Tuesday, 30 August 2016

RELEASE BLITZ : BALANCE by Lucia Franco




Title: Balance
Series: Off Balance #1
Author: Lucia Franco
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: August 29, 2016



Blurb

Adrianna Rossi is no stranger to the rigorous demands required of her body. Years of pain and determination make her one of the best. Olympic glory is the ultimate goal, and she'll do anything to achieve it. Even if that means leaving home to attend World Cup Academy of Gymnastics, a training center that serves one purpose—producing champions.

Perfection, precision, and dedication are required of his athletes. When two time Olympian Konstantin Kournakova is persuaded into training the young hopeful, he immediately regrets it. She doesn't come close to his high standards. As the relentless pursuit of her dream keeps her striving, a passion is ignited within him.

Kova's power and domination, coupled with Adrianna's fierce tenacity, reveal there is more for her body to learn. Every interaction can be misconstrued, but there’s no mistaking the darkening of his gaze, the lingering of his touch, or the illicit image of his bare skin pressed against hers. Integrity is on the line. One toe off the beam and their forbidden desires could ruin everything they’ve worked for, throwing it all off balance.

WARNING: This novel contains explicit content.






Purchase Links

99c on release day only!!!

AMAZON US / UK





Excerpt

Kova turned around to face me, his broad shoulders pulled back, one hand propped on his hip and the other clenched around his water bottle. "Do you think you are the first gymnast to show wear and tear on their hands from bars? You are not in Palm Beach anymore, malysh—"

Kova visibly tensed, stopping short from his last word. Since I didn't speak a lick of Russian, I didn't have a clue as to what he said. But judging by the alarmed look on his face and the thick air between us, whatever he said couldn't have been good.

Snapping his head to the side, he cracked his neck. "I am not going to go light on you. Get used to it. Nobody said it was going to be easy, it only gets harder from here on out. You need to learn to toughen up and take it. Remember what I said earlier? Prove it to me. Every time you step foot into that gym—make it count. I do not care if your hands hurt or your back is sore or you are running on two hours of sleep. Prove it. Champions are not made by complaining. They are made by the endless pursuit of their dream despite the obstacles they are faced with. Push through it and do it."

I took a minute to let the weight of his words sink in. While an outsider would think they were laced with malice, I knew they weren't. That was the furthest thing from the truth. I knew he was pushing me to be better. Not only to prove it to him, but myself as well. Without a doubt, Konstantin Kournakova was one hundred percent right.

Slowly nodding, I looked into his eyes and said, "You're completely right, but I never expected you to go light on me. That's not what I wanted. That's not why I came here. I want the challenge. I want to be better. It's why I pour every ounce of blood and sweat into a sport that gives me so little in return. The truth is, I've never been challenged by a coach the way I have by you, so I'm learning to adjust to it." I held up my hands and showed him the bloody blisters threatening to pop under my palms. "You won't hear a complaint come from me again."

Kova's shoulders loosened and he blew out a ragged breath. His gaze openly traveled the length of my body, taking in every inch. The way his eyes pierced mine, like he was pleased with my response, made my heart rush against my chest with satisfaction.



Author Bio


A competitive athlete for over ten years, Lucia Franco currently resides in sunny South Florida with her husband and two boys. Paranormal romance was her first love, but she has a soft spot in her heart for small-town and reunion romance stories.

When Lucia is not hard at work on her next novel, you can find her relaxing with her toes in the sand at a nearby beach.

Find out more about Lucia at authorluciafranco.com. Make sure to join her newsletter to receive exclusive updates and more!


Author Links




SALE BLITZ : SLUMBER(SLUMBER DUOLOGY BK. #1) by Christy Sloat

Title: Slumber (Slumber Duology, Book One)
Author: Christy Sloat
Genre:  YA Fantasy/ Fairytale Retelling
Blurb:
Not all princesses get their happily ever after…
They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.
I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.
I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under.  I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.
I’m crazy. I’m not a princess.
They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?
They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am.
When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.
Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth?
Title: Awaken (Slumber Duology, Book Two)
Author: Christy Sloat
Genre: YA Fantasy/ Fairytale Retelling
Blurb: 
“Happily ever after is hers for the taking.”
Once upon a time I found myself locked away in Spindle Ridge Asylum, punished for a murder I didn’t commit. It was all part of Maleficent’s evil plan. I didn’t remember who I was then … now I do. My name is Aurora, and I am the rightful queen of this realm. Armed with my memories, I’m ready to take charge of my kingdom once more. Happily ever after evades me, yet I long to claim it with my true love, Sawyer, beside me. That fairy tale ending seems impossible with him locked in the thralls of a sleeping curse. As much as I’d love to sit by his bedside and eagerly await a cure, I must first travel into the terrifying Dark Woods to stop Raven from stripping me of all that is rightfully mine. I am not only a queen, but a warrior who will fight for her kingdom. Some may die. Blood will be shed. But when this ending comes, I will settle for nothing less than a blissful ever after.
Christy Sloat resides in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters and her Chihuahua, Sophie. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother's loving support. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. She is the Best Selling author of ten novels including, The Visitors Series, The Past Lives Series and Slumber.
Buy Links:
Slumber: (FREE)
Awaken: (99 Cents)
Excerpt: (From Slumber, Book One of Slumber Duology)
I woke in the middle of the night hearing screams fill the air. This was not uncommon at all, but tonight I wasn’t expecting it. Normally when Adele’s meds are changed, she wakes screaming that she can’t sleep. Adele’s room is across from mine. She is roughly in her twenties and I never learned how she ended up here. I try not to talk to the other patients. I don’t know why it is, but I don’t fit in with these people. To them I’m the murderer and they tend to think less of me. That’s fine. I am what they say I am. That’s why I’m here, right?
 They told me I stabbed my boyfriend, Phillip, but I don’t remember doing it. I actually don’t remember Phillip at all. No recollection of having been in a relationship either. I must have killed him or else I wouldn’t be in Spindle Ridge. Dr. Altman says that I have to believe that I did it or we will never get anywhere. I’ll admit it’s hard to believe that these hands could stab a person twenty times. No matter how I imagined it, it is always hard to believe.  I sat up listening hard for the screams. When they came again I noticed they were not female, they were male. The screams were deeper and reached a longer distance than Adele’s cries ever could. I wondered if the whole building could hear him. I pulled my covers up over my neck and covered my face. I just wanted to sleep and fall back into the dream I was having. It was beautiful, and if I had my way, I would stay there forever.  Wait!  I sat up fast. Closing my eyes, I tried to remember the dream to the last second. It wasn’t the same dream as the one’s prior. This dream was different! This dream was me and a boy. I never dreamt of anyone but my parents and the evil woman. The dream’s soft lullaby came back to me as I remembered where I was. The smell of fresh grass came across my senses. The sky so blue as I lay on a blanket. I rolled over and saw the face of a boy. He was everything that Spindle Ridge wasn’t; he was beautiful. He had long, shaggy, but not unruly, hair that touched his collar. When he smiled at me, he looked like a boy in love. In love with me. “Get up you lazy sack!” I opened my eyes and was pulled back into the now. I was forced to leave the dream behind as I was being pulled out of bed by two nurses. 

COVER REVEAL : BAD BOY by Willow Winters


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Bad Boy
By Willow Winters
Release Date: September 1st
Cover Designer: Mayhem Creations
Release/Review Blitz hosted by Chance Promotions
Now Live
Available on Amazon
Amazon Link:



Synopsis:

I was supposed to kill her. But having her on her knees is so much better.
I’m a dangerous man. It only takes one panty-dropping, mouth-watering look to know it. You may be fooled by my good looks and charm.
But my eyes give it away.



I’m the hitman for the Valetti familia, and I’m f*cking good at it. They want men to talk, and I make them talk. They want men gone--bang, it’s done. It’s as simple as that.
Until her.
She’s on my list, but I f*cking want her. On her knees and submitting to my every command.
I'll give her a simple choice — die, or be mine.
I’ve always wanted this. Now that I have the chance, I’m taking it.

I can fulfill those fantasies I know she has. I’m going to make her beg for it.



This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy. Dark mafia themes throughout. Guaranteed HEA.




Excerpt:

“Come,” he says with a firm resolve. He pats his left leg. “Let’s try this again.” He waits patiently as I stand and sit awkwardly on his lap. His left arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me closer to him. Even though he’s so tall compared to me, his head is nearly level with mine with us seated like this. He rests his left hand in my lap, dangerously close to my pussy. My nightgown has ridden up some and I feel exceptionally vulnerable. I’m stiff on his lap, and I can’t relax with his hand where it is.
He waits a moment before saying or doing anything. It’s awkward as fuck.
“You need to relax.” He dips his finger into the sauce and brings it to my lips. He stares into my eyes rather than giving me the command. I do as he wants and open my mouth. He slips his finger past my lips. His eyes are drawn to my mouth as I gently suck his finger clean. When he pulls his finger away, he gives me a satisfied look.
“Good kitten.” He puts another piece of the tuna tartare to my lips and I accept it. Seeing his approval eases something in me. I know so long as he’s pleased, I’m safe with him. And so far, pleasing him is simple, but I don’t know what other terms he has.
On the next bite, I find myself leaning into his fingers. He tsks and pulls the piece away from me. My heart rate speeds up until I realize what I’ve done to upset him. I swallow and sit back on my heels, exactly the way I was positioned before. His left hand runs along the thin fabric of my nightgown, just above my clit. “Good job, kitten.” My pussy spasms around nothing. I close my eyes, hating how my body is betraying me. My nipples are hard, and the light brush of the fabric against them only turns me on even more. Other than his hand edging closer and closer to my pussy, he shows no signs of his own arousal.
“Eat until you’re full.” He grabs another piece, and we continue like this. Each time he feeds me his fingers brush a little closer to my throbbing clit, until finally his deft fingers are massaging small circles over my clit. I’m soaked for him, and primed for him to fuck me. And I fucking hate it. He’s playing me and using my body against me.
He leans into my neck and whispers with his lips barely touching the shell of my ear, “I knew you’d like this. You just need to admit that you want it.”
I’m not sure what angers me more--that I’ve allowed myself to be such easy prey for him, or that he’s right. I want him to fuck me, and I fucking hate him for it. But I’m not going to let him reduce me to nothing but a whore.
I push away from him and kick the plate off his lap while I fall to the floor. The dish smashes on the ground as I fall backward.
He rises quickly, somewhat bracing my fall. The anger washing off of him is so strong that I scoot backward on my ass without even realizing at first. My heart races in my chest, and my blood rushes in my ears. Fear consumes me.
Making Anthony angry is something I shouldn’t do. I know this as a truth, but I pissed him off anyway. I was going to play along. Why couldn’t I just do what I needed to?
I expect him to hit me, or to grab me like he did earlier for my outburst. Inwardly I’m cursing myself for not just going along with this. But I can’t. I’m more than that.
I anticipate his aggression. He doesn’t get violent. Instead, he turns his back on me.
“I’m disappointed in you, kitten,” he says as he carefully picks up several pieces of thick porcelain. He’s slow to pick them up, and for a moment I imagine myself grabbing a single piece, the one closest to me. But I don’t. I’m frozen with fear. After a moment of him cleaning up the mess I made, he looks me in the eyes as he picks up the last shard.
He turns to the door with an expression of discontent and that’s when I realize he’s leaving me.
My racing heart tries to leap from my chest. I can’t be left here. I need to get out. “Please don’t leave me here!” I scream and beg. I didn’t want to, but I have to try. I don’t want him to leave me here alone. I can’t sit here with nothing. No plan, no hope, fucking nothing.
“I’m sorry, kitten,” he says as he turns his back on me. “Tonight training will begin. It’s best that you put this rebellion behind you. You won’t enjoy being punished.”
Tonight? How fucking long will I have to wait in this room alone?
“I have a life! Please just let me go!” I feel weak and hate what I’ve become.
“I know you do, kitten. And I would provide for you in every way you need.”
“I want my life back!” I don’t want to be his version of a pampered pet. I want my job and my friends. I worked hard to create this new life for myself, and I want it back. I don’t want it torn from me.
He turns back to me with anger sparking in his eyes. It's enough to make me retreat until my back hits the wall. He strides toward me with a dark aura surrounding him.
“You want an office? You want to go online so you can work? Do you want your books, kitten?” I stare at him, not knowing what to say.
“I told you to answer me when I ask you a question,” he says with barely contained anger.
“Yes. Yes, that’s what I want.” I answer him in a strangled voice I don’t recognize.
He smirks at me, and that expression is completely at odds with the aggression choking the air between us. “You would've had all of that, if only you'd behaved.” I stare at him with disbelief as he makes his way back to the door.
He’s lying. He must be. I can’t help but hope.
“Please. Just another chance.” I take a hesitant step forward as he punches the code into the keypad.
He turns to face me with sympathy in his eyes. “We’ll try again at dinner.” Before he leaves me alone again, he turns to face me. “I’m going easy on you right now, but remember this is only because it’s your first day and we haven’t discussed terms yet.” He looks at me expectantly as I wipe the angry tears from my eyes.
“I expect you to answer me,” he says with the hint of a threat in his voice. “You will look at me when I’m speaking to you.”
My eyes dart around as my breath catches in my throat. I don’t even remember what he said. My mouth parts, but words don’t come out.
He takes long, quick strides toward me, letting the door fall shut behind him. I cower and find my back up against the wall again. He stops inches away from me like last time, but this time he grips the nape of my neck and pulls me toward him.
“I want you so fucking badly.” His low voice sends a chill down my body. “I want to show you how good this is going to be.” His fingers tangle in my hair, and he makes a fist at the base of my head, forcing me to expose my neck to him.
He leans forward, pressing his body against mine and his large erection digs into my belly. Being held like this sends a need coursing through my body. Every nerve ending is on alert and ready to spark to life. I clench my thighs as my nipples harden.
He leaves an open-mouthed kiss on my neck. It's so gentle, and so at odds with everything else.
“You’ll learn to obey me, kitten, and you’ll fucking love it when you do.” His hand pushes between my legs and he cups my pussy. His lips brush against my ear as he whispers. “I will give you everything you need. Everything you want. But you need to submit to me.” His hot breath gently caressing my sensitive skin forces a moan from my lips. He takes my earlobe into his mouth and gently nips it. “You’re going to beg me to fuck you, kitten. I’ll wait for it. I’ll wait for you to beg me.”
With that, he leaves me. My body sags against the wall and the chill of the damp cell replaces his warmth. I take in a ragged breath and barely catch sight of him as he leaves me cold and alone. I watch the door close quickly behind him, like he couldn’t get out fast enough.
I close my eyes, hating that I’m so turned on by him. I shouldn’t be. All of this is wrong in every way. Even worse, I hate that I already crave his touch.







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Teasers:
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Bad Girl
By Willow Winters
Cover Designer: Mayhem Creations
Release Blitz hosted by Chance Promotions
Live on Amazon
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Girl-Valetti-Family-Romance-ebook/dp/B01JRFWDMG

Synopsis:

She’s too good for me, but that’s not gonna stop me from taking her.

I’m not a good man, but I’ve never claimed to be. I’m the muscle for the Valetti crime family, and I fit the part with my hard, ripped abs, broad shoulders and cocky attitude.

I’ve never wanted for anything, until I met her... A woman I can never have.

She's forbidden. Just being seen together would put a target on both our backs.

I can’t help imagining those lush, sassy lips wrapped around the one part of me that doesn’t give a damn she’s off-limits.

All I wanted was a taste of her tempting, forbidden curves. One moment of hot, wild passion, and I’m f*cking addicted.

Everything and everyone else be damned. I’m making her mine.


This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy and no cheating. Guaranteed HEA.

Excerpt:

“I know you’re home, Thomas,” she yells from the other side. “I just wanna talk.” I roll my eyes. No shit. That’s all this broad wants from me. ‘Cause she’s a cop.
I need to send her away. I need to do it now.
I swing the door open and it stops her fist in the air. I look at her clenched hand pointedly until she lowers it and then I stare at her. I keep my face impassive. None of that bullshit I gave into before. This needs to end.
“You wanna talk, go ahead and talk,” I tell her in a no-nonsense tone.
She opens her mouth and then closes it. She clears her throat and looks to the ground before looking back up at me. “Thank you. I just wanted to say thank you.”
I stare at her, not quite understanding. I’m surprised by her sweetness. It catches me off guard. Which isn’t a good thing.
“For helping me with those guys.” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I never thanked you for stepping in. It would’ve really sucked if you hadn’t.” It would have sucked. That’s putting it mildly.
I should just stare. I shouldn’t respond. She’d get the message loud and clear, but I can’t do that. I look past her and give a curt nod as I say, “No problem.”
She noticeably swallows and asks, “May I come in?”
“No.” It’s easy shutting that down. The only reason I’d bring her in here is to fuck her. And that’s not going to happen. My dick doesn’t like that answer and starts hardening in my pants. I clench my jaw, trying to get it to go down. I’m only in a pair of sweats. She’s gonna see how fucking hard I am for her. Fuck it, I still can’t have her. Doesn’t fucking matter if she knows I want her or not.
I need to push her away.
“You’re in the wrong part of town, Tonya,” I say, keeping my eyes on her with my voice low.
A smile spreads slowly across her face, making her look gorgeous as fuck. She cocks a brow and tries to suppress the laugh that I can practically hear escaping from those full lips of hers. “You’re kidding, right?” She’s not really asking though, and she has a point. I’m a scary fucker, but it’s not like I live in the rough part of town.
“You know what I mean.” She should know not to fuck with me. Maybe I’ve been too easy on her. I’ve given her this idea that I won’t hurt her, and I’m her pal. But I’m not her buddy. She should be fucking careful around me. She should be scared of me.
She rolls her eyes at my words and it’s the last straw.
“You think you’re such a bad ass bitch, don’t you?” I walk into her space, pushing her farther out into the hallway.
She seems taken aback by my tone, and it takes a moment for her to square her shoulders. I can see her changing before my eyes. Like she just realized who I am, and that she’s a cop. She may think she doesn’t have to take any shit from me, but I’m about to prove her wrong.
“You think you can play this good girl act with me, but I know who you really are.”
She looks confused and then pissed. “I never said I was a good girl, and I’m not putting on an act.” She speaks through clenched teeth with her hands balled at her side. It really pisses her off when I call her that. That’s good to know. I like pissing her off and getting her riled up.
“So what? You’re a bad girl then? Just like I said, you think you’re a bad ass. You’re not.”
She huffs a laugh and rolls her eyes. She literally doesn’t give a shit. I need to instill fear into this broad. I’ve given her too much length on her leash.
I look her in her eyes and lower my voice. “I could fuck you raw in the front of this building, and no one would stop me. No one would say shit to me.”
Her lips part, and her eyes soften with lust at my words. Fuck me, that’s so fucking hot. That’s not at all the reaction I expected. I anticipated disgust. I would think she’d pull out the cop card. But she doesn’t.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I ask as I grip her hips and turn her around to pin her to the wall next to my open door. “'Cause you’re such a bad girl.” I lower my lips to her neck and whisper in her ear. My lips barely touch her. “You’d love it so fucking much, you’d cum on my dick as I fucked your greedy cunt however I wanted.”
I shove her back against the wall. I’m not gentle, but only because I can see how much she likes it rough. I grab her ass with both hands and hold her against the wall with my hips. My hard dick pushes against her thigh, digging into her. I can see the moment she realizes she’s about to get fucked. Her eyes widen and she pushes her hands against my chest. I pull back slightly, but my hands and hips keep her in place.
My heart beats wildly in my chest. My blood’s laced with desire and races with a primal need to fuck her against the wall. She’d fucking love it. We both want it.
I lean forward and barely hear her say, “Ssst.” She knows she should say it, but she hasn’t yet. She likes me pushing her boundaries.
“Stop?” I ask with a lopsided grin. “Is that what you were gonna say?” She presses her lips together and turns her head to the side, refusing to look at me and refusing to answer. I heard it on the tip of her tongue. But she doesn’t want this to stop. She wants to be impaled on my dick.
“You'd better fucking say it, Tonya.” Her eyes whip up to mine with a flash of anger. She doesn’t like me telling her what to do. Good. It’s going to be fun getting her so worked up. I love it already.
I wrap my hand around her throat and give her a gentle squeeze. My left hand grabs hold of her thigh and she spreads her legs for me. I cup her pussy and rock my palm against her clit. I can feel how hot and wet she is. Her eyes go half-lidded, and her lips part with a small moan of pleasure. It’s the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever heard. I bend my head down and hesitate just a second before taking her bottom lip in between my teeth.
This is dangerous. At first it felt like a game. But the more I push, the more she gives me. I’m already addicted, and I haven’t even had a taste of her yet. I should stop this before it begins, but I can’t. I want her, and now that I know how much she wants me, I’m taking her.
I’m going to have to fuck this broad out of my system. Just once. Just once, so I can satisfy this beast clawing at me to fuck her into submission.
I lower my lips to the crook of her neck and bite down hard enough so she knows I won’t be gentle. She rocks her hips and rubs her hot pussy against my dick. Fuck, yes. I growl into her ear, “Get your ass inside.”
I pull back and stare into her green eyes. They spark with a challenge. “Thought you said you could fuck me out here.” My dick jumps in my pants.
“Bad girl.” I back away so I’m not touching her. “Get inside.” I see the defiance in her eyes. She fucking loves this. She’s coming alive with my touch, and I love that I can do this to her. She bites down on her lip and looks to the stairs. For a moment, one split second, I think she’s going to leave, but then her cute ass starts walking inside, and I know I’ve got her.


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About the Author:

I like my action hot and my bad boys hotter. And I don't hold back on either one in my writing. All of my novels end with happy ever afters and are completely cliff hanger free standalones. Thank you so much for
reading my bad boys. I hope you loved reading them as much as I loved writing them.

Sign up for my Naughty List to get all the newest bad boy releases, sales, great giveaways and a FREE Bad Boy Billionaire Romance at http://eepurl.com/b2izzf


Links:

Follow me on Amazon → http://tiny.cc/mg4tdy
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Teaser:

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BOOK BLITZ : HIS DARK CANVAS by Alexandrea Weis

Title: His Dark Canvas
Author: Alexandrea Weis
Genre: Dark Erotic Paranormal Romance
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Blurb: Ella Winston is a talented chef with a problem--the slightest touch can reveal anyone’s darkest secrets.
Hired to cook for the artist, Ren Plancharde, she struggles to keep her ability under wraps.
After accidently uncovering Ren’s underground activities, the eccentric painter offers Ella a glimpse into his world of pleasure and pain. Intrigued, he decides to make Ella a part of his sinister Corde Noire Society, but his chef isn’t quite ready to commit.
Absolute submission isn’t all Ren wants from the stubborn woman. He has big plans for her gift, too. The only question is … will Ella be willing to give in to his desires when the time comes?
The darkness within can hide a lifetime of secrets.
From New Orleans, Alexandrea Weis was raised in the motion picture industry and began writing stories at the age of eight. In college she studied nursing and went on to teach at a local university. After several years in the medical field, she decided to pick up the pen once again and began her first novel, To My Senses. Since that time she has published many novels. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning books, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable.
Alexandrea Weis is also a certified/permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries. When she is not writing, she rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She is married; they live in New Orleans.
Through the haze of her apple martinis, Ella spotted someone across the wide dining room. He was different from the other patrons there to celebrate the restaurant’s two-year anniversary. With an arrogant walk, he strutted across the stone floor. Lean, muscular, and blessed with one of those bodies women would always notice, he had dark blond hair and disquieting dark green eyes. He was the kind of guy who knew he was good-looking and let everyone else know it, too. She wasn’t usually attracted to that type, but this man—his confidence intrigued her.
“You’re Ella, Ella Winston,” he said in a voice like dark chocolate fondue: deep, and wickedly sexy. 
“Yeah.” She almost dropped her drink. “I’m the sous chef.”
“I know. Marcus told me.”
As his smile sank to the depths of her belly, he extended his hand, but Ella ignored it.
Don’t touch him. You know what happens when you touch them. 
“So, how do you know Marcus?” Ella quickly asked, hoping to make up for her rudeness.
He laughed, looking her over. Above the din in the room, she could sense something different about his laugh. Unlike the insincere chortle of others, this man’s laugh got to her. 
She was having an unusual physical reaction, something that never happened to her. When most men laughed, Ella usually ran away.
“Marcus and I share the same friends.”
“What friends are those?” she asked, craving another martini.
“The wealthy kind, who like to support the arts.” He raised a green bottle of sparkling water in his hand. “I’m a painter. Marcus and I know a lot of people who like to pretend they’re patrons and keep us gainfully employed.”
“Painter?” Ella shrugged, finding it hard to believe Marcus knew any painters. “What do you paint?”
“Portraits of women. Usually with very little clothing.”
Oh yeah, I need another drink. “Is that lucrative?”
“For me it is.”
Her eyes wandered around the dining room, desperate to find a rescue. Ella needed to get away from this man before she said or did something really stupid.
“Do you like art?” he pressed.
“Some art. I think it would depend on the passion I see in a painting.”
“The passion in a painting?” That laugh again. Her toes tingled. Not good. “You sound like a painter, Ms. Winston.”
The martini glass in her hand suddenly weighed a ton. “Isn’t painting a passion for an artist, like cooking is a passion for a chef? Having a passion is a healthy thing. It reminds us that we have a soul.”
    He nodded, seemingly approving of her drunken ramblings. “That’s very profound and also very true. I think you have a lot of talents yet to be discovered, Ella. May I call you Ella?”
“Ah, sure. Ella is fine.” Her mouth went dry. “What makes you think I have any talents outside of cooking?”
“I have a sense for these things.”
She tensed. Can he tell? The same thought always haunted her when she met new people. Ella fought so hard to keep her secret under control. Time to make a run for it.
“Don’t let Marcus know I have other talents. He’ll probably fire me.”
She was about to depart when he stopped her. He leaned in, and she could just make out the small cleft in his pointy chin. “I promise, if you ever need a job, I’ll hire you.”
His mouth was so close she could have kissed his perfect, thin lips. Frightened by the notion, Ella backed away. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“I hope you do, Ella.”
She should have done a million different things: asked his name, gotten his phone number, or stayed to flirt with him some more. Instead, Ella walked away. She figured it was one of those moments in life she would live to regret. Fortunately, Ella found the bar and drowned her disappointment in another apple martini. 
Ella reasoned that was the way of it. You meet people and move on, and one day, if you’re lucky, you meet the interesting ones again.

BOOK BLITZ : TAKING CARE OF LEAH by Charlotte Howard



Book Blitz:
Taking Care of Leah
by
Charlotte Howard

Aug 29th - Sept 5th









English teacher Leah Beauchamp works with teenagers every day, but when she’s around sexy Ty Sinclair, she’s left feeling like one herself.
After escaping a bad relationship, Leah Beauchamp moves in with her pregnant sister and brother-in-law. Working as an English teacher, she spends her time lusting after the hot caretaker Ty Sinclair. But it’s not until a drunken encounter at the end of the school year that she realizes it might be so much more.
They decide to embark on a new relationship over the summer holidays. Then Ty’s preferences for BDSM come to the surface. Intrigued, Leah allows herself to be educated by her new lover. But after a house party goes horribly wrong, more secrets are revealed and Leah is left questioning how she truly feels.

Can Leah accept who Ty really is? Can she ignore his past? What about her own? Can she overcome her fears and concerns and relinquish control, or will their hot summer romance fizzle out once autumn arrives?





    

    




                                             



British author, Charlotte Howard, was born in Oman and spent much of the first part of her life flitting between Oman, Scotland, and England. Now settled in Somerset, Charlotte lives with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets.
Her career as a writer began at an early age, with a poem being featured in an anthology for the East Midlands. Since then Charlotte has written many short stories and poems, and finally wrote her first full-length piece of fiction in 2010.

During what little spare time she has, Charlotte enjoys reading and writing (of course), spending time with her family, and watching action movies whilst eating curry and drinking tea.

Charlotte is an active member of Yeovil Creative Writers Group




   

    



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