Book Blitz /G*veaway~ The Zurian Child by Jessica E. Subject

Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He’s an alien, a Hemera, and she’s half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn’t enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.

Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband’s partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend’s widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn’t want her with all his heart.

Buy Links: Silver Publishing (ebook/print) / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / All Romance / more

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EXCERPT

When Bryce and Lorne removed their socks and set their feet on the coffee table, she flushed. She’d had many opportunities over the summer to look at his feet, particularly when he wore only his swim trunks. But she’d kept her distance, catching only the occasional glimpse of his broad, bare chest or other parts of his body, wondering if they matched what she’d seen in her visions.

Both Bryce and Lorne’s toes remained held apart by skin, noticeable skin. Unlike the translucent and pliable tissue which formed between her own toes, theirs appeared thicker, widening the total width of the front of their feet.

“We are not from around here,” Lorne said. He removed his feet from the table and brushed them across the plush carpet. “Your mother, Quinn, and your father, Lindsay, as well as Bryce and I, are from another planet located twenty light years from Earth.”

She turned to her husband, waiting for his reaction. They were his guests telling the ridiculous story. If they were friends of hers, she would have told them to leave.

Quinn only raised his eyebrows. She couldn’t read his expression as he stared at Bryce. “This is not the time to be discussing this. We’ve just returned from out holidays, our honeymoon at that.”

“No, this is the time. We should have talked about this long ago.”

Her gaze shifted between the two of them. This has to be some kind of gag, but this is more likely to come from Michael and Francis, not Bryce, not based on anything Quinn had ever said about him. The punch line didn’t come and Quinn gripped her hand tighter. This is no joke.

Maintaining his dry expression, Bryce continued. “I’ve known all along. I remember my trip to Earth and being placed with the Beuermanns. I don’t remember my parents though.” His chin fell to his chest. “It’s not easy living with a secret like this. I figured my best friend should know.”

Bryce told what he believed to be the truth, but despite her belief in aliens, she refused to accept anyone in the room came from anywhere but Earth.

“I’m sorry, Lindsay.” Quinn refused to look at her, but maintained his hold on her hand.

She’d never felt more uncomfortable than this moment. What did Quinn believe? That he’s an alien?

-

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

GIVEAWAY:Anyone who leaves a comment on any of the posts during the print release blitz today and tomorrow will be entered into a draw for swag and a bonus prize.

CBLS VBT Barrage: Lustful Cravings by Paloma Beck

Title: Lustful Cravings (Seven Sin Sisters, Book One)

Author: Paloma Beck

Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing

Length: 96 pages

Genre(s): Erotic Paranormal Romance (M/F/M)

Heat Level: Sizzling

 

BUY LINK

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=383

BLURB

Seven sisters are entwined in a legacy bigger than anyone ever expected. One by one, they will find their mates from the immortal Valendite breeds and secure their place in history. Each sister embodies one of the seven deadly sins only to be cast aside once claimed. But claiming comes at the price of separation, causing a weakening of their combined powers, which none want to happen… until Layla, holding the sin of lust within her body, locks eyes with Madden.

Madden is one of the strongest of the Valendite Breed, a group of near-immortal men originating from the Italian Wars in the 1500s. Today, the Valendite Breed serve as the Terrorist Elimination Unit (TEU), an invisible arm of the CIA. Their only weakness is their need for a mate to carry on the Breed.  So now that Madden has found Layla, he will never let her go.

With forces mounting up against the Breed, Madden and Layla will need to rely on all of their powers combined to get them to their Pronouncement.

R EXCERPT

Madden traced the Magdalena Circle sign just above Layla’s right breast with his tongue. The sign showed Layla’s soul sin was lust, which meant until meeting him she’d not experienced such sexual desire. Layla must have known that he was her mate immediately by her desire at the bar when they first saw each other. Madden understood why she ran. Such intense feelings after so many years of life with no type of desire must’ve been frightening.

Madden continued to lick and suck at the spot that bore her sign as her moans grew louder. Clearly, this felt good to her. Perhaps the skin near her sign was sensitive. Madden grinned at the thought as he watched Layla whimper with desire and toss her head back and forth against the pillow. Madden’s own desire grew with each sound from his mate. He grunted as he moved down the length of her body, licking from her breasts to her belly button where he swirled his tongue around until she called out his name, “Madden. Madden.” He loved his name on her lips as she looked so thoroughly flushed.

“What is it, Layla love?”

“I need more.” Layla spoke so quietly, so timidly, Madden knew she was uncertain. He couldn’t wait to be the man who brought out her confidence in bed, the one who taught her how to find satisfaction for all her sexual needs.

“Then I will give you more,” Madden moved further down to the tiny thatch of curls just above her core. He rubbed his nose into her curls and smelled the rich aroma of her desire. It was like chocolate and honey, tickling his nose and causing his hunger to multiply. He sat up on his knees and looked up her body before placing one hand on her belly and moving his other to stroke her curls, skimming the apex of her core as he readied her for him.

With one finger, he explored deeper, pressing along her wet folds. Layla shook beneath his hand but he kept her still. “No moving, love. Just enjoy.” Suddenly right where he wanted to be, Madden felt in no hurry. Time stood still as he prepared her for him. She grew wetter as her sweet moans grew louder and he knew he’d always remember this one moment when he claimed his mate.

“It is incredible. I can feel not only my own desire but yours as well,” Layla’s high-pitched voice fought for the breath to finish her words.

“Yes, my need and your need. They’re connected. It’s part of the claiming, Layla love.” If possible, Madden grew even harder as he let himself consider being bound to someone so seemingly perfect for eternity.

Madden smiled, allowing his need to wash through him so he could hold onto this moment. She was perfect for him. He sank one finger deep inside her channel and she pushed against his hand again. He palmed his own erection with a promise of more to come.

“Please. Please. Please,” Layla began chanting and ended his resolve. From all the wetness on his fingers, he imagined she must be ready for him. He brought his moist fingers to his lips and licked them, sucking them into his mouth as Layla watched. Her eyes were sparkling. Small embers released from them like lightning bugs in the night sky. It was her magic and it was beautiful.

Madden secured her knees in each of his arms and placed himself at her core, opening her to his body and slowly pushed himself inside. Working to control his own need, he shifted just an inch at a time and allowed her to accommodate him slowly. Their eyes remained connected and he was vigilant for any sign of discomfort. It would destroy him to know he’d caused her pain.

Just when he felt a slight resistance and knew he was at her barrier, Madden used his fingers to arouse her clit, bring the flood of pleasure to that small tip, and push Layla to the edge of orgasm. He watched as first she tried to understand the feelings flooding her and then to fight them. Finally, Layla simply gave herself over to him. Just as she was going over the edge, he pushed himself farther inside and she screamed out her first orgasm. There would be more tonight.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS

Paloma Beck is an erotic romance writer in both the Contemporary and Paranormal realms. Happily married and living a life of total contradiction, Paloma runs carpool service for her three sons, volunteers in PTA and teaches religious education.

Then in the moments when her characters talk to her, she journals their stories – and they are anything but PG. As a natural introvert, quiet time with her characters is necessary to keep sane while writing is the perfect outlet for her creativity.

Paloma believes a daily dose of coffee and a good book make any day better.

BLOG: http://RomanceBeckons.blogspot.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PalomaBeck

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/PalomaBeckAuthor

FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/SevenSinSistersSeries

GOODREADS: http://goodreads.com/PalomaBeck

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/PalomaBeck

Goddess Fish Book Blast: Sugar Walls by Mysti Holiday

Mysti Holiday and her delicious-sounding release, Sugar Walls, are in our spotlight today.

Sugar Walls

by Mysti Holiday

 

BLURB

 

When Emilie is dumped by her boyfriend, best friend Jack Voss offers a shoulder and a place to live–the other side of his duplex. He’s always there, fixing her problems, her car, her sink. Emilie doesn’t know what she’d do without him, or with the feelings she’s having for him. His shoulder doesn’t just offer comfort anymore; his touch is a turn-on. Their shared wall is the only thing keeping them from sharing a bedroom—and fanning the flames might risk breaking something that Jack can’t fix.

 

EXCERPT 

 

A glance back down at the man who was driving her crazy nearly made her moan. He shifted, his ass moved and his thighs flexed as he crawled forward a few inches. The denim of his worn jeans hugged him as tightly as Em dreamed of doing and, before she had time to think about it, she took a step Forward, hands outstretched to snatch hold of the prize. She stopped herself just in time and tucked her hands behind her back to keep from doing something stupid.

 

“So, Jack?” Her voice was tight with desire and discomfort.

 

“Hmm?” He peeked at her over one shoulder, a smile in those midnight blue eyes, then quickly returned his attention to the pipe.

 

“Almost done?” She hoped so, because at this rate, she’d come just from thinking about him.

 

“Nearly there. Leak’s almost plugged.”

 

I’ve got a leak you can plug. Her panties soaked with more cream than any one woman should have when she envisioned him plunging into her, filling her pussy with his hard cock. Heat rushed up her neck, and her heart pounded so loudly, surely he could hear it. Dear God. She tried to picture herself in a cold shower to kill some of the heat but cursed again when he joined her there in her mind and slid soapy hands over her damp skin, across her breasts, and down her—

 

“There.” His voice jolted her out of the hot daydream, and she jumped an inch off the floor. He backed out from the cupboard and turned to smile at her. “All fixed.”

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Mysti Holiday is the pseudonym of a very busy SAHM who dreams of warm climes and hot bodies.  Most people know she writes, but not what she writes about:  sexy men and the wanton women who love them.

She’s married to a wonderful man who happily sacrifices himself for research, and she spends most of her days dreaming of interesting and unusual situations in which to place her characters.  But most of all, she’s a sucker for a happy ending.

Publisher:  http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=89

Website:  http://www.menagerieauthors.com/

Blog:  http://www.menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/

Mysti will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one random commenter at the conclusion of her tour. Readers, be sure to follow along and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-book-blast-tour-sugar-walls-by.html

Goddess Fish Blurb Blitz Tour: Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh

CRIMSON FOOTPRINTS

By

Shewanda Pugh

 

BLURB  

When an insecure, bi-racial woman begins a cloak-and-dagger love affair with a Japanese American man, she is intent on keeping her bigoted family in the dark—albeit with devastating consequences.

On the night of her brother’s murder, Deena Hammond stumbles upon Takumi Tanaka, lost and on the wrong end of a .32. After rescuing him from the certain fate driving through the hood in a Porsche will bring, a sweet kind of friendship begins. A balm for her grief. Maybe, Deena likes to think, it happened the day her white mother killed her black father. Or maybe, it was always a part of them, like DNA gone bad. Whatever the case, Deena knows that her family would never approve, hell, never acknowledge her fast-growing love for Takumi. And had he never made love to her that way, in that unraveling, soul-searching sort of way, she could’ve done the same. But love’s a devil that way. So, their game begins. One where they hide what they are from everyone. Anyone.

And Tak understands this—for now. After all, Deena’s career hinges on the favor of her mentor and boss, his hard-ass of a father. And the Hammond family is already stretched thin with grief. Yet, each step Deena takes toward family and career brings her closer to an acceptance she’s never had. And away from him.

Excerpt

“I wish that I didn’t want my family’s love so bad. I wish I could be one of those people who wore leather jackets and didn’t give a damned.”

Tak shot her a look. “You’d be musty if you wore a leather jacket in this heat.”

Deena grinned. “You know what I mean.”

He shrugged. “Who doesn’t want a decent family, Dee? It’s not much to ask for.”

Tak paused to pluck a seashell from the sand. Chipped and polished by time, it shone under the glint of a fast setting sun. “I don’t know the answers,” he said. “But they seem to be in things like this,” he held up the shell.

She frowned. “I don’t follow.”

He shrugged. “Well think about it. What’s a shell? It’s just a—a hard, protective outer layer.” He hurled it in the ocean. “The same is true with family. They’re an outer layer, a protection from the world. At least that’s what they’re supposed to be.” He paused. “Think about what happens when you screw with an animal that has one of those hard shells. What does he do?”

“He goes into it.”

“Right. He retreats.” He thumbed the shell thoughtfully. “Now imagine if you were to rip the shell off a turtle and expose him. What do you think you’d find?”

Deena cringed. “Something soft and hurting.

“And dead, if not close to it. So, our hypothetical turtle, who’s able to stand our shell transplant, needs another shell, another form of protection. And so do you.” Tak handed the grooved and sand-polished subject to Deena. She looked down at it.

“So, how’ve I been surviving all this time? What’s my shell?”

Tak grinned. “Tell you what. I’ll let you know when I crack it.”

 

 

 AUTHOR INFORMATION

 Shewanda Pugh is a native of Boston’s inner city, though she now lives in sunny Miami, Florida. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Alabama A&M University and a Master’s in Writing from Nova Southeastern University. Fueled from a young age, her passion for crossing societal boundaries like race, class and culture, is the inspiration for both her cluttered bookshelf and her writing. When she’s not busy obsessing over fiction, she can be found traveling, nursing her social networking addiction or enjoying the company of loved ones.

 

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.ShewandaPugh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShewandaP

Follow on Twitter: @ShewandaP

Blog: http://shewandapugh.blogspot.com/

www.shewandapugh.com

THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY ($10 Amazon GC)  Follow the tour and comment; the more comments, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-blurb-blitz-tour-crimson.html?zx=ce57a6616ef92ae4

SizzlingPR Spotlight: Honey Jans’ Rescuing a Runaway Bride

Samantha Logan is a runaway bride. Jake Ramsey is a PI on a stakeout. When they meet in the dark after midnight all their formerly suppressed desires explode. Samantha so needs to prove her sexiness after finding her fiancée in the sack with another woman and Jake has wanted his bosses daughter for years. But will the fire burn out when she finds out he’s here to arrest her brother? To find out come along on the thrill ride as they battle her kinky ex-fiancée, espionage, and each other. Will Jake be able to rescue this runaway bride?

Excerpt:

Samantha Logan parked her car in front of her family’s dilapidated summer cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin and let out a demoralized sigh. Chicago’s morning newspapers would expose the entire disaster, complete with the glaring caption ‘Runaway Bride’. What they wouldn’t say was that after she caught the rat bastard with another woman Grayson St. James had freaked out so much he’d damned near killed her. It was an accident she kept telling herself but she wasn’t taking any chances by sticking around to hear his feeble apologies.

She’d gone to his condo needing to know if they were sexually compatible. The answer hell no, made her lips curve in a rueful smile as she remembered him grunting and sweating over some naked blonde bimbo who was going down on him. The fact he wanted sex wasn’t the shocker. The fact he didn’t want it with semi-virgin her was a huge wake-up call. This time around she’d choose a lover more carefully. What she needed was a teacher, some ideal hunk who’d teach her all about sex. And being academically minded she’d already mentally compiled a list of qualities her erotic arts instructor would need. The first being completely honest, she wouldn’t settle for anything less. The second being able to make her toes curl as she came. But first she was going to hole up here until the furor died down. In retrospect she realized Grayson’s betrayal had probably been just the boot in the butt she needed to shake her out of her safe little workaholic life.

With that thought in mind she climbed out of her almost paid off clunker and walked up the rutted path to her hideout. If she were in luck the key would be in the old hiding place on the ledge above the door. Reaching up on tiptoe she smiled when her fingertips encountered cold metal. Great, things were finally going her way.

Steadying her shaking hands, she stuck the key in the lock, and tried her damndest to turn it. The darned thing wouldn’t turn. It was probably rusted shut. Just her rotten luck. Good and mad now she rattled the rusty lock trying to force it.

Then suddenly the door jerked open taking her with it as she fell into the dark cabin. Crashing to the floor she let out a gasp when some linebacker-sized guy jumped on her taking her down in a rolling tackle that left her flat on her back under him. What the fuck, have I stumbled across a squatter? Because there is no way Grayson or my father and his private dicks could know I’m here.

Trying to suck in air she futilely kicked out at him giving him her best mixed martial arts moves learned during a free crash course due to her new contract with Max’s Dojo. And groaned in frustration when she couldn’t even land a decent punch as he blocked her every move with the stealth of a ninja. Then he captured her wrists in one brawny hand as he began running the other down her struggling body. Just then she finally drew in enough air into her starved lungs to scream realizing too late he smelled hauntingly familiar. It couldn’t be? Her luck couldn’t be all bad.

He froze on top of her, if possible, pinning her harder to the floor and she heard him bite back a curse…a slightly southern totally snarky curse and wanted to die. It was. Oh dear heavens her nemesis and teenage wet dream Jake Ramsey.

“Stop your goddamned caterwauling, brat,” he bit out.

Her breath caught in her throat as his oh-so rugged body pressed intimately against hers, the steely brand of his cock damned near burning her sex through her panties. Damn she had to say she wanted to hire a sex instructor. Jake Ramsey was sex on a stick and his big work-roughened hand still cupping her quivering breast made her burn. On cue her nipple budded wantonly against his hot rough palm as a heat wave swept through her.

On top of her he sucked in a breath, his hand tightening on her breast and she thought she was going to die of bliss. Then he went absolutely still muttering what sounded like a curse and she wanted to cry. Great she’d shocked him…again. This was the part where he let her go and gave her the lecture for improper young ladies which had been his job way back when he first came to work for her father as part of Logan Industries Security Force. At least the dark would save her the humiliation of him seeing her blush.

Then the lights snapped on and she groaned. What did he do, install a timer? It’d be easy for the thug who now headed her dad’s security team. She gazed up at him needing to know if he’d changed in the seven years she’d been away, since he’d run her off really. She’d hightailed it for college early after he’d rejected her advances and hadn’t looked back until now.

His gray eyes were still hard and watchful, but they softened a bit as he looked down at her turning into a molten silver glow that took her breath away. There was something decidedly dangerous about the former soldier turned Logan Industries Security Chief. Unfortunately looking at her would no doubt cool his ardor. He hadn’t wanted her when she was eighteen why should now be any different? She didn’t fool herself that she was a great beauty. Her curves were too generous and her sassy independence turned off most men. But instead of his hard-on shrinking it grew against her making her gasp with surprise.

Instinctively she pressed against him pushing her luck. Then he rubbed his thumb over her hard nipple and she trembled, a moan pouring out of her throat. Since when did he want her? Or was this some new interrogation technique? A good cop, sexy bad cop thing designed to drive her nuts?

“What’s the matter, sugar? St. James not so good in the sack?” he gritted out through clenched teeth.

What was the question? She looked up at him with lust-fogged eyes. Oh yeah, is Grayson a flop in the sack? She never found out but she wasn’t about to admit it to the hunk. “None of your dang business, goon.”

“Answer me or I’ll take your sexy ass over my knee,” he growled.

Her toes curled at the huskily voiced threat even as her bottom heated up. Did he really think she had a sexy ass? She’d been reading erotic romances telling herself she was getting ready for her marriage. Now she knew different, she’d been getting ready for her sex instructor. Jake Ramsey disreputable as he was might make the perfect erotica one-o-one teacher. “Really?” she asked, knowing she sounded more hopeful than she should.

—

About the Author:

Honey Jans lives in a small Midwestern town with her husband and true inspiration. She is a born romantic with an extraordinarily vivid, yet kinky, imagination.   Honey loves writing erotica and hopes that her stories add a little spice to her readers lives.

Website / Blog

Goddess Fish Promo: Guest Blogger: Nara Malone

Welcome author Nara Malone as she tours the virtual realm for her latest release, Blind Heat. Nara is guest blogging today and I asked her to talk about doing research for Blind Heat in which her heroine, Allie, suffers from a genetic disorder known as Face Blindness. Little did I know, this topic is one Nara is quite familiar with.

First, here’s the blurb for Blind Heat then I’ll allow Nara to take over.

—-

Blind Heat Blurb: Allie is determined to build an ordinary life. To survive, she needs to be the sort of woman no one notices. She has a generic job, lives in a generic apartment, and thinks maybe one day she’ll find an ordinary Joe who wants an average Jane sort of woman.

Marcus is anything but an ordinary Joe. Even if humans don’t know he’s a shifter and millennial being, he’s the sort of man women notice. A night of passion spent with Marcus is a night any female, human or Pantherian, won’t forget.

But Allie does forget. She repeatedly fails to recognize him even after an intense sexual encounter. Marcus discovers the source of her problem—face blindness, a genetic disorder with no cure. And he decides to use erotic rituals to teach her to see with more than her eyes. What he doesn’t count on is Allie seeing past the man—and recognizing the beast within.

~~~~~

Heart Sight: My Research into Face Blindness by Nara Malone

You would think that someone born with the congenital form of face blindness wouldn’t need to do research. But even though my face perception is severely impaired, I went through most life unaware that I was any different from everyone else. I had my suspicions. I recall one time hearing a talk show host complaining about that her guests who wanted to conceal their identity. She said wearing a wig and glasses was like putting a napkin on your head and expecting no one would recognize you. That statement didn’t make sense to me. If my brother puts on a ball cap he looks totally different to me.

That should have been a clue. The number one feature a face blind person uses to identify a person is hair. Unfortunately, people are always changing hairstyles. Men’s hairstyles and clothes are so generic it makes them extremely difficult to tell apart. Another interesting fact I turned up in research– a large percentage of face blind women marry men with facial hair.  My husband has a beard, mustache, and a head full of curly hair that falls to his shoulders. I didn’t purposely seek out a mate with facial hair. I just thought beards were sexy. I have to admit that his appearance makes it easy for me to find him in a crowd.

I suspected I had some inability to imprint a memory of a face, but had never heard o any such disorder. Face blindness was thought to be extremely rare and for a long time believed to be the result of traumatic brain injury. Research into the condition was hampered by the fact there were so few subjects to study. A few years ago researchers decided to launch something of a publicity campaign. They did a media blitz about the symptoms and set up a website where people could test themselves. My husband saw one of those programs and I took the tests. I recognized 3 people on the famous faces test.  One of them was just a lucky guess. Even so, it was a few more years before I was willing to become part of the research.

Admitting you can’t recognize people leaves you incredibly vulnerable. It’s something I’ve spent my life covering up. When I fail to recognize someone, especially a family member or friend, they think it is because they are not important to me. I’d learned a variety of tricks to get by. All of those skills fail me regularly.

In my new novel, Blind Heat, those skills fail my heroine, Allie. I introduce Allie in a scene where she is drawing the faces of people she has to interact with regularly, hoping that she might be able to remember their face if she just draws it enough times. She has never heard of face blindness and thinks her recognition problems are due to inattention on her part.

Been there, done that.

Allie discovers her condition in the same way I did, the man she loves figures it out and explains it to her. But unlike me, Allie has fallen for a paranormal shape shifter. Marcus is the high magus of the Pantherians, a millennial being, spiritual leader to his people. He believes Allie’s problem is caused by human over-reliance on the sense of sight. While he can’t tell her he’s not human, he can offer her something humans can’t–a cure. He uses erotic rituals and sex magick to teach her to see with more than her eyes.

Oddly enough, recent research has backed up a Marcus’ hypothesis. Not the part about erotic rituals, I don’t think they’d get away with proposing a research project like that. But when a face blind subject is shown a set of pictures, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar people,  her skin conductance (a measure of emotional response) changes when she looks at a face that should be familiar. On a subconscious level recognition is occurring. Her body knows even if her brain doesn’t. That same sort of knowing crops up in Blind Heat, maybe served up by my subconscious as I wrote.

I believe there is another level of knowing, a way that I recognize people when I’m not stressed and can take the time to do it. I call it knowing by heart. There is an individual essence that generates a physical response I us to the energy and personality of people we love. That’s never going to be evident in the laboratories where they show us photographs on computer screens. While I did eventually participate in some of Harvard’s research, and they did help me learn how to decode a face, there is no cure. I’m a little better and faster at solving the identity puzzle, but I’m not cured. I don’t have that instant recognition you might have when you see your child’s face.

I think for me, like for Allie, the answer lies in learning to see with my heart and trusting what it tells me.

If you’re curious about face blindness or if this sounds like someone you know, you can learn more here. http://www.faceblind.org/

You can take the Famous Faces test or a variety of other fun tests of visual perception and memory here http://www.testmybrain.org/

An EXCERPT from Blind Heat

The greatest threats from a man were injury or death. She’d known how to read those kinds of threats in a man before she was old enough to read a book. She could see no intent to harm. No evil. He looked at her as if he’d discovered something precious. A warmth seemed to reach from his eyes into her soul, drawing her closer. She made her choice.

The red cloth shimmered with an aura of passion, dared her to press her body to it. The thought sent her blood zinging through her veins. There was something there, something irresistible. His eyes spoke promises she could feel. Her feet wouldn’t let her turn away, but took the risk. Took one step. Then the next. Her lips burned with a need to glide over his jawline, explore planes and angles with kisses and nips. Her heart hammered so loud he had to hear it even over the rain.

True to his word, he didn’t move an inch until she was right there in front of him, reaching to press her hands to the shirt, feel its heat, prove he was real. Her palms sighed with pleasure, like the fabric was a meal to be savored. His strong fingers closed around her wrist then, not painfully but with the finality of a manacle, reminding her that he’d said he wouldn’t let her go until he had what he wanted.

“Good girl,” he whispered, soothing away the little trill of fear that rose with his touch, stroking her face with the backs of his fingers. Her body sang like chimes in the wind, notes shivering down her spine.

“I won’t stop at a kiss,” he said. “But you can start with one. Make it sweet.”

She rose obediently to her toes, finding his lips, feeling them firm, parting under hers. He ordered and demanded with such a low, seductive tone. If he’d told her to go rob the jewelry store, in just the same way, it would have seemed a good idea.

He shifted, turning quickly so she was between him and the tree, cutting off any chance to change her mind and run. He held her face between his hands, and her own hands felt small and fragile against the breadth of his. He kissed his desire into her. Her mind grappled to reassert caution, but her thoughts slipped away, formless as water spilling through fingers. He didn’t stop kissing until she stopped thinking, until the rigidity in her muscles softened, until she kissed him back.

He tasted like spring rain.

His hands were warm through her soggy shirt, his fingers curved under her chilled breasts, his thumbs stroking over the tops. Thumbs and fingers came together, squeezing until she squirmed. His lips and tongue moved over her neck, tracing the line of her collarbone, a warm, sensual touch that made her whimper. He split the worn cotton with a sharp twist. The ripping sound jolted her. Her shirt split down the center, parting to offer her breasts. A wave of fear welled in her belly. of desire trickled between her thighs. She glanced down the puddled path. He pressed her tighter against the tree.

“You had your chance,” he whispered. “It’s the last I’m willing to give you for a while.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Like the heroine, Allie, in Blind Heat, Nara is face blind and lived with the condition not knowing there was a medical explanation for her inability to remember faces.  It’s a rare and only recently publicized condition.  She hopes Blind Heat will help get the word out about face blindness.

Nara lives on a small farm in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When she’s not writing, she loves to run, hike, bike, and kayak. Every story she tells incorporates her love of animals, nature, and adventure.

Blogs

www.NaraMalone.com – author blog

www.Therianverse.com–blog containing interactive content for her books from two series that include therian shapeshifters –Patherian Passions, and Passions Portal.

www.PassionsPortal.com– interactive website for Shadowling Manor , the setting for the multi-author paranormal series.

Contact

Nara_malone on Twitter

Nara.malone on Facebook

The interactive world Nara built for Blind Heat is here– http://therianverse.com/naras-worlds/

**Nara will be awarding a digital copy of The Tiger’s Tale, first in the Pantherian Passions series, and a $10 Ellora’s Cave GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a GC to purchase a video game targeted for female gamers written by Nara Malone with Orchid Games, Spirit Walkers: Curse of the Cypress Witch to a second randomly drawn commenter.**

Readers, follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/06/virtual-book-tour-blind-heat-by-nara.html

CBLS Promo VBT: Freestyle Love by Marcus Lopes

Please welcome author Marcus Lopes to the Wickedly Sexy inner sanctum.

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Title: Freestyle Love

Author: Marcus Lopes

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing

Length: 66,500 words

Genres: Contemporary Erotic Literary M/M Romance

 

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Lazy Day Publishing:

Blurb:

When it comes to one-night stands, Malachi Bishop has “rules”. No pillow talk. No sleeping over. No planning a future hook-up. First names only. It’s just sex, not a prelude to love. But when Cole Malcolm, a smooth-talking management consultant, woos Malachi into bed, the rulebook is tossed out the window. The one-time fling leaves Cole reeling: Malachi is his first real shot at happiness, his “forever” man, and he’s determined to show Malachi just how good they could be together. But Malachi doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, and dodges Cole’s play for his heart. After all, Malachi is still mourning the loss of Taylor Blanchard, whom he hoped to love forever. Then there’s Zach Brennan, a handsome twenty-five-year-old and student at the college where Malachi teaches. Falling for Zach could destroy everything he’s worked for, but Malachi can’t help himself.

Caught by love and in its betrayal, it’s a later affair with a beautiful stranger that changes Malachi’s life most dramatically. Now Malachi must confront his present and his past that bring into question the larger fantasies of home and his place in the world.

 

EXCERPT

Malachi, hunched forward over the dining room table reading the Globe and Mail, let out a sigh as he yawned, his mouth open wide revealing his uneven teeth. As he reached for his half-empty and lukewarm cup of coffee, he caught a glimpse of the hairy bronze cyclist’s legs in the archway of the dining room and sat back in his chair. He looked intently at the tall, lean figure standing before him, naked, with his arms folded across his chest. Of course, Malachi knew that they would have to confront each other at some point, but he was still nervous and, after a moment, glanced away.

The man stood with his legs spread slightly apart, like a model posing for a photo shoot. His eyes narrowed. “Do you mind…” His voice cracked and he bit down on his lower lip. “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

Malachi said, “Oh, of course,” and stood, watching his guest unfold his arms and then run his hands through his dark bed hair that darted in a thousand directions, pushed back from his low brow.

They smiled thinly at each other, as if suddenly able to read the other’s thoughts, and uncertain about how to proceed. Malachi dropped his gaze and left the room to retrieve a towel and facecloth from the disorganized hall closet. He returned to the dining room and gawked at the handsome figure’s firm yet pale backside that he remembered, with a mixed sense of pleasure and dread, having had his face between for most of the night. Malachi cleared his throat.

The man spun around and took the linens from Malachi, and held them in front of his crotch, concealing his growing hard-on. He sidled his narrow blue eyes at Malachi and said, “It’s Cole… my name, that is, in case you’ve forgotten.” He took in Malachi’s blank stare, fully aware of its significance, and when there was no response shrugged and disappeared down the hallway towards the bedroom.

Marcus Lopes’ Tour Schedule:  http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/07/vbt-freestyle-love-by-marcus-lopes.html <–ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

About the Author:

Marcus Lopés is originally from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. His writing has appeared in Canadian and international literary magazines. Freestyle Love is his first novel. A novelist, essayist, poet, painter and singer-songwriter, Lopés lives in Sherbrooke, Québec.

Website: www.marcuslopes.ca

Email: marcus@marcuslopes.ca

CBLS VBT Barrage: Accidental SEAL by Sharon Hamilton

Today WSW welcomes Sharon Hamilton and her awesome new read, Accidental SEAL.

~*~

Title: Accidental SEAL

Author: Sharon Hamilton

Publisher: Self

Length: 100,000 words

Genres: Contemporary Erotic Navy SEAL/Military Romance

 

Available at:

Amazon

Blurb:

Christy Nelson embarks on her new career in Real Estate by holding her first open house. Entering the wrong house, by accident, she finds the nude sleeping body of a young man.

Navy SEAL Kyle Lansdowne, on a mission to find his AWOL Team buddy, is staying at his buddy’s home while investigating the disappearance.  When someone breaks in, he takes protective measures. He doesn’t expect to find that a beautiful young woman is responsible for his teammate’s abduction.

What starts out as a meeting by accident becomes a hot affair neither one is ready for. Kyle is conflicted about getting Christy involved in his mission, but his hand is forced when he learns the same San Diego gang responsible for his teammate’s abduction has kidnapped her.

Battling a cadre of dirty law enforcements hell-bent on getting military equipment, especially state-of-the-art firepower, Kyle is forced to admit that he would die to protect her.

Excerpt:

Christy’s red Honda looked like a wet cherry lollipop, shined and polished to perfection. Cute and shiny on the outside, but hot and sweltering on the inside. Sitting in the cramped front seat, she stopped and squinted to make out house numbers, comparing them to the address Wayne had minutely scribbled on the back of his business card. Then she found it.

The house appeared nicer than he’d described. The advertised price, he said, was the lowest in the neighborhood, going back ten years. Hopefully she’d pick up a young couple out looking for their first home, complete with good credit and a wad of cash from Mommy and Daddy. Wouldn’t it be great to make a sale on her very first day on the job?

She parked in the driveway, popped the trunk, and brought out three sandwich signs with the Patterson Realty logo, on loan from Wayne. He was out with his family today. She hoped the Somervilles didn’t stop by since she’d feel uncomfortable looking into the eyes of Wayne’s wife, a woman he probably cheated on and would again, if he got the chance. One of Christy’s other rules: no married men. She wasn’t about to change that, either.

A perfumed late spring breeze blew softly against her face and neck, sending a thrill up her spine. The air ripened with possibility. This was her favorite time of year.

The walkway looked freshly swept. After placing one sign in the front yard, she stacked the other two beside the front door and inserted Wayne’s key. While the lock accepted the new shiny silver metal, the tumblers stayed in place, frozen.

Way to go Wayne. Waste my time and give me the wrong key!

Irritation bubbled, ruining her cheerful, spring-induced mood. She yanked on the front handle and pushed against it out of frustration. It opened.

“Anybody home?” Her voice wavered like that of a small child. She waited. No answer.

Christy stepped inside, onto a striped cotton rug lying cockeyed behind the front door. The smell of fried food hit her. She walked across the wooden floor of the living room, her stilettos clacking. She cracked open a window. Air scented by fresh blossoms poured in, diluting the smells of ordinary life. She grabbed the newspaper tossed on top of an ottoman and folded the crinkling pages under her arm, aiming for the kitchen to find a trashcan. She passed the dining room table, which was strewn with a map of the area, a couple of felt-tipped pens, and a letter-sized yellow lined tablet. She collected these items as well and made her way to the kitchen.

Christy threw the tablet and newspaper onto the tiled countertop and placed her hands on her hips to assess the scene before her. She squinted at several days’ worth of dishes piled high in the sink. Next to it, a large stainless steel bowl sat encrusted with dark green and purple leaves at the bottom, evidence of a salad—several days old.

Maybe Wayne had neglected to tell the sellers about the open house. She decided it was entirely possible. “How can you expect to sell a house this way?” she muttered, then sighed and removed her jacket, slinging it over the back of a clean-looking kitchen chair. She decided to take a tour of the place, checking for other things to clean or straighten before she’d be ready to hold it open.

But this house was such a mess, an uneasy darkness chilled her. She tiptoed down the carpeted hallway, feeling like an intruder, past empty rooms, to a closed door at the end.

Probably the master bedroom.

Something about the whole scene was strange. These people left without cleaning up dinner from several days before, in a hurry. She’d been told short sale houses rarely showed pride of ownership, but this felt absolutely creepy, like she’d stepped on someone’s grave. The hair at the back of her neck bristled as she gripped the doorknob. She lightly tapped with her other hand, and then opened the door.

A naked body lay on the bed.

Holy crap.

Hesitant to look at first, she pushed through her fear. She saw movement. Tanned skin, a muscular male chest that rose and fell. Earphones were wired to a phone balanced on his open palm. The man was very much alive, and healthy. Her eyes drifted further down to a dusting of dark brown hair that led to an impossible-to-miss erection. His penis stood at attention, like a deep rose-colored light standard under a matching fireman’s hat of deeper pink.

Blood pumped to her ears, making them ring, as her heart raced. A wave of anger coursed over her at the realization she had been the victim of a very sick joke perpetrated by Wayne and one of his disgusting friends.

Christy silently closed the door and tiptoed back down the carpeted hallway, her three-inch heels wobbling on the thick, padded surface. Her knees knocked against each other as she picked up speed, her anger building. She grabbed her jacket, keys, and purse, and crossed the living room, headed toward the front door. She was almost free.

Christy wouldn’t give the prankster the satisfaction of knowing she had even seen him. She wanted to stomp her foot and kick something through the window. This was Wayne’s doing.

That sonofabitch and his lopsided plugs will pay for this.

She pulled the door handle and was rewarded by the smells of a warm spring day bleeding through the inch-wide crack she’d created. An enormous hand and forearm came from behind her and slammed the door shut. She saw a familiar blue-green tattoo of some animal tracks on his muscled forearm just before his other hand gripped her mouth. Callused fingers pinched the sides of her cheeks. The grip hurt.

—-

**GIVEAWAY!! Comment below with your email address to receive a free short download from Sharon (In Kindle or Nook formats ONLY)**

 

—-

 

About the Author:

Sharon Hamilton loves all things paranormal: Angels, Dark Angels, Watchers, Guardians, Upogenie and Vampires. She also has developed a series of hot romantic suspense Navy SEAL stories. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love—not exactly what they taught you in Sunday School!

Sharon is represented by agent Jill Marsal, and has finaled in several erotic, contemporary,  paranormal and single title contests over the past three years. She regularly participates in four RWA and California Writer chapters, and two blogs.

An avid organic vegetable and flower gardener, Sharon and her husband live in the Wine Country in Northern California, where most of her stories take place.

Website: http://www.sharonhamiltonauthor.com/

Blog: http://sharonhamiltonauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonHamilton

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/sharonlhamilton

Follow Sharon on her TOUR–> http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/06/scheduled-barrage-accidental-seal-by.html

CBLS Promotions VBT ~ Interview with Amy Gregory

Welcome Amy Gregory to our wicked world of sexy writers.

~*~

WSW: Welcome and please introduce yourself to our readers not familiar with your books.

Hi all, my name is Amy Gregory.  My debut contemporary romance novel just debuted from Sapphire Star Publishing.  Racing to Love is a four book series, Carter’s Treasure is the first to hit the shelves.

 

WSW: Have you always wanted to be an author? When did you have that ah-ha! moment?

Actually, I’ve always wanted to do something, I just never knew what that something was.  About a year ago, I had a recurring dream.  I started writing it down and here I am a year later.

 

WSW: If you weren’t writing romance novels, what would you be doing?

Now that I have found this wonderful new career I can’t think of anything else that would come close to making me this happy.

 

WSW: If given the choice, would you write non-fiction? If yes, what would the topic be?

No.  I know that I have to stay in the fictional, contemporary romance genre.

 

WSW: How has your journey been so far in the world of E-publishing?

I was lucky enough to sign with a small press who is very hands-on.  They have been instrumental in helping make my dreams come true.

 

WSW: I can’t settle down to write without an iced caramel latte and music. What about you? Any weird writing quirks?    

I love to write really early in the morning, so of course coffee is a must.  But unlike a lot of people, I have to have it very quiet to write.

 

WSW: Tell us about writing your latest release, Racing to Love. Where did the inspiration come from?

The world of motocross is very dear to us as a family.  We’ve always enjoyed going to watch the pro races, and now our son races so we spend a fair amount of time trackside.

 

WSW: What was it about this story and its characters that you had to write it?

This premise is fairly unique, and mixed with my attitude, it was driving me crazy to get out on paper fast enough.

 

WSW: What would you say was the hardest and easiest parts of writing Racing to Love?

I don’t like suspense at all, but I know you have to have some conflict to move the story along.  That was hard for me, but I did it.  The easiest, well, that’s a toss-up between the sassy dialogue and the sex scenes!

 

WSW: When was the last time any of your characters made you blush?

The last sex scene in Carter’s Treasure is one I’m quite proud of.  It had its “cheeky smile” moments.

 

WSW: What’s the last book that made you cry?

Book three in this series, Eli’s Honor…wow, um…yeah.  It got me—every read through.

 

WSW: What do you hope readers take away from your stories?

That even when you try to plan things out, life works out the way it is supposed to.

 

WSW: What’s your favorite place in your entire house to write?

My office, I have all my necessities close at hand…although it’s a long walk to the coffee maker.

 

WSW: What does sexy mean to you?

I’ll be honest, it’s both physical and mental.  Hot guys are a must for a great book, but funny, smart, confident, strong, considerate and loving have their part to play also.

 

WSW: Do you come with any warning labels?

Ah…yeah.  My sex scenes I would say skate the lines a bit, but I like it hot.  That is on top of my snarky and smart-mouth sense of humor.

 

WSW: And finally, tell readers what other works you’ve got in store for us this year.

Well, this is a series, book two – Jesse’s Soul will release 1/13.  Book three – Eli’s Honor will release next summer.  Book four – Alex’s Destiny will follow at the end of 2013.  The boys will be the focus as they each find love when they least expect it.

 

Thanks so much for having me!!!

—-

Title: Racing to Love (Book One, Carter’s Treasure)

Author: Amy Gregory

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Length: 79,000 words

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Subgenres: Comedy, Drama

 

Available at:

Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle Edition) | Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

From the outside, Molly West had everything, beauty, brains, and a career she’d retired from not once, but twice.  Being in the limelight and in a sport that was male driven, she was often surrounded men.  She ignored first the boys, and as she got older, the men.  Unfortunately, they were all the same, all after one thing, and she had absolutely no use for them.  Her cold shoulder and patented not a chance in hell look were usually enough to get her point across.  Occasionally, she had to resort to her sass—and her brother.

Molly had no plans in changing what was a perfectly good system. That is until she walked into the pits.  When she stood toe-to-toe with the sex in jeans, she knew right then and there that the man her adoptive mother always told her was out there, was now standing right in front of her.

Carter Sterling had traveled the racing circuit since he was a boy.  He’d heard all the old standbys, <i>She’s out there somewhere, love comes along when you least expect it.  Good things come to those that…</i> Yeah, he’d heard them all.  The last place he expected to meet the love of his life was on a pro track.  All she did was smile, and he knew, looking into her sapphire blue eyes, Molly West was his.  Forever.

If it was only that easy.  From the moment he laid eyes on her, he had a gripping feeling in him.  An overwhelming need to protect her.  A girl he’d just met.  Carter had learned a long time ago that gut feelings are almost never wrong.

Molly now held his heart in her hands, but it was going to take a lot more than just love to protect her from the past she thought she’d buried a long time ago.

Excerpt:

They continued to walk back toward the pits, but he stopped when they were in the darkened hallway, just before they would have rounded the corner and been seen.

Molly’s heart sped.

He was still holding her hand, but turned to face her as he placed his other hand on her waist. She sucked in a breath when he stepped forward. Her first instinct was to be anxious, to cower back, but something in those ice blue eyes told her she didn’t have to be afraid.

When he had leaned in to kiss her when they were sitting on the track, she’d panicked. And then when he had started to move away, she’d panicked again—for a different reason entirely.

Those flip-flopping emotions were about to drive her crazy.

Now, in the dimmed corridor, Molly closed her eyes to catch her breath and to search for a decision. He’d been rubbing his thumb on her waist, but his movements stopped when her eyes dropped closed. The soothing strokes didn’t continue until she finally reopened her eyes and dragged her attention up his chest and past his Adam’s apple. She continued up until she locked her gaze with his. When she offered him a hesitant smile, he began stroking her again with a warm smile on his lips.

Staring down at her, he let go of her hand and skimmed the back of his over her cheek. She felt her heart thundering, her pulse racing when she ran her hands up his chest, feeling each and every rippled muscle. She’d never purposely touched a man like this before. Sure, she’d felt Brody’s muscles when she’d smacked him for one reason or another. Or when trying to push him off of her after he’d wrestled her to the ground being an ornery brother and all. But this? This was foreign.

Her eyes were back on her own fingers, taking everything in. She stopped at his heart and could feel it pounding hard beneath the soft cotton t-shirt.

“Just so you know…” he started in his slow, sexy voice.

She could tell he was waiting for eye contact again before continuing. “Yeah?” she whispered.

“I’m going to fall in love with you.”

About the Author:

Amy Gregory leads an incredibly active lifestyle in Kansas City with her husband and their three fantastic kids who keep them running in three very different directions.  When she’s not rushing her oldest daughter to tumbling, her youngest daughter to music lessons, or sitting track-side watching her son practice motocross, she’s taking the few minutes in between to scribble the next pages in her Racing to Love series.

When asked, “When do you have time to write?” Amy Gregory giggles.  “In bits and pieces,” she says.

Amy is known for her snarky, off the cuff sense of humor, which you’ll find shining through in the characters she’s created.  Her debut novel, Racing to Love, Carter’s Treasure, is set for release June 7, 2012.

I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and now I’ve finally found it. – Amy Gregory

 

Visit Amy at http://www.amygregory548.blogspot.com

Follow Amy on her TOUR–> http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/06/vbt-racing-to-love-book-one-carters.html

Love the Sinner Tour Kicks off!

Today begins the start of my ten stop Virtual Book Tour for Love the Sinner. You can find the entire schedule here. Today I’m at Words of Wisdom…from The Scarf Princess. She’s hosting me with a giveaway, so stop by. I think you have like 48 hours so hop to it.

The Scarf Princess also gave LTS a wonderful review so check that out while you’re there.

If by chance you don’t win..darn…all June long Love the Sinner is 30% OFF AFTER REBATE at AllRomance Ebooks.

 

It’s a win. Win. Win.

 

~A