Coming MAY 20th~ @RuthieCardello New #Release RISE OF THE BILLIONAIRE #excerpt

Rise of the Billionaire Blurb:

Dreaming of Alethea gave Jeremy Kater the strength to survive a difficult childhood. Now that he has influential friends who owe him big favors, he's determined to become the kind of man Alethea would be interested in - rich and dangerous. Jeisa Borreto was hired to help Jeremy morph into that man. It's a job she would enjoy, if it weren’t tearing her heart to pieces.

How do you help someone change, when you already love who they are?

Hint: Sleeping with them doesn't help.

Excerpt:

He paused and shook his head. Jeisa slid beneath one of his arms again to help steady him. The heat from his body spread like a wildfire through her own. Jeremy was all man now and everywhere their bodies touched, Jeisa felt just how much he’d changed. The strong arm draped across her shoulders no longer felt like it belonged to a man who spent his life behind a computer. Boxing was only a small piece of Jeremy’s plan to physically transform himself. He’d started running and lifting weights very soon after they’d met. Jeisa hadn’t thought it was necessary… But oh, the results were nice.
He stumbled as they walked. Her hand flew up to steady him, coming to a rest in the middle of his hard chest and she felt him catch his breath.
Is he thinking what I’m thinking?
No, no, no, she thought frantically.
Unlike me, Jeremy has always been painfully honest.
Remember that he’s doing all of this to win the heart of a woman.
Another woman.
As in, not me.
Her body didn’t care. She looked past the swelling and the blood and all she could see were his beautiful, sexy blue eyes. They paused for what seemed an eternity and she couldn’t look away.
What would it be like to be loved by a man who is willing to do anything to win your heart?
You could be yourself with such a man.
Love like that doesn’t follow the rules.
It is sweaty, and passionate, and the stuff that romances are made of.
An odd expression entered Jeremy’s eyes and he straightened away from her, breaking contact. “Jeisa,” he said in a gruff voice, “let’s go home.”
“Yes,” she said, and mentally kicked herself for allowing the lines between employer and friend to blur. She was part of Jeremy’s life.

Just not in the way she wanted to be.

The release of Rise of the Billionaire: Book 5 of the Legacy Collection is coming!! Join Ruth and everyone else for fun and chances to win cool prizes. Invite your Facebook friends and share on your social networks! She has special surprises for if they reach 1,000 attendees. Games and giveaways will continue until May 25th. 

You can join Ruth's VIRTUAL RELEASE CELEBRATION on FACEBOOK 

HERE!

Friday Spotlight- Will Work for Love by @AmieDenman @FictionWitches #TMPress

A BAREFOOT Book
When Hurricane Destiny sweeps across the island of St. Thomas in September, the East family isn’t worried about their vacation home. After all, a property management company handles insurance and repairs. Just to be sure, though, they send maid of honor Whitney Oliver to St. Thomas for a two-week vacation just prior to the Christmas Eve wedding of their daughter Taylor.

Instead of a tropical vacation, Whitney finds an estate heavily damaged and untouched by the contractor who cashed the checks. With only two weeks to pull the venue together for a wedding in paradise, she accepts the help of a sexy islander with an amazing skill for construction. Chris Maxwell, owner of Blue Isle Construction, is blown away by Whitney the moment she arrives on the island. Putting the East family estate together board by board is the only thing he can do to help Whitney—and himself.

Working side by side and day and night by the sparkling blue water’s edge, Whitney and Chris fall hard for each other. Hurricane Destiny brought them together, but will secrets surrounding Chris’ construction company tear them apart?


Author Bio: Amie Denman lives in a small town in her native Ohio with her husband and sons. Her two cats and large yellow Labrador are kind enough to share a sunny office where she lets her imagination run wild. Reading books was her favorite escape as a child, and growing up four houses away from the community library encouraged her addition. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys walking and running outside. The helpless victim of a lifetime of curiosity, she’s been known to chase fire trucks on her bicycle just to see what’s going on. Amie believes that everything is fun: especially roller coasters, wedding cake, and falling in love.
Please visit Amie at www.amiedenman.com and say hello.

Friday Spotlight- Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett #TMPress @FictionWitches

Karin Williams' devastatingly handsome project officer has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Rowan Marsden expected a male engineer and he's not giving Karin an inch. Working conditions are...tense. Even...worse, she must share on-site accommodations with the sexy Brit who she fears will break her heart. What's a girl to do? If Rowan had his way, he'd never work with a woman. Yet as Karin demonstrates her expertise on the job, he cannot deny his growing respect for her—or his desire. He wants the passion she offers, but not the commitment. Until a horrendous accident at the project site threatens Karin's life, and proves that even a wounded man is destined to love....


Reviews

"A totally sexy read with charming characters that will keep you glued to every page!" Night Owl Reviews

“A keeper! A winner! A deliciously sexy romance”  —Gloria Miller, The Literary

“Suzanne Barrett creates complex characters in this romance with humorous dialogue and intense scenes.” ~Shannon Short, Romantic Times


Author Bio: Married, with grown children, Suzanne Barrett and her husband live in the Santa Cruz Mountains where they share their acreage with an elderly cat, several chickens and an assortment of wildlife that includes a trio of wild turkeys. Suzanne is an avid gardener with a penchant for digging in the dirt. When she’s not devouring British mysteries, most evenings find Suzanne at her computer or jewelry bench, a cup of Earl Grey within easy reach, a sleeping cat at her feet, doing what she loves best—creating stories of warmth and passion and designing pendants, earrings and bracelets. 

Help Taryn Raye Welcome Cat Shaffer @catromance to #TuesdayswithTaryn

Tuesdays with Taryn
Cat Shaffer

What book(s) most influenced you as a writer? 

Oh, I ran the gamut from Issac Asimov to Rebecca DuMoire. Living in the country, going to the library was a big deal -- and we could get 10 books each time. Even then I loved stories with strong characters and a feel-good ending. 

What book do you read over and over again? 

Gone With the Wind -- there's just something about it.

Tuesday Trio-

1. Movie- Close Encounters of the Third Kind 
2. Music- Newer Johnny Cash (in his older years)
3. Decadent Dessert- New York cheesecake with cherry topping

What’s the most interesting or bizarre bit of trivia you’ve learned from researching for a novel?

While writing my vampire Ancient Shadows series (as Cammie Eicher) I did a whole lot of research on the Mafia code of honor and killing with liquid mercury, followed by ancient rituals. I am so glad the cops didn't seize my hard drive then.

Novel on your Nightstand:

Who/what are you currently reading?

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Whom would you cast as your Main Characters/Hero/Heroine if your book became a movie?

Emily Deschanel as the heroine - Silas Weir Mitchell (from Grimm) as the hero.


Keeping Secrets (clicking image below will take you to the Smashwords book page)

When Miranda Coulsen accepts a summer assignment that takes her to Colorado and away from her daughter, she doesn’t expect to encounter the sexy Rik Hallowell. He’s even hotter now than a decade ago, when they had a brief, sizzling relationship that fell apart once she returned to Michigan and Rik went back to the family ranch.

Rik has returned just long enough to get the place back in shape and hire a manager. His father’s death and his brother’s decision to take off without giving the ranch a thought has trapped him there for at least the rest of the summer. When he encounters Miranda, he realizes the sparks are still hot and he’s quite willing to engage in another summer fling…or more.

But they’re no longer the kids they used to be. And the secrets they’ve harbored for ten years may be far stronger than the passion they both feel and the love neither is willing to confess.

Keeping Secrets is currently available in eBook on Turquoise Morning Press and will soon be available through all other retailers!

You can find out more about Cat Shaffer and her other work on the following-

Website/Blog

Amazon Author Page

Turquoise Morning Press

Smashwords Author Page

Friday Spotlight on Coming To Climax by Bobbye Terry #TMPress #FictionWitches

click image to check it out on Amazon

Margaret Palmer returns to Climax, Virginia, a deceptively quiet country town where Southern charm hides long-buried secrets and evil lurks just beneath the surface of the daily routine. Frustrated and frightened, Margaret knows she will have to face Blue Moon, the only true love she ever had, and his adopted daughter, Carolina. More alarmingly, she may be forced to reveal a long-hidden secret—she’s Carolina’s biological mother. But, will her disclosure no longer matter when a psychotic serial killer eliminating residents, spirals out of control, determined that Blue will be his last victim?

About Bobbye Terry-

A native Virginian, Bobbye Terry now resides in the cotton fields of West Texas with a Chocolate Lab that has a sock fetish. Bobbye is a multi-published author of romantic comedy, fantasy and suspense. Now, writing solo, except for a possible collaboration on special projects, she continues to write with extensive humor, even in suspense, where Southern charm meets macabre reality.

Friday Spotlight- My #Review of South of Bixby Bridge by @WinfieldRyan

(me with my autographed print copy of SOBB, along with a signed photo)

   
Blurb:
Fresh out of drug rehab, an ambitious, young stockbroker struggles thrugh the holidays with much more than sobriety when he is seduced into a high-finance game of sex, deception, and blackmail by a charming, sadistic San Francisco hedge-fund onwner and his intoxicating wife.
 

Warning: This novel is an unfiltered account of a young man's struggle to overcome addictions and it includes some graphic language, descriptive sexual scenes, and adult situations.

***

I usually don't post reviews necessarily, mostly because even if I snatch stolen pieces of time away from my own writing to read, I don't usually have time to also write a review, but this was an exception. I spent hours and days after reading this, still thinking about the story and the character and still crying over it. I knew I wanted to share my thoughts on this novel. Here is my Amazon review from July 10, 2012 - which I gave 5 Stars.

 

Amazon Kindle

South of Bixby Bridge- Exceptionally Brilliant and Vivid

It's been a long time since I've read a book that moved me the way South of Bixby Bridge did. Even now, my heart aches for Trevor and not just the journey he traveled to sobriety, but also the lies, deceit and horrors that drove him to the bottle and the drugs and the crazy lifestyle he grows accustomed to as it becomes clear he doesn't have a lot of choice in his own life, driven so much by his own illness.

I do believe this has to be one of my new favorite keeper novels. Ryan does an amazing job with vivid description in such a way that you, as a reader, are sucked right into the life of the main character. As a writer, I aspire to the same in my own writing, so his feat inspires me further still to hone my own words in a way that reaches in and clutches at the heart of the reader.

I read this novel in two days time, sobbing my way through the last several chapters as the truth behind many of Trevor's issues bubbled to the surface just as the problems in his current situation also culminate into a full circle of his fears, his problems and finally the beginning of his healing from the deep dark secrets of his own past.

This is an exceptionally brilliant and vivid novel which I enjoyed and plan to enjoy for years to come. Love it! I could totally see this book being made into a feature film.

Ryan Winfield's Website  

Follow Ryan on Twitter

#TuesdayswithTaryn S.J. McMillan, author of City of the Gods: The Descendant @McMillanSJ

Tuesdays with Taryn

S.J. McMillan

Please answer the following questions:

What book(s) most influenced you as a writer?

My love of reading started in high school. I read a lot of YA horror like R.L Stine, L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, etc. After high school, I started reading a lot of romance, any kind of romance. It is probably the combination of the genres that influenced me to write urban fantasy. I like the suspense of the horror genre and the emotional drama of romances.

What book do you read over and over again?

I have several that I have read many times. I’ve read the original Vampire Diaries series 3 or 4 times. I’ve read a book titled Waters Dark & Deep (by Jean Favors) many times as well. There are also a couple of romance writer, Lynsay Sands, book I’ve read a few times. I’m a book hoarder. If I loved the book, I never get rid of it in case I decide to pick it up and enjoy it again.

Tuesday Trio-

1)      Movie- Victor/Victoria

2)      Music- It’s a 3 way tie between Paramore, Flyleaf, & Evanescence

3)      Decadent Dessert- Anything chocolate

What’s the most interesting or bizarre bit of trivia you’ve learned from researching for a novel?

Because the ancient civilization is from an actual city in Mexico, I had to research the city and the time period of 700 A.D. The mystery surrounding the construction of and demise of the city of Teotihuacán is interesting to me. There is still some much to learn. My hope is to one day travel to see the city first hand.

Novel on your Nightstand:

Who/what are you currently reading?

I’m so far behind on my reading these days. The book anxiously awaiting my attention is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (yep, the 2^nd book in the Hunger Games trilogy, that’s how far behind I am).

Whom would you cast as your Hero & Heroine if your book became a movie?

I would cast Christian Serratos for Katalina. Most will probably know her from the Twilight Saga movies. She played the human Angela.

I would cast Alex Meraz for Tristan’s part. He was also in the Twilight Saga movies as one of the wolf pack.

Blurb

700A.D. Teotihuacán, Mexico – The High Priest believed himself to be as powerful as the gods. He set a plague on the city as a demonstration of his power. The Gods took pity on the remaining loyal congregation. They granted each survivor immortality and an extraordinary ability. Three loyal survivors were given a mission of great importance: train the lone human descendant of their civilization to stop the evil priest from damning the rest of humanity.

2012 A.D. San Diego, California – The time has come to finally make Katalina Deckard aware of her destiny. Her life has been a constant struggle since the loss of her parents when she was young. But has it prepared her to save the world? Can her friends, who have survived so long, convince her she has what it takes to accept the mantle of Redeemer?

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 Smashwords

Ruby Lioness Press

S.J. McMillan's Website

Author Bio

I play many roles in life, as we all do. I’m a wife to a supportive husband, a mother to three young rascals, and an administrative assistant during the work week to name a few. Now I am finally getting to add published author to my list.

I started writing poetry in high school. I enjoy poetry and still write a poem whenever inspiration hits me. I love to read, especially paranormal romances and urban fantasies. The love of reading spawned the urge to try writing a novel of my own.

One of my favorite parts of writing a book is creating the characters. I immerse myself into their lives. I laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry. I cheer them on in their triumphs and encourage them in their struggles.

I have also come to enjoy writing fight scenes. Don’t laugh, but my husband (the wonderful man that he is) will act them out with me so I know exactly how I need to show it to the reader. Call us crazy, but it is really fun to act out a scene using a broom handle as a spear and a foam baseball bat as an axe.

I am currently finishing up the follow up book to City of the Gods: The Descendant. I love to hear from readers and other authors. You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/McMillanSJ, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/McMillanSJ, or check out my website at www.mcmillansj.com.

Favorite Book Spotlight- Interview with a Vampire Anne Rice

In 2000, when I was first introduced to dark fantasy authors such as H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, and Tanith Lee, I also read Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and fell in love with the depth of prose and visual description and dark gothic tales of vampire lore. I, of course, intended to read her entire backlist, but never quite got around to it as changes altered the path in life I was taking.

Nowadays, while some find enjoyment in the Twilight Saga and True Blood, I find my vampire lore in the pages of Yasmine Galenorn’s Otherworld series and Indigo Court series and Elle Jasper’s Dark Ink Chronicles. That’s more my speed.

I read such a variety of books there’s no way I can call myself a book snob. I have to try out books that sound interesting to me, simply because no one is telling me I have to, but me. I know some folks who can’t bear to read certain genres because they’ve been required to read them in school or for work. I suppose when you have to read a lot of books and find a good deal of them lacking, it does set the stage for shunning certain genres that just don’t hold any desirable qualities or depth.

I count myself lucky- most books I’ve read that were recommendations or suggestions are usually quality stories and I very much enjoy them. But I also know that I give myself much more freedom to truly enjoy the books I read because I do so at my leisure and because I love discovering new beautifully woven tales that take me to all kinds of places, worlds and lifestyles.

It’s been a very long time since I read Interview with the Vampire. I’m not sure whether I would see it the same or if perhaps I would find new angles and intricacies I wasn’t aware of the first time I read it, but I’m sure I’d still enjoy it and I hope someday I am able to read it and the other books in The Vampire Chronicles.