With your amazing support, Alien Embrace hit the USA Today bestseller list that was released yesterday. It has been a long year as the many author who participated in this set came together to publish it.
Without the support of so many wonderful readers, this would never have happened - we send you a galaxy of gratitude!
Things change - thoughts on the Bad Girls, Grumpy Bosses boxset
Thanks to everyone who is reading or has read Bad Girls, Grumpy Bosses.
One note on the first book, Simon Says: it was my debut novel in this genre. Now, with the benefit of five years’ experience, I know it could have been much better.
I love Simon and Sadie, but I should have shown more of Simon's better side because he does have one. He just keeps it well hidden.
I only started to begin to understand Simon in book two, Winning Sadie..
At the start of my writing life, I was told it I’d have to commit myself to a lifetime of learning. I took that advice to heart and work on craft constantly.
I hope you will see the improvement between my first book in this collection, Simon Says, and Trusting Ingrid, which I wrote two years later.
I also hope people will remember that these books are fantasies. They shouldn’t be confused with instruction manuals, nor are they intended to be ‘how to’ lifestyle guides.
Venomous Craving by Mary Auclair
Today Mary Auclair joins me with her fantasy thriller, Venomous Craving, (Eok Warriors book one).
Blurb: In a world where humanity has been hunted to near extinction, Rose is captured and on her way to be sold on the lucrative slave black market.
Seizing her only chance, she escapes and find fate waiting for her in the form of another captive of terrifying strength, a legendary Eok warrior. Together Rose and Karian fight for their survival, and ultimately for the fate of the entire human race.
In the midst of the battle, a dangerous attraction is born. Soon, the call for a mate torments Karian’s body, turning his desires into an imperious craving. Will Rose accept him as her bloodmate, and seal both their destinies, before everything is lost?
Disclaimer: Venomous Craving is an erotic romance that includes power exchanges and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
Buy link: Amazon
Excerpt:
She turned to face him, with all intentions to thank him like she’d never thanked anyone before. Her words stumbled on each other and were lost before they escaped her lips.
The first things her eyes focused on were the bars. A cage. The stranger, her savior, stared from the other side, his shining bright blue irises fixed on her like on prey. His appearance struck her across the brain like a blow.
He was completely bald, and his ear-less head was smooth and round. The features on his face were sharp and angular, with prominent cheekbones and brows, accentuated by a straight nose marred by three ridges. His was a sensuous face, direct and challenging, the face of a man used to the reaction of others to his superior strength. His mouth was stretched in a superior smile, and Rose’s eyes caught on his full, fleshy lips, parted to show a row of pearly white teeth. And fangs. He had two long, sharp fangs where humans had merely harmless canines. His midnight blue skin shimmered in the dusty light, and as the air cleared progressively, so did the fog in Rose’s head.
Her eyes traveled across the landscape of tiny scars marking his skin in a regular pattern over his cheeks, forehead, and along his jaw. He wore pants, but no shirt, and his exposed torso was a tangle of lean muscles, bulging with strength going down to his waist. He was a fine man, with power and raw testosterone leaking from every pore of his being. Supremely masculine, attractive to no end, and definitively not human.
Oh, my God.
She knew what he was.
“You’re Eok.” The words stumbled from her lips in a whisper, as if she spoke them any louder, they would bite her tongue.
“And you’re human.” His eyes traveled up and down her body in a slow assessment.
More about Mary Auclair
Mary Auclair is a lover of romance novels of all genre. She likes to write everything from science fiction to fantasy, passing through paranormal and historical, but always with a dark, sexy twist. She spends too many hours to count daydreaming about adventures and hot, dominant alpha male heroes. When she’s not writing, she’s busy being a full-time mom, as well as caring for her many pets.
Connect with Mary Auclair
Playing With Fire by Jane Burelli
Please join me in welcoming Jane Burrelli and her book Playing With Fire (Bride of Fire series, book 2).
Can Mira thaw Zorren's icy heart or will he lose her forever
Blurb:
When the gods breathed life into us they blessed us with an element, a pity they didn’t care to bless us with anything else.
Princess Nymira’s life changed forever when a coup forced her to flee north and in doing so she found herself mated to Zorren, the formidable Ice Lord. Their instant connection is undeniable but their budding relationship is not without challenges.
Mira must now face the open hostility of a foreign court as she attempts to carve out a niche at Zorren’s side. New enemies work tirelessly to drive a wedge between the newly mated pair and their tentative bond of trust is tested to the limit. Are Mira and Zorren strong enough to withstand the storm or will her most guarded secret drive them apart?
Forever.
Publisher’s Note: Playing With Fire is book two in the Bride of Fire Trilogy. This fantasy romance contains elements of danger, suspense, mystery, adventure, and sensual scenes set in an apocalyptic world.
Buy link: Amazon
Excerpt
“Where is she?” Groaning, I threw my hands in the air and despite my shivering laid back on the cool sands, praying to the deities that the ground would swallow me up.
“Can’t you manage to stay out of trouble for one moment?”
I met my mate’s stony glare with one of my own. My anger still simmering I unclenched my jaw. “I’m not in trouble, I just overworked my session.” Ahem, almost entered the hereafter by unconsciously offering my soul to the eternal flame.
Zorren did not desist from standing over me and my nostrils flared.
“I’m fine and didn’t know your presence had been requested but it is unnecessary. Please return to your business at hand.” I replied as smooth as the sweetest honey while my hands were fisted at my sides. He was embarrassing me, the fool. Fed up of the height disadvantage I made another attempt to stand, powering to my feet. Zorren’s face was turning an interesting shade of purple. To help matters, I pasted on my best, brightest smile. “See no harm done.” Except my inner flame had withered so significantly I was frightened and wanted to get somewhere warm as soon as possible. This time I lasted for a grand total of a few seconds before my legs started to weave and bend against my will. My pride dented, I sat back down before I fell down.
“Fine, are you?” Zorren rubbed it in, thumbs hooked into his belt loop. His all-knowing expression grating. “Are you going to continue to be stubborn?”
“Your presence is not needed,” I gritted out. “My lord.” His eyes sparked, and I knew my subtle dig had found its mark. Zorren hated it when I referred to him by his title; as such I usually did it to needle him.
Less than impressed, his strong arms scooped me up. “Enough, Mira.” It was not enough. Wiggling and squirming Zorren was struggling to keep a grip on me.
Jane Burelli in her own words:
When I realised that the world was not hiring for a ‘sarcastic but benign Supreme Ruler of the Universe’ I’ve decided to focus on my passion. By day I work in a UK company’s finance department and by night I become my alter ego Scribble Girl or as my good friends have affectionately dubbed me the 'sex author'. Always armed with a notepad and pen in the black hole I call a handbag, I have been writing never ending stories since the age of 11 and this all stemmed from my love of reading.
I love reading. Period!
I’m part of the Harry Potter generation and while waiting between books would literally devour any book I could get my hands on. Let’s put it this way J.K Rowling has a lot to answer for. I adore that there is no end in sight to where your own imagination can take you and that between the pages of a book you are transported to another world.
Happy Reading!
Connect with Jane Burelli:
website: www.janeburrelli.com
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Burrelli/e/B01ACPOKD0
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Burrelli/e/B01ACPOKD0
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14842736.Jane_Burrelli
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blushingburreli
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeburrelli/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeburrelli/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janeburrelli/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jane-burrelli
Character Interview
Jane: Thank you for joining me this evening, for the official record can I please have you name?
Mira: Certainly, my name is Mira.
Jane: I mean you full name please, it’s not everyday that I get interview royalty. My that was a big sigh, surely a name cannot be that tedious?
Mira: Oh, it most definitely can. It must stay between us Zorren cannot know, it would make things even more precarious.
Jane: Of course, you can rely on my absolute discretion.
Mira: I am her Serene Highness, the Crown Princess Nymira of the House Pyria, direct descendant of Fa-Rahzil the first Emperor of Fire, daughter of Princess Eliska of the house Pyria and the Scourge of the West Lord Castro of the house Vatra, granddaughter of Emperor Ageiz II, Defender of the sacred flame, Heiress to the Throne of Flames.
Jane: *Owl eyes* Wow, that is some name.
Mira: Exactly.
Jane: Let’s start with a few easy questions; do you have any siblings?
Mira: No, due to longevity of our natural life spans we do not reproduce easily and as such siblings are rare, but I have a cousin, Xhara, we are like sisters. We were forced to split up when I acted as a decoy so that she could escape.
Jane: I see, and what're your parents like?
Mira: My parents were Princess Eliska of the house Pyria and the Lord Castro of the exiled house Vatra. I barely remember them as they were assassinated when I was very young, but the story of their mating is infamous throughout the Firelands. My mother dared to defy the emperor and fell in love with the enemy. It made things a little strained when I went to live in the capitol.
Jane: Would you say you're someone who can handle pressure?
Mira: I was raised in the court of my aunt, Empress Faustia II, what do you think? Expectations were placed on me from an young age and I learnt how to conduct myself as a member of the royal house, so it takes something exceptional to rattle me.
Jane: Let’s make the questions a bit harder, do you have any enemies?
Mira: I currently have a bounty on my head. The usurper who murdered the Empress, seeks to either kill me or imprison me which forced me to flee North.
Jane: When you fled north you must have been traveling light, what's your most valued possession that you carry?
Mira: When I fled I carried my nation’s most sacred treasure, the sword of the first Emperor. It is priceless. Forged from the metal of a falling star it is the only weapon that allows tmy line to channel their greatest weapon. The sacred white flame that can burn through anything.
Jane: Your worst fear? You don't have to answer this one if you don't want to.
Mira: Failing to do my duty and not being strong enough to complete the task set to and being an embarrassment to the crown. My power - my inner flame is - lacking. My cousin, the next empress has started to produce the white flame that identifies our line and I..can’t...my power is mediocre at best.
Zorren: There you are!
Mira: Zorren? What is the meaning of this interruption?
Zorren: You disappeared, again.
Mira: I did not, just because you are paranoid-
Zorren: -and I wonder why that might be? Perhaps because you have a terrible habit of attempting to skulk away.
Mira: I do not skulk!
Jane: Now, surely we can be reasonable now, Zorren please stop icing up my floor, you are causing a health and safety hazard.
Zorren: What is a health and safety hazard?
Jane: It’s where - oh never mind.
Zorren: Do you remember what I said would happen the next time you wondered off, Hellcat.
Mira: You wouldn’t dare and stop calling me Hellcat.
Jane: Mira, please extinguish your hands, that sofa is highly flammable.
Mira: Zorren! Zorren put me down! I am not a sack of grain.
Jane: Apologies readers, we’ve had an unexpected interruption. Mira, has been carried off by one, highly determined Ice Lord and I don’t believe we will be able to reconvene anytime soon. But until that time, happy reading!
Cassandra's Curse by Stella Moore
Stella Moore is visiting my blog today for the first time. What a great opportunity to get a preview of her book Cassandra’s Curse that was just released on Friday.
Is the love of a mortal man enough to break her curse? Or will one of them pay the ultimate price for her freedom?
Blurb
Seven hundred years ago, Cassandra was bound to an amulet and cursed to a life of servitude. By the time she is released by the handsome Wyatt Hartnett, she no longer believes that the curse can be lifted.
Wyatt proves to be far different than her previous masters. Kind and caring, he refuses to use magic to force her to obey. His methods of ensuring her obedience are more—human. Before long, her heart begins to warm and she dares to dream that this stern but decent man may indeed be her last master. The man who will set her free.
But the one who imprisoned her has only grown more powerful over the last seven centuries, and she will do whatever it takes to see that the curse remains unbroken. Is the magic of Wyatt’s love stronger enough to break the ancient curse? Or will one of them pay the ultimate price for Cassandra’s freedom?
Publishers’ disclaimer: Cassandra’s Curse is a sweet love story intended for a mature audience. It includes elements of domestic discipline, and descriptions of intimate encounters between a dominant man and submissive woman. If such content may offend you, please do not buy this book.
Buy link: Amazon
Excerpt:
“Wyatt? What are you doing?” she asked, her heart thundering in her chest.
“We have a conversation to finish,” Wyatt replied casually, but she caught the flash of fire in his eyes. “I don’t want you using your powers on other people, unless you’re in danger. I won’t use the amulet to bend your will to mine, but I do have other ways of, shall we say, encouraging better behavior.”
She could feel the desire burning between her thighs at his threat. Damn her body for responding to his high-handed ways. She was an enchantress, immortal and powerful, despite the curse. This man should be trembling at her feet, not making demands of her. “And what ways do you have that you think can sway me?”
His voice dropped to a low, seductive growl. “I’ll put you over my knee and spank your admittedly fantastic ass until you won’t even think of disobeying me again. Now, are you going to do as I’ve asked?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart. Yes, I would. I can give you a demonstration when we get home if you’d like. After we’ve done what we came to do, I can take you over my knees and spank you until you’re all pink and squirming under my hand. And then, I’ve got this little paddle that would have you sobbing and promising to be a good girl in about thirty seconds. You won’t sit comfortably for a couple of days, so let me ask you again. Are you going to do as I asked?
More about Stella Moore
Nestled somewhere in the Southeastern United a States you can usually find Stella curled up on her couch with her tablet, a blanket (because even during a southern summer, she's freezing) and a glass of wine. If she isn't writing or tweaking her newest work, she's glued to a book. Romance, suspense, thrillers, Stella loves a little bit of everything.
Other than reading, she spends her time listening to her husband play his guitar and throwing spontaneous dance parties with her two teenage daughters in the living room. When she can convince everyone else to venture outside, she loves hiking and swimming. Her husband is fairly certain she's secretly a mermaid, as she'd live in the water if she could.
Stella has been writing spanking fiction off and on for years, but she's just recently taken the plunge into writing full on novels. She is from the school of “write what you know”, and her husband is always willing (sometimes too willing!) to assist with any research she needs.
Connect with Stella Moore:
Email: author.stellamoore@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.StellaMoore
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorstellam @authorstellam
To Break A Warrior King's Curse by Kryssie Fortune
Kryssie Fortune is here today with book 2 in the Scattered Siblings series – To Break A Warrior King’s Curse.
He only intended to seduce her, not love her.
Blurb:
Leonidas can fight anything except dark magic.
He inherited his father’s curse along with the Fae throne. Thanks to a rogue witch, if he doesn’t bed a different woman every month, he’ll turn feral. A man can only stand so much meaningless sex. No wonder he hates witches.
When he meets Meena, he intends to seduce her, not love her.
Meena’s a witch who never developed any powers.
Banished to the mundane world, she masquerades as human. When she accidentally bonds with an escaped war dragon, Leonidas comes to reclaim it. His enemies strip him of his powers, and his month’s almost up.
What happens when he discovers she’s a witch? And how will this warrior king cope when his curse kicks in and forces him into another woman’s bed.
Disclaimer: To Break A Warrior King’s Curse contains sexually explicit scenes and strong language. If these elements offend you, please do not buy this book,
Buy link: Amazon
PLEASE NOTE This book was previously sold with the title CURSE OF THE FAE KING.
Excerpt:
Meena almost retched. Everything she learned about the Elves made her hate them more. “That potion. What was it?”
“Distilled musk taken from a female rat as she comes into season,” her companion whispered.
“Randy rat juice?” Meena spluttered. “And I drank it.”
A second woman entered, carrying short lengths of rope. “And soon, just like an animal in heat, you will burn for the touch of a man.”
The outer door swished open then someone closed it with a bang. She didn’t care that she was naked and defenseless. She just wanted the victor to screw her hard and fast. Or maybe slow and easy. Perhaps both. In her best dreams, he brought a friend.
Her raging hormones didn’t care as long as someone relieved the burning need between her legs. Another wave of desire hit her, shooting fresh longings to her sensitized nerve endings. Her need blossomed into pain—intense, clear, and sharp. She trembled. She needed. She wanted. Goddess, if she didn’t come soon, she’d explode. She heard a flint strike, and a candle cast eerie shadows across the entry room.
In the name of the collective covens, I’m in here. Get a move on. Please.
The scent of chocolate and chili assailed her, and then Leonidas strode to her side. Face stern, he spun on his heel and shoved a chair against the door handle. He moved to the bed, towering over her as he stared at her face through the flickering candlelight. He frowned as, back arched, hips rolling, she demanded, “Don’t just stand there. Fuck me.”
More about Kryssie Fortune
Kryssie reads everything and anything, from literary fiction to sizzling romance. Her earliest memory is going to the library with her mother. She can’t have been more than two at the time. Reading, especially when a book’s hot and explicit, is more than a guilty pleasure. It’s an obsession.
Kryssie needed a world for her Scattered Sibling adventures. With its green sky, carnivorous plants and rats bigger than cars, the otherworld is a violent place. Lykae, Fae, and vampires all live there. If the characters come to our mundane world, they often visit the North Yorkshire resort town of Whitby—British home of all things gothic and weird. For Kryssie, mixing reality and fantasy is the best entertainment.
Kryssie lives on the coast, about thirty miles from Whitby, and she know it well. She enjoys gardening, travel, and socializing with her author friends. You’d be surprised how many erotic romance authors live in the north of England.
In 2017, Kryssie’s main publisher—Loose id – decided it could no longer compete with Amazon. Sadly, they closed their doors permanently in May. For Kryssie, getting her book rights back is a chance to go indie. To Break a Warrior King’s Curse is the first book she’s self-published
And the title change?
When she started writing, Kryssie didn’t realize how much she’d fall in love with the otherworld. All her Scattered Sibling’s series books have a title starting with TO… She simply brought this in line with the rest. Please, read and enjoy
Kryssie Fortune answers a few quick questions:
What are your favourite scenes in your book: the action, the dialogue, or the romance?
It’s got to be the romance, but it’s got to hang on a good story. Dialogue’s hard though. Before I retired, I worked for a TV soap. It always amazed me that the cast spoke in such short sentences. On screen, it made them sound like real people. I try to incorporate that in my books.
How do you feel about writing a series?
My Scattered Siblings series is a collection of stand-alone tales set in a magical world. The plants are man eating, the Elves misogynistic, and the Lykae and Fae take the heroines’’ breath away with their ferocity and good looks. I love the way the earlier characters crop in cameos throughout the series. It’s like a party with all your best friends invited.
Cat or a dog person
Both. We always had cats when the kids were little, but we live too near the main road now. When I was younger, I had a Welsh Terrier—a sort of teddy bear on legs. I’d have a dog, but my husband goes all Mr. Spock on me and points out that since our kids both live in London, we sometimes need to zoom off at the drop of a hat. It wouldn’t be fair on the dog. I admit he’s right, but I don’t have to like it.
How do you feel when you finish writing a book?
Finishing a story is like saying goodbye to great friends. I hate cliffhangers and unhappy endings so I can guarantee a happy ever after in my books.
Connect with Kryssie Fortune:
Website http://kryssiefortune.wixsite.com/kryssie
Blog http://kryssiefortune.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter https://twitter.com/KryssieFortune
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KryssiesFortune
Pinterest http://bit.ly/1OGFnjc
Goodreads http://bit.ly/2kxqabJ
Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2hA0ZVO