Win an ARC of Covert Desires

Excited to read Covert Desires? Well, here's your chance to get a hold of it a bit sooner than expected.

One person will win an ARC (advance review copy) of Covert Desires, Alpine Woods Shifters 5. To enter, all you have to do is like the Lyrical Press, Inc Facebook page! Since the book won't be available until December, this is an opportunity to get the book well ahead of everyone else. So head on over and check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/LyricalPressInc

Sigma by Annie Nicolas

Today, I want to share with you the newest release from fellow Lyrical Press author, Annie Nicholas. Although I haven't read this series, yet, I have read some of her other stories, and was completely captured by the characters and the plot.

blurb: 

To defend and protect, at any cost. 

Sam is Sigma of his pack, defender of the innocent and frail. Too bad the one time it mattered most, though the urge to guard the weak runs strong in his shifter blood, he failed to protect his best friend from an attack. Just when his self-confidence can't go any lower, he becomes entangled in a vampire skirmish and is left with an injured female in his arms.

Vampire accountant for Pal Robi, Inc., Clementine can't believe her master would ask her to commit corporate espionage. She’s shot when discovered, but a shifter comes to her rescue. It's as if he's made of her fantasies, and in the few hours with him she lives more than the decades she's spent among her clan.

Hiding with him on the streets of Chicago, in the midst of fighting together to stay alive, can a petite vampire break through her hero’s jaded heart?

WARNING: Hot dominating sex, an action packed evening, and a first date gone all to hell.

 

Excerpt:

 Sam ground his teeth at Clementine’s stubbornness and hovered around her in case she fell.

Blood soaked the back of her pink t-shirt and dripped, leaving a gruesome trail as she walked along the exterior balcony toward their motel room on the second floor. “You paid with cash like I told you?” She weaved on unsteady feet.

“Yes, ma’am.” He barely had enough money in his wallet to buy a soda now. “No credit card to track.” He reached out to grab her elbow, but she swatted his fingertips. Reflexively, he shook the sting away. “Playing tough and insisting on walking doesn’t get you brownie points if you pass out.”

He unlocked and opened their room door. The scent of cheap air freshener and stale sweat swept over him. He turned and sneezed.

“Bless you.”

He wiped his mouth. “Thanks.” Wasn’t there some supernatural law against vampires being polite?

“It smells odd in here.” She leaned against the door frame and pointed to the faded yellow bed. “Can you pull off the blanket?”

“We got what we paid for, a cheap-ass room. At least they don’t charge by the hour.” He winked and did as Clementine asked, then watched as she crawled onto their bed, lying on her stomach. “What can I do to help?” The deep red stain continued to spread under his scrutiny. “When Daedalus was staked, he didn’t bleed like this.”

She twisted around and whispered, “You were there?” With her blue eyes wide, she appeared very young, but vampires were experts at fooling people. Clementine could be five hundred years old, for all he knew. With a wig, Daedalus looked twenty, younger than Sugar. He chuckled at the memory and recalled the expression of horror on Sugar’s face. “It happened in my old apartment.”

“You’re one of the original Omegas?”

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” They’d had five pack members at the beginning, before Daedalus came and changed everything. Now they numbered in the triple digits and were called the Vasi. He pointed at her wound. “Can you bleed to death?”

She rolled back onto her stomach. “No, but I’ll need to feed before the blood lust takes over me. You have to remove the bullet.”

He grabbed the edge of her shirt and tore it open, exposing her back.

She hissed and glared at him over her shoulder. “I could have taken it off.”

Pasting mock surprise on his face, he laid a hand on his chest. “Where’s the fun in that?” Not waiting for her response, he went into the bathroom and washed off his pocketknife. A pair of tweezers would have been handy. And some gauze. He grabbed a face cloth instead. “Do I need to sterilize my knife or find some antiseptic?”

“I’m a vampire. Disease doesn’t plague us.”

He shrugged off her prickly tone, betting she was as gentle as the sound of her name on his lips. “Good, because I can’t provide either.” On his knees, he straddled her legs and leaned forward to examine her wound. He planted his palm between her shoulder blades.

“What--” She struggled under him. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want you to move.” Using his shifter strength, he shoved her flat against the bed and wiped the blood away. “Stop wiggling so much. It’s distracting.”

“Not like you can do more damage.” Her words came out muffled.

“No, but you’re turning me on.”

She went limp, her breathing heavy and strained.

Annie Nicholas

www.annienicholas.com

www.annienicholas.blogspot.com

Shiny New Cover!

Renee Rocco over at Lyrical Press has done it again and given me an amazing cover for Covert Desires, Alpine Woods Shifters book 5! Isn't it gorgeous! 

blurb: 

Will desire be enough once all their secrets are revealed?

Still dealing with a recent traumatic experience, Amber is wary of the man who shows up at her door with a plate of cookies and a welcoming smile. Her gut tells her he’s not all that he seems. Then again, neither is she. And since she was sent here to root out the secrets of the town and its people, she might as well accept his invitation to dinner. But when things start to heat up between them, will her heart lead her toward her job, or toward the man trying to win it?

Danny already knows Amber is a FBI agent. Tasked by his brothers and the shifter council to keep her from discovering too much, he sets out to seduce her, a perfect cover to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t learn about his pack or their society. But he hadn’t counted on the attraction that blazes through him at first sight, or the undeniable pull toward her that only grows stronger with time. His wolf knows the truth. Amber is his mate, and he’ll do anything to keep her safe and happy. But how can he reveal everything he is and everything he’s been keeping from her without losing her forever?

Covert Desires hits digital bookstores everywhere December 17th, 2012! 

New Review for Chasing Paradise!

A new review for Chasing Paradise from Two Lips Reviews!

"...take it from me, there's some delicious sex in this book you don't even want to miss." MerryLee

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7945&Itemid=36

Check it out! 

Character Interview with Piper Denna

Piper Denna is here today with a fantastic character interview featuring one of the villains from her newest release Victoria's Secret Wish. Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Piper, and Shar-y Jones interviewing Gritty Gossip Girl.

....

Hello, this is Shar-y Jones with The Scoop. As most of the free world knows, Gritty Gossip Girl blogged during her cruise on the newly-launched FMS Aphrodite, sharing all sorts of juicy, sordid, unauthorized details about the trip. Her blog feed was picked up by our site, TSZ (The Scoop Zone), and by the end of the cruise, people around the world were glued to their mobile devices, just waiting to see what she’d share next. On condition of anonymity, Gritty Gossip Girl has agreed to an interview—and only one—with us.

The Scoop Zone: Let’s start with the question on everyone’s minds. Leaking information from a cruise where the passengers and staff so highly value confidentiality smacks of a vendetta. What do you have against the proprietors of Fantasies, Inc: The Grants?

Gritty Gossip Girl: It wasn’t a vendetta. I was doing a job.

TSZ: Who hired you to do it?

GGG: **rolls eyes** I was reporting solely to draw followers for my blog. Why does everyone assume I had help?

TSZ: Looking back at your posts, it seems they were written with a bias against Brett Grant. Why?

GGG: He’s not the great guy everybody thinks. Someone I know says he stole Victoria from a happy relationship—

TSZ: You mean with British movie star Rafe Wyndham?

GGG: No, no. Not him.

TSZ: So is this other person the one who helped you get your blog posts online from a cruise where guests had no open internet access?

GGG: **huffs and crosses arms over chest** I already told you, I acted alone.

TSZ: If you insist.

GGG: Can we please move on? I’ve got research to do for… tomorrow’s post.

TSZ: If you could be anybody on the FCS Aphrodite, who would it be?

GGG: Oh, that’s easy. Victoria Grant. She’s got a very hot new--**clamps hands over mouth**

TSZ: (New what? Car? House? Dress?) **waits for answer**

GGG: Um… Hobby. Yeah. She has a new hobby.

TSZ: And what is that?

GGG: **fidgeting** I’m not allowed to talk about the Grants, or their…hobby. Can we please scratch that answer?

TSZ:  Sorry, no. Truth in reporting, and all that… If money was no object, would you go on another Aphrodite cruise, as a passenger?

GGG: Oh my God! I can’t believe you just gave away my identity like that!

TSZ: Cruise ships all have paid crew members, and Aphrodite also has volunteers, as indicated on the Fantasies, Inc website. I’ll quote their ad:

Come join our crew!

We’re searching for uninhibited personnel to fill select crew positions on our maiden voyage, and subsequent cruises. Qualified applicants needed for all types of fetishes and scenarios, both mixed- and same-gender, adults of all ages, all races. Crew staff will be eligible for cumulative discounts to be applied toward a future Fantasies, Inc. cruise.

Many of our privileged passengers have fantasies involving staff members, instead of or in addition to other erotic wishes. In return for your “services” eight hours per day, you’ll receive free passage on today’s most exclusive cruise liner, room, meals and drinks, and access to the crew-only Sweet Spot Lounge--where anything goes. Eager personnel can expect not only gratification, but tips in many forms…

Fantasy Crews make for Fantasy Cruises.

Please fill out the form below, and a discreet Human Resources Casting Expert will contact you shortly.

Thanks for your interest,

Fantasies, Inc.--Cruise Division

Where fulfillment is on your horizon

GGG: Ugh, don’t remind me. **rubs eyes** I demand you scratch that question and reword it so you’re asking, “Would you recommend an Aphrodite cruise for those who can afford it?”

TSZ: Can you afford it?

GGG: Damn it, that’s none of your business. And it’s irrelevant.

TSZ: Well, maybe you can, after what we paid you, not to mention whatever you got from a certain someone who hired you to blog secret details about the cruise…

GGG: That’s not going to last long enough to—Damn. Nobody hired me! Are you trying to ruin my life? Seriously. Remove this answer when this interview goes to press. As for what TSZ paid me, no; it’s not enough for a cruise. Barely enough for a city bus ride! Anyway, I’m not allowed on any Fantasies, Inc properties, as a condition of my agreement with the Grants. But if I had the cash to spend? No way. I’d bank the bucks, and travel as a recruit. They had at least as much fun as the passengers, from I could see.

TSZ: Do you think anyone on the cruise came away unhappy or would be unwilling to make another voyage?

GGG: Much as I hate to admit it? No. The ship’s theme song should be, like, the opposite of “I can’t get no satisfaction.” **hangs head** Kind of a bummer I can’t go back there.

TSZ: So you regret the blog posts?

GGG: **sighs** The Grants shouldn’t act so injured about them. I got them major publicity, which virally increased interest in their ship. I didn’t leak names of anybody who didn’t want me to. Nobody got hurt.

TSZ

GGG: Exactly.

TSZ: Except, it did cost you. And could have been worse, if not for mercy from the Grants in not pressing charges against you.

GGG: **eyes brim** And I missed out on a potentially great boyfriend. Who knew a dude on a sex cruise would have such high morals?

TSZ: I guess we all do now. Thanks for the interview. If you think of a number that’d make it worthwhile for you to share a little about Victoria’s new…ahem, hobby, gimme a call, huh?

BLURB:

Book 2 of Fantasies, Inc: Victoria’s Secret Wish

Maybe three isn't always a crowd.

“Erotica’s Sweethearts”, Brett and Victoria Grant, are launching the Fantasies, Inc. Aphrodite--a cruiseliner dedicated to carnal pleasures. Since the voyage is all about fantasies coming true, Brett is determined to see Victoria realize her own wildest dream: being pleasured by two men at once.

Victoria can hardly keep her eyes--or hands--off gold medal swimmer David Roman when he boards the Aphrodite. And when Brett propositions David, she can’t say no. But Brett doesn’t know the extent of her fantasy. She wants him as into her other guy as she is. Will his adventurous spirit stretch that far?

David knows it’s a bad idea to get in the middle of the Grants’ marriage. He doesn’t have a kinky bone in his body--or so he thought before this trip--but the romps keep getting wilder and he keeps imagining more. And he really likes them both...as much in bed as out. If the paparazzi discover he’s involved with such a high-profile couple, his career is over. Is he willing to risk everything to continue?

WARNING: Adult sensuality and language, ménage a la two men bent on arousing their woman beyond all control, voyeurism, foot and hair fetish scenes, same sex situations, betrayal, and industrial espionage.

EXCERPT:

“Why are you nervous? Is it because you’re seeing me, or because you’re seeing a therapist?”

“Therapist.” As Britt had pointed out, seeing Serena Weiss would be less intimidating than any other therapist. After all, they’d watched from the AV room as Serena’s fantasy had been recorded. Having seen a woman go wild like that made her quite easy to approach. Aside from the therapist issue, anyway.

Serena leaned forward and took Victoria’s hands in her own. “If I might make a suggestion?”

“Mmm?”

“While you’re on this break from trying to conceive, give yourself a hall pass. Do some wild, sexy stuff. Nothing can kill the fun of sex like making it a means to a baby. Besides, one day you’ll be prego, and then a mom. And let me tell ya, that living-in-the-moment business doesn’t happen much for us mommies.”

Wild, sexy stuff. Like what? Britt’s idea of sharing her with another man on the cruise? Now she was probably blushing. “Um. Yeah. Even though I arrange all those fantasies, I’m pretty straightlaced.”

“Something tells me there’s a vixen inside you, just waiting to get out. Give her a spin. Trust me, your man will love it.”

Guest Author: L.K. Below

I'm so excited to have L.K. Below here talking about her newest release Beauty in His Bed. She's offering an e-copy of the book as a giveaway! Comment by Wednesday, August 1st for your chance to win!

Little Surprises  

by: L.K. Below

One of the things I'm constantly surprised at when I write is how much I fall in love with all my characters. The side characters, not just my hero and heroine. In fact, my favorite characters are often not in starring roles. Don't get me wrong, I adore my hero and heroine (otherwise, I wouldn't be writing their story!) but if I'm going to list my favorites... I love the side comic relief.

Such was the case for Never a Princess, Always a Frog. This book was my first attempt at a fun, flirty fairy-tale spun into modern day. But although Colleen is endearing, Hannah was my favorite in that book. She stood out as the daring, boisterous friend who wasn't afraid of anything. Well, except facing her ex. Although she and Rob only have one brief conversation, their obvious reluctance to be together always brings a smile to my face.

Rob isn't seen in the sequel, Beauty in His Bed, though Hannah is briefly. The heroine, Amy Somers, breaks my heart with all her hang-ups and I just had to write her a persistent, hot hero. But once again, they aren't my favorites. In this book, another side character is introduced. Although Monique's impish personality is only briefly shown, I think she deserve a little credit. After all, if it wasn't for her, Amy would never have met Seb...

 

BLURB:

Upon finding a gorgeous woman in his bed, Seb wakes her with a wicked kiss…and it just might lead to forever.

Devastated by a breakup, plus-sized Amy Somers retreats to New Orleans to visit her longtime friend. But when her friend delivers the key to her apartment and sends Amy on ahead, she doesn’t realize that the apartment belongs to someone else.

Upon coming home to find Amy asleep on his bed, Sebastien Babineaux entertains lusty thoughts. Bent on seducing her, he never expects to lose his heart -- or to work so hard to keep Amy by his side.

EXCERPT:

When she and Monique re-entered Sheer Passions, Amy pleaded, “Not to be rude, but I really am tired from my flight.” She hoped her friend wouldn’t catch her in the lie. After her tarot reading, she just wanted to be left alone for an hour or two, at least while her friend was still at work. She didn’t think she could force herself to be cheery to strangers. “Do you think I could crash at your place for a couple hours?”

“Sure thing, sugar,” Monique said. Producing a piece of paper, she scribbled down an address, an apartment number, and pulled out a keychain with two silver keys. “Make yourself right at home.”

After giving her friend a hug, Amy picked up her suitcase. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”

With a twinkle in her brown eyes, Monique said, “Oh, not for a while, I don’t think.”

Shrugging inwardly, Amy exited the shop and waited for a cab on the curb. Once she hailed one, she recited the address on the paper and sat back, trying to stave off the wave of tears that threatened to overwhelm her. This trip was supposed to make her feel better. In fact, before she’d been reminded of Tim, she had felt better. A thousand times better. But now, she just felt…alone.

Why did Colleen have to get engaged now? 

 

Beauty in His Bed is now available from Lyrical Press, Inc. Read more or buy it HERE. 

Visit L.K. Below online at www.lbelow.net.

Leave a comment with your email address for your chance to win a copy of Beauty in His Bed! Winner will be announced Thursday, August 2nd! 

Wasn't There a Picture Here?

As some of you may have noticed, but most of you probably have not, there've been some changes to the blog. Many of my posts that used to include pictures, are now without them, and others, like all of the "Hunks for Hump Day" posts, have been deleted entirely. If you go to my Pintrest profile, you also might notice a lot of the pictures have been removed, and some entire boards have disappeared. 


The reason for all of these changes is in response to an article I read on Roni Loren's blog, Bloggers Beware: You CAN Get Sued for Using Pics on Your Blog - My Story. 


Now, let me clarify. I did not pull the pictures because I'm scared I'll get sued. Certainly I don't want to get sued, and it may have played a hand in my ultimate decision. But what really decided me on the issue were the comments on that post. Comments from photographers who pleaded their case with others. Photographers who are trying to make a living off of their photographs only to find them splashed across the web as if they were public property. One commenter even said that writers and photographers, and other artists, should stand together on the same side of piracy. And honestly, I agree. How can I gripe about the pirate sites posting downloads of my work when I'm posting someone else's work on my blog or Pintrest. Sure, I didn't mean any harm by it. But, in theory, neither did the people posting my work. So over the weekend, I went through all of my blog posts and my Pintrest board (and facebook, although all I post there are my own pictures), and took off anything that wasn't allowed - which, from my understanding, does not include book covers or movie posters, etc. which are allowed. 

I am keeping the "Me at a Glance" board on Pintrest, currently empty, but am planning on filling it with pictures of my own. Pictures I took with my camera, of my dogs, or my coffee in the morning. But I hope you'll all bear with me until I can get those pictures up and running. 

What are your thoughts on the issue? 

Also, come back tomorrow for a guest post and giveaway with the fabulous L.K. Below!