Monday, January 16, 2012
Close Encounters with the Night Kind: 2 Kindle Fire Giveaway Hop!! Sign up!!!
Close Encounters with the Night Kind: 2 Kindle Fire Giveaway Hop!! Sign up!!!: Hosted by: Queentutt's Word of Escapism & Close Encounters of the Night Kind <a href="http://queentuttsworldofescapism.com/cocked-loaded...
Friday, January 13, 2012
2 Kindle Fire Giveaway Hop!! Sign up!!!
Hosted by:
&
Sponsored by:
Various Bloggers & Authors
(see list below)
Hello Everyone! Are you are ready to celebrate Independence? Well Ronda and I (Nikki) are celebrating big along with our wonderful Co-sponsors. Yes we are Cocked & Loaded with some amazingly great books, Shootin Stars with the Authors & Bloggers, and Blasting a Giveaway with TWO (2) KINDLE FIRES loaded with the Co-Sponored Author's book (s).
I'd like to take the time and give a Special Thanks to our Fore Fathers and our Military Troops for fighting to keep our Liberties & Freedoms.
Blogger Sponsors:
(list is under construction)
Author Sponsors:
Lisa Beth Darling
(list is under construction)
Hop Rules:
1. Posts must be up at 12 am on the 5th. I will be checking!! Any post not up by the allotted time will be deleted from the event (By 2nd day of Hop).
2. Posts must include the hop button which is supplied below.
3. Posts must include either the linky list, the links to the next three bloggers, or a link back to either Queentutt's World of Escapism or Close Encounters with the Night Kind. We want everyone to be able to hop to all the sites.
4. Your post must include the main link from Queentutt's World of Escapism in order for them to enter for the Kindle e-readers using the Rafflecopter. There will only be one Rafflecopter for the 2 Kindles.
5. Lets keep this simple and only have two main requirement and that is they follow you in some way (ie... GFC, RSS, newsletter, by email, facebook, twitter, or G+ for entry for your prize) and or leave a comment (up to you if you want them to comment).
6. Your giveaway can be anything but it must include something related to the holiday theme of celebrating the fourth of July, Independence, and freedom. It can be Sexy, Sweet, or just a tribute to the 4th. Prizes like jewelry or clothing..or decadent like candy, sweets or chocolate, a book (meaning anything book related, swag, reading lights or book accessories, gift cards, e-copies, or paperbacks), or if your a blog designer and want to strut your stuff you can offer services and or templates, buttons, or other gadgets - its all welcome!!
7. Hop ends at midnight on the 11th and winner announcements must be given out within the next two days.
8. Have fun :)
Special note to authors... If you would like to donate a book to add to the Kindle Grand Prize collection, but do not wish to participate in the hop itself, please email me viajeradelmar@aol.com with the details!! Participating authors are more than welcome to donate books as well :)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Blog Barrage: The Fall of Rain
Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from
For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland
Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine
Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?
Excerpt:
Leif laughed inwardly as he heard the lock engage. Lorraine
He was not a man easily beguiled. ‘Exceedingly picky’ were Kristoff’s words on many occasions when they could’ve had a few choice opportunities with several of the women who entered Tí Joe Mac’s Pub in Kilronan. But he always found a way to stay clear of them. Either their hair was too short, their fingers too long, or they were excessively giggly over anyone who spoke Gaelic to them. No matter how beautiful they were to the eye, Leif always managed to find some flaw, an imperfection he couldn’t get passed.
The only imperfection Lorraine
And what a pretty mouth it was.
Her lips were a delicate shade of rose and looked just as supple as the petals from which its color derived. He imagined they felt as soft and delicate in a kiss, and longed to taste them, to press his lips against her and savor every blessed moment of it while watching her eyes close in automatic response.
Oh, those eyes…
Their exquisite brilliance utterly entranced him. He couldn’t look away no matter how hard he tried. They shone as bright and vivid as the intrinsic color of an emerald, with flecks of lighter green pigments fissuring throughout.
Though he’d stared at them as if they were rare jewels tucked within the hilt of a Viking warrior’s ceremonially-bent sword, uncovered from a sacred burial site, he couldn’t help but feel he was gazing into something he’d known and seen before. Words could not describe what he felt, except that his longing was innate—as if her eyes and all its wonders had been engraved on him from years past.
Again, he laughed inwardly, reminding himself that his entire week had fallen into the epitome of the absurd. Between finding the carved chest of treasured antiquities buried beneath his porch to having a gorgeous woman bathe in his home, he could hardly believe his bizarre stroke of luck.
He quickly left the hallway and entered the kitchen, flipping the nearly burned fish in the pan. The unrelenting vision of her slick wet body clung to him like a wet blanket, drenched with his own lustful musings of what she’d feel like if he dared to touch her. At least, he was glad to know he was still a red-blooded man. As many times as Kristoff had ridiculed him for his lack of interest, tonight he didn’t have to ponder his gender. It was as plain as the nose on his face, and stuck out a bit further than he cared to admit.
Reaching down, he shifted himself, trying to award his erection some more room in his jeans, while cursing it all the same. “Now is not the time.”
“Not the time for what? Dinner?”
Leif turned at the sound of Lorraine’s voice, not expecting anyone to be behind him, and almost knocked the pan off the stove. He caught it by the handle, fortunately, steadying it before it slid off the edge.
“I take it you’re not used to a woman in your home,” she stated discernibly.
Heaving a sigh, he smiled. “How was your shower?”
“Exhilarating.”
I’m sure it was. “Good.” He rallied his best casual voice and turned back to the fish, still simmering on the stove. As he resumed cooking, he secretly regarded the way the small swell of her breasts put curves in his oversized T-shirt that her raincoat had once hidden. Though her dainty figure had been virtually swallowed up by his cotton drawstring sweats, he knew somewhere beneath all that fabric was an enticing set of feminine curves.
“Since my clothes were still damp, I hung them over the shower rod to dry,” she confessed. “I hope that’s all right.”
His grip tightened on the handle. The image of a lace-lined bra and delicate panties, hanging in his bathroom flashed in his mind and he could do little about the smile teasing the corners of his lips. Without facing her, he shrugged his shoulders, pretending he hardly cared and changed the subject. “I hope you’re hungry,” he replied, fisting a quartered lemon above the pan-seared cod and dousing it with lemon juice. “I’ve made enough for the whole village it seems.”
He thought he heard a slight chuckle, regretting that he’d probably missed the first opportunity to see her smile. But he kept to his mission of transferring the food to the two plates sitting on the adjacent counter. That little feat required more of his attention given he wasn’t much of a practiced chef.
“It smells delicious.”
Adding the final touches to the plate with a few island flowers he’d picked days ago—only because he heard from the more experienced chefs in Dublin’s pricey restaurants that presentation was everything—and a slice of soda bread on top, he turned around and caught her looking at him. Her eyes, however, did not meet his until they jumped up from a lower direction.
She cleared her voice and looked away, feigning that she had ever been looking at his arse. Leif was not a stupid man, nor did things often get passed him, but for her sake, he acted as if he were none the wiser.
“Please. Have a seat.”
She did as he suggested, wringing her hands in the extra T-shirt cloth at her waist.
She’s still nervous.
For that reason, he sat in the seat directly across from her instead of next to her where they could share the same corner of the table. Disappointed as he was, he refused to show it, keeping a keen eye on her facial expressions and body posture. At the present, she sat stiff-backed in the chair, her eyes fixed on the bounty of food he placed in front of her.
A quick grin teased her lips when she saw the white and yellow daisy garnishing the corner of her plate. She never said a word in regards to his makeshift embellishment, but the smile that hung about thereafter was enough for him.
She didn’t waste any time taking her first bite, closing her eyes as she pulled the fork from her mouth. Her shoulders melted and a slight hum reverberated from her lips.
“Does that mean it’s good?”
“Are you kidding?” she asked, her eyes nervously diverting from his the moment they met. “This is the best pan-seared fish I’ve ever had.”
He shook his head, forking his first bite. “Now I’m convinced you have a concussion.”
“I’m serious. I’ve never had fish like this before. Most times it’s fried to a crisp or bland as hell.”
“Well, I don’t know much about Kentucky
She mildly smiled and stuffed a piece of bread in her mouth. “You make a better cook than a comedian.”
“Ah, look at that. Give the small town Kentucky
Another smile. That one he was sure to catch.
“I don’t know about all that,” she replied uncertainly.
“Well, you’re gaining a bit of confidence. It’s good to know you’re less fearful of me.”
Her hand froze, her fork stuck in another cut of fish. “I don’t fear you, Leif. I just don’t know you.”
He set his utensil down and crossed his arms, eager to finally delve into a meaningful discussion. “What is it you’d like to know?”
I shied from his intrusive eyes, feeling the heat of his stare setting me ablaze.
He leaned in. “I know you are avoiding me because you feel ‘tis right. ‘Tis moral. ‘Tis safer. But you needn’t fear me.”
I took a deep breath. “I fear you not, Dægan. I simply know not enough about you.”
His face recoiled slightly as if my choice of words had stunned him. He released me and crossed his arms in front of him. “What would you like to know?”
“Rain?”
Leif’s voice caught her off guard and she looked around, confused, the name Dægan echoing in her ears. She blinked, staring at the man across from her, his face illustrating as much bewilderment as her own.
“You all right?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
Instantly, she pulled away, trying to gather her wits. It seemed she’d hear Leif’s words in the same minute she’d hear the exact same thing from a man by the name of Dægan.
What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she keep seeing things that weren’t really there or hear conversations from an unknown past, which were so akin to what she was talking about now?
“You blacked out for a moment,” he explained.
“I did?” The question came out of her mouth even though she knew she had gone somewhere else, somewhere that seemed like memories. It was as if she were having personal recollections of long ago, which involved her and a Norse warrior in some uncanny fashion.
“Yeah, you did. I asked you what you wanted to know about me, and suddenly, your eyes glazed over. You stared straight forward, but focused on nothing. Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps we need to wake up the good doc.”
She fidgeted in her chair. The thought of a doctor looking her over and determining she was categorically crazy was not in her vacation plans. She tried to go back to her normal routine of eating, forking another bite of fish to prove to him, if not herself, he was overreacting. “Really, I’m fine. You shouldn’t worry. I just need to finish eating and get some rest. I’ve had a long day.”
Again, he didn’t look convinced. But what else could she say? She was as lost as he was when it came to her “blacking out” and no amount of pondering it could procure a logical explanation.
For the rest of the meal, they both lost their tongues for small talk and the only sound heard was the casual clinking of silverware on their plates. It was just as well, since neither seemed to know what to say anyway. Despite the great food and warm hospitality Leif had provided her, Lorraine
She prayed for sleep. Sleep without dreams. Somehow, as she glanced over at Leif looking at her in the most concerned way, she didn’t think she’d get her wish.
Buy Links:
Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Isle-Trilogy/dp/1937389553/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322576302&sr=1-1
Turquoise Morning Press: https://www.createspace.com/3729821
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thefallofrain-651760-140.html
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110678
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-fall-of-rain
About The Author:
I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky
When I am not writing, I love to spend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with my friends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the best therapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or my horse's, rather, is "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-blooded Tennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.
I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.
Links:
Website: http://www.reneevincent.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent
Deep In The Heart Romance: http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/
Publisher:
Turquoise Morning Press http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/
Organizations:
Romance Writers of America
Kentucky Romance Writers http://www.kentuckyromancewriters.com/
Ohio Valley Romance Writers http://www.ovrwa.com/
Celtic Hearts Romance Writers: http://www.celtichearts.org/
Hearts Through History: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/
Reviews:
Ræliksen
*Winner of two categories by Love Romances Café
“Best Book Cover 2010”
“Best Historical 2010”
“This book and author earn my highest recommendations and I feel privileged to have read one of the best. It is a must read for any lover of historical romance or even lovers of romance in general.”
~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews
~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews
“…this story is realistic, historically accurate and unforgettable; a story you will remember long after the last page is read.”
~ 5 Blue Ribbons! ~ Romance Junkies
“Every word of this story has meaning. Every moment leads to the next. Every word is simultaneously natural and brilliant, each one holding an unmistakable place in history with the telling of this tale.”
~ Author Sarah Ballance
Mac Liam
*Winner of the “5 Heart Sweetheart” Award
from The Romance Studio
“It comes alive and winds its way into your heart. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical romance and I cannot wait to read the final book of the trilogy as this story has stayed with me days after I read the last word.”
~ 5 Hearts ~ The Romance Studio
“I will admit to being skeptical that this story would capture me as much as the first had, but I was blown away by the awesomeness that is Mac Liam. Ms. Vincent surpassed all of my expectations with her impressive writing abilities, while offering more incites and revelations that will keep readers coming back for more.”
~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews
“The steadfast, true love Ms. Vincent creates in Mac Liam takes one’s breath away.
A memorable, satisfying story!”
~ 4.5 Books ~ Long And Short Reviews
~ 4.5 Books ~ Long And Short Reviews
Silent Partner
"Ms. Vincent’s writing has the unique ability of capturing both the reader’s heart and mind… I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story and would love to see it become a movie. Another highly recommended read by Renee Vincent!"
~ "5 Star TOP PICK" ~ Night Owl Reviews
Her writing sparkles, and given this is the author’s first attempt at contemporary mainstream romance, she creates the right impact for settings, pace and conflict. Her balance of the self-absorbed hero meeting emotionally challenged heroine is stunning because of her research into the heroine’s background. This book is a keeper."
~ "LASR BEST BOOK" ~ Long And Short Reviews
~ "LASR BEST BOOK" ~ Long And Short Reviews
Close Encounters with the Night Kind: Blog Hop Sign Up!!
Close Encounters with the Night Kind: Blog Hop Sign Up!!: Hello!! I, along with my co-host Natasha Blackthorne, will be running our first blog hop!! I will be playing with the button a little more...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Giveaway and Review of Sinful :)
I love it when a book is called something that just slides of your tongue, in more ways than one!! Lol!! Let' take a look at this decidedly decadent sounding novel:
Music was their only dream & passion...
Until they found one another...
For years, Mikayla Gallan has dreamed of providing a better life for her younger brother, Matthew, and herself. Coming from a family of musicians, Mikayla and Matthew have dreams of someday making it big. But Mikayla's first priority is always ensuring Matthew's future. When Houdini Records comes knocking on her door, offering her everything she's ever wanted, Mikayla's scared to grab onto their offer.
Sinclair "Sin" Devlin, part-owner of Houdini Records has loved and lost and has no intentions of ever going down that path again. He's determined to put his company back on the map and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Meeting Mikayla Gallan, hearing her sultry and passionate voice on stage, Sin believes he has found the only woman that could save the company. He's even more shocked to realize that perhaps she's also the only woman to save him from himself.
And a little sneak peek:
Mikayla hung up her skirt on the clipped hanger, making a mental note to take it home after her meeting with Desmond Ritchie and his brother-in-law so that it could be dry-cleaned.
Anxious to get out front, her hands shook and her steps clumsy, as she hurriedly put her things away, she rechecked her makeup one last time.
Standing straight, Mikayla looked herself over in the mirror. Normally after work she’d dress in an old, comfortable pair of jeans, sweatshirt and running shoes, but tonight that wasn’t an option.
For her meeting she decided to keep her black halter-top on that she’d worn onstage, and instead of her normal worn jeans, she dressed in pleated black dress slacks that were comfortable, yet professional. She still wore her red heels with straps at the ankles. Though her slacks covered the straps, they were her favourite pair and she looked sexy as hell in them.
Nothing like a pair of fuck me shoes to give a girl a boost.
Around her bare shoulders, she wore a sheer silk, red shawl that added colour to her outfit and she just couldn’t resist. Red was a power colour in her mind, and exuded confidence in the person wearing it. Plus it brought out her blue eyes.
At least that was her opinion and tonight she needed all the confidence she could get. If Desmond Ritchie was for real, then hers and Matthew’s lives could change forever.
Taking a deep breath and resisting the urge to giggle in her excitement, something a woman of thirty just didn’t do, she grabbed her small black purse from the dressing table, spun on her heel and headed to the door.
Throwing open the door, she didn’t see anything but a large black blur coming at her and then she was falling. Her purse fell as she reached out to grab whatever she could to stay upright.
Landing on her back on the floor, the fluffy grey carpeting at her back cushioning the fall, Mikayla sucked in a breath.
Old Spice and an inebriating masculine scent filled her nostrils and she opened her eyes. Looking into the deepest pair of brown eyes she’d ever seen, she was surprised to realize that a large man was lying on top of her.
A hell of a sexy guy to be exact. Wavy, chestnut brown hair, deep brown eyes and lush, full lips were all she could see. Never in her life had she seen such a god-like, beyond gorgeous Adonis this up close and personal.
In many ways, he reminded her of the actor, Matthew McConaughey, but with darker hair.
Small differences didn’t matter, McConaughey was her favourite actor, the man of many of her fantasies as she pleasured herself in her own room in the dark. Any man that could come close to Matthew McConaughey in looks and what she believed he’d feel like in her arms, was okay with her.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Gallan. The door opened so quickly, I didn’t have time to…”
Hearing his deep baritone voice, Mikayla’s body felt things it hadn’t felt in years. Desire, pulsating need and wetness between her thighs all registered in her passion-filled thoughts as she stared into his brown eyes.
Licking her lips, swallowing to wet her parched throat, hoping to vocalize some outrage or say something at least, Mikayla watched his eyes darken as he stared at her mouth.
Heat pooled even hotter in her belly and between her legs. She couldn’t remember where she was or whatever the hell she was about to say.
This man on top of her, her arms around him, Mikayla was certain that all was right with the world. The building around them could have fallen down and she wouldn’t have cared. Within his arms, she felt she was where she needed to be.
“Ms. Gallan? Are you all right?” McConaughey look-alike asked, his eyes still watching her lips.
Wetting her lips again, she asked in a still-parched voice, “Who are you?”
“Sin. My name’s Sin.”
Oh my god.
Mikayla couldn’t have asked for a hotter fire to fan the flames but the temperature had just risen another one hundred degrees. Just his name, said in that deep voice, did things to her that should be illegal.
“Yes, sin you most certainly are.” Mikayla barely had time to register that she’d spoken aloud when he groaned and lowered his head.
Lips met hers in an explosive, wet kiss that would have knocked her on her ass had she not been lying down. Those lush and full lips captured hers and their tongues tangled.
He tasted of all man and a faint hint of peppermint. His hands held her head in place as if she’d move it at any second and she felt the softness of his palms resting on her cheeks.
Lost in the arousing and powerful sensations of their kiss, Mikayla’s hands roamed his back, shaping his corded muscles, making her shiver. Groaning into his mouth, she opened hers wider, taking more of his taste and his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t want to stop kissing him any time soon.
My Review
Mikayla was hands down my kind of heroine. She's an unlikely one, and doesn't do much butt-kicking, but I really liked her character. She was a no-nonsense, stay-focused, self-sacrificing, down-to-earth, yet feminine character. Her parents died and she was forced to put her dreams of being a big-city superstar singer on hold. I shouldn't use the word force, I should say choice. She made the choice to fight for custody over her little brother and to raise him the best she could. While Mikayla had the magic voice, her little brother Matthew wrote the songs that brought it to life. Together, they had been hypnotising the visitors of After Hours for years. Just as their parents before them. But Mikayla was tired of singing to the same old crowd every night. She dreamed of making it big and leaving their sleepy little town for the big city and fame. Little did she know that fate was about to deal her a rather "Sinful" hand.
Sin, that was what his close friends and business associates called him. I for one just love the name!! Its simplicity and meanings can just about be stretched in every direction!! Sin had lost the love of his life in a fatal car crash and had sworn off woman forever. But the second the first notes of music left Mikayla's mouth, Sin knew she was going to change his life. Together they face many hurdles and smooth over the pain and loneliness that each one has faced in their past.
I loved the whole music industry spin on the story. Small town girl dreaming of making it big and a jaded songwriter given a second chance. It's a sweet short read that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. It has an amazing ending that I won't spoil!! You have to read it to find out!! I enjoyed this novel immensely and will be looking for future novels by this author!! She has definitely caught my attention!!
Winners!!
And the winner is ...Joanne!!
What's Beside My Bed?
I'm changing things up. This is basically an adult book blogger version of What Are You Reading? But I want to let people who don't have blog to join in too. So I've added a step for those of you who'd like to join but don't want to actually link up. All you have to do is...
- Post the banner {Optional}
- Jot down what is currently on your night stand, What you're reading before bed, or You can just post your current read.
- Then link up.
- If you don't have a blog or don't want to link up but want to join in just post in the comments.
So far all I can say is WOOOW!! There really is a little something for everyone!!
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