Sacking Austin by Lori Beth Johnson

Genre: Romance

Recently divorced pro quarterback Austin Cook isn't looking for love. After finding his serial-cheating wife in the arms of his biggest on-field rival, Austin vows to never trust a woman again. From now on, all relationships will be on his terms. Yet, when he meets a mysterious artist unlike any woman he has ever known, he finds himself forgetting about the past and living in the moment.

Tara Lee had only been looking for new brushes when she visits the art supply shop, but when she runs into the tall, dark, and delicious football star she can't deny the immediate attraction. Sparks fly over small talk, and she knows she's in trouble. When a one-night stand turns into so much more, Tara is torn. If Austin knew the truth about who she is, he'd never want her. Should she deny her feelings and walk away, or take the chance and risk her heart?"





Excerpt:

“I had a good time tonight,” Austin said as they walked to her building. She maintained a two-story town home in an older neighborhood that attracted an eclectic group of residents. Artists, musicians, and writers were everywhere, but also many young urban executives had moved into the area.

She leaned back against the front of her door. “You wanna come in?” Her eyes flashed. “For coffee?”

One side of his mouth raised and he inched toward her placing his hands on either side of her head, resting them flat against the wood. “Coffee, huh?”

“You like it hot, don’t you?"

Even though he had been on the sidelines, Austin still understood how to play this game. “Girl,” he said, his southern drawl more pronounced as he moved even closer. “You are driving me crazy.”

She let out a moan as he pressed against her, the large expanse of his upper abs skimming against her breasts. She snaked a hand onto his neck. “You aren’t my type,” she whispered as his lips neared hers.
“You aren’t mine, either.” Before Austin could seal the kiss, Tara had turned and slid the key into the doorknob.

“Come on,” she said, taking his hand. “Get in here.”



   Buy Link:   Amazon

If Lori Beth had to choose one word to describe herself, it would be dreamer. Beginning with the daydreams of her youth, she has spent her life spinning stories of love and family. After spending many years on a winding career path that began in retail management and included three-fun years teaching middle school English, Lori Beth decided to get serious with this thing called writing. She now works part-time in higher education student services so that she can devote as much time as possible to her craft.

Lori Beth has a B.S. in Elementary Education and is ever so slowly pursuing a M.A. in European History. She is a fervent believer in lifelong learning that can, but doesn't have to, include formal education. Music is her muse, books are her passion, and she is an avid sports fan. Go Colts! Go Reds!

Family, friendships, and social issues are central to her character-driven stories. Sometimes steamy, sometimes sweet, and often set in small towns, her tales will surely find a way into your heart.

Lori Beth and her husband reside in southern Indiana and have three children: two sons in college and one daughter in high school.

  Author Links:    Site      Facebook 

Eve's Thieves by Mac Rome

Genre: Mystery, Horror


A group of women have been the victims of some unusual thefts. They have had, not items, but aspects of their physical being, such as their heights, builds and youth stolen via dark magic. To stop the thieves and restore themselves, they band together to defeat the loose confederation known as Eve's Thieves. To do it, they must battle an ancient evil, deal with betrayal … and face the darkness within themselves. But they soon find that little is as it seems. Can they trust anyone -- even each other? Who is the leader of the group known as Eve’s Thieves? What will it take to stop her … and will any of them survive to do it?







Excerpt:

Nevaeh was checking online for jobs, now that she was again able to enter the work force, when her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the number, something she’d gotten in the habit of doing lately. There was one frequent caller whose calls she no longer was taking. But she didn’t recognize this number, and there was no caller ID display, so she answered. “Hello.”

“Hello, Nevaeh? This is Linda Younger,” said the familiar voice from the phone.

“For someone named Linda Younger, you sure sound like Wynda Dancer,” Nevaeh replied flatly. “How are you, Wynda?”

“OK, I guess. And you?”

“Fine.” There was an awkward pause before Wynda said, “Peri tells me you’re not answering her calls or texts — or anyone else's from the team, for that matter.”

“What team?” Nevaeh said. “There is no team. There’s only Peri and whatever version of her plan is left now. And apparently that plan involves keeping secrets within the ‘team.’”

“I know,” said Wynda. “But lives depend on it, including yours.”

“And Lilka’s?”

“And Lilka’s,” Wynda said, swallowing hard.

“Well, I don’t know how much she wants her life saved right now,” Nevaeh said. “I don’t know if she’s going to make it as it is.”

Wynda’s heart sank. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “How is she?”

“What do you care? You’re dead, remember?”

“Nevaeh!” Wynda shouted. “What’s wrong with Lilka?”

There was a second’s pause before Nevaeh said, “You sent her some flowers just before you ‘died?’”
“Yes,” Wynda said. “I needed to tell her, ‘I love you,’ and to try to encourage her to stay with it. I tried to tell her what was going on without telling her what was going on.”

“Well, from what Maryska has texted me — she’s the one person in the ‘group’ whose texts I’ve been reading, by the way — Lilka is in deep grief, and her mind seems to have gone a bit over the edge. She does nothing but sit in the apartment with the lights out and the curtains shut, listening to 3 Doors Down and Chicago —”

“But she hates those bands,” said Wynda. “Those are my fa— Oh.”

“Yeah,” Nevaeh said. “She spends all day listening to your music. She’s taken to wearing only black, and only outfits that have a pocket over the left breast so she can keep your note over her heart. She even pins it to her nightie so she has it there overnight.”

“But she sleeps in the buff,” Wynda said.

“Not anymore,” Nevaeh said. “Not if it means being separated from the last she has of you. The only other thing she does is call Peri a couple of times a day, asking when the next mission will be. It seems to be the only thing she looks forward to.”

“Oh, God, I wish I could tell her,” Wynda said.

“Then why don’t you?” What’s the big secret? Why are you hiding this from people, and especially the woman you love? I mean, look, I don’t get this whole ‘gay’ thing, but from what I saw before, you two really loved each other.”

“Love each other,” Wynda corrected.

“Well, you’ve got a funny way of showing it,” Nevaeh said. “And, assuming we all survive this, how do you think Lilka’s going to feel when she finds out the truth? Will she forgive you that easily? Will your love be undamaged? Will it even survive at all? She’s wounded pretty deeply, in some of the worst grief I’ve ever seen. How will she react when she finds out the hell she’s being put through was all a lie?”

Quietly, Wynda asked, “Is anyone with her?”

“Maryska’s staying with her. I don’t think Lilka’d buy any food or pay the bills at this point if someone wasn’t staying there. Maryska’s sleeping on the sofa. Lilka goes to the bedroom at night and hugs your pillow — the one you used as a bed when you were shrunken — to smell your scent on it so she can go to sleep with a little bit of you.”

Wynda’s lip quivered as she asked, “Why aren’t you talking to anybody, Nevaeh?”

“I promised Peri I’d keep your secret,” Nevaeh said. “With the way I feel, the only way I can do that is to not make contact. And, until this stupidity is over, I want nothing to do with Peri. This plan is putting Lilka through hell, and I can’t believe you’re a willing part of it.”

“Look, we really need you for the next take-down,” Wynda said.

“Well, you’ll have to do it without me. I’m out of the team until you stop putting Lilka through this nightmare. Oh, and ‘Linda?’ I don’t want to talk to you again. When Wynda Dancer is available, I’ll talk with her. Until then, goodbye.” Nevaeh hung up without giving Wynda a chance to reply.

Wynda sighed. She looked over at Peri, who had listened in on Wynda’s side of the conversation. “Well, that could have gone better,” the former Olympian said to the detective.

“Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Why are we doing this again?” Wynda asked.

“You already know,” Peri said. “Whoever the mole is, she’s feeding our battle plans to Eve’s Thieves, directly or indirectly. My source says it’s direct. We need a strategy they won’t see coming. They think you’re dead.”


Buy Link:  Amazon 

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 

Razel Dazzle by Elizabeth Morgan

Genre: Romance

A modern twist on a long haired tale....

Will she let down her hair for the man of her fantasies?

Famous for her long, golden hair and beaming smile, Razel D’Punz is the hottest model in the industry. But although most women would kill to get ahead in this profession, Razel lives an isolated life; one she has learnt to accept...until she meets Matthew Prince, a new photographer in the business.

Refusing to let her mother/agent’s strict rules stop her from spending time with the man of her fantasies, Razel quickly discovers that one night with Matthew isn’t enough....

And neither is the life she is chained to. Something will have to change if she is ever to get her very own Happily Ever After.

Excerpt:

They were two beautiful people. Both strong and healthy, exactly what she was looking for.

The male was at least six foot, slender, but his body was firm. His light brown hair was slicked back, making his jaw-line and chiseled cheekbones more defined. His eyes were firmly fixed on his partner as they attempted the triple spin.

The female—such a petite thing with snow-white skin and a dazzling set of white teeth. Her blue eyes shone as she gazed up at him from a slanted dip. Her golden hair was tied up with stray curls hanging around her face.

Such a beautiful couple. They will do perfectly. She waited for the show to end.

*****

Gabriella stood in front of the dressing room door. The small copper star resting against the worn wood had lost its gleam; the scratched metal had seen better days. She moved her attention to the two sheets of paper pinned below it, one reading: Robert Burton; the other: Nina Hewson. The dancing couple from Arizona. A couple whose lives were about to change.

She knocked sharply upon the door, which opened immediately, bringing her eye to eye with the polite, green-blue gaze of Robert.

“May I help you?”

“You may indeed.” She walked past him into the small room.

The dressing room, like the rest of the broken-down theater, wasn’t anything special. The general necessities were there; a mirror, vanity table, railing for costumes, and two chairs that looked like they had been stolen from a high school classroom. And from what she could guess, the hideous, moth-eaten red fabric hanging from the wall toward the end of the small space was the door to the restroom. The faded floral wallpaper peeled in many places, and the room stank of sweat and cheap perfume. Her nose wriggled almost uncontrollably as the rancid smell swamped her. At the sound of the door shutting, she turned and focused her attention on Nina, who was standing and pulling her faded, pink silk robe shut.

She drank their beauty in almost hungrily, reminding herself why she was in the hellhole of a theatre in the first place. Robert moved and stood beside Nina, who had folded her arms across her chest.

Happy with her choice, Gabriella dusted one of the chairs and sat, making herself as comfortable as possible. This was the last place in the world she would ever choose to be, but for her plan to work, she would need working class people. Individuals hungry enough for fame and fortune that they would sell their souls to the devil himself just for a taste. Who could be more famished than a struggling performer; or in this case, a couple of performers?

So she’d had to drag herself downtown, forced to sit for two hours in the dump that somebody had a nerve to call a theater. No one in their right mind who cared about their career or their bodies would even consider what she was about to propose, but the information she had found on these two loved-up dreamers was enough to assure her that her money would be welcomed, even if it took quite a bit of persuading. And she was, after all, very good at persuading.

She placed her red purse on her knee and folded her hands. “May I just begin by saying that you are both simply marvelous dancers?” Her fake and flattering smile slid into place, and satisfaction stirred inside her as the compliment sank in.

Nina blushed as Robert nodded.

“Why, thank you.” His broad smile fluttered across his lips. “What can we do for you, miss?”

“I was wondering if you would like to make some extra money.”

They glanced at each other.

“I was thinking along the lines of ten thousand. How does that suit you?”

Excitement sparked in their eyes. She could see the slight twitches running through their bodies at the offer, and she imagined they either wanted to embrace each other in sheer delight or fall at her feet and kiss her Prada shoes.

Nina beamed. “We would be very interested.”

“Yes,” Robert agreed, although hesitation quivered in his words. “But firstly, who are you?”

“My name is Gabriella D’Punz. I am—”

“Gabriella D’Punz, the founder of Ivory Tower Modeling Agency?” Nina dropped her arms to her side and took a step forward.

Gabriella cleared her throat and purged the surge of irritation that pulsed through her at the girl’s interruption. “That is right, my dear.”

“We accept.”

She fought the slight urge to smile at Nina’s conclusion. “You do not even know what I am proposing.”

Naturally, the girl would presume they were being offered a contract for modeling; why else would a modeling agent come to see them?

“But surely there is only one reason you would want to see us—”

“I’m afraid you have mistaken me, my dear.” Nina’s brow creased under her words. “Or should I say you jumped to conclusions. I am Gabriella D’Punz, founder and agent of Ivory Tower, but I have not come here to offer either of you a modeling contract.”

“But—”

“Although you are both beautiful—I openly admit it—and you are at a reasonable modeling quality, well, you are such wonderful dancers. That is where your hearts are, and I wouldn’t dare drag you away from that passion.”

“Then what do you want?” Nina asked, slumping down in the chair facing Gabriella.

“I want a child.” She paused as their eyebrows dipped in uncertainty to where this conversation was heading. “You see, my husband is growing old, and I am unable to have children….”

“I…I’m sorry to hear that, but what has this got to do with us?” Robert asked.

“Well, I was wondering if you could help me.”

Nina lifted her shoulders, her eyes widened a fraction. “How exactly?”

Gabriella’s focus shifted to Robert; a small smile curled her lips as realization blossomed over his face.

“Haven’t you heard of adoption?”

“Yes. But I want a surrogate mother and in all honesty, I have had my eyes on you,”—she rested her gaze on Nina—“my dear, for quite some time.”

Nina shifted in her seat. “What do you mean?”

“I want you to be my surrogate.”

“What? No.” She shook her head. “No, I won’t do that.”

Robert stepped forward. “Why her? What do you mean; you’ve had your eyes on her?”

“I saw a show of yours a year ago. I became interested in you. You’re both beautiful and in good health. From what I have learned of your education, you are both decently smart. All the qualities I need in a child. I have considered adoption for years, but I never found a child I liked.”

Nina’s eyes grew bigger. “What, you…you’ve been spying on us?”

“No, not spying. I just have an interest. I also have an interest in your career. You’re not making very much money. You have no home. You’re living out of Motels, travelling up and down the country—”

“How dare you!” Robert thundered. “How dare you come in here and…and poke your nose in to our business, to ask—”

“There’s no need to get hysterical.”

“No need? I...I...Get out! I want you out!”

Gabriella sighed. “I see you are going to make this difficult. So, let’s just get down to it, shall we? How much money do you want?”

“What? This isn’t about money,” Robert snapped.

“Nonsense, everything is about money.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her silver cigarette pouch. “Everyone has a price. So name it.”

“No. This isn’t about money. This is about a complete stranger waltzing into our dressing room demanding a baby from us!”

“I have not demanded anything from you. Please keep calm.” She placed a cigarette in her mouth and put the pouch back in her purse.

“I will not! You have no right! No right to ask this! No right to go digging around in our private business!”

“I was not digging, and more to the point, I am offering you fifteen thousand dollars to have a child for me; for a woman who is unable to have children.” Gabriella pulled her lighter from her purse and lit the end of her cigarette.

“And that’s our problem?”

“I do not see what the problem is.”

“You wouldn’t, would you? You strut in here with your expensive clothes thinking you can buy people. Thinking you can buy a baby?” Robert's face grew redder with each word.

“Why did you choose us?” Nina’s voice was soft, tentative.

Removing the cigarette from between her lips, she blew out a cloud of smoke. “Because with your looks,—” Gabriella’s lips twisted into a smile “—you would give birth to a supermodel.”

“You’re disgusting,” Robert replied through clenched teeth. “Get out!”

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I get a child, and you get money.” She slipped the lighter back into her purse. “Money that you are both in need of.”

“Get out.” Nina stood up. Her hands balled into the material of her robe. “Please, get out.”

“Are you sure you want to turn this offer down?” She kept her attention on Nina as she stood. “Twenty thousand can really come in useful.”

Robert walked to the door and opened it. “Your money isn’t welcome here.”

She laughed, and glanced in his direction. “My money is welcome everywhere.”

“Get out.”

“Why are you so insulted?” She tucked her purse under her arm. “I am offering you twenty thousand dollars to have sex and get pregnant. Once you are pregnant, you will stay in my home as guests. My doctor will see you, take care of you, and then when it is time, he will deliver the baby. As soon as you are well, you may leave. You may leave twenty thousand dollars richer than you are at this very moment. You can get on with your lives, fulfill your dreams. Tell me what is so disagreeable?”

“You want me to get pregnant and sell my baby to you for twenty thousand dollars?” Lines creased Nina’s forehead.

“Yes.”

“No! It’s wrong.”

Gabriella shrugged. “Who said it is wrong?”

Nina shook her head. “I won’t do that.”

“Not even for twenty-five thousand dollars?” Gabriella quirked her right eyebrow. “How much do you want?”

“Get out!” Robert demanded once more.

“Fine.” She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small ivory card, which she placed on the vanity table beside Nina. “Call me when you realize this is the best offer you will receive in your lifetime.” She walked past Robert and out the door, turning right toward the fire exit.

Gabriella heard the door slam shut as she took another drag of her cigarette. Then the shouting began. She pushed the fire exit open as her smile spread to her ears.


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Elizabeth started life wanting to be an actress because she loved entertaining people. She enjoyed nothing more than being able to make people laugh and to help distract them from reality for a few hours.

She studied Musical Theatre in college, but during her second year, her mind started to overflow with story ideas, so she began writing plays. Slowly, over the following three years, she wrote more and more, channeling every ounce of her imagination into the written word.

And now, here she is, years later, hiding away like a hermit in her little cottage in Cheshire, England, writing like crazy and loving every minute of it.

Author Links:  Site   Blog    Twitter    Facebook 

Elizabeth is giving away five ebook - copies of the Razel Dazzle and ten swag packs during her tour.

For a chance to win just fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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Lacey Wolfe's Hot Bods Series

Fool Me Once

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Drew is the last person Skylar wanted to see across from her at a local bar. A month ago he'd wined and dined her all weekend, leaving her feeling fully in love, but then she awoke alone in an empty hotel room and she hadn't heard from him since.

The weekend Drew spent with Skylar was phenomenal. There had never been anyone who made him feel as complete as she did. He shouldn't have disappeared, he should have called, but his feelings for her scared him, so he distanced himself. But when he saw her again, he knew he couldn't stay away any longer.

Skylar's determined not to give Drew another chance to hurt her, but he's just as determined to win her back. Although it won't be easy, he's up to the challenge, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal.

Fool Me Once is on Sale for $.99 in the month of December!

Buy Links:   Beachwalk Press    Amazon      Barnes & Noble         All Romance eBooks

More Than Useful

Can she settle for just a little fun?

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning Adam stops by Amy's bakery for one of her delicious muffins…and a little flirting. When he finally asks her out, Amy is thrilled.

Adam informs her from the beginning that he isn't looking for anything serious. Just a little fun. Amy agrees, even though she isn't entirely sure that's what she wants.

She does her best to play it cool, but Adam is sending so many mixed signals he's confusing her, which she finds incredibly frustrating.

Adam is terrified by the feelings he's developing for Amy. It would be so much easier if he just backed away from her. Then there's his sister, who is insisting that Amy is not the right girl for him.

Will Adam be able to figure out what his heart desires before it's too late and he loses his chance at true happiness?

Content Warning: explicit sex


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Accidental Love

Has Jane accidentally fallen for the decoy?


Sometimes there is only one thing to do when you get dumped—make the ex jealous with someone new. Which is exactly what Jane plans to do with Ben, an older, handsome man who has agreed to act as her new love interest.

When Ben meets Toby, Jane's unruly dog, he offers to help her train him. But as Ben helps Jane gain control of her dog, he realizes he's lost control of his feelings, and he's beginning to fall for the much younger woman.

Suddenly, Jane can't seem to remember what she ever saw in her ex. All she can focus on is the way Ben makes her feel each time he kisses her. But now the ex has decided he wants her back, and he's willing to play dirty to make it happen.

Content Warning: Explicit sex



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Opposites Attract

Francesca thought she knew what she wanted in life until one stormy night when she got a blast from the past.

When Randy receives a call at his auto shop one night from a woman whose car has broken down and needs a tow, he never imagined he'd be coming face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Randy has never loved a woman the way he loved Francesca, but she broke his heart, claiming he could never provide the life she was determined to have. That was years ago, but he's still bitter about the way she tossed him aside.

Seeing Randy again, Francesca realizes what a mistake it was to breakup with him. She'd like to try to rekindle the old flame, and she can tell he's still attracted to her too, but every time they're together, all they do is argue. Can she convince Randy she isn't the girl he remembers and that she can settle for love even if it comes without money?

Content Warning: explicit sex



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Watch the Trailer:

Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.

Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

Author Links:    Her Site      Twitter    Facebook

 

A Bar in Paris by Imogene Nix

Genre: Romance

Turning 30? All alone? A commitment-free weekend in Paris should help…shouldn't it?

What does a single woman do when she's turning thirty? She takes a weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or that's what Davina Chandler does, anyway.

Enter Johnathon, a tall, charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his magnetism and that sexy dimple?

What starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more, but can one weekend turn into a lifetime? And will a lie of omission bring everything into jeopardy?

Excerpt: 

The waiter smiled and I sighed. "Time to go." As I prepared to rise, gripping my bag in my hand, the bell above the door rang and I watched with interest as the sexiest man I'd ever seen entered. The cool blonde on his arm was scowling and he pried her fingers from his arm then walked away. For a moment, she wobbled on her stilettos before she sneered in her super chic French way only they can pull off and stalked out the door. It slammed so hard the panes of glass shuddered.

The man scowled, but to be honest, it didn't hurt at all. He was tall and well built. Blond hair with gray eyes.

My mind screamed that this man could probably satisfy my needs. He didn't appear even slightly inebriated and he was obviously single now, if that little carry-on was to go by. Perhaps this was my chance? I smoothed down my black dress, making sure my cleavage was just peeking out, then I sucked in a deep, deep breath and stood, hoping to catch his eye.

I watched the man stalk to the bar and order in perfect English-accented French. "Une bière, s'il vous plait."

My toes curled at his voice and the waiter hurried to do his bidding. Mr. Sexy's voice was cultured and deep. I like voices, particularly men's voices. They can make me go gooey at the knees, and this one warmed my insides to the consistency of thick, warm honey. And I knew he was the one I wanted to be with all night long.

The server handed over a bottle of beer and a glass, but Mr. Sexy looked at the bottle, grimaced, and then took a long pull.

The other men at the bar started talking in low voices, putting aside newspapers. They paid their money and left. I didn't want to think it was because of the dangerous aura surrounding the man. It was, after all, three in the morning. No, there had to be something else. But I was sure it wasn't the time to ask these questions.

The small bar was quiet now as I was waiting alone with the mystery man. The waiter disappeared to the back. Obviously, with only two patrons left, he could do other things.

I sucked in my confidence, folded it around me like a coat, and approached the man. "Hi. Mind if I join you?"

He grinned and gestured to the seat beside him. I slipped onto the small stool, perched uncertainly. Then I wiggled my bum a little, thrust out my chest, and gave him my very best come-on smile.

"Looking for a hook up, are you?" His voice caused a curl of heat to gather deep inside me.

I nodded slowly. Better to be honest from the start, I thought. I didn't have time to say a word. The next thing I knew, he had me thrust against the bar, his lips on mine and his tongue halfway down my throat. But man, what a tongue it was.

He played me like a violin until he lifted his head, casting a wicked smile in my direction. "Your hotel or mine?"

"Umm, yours." Right now, I felt the rosy glow of arousal roaring through me. Sexy and quick to catch on. Yep, I was sure this guy was a winner.

Buy Link:   Beachwalk Press      Amazon      Barnes & Noble 

Imogene is a mother of two, compulsive reader, and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cats, guinea pigs, and chooks. She has a particular fondness for vampires, star ship captains, and things that go bump in the night (especially vampire types).

Imogene has tried many varied roles in her working life including kindergarten assistant, teacher, principal, and kindergarten and child care director, but rates owning a bookstore and writing her own novels as the absolute highlight.

In her mother and wife alter ego, she has travelled widely and lived in some very unique places including Far Western Queensland, Cape York, and even Tasmania. She loves to travel and rates China and Hong Kong among her favorite destinations.

She blames Star Trek Voyager, Firefly, and the works of Alexander Kent for her interest in naval activities and later space fleet interest.

Author Links:    Site     Facebook    Blog    Twitter

Imogene is giving away to two lucky winners a choice of a digital copy of A Bar in Paris or The Plan.

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Counter Balance by Patricia Bates

Genre: Romance

A woman with secrets. A man with honor. Can love survive?

When an unknown foe kidnaps Alex Caden, her rescue comes at the hands of an elite Navy SEAL team. But there are secrets that will keep those who want her dead on her trail.

Slade Lake has dedicated his life to keeping civilians safe. When he saves Alex, he knows as soon as he sees her that they're meant to be together. With killers dogging their every step and secrets unfolding can they find love or will the enemies from the shadows destroy everything?







Excerpt:


Slade clicked his communicator, his steps confident as the team eased through the opening in the gate to blend into the shadows of the interior of the estate. Hunkered down behind a massive four-wheeler, Slade spread out on his belly, his gaze sweeping the courtyard.

Men huddled around barrels, fire lapping at the cold air. Several men shifted, their attention on a nondescript shed half-hidden beyond a stack of straw bales. Dogs lunged at the ends of their chains, their fury evident in the howls and roars of captivity.

Slade slapped the shoulder of the nearest man and pointed. Out of four buildings only one was guarded. Six heavily armed men stood at the door. "Our target's there."

"You sure?"

"Can you think of any reason to have six men guarding a tool shed?" Slade shook his head. "I can. Something or someone is there…and my guess is it's the target."

"We're right behind you."

Slade ran from the cover of the four-wheeler toward the shed. Bent over, he darted between barrels and vehicles, keeping his rifle pressed against his side. Sliding on ice, Slade hugged the shed. From his position, he could easily see his men. A quick nod and he pulled the sidearm from its holster.

"Hell, this is nuts," Slade muttered and leaned to the side. His gaze swept the front of the building.

Two men stood together, their attention on the cigarettes in their hands, weapons looped casually over their shoulders. The other four scanned their surroundings, eyes peeled for danger. This is going to be hairy.

A flash of red on the neck of one of them drew his attention. Whipping his head around, Slade scanned the yard. A glint of light from atop a truck revealed Smoke's position. Across the courtyard, several men fell, sending those surrounding them racing for weapons.

Slade gave a slow nod. "Time to dance."

Ten seconds later one of the guards dropped to the ground, red spurting from a severed jugular. Seeing their comrades go down, the compound lit up.

"Damn!" Slade grunted as he watched two more men race from the building, weapons drawn. The door slammed shut behind them, the last turning to click something into place.

"Keep your head down, Danny-boy," Pyke's voice filled Slade's ear before his radio fell silent.

Darting past the remaining guards, Slade headed for the door, the firefight heating up around him. Aiming from the hip, he shot two before he reached the door. "Mother…" With a well placed bullet, the lock shattered. Jerking the door open, Slade ducked on his way in, the pistol a welcomed weight in his palm.

One foot in front of the other he inched into the dark, his gaze darting through the faint beams of light. He stumbled, his gaze locked on movement in the shadows. He assessed the curled figure—long, toned legs flowed into the trim body of a woman. A delicate white lace bra and matching panties provided her only protection from the elements. She shifted, gathering her feet beneath her. His eyes narrowed and rage flared as he caught the ugly, red lines along the soles of her feet. A whimper escaped her, and he glanced at her face.

Slade felt his heart drop. Golden eyes, surrounded by thick, pale lashes, glared at him. An ugly bruise trailed along one side of her face. Blood oozed from a wound on her right shoulder, staining her bra and flesh with deep crimson streaks.

If this was their target, he was in deep shit.


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Reading has been such a large part of my life. I cut my literary teeth on such authors as Louis L'Amour, Nora Roberts and Janet Dailey. For me it wasn't such a jump from reading the wonderful tales these authors spun to imagining my own.

Soon I was writing poetry, short stories and by junior high I'd written my first full length romance novel. Since then I've taken my love of history and my passion for writing and combined them into what I hope will continue to prove a successful career.

With six books contracted, four of which are currently available in print. All are available in electronic format with the last two ebooks due for a release in May and the other in the summer. I'm currently working on three projects, an erotic paranormal romance featuring a witch who loves Christmas, another Ancient Ireland novel, rich in the history of the Irish Celtic peoples, and plotting out a Cowboy Series tentatively titled "The James Gang".

Of course I've got a lot more on the go. I'm developing and growing my editing company with some amazing authors, working on polishing my concepts and plans for upcoming books within the paranormal genres, and keeping up on my writing and being a full time mom, working outside of the house…it's amazing what one can manage in a 16 hour day.

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