Thursday, December 28, 2023

πŸŽ…πŸŽ„3rd Day of Christmas Author SpotlightπŸŽ„πŸŽ…: Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine



Ella Frank
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”









Brooke Blaine
Brooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts). She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus. 


Ella Frank
FACEBOOK  /  FB FRIEND  /  WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER  /  INSTAGRAM  /  B&N
AUDIOBOOKS  /  CHIRP  /  TANTOR
KOBO  /  PINTEREST  /  BOOKBUB
AUDIBLE  /  TIKTOK  /  LINKTREE
iTUNES  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS 
EMAIL: admin@ellafrank.com

Brooke Blaine
FACEBOOK  /  FB FRIEND  /  WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER  /  INSTAGRAM  /  KOBO
AUDIBLE  /  iTUNES  /  TIKTOK  /  B&N
AUDIOBOOKS  /  CHIRP  /  TANTOR
LINKTREE  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS
EMAIL: BrookeBlaineAuthor@gmail.com




Dare You
Summary:
Dare to Try #1
From Ella Frank’s Prime Time series and Brooke Blaine’s South Haven series comes an explosive spin-off of both worlds.

Sebastian “Bash” Vogel, the magnetic, cross-dressing CEO of AnaVoge, has long been a lone island when it comes to his personal life. Self-assured and playful, he’s never left wanting for suitors—but Bash isn’t looking for something permanent. He’s more than fulfilled with his company and his closest friends, and no one is going to shake up the status quo.

That is, until he’s thrown over the shoulder of one of Chicago’s finest and hauled out of a burning building.

Kieran Bailey, a sexy, hardworking lieutenant at Station 73, has been reaping the rewards of being crowned the city’s hottest fireman, which his crew never lets him forget. So many ladies, so little time. So when he rescues the latest damsel in distress, no one is more shocked than him to realize he’s played prince charming to another…prince.

But Bash isn’t like anyone Kieran has ever met, and soon his world is turned upside down as he becomes more intrigued by the enigmatic man that he can’t stay away from.

They’re from two different worlds. This could never work. But what if…they dared to try?

Dare You is book one of the Dare to Try trilogy, which must be read in order. Prior reading is not required, but is always a fantastic idea for maximum enjoyment.




Once Upon a Sexy Scrooge
Summary:
Ah, Christmas. The most magical time of the year. A time when the snow is falling, cider is flowing, and couples are kissing under the mistletoe.

Too bad all that makes me want to gag.

Look, it isn’t that I’m a hater, it’s just that I have a job to do, and this particular holiday is getting in the way of that. And I know what you’ll say, that Micah Noble’s Christmas Tree Farm is a beloved tradition for many of the families of Merrihill, but you have to see the bigger picture here: a five-star luxury resort where overworked Manhattanites can escape to, a serene place of spas and shopping and watching sexy lumberjacks chopping wood…

Oh, wait, scratch that last one. Lumberjacks aren’t my thing. Anymore. Micah Noble cured me of that, which tends to happen when you’re trying to buy someone’s family land to bulldoze to the ground.

He can call me a Scrooge all he wants, but business is business, and pleasure is…well, not something I can afford to think about. Even if it does come packaged in those tight jeans and flannel shirts that make me want to rip them off with my teeth—

No. This is not happening. I will not think of Micah as anything other than an obstacle to getting what I want. A really, really sexy obstacle.

Ugh. Screw Christmas and the sleigh it rode in on.

A sweet and sexy m/m holiday romance novella from USA TODAY Bestselling Authors Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine.




Aced
Summary:
PresLocke #1
Ace Locke is Hollywood’s hottest action hero. Women across the globe fling their panties in his direction, but Ace isn’t interested in those—he’s more of a boxer briefs kind of guy. Specifically, those of the nearly naked male model on a billboard he drives past every day.

Though he recently made headlines for his public coming out, Ace is wary about pursuing a relationship, fearing what the court of public opinion will do to his career. But there’s something in the model’s expression that intrigues him and has him wondering what if?

Dylan Prescott just scored his biggest modeling campaign yet. One that has him plastered all over L.A. in not much more than what he was born with. And when he’s cast in Ace’s latest blockbuster, it puts him in close proximity to his ultimate fantasy.

Outwardly confident, Dylan has no problem with his sexuality or his pretty-boy looks, and uses both to his advantage to get what he wants. And what he wants is the impossible—Ace Locke.

From Ella Frank’s Sunset Cove series and Brooke Blaine’s L.A. Liaisons series comes a scorchingly hot novel that blends humor, passion, and romance.

What happens when these two worlds collide?

*Although Aced is a spin-off of Ella and Brooke’s series, prior reading of those novels is not required.*




Forbidden Mafia Prince
Summary:
The Malvagio Duet #1
“What are you going to do with me?”
“Whatever the hell I want.”

In Manhattan, tensions are rising.
In a play for power, the Rossetti family has made a decisive blow, crippling their rivals—an act that has forced the Fiores to make a desperate move to maintain their supremacy.

Many miles away, Luca Davis, a young medical student, has no idea his life is about to change.
No idea that everything he’s been told about his life has been a lie.
Enter Domenico Rossetti, the ruthless Mafia prince. Powerful and unforgiving, he’s a savage in a suit—and the one who holds the cards when it comes to his new captive.

But when the war escalates and both are forced into seclusion, the two men are faced with a new threat: the rising sexual tension between them.
You don’t fall for the one person you’re supposed to hate, but it’s a temptation neither can resist.
Because falling in love with the enemy isn’t only wrong—it’s forbidden.
And the cost for defying everyone will be their lives.

Forbidden Mafia Prince is the first book in USA Today Bestselling Authors Brooke Blaine and Ella Frank's M/M mafia romance duet.




Infamous Park Avenue Prince
Summary:
Park Avenue Princes #1
Who are we? Like you even need to ask. We’re the seven richer-than-sin legacies causing debauchery at the prestigious Astor University in Manhattan.
Some call us spoiled.
Some call us trouble.
But everyone calls us the Park Avenue Princes.

Weston LaRue
“The Playboy”

I’m never one to turn down a bet. Especially not when it comes to retaliating against the dean for pulling a dick move before summer break.
So when the dean’s golden child arrives at Astor for his freshman year, my fellow troublemakers throw down a wager I can’t resist.

The target: the dean’s son, John Thomas Hawthorne, or “JT.”
The bet: corruption in any way I choose.

It should’ve been easy. With his mess of brown curls, pouty lips, and good-boy reputation, JT is the perfect revenge. And even better? He’s straight.

Challenge accepted. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove a point, no matter how reckless it might be.

Game. On.

Infamous Park Avenue Prince is the first standalone novel in the Park Avenue Princes world.



Dare You

Once Upon a Sexy Scrooge
AUDIBLE  /  CHIRP  /  TANTOR

Aced

Forbidden Mafia Prince
AUDIBLE  /  CHIRP  /  TANTOR

Infamous Park Avenue Prince


πŸŽ…πŸŽ„⏳Throwback Thursday's Time Machine⏳πŸŽ„πŸŽ…: Nicolas by Dianne Hartsock



Nicolas by Dianne Hartsock
Summary:
Betrayed by a lover, Jamie rents an isolated cabin on Lake Huron, wanting only to be left alone. Instead, he is pulled from his solitary existence as an artist and tumbles headlong into the legend of Saint Nicolas.

As a young man, Nicolas accidentally killed a man intent on murdering three children, only to have the man's malicious spirit rise up against him. Fleeing through the centuries from the Krampus, the evil troll-like creature that dogs his steps, Nico finds refuge with the young artist who takes him into his home and bed. But Jamie has questions. Who is Nicolas, and why does the Krampus want to destroy him?

When the Krampus begins to torment and torture anyone Nico comes in contact with to punish him, Jamie's life is put in danger. And Jamie isn't sure whether he can help Nico defeat his nemesis or if he's merely a pawn in the Krampus's game.

Original Review December 2016:
If you are looking for something different from the happy, happy holiday reads then Nicolas is the one for you.  A delicious blend of good, bad, sexy, torture, mystery, paranormal, and well just about everything in between.  I first came across this one when I was doing my paranormal blog posts for Halloween but never had a chance to read it so I stuck it in my holiday folder and loved it from page one. Nico, Piter, & Jamie's connection keeps you enthralled all the way through, I just hated putting it down to eat, I've never rushed through a meal so fast to get back to my Kindle.  With the paranormal darkness elements I hate to touch on any specifics so I don't give away any spoilers but let me just say that I am already looking forward to re-reading Nicolas for many holiday seasons to come.

RATING: 



"You weren't in our bed when I woke. I missed you." Nico played with the bottom of Jamie's shirt, and Jamie jumped when he tickled his ribs. He quickly reduced the flame on the burner to its lowest setting, then turned in Nico's arms.

He ran his fingers through Nico's tousled curls. "I wanted you to sleep. Would you like a hot chocolate?"

Nico's lips lifted with a slow grin, and he ran his gaze down Jamie's body. "There's sweeter things I'd like in my mouth," he suggested, sending a jolt of hunger through Jamie. Nico leaned and ran his tongue over Jamie's bottom lip, making him whimper.

Jamie opened his mouth to invite him in and felt Nico jump as if startled. He glanced up and found Nico's gaze riveted on the refrigerator. His heart thumped with apprehension. "What is it?"

Nico stepped around him without replying, not taking his gaze off the pictures held by small magnets to the refrigerator doors. Jamie moved up beside him.

"The doctor has children."

Jamie caught his breath at the dread in Nico's voice. "Just one. His son Andy. Nico, what's the matter?"

The thick lashes blinked, and Jamie shivered when Nico's fierce gaze met his. "Piter's seen these. In nome di Dio! I have to stop him."

Jamie watched as he strode across the room, momentarily stunned by the panic in Nico's voice. "Nico, wait," he called and trotted after him, putting a hand on his arm to stop him as he headed for the front door. Nico gave him an impatient look, but Jamie was determined. "You can't go out in the storm. Please wait until morning, at least."

"Piter won't wait. He'll hurt --"

"He wouldn't --"

Nico quickly touched his cheek, compassion sweeping his face. "No, angelo mio, he won't kill the boy. Never that. But he'll frighten him, torment the father, to get to me. Do you understand? Piter hates me for the wrong I did him years ago, will never forgive me, and will use anyone to make me suffer for it. I can't let him do that."

Jamie held Nico's hand against his cheek, not above begging, "Please, Nico, you could die if you go out there. It's so easy to get turned around in these storms. You could wander off track, fall through the snow into a crevice or something. When the sun comes up, I'll hike with you into Alpena and visit John's office. If they're not there, someone in town will know where they are."

Doubt creased Nico's face, and then his shoulders slumped in defeat. "You're right, but I abhor the delay." He let out a heavy, frustrated breath and returned to sit on the couch, burying his face in his hands.

Jamie watched him, then sighed and went back to the kitchen. The milk had boiled over the pan slightly, but is hadn't scorched and enough remained to make a mug of chocolate. He watched the cocoa and sugar dissolve, letting his mind drift while he stirred the darkening liquid. He loved Nico, but there were some hard questions he needed to ask, not sure if he could handle the answers.

When the chocolate was ready, he poured it into a mug and carried it to the living room, setting it on a small table by the couch. Unsure, he nudged Nico's arms out of the way and straddled his lap. Nico stiffened, but then put his arms around Jamie's waist with a soft cry and pushed his face against his shoulder.

"Piccolo angelo mio," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so afraid. What do I do, little one?"

"Hush, baby, I'm here. I won't let anything bad happen," he promised, though his heart stumbled with the thought that this strong man would ask his advice. He slipped his fingers under Nico's chin and raised his face. His lover's tears undid him, but he gathered his courage, needing to be strong. "Nico, we'll find them. You said Piter won't hurt the boy?"

"Not physically, but he can be terrifying. You've seen his beauty, but he can wear many masks, things taken right from the boy's nightmares. The Krampus can drive little Andy to madness or death, if he chooses."

"Krampus? Nico, who is Piter? What is he?"

Nico's expression turned grim. "He is my enemy."


Author Bio:

After growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play.

I have to say, Oregon's raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There's something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.

The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I've come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I'm always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.

Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.


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EMAIL: diannewrites2@hotmail.com



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