Monday, April 30, 2018

Coming soon: The Huntress & The Frog #fairytales #twistedfairytales #limitededition #contemporary #paranormal #romance #onceuponatime #OUATT #darkromance #frog



Love Fairytale Retellings? This is the set for you!
Once Upon a Twisted Time
16 Fairytale retelling stories ~ ONLY 99c

Are you ready to dive into a world of *brand new & exclusive* fairy tales where your beloved stories are retold with a twist?
16 New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors have come together in this collection to bring new thrills are woven into the fables we know, both classic and modern.
Amazon ~ Nook ~ iBooks ~ Kobo


The Huntress & The Frog
by
Louisa Bacio


No princess here. She's a kickass protector.
Don't miss Louisa' other Fairy Tales: The Brothers Menage
Awake: Unsleeping Beauty: An Erotic Lesbian Tale
The Thief & His Master 


Jazz music from outside the courtyard’s walls filtered in, and Melody caught the scent of jambalaya spices. Her stomach growled. She shifted her weight from one foot to the next, waiting for the master of the house. 
She didn’t like being kept waiting. On the streets, most viewed her as a local, someone they’d probably seen a time or two before. She blended in with her surroundings, no matter where; she didn’t like to stand out, which wasn’t a small task for someone with shocking red hair. But over the years she’d learned sometimes those with the most outlandish dress were seen the least.
A rumble formed in the base of her belly, and she placed her hands over the offensive spot – willing her stomach to obey. 
A man strolled into the courtyard. He wore a hunter green suit that looked to be tailored at one point, but now bulged over his stomach and pulled taut around his thighs. A fluffy white collar merged with the rolls on his neck.
“Thank you for coming, Ms. Charm. I am Arthur.” He gestured toward a table with two chairs. “Please make yourself comfortable.”
She doubted the cold wrought iron offered much comfort, but sat on the end, ready to jump at a moment’s notice. She still didn’t know why she’d been brought to this castle. Hell, she’d passed by the address more than a few times, and never thought twice as to what lay beyond the walls. Few probably did.
“He’s just a frog from the bayou, and you need to protect him before the Voodoo King’s curse becomes permanent.”
Well damn. If that doesn’t sound like the impossible task. Melody fingered the cash retainer in her pocket and thought about the payout upon completing the task. While she was good at what she did, she also was tired of constantly being on the hunt, and hunted. This money would go a long way toward her hanging up her sword. “No worries. Consider it done.”
“What did he do to get cursed?” It seemed like a valid question. If she was going to save his life, she might as well know.
“The reason matters not,” the adviser peered down his nose at her, and the corner of his lip curled. “Your job is to keep him safe.”
“Hmmmm.” She drew a dagger from the sheath on her hip, liking the feel of its weight to keep her secure. She didn’t care for his condescending attitude, but he wasn’t paying her to like him. He was paying her to do a job. However, if she couldn’t trust him, she’d have to be even more wary of the employment. “I guess that’s fair – for now.”
If she discovered the prince of a guy did something utterly despicable, she’d cut him free, or loose. This asshole may look at her like she was from the streets, some sort of trash that should only enter and exit via the back entrance, but he’s the one who called her for help. 
He needed her. Both the prince and Arthur did, and she wanted the money that came with the job.
“So what’ll break this curse?”
“The same as any other – true love.”
Ah, it sounded so easy. Too easy. “Where is she?”
With that, the adviser laughed, deep from his belly, as if her question surprised him. “He doesn’t have one. There’s to be a ball at the end of this week for him to meet the eligible candidates. You are to keep him alive until the party, and then we hope for the best.”
Checklist: 
One eligible, but somewhat green and slimy prince.
One Voodoo curse.
One ball she wouldn’t be caught dead at. 
Well as long as she got him to the ball then she didn’t have to worry any further.
“Well, now that everything’s settled, where do we begin?” She was ready to get started, and finished. The job didn’t seem too difficult. 
From a tray behind him, the adviser lifted something covered with a black cloth. Carefully, he set it on the table between them. With a flick of his wrist, he removed the covering. 
Ribbet. Croak. Ribbet.
“Ms. Charm, please meet Prince Victor Leveau the future heir to the … dynasty.”
“Excuse me.” With a metallic screech, she pushed back her chair and stood. “But that’s a frog!”
Croak.
“Or a toad, whatever.” She waived her hand. “Are you telling me you’re hiring me to protect that?”
“Madam. I would ask you to address his highness with the utmost respect. He may be a bit indisposed at this moment, but be sure he’s the one footing the bills.”
At the word “footing,” Melody glanced at the creature’s overly large and green webbed feet, and a giggle bubbled at the back of her throat. She covered her mouth and faked a cough, hoping to disguise the ill-timed response. 
“Ahem, excuse me. I didn’t mean to, ahhhh…” Did it really matter what the man across from her thought? As long as she was paid, she did the job. So what if it was protecting a questionable amphibian. How hard could the job be? It … he was in a cage for goodness sake.
“When is this, ahem, ball again?”
“This Saturday, a few days from now. Do you think you can keep him safe until then?”
“No problem.” She reached for the handle of the cage, and the man pulled it away. 
“We should get a few things clear first. There are some rules that go along with the job.”
“Whatever.” She plopped back into the seat, leaning back. Was the frog staring at her? It had the most magnificent yellow-brown eyes. Weren’t they usually more black? She shook her head. Not that she’d ever been quite this close to one before. A shiver passed over her back. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to take it out of the cage and do anything with the slimy thing. 
By far, over her career, she’d had jobs that were harder than this one. But stranger? No. It figured for what she was hoping would be her last job.


Keep up-to-date with Louisa Bacio by signing up for her Newsletter
You can also find her on:

16 Fairytale retelling stories ~ ONLY 99c
Amazon ~ Nook ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Follow us on Facebook

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

When a miracle becomes deadly, who can save them? #vampires by @LinneaAlexis



The Ortega Project

Vampire Protectors Book 1

By Linnea Alexis

An epic love story of vampires and poison, innocence and ancient enmities, and the one impossible person who could redeem or destroy them all.

Vampires have started dying, poisoned along the Ortega Highway, so Roman Santos, their warrior leader, joins forces with a maverick scientist to develop a blood substitute. But when the formula turns out not only to sustain vampires, but to humanize them, it leaves Santos and his elite team of fighters vulnerable to inter-vampire power battles, attack by priest-slayers, and to love.

Recently dumped by her fiancĂ©, Grace Raines is vulnerable too. Working to put her life as a graduate student back on track, she’s already unwittingly involved in the vampires’ dark world, even before the strikingly handsome Roman walks into the bar where she works.

As what began as a rebellious affair with an alluring stranger grows into something deeper, Grace and Roman struggle to keep the secrets of their worlds from destroying their hope for a life together, even as Grace is pursued by priests, slayers, and other vampires, and Roman battles the poison his once-saving formula has become, rebellion within his team, and his own nature. As death closes in from too many sides, can Roman find a way to keep the destruction of his world from the one who might save him?

Available Now!

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/2H9L8dJ



About the Author:

Linnea Alexis stopped stirring up trouble in the corporate world a few years ago and now satisfies her appetite for adventure by writing about second chances. She writes Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, and Historical Romance where flawed heroes and heroines find their Happily Ever After. 

Contact Details:

                    https://www.facebook.com/Linnea-Alexis-1590000121240152/


Enjoy the following excerpt for The Ortega Project:

            Discipline and focus were Roman’s strongest assets. But tonight, he struggled to keep his mind on the upcoming kill. His thoughts trailed off to Grace and the sexual debacle he’d created by being called away. Twice. Once near her car in the parking lot when he kissed her goodnight. The latest—tonight from her bed. Both times she’d been ready for him. She probably thinks I’m having an affair with my damn cell phone. He released a low snarl and his grip tightened on the steering wheel.
            “You okay?” Gabriel asked.

            “Yeah.” After disappointing Grace a second time, Roman knew he’d have to work extra hard to get her to even speak to him again. He’d always dreamed of sharing his life with a good woman. A woman like Grace. He couldn’t let her get away and would beg, if he had to, for another chance to claim her.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Pretending He's Mine: Review, excerpt, giveaway @MiaSosaRomance @AvonBooks @puretextuality




 
 
 

Mia Sosa returns with another fun, flirty romance in her critically-acclaimed Love on Cue series!
For Hollywood agent Julian Hart, representing his best friend—megastar Carter Williamson—means it’s nearly impossible to keep his personal life and career separate. To make matters worse, Carter’s younger sister has been starring in Julian’s wildest fantasies more often than he’d care to admit. He knows she’s off-limits, but when Ashley shows up on his doorstep, needing a place to crash… suddenly his greatest temptation is sleeping down the hall.
Free-spirited Ashley Williamson doesn’t do commitment. Jobs, apartments, men… why let herself be tied down? But she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend for years and she’s committed to making Julian want her, one towel-clad midnight encounter at a time. But just as things start heating up, their steamy flirtation is interrupted by Carter’s east coast wedding. Ashley has no desire to go home and face her reputation as the family disappointment. But living with—dare she say dating?—a successful, sexy film agent could give them something else to talk about.
Julian can’t believe he agreed to fake a relationship with the one woman he can never have. And it’s going to take more than a little willpower to remember it’s all pretend. Or is it?

Review

It doesn’t get better than this book. I’ve been aware of Mia Sosa for awhile, but I can’t say I’ve read her – until now. When the tour materials came through for Pretending He’s Mine, and I had three weeks off from teaching, I found the perfect treat.

Pretending He’s Mine pairs a crush on a brother’s best friend with a pretend relationship that goes oh-so-wrong from the beginning. Sosa’s writing adds a fresh, addicting twist.

The opening line hooked me instantly, and the story had me laughing throughout. While Ashley Williamson is figuring out her life, she crashes at the home of long-time friend Julian Hart. Ashley may have a bit of another motive – seducing the guy she’s wanted for oh-so long!

The setup makes for some hilarious interaction, and Sosa captures the mindset of Julian well. As an entertainment agent, Julian represents Ashley’s superstar brother, and while he’s used to negotiating deals, he doesn’t like to give on the home front:   

“This is my domain, though, and going commando is nonnegotiable. If a man can’t let his balls hang free in his own home, then it’s no longer his sanctuary.”

The sexual tension is hot and heavy, and pays off well. Ashley and Julian may be searching for something more in their lives, but together, they find themselves.

Finally, the best thing – for me – when finishing Pretending He’s Mine: There’s a first book in this series, Acting on Impulse, that’s next on my list, and from the end … there’s another one on the way. I’ve found another must-read author.

So what are you reading this weekend?    

About the Book

Pretending He’s Mine
by Mia Sosa
Series
Love On Cue (Each book is a standalone.)
Genre
Adult
Contemporary Romance
Publisher
Avon Impulse
Publication Date
April 10, 2018
Amazon  |  Avon Romance  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Google Play  |  iBooks

PRETENDING HE’S MINE by Mia SosaFrom Chapter Seven
The next morning, my doubts return, and I chuckle at my naïveté. Because why, oh why is the simple act of making breakfast together a challenge, too?
It’s not my fault, really. Several factors are conspiring against me.
The first? Biceps porn. Holy shit, it’s a thing. When he lifts the pan from the stove, his biceps flex like thick rubber bands. If he were to hold himself above me during sex, I’d see them at close range. Up, down, swivel, and repeat.
The second factor? That apron looks fucking glorious on him. The strings are tied snugly around his trim waist, which emphasizes the nearly perfect V formed by his broad chest and shoulders. Damn, it’s hot as hell in here. I fan myself, but it doesn’t help. So when I’m sure he’s not looking, I grab the mister off the counter and spritz my face.
He catches the sound, though, and draws back. “Jesus. Did you just spray yourself with that?”
“Yeah. Why?” I pull on the collar of my T-shirt to let in some air.
He snickers, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Ashley, that’s olive oil. You need to wipe that off.”
Great. My cheeks are on fire, and now that there’s oil on them, I just might be the first human cooking surface in existence. Swallow me whole, Mother Earth.
Shaking his head at my gaffe, he preps the waffle mix while I use a paper towel to clean myself. I should use a cleanser or something, but I don’t want to miss the biceps porn—or the apron porn for that matter. Besides, olive oil must be good for the skin.
“No blueberries, right?” he asks.
“You remember.”
“Yeah. And I remember you love strawberries, but I’m not putting them in my waffle maker. I’ll toss them on top.”
“Fine with me.”
I squeeze my fists at my sides when I discover there’s more porn. Whisk porn. He’s got a mixing bowl in one hand and a whisk in the other, and he’s beating that waffle mix like he’s its daddy.
He looks up and finds me staring at him. “Everything okay?”
I nod like a human bobblehead. “Mm-hmm.”
He transfers the mix to a measuring cup and pours the batter into the waffle maker. Then he flips it over. Oooh, it’s a double waffle maker. Fancy. Unaware that he’s the new host of my personal cooking show on the Julian Channel, he bends at the waist and wipes the metal plate with a kitchen towel, giving me a DVR-worthy view of his butt. His Nielsen ratings would go into the stratosphere every time he made that move.
“Can you wash the strawberries?” he asks.
Sure, no problem. That ass is going to get someone arrested one day.
“Ash?”
Julian’s voice snatches me out of my happy place. “What?”
“The strawberries. Can you wash them?”
I shake my head and push out my lower lip. “Didn’t you hear me? I said, ‘Sure, no problem.’ ”
He laughs. “In your mind, maybe, but not out loud.”
“Sorry. Watching you cook requires my full attention. You’re so precise, and there are so many steps.” I retrieve the strawberries from the fridge and rinse them in the sink. How do I get these thoughts out of my head? What can I do to stop myself from wanting him? I should probably confiscate his apron. That would be a good place to start.
Beside me, Julian wipes down the counter. When he’s done, he bumps me with his hip and reaches for a clean strawberry, breaching my personal space to get to it. I try to bump him back, but he blocks me with his body, lifts the fruit over his head, and drops everything except the crown into his mouth.
The moment he bites into it, I sway on my feet. When he slides his tongue over his bottom lip to catch the juices, I swoon. Screw you, Julian. Screw you. But not really. What I really mean is, screw me, Julian. screw me.

From PRETENDING HE’S MINE. Used with permission of Avon Impulse. Copyright © 2018 by Mia Sosa.

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of PRETENDING HE’S MINE, we’re giving away three paperback copies of ACTING ON IMPULSE by Mia Sosa!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. Three winners will each receive a paperback copy of Acting On Impulse by Mia Sosa.  This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 4/21/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address.  Duplicates will be deleted.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
About Mia Sosa
Mia Sosa was born and raised in New York City. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications and met her own romance hero (spoiler alert: she married him). Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, but practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead.

A graduate of Yale Law School, Mia practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation’s capital for ten years before returning to her creative roots. Now she spends most of her days writing contemporary romances about smart women and the complicated men who love them. Mia lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and will forever be on the hunt for the perfect karaoke bar.

Mia’s Links

  website  facebook  twitter  goodreads  Amazon icon