Thursday, July 31, 2014

Book Blast & Giveaway for The Heartbeat Series by Renee Lee Fisher


Welcome to my stop on the Book Blast, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for the Heartbeat Series by Renee Lee Fisher.  Please leave a comment or question for Renee to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway, where Renee will be giving one winner a Choice of ONE Signed Book (Rock Notes, Love Notes or Music Notes) plus $25.00 Amazon Gift Card and Betsey Johnson Makeup Purse, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter.  You can also follow the rest of Renee’s tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning. 

Rock Notes
By Renee Lee Fisher
Heartbeat Series, Book 1

Buy Links:  Amazon  * B&N  *  iTunesARe

About the book:  Madison Tierney’s a writer, whose husband, Thomas suddenly left her after 10 years; she is destroyed and now recently alone and divorced. She picks herself up slowly trying to restore her lost confidence and ability to love again. She follows her writing passion and ventures to follow a local band - Rolling Isaac’s and write about them, raw and real and how they follow their dreams. Her book is titled ROCK NOTES.

Her ex-husband wants to come back, and she is torn with what she had for ten years with him which was safe, comforting and a committed relationship. And now she is falling hard for the band singer - Max Rand (Madison calls him Rand), who is several years younger than her and every moment with him is intense and unpredictable.



Rand has tragically lost love in his life. He has no love left to give. He fills his time with many groupies and late nights. The story travels you to various concert venues, from a sexy piercing party to a New Years rocking eve. There are many interruptions and assumptions for this couple along their journey.

While Madison is writing ROCK NOTES, somewhere along the way she begins to write LOVE NOTES, which are personal secret love letters for Rand. Also Rand is always writing music with the hope of creating his first solo album. Both Madison and Rand appear to be able to write their feelings on paper effortlessly but have a hard time conveying them to one another. This story is about being so broken inside from having your heart ripped apart, to attempting to rebuild trust, follow your dreams and hopefully find love.


Will she return to the warm awaiting arms of her ex-husband who still is in love with her? Or will there be a new beginning for Madison and Rand? Can these two empty souls feel love again? Or will what ignites between them simply fade away after the concert lights dim?




Love Notes
By Renee Lee Fisher
Heartbeat Series, Book 2

Buy Links:  Amazon  *  B&N * iTunes * ARe

Rand:

As our bodies joined as one, I felt more in that one moment than I have ever felt with anyone. I never wanted to leave your arms, your body, and our connection. I believe that you complete me, you were made for me. I struggled to keep my feelings at bay and not let you know but I am too emotionally involved with you and to know now that you are with me is beyond belief. Where we head from here together has unlimited paths. I know I will always have this need now to have you fulfill me as I know you can. I see you and just a glance across the room to you makes me want to have us running to the bedroom. Silently I ponder how to relay to you just how much Love I contain for you. Some days I feel like my heart is about to burst. Maddy xo


Madison and Rand’s love story continues as they move their relationship to a more passionate, intimate level…but again they are thrown some challenges. Will Madison and Rand be together and move forward or…backward? Read what comes their way to cause doubt in their minds. Just when everything is going fine, sometimes accidents occur.


Rand:

Oh, God, something horrible has happened. I only remember parts of it and they seem like snapshots that were taken so quickly…I need to feel you near me. I need to reach out and touch you and let you know I love you. Rand, I never felt so in love as I do when I am with you. Maddy xo

“What the hell are you talking about Madison? You have me at a complete loss here?” Rand


Madison must fully trust Rand to commit herself to him forever in marriage. Rand must make her see and feel what she truly means to him. This story will pull at your heart and make you tear as you turn the pages that may finally reveal Madison’s handwritten LOVE NOTES.

Will they get their Happily Ever After?




Music Notes
By Renee Lee Fisher
Heart Beat Series, Book 3

Buy Links:  Amazon * B&N * iTunes * ARe

How will Madison and Rand keep their love and music playing?


Just when life seems to be going smooth, Madison receives news that leaves her speechless. She's a writer that for the moment cannot form her words. Rand now is the one to continue their story…his story.

Music Notes will take you on the tour with Max Rand as his first Solo Album – Simply Mad is launched. Will his travel for several months put distance in their relationship? Can their love survive?


Rand will travel through his own journey of self discovery along the way. Just when Rand is at a high point in his life, a collapse . . . will bring one of them down...Rand? Madison?

One person will offer the ultimate sacrifice. See the songs that Rand has written, and where his inspiration comes from.

Follow this novel and see how it plays out.




Excerpt from Rock Notes
             
Once my eyes closed, my thoughts turned to Rand, lost soul, lost love, so similar to me but then on stage he was so confident and sure of himself and his place in the world. That confidence was something that I lacked. He attacked the stage and all his charm and stunning looks dissolved those that set their eyes or minds on him. My mind kept trailing over and over about him.

His deep blue eyes, his messy dark hair that just swept over his shoulder, his towering height, his hidden inks. I could think of nothing but him.

I tensed for a moment when I felt someone hovering over me. I felt a breath and caught the scent of Rand fresh from a shower. I was lying on my side and I slightly opened my eyes. I knew I was seeing him, not dreaming. I could see him getting closer and I shut my eyes, remaining so very still. He reached down, took his curved fingers down my cheek, so slowly and tenderly and then he leaned in and kissed me on the forehead. Trailing his mouth down from my forehead he placed a soft kiss on the side of my neck and then moved upward to the tip of my shoulder and he lightly bit at my cami strap. I was so completely shocked and although I wanted to reach around and tell him I was awake, I couldn’t move. I had hopes that in the darkness he didn’t see me see peak out at him moments earlier. He then whispered, "Night Madison" and he tugged off my boots and pulled a light blanket over me.

When the sun appeared in the bedroom I awoke all nervous, I got up and went to the bathroom. I had to search my purse for items to make myself presentable. It had only been about four hours that I slept. I gathered my boots and put my sweater back on and went downstairs to find Rand already wide awake and in the kitchen making us some breakfast.

"I’m starving," he said looking at me like he was ready to devour me. "Madison what are you hungry for?"

He made me hesitate to answer him, I was definitely hungry for him. "I think I could eat something." My stomach was excited and jumping inside just from seeing him so relaxed and cooking.

"Your phone has been vibrating all morning."

"What’s vibrating?" I was too focused on his body and didn’t hear his words.

"Your phone, you left it on the steps last night with your computer."

"Oh, okay that’s what was vibrating." I was still watching his body in motion, and was thinking of how I would like him to make me stir. He caught me staring at him and I looked away and then I remembered I had silenced my phone during their practice and then powered it up when we walked over to the house. I had to pull myself together so I went to retrieve my phone and I looked at all the missed messages, they were from Jillian. I hollered back, "Rand, I just need a few minutes to check my messages." I went into his main front room and dialed her back.

"Where the hell are you?" Jillian yelled. She was so worried that I hadn’t called her and she stopped by my place having her own key and I was no where to be found. It took some effort to calm her but I told her briefly what had happened since the concert.

"Jillian can you take me to Philly today to get my car? I don’t want to put Rand out anymore. I’ll just see if he can bring me back to my house."

"I’ll agree only on one condition, I want every single detail, don’t leave anything out, I want all of them!" I had to put my hand over the phone as she said this. She was so loud and I hoped Rand did not hear any of this.

"Hey, I should go, I don’t want to be rude, he is making me breakfast," I whispered to her.

"No I bet you’re his breakfast…but I’ll come get you at noon. You can tell me then how great this sexy man is."

I didn’t get to comment, as she hung up too quickly. Rand flashed me a sexy smile when I returned to the kitchen, I wasn’t sure if he heard any of our conversation. I did look up at the high ceiling in his house and knew each word spoken echoed.

 AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Renee Lee Fisher has a passion for putting her pen and ideas to paper. A pure romance junkie, she loves to tell stories. She was an English Major of LaSalle University and always wanted to be a writer. In the past years her books titled - From the Vine (a collection of writings/poems) and Cody and the Pumpkin Truck (a Childrens' Book) were published. She has also written many other childrens' stories, lyrics, articles and wedding ceremonies. Currently she is deep into her Heartbeat Series of Contemporary Romance Novels which are titled - ROCK NOTES, LOVE NOTES, MUSIC NOTES, FIRST BEAT, FIRST BASS and FIRST TASTE.

Also coming soon The Crossing Series I, II and III of The Knot Hole, The Passage and The Muse.

Renee resides in Eagleville, PA. with her husband Michael, of many years and her two cats - Nyah and Cody. She has a great support system of Love from her family and friends.

Renee BELIEVES you should follow your DREAMS and that -

The HAPPIEST of people don't have the best of everything,
they simply make the best of everything.

Renee loves to travel, especially to St. Martin - Netherland Antilles. She enjoys meeting new people to inspire her and she will always write down a person's name that is unique to use as a potential character in her future writings.

Author Links


Email -  author@reneeleefisher.com









*****Rock Notes, Heartbeat Series Book 1, on Sale for $.99 on July 31, 2014 only!*****

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway for Unintentional by M.K. Harkins


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for Unintentional by M.K. Harkins.  Please leave a comment or question for M.K. to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter the tour wide giveaway, where One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  The giveaway is for both the Virtual Book Tour and the Review Tour.  You can also follow the rest of the tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning. 


Why I Chose to Publish Indie by M.K. Harkins

This is an easy question. Almost every single author I love is Indie, or at least started out Indie.

After I completed my first book, Intentional, I started to research my options. I took a long, hard look at the opportunities that a literary agent or large publisher would offer. I also read a lot of online articles on the pros and cons of either going the route of an established publisher or becoming an Indie author. I could only find two pros (and a lot of cons) with the traditional publishing route – Ego and marketing.

Maybe I shouldn’t put ego in the pros column, but if I were to be 100 percent honest, it would be nice to have a professional say “We love you! Come write with us!” But, would it be worth everything I’d have to give up? The freedom to choose when and where I write? I don’t have deadlines (except the ones I put in my head!) I don’t have to deal with politics, power struggles (well, except for my children of course) or editors wanting me to change story lines.

Also, there is the money issue – Indie authors get a higher percentage of their royalties (This is debatable – with a large publishing house, if they market your book properly – it is possible to make more money).  The thing is, this isn’t about money.  It is about bringing a story to readers, one that they’ll love and enjoy.


Unintentional
By M.K. Harkins
Intentional Series, Book 2

Publisher: M.K. Harkins
Release Date: June 1, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Rock Romance
Length:391 Pages
ISBN:  978-1497598447
ASIN:  B00KIVZP6U

Add to Goodreads

BUY LINK:  AMAZON PRINT | KINDLE | B&N PRINT



About the book:  

Cade, the gorgeous song man, has every reason to steer clear of commitment and train his soulful eyes, killer dimples, and sexy voice on every beauty swaying to his band. So why is it that he finds himself truly, deeply and unintentionally, fixed on the one woman who is not so easily swept away?

The sequel to Intentional, the debut romantic novel by MK Harkins, Unintentional is the heart-racing new work that follows the tangled thread of Cade in the aftermath of his heartbreak in losing the one woman he thought was his soul mate. After taking a hiatus from his job as an engineer, as well as his role in the band as lead singer, Cade reemerges in the Seattle music scene. Enter Laurel, the tenacious and determined music agent. Laurel is determined to sign him, no matter how clearly reluctant he is. Though they try to resist one another romantically, the magnetism is as immediate as it is powerful.

Unintentional offers readers an intricate, riveting story about the fraught paces of love, while also offering strains of heartwarming humor. With rich detail, authentic characters, and plenty of blood-pumping romance, Unintentional is a moving and multilayered look at how love can slip through our fingers, only to be pulled back again at the most surprising, stirring moments.

EXCERPT

He continues his slow torture, running his fingers slowly through my hair. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation. I hear Cade take a quick intake of breath, and I open my eyes again, to see his blue eyes boring into mine. I don’t think this will be a slow, soft kiss.

I was wrong. He links his hands into mine, placing them over my head. He leans in and starts the softest, sweetest kiss I’ve ever had. This is good—no, this is spectacular—but I want a little more. I gently nip at his lower lip. He stops suddenly, leans back, and looks at me again, studying me. I think he likes what he sees, because I’m suddenly back against the wall, all bets are off. This is not a soft or slow kiss. This one is demanding, passionate. Oh no, what did I get myself into? But right now, I don’t care. This feels so good. I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. Wait, I do want to stop. I need to stop. But I can’t. Lord, help me, because I don’t want this to ever end.

He shifts me away from the wall, continuing the devastating kiss that is now skyrocketing out of control. His hands are rubbing up my back, into my hair, back down. Now he has hands on my upper arms, drawing me even closer.

My hands are doing their own exploring. I’ve kept all my feelings in, under wraps, for a year now, and I’m unable to hold back any longer. My whole body goes into a total meltdown.

“Stop me, Laurel.”

I meet his eyes and shake my head.
 AUTHOR Bio and Links:

MK Harkins is the author of the romantic novel Intentional. An avid reader, she began writing fiction when she ran out of reading selections on her Kindle. Her new novel, Unintentional, is a sequel to her first work and is based on the life of the character Cade. A business owner, Harkins spends her free time traveling, watching movies, reading voraciously, in addition to creating her own fiction. The author currently lives in Mercer Island, Washington.

Website:  www.mkharkins.com



Twitter: https://twitter.com/mk_harkins

Cover Reveal for Finding Our Forever by Lan LLP




Finding Our Forever
Forever #2
Lan LLP

Releasing Sept 2014



Tragedy Strikes Again

Now weaved into Carson Bradley's web of boundless wealth and pharmaceutical rivalries, Lillian Ly is altering the course of her bright academic future. She’s determined to follow the beat of her devoted heart even after a devastating loss she'd suffered as a result of a deliberate accident.  With two missing researchers whose survival is based on a drug formula that Carson is unable to deliver, he fears the kidnappers will stop at nothing to get what they want—meaning Lillian’s life is also in danger. 

Can they find their forever with all the danger that still lies ahead?

Guilt gnaws at his conscience with each passing day, but despite his shame, he still can’t let her go. She is the flame to his fire, the soul of his heart. Without her by his side, he is just a body without a warm pulse.  Desperate to obtain the missing drug components and keep Lillian safe, Carson becomes overbearing and unreasonable.  Lillian’s strong-will tears them emotionally apart, stirring thoughts of doubt for their future. She knows she loves him irrevocably, but can she survive in his volatile world?






Over a long year ago, I picked up a pen and wrote the first sentence of a fantasy that I’ve imagined ever since I was a daydreaming little girl—minus the steamy parts of course. That initial sentence was the seed that grew into my flowering romance book, “Beginning with Forever.” With all my heart, I wrote, rewrote, edited, re-edited and now, I’m finally ready to share it with all of you. My one and only aspiration for this book is to have readers embrace my story and characters with their heart. If I can make someone laugh till their gut hurts, hate with vengeance, cry till their eyes dry out, fall in love all over again, drool over the hero or feel any other emotions, than I’ve succeeded my goal.

I’m the sappiest person in the world when it comes to romance. Don’t laugh! I believe in love at first sight, Prince Charming or Mr. Hot Billionaire in my book, and happy endings. In my heart, every women deserves all three, and they will when they lose themselves in my books. Your fantasy can become your reality with just the flip of a page, so come join me.




BLOG   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER   |   GOODREADS


BEGINNING WITH FOREVER
Forever Series #1

Now Available





Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway for Mastered: 10 Tales of Sensual Surrender


Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour, presented by BMP Tours, for Mastered: 10 Tales of Sensual Surrender by Opal Carew, Portia Da Costa, Madelynne Ellis, Marie Harte, Joey Hill, T.J. Michaels, Kate Pearce, Carrie Ann Ryan, Sasha White, Emily Ryan-Davis and Jennifer Leeland.  Please leave a comment or question for the authors to let them know you stopped by.  You can enter the tour wide giveaway, for a Kindle Fire, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.

MASTERED: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender
Contributing Authors:  Opal Carew, Portia Da Costa, Madelynne Ellis, Marie Harte, Joey Hill, T.J. Michaels, Kate Pearce, Carrie Ann Ryan, Sasha White, Emily Ryan-Davis and Jennifer Leeland

Publisher: Uncommonly Romantic Books
Publication Date: 7/21/2014
Print Length: 750 pages
ISBN-13: 9781928115014
ASIN: B00L1HYMSW

Add to Goodreads



About the book: 

Three Secrets by New York Times and USA Today bestseller Opal Carew

Sharing secrets has never been so exhilarating...


Nicole and Abel met in Paris and fell in love, but Nicole believes her secret lifestyle will drive Abel away. After the vacation ends, she decides to take a chance and share her secret, but little does she know he has a secret of his own.



His Secret by International and UK Sunday Times bestseller Portia Da Costa

Quiet storm…

Ben Chambers is the perfect handsome boyfriend. Sarah adores him, yet despite their delicious lovemaking and the fun they share, she senses he has a secret. But then, during a luxury weekend away, one casual pat to her bottom transforms everything, revealing Ben’s thrilling hidden dominance, and a world of decadent pleasure and deeper love.




Remastered by Multi-Award-Winner Madelynne Ellis

A bad experience with a former girlfriend caused Spook Mortensen to repress his sexual urges, but when sound engineer Allegra Hutton is called upon to remaster Black Halo's first album, there's only so much attitude and stubborn refusal to listen to the bands' wishes he can take before he's forced to break his self-imposed vow and take her in hand.



Working Out by USA Today bestseller Marie Harte

When lust turns to love, who’s really on top?

An ex-Marine with a kink for dominance, Mac is Maggie’s boss. But Maggie doesn’t seem to realize he’s in charge…until he shows her that Sir is more than a title. It’s a lifestyle that could suit them both. That’s if Maggie sticks around long enough to wear his collar.




The Scientific Method by bestseller Joey Hill

Mastering her body was easy. Mastering her heart and soul will be an erotic science…


In the vampire-servant relationship, the vampire holds all the power. Being Lord Brian’s research assistant as well as his servant, Debra accepts that, but she craves her Master’s heart. When Brian notices his servant’s unhappiness, he uses methods they both understand to prove just what belonging to him fully means.



Juicy by bestseller T.J. Michaels

Twilight Teahouse ~ Choose something decadent from our menu…
Solie Shaw is a brilliant self-made woman. After managing a corporation by day, at night, all she wants is to not be in charge. The last man she’d gifted her heart to had smashed it to smithereens and then did the mambo on top of the pieces. Now, along comes the chance to get exactly what she needs. All Solie has to do…is choose.



No Limits by USA Today bestseller Kate Pearce

All bets are off when there are no limits…

Dr. Julia Reed deals with life or death situations at a California ER. When British businessman Alex Logan offers her a sexual bargain, she gets to share her darkest fantasies; he gets the power to carry them out. But who is the real winner in this high stakes game, and is Alex even playing fair?



Ink Reunited by USA Today bestseller Carrie Ann Ryan

Only two men can give Sassy the happily ever after she craves.
Rafe, Ian and Sassy loved each other…until it all blew apart. Now both men are back for the woman they love. It will take more than apologies for these three to overcome their history. But once they take that step, the streets of New Orleans will never be the same.


Unfettered: An Overwatch Story by Sasha White

You never forget your first love

Mechanic Ronnie Lang is tired of being "one of the guys". Chasing the fantasy of finding a dominant male to help her explore her sexuality she applies to Overwatch, a private BDSM club where her eyes are opened to a world that’s more than she ever imagined, and the man she’s never forgotten.



Bondage on 34th Street by Emily Ryan-Davis & Jennifer Leeland

In knots over love


After years of searching, Tasha Sears finally finds the Master of her heart …on his knees in front of intimidatingly sexy bondage enthusiast Noah Dreyfuss. As sparks flare between the three, Noah’s ropes will either bind them together or pull them apart. 






BUY LINKS:


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Virtual Excerpt Tour & Giveaway for Uriel's Fall by Loralie Hall


Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Excerpt Tour, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, for Uriel’s Fall by Loralei Hall.  Please leave a comment or question for Loralei to let her know you stopped by.  You can enter her tour wide giveaway, for a $15 Amazon GC, by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  You can also follow the rest of her tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.


Uriel’s Fall
By Loralie Hall
Ubiquity, Book 1

Publisher: Acelette Press
Release Date: June 18, 2014
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Length: 215 Pages
ISBN:  9781311181329
ASIN:  B00L3WESHU

Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo 

Add to Goodreads



About the book:  

Ronnie has the job any entry-level angel or demon would sell their soul for—she's a retrieval analyst for the largest search engine in the world. Ubiquity is a joint initiative between heaven and hell. Because what better way to track all of humanity's secrets, both good and bad, than direct access to their web browsing habits.

She might appreciate the position a little more if a) she could remember anything about her life before she started working at Ubiquity, b) the damn voice in her head would just shut up already, and c) her boss wasn't a complete dickhead.

As she searches for solutions to the first two issues, and hopes the third will work itself out in performance reviews, she uncovers more petty backstabbing than an episode of Real Housewives, and a conspiracy as old as Lucifer's descent from heaven. On top of all that, if she forgets the cover sheet on her TPS report one more time, she's absolutely going on final written warning.

Now Ronnie’s struggling to keep her sanity and job, while stopping the voice in her head from stealing her life. She almost misses the boredom of data analysis at Ubiquity. Almost.


Excerpt

I couldn’t see Michael, but his voice was low and even and sounded like it was coming from behind me. “Focus on the energy around you.” He trailed his hands down my arms until both blades hung limply at my side. The subtle scent of sunshine and blossoms filled my head, along with the impulse to lean back into him, and the desire to feel his lips along the back of my neck. He stepped closer, chest pressing to my back. It would be so easy to fall into more than training right now. It was so tempting.

His quiet tone wove into my thoughts instead of shattering them. “Concentrate on what belongs to you, what’s brushing your skin; the electricity in the air, not the physical.” The steady rhythm of his breathing was soothing. “Do you feel what I mean?”

“Yes.” I did, intensely and vividly. I almost felt like I was in a trance. I couldn’t remember a time my thoughts had been so calm. I kept my attention on his words and followed each instruction. I wasn’t sure how I was going to fight like this, but the experience was pleasant enough that I didn’t care.

It was too quiet. When had he stopped talking? The air shifted around me. It was so subtle I doubted I would have felt it normally. Like a light breeze caressing my skin, but being so in tune with my surroundings, it was as noticeable as a strong gale. Even as my eyes opened, my right arm shifted up to chest level, and my left rose to cover my gut. I reacted before I could process my own movements, deflecting Michael’s blow with the larger blade, twisting under his arm, and coming to a stop with the wooden dagger resting at his stomach, blade nudging his skin.

I’d done it, giddiness flowed through me. And then the rest of my world came into focus. One of his arms was still held captive above my head, blocked by my sword, and his free hand gripped my other wrist. His gaze locked on mine.

“Just like that,” he whispered.

 AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Loralie Hall is a full time corporate geek and a fuller time writer. Her spouse is her muse and their cats are very much their children. When they’re not spending way too much time gaming, they’re making the world better by vanquishing one fictional evil at a time.



Find Loralie Hall Online






Spotlight & Giveaway for A Matter of Sin by Jess MIchaels


Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!  By Jess Michaels

Hi everyone and a big thanks to Maria for letting me blog here today! You are getting me at the end of what has been a crazy week. The first book in my latest series (The Ladies Book of Pleasures) came out July 15. A Matter of Sin is the title and so the past seven days I’ve been darting from blog to blog, promoting like crazy and hoping the thing will make some sales. LOL

It’s funny, this book is my 44th release in total… my 21st as Jess Michaels. You know what? It’s still just as exciting and terrifying and wonderful every time. Although I do have to say there have been changes in the 10 years since I sold my first book (9 since my first book came out).

First, my writing. When I started, I wrote only historical romance. I had written a couple of erotic pieces under the Jess name, but I was told that kind of stuff wouldn’t sell (HA!) and they asked me to take a new name (Jenna Petersen) and start over. I figured that’s what I would write for the rest of my career. But it wasn’t meant to be. When Avon built its erotic line, they asked me to contribute and Jess was reborn. Not to mention I even dipped my toe into urban fantasy (as Jesse Petersen)! Still, when the opportunity came to write Jess Michaels books after a SECOND hiatus from writing erotic historical, I jumped at it. And here we are. I’m only writing as Jess and only writing erotic historical. Funny how things change!

I also never thought I’d ever consider anything but mainstream traditional publishing. When I started, the only way a writer could have financial or sales success was to sell to one of the big New York publishers. I did but my unhappiness and frustration with the way things worked there grew with every book. At the same time, the industry had begun to change. Sales, money, even making lists was beginning to be possible with small presses and by publishing independently. One of the best things I ever did was take the leap to go smaller. And now I’m on the cusp of doing some indie projects and I’m SO EXCITED to be able to have even more control over my career. This is a wonderful time to be a writer because we have so many choices. And a wonderful time to be a reader, too!

The one thing that hasn’t changed is that I still LOVE writing romance. I still love connecting to my readers. And hopefully that will be true after another 44 books.


Find me online at www.authorjessmichaels.com and I hope you’ll pick up A Matter of Sin, in stores everywhere!


A Matter of Sin
By Jess Michaels
The Lady's Book of Pleasures Series , Book 1

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: July 15, 2014
Genre: Erotic Historical Romance
Length: 242 Pages
ISBN: 978-1619219960
ASIN:  B00K5RAA8A

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Samhain

About the book: 

Scandal between the pages…surrender between the sheets.

The Ladies Book of Pleasures, Book 1

The widowed Lady Isabel Avenbury has one remaining younger sister to shepherd into an advantageous marriage, and then she will be free. Free to take a lover to fill her lonely nights—the only option left for a woman on the delicate edge of a certain age. 

Except when she chaperones her sister to a country house party, she is taken aback by her sudden, undeniable attraction to the host. And deliciously scandalized when she finds a copy of the notorious, much-gossiped-about Ladies Book of Pleasures in his library.

When Seth Rowland, Marquis Lyndham, notices his book is missing, his interest is piqued as to which of the potential young brides at his party has absconded with it—and he’s shocked to discover it’s Isabel. Though older than the women he’d planned to court, the powerful beauty exudes a sensuality he cannot ignore.

The book inspires them to begin a desperate, passionate affair. But their time together is running out and they must choose. Follow society’s rules, or take a chance at love.


Product Warnings: 

Found within are highly scandalous books that trigger passionate desires, surrender in the orangery and possibly true love.


Excerpt


Copyright © 2014 Jess Michaels
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

Isabel’s palms were slick with sweat as she gripped The Ladies Book of Pleasures. Her heart was pounding too, so loudly that she was amazed she hadn’t woken half the house at this ungodly hour as she crept down the long staircase into the hallway.

In truth, she had waited until close to four in the morning to fulfill this duty for two reasons. One was that she didn’t want to bump into anyone as she had the first night she came here.

Seth, specifically. She didn’t want to bump into Seth.

But the second reason for her slowness was far more shocking. She had wanted to look at the book one last time. To be aroused and relieved by it before she returned it to its rightful place and returned herself to her duties.

So she had done so, dressed, and here she was, standing at the door to the library, ready to return what she had taken and pretend as if none of this silliness had ever happened.

She could only hope Seth would do the same. Tonight, at the gathering after supper, it had been clear he knew someone had taken the book, as did his smirking friend, Lord Northfield. They had been playing at some kind of investigation right there in the drawing room, teasing the person who had taken the item with no thought to their…her feelings.

It was all very ungentlemanly.

Straightening her shoulders, she marched into the library, leaving the door open so there would be a little light from the hallway to serve as her guide. At the table where she had stood the night before, she paused and slipped the book from where she had secreted it away in the folds of her skirts.

Setting it on the tabletop, she stared at the shape of it in the darkness. How she regretted letting it go when she had hardly had the time to fully explore and enjoy it.

When she returned to London, she was going to have to find a way to discreetly obtain a copy of her own. Perhaps Grace could help, since she seemed to know a way around everything and everyone.

With a sigh, she turned to go, but she had not even completed her first step when in the darkness, a figure rose from a chair across the room. The scratch of flint grated on Isabel’s ears and then a candle glowed with light and revealed the person who had found her lurking. Unfortunately, it was the same person who had found her the night before.

Lyndham.

Her heart leapt into her throat and her hands began to shake as he moved toward her, his light lifted as if he was trying to examine her face. The urge to run filled her, to hide her humiliation in her bed and then maybe even return to London where she wouldn’t have to see this man ever again.

In the dimness, the corners of his lips lifted slightly and he smirked at her. Her humiliation, which had burned so hotly, faded as she looked at his smug countenance. It was instantly replaced by another emotion: irritation.

She folded her arms as he came to a stop just a step away from her.

“My lord,” she said, pleased that her tone could be so icy.

His smirk broadened. “My lady. We are making a habit of these late night rendezvous.”

She didn’t move, even though he had leaned closer as he spoke and his voice was rough and seductive. Her anger faded, but she forced it back to the surface.

“Indeed,” she said, perhaps less forcefully than she would have liked. “But I assure you this will be the last time we shall meet like this.”

One dark brow arched and he tilted his head slightly. “Oh? That is a true disappointment. But as you say this is the last time we shall do this, it would be ungentlemanly of me not to offer you some assistance tonight. Is there something you were looking for? Something you need?”

She swallowed. Had he moved closer again? He seemed larger now, and her treacherous mind was determined to flash to all the fantasies she had indulged in while she read that dratted book. Why oh why had she allowed herself to think of this man? Now he was a distraction of the highest order.

With a shake of her head, Isabel attempted focus once more. She had to recall that the marquis was taunting her in a most impolite fashion. He wanted her to be all twisted up and nervous; he was somehow enjoying seeing her squirm. Only she had one way to turn the tables and perhaps make him do the same. One way to defuse his power over her. A way Grace would be most proud of.

She lifted her gaze and met his, almost overpowered by the way the light caught in his bright, blue eyes. Dear God, he was beautiful.

But no…focus! She had to focus.

“Oh no, sir,” she said, her tone gaining strength with each word. “I have fulfilled my purpose in coming here tonight. There is nothing I require.”

“Your purpose?” he asked with a chuckle in his tone. “And what was that?”

She reached behind her and found the copy of The Ladies Book of Pleasures on the table. Lifting it, she said, “Why, I was returning your book, Lord Lyndham.” She held it out to him, and he took it with his wide eyes. “You seemed to be in quite a bad way about it tonight when you and Lord Northfield were going on and on about it. I assumed that meant you missed it.”

He didn’t speak, but stared down at first the book and then toward her. She smiled. Good. She had shocked him by admitting what he was so ruthlessly teasing her about.

“Oh,” he finally said after what seemed like eternity had passed with nothing but stunned silence between them.

She shrugged, starting to enjoy her own brand of torture just as much as he had apparently enjoyed his earlier. “It is the talk of the ton, my lord. I had to know what all the fuss was about.”

Once again, he was silent. In fact, his only response to her statement was to set the book back down on the table where she had retrieved it. His eyes never left her, his gaze never lost any focus.

And the triumph Isabel had felt in shocking him began to fade. He seemed so stunned now that she was beginning to doubt herself. Perhaps he hadn’t believed her to be the culprit after all. Perhaps he was not shocked by her boldness, but by her inappropriateness.

If that was true, she might have just made the biggest mistake of her life. And Serena’s.

She swallowed. “I-I hope you will not judge my sister poorly because of my outrageous behavior, Lord Lyndham.”

This time she was certain he moved closer. His chest nearly touched hers and heat radiated from him, washing over her.

“My lady,” he whispered, his voice even rougher now that it was soft. “I assure you, the last thing I was thinking about in this moment was your sister.”

Isabel gasped at the implication of those words and realized that the sharp intake of breath was the first one she had taken in quite some time. Her hands and knees began to shake.

This situation was spiraling out of control, and she had to exit from it immediately.

“I-I should—”

She stepped back, but he caught her wrist and held her where she stood. “Wait…wait… Why did you take the book? It was something more than just mere curiosity, wasn’t it?”

Isabel turned her face. To her surprise, humiliation did not return, but the heat in her cheeks did. She couldn’t tell this man, this near stranger, that!

“I don’t know,” she said, tugging on her wrist to free herself.

He let her go immediately, but stepped in her way so that she couldn’t flee the room. “You must know.”

She wanted to look up at him, but feared that doing so would allow him to see everything she was fighting so hard to hide. Her longing. Her loneliness. Her desires.

So she didn’t look at him as she whispered, “My lord, please—”

“Isabel,” he murmured.

Her eyes lifted in surprise. The previous night she thought he might have used her given name, but there was no denying it this time. And she loved hearing it roll from his tongue. He said it like he was savoring a sweet treat, like it was a precious word.

She stared at him as he stared through her, into her very soul. She didn’t want to tell him her secret, she didn’t want to say why she had taken the naughty book, but something compelled her to reveal herself. There was some odd, intense connection between them despite their utter inappropriateness for each other.

“I-I took it because it has been a long time and I—” She heard her voice making the terrible confession and she cut herself off and dipped her chin down in embarrassment.

Suddenly she felt the rough slide of his fingers on her skin as he cupped her chin and urged her to look back up at him. Urged her to meet his gaze, which seemed so intense and yet so gentle and nonjudgmental now.

“Tell me,” he insisted.

She sucked in a sobbing breath. “I wanted to remember desire and pleasure and—”

She had more to say, more depths of her soul to mine, but he didn’t allow it. Without preamble, he bent his head and suddenly his mouth was on hers.

For the first few seconds of the unexpected kiss, Isabel was too surprised to react. Her mind raced, overwhelmed by questions and denials and fears about what exactly was happening to her.

But then Seth’s lips shifted ever so slightly, his tongue traced the crease of her mouth, and that subtle movement changed everything.

Isabel melted. She’d heard others describe a kiss that melted them before, but this was the first time she’d ever experienced it personally. It was as if her bones liquefied, her blood burned, her muscles vanished and all that was left was feeling. Pleasure washed over her so intensely that it overrode anything else in her mind.

Without meaning to, Isabel lifted her hands, tightening her fingers around Seth’s upper arms and leaning into him to get more. More of this feeling, more of his taste and his scent as their bodies brushed against each other.  

About the Author: 
 Jess Michaels began writing full-time in 1999 after being encouraged by her husband to follow her dream. In 2003, she sold her first novella to Red Sage Press, an erotic historical romance about an Egyptian tomb and a very sexy curse. Since then she has published (or has contracted to publish) nearly 50 novels and novellas under three different pen names with several major publishers, small presses and via self-publishing. Her erotic historical romances have been national bestsellers and won awards from booksellers and readers.


She and her awesome husband live in Tucson where she enjoys playing video games, exploring the beautiful desert, spending time with her nephews, reading and spending petting her two old lady cats.

Jess Michaels always loves to hear from readers! You can email me,  

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To find out more about Jess Michaels writing historical romance as Jenna Petersen go here.

To find out more about Jess Michaels writing snarky urban fantasy as Jesse Petersen go here.