s about to happen.  It’s like I’m reading a book or watching it all play out in front of me, and I’m writing just so I can see what’s about to happen, and when it does, it’s amazing.  Sometimes it goes exactly as I thought it would and other times whatever happened messes up everything I thought I had planned.  When something like that happens though, I can’t take it back.  It was like the characters were telling their story, and it won’t work to change it.  No matter how much it may mess with what I had in mind, it’s just easier if I go with it.

3. When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I love romance.  I think that’s why I started to write my own.  I’m a huge sap when it comes to getting that happy ever after.  My mood will determine what kind of book I want to pick up in the genre.  Sometimes I just want something light where everything is fun and easy, and then there are times where I want a long, hard fought journey.  There are times when I need to laugh out loud, and there are times that I want to be kept on the edge of my seat.  In the end though, I want a love story in the midst of all of it.  I read such a verity of both New Adult and Adult romance, and I love that I can get it all.

4. If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
I can’t pick just one, so I’m going to go with one past and one present.  My past pick is playwright Luigi Pirandello.  I have a degree in Theatre, and I spent many years reading, acting, and helping to produce shows.  In my junior year I was in a show called Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello.  The show opens and the actors are rehearsing for a show, trying to get ready.  They are interrupted by the characters who tell the actors they need help.  The characters story was written but never finished, so they are living in limbo until it’s finished.  In the end the director and actors don’t have a clue if the characters were real or what happened, but the characters, even though it isn’t a happy ending, have their ending.

What I love about the play is that even in 1921, Luigi got it.  He understood that the characters could run the story.  In the end the characters who were left unfinished took life of their own and found a way to play out the rest of their story so it could be told.  I feel this way so many times with the characters in my head, and I think that the two of us (if we could get past the language barrier) would have so much to talk about.

If I could co-author a book with someone today, there are so many authors I’d love to write with.  I’d love to write with Liliana Hart because I think she’s got amazing work ethic, and she knows how to write a wide range of characters.  I haven’t met a Liliana book that I don’t like.  Jasinda Wilder would be amazing to write with because she can make you feel things.  She doesn’t give you the light version of books.  She goes there.  It’s gritty and rough, and she doesn’t sugar coat it.  Marie Force creates worlds that I’ve fallen in love with, and I wait anxiously for.  All these women are women I look up to in the industry, and I hope that some day I can have the knowledge of the business and be as confident in my craft as they are.

5. Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Writing is always something that has come easy to me.  I remember being in school and actually enjoying writing papers in English class.  I loved my Comp classes in college, and I had an amazing professor that really helped me to develop myself as a writer.  He would take our papers with him to grade when he went to conferences, and I remember when he came back from one, there was a note from a woman named Emily on one of mine.  It said something like, “What a great name for a future author.”  Looking back on it, I wish I’d have kept that paper.  All that said though, I didn’t go to college for English, and I didn’t keep up with any of it after I was out.  Life happened, I got married, kids came along, and things just got busy.

I started to blog about nine or ten years ago.  It was just me rambling about whatever was going on in my life on that day.  I kept up with the blog for several years, but after time I just didn’t feel it anymore.

So when my son woke me up one night in the middle of a crazy, vivid dream, I was left not knowing what happened to the people I was dreaming about.  Usually that sort of thing leaves me alone, but this time it didn’t.  I thought about the scene all day, all night, and then the next day.  I decided that maybe if I just write an ending, they’d leave me alone.  Figuring it’d only be ten pages, I turned on the computer and went to work.  I remember e-mailing my best friend because I couldn’t stand the idea of texting her.  I think I said something like, “Hey, I know you’re going to laugh, and that’s okay.  I can take it from you.  I had this dream, and I started writing.  I just had to tell someone.  Pretty funny right?”  When she e-mailed me back, she told me she thought it was cool, and she’d actually like to read it.  It was all downhill from there.  I’ve been writing ever since.  That was three years ago, and what I thought would just be a fun one-time thing turned into a book, and then another book.  Now three years later I’ve written five books, and I can’t stop.

Author Bio:
Emily Robertson graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas with a degree in Theatre.  She is an avid reader and enjoys reading New Adult and Romance as much as she does writing them.  She currently resides in the Washington D.C. area with her husband and two children.  She loves connecting with and talking to other readers by e-mail, or on Facebook or Twitter.  You can get information on her upcoming works by signing up for her newsletter.


EMAIL: author.emily.robertson@gmail.com



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Release Day Blitz: An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham

Title: An Indecent Invitation
Author: Laura Trentham
Series: Spies and Lovers #1
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Summary:
Keeping her safe is difficult, keeping a proper distance from her is downright impossible.

Lady Lily Drummond understands only too well the danger of spy work. Her father, a preeminent master spy, has been missing for months, and her brother barely survived his final mission for the Crown. Lily is still determined to help find her father, no matter how hard her brother and his best friend try to keep her in the dark.

Busy trying to untangle the web of deceit surrounding the Earl of Windor’s disappearance, Crown spy Gray Masterson also has to ensure Lily Drummond, the gangly, awkward child who was his constant shadow growing up, doesn’t get herself ruined at her London debut. But the girl with scraped knees and elbows has evolved into a lush, sensual beauty surrounded by a bevy of suitors.

Realizing Lily is going to investigate on her own if he doesn’t let her join the hunt for her missing father, Gray assumes he can give Lily a few minor tasks to pacify her, but he quickly learns she is a valuable asset. Moreover, she fairly crackles with life and warmth—things he craves after his dark years in service.

Warning: This book contains spies, scandals, naughty liaisons in houses of ill repute, men who think they know everything and women who know they do not.


     Lily slyly watched Gray confront Montbatton and then execute a courtly bow to Lady Abbott. How long before her reckoning? Only a few minutes had passed. Not nearly long enough for her heart to slow. He approached—not with angry mincing steps or even hurried anxious ones, but in a casual loose-limbed saunter.
     Did he know?
     Gray had been lanky in his youth, but he’d always possessed an unusual agility and grace. Seemingly never feeling awkward in his body, he moved with a compelling confidence that had only grown more telling over the years. A broad, deep chest and narrow, lean hips complemented indecently muscled legs. Not that she had made a close examination, heavens no, but she could hardly miss them flexing during their dance.
     Perhaps he wasn’t the tallest or the most handsome man in attendance, but there was something about him. In fact, several ladies’ heads turned when he passed them by. Not that he noticed, because his gaze pinned her like an insect on display.
     Not smiling nor frowning, his face revealed not a single clue to his mood. He stopped directly in front of her, cocked one foot in front of the other and clasped his hands behind his back. A purely masculine stance that, along with his silence, set her nerves jangling.
     She tucked several escaped tendrils back into pins and then opened and closed her fan a few times.      Unable to tolerate another second of the increasing tension, she yielded, feeling somehow as if she’d lost the first skirmish of a war. “We meet again, Mr. Masterson. Mayhap did you learn anything interesting?”
     His eyes, vibrantly green and arresting even partially shielded behind his spectacles, shimmered with an emotion she couldn’t interpret. “I learned Montbatton is indeed in pursuit, and you should expect an offer. He informed me most vehemently to pass that information on. Lady Abbott thought it highly amusing I didn’t know your name. And lastly, I discovered Lady Lily should be in the corner with her chaperone.”
     “Very impressive, but did anyone reveal my name?”
     “Absolutely no one.” A single eyebrow arched above the rim of his spectacles.
     Her shoulders, which at some point had bunched toward her ears, relaxed, and she tapped her fan against her lips to stem a victorious smile. “And I was so looking forward to another dance. Mayhap I’ll help you find your wayward friend instead. Over here did you say?”
     A dark-haired matron in a red dress occupied the corner in question. She sat upright in a chair next to a ficus and, at first glance, appeared to be serenely observing the tableau of couples on the dance floor. The only indications she was soundly asleep were her closed eyes and slightly agape mouth. Her Aunt Edie was quite possibly the most worthless chaperone in all of England, which suited Lily perfectly. She’d no desire to relinquish the relative freedom she enjoyed in the country.
     “That’s certainly not your debutante,” Lily said. “Come, let’s stroll while we look.”
     “God’s teeth, that’s most likely her chaperone. Sound asleep while Lily runs wild.” Gray sounded truly aghast.
     “Yes, your friend might be in the company of the worst sort of rogue who inappropriately whisked her away.” A cough covered her spate of giggles.
     “Indeed.” His tone turned solemn. “She’s a highly impulsive chit not used to male attention. No doubt, she’d be easily lured into an indiscretion by a charming smile or prestigious title.” He tutted. “They’d only be after her dowry, poor thing.”
     She sucked in a huge breath, ready to unleash her tongue, but his next words ripped the air from her lungs.
     “Would you care to take a turn in the gardens as I haven’t earned a dance?”
     “What about your friend? Shouldn’t you find her? What if she waits for you?” Her words spilled out too quickly. How many times had Rafe told her to never enter the gardens with a gentleman? At least a hundred. Although it was only Gray. If any man could be trusted, it would be him. Wouldn’t it?
     “I was to surprise her tonight. She doesn’t even know I’m attending. We won’t be long, just a breath of fresh air. It’s rather stuffy, isn’t it?”
     “I suppose a very brief turn in the garden wouldn’t hurt. It is awfully close in here.” Lily snapped her fan open and cooled herself with frenzied flicks of her wrist. Was it the crush of people or his suggestion making her feel so heated?

Author Bio:
I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether its Regency England or small town Alabama.

Books One and Two of my Falcon Football Series are available from St. Martin’s Press (Slow and Steady Rush; Caught Up in the Touch). Book Three, Melting Into You, is available for preorder.

Book Two of my Spies and Lovers Series, A Brazen Bargain, will release January 2016.


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EMAIL: laura@lauratrentham.com



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