Manday Hotties

It is Monday, ladies. Ready for the Hotties?! 

I hope you have a brighter day.

Black Friday Book Bonanza

The Black Friday Book Bonanza

Welcome the Black Friday Book Bonanza! I've been anxiously awaiting this giveaway blog hop. There a ton of great authors and blogs participating and so many wonderful prizes. The giveaway will run from November 27th to November 30th.

I will be giving away 2 ebook copies of Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1) and A Bewitching Christmas (Under Realm Assassins #1) along with 2 $10 Amazon gift cards. This is an international giveaway. Two (2) winners will be randomly selected and posted here, Facebook, and Twitter.

Have fun and good luck!

Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1)

Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.
  Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Dorian Vlakhos.
  After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire, would bind them for all eternity, but treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive. 

A Bewitching Christmas (Under Realm Assassins #1) 

It has been seven years since Analette Dyson stopped practicing magic and headed to New York, where she created a new life, complete with a fabulous job, an apartment in Central Park West, and a sexy werewolf fiancé. She never planned on returning to her small home town in Maine, but when she learns her grandmother is ill, she decides to pop over for a visit and what better time than Christmas? Excited for her fiancé to meet her family, they head up a day early.

Worst idea ever! After doing some last minute Christmas shopping, Analette returns to their hotel to find her fiancé in bed with another woman. Cursing the universe for her never ending bad luck with men and dreading telling her family about her cheating fiancé, she heads to the bar to self medicate.

Not one to celebrate the holidays, vampire and assassin, Cole McRae, has followed a lead to a rustic town in witch territory. But after a few days of research and waiting for his target to show, he begins to suspect he has wasted his time. That is, until he meets a curvaceous blonde with bewitching green eyes at the local bar. One night with the enchanting Analette could make this useless trip well worth his time. Their passion is undeniable and unbeknownst to them, their fates are intertwined. Magic and romance will strike on Christmas, changing their lives forever. ~Holiday Noevlla~

 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Dark Needs at Night's Edge

Barnes & Noble

Dark Needs at Night's Edge (Immortals After Dark #4)
by Kresley Cole
5 of 5 Stars

Description:

A RAVEN-HAIRED TEMPTRESS OF THE DARK...

Néomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers — until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Néomi herself.

A VAMPIRE WARRIOR CONSUMED BY MADNESS...

To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth's brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.

HOW FAR WILL HE GO TO CLAIM HER?

Yet even if Conrad can win Néomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?

(From Barnes & Noble website)

Review:

I love the world that Ms. Cole has created in her Immortals After Dark series. This is yet another amazing book! And it is #5 within the series. I don't think Ms. Cole has lost her touch at all. Sometimes, long series can become flat, boring, lose their luster overall. Not this one!
I think this is my favorite of the series. I really enjoyed the main characters and I felt they complement each other very well. Plus, I have a thing for the real bad boys - the ones everyone believes can't be saved and Conrad is just right of me.
Néomi is wonderful! After years of being a ghost, she still possess all her gumption. She is a forward woman (especially from the time she came from, the 1920s) and she speaks her mind. I have to say, she is one of my favorite female leads. I must admit, in the beginning I was wondering how a ghost and a crazed vampire could end up together...You all will have to read it to find out for yourselves. 

Teaser Tuesday

Today is Tuesday and we all know what that means: Teaser Tuesday!
The teaser I selected is from  Caressed by Night (Rulers of Darkness #2) and it gives a little sneak peek at my current work in progress, Caressed by the Edge of Darkness (Rulers of Darkness #5), Gabriel's story - coming 2016.
Enjoy!

~ The girl tugged on his shirt. “That’s the one they talk about.”

“Is she here somewhere?”

The girl wet her cracked, chapped lips and answered, “No.”

“Did they take her?”

“She was never here.”

Gabriel shrugged off the oddity. He needed to lead the group to the emergency stairwell. As he turned away from the cell, rays of white moonlight danced across the photo, drawing his attention once more.
He froze, the air punched out of his chest as ruthless chills attacked his nervous system. He felt as though he had fallen through the ice of a frozen lake. His heart hammered as he slowly lifted his hand, his fingers gently brushing the photo.

Those eyes. He had never seen anyone with electric violet eyes. They seemed to glow and they pierced his soul. Gabriel swallowed hard as he studied her delicate features, his gaze lingering a moment on her lush, slightly parted lips. She was looking over her shoulder, brushing aside her long, thick, deep red hair. His gut twisted and his fingers began to tremble against the photo as realization pulled him even further beneath the icy surface.

She was going to be their next victim~ 

Caressed by Night
Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.
Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.
While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.

Purchase

Amazon

B&N

All Romance eBooks 

Caressed by the Edge of Darkness

Release Date TBA

Hardened by centuries of torture, former blood slave, Gabriel Erhard, is driven by an insatiable need to destroy his enemies. Violence darkens his battered soul, leaving no place for mercy in his world. Gabriel’s only desire is vengeance—until he finds her.
Seized by vampires, bound as a slave, and placed on the auction block, Jordan Culver is instantly entranced by the dangerous male who claims her. Jordan’s new captor vows to set her free, but his haunted gaze burns with savage desire and his wicked kiss makes her crave his touch and...complete surrender.
While Gabriel battles his enemies, he will break every sacred law to achieve his ultimate goal—uniting the Outcast Society and creating a new vampire Clan. But the distracting human with mesmerizing violet eyes jeopardizes his plans. With every soft whisper she evokes his tormented memories, testing his sanity and challenging his every boundary. Can Jordan help him overcome the miseries of his past and find a future with her?  

Manday Hotties

It is Monday, ladies. Ready for the Hotties?! 

I hope you have a brighter day.

Kickback Saturday

Hi everyone!
 

Welcome to Kick Back Saturday! In my opinion, one of the best ways to spend a Saturday is to curl up with a book, a delicious cup of coffee or cocktail, and hang out with my writing partner, my sweet pup, Kelly!

Join me every Saturday for a book blurb and a new, tasty drink recipe - coffee or cocktail...?

Take up a book, mix a drink, and kick back.  

The Book
Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampires #2)
by Larissa Ione 

Description:
 THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction - or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader's daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress's identical twin  sister? (Goodreads)

The Drink
Slutty Shirley Temple
 Ingredients

• 2 oz. Vodka
• Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1/2 oz. Grenadine

Garnish: Cherry

Instructions

Pour vodka into a glass with ice. Almost fill it with lemon-lime soda. Add grenadine and stir.

Recipe from Good Cocktails

 


 

Twitter Thursday

Welcome to Twitter Thursday!

Share a 1 liner from your current read, recent release, or current work in progress - post in the comments below along with the Goodreads link for the book. 

Today's 1 liner is from Caressed by Moonlight (Rulers of Darkness #1)

~ Victoria Kingston was going to be a tough skirt to catch, but he was not a man who backed down from a challenge, especially not when the reward was so sweet. - Dorian Vlakhos, King of the Mylonas Clan of Vampires ~

Description:
Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.

Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Dorian Vlakhos.

After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.

Review of The Striker

Amazon              B&N

The Striker (Highland Guard #10)
by Monica McCarty
4 of 5 Stars

Early Review - Release Date: 11/24/2015

• Series: Highland Guard (Book 10)
• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (November 24, 2015)
• Language: English

 
*An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the writer and the publisher for the opportunity.* 
 

Description: 
Six years ago, Eoin "Striker” MacLean endured the greatest betrayal of his life, a disaster that led Robert the Bruce to a crushing defeat and left Eoin without the spirited woman who ruled his heart. Eoin knew that falling in love with his sworn enemy’s daughter was risky, dividing him between a possessive desire for beautiful Margaret MacDowell and an undying loyalty to his king. He promised Bruce that he would keep his fiery bride in the dark about the elite Highland Guard, but he could not predict the dire consequences his secret would have on his young marriage. Nor could he foresee how surrendering to temptation could cripple Bruce’s cause, forcing Eoin to blame his wife—and himself for trusting her.
Now, as Bruce prepares to challenge the resistance’s remaining strongholds, Eoin finally has his chance for revenge against the woman he once loved so fiercely and her entire clan. But when ferociously independent Margaret reveals a surprise that unites her with Eoin, neither of them will let their love go down without a fight. (Goodreads)

Review: 
Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series is one of my favorites across the romance genre. The historical aspects and the rough and tumble highlander vibe of her heroes is spot on. This time, McCarty based her story around a second chance at love, though the characters have more of a lust-at-first-sight relationship. I can't knock the book for taking the lust approach, many romance novels start off with sexual tension that later builds and evolves into love.
Eoin MacLean (love the spelling) has been in the background of previous books and I'm happy to see him move to the front. Like the rest of highly skilled Highland Guard, Eoin is a warrior through and through and he's got a bit of an ego. At times he was on the verge of being too stubborn. However, he takes one for the team and marries Margaret MacDowell, the enemy's daughter. She is strong willed and considered to be a bit of a "wild child", but Eoin isn't one to shy away from a challenge. Naturally, the marriage is intended to bring peace to the Clans, but misunderstanding, outside loyalties, and suspicion tear them apart.
The main characters have their faults. Eoin is no Prince Charming and there were times when Margaret's personality made me want to slap a b*tch. Their romance was not easy and they had to work together to over come some serious obstacles.
To be honest, there were times I doubted the two could ever have a happy ending. Monica McCarty has a talent for creating imperfect characters (realistic characters) and designing a story line that suits them, which is why I enjoy this series so much! I can't wait to curl up with the next book, The Rock. 

~ If you're not familiar with the Highland Guard series I would not recommend reading this installment as a standalone. Pick up The Chief, the first as still my favorite of the series. If you a lover of Highland romance, you won't be disappointed~

Manday Hotties

It is Monday, ladies. Ready for the Hotties?! 

I hope you have a brighter day.

Twitter Thursday

~“I intend to taste you,” he said, his tone formal, controlled, the perfect contrast to the storm of desire that flashed in his eyes. “May I?”~

Amazon

Surrender to the Chase

(Under Realm Assassins #2)

A year after the tragic death of his close friend and fellow assassin, Ethan Halstead is ready to take up his sniper rifle once more. But his first assignment is nothing he ever expected. Ethan must hunt and retrieve a beautiful, spirited, alluring werewolf.

Knowing no other way to escape an arranged marriage, Fraya flees from her pack. As she contemplates slipping across the border and heading to South America, she is captured by a dangerously seductive vampire who plans on escorting her back to her family. Even as Fraya vows to make Ethan’s mission as difficult as possible, she can’t resist the riotous desire he sparks within her.

But Ethan isn’t the only predator that peruses Fraya. A powerful rival pack’s alpha wants to make her his mate. Will Ethan be able to keep Fraya safe and return her to her pack? Or will he surrender to temptation and claim Fraya as his own?

~ Novella ~




Celebrating Veterans Day

Today let's celebrating all our Veterans and our current services men and women. As the spouse of an active duty military member I know how difficult deployments can be. The time of away from loved ones isn't easy. I'd like to thank anyone who has served and their families for your sacrifice.

Sexy Snippets

Goodreads

Tuesdays just got sexier.

I've got a sexy snippet from Caressed by Night (Rulers of Darkness #2). Nothing like getting frisky in a museum - gasp - naughty! (*smiles*)

~ He was behind her now, pressing her against the wall. Daring excitement drew shivers across her flesh and she reached over her head to grab his hair, arching her back. He wrapped one arm around her, the other palm claiming a breast. Her hips flush against his. God, she wanted to feel his naked skin against hers as he slid into her, filling her. All he had to do was unzip her skirt, let it fall to her ankles, and undo his pants. 

“Not yet,” he whispered, reading her thoughts, his voice deep and hard.~

Coming Soon: Rulers of Darkness 1-3 Box set!!

Caressed by Moonlight
Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.
Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Dorian Vlakhos.
After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.

Caressed by Night
Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.
Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.
While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.

Caressed by a Crimson Moon 
Consumed by madness and tormented by dark memories of blood and death, Hadrian Lucretius, King of the Validus Clan, has returned after living in self-imposed exile for nearly three hundred and fifty years.
To maintain peace with the vampires, Eva Maldonado is offered as a sacrifice to the crazed vampire king by her father, the alpha of the Silveria Shifter Pack. Hadrian’s reputation is both legendary and lethal; he is ruthless, bloodthirsty, lusty, and soulless. When Eva arrives at the ancient fortress high in the Carpathian Mountains, she is shocked to find a ravaged man with dark burning eyes filled with loneliness and dangerous desire.
Would she be his lover…or his prey? His savior…or his victim? Would Hadrian lure her into madness or would their perilous passion be their redemption?  

Manday Hotties

It is Monday, ladies. Ready for the Hotties?! 

I hope you have a brighter day.

Writing Partner

Here she is again. I set my laptop down for a second to get some coffee and come back to find that she stole my spot! She is a terrific spot thief. You can never leave your seat with her around. Little Miss Kelly is also my writing partner. I wonder if she was trying to take over....hmm...
Love this pup :) 

Happy Friday!

Twitter Thursday

~“If you hadn’t run, I wouldn’t have had to tackle you,” he countered.~

Surrender to the Chase (Under Realm Assassins #2)

Description:

A year after the tragic death of his close friend and fellow assassin, Ethan Halstead is ready to take up his sniper rifle once more. But his first assignment is nothing he ever expected. Ethan must hunt and retrieve a beautiful, spirited, alluring werewolf.

Knowing no other way to escape an arranged marriage, Fraya flees from her pack. As she contemplates slipping across the border and heading to South America, she is captured by a dangerously seductive vampire who plans on escorting her back to her family. Even as Fraya vows to make Ethan’s mission as difficult as possible, she can’t resist the riotous desire he sparks within her.

But Ethan isn’t the only predator that peruses Fraya. A powerful rival pack’s alpha wants to make her his mate. Will Ethan be able to keep Fraya safe and return her to her pack? Or will he surrender to temptation and claim Fraya as his own?

Purchase

 Amazon

B&N/Nook

All Romance eBooks 

Kobo