10 April 2014

Overgrowth by Mac Rome

SOR Overgrowth VBT BannerGenre: Sci-Fi


Andrea Carlin made herself into the superheroine Overgrow in an effort to save the man she loved. She failed. Taking her first steps to love again, she begins dating the handsome Lee. But is she so strong now she must become weak to keep his love?


SORM excerpt

 “You!” Magmar screeched, pointing a smoldering finger at Overgrow. “It’s your fault I’m here! I’m taking you down, and I’m taking him with me!”

Andrea wasn’t surprised to see who Magmar meant by “him.” It was assistant public defender Lee Seneca, the most junior public defender, which made him the one who consistently drew the cases of supervillains. Magmar had wrapped one steaming arm around Seneca’s neck. Andrea could see what looked like elongated metal handcuffs on her wrists, but with molten metal in the area nearest her hands, and the chains between the shackles melted. She recognized them as the remains of one part of a set of power inhibitor bonds on the wrist of the arm holding Seneca. Normally, the inhibitor bonds would have covered the wearer’s hands. Andrea had designed the inhibitor technology police now used to restrain supervillains like Magmar. The bonds were supposed to safely redirect energy powers from their intended target. How Magmar had been able to power up and melt the bonds, Andrea didn’t know. At the moment, it didn’t matter.

Magmar pointed her free hand to the ground. The earth shook. A spike of rock extended up to the height of the window where she was. She dove out, dragging Seneca with her.

The strain of what Magmar was doing showed on Seneca’s face. Andrea could see his skin getting redder. She knew it could be from either being dragged by the neck or how hot Magmar’s body temperature was becoming.

Dropping to her knees, Andrea grew to 120 feet tall. That gave her the reach she needed to swing her right arm hard enough to cause the projecting rock to vibrate. Magmar lost her balance as well as her grip on Seneca, who plummeted off the side of the ziggurat of stone.

Andrea somersaulted, shrinking as she did. Dropping to 50 feet tall, she sat under the plunging Seneca, who fell into the Overgrow costume’s plunging neckline.

Andrea smiled as she looked down into her cleavage. “You all right, Mr. Seneca?’

After Seneca glanced around, he smiled up at Overgrow. “Never better!”

The superheroine was already looking up at Magmar. The villainess was glowing red-hot, positioning her arms to fire some sort of blast at Overgrow.

Confident, Andrea simply raised her arm as Magmar’s lava blast sprayed out at her. As Andrea expected, it had no effect on her. Using her massive hand to surround the villainess, she stood up awkwardly. Andrea held Magmar up as high as she could, minimizing her contact with the source of her power.

“Amazing! How can you stand up to her lava blasts like that?”

Andrea smiled down at Seneca. “I’ll explain it sometime.” She wrapped her other hand around the one holding Magmar. “I’m afraid I have both hands full with this handful, Mr. Seneca. I’ll need to leave you where you are for a while. Is that OK?”

Seneca grinned goofily. “Absolutely!” Andrea thought he was trying a little too hard to sound calm.

It was only about six minutes before police arrived with an inhibitor cage to contain Magmar. Andrea tossed her into the cage through its open top.

Andrea slid a finger between her boobs and beneath Seneca, gently lifting him out. “Thank you for being a gentleman in there.”

Seneca shrugged. “I didn’t want to wind up facing some sort of criminal charge for what I did in there, but it was certainly the biggest temptation I’ve ever faced!”

Andrea chuckled lightly. She looked around the area. She pointed to a rooftop immediately to the north of the building housing the public defender office. “Can I talk to you up there for a moment?”

“Sure.” Seneca looked confused.

Andrea shot up to 500 feet, placed a foot over the building, then shrank to Overgrow’s usual height of six-foot-four. As she reduced, she placed Seneca near her on the roof.

Seneca straightened his clothing, standing his full six-foot-two. “So, what’s up?”

Andrea stood in front of him, looking awkward. She flipped her hair back over her ear. “Are you free tonight?”

Seneca blinked his eyes three times. “Yeah. I mean, yes, I am.”

Andrea reached into a hidden pocket in the Overgrow costume’s cape. She handed its contents to Seneca. “Come to this address tonight at 6:30. If you want to, that is.”

Seneca looked at her, his eyes wide. “Overgrow, are you asking me out on a date?”

Buy Links: Amazon    Smashwords



SORM About the Author


Mac Rome is a lifelong resident of the Great Lakes region of the United States. He’s experienced life in the Appalachian foothills, along the Ohio river and in the flatlands of the former Great Black Swamp, and in large cities, small towns and rural areas. He’s a student of ancient lore and mythology and a lover of cultural exploration, history and dialects. He writes fantasy, science fiction and romance.

Author Links:   Site    Blog    Facebook   Twitter




09 April 2014

Written Reckoning by A.L. Parker

SOR Written Reckoning VBT BannerGenre: Mystery 


 Twenty years ago, a mysterious infection gripped the entire world, turning ordinary people into vicious cannibals. Until now, the pain, anguish, fears and losses suffered have been kept concealed by those too broken to relive their terrible ordeal.

While trying to escape his home of Pittsburgh, which had succumbed to the infection, young writer, Matt Everett, documented his harrowing struggle to keep both himself and his friends alive, while traveling across the country in search of safety and answers.

He did all of this to both preserve his sanity and describe the awful truth about a time when humanity was almost wiped out, for any future generations that may somehow exist.

This is that story. This is the truth. This is the world’s ‘Written Reckoning’.


SORM excerpt

 I hit the top of the truck twice with my hand. “Just go!” I shouted back, still standing on the truck. There wasn’t time to get down.

Amber hit the gas as I kept shooting those nearest the truck, struggling to keep my balance while doing so. We weren’t moving very fast due to the abandoned cars surrounding us. Some of the Rots had caught up with us, we were that slow.

“Matt, look out!” I heard Danielle scream through the back window. I turned to see two Rots climbing onto the back of the truck to join me. I shot them before they could make it. They fell, still hanging over the truck, blood pouring from their heads. More of them were gaining on us, not that they had to move that fast. We were still surrounded by cars as we tried to get away.

I saw another Rot making its way onto the truck. I took aim but let out an exasperated shriek when, to my horror, the gun didn’t release a bullet, instead it just clicked; it was empty.

“Shit! Guys, I’m out of ammo!” I shouted.

But there was nothing they could do. If we stopped we’d be over-run in seconds.

“Just hang in there, Matt!” Darry yelled back.

That was much easier said than done. The Rot had made its way on board with me now.

“Crap!” I stood up, ready to fight it off. We locked arms as if it was a wrestling match and he tried to bring his bloodied mouth towards me, snapping his sordid teeth in anticipation. He was a strong fucker. He managed to push me over to the floor, which caused me to smash my arm against the side of the truck. I cried out as I felt the sharp edge slide into my skin.

I could hear the others screaming in fear for me from inside the truck. As soon as I was down, the Rot jumped on top of me, sensing an opportunity. I fought with everything I had to keep his mouth away from me, trying to punch and kick him off me. The truck had started speeding up now. We were out of the traffic but still not safe, the hordes of Rots were still chasing us. But for now, my only problem was getting this one off me.

Everything else faded from my concentration as the world around me ceased to exist. I reached around next to me for a weapon to use. All of the guns were inside the truck, but I felt around anyway, which meant I only had one free arm to keep him away from my face. As I kept searching with my hand, I felt a cold bar-like thing under my fingers and brought it up to the Rot’s head. I swung it towards him, missing a few times and even almost hitting myself. But on the next try, I got it right. I managed to hit him hard enough for him to roll off me, I quickly stood up.

He got back up and just kept coming for more. I pushed him against the edge of the truck, trying desperately to throw him off but I didn’t have enough strength. I could feel the blood making its way down my arm from my fresh wound.

Once the Rot noticed it, he began to go even crazier. Maybe he could smell the blood; making him want it even more. What a sight this would be for any passers-by, I thought. Man vs. Zombie on the back of a moving truck—just a bit of light entertainment.

At this point, we must have been far enough away from the rest of the Rots for Amber to feel it was safe to stop the truck. She put the brakes on hard, causing me to lose balance and fall over again. And again the Rot jumped on me, he wasn’t giving up. This time though, Joey and Darry were able to help. They got up on the truck with us and dragged the vicious thing off me, throwing it off the truck to the hard concrete road. As it stood up again, Darry aimed to shoot it. He shot it through the shoulder, not its head so it’s just kept going. Both he and Joey tried but couldn’t aim at its head properly.

Buy Link:  Amazon 


SORM About the Author


A.L. Parker is a writer and novelist just getting ready to release her first book, ‘Written Reckoning’. She has been published in Rock Sound magazine and on various music and gaming websites and currently writes for TrophiesonPSN.com. When not writing, Amy can be found listening to music too loud, watching hockey (LET’S GO PENS!) or playing video games. She also has a keen interest in horror, especially zombies and loves reading graphic novels and anything written by Hunter S.Thompson.



Author Links:   Site        Twitter





08 April 2014

The Wicked Bad by Karyn Gerrard

SOR The Wicked Bad VBT BannerNick Crocetti is an imposing figure in black leather riding his motorcycle about the town of Rockland. Owner of a bar, The Chief, whispers of criminal dealings and a murky past swirl around him. Dark and brooding, Nick is "the wicked bad" in looks and demeanor.



Veronica Barnes, leaving a husband from a disastrously quick Las Vegas marriage and her high-paying consulting job, returns home after ten years to follow a lifelong dream and open her own bakery.



Despite the mutual physical attraction - and a shared past - Nick and Veronica are wary of each other and have protective fences around their hearts.



Can they break down the barriers of past heartbreak, or is Veronica just a good girl who longs to rub against "the wicked bad"?

~Excerpt~


Veronica had to admit, she was having a nice time. She enjoyed sitting behind him on his bike as he raced up the highway. Her arms clung to his broad, muscular back and chest. Feeling the powerful bike vibrate under her and feeling Nick vibrate next to her was a total turn on. Touching and holding on to him sent such waves of pure, raw heat through her body. Though at first, she was scared to death. Before they left, Nick instructed her on how to be a passenger. Lean into the turns when he did and don’t clutch him too tightly. Veronica knew she shamelessly felt him all over as he drove. Nothing prepared her for the rush of excitement, not only being curled against all that male muscle, but the feeling of driving fast on the open road with the wind whipping around her body. She wished she could’ve taken the helmet off and let the wind take her hair skyward. The sensation was incredible, a real rush. She followed him toward the beach. The shoreline wasn’t very big, but private, as you couldn’t see the road or much else from their vantage point. Wonder how many other women he brought here, she thought cynically.



He spread the blanket and assisted her in sitting down. Again, the touch of his hand made her face flush as well as parts further south. Nick sat next to her with one leg bent and he rested his arm on the top of his knee. They sat quietly and gazed out over the water. The waves caressed the sand with a serene almost hypnotic sound.



“I saw you talking to that wuss, Jake Spooner, as I left the other day. I can imagine what he said about me,” Nick said in a voice so soft, she hardly recognized it as his.



Veronica cleared her throat uncomfortably.



Nick laughed. “I see. Go on, amuse me, what did he say?”



“Um, he said you were in prison—” she began.



“Jail. Not prison,” he retorted.



“There’s a difference?”



“You’ve got the cop for a brother, you tell me,” Nick snapped. He shook his head, more gently he said, “Sorry. It’s a touchy subject. City jail, for assault and destruction of property. Prison usually means a state or federal beef. Mine was local and a long time ago. I did my time and it’s over. I don’t like talking about it.”



“He called you a thug and said you deal drugs among other things.” She shouldn’t be telling him this, but the words tumbled out of her.



“Really? And still you went out with me? Are you some thrill seeker, one of those good girls eager to rub up against some wicked bad? Is that why you’re here? I’ll be as bad as you want, just say the word.”



Buy Links: Amazon     Barnes&Noble      ARe      Kobo      iTunes

~About the Author~
Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She wiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few best-sellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals are her favorite.



As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.



Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.



Author Links:   Site    Facebook   Twitter    Pinterest



 ~Giveaway~

 Karyn is giving away to a US winner a print copy of The Wicked Bad for an International winner an eCopy of the book.
For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.

07 April 2014

Free Book: The Legacy of the RedCape Women by Zerlina Valinski

FREE April 5th – 8th

When Tasia discovers her ancestry is tied to the mountains of North Carolina, she’s shocked but elated. Finally, she thinks she may have found what she’s missed all her life…family. Reaching her ancestral home however, leads her into the path of an Alpha shifter…and secrets some never want revealed.

Conal is the Alpha wolf, and the local law, still more than his interest is peaked when he sees the bedraggled woman sitting in his spot. He feels torn over leading her to her grandmother’s home…is this the beginning of their story? Or will the past destroy their future?


03 April 2014

The Witch and the Werewolf by Zerlina Valinski

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

 After a harrowing night Tasia Redcape runs frightened to the core from her family's mansion, right into the arms of the handsome werewolf, Conall McKnight.

As Alpha wolf, Conall knew almost right away Tasia was special. His instinctive reaction to her was powerful. With the pressure from his pack to find a mate and settle down can he ignore the desire he feels for the woman who has come...or will he find himself at the mercy of the witch in red?








SORM excerpt
Tasia froze, her heart racing. The whistle of the wind echoed in her head as she stared at the incredible sight before her.
A fierce wolf shifted in the darkness, eyes glowing. Flesh stretched over bones, twisting, turning, the joints cracking until a man stood before her.

She wanted to flee from him and the craziness of her situation, yet she remained fixed to the ground. He was mystical, magical…nothing could describe what she’d witnessed. “This whole night’s a dream. No, a nightmare.” She glanced up at him.

“It’s no dream. I’m very real.” His eyes glistened brighter as he took her hand. “Welcome to our mountain.”

“It can’t be real.” She shook her head. “I was chased from the mansion by a vile spirit, and into the clutches of a shape shifting wolf pack and their leader. You.” She pointed at him, her hand shaking. “Don’t tell me this isn’t a dream.” A shiver raced up her spine as she recalled the encounter. “I know I’m gonna wake up.”

“Tasia, you’re not dreaming.” He leaned down, warm lips brushing against her cheek. “I’m real.”

“So you’re Conall, the man I met at the diner? The sheriff?”

“Yes.” He nodded just as the clouds moved, allowing silver moonlight to penetrate the leafy canopy and illuminate the area, making him look even more surreal. He stood proud, the contours of his perfect physique emphasized by the wash of moonlight.

Tasia could barely look at him without blushing. She’d seen many naked men in her life, but this one was magnificent. “Perhaps we should get you some clothes." She suddenly had a hot flash, and hoped that her hood hid her thorough approval.

Conall looked at her. “I can tell you’re uncomfortable with my state of undress. I can shift back into my fur-covered self, if it would make you feel better?”

“No, that’s okay.” Out of the corner of her eye she admired how large he was all over. Even his flaccid penis was enormous.

“You’ll have to tell me more about what sent you fleeing from the mansion in such panic. The entire forest heard you coming. You sounded like…”

“The hounds of hell were after me.” She twisted her lips, making a silly face.

“I suppose it’s an appropriate analogy for what we heard, then saw as you rushed toward us.” He pushed a curl back from her face. “The hounds weren’t after you, but the wolves were waiting on you.” He chuckled. “Good thing we aren’t from hell.”

She looked directly into his eyes, surprised to see her reflection in his large, now dark, orbs. For some reason his gentle gestures made her want to cry. She stifled the urge. “Oh my.” Tasia touched her mouth. “I hope Bella’s okay. She slept through the whole thing. Unless she woke up when I left. ” She glanced around. “Bella!” she called out. “I hope she didn’t follow me out and get lost in this wilderness.”

Conall touched her arm. “She’s fine.” He took her hand. “We’ll find her. She’s probably still in the house waiting for you. Dogs don’t wander far from their masters."

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to lose her. She’s my best friend."

“Come on. My cabin isn’t far from here. You’ll have to tell me what Bella slept through when we get there. I’m very curious to know what sent you from the mansion.”

“We’re going to your cabin?”

“Yes. I’m taking you some place safe. I hear thunder again, and we’d best move or we’ll be soaked."

“You hear thunder? I don’t hear it.”

“I have good hearing. Now come on, let’s make haste before the storm gets to us.”

They walked for what seemed like at least a half an hour.

Goodness, this can’t be real. I can’t be walking beside a naked man who was a wolf…that doesn’t even sound real. She stopped. This is a figment of my overworked imagination. “None of this has really happened, right?”

“I can’t tell you about what sent you flying from the mansion. But I know I’m real, I guess the wolf’s out of the bag on that one.” He smiled widely at his play on words. “I’ll have to trust you with our secret. I think we can.” His expression grew serious.

“Of course. No one would believe me anyway. I’m glad you haven’t eaten me."

“I had a full dinner, remember? Was I on your mind so much you would dream of me?” He moved closer.

“Stop teasing me.”

“All right.” He tugged on her hand to move her along.

“I guess you were on my mind.”

“Come on, the rain is coming. I can smell it. We’re almost there.” He led her around a wide tree trunk. About a hundred feet ahead sat a two-story log cabin in a clearing. His black pickup truck was parked out front, and floodlights lit the yard and paved driveway. Compared to the old Victorian mansion she had inherited, his home appeared very simplistic. “Let’s run, we’ll make it to the porch in time.” Seconds after they stepped up on the porch, the rain arrived, pouring down.

“Wow,” she panted, “it was hard keeping up with you, but we just made it.”

“Yeah, timing’s everything.” He scooped up a pair of jeans which had been draped over the arm of a rocking chair.

Tasia looked away, taking in his comfortable cabin. Despite her efforts to appraise his home, she could not help but admire his powerful body. His cock was no longer flaccid, it stiffened up against his taut stomach. It struck her then: he knew she was appraising him. As soon as she noticed his awareness, Tasia strode to the edge of the porch to look out at the rain and forest instead.

“Do you want to go inside?” He asked from right behind her. His voice had a deep timbre, making her insides quake with nerves and desire. “Hey, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I often move silently.” He put a warm, comforting hand on her shoulder.

“It’s okay.” She shook her head.

He had all of his clothes on now. “Or would you like to sit out here for a few minutes? You can tell me what caused you to leave the Redcape mansion in such a hurry.”

Tasia turned her attention to the rain instead of answering. Droplets pattered the leaves, creating a symphony of sound. The woods were beautiful, a truly magical place. She knew someday she would love it here. This place was her home, she could feel it in her bones, and she was going to have to fight the monster who threatened her happiness. The monster, her grandfather, had been a stranger to her in life, and she didn’t need to know him dead either. Stay dead and stay away, you foul man. She inhaled deeply. The breeze relaxed her.

Conall stood next to her. He put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her against his warm body. “I’m sorry if I’m being too touchy. My people are affectionate when we like somebody."

“And when you don’t like somebody?”

“Well.” His eyes twinkled. “It depends. But, that’s why I have big teeth.” He grinned, showing his teeth. “And big claws.” He held up one of his hands, and it transformed instantly into a clawed paw.

She gasped.

“It makes it easier to eat you with, my dear.” He hugged her closer. “I’m kidding you, I hope you know.”

Tasia looked up at him. “Should I be running for my life?” Their eyes met.

“No, I’ll let you know if you need to. I’ll even give you a head start.”

“Thanks.” She looked down at her hands, then laughed. “It seems as if I’ve known you for years, even though I only met you a couple hours ago. I feel as if I’ve lived a whole lifetime since then.”

“It’s been five hours, actually.” He grinned. “And if you weren’t a Redcape, I’d say it was odd you’re not afraid of me. But, it’s in your blood to accept things which aren’t typical or easily explainable.”

“The mansion isn’t the Redcape mansion. From what I can tell, it’s very much Rayford Flemings’ home. And I’m having a crash course in what it is to be a Redcape woman. But why would that make me accept things better?”

“All magical beings accept these types of situations better, because you know innately within your soul what to believe.” He touched his chest, just over his heart.

“I’m not magical.” She shook her head.

“Really?” He raised his eyebrow. “Why don’t you tell me what sent you running from Rayford’s mansion?”

“When you left, I went to the room you said was prepared for me. There, my grandmother had left a note attached to this cape. She explained it was a gift, passed down through the family. I really like it.” Tasia caressed the velvet.

“I do, too. You make it look beautiful. ”He squeezed her close for a second.

“Thank you. I’ve never had such a lovely cloak. It’s all fascinating to me. This red cape has been in my family for so long.”

“I can understand. It must be hard to grow up not knowing who you are.”

“Yes, it is. I was so excited to find out about this place, it was like a dream come true to know I was part of a family.” She sniffed. “Anyway, I got into bed.” She moved her cape to show him her satiny nightgown.

“I noticed you were dressed for bed when you ran through the forest.” He grinned.

“Yes, I went to bed. Bella found a comfortable place on the floor and she was out. She didn’t even wake when I called to her, or when everything else happened. It was odd.”

“Interesting.” He rubbed her back in a soothing motion.

“I fell asleep. Then I woke to the sound of the piano playing. When I sat up in bed, the candles all flamed to life. I thought I was dreaming.” She shook her head. “And then I saw it. I saw it all. I felt it all. At least, what Rachel felt.”

“What?”

“I saw Rachel and Hunter. Rayford killed them both in that room. He tore out Hunter’s heart, then turned Rachel to ashes. Rayford look directly at me. He actually saw me. He told me to be gone from his house. He called me a whore, and said I’d lain with an animal, betraying him. He turned into more of monster, his face distorted into something hideous. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me.” She leaned her head against his chest. For several minutes, they stood there listening to the sounds of nature.

“So, you saw history play out for you?”

“I guess. But, Rayford saw me. He talked right to me.”

“I have no doubt. He was a warlock of great power. His anger allows him to haunt the place.”

“Did you know he was haunting the place?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Not really. Not like you describe. I’ve never encountered him, although, I’ve never spent the night there either. ”

“Hunter was your brother?”

“Yes.”

“He would have been a lot older than you, right?”

“Yes, he was older than me.”

“I’m not going to let Rayford scare me away. But I don’t want to stay there either. At least, not until I put him to rest somehow. I don’t care if he was a warlock of great power. He told Rachel much of his power had come from the Redcape women. So, there must be a way I can send him back to hell.” Her jaw was tight with fury. “Is there a place I can stay while I’m here working this all out?”

“Yes.”

“Where?” She looked up at him.

“Here.”

“With you?”

“You’re here tonight. I have an extra room.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“Do you want the truth?”

“Always.”

“You’re a beautiful woman. I like your company.”

“Are there any strings attached to me staying here?”

“Strings? Like cooking or cleaning for me? Or maybe having sex with me? Hmm, sounds tempting.” He watched her, then grinned.
  
Buy Links:  Crimson Frost Books    

SORM About the Author


I am Zerlina Valinski. I am weaver of tales of sensual erotic romance. My stories will take you to places you have never been. You will see fantastic places and people. I will tantalize you with stories of Weres, Shape shifters, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Imps, pagan gods and goddesses and more mystical creatures. I will invite you into their sensual worlds where they don't shy away from the carnal as humans do. They indulge their passion and they love without mortal confines of the human mind.

I invite you to partake in these sensual adventures. They will keep your interest.

The world is old and there are many beings here. Human's ignorance doesn't eliminate this reality. Humans are frozen in their ways, their beliefs. But not the creatures of old, they're fully aware of the hidden world around us. Come with me to meet them and see their domains. To live with them and to love with them.


 Author Links:  Site     Facebook    Twitter

02 April 2014

Forest Fires by Tara Mills

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cocky Charley Jensen doesn't mince words. She knows how to handle herself, doesn't shy away from hard work, loves tinkering with her pickup, and is far more comfortable with a tool belt hanging off her hips than an apron.  However, Charley's a failure at personal relationships, with more experience throwing punches and insults than her arms around someone.  She's way out of her comfort zone when she strays across a clean cut babe, emphasis on babe, stranded in the woods.  Her immediate cool and dismissive assessment of Drake Carver is entirely wrong - though correcting someone this opinionated isn't easy.

But don't let this biologist's Oxford shirt fool you.  Drake's tough, used to roughing it, and not afraid to be tested.  He's just never encountered a woman quite like Charley which, in his opinion, makes her ideal for his purposes.  Unfortunately, she's not easy to win over.  It will take an act of heroism to prove his mettle.  However, time is running out and theirs aren't the only sparks flying in the woods.

SORM excerpt



 Their eyes met and held. She couldn’t look away, even though she was worried she was silently spilling her secrets to him.

 Drake’s hand slipped behind her neck and drew them together. There was a sizzle, as sharp as a lightning strike when their lips finally touched.


 Charley sank into the kiss, drowning in a chaos of emotion and sensation, of longing and lingering fears, bone deep weariness and intense exhilaration. She felt like a fever patient in an ice bath.


 Drake’s fingers drove into her hair and gripped the back of her scalp as his mouth moved over hers. Impossibly hungry for more, Charley opened her lips and invited him in. A deep rumbling growl came at her as their tongues parried and danced.


 Clinging to his collar, Charley held on for dear life, using him as an anchor to keep from getting completely swept away by passion. The lights were slowly dimming in her brain when all of a sudden her sanity slapped her upside the head. Charley jerked back from the blow and shoved Drake away with wide-eyed alarm.


 “What are we doing? What are you doing?”


 “Is this a trick question?” He moved in on her again, his eyes dark with lust.


 She drew back, holding him off. “Stop that or I’m going to deck you. What about Heidi?”


 “What about her?” He leaned on the palm against his chest, stretching forward to kiss her again until Charley’s elbow began to quiver.


 “Ugh.” She looked at him in distaste. “I can’t believe you.”


 He eased back and smiled. “Charley, there is no me and Heidi. She’s just a friend. Besides, I’m not suicidal.”


 “Suicidal? What the hell does that mean?”


 He laughed. “I don’t want Tucker coming after me.”


 “Tucker? Tucker? What does Tucker have to do with anything?”


 “Plenty. They’re seeing each other. You didn’t know?”


 “How would I know? I never listen to the stupid gossips because they’re always wrong.”


 Drake smiled. “Heidi and Tucker are a couple.”


 She blinked at him, slowly processing this revelation. Then the fog cleared and she was able to focus on the more pressing matter.


 “You kissed me.”


 He shrugged. “You kissed me back.”


 “Are you going to hold that against me?”


 He laughed. “Honey, I’ve wanted to hold a lot more against you than that.”


 Charley’s mouth opened and closed, but she was at a loss for words.


 Smiling with amusement, Drake pinched her lips together and held them closed. “Just shut up for a minute, okay?”


 Her eyes narrowed, but she remained silent.


 “Charley, I like you. Don’t ask me why, but I do. I like your sassy take-no-guff attitude. I like that enormous chip on your shoulder. I love how independent you are and how you don’t need anything from anyone.”


He removed his fingers.


 “Not yet,” he warned her to keep quiet. “But needing is completely different from wanting. Believe me, I don’t need the grief, the insults, the misplaced condescension, and still I’ve wanted to kiss that smart mouth of yours since we met. I can’t explain it, but there it is.” Then he smiled. “You’re going to catch flies looking at me like that.”


 Charley covered her mouth and stared at him. “You wanted to kiss me?”


 “For some unknown reason, yeah, I’ve been dying to kiss you.” He gave her a long look. “Why’d you kiss me back?”


 “I don’t know.” Uncomfortable with the question, she looked away.


 “Liar.”


 Her eyes shot up and she scowled at him. For several beats, they quietly contemplated each other, unsure about their next move.


 Charley finally broke the silence. “Now what?”


 Drake grinned. “Pick up where we left off? I kinda liked it.”


 She cracked a smile. “It wasn’t bad, was it?”


 “Well?”


 “I suppose,” she said, trying not to sound too eager.


 Drake’s smile turned wicked and his eyes darkened as he moved in like a stalking wolf. She watched, fascinated by the change in him. The intriguing intensity left her trembling as he slid his arm behind her and lowered her to the cool stone. Where did she ever get the idea Drake was too tame for her tastes?

Buy Links:   Crimson Frost Books    Amazon



SORM About the Author





I write stories I like to read--contemporary romances with identifiable characters and themes. Life is hard. Love makes it bearable. If you enjoy stories with heat and humor, I have a title for you.


I'm a pampered wife, lucky mom to three amazing sons and one wonderful daughter-in-law, and I recently became a very young grandma. I should probably underline the word very. Oh heck, why not the word young too? Nah, you get the picture. I'm also the daily monitor of one naughty dog with attitude.

Author Links:  Site      Facebook       Twitter



SORM Giveaway
Tara will be giving away any eBook of her backlist to one lucky winner.
For a chance to win please fill out the Rafflecopter below.






Caution: Filling is Hot by Tara Mills

SOR Caution Filling is Hot VBT BannerGenre: Romance 

Some men should come with a warning.

Here's a recipe to share with friends. Take one prickly demonstration cook, handle carefully. Add one lonely widower, slightly beaten. Mix gently. Fold in two six-year-olds, one at a time to temper the batter and avoid scrambling. Then finally, add the mother with an agenda—but just a dash, because she's spicy. Whip into stiff peaks then spread over an ungreased sheet for best results. Method of cooking can vary, however—Caution: Filling is Hot.

Piper Frost is taking a break from men when contractor Chad Thomas crashes her cooking class and turns on the charm. His persistence annoys her but she's already melting, even without his sneaky mother and conspiring twins in the mix. But just when things are really starting to sizzle, disaster strikes. Can Piper save her recipe for happily ever after or is it already ruined? Grab your oven mitts and find out.

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and mild language

Note: This book has been previously published.



SORM excerpt


Time moved sluggishly while Piper and Chad sipped wine, their eyes locked. The space between them felt weighted. As it collapsed into itself, it drew them in too, until they were so close their breath mingled. The faint smell of the crisp wine seemed to be the only thing resistant to the pull. Piper's lashes drooped, suddenly heavy. Just when she felt the barest tickle of his lips on hers a sound as loud as a bowling ball crashing down the stairs jolted them both back to reality. They sprang guiltily apart right before Kenny stormed into the room.

"Missy's not out yet!"

Chad looked at Piper with a mixture of disappointment and apology. "Will you excuse me a second?"

"Sure."

When Chad walked back through the archway a few minutes later the pleasure Piper felt was so intense it terrified her. Shaken, she downed the last of her wine and bolted to her feet, setting the empty glass on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry, but I really need to get going. My work schedule is changing and I've got an early day tomorrow," she said in a rush, practically stumbling over her excuses.

He looked disappointed, but didn't argue. "Okay. I'll get your purse."

She followed him back to the kitchen and waited impatiently while he pulled it out of the drawer. Handing it over, Chad followed Piper back down the hall to the foyer. She wanted nothing more at that particular moment than to put some distance between them, fast, before it was too late.

Her pulse quickened when she realized his intentions. "You don't have to walk me out."

"Of course I do," he said. She could see there was no discouraging him.

They reached her car and Piper moved to open her door, but Chad's palm landed flat against the window, holding it closed. Startled, she faced him, acutely aware of just how close he was to her.

"Listen, I should have thanked you for tonight. I had a nice time." Piper's lame attempt at defusing the tension was obvious.

Chad nodded, his heavenly eyes considering her thoughtfully.

Nervous perspiration started to trickle from her pores. "And you have two really great kids. Say goodnight for me, would you?"

He nodded again. "Why are you running, Piper?" His voice was so soft, so low it was almost a whisper. He leaned closer, forcing her to look up at him.

Her eyes darted to the right when she tried to deny it. "I'm not."

"Oh, that was convincing." He chuckled. "Can we cut the bullshit? You do something to me. Clearly, I'm affecting you. I think we owe it to ourselves to explore it—together."

Piper couldn't formulate a single coherent thought when he was practically touching her, crowding her like this. Chad was much too close, too warm. Way too appealing. The intoxicating smell of him insinuated itself into her nose like a drug and pumped her already careening blood flow even faster through her body.

His control astounded her. There she was, practically firing flames from her fingertips, and he was the definition of cool. She held her breath when he slowly tipped her chin up then lowered his mouth to hers. Piper found herself responding, unable to do anything else. When he eased back his eyes held hers, a captured thing. She only had enough time for one quick intake of air before he dove again and swallowed the breath right out of her.

This kiss was harder, more demanding, and Piper rode the curve of the car like a chamois cloth as he bent her backward. Chad's body molded itself to hers, pressed tight while his fingers combed through her hair. When he finally moved back, he brought Piper with him, returning her to an upright position. Her legs buckled.

"Whoa there," he said, catching her.

He pulled her door open and Piper dropped weakly onto the seat and stared up at him with dazed eyes.

"Where are your keys?" Chad's question barely penetrated her mental fog.

Piper pulled them from her purse and started the engine.

Chad watched her, concern etched on his face. "Hey, are you going to be okay?"

She nodded, completely rattled and not entirely sure what he just asked.

"Open your window. I think you need the air." He smiled and closed the door for her.

Piper lowered the glass and looked up at him, her fog of confusion beginning to clear.

He leaned in. "Be safe. I'll call you."

"Okay," she mumbled.

Piper stared in confusion at her steering wheel. She'd lost her marbles! Where the hell was she going again? Oh right, home, she needed to get home. She hoped she could find her way back from here. She couldn't believe how he'd completely rearranged her gray matter with a kiss.

Buy Links:  Beachwalk Press    Amazon     Barnes & Noble   

SORM About the Author


I write stories I like to read--contemporary romances with identifiable characters and themes. Life is hard. Love makes it bearable. If you enjoy stories with heat and humor, I have a title for you.

I'm a pampered wife, lucky mom to three amazing sons and one wonderful daughter-in-law, and I recently became a very young grandma. I should probably underline the word very. Oh heck, why not the word young too? Nah, you get the picture. I'm also the daily monitor of one naughty dog with attitude.

Author Links:  Site      Facebook       Twitter



SORM Giveaway



Tara is giving away to a lucky winner any eBook of her backlist!
For a chance to win just fill out the rafflecopter below.