Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Introducing Claiming Their Cat by Maggie O' Malley

Bookin' It Reviews, in cooperation with Sizzling promotions, welcomes author Maggie O'Malley here today to share her latest release, Claiming Their Cat. Also below you will find the book blurb and an exciting excerpt to enjoy. Happy Reading!


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Thanks for having me here today. I love to write especially tall, dark, and dangerous werewolves. I crave sexy alpha’s that are larger than life and heroines that are strong and determined. It’s all about the how the characters grow, how the relationship grows with bumps and bruises all along the way. I don’t make it easy for my characters, but all my books have happy endings.

The best thing about writing is getting emails from people that I don’t know, telling me how much they loved my book. They’ve taken the time to go to my website and do that. That’s a fantastic feeling.


Back Of The book

Claiming Their Cat
by Maggie O' Malley

Get Your Copy:

Cat Watson managed to escape from the powerful drug lord Alvarez and right into the hands of the notorious killer—Rabid Rio. Rio promises to protect her and her baby if she becomes his mistress. With no money, what choice did she have?
Rio Wolff has found his mate, and she’s carrying another man’s child, not that it makes a difference to a werewolf. Cat’s running from the bastard, and only he can save her. It would help if she’d stop trying to run away every time he turns his back.
Creed Wolff gazes at the beauty standing in his kitchen and wonders why Rio has broken the rule never to bring a female home. She’s Creed’s mate so he can forgive his brother. Now he needs to replace Rio’s scent with his.
Cat can’t believe she lets both brothers pleasure her. Finally, she’s found a place where she feels safe, protected, and loved. But her world crashes when she finds out they have sold her to Alvarez.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Ménage (m/f/m), anal play/intercourse, sex with toys, and spanking.

Discover more about author Maggie O'Malley at:


Enjoy An Excerpt:

Rio Wolff took a sip. There was nothing better than a cup of black coffee, and Fred made the best. Well, maybe a lovely, willing woman was better, but he didn’t have one, so coffee was it. He took a sip as the rain pelted a constant tat-tat-tat on the tin roof. It had been raining for two days making his life miserable. Except for the coffee. He itched to do the job next week, give him something to do. Keep the skills sharp, and all that shit.
The hairs on the back of Rio’s neck stood on end which meant that something was about to happen, He never ignored his instinct which meant enjoying his coffee in peace would soon come to a screeching halt.
An eighteen-wheeler skidded to a stop outside the diner, and a small woman threw herself from the cab, surely she wasn’t the cause of his uneasiness. Anything was possible since women were nothing but a pain the ass.
The woman picked herself up, gave the driver the one-finger salute, and then flagged down another trucker. In the blowing rain, it was a wonder someone didn’t run over her ass. This close to the Mexican border was no place for a female to be running around by herself. Human trafficking was a problem, but if the woman was crazy enough to flag a stranger down, then Rio wasn’t going to try to talk some sense into her. He didn’t go looking for trouble. Trouble always found him.
“You need your cup warmed?” Fred asked from behind the counter.
“Nah, I’m good for now, but you can make another pot. I’ll need another fresh cup before I leave.”
“You know you shouldn’t sit by the window.”
Fred was right. It wasn’t the brightest idea to be sitting at the huge window of the diner. After all, he could count the number of friends he had on one finger, and the number of enemies were too many to count. Dying didn’t frighten him—he just wasn’t ready yet. Besides, it was hard to kill a werewolf. Several had tried, and several had died trying. The last time he saw his shiichoo, Apache for grandmother, she foretold of a woman who would almost be the death of him. All the more reason he’d let that woman out there in the rain crawl into another truck. The almost of her warning wasn’t something he wanted to test.
After this job, he was heading back to the little town across the border to find the woman who stole his money eight months ago. Hell, even in his mind that sounded like bullshit. Rio could care less about the money, but the mystery woman might be his mate. He wasn’t sure. He’d been drunk on his ass with too many tequila shots. His wolf remembered her soft flesh and smelling sweet, but not a scent he could put his finger on—yet. Her identity was a mystery too because she’d insisted he keep the lights off. He hadn’t cared at that time. He’d just needed a warm pussy to drive his cock home, and she had one, nice and tight and slick.
And that’s all he remembered.
He’d awakened with a headache, the smell of her sweet sex filling the air, a dick as hard as steel, and his money missing.
Funny thing was no one at the brothel remembered anything about this anonymous woman, and he was skilled at intimidating interrogation tactics. Rio didn’t smell any lies on those he interrogated, so he’d either been so drunk his wolf had made a mistake, or the people he needed to question were long gone. Or she was a ghost. Either way, he had to find out.
His hairs prickled again as he took another sip. Gonna be a shame to waste this coffee. From the corner of his eye, he saw a figure standing across the road. Even through the driving rain, his wolf eyes saw the person drag a sleeve across their nose. Because of the small size, it could be a kid, but he was betting on woman and not from the eighteen-wheeler. Rio sensed her hesitation, but something compelled her across the highway. The way he figured it, he was soon going to have the answer to his creepy feeling.
Keeping his head low, he pulled his hat over his eyes as she opened the door. She warily glanced around and then sat at the far end of the bar where she could see the two occupants of the diner and the door. Surprisingly, she didn’t give him a second look. Her clothes were nothing but rags, her hair a stringy mess, and he was sure there wasn’t a dry spot on her.
“What can I get you?” Fred asked.
Her mouth opened, and then abruptly closed. Rio sensed her fear and uneasiness. She was probably chilled to the bone.
“I…I was wondering…if you could let me work for food.”
Ah, hell.
Fred wiped the bar in front of her. “When’s the last time you ate?”
She shrugged. “Couple of days.” Even without being close to her to smell the lie, he knew. Some people didn’t want to admit that they were down and out.
Rio cleared his throat, and Fred looked over his shoulder at him. Rio nodded. Hell, he had more money than God. What was one meal for a starving woman?
“Okay, little lady. What do you want to eat? I have some chopped steak and mashed potatoes or maybe a cheeseburger?”
“Cheeseburger would be great…and maybe some fries. I can wash dishes and sweep up after you close.”
Rio doubted that statement. The woman was at the end of her physical rope. God only knew her mental state. Was she the cause of his apprehension? A starving woman wasn’t something to be alarmed about. He’d hoped that one day he could prove at least one his shiichoo’s visions wrong.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Coffee, please. Extra cream and lots of sugar.”
Bleh! Leave it to a woman to ruin the best thing next to scorching sex. He inhaled deep, tried to use her scent to ascertain her health. A small whiff of ripe peaches floated to his nose above the smell of strong coffee and greasy food. It was pleasant and somewhat familiar, but hell, he’d known women smelled sweet, that’s why he loved them, physically of course.
It didn’t take long for Fred to set a plate in front of her along with silverware, ketchup, mayo, and mustard. After pouring her a cup of coffee, Fred dumped a pile of sugar and creamer packets in front of her. Rio could only imagine her belly rumbling and her mouth watering at the smell of food. Fred grabbed the coffee pot and headed to his table.
Ah, more hot coffee. Just what I need.
“What do you want me to do, offer her a job?” asked Fred.
She wouldn’t take it. He’d seen that look before. Running anywhere but here. “Sure. Just let me know how much I owe you, and I’ll settle up the next time I’m through this way.”
“You know that’s a bad deal for me.”
Rio eyed Fred from under his hat. “Yeah? How do you figure that?”
“Your line of work has a high mortality rate. Collecting from you is iffy.”
“It’s high for the other guys. Besides, I ain’t dead yet. I’ll leave you a big tip to cover a couple of weeks, but I bet she won’t stay long. She’s running from somebody.”
“Hell, we’re all running from something.”
Rio agreed, but he wasn’t going to dwell on it right now, maybe not ever. The woman carried a backpack, so he wondered if she had a change of clothes, preferably dry. Most likely, all her worldly processions were crammed into it. “I’ll leave some extra money in case she stays around. She’ll need some clothes.”
“I ain’t running no damn halfway house.”
Fred was complaining, but underneath all that piss and vinegar, was nothing but an old softie. If Rio hadn’t come to her rescue, Fred would’ve. “I know. If she’s still here when I get back, I’ll take her someplace safe.”
“Humph.”
Rio rolled his eyes. He was good for his word, but Fred just liked to give him shit.
“I’m glad I put that cot in the back. She can sleep there.”
That’d work. It wasn’t a motel, but Rio had installed a damn good security system for this hole-in-the-wall diner. She’d be safe. If anyone tried to break in, alarms and shit would go off and scare the bejesus out them as well as alert the cops.
Not that there was anything to steal…besides the weapons Fred let him hide in the broken cooler. Of course, this wasn’t his only stash house, but he believed in being prepared and
protecting his one and only friend. Fred was an old Marine and a werewolf, getting up in years, but he could sure brew a killer cup of coffee. He chuckled. For that reason alone, Rio would keep him alive.
Her coughing drew his gaze. “There are some antibiotics in my truck. I’ll get them before I leave.”
“Yes, Dr. Rio. I’ll see she gets them.”
“Kiss my hairy balls.”
“No thanks. I’ve seen your balls, and they did nothing for me.”
Seeing each other naked before or after a shift was a pack thing. Fred went back to the counter, and Rio closed his eyes and inhaled his coffee. Damn, that was pure heaven.
“I have a place you can sleep tonight,” Fred said to the lady as he wiped down the counter for the hundredth time.
She ducked her head. “I…I can’t stay. I’ll wash the dishes and sweep, and then I’ll head out.”
“It’s raining. Where are you going to sleep tonight?” asked Fred.
“I…I have somewhere to stay.”
Sure you do.
Fred shot Rio a look across the counter. The woman didn’t want charity, just wanted to eat and pay her debt. The real question was why she didn’t want to stay somewhere warm and dry, at least for one night. She was obviously in trouble.
Fred turned on the charm. “Ah, come on. It’s just for one night.”
She shook her head. “Thanks, but I need to keep moving.”
Keep moving. It was a simple tactic of evasion. Keep moving and hope you’re one-step ahead of whoever is after you. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t.
“Listen lady, it’s none of my business, but your body’s running on fumes. I don’t want to find you in the ditch tomorrow when I come into work. You’d give this old heart of mine a reason to give out. Just stay one night.” Rio had to give Fred credit, he’d played on her heartstrings, turned the burden around.
She shoved another fry in her mouth and shook her head furiously. Damn, he hated stubborn women. Why couldn’t they just listen to common sense? Most were more trouble than they were worth.
Lights flooded the diner, and she immediately stood up, her eyes rounded like a deer caught in the headlights. “Do you have a back way out?”
The fear in her voice scraped down Rio’s spine. This was it. The hairs on his neck stood on end again. Before Fred could answer, the front door flew open, and four young men slithered in from the rain. Fred moved to the shotgun stashed under the counter. Rio didn’t take his eyes off the four. The young men were dressed like thugs with baggie pants, wife beater shirts, and full of bravado with no brains. It was gonna be a shame to have to kill them.
“There you are, puta. Alvarez wants you back something bad,” the apparent leader said.
Damn. Everybody was running from Jose Alvarez. His Mexican cartel ruled by instilling fear in people, and those he couldn’t scare ended up unpleasantly dead. Defy and die was his motto. Not that Alvarez was really a Mexican. He was from Arizona, and somehow used his half-Mexican heritage to create the biggest cartel in Mexico just over the border, so he could laugh at the American’s and their drug prevention efforts. Alvarez was below scum, but he paid well.
“Get her,” the youth said.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Rio spoke over the rim of his cup.
The leader spun and glared at Rio. “What did you say?”
“I said…I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Shame to kill a boy who was hard of hearing.
“And who’s gonna stop me? You and this old man?” The teen and his friends laughed. Rio was sure they’d just pissed Fred off by calling him an old man.
“No, just me.”
Rio pushed his hat up on his head and locked gazes with the leader. These men weren’t part of the death squads or the enforcers; they were young, low-level dicks with shit for brains.
“You? Just you? Ain’t nobody that good.”
The leader hitched his head, and the others grabbed the woman. She didn’t scream or cry which was a good thing because crying grated on his soul. Her fear was strong, assaulting his nose, ripping a hole in his gut. His wolf was pacing, getting antsy about something, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it.
“What do you want her for?” Best to find out why these boys were gonna die.
“She belongs to Alvarez.”
Belongs like property, probably treated worse than the dog. Good for only one thing.
“Hey, I know you,” the leader said. “You’re Rabid Rio.”
He didn’t miss her sharp intake of her breath and knew if he glanced at her face, fear would be there. It didn’t take long for her panic to reach his nose. So she knew who he was.
Rio hated that name except in times like this. These punks had no idea how rabid he could be when an innocent was involved. “Then you know you don’t want to fuck with me.”
“But you’ve worked for Alvarez before. I know you don’t want to fuck with him.”
Rio didn’t give a shit that this was Alvarez’s woman. She obviously didn’t feel the same way, so there was no way in hell he was letting them take her back.
“You’re not taking the girl. Now which one of you wants to remain breathing so you can tell Alvarez that Rabid Rio said to leave her alone?”
“You’re kidding, right?” the leader asked.
Rio shook his head. Kidding wasn’t something he did or even knew how to do.
“There’s a reward for bringing her back.”
Rio didn’t doubt that. Alvarez had plenty of money and thought it could solve any problem. Sure Rio had taken Alvarez’s money to do special, odd jobs, but so far, Rio’s conscience was intact.
“The way I see it is you have two options. You can walk out the door without the girl and live or you can stay here and die.”
Indecision crossed the boy’s face as well as his friends. They were in a no-win situation. If they went back to Alvarez, he’d surely kill them because they didn’t die trying to take the woman. And if they were stupid enough to try to take the woman, there was no question they would die. “The best thing you can do is leave and pretend you didn’t find her.”
Fear was a wonderful thing. Now this thug had to figure out whom he feared most. Rio always figured that fearing the closest threat was the best option, but shit-for-brains probably wouldn’t figure that out.
“Nah, man. I can’t let that money slip away.
Wrong answer.
Rio waited. He saw the fear replaced by determination in the young man’s eyes. Rio didn’t particularly want to kill them, definitely wouldn’t like it, but at some point in everyone’s life, they had a choice to make. The men’s lives for the girl’s. Punk boy was making his choice, and Rio made his.
Rio planned on living up to his name tonight. When he got into that mode, he was like a rabid wolf intent on finishing the job at all costs. His eyes narrowed as he waited. Calm moved over his body. Acute awareness pulsed through him. The soft hum of the overhead lights, a single drop splashing in the coffee pot, the hostage’s ragged breath.
When the leader reached for his piece, Rio hesitated until it cleared the thug’s back. Then he drew and fired three times. Three young men lay dead on the floor. The fourth pulled the girl in front of his body, a pistol aimed recklessly at her head.
Her eyes rounded with fear. She looked like she was going to puke up all that good food.
“You want to be the one to give Alvarez a message for me or do you want to join your very dead friends on the cold, hard floor?” In Rio’s mind, it was a no brainer
The guy’s gaze dropped to his dead compadres. “No,” said the lone kid. “You’ll let us walk out the door, or she’s going to die.”
The teen and his hostage inched toward the door. Rio took a sip of coffee while he waited. All he needed was a few inches of that ugly face, and the youth would be dead. Over the rim of his cup, he saw her eyes narrow. Oh, shit! What was she going to do? Stay calm, little girl. In a smooth move, she pretended to stumble, and Rio didn’t waste the opportunity. As the bullet sent the man careening backwards, the woman broke free and charged for the door.
“Why is she running?” Rio asked Fred. “I just saved her life.”
Fred glanced at the carnage on his diner’s floor. “You’ve killed four men without leaving your seat at the same time you’re sipping your coffee. Hell, you even scared the shit out of me. Or maybe she’s afraid of the Rabid part of your name. Or maybe you’re just butt ugly.”
Rio stood, holstered his pistol, and stretched his back to ease the tension. “I’ll go get her, and then I’ll help you clean up this mess.”
“Be careful. She’s armed and dangerous.”
“What?” No way.
“Yep, she pilfered one of my best steak knives.”
Rio grinned. “Thanks for the heads-up.” He pulled his cowboy hat down over his eyes, buttoned his duster, and stepped out into the pelting rain.
Damn, women sure were a pain in the ass.










Monday, January 30, 2012

Introducing The Knight and Maggie's Baby by Lisa Mondello

Bookin' It Reviews, in cooperation with Bewitching blog tours, welcomes Lisa Mondello here today to introduce us to her latest release, The Knight and Maggie's Baby. Whether you like a cuppa joe or some warm tea, pull up an arm chair and get ready for some reading. Below you will find the book blurb and an excerpt to enjoy with all the links you'll need to find out even more about the author and book. Happy reading!


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Back Of the Book


The Knight and Maggie's Baby
by Lisa Mondello


Get Your Copy
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | iTunes



Sometimes fate needs a little help…

Jonah Wallace knows what it’s like to grow up without love. Despite having more money than the Queen of England, his childhood was cold and stale as he grew up in boarding schools. He’s dedicated his life to helping homeless and displaced children find the love and support they need by creating the Haven House Foundation, work that resulted in him being Knighted by the Queen.

Now that he’s living in America, his work is going along just fine…until his grandfather gives fate a little nudge by insisting he take a wife before he can inherit.

Coffee shop owner, Maggie Bonelli, is pregnant and the baby’s dad has gone AWOL. She knows too well the pain of growing up without a daddy. So when Jonah Wallace comes into her shop proposing marriage for a year, she takes him up on his offer, even if it’s only for a year. Live in a mansion and give her baby a name and a daddy to call his/her own. But can they keep their perfect arraignment strictly business…or will fate’s helping hand bring them love at last?

Enjoy an Excerpt



“Jonah?” Maggie's voice was just a breath above a whisper, sheer music to his ears.
“Yes, Maggie, it's me.”
Her hands flew to her eyes and she rubbed them with the heels of her palms before looking up at him again. “For a minute I thought I was dreaming.”
Jonah couldn't help but smile, and wondered what kind of dreams she was having to make her look so peaceful and angelic when he'd first come into the room. Was she dreaming of him? Of the baby? Of the life she'd have once she and the baby had left him?
A fire began to brew deep in his gut. He wanted to think she'd been dreaming about him. Just as he'd spent all his time doing lately.
“I'm sorry I woke you,” he said, absorbing the space between the closet and the bed.
He was by her side in an instant, sitting beside her on the bed. He wasn't quite sure how he'd gotten from point A to B, but there he was, reaching out to her because he couldn't help himself. He needed to touch her. Now that she was awake, it was like an invitation. One he couldn't refuse.
“No, don't apologize. I...” She buried her face in her hands.
On impulse, he saddled up beside her in the middle of the big bed, gently pulling her hands away from her face.
“Maggie? What is it?”
She shook her head. “I shouldn't be here.”
She was trembling. When Jonah tilted her chin up to look at her, tears streamed down her cheeks, and his heart nearly shattered. Oh, God, he never should have gone to England and left her alone.
Frantically brushing her hair away from her face, he said, “What's happened? Why are you crying?”
She sniffed, taking in big gulps of air in an effort to control herself, but she lost the battle and wailed, “I'm fa-a-a-a-ttt!”
“Wha, what are you talking about?”
“I came...in...to...your room tonight.” Maggie sniffed a few more times and hiccupped some sobs back before going on. “I didn't have anything...comfortable to wear...anymore and I thought...”
Jonah glanced down at her clothes and for the first time realized that Maggie was wearing one of his white dress shirts. She was naked beneath his shirt! Even as pregnant as she was the shirt left room to spare and hung dangerously low off her bare shoulders. The sleeves were cuffed a few times and bagged on her arms.
Jonah's insides jumped into overdrive, making his groin grow hard. He couldn't believe just how impossibly sexy Maggie could be eight months pregnant wearing a plain white cotton shirt. He longed to run his hand over her thighs like he'd dreamed of doing so many times when he'd lain awake at night in this very room without her. And now she was here, in his bed and naked beneath his shirt. Oh, Lord, have mercy!
Trying to ignore his aching arousal, he stated the obvious. “Of course you're going to get bigger. You're pregnant.”
She threw him a cynical look and sniffed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. “No kidding. It's kind of hard for me to forget.”
He couldn't help but laugh, but stopped the instant her sobs erupted again. He scooped her into his arms.
She wailed against his bare shoulder. “I came in here tonight because I...nothing fit me and I thought...I'd be able to fit into one of your shirts.”
“That's okay. You look...” Oh, Lord, he was in trouble. What could he possibly tell her that would help? Hey, Maggie, you're the sexiest creature I've ever seen and you're driving me insane right now? My whole body is tight and aching because I want to make love to you? Right now. I want to be inside you right this damned minute!
Somehow he didn't think telling her the truth was going to help.
“Huge! That's what I look like,” she finally said. “I'm big and fat and-”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Look at me. I'm as big as a house!” she sobbed, throwing her hands down the front of her to reveal her ample belly.
Jonah pulled her back into a tight embrace, reveling in the feeling of her body so close to his, feeling the swells of her full breasts press against his bare chest, knowing that nothing lay between them now but the thin cotton of his dress shirt. It was driving him insane. And right now, he decided sanity was way over rated.
With her head tucked under his chin, he chuckled at the lunacy of it. She didn't have a clue what she did to him.
“Maggie, I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
“Believe me, I do. I'm getting so wide I'm filling up the mirror.”
“Don't be like that.”
“How can I not? How can you possibly look at me and not be completely turned off?”
A wry grin tugged at his mouth. “Were you hoping I would be turned on?”
Pulling away, she averted her gaze. Even in the darkness, he could tell she was blushing. And he wondered just how much of her body was blushing. Oh, how he wanted to know.
She sniffed back another sob and flipped a lock of hair behind her ear. But it was no use, with her head bent down it fell back into her face.
Jonah tipped her chin up, then brushed his fingers along her jaw. “Because if that's the case, then you got your wish.”

A little about the author...
Lisa Mondello is the best selling author of 13 published books.  Her first published book, the award winning  ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, was recently reissued as an ebook and has had over 226,000 downloads worldwide.  In addition to publishing her Fate with a Helping Hand series, which includes THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT and THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY, she is releasing her popular Texas Hearts Romance series as ebooks in early 2012.  She currently writes for Harlequin Love Inspired Romance and is collaborating with a film producer/screenwriter on a screenplay. 

She loves to hear from readers.  You can email her at LisaMondello@aol.com, find her on her blog talking about writing, movies and music at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com or chat on Twitter at @LisaMondello.


Thank you for being here and sharing a little about The Knight And Maggie's Baby today, Ms. Mondello! 
Readers, follow along on Ms. Mondello's book blog tour with the following participating sites.




Jan 30 Tour Intro
Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com

Jan 30 review and promo
A Chick Who Reads
http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com

Jan 30 Promo
www.jademystique.blogspot.com

Jan 31 Promo (review later)
Ce-Ce`s Garden of Reviews
http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com

Jan 31 Promo stop
Feb 1 review
Snowdrop Dreams of Books
www.snowdropdreams.ca

Jan 31 Promo
Bookin' It reviews ~
http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

Feb 1 Interview and promo
JeanzBookReadNReview
http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/

Feb 3 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

February 3 Promo
Lisa’s World of Books
www.lisasworldofbooks.net

Feb 4 Promo
Flutey Words
http://authoraubrie.blogapot.com

Feb 4 Promo and review
Cocktails and Books
http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com

Feb 5 Promo and review
Always a Booklover
http://alwaysabooklover.blogspot.com

Feb 6 Promo
http://allthedaysof.blogspot.com/



Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Fever and the Fury With Stephanie Draven & Giveaway

Bookin' It Reviews, in cooperation with Sizzling Promotions, welcomes Stephanie Draven here today to introduce us to her latest release, The Fever and the Fury. Below you will find the book blurb, a little something on the author and a savory excerpt to enjoy! And in celebration she is giving away a digital copy of her book to one winner that leaves a comment with a valid email address.

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Back Of the Book
The Fever and the Fury
by Stephanie Draven

Get Your Copy:


Revenge is a dish best served hot!
Phaedra, a fury, is bound to make Lieutenant Luke Lazaros atone for his supposed crime, but her usual method of inflicting pain doesn’t work very well on a phoenix with the power to be reborn every time he dies. However, each rebirth leaves him with an overwhelming need for sex. Phaedra’s new plan: to drive Luke mad with desire.
But Phaedra has never touched anyone—even herself—except to cause pain. She’s an innocent when it comes to pleasure…but Luke isn’t. His touch is a revelation, arousing a passion in Phaedra that is as delicious as it is terrifying. For no matter how much she wants Luke, giving herself to a man risks awakening her goddess’s wrath.


A multi-published award-nominated author of paranormal romance. Stephanie’s critically acclaimed  Mythica series asks: What if the monsters of ancient mythology still walked the earth...and what if you found out that you were one of them? Currently a denizen of Baltimore, Stephanie lives with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.



Enjoy An Excerpt:
She'd already killed him twice this week.
Monday, the harpy bitch grabbed the wheel just as he was making a tight turn on a cliff-side highway. The car jumped the barrier and exploded in a fiery crash of glass and twisted metal at the bottom of Moraca Canyon.
On Wednesday morning, he'd chanced taking a shower and she dropped a hair dryer in with him, sending a deadly shock through his wet body.
It wasn't even the weekend and she was already trying to kill him a third time.
Luke had awakened to the sinuous slide of her body atop his and, for one groggy moment, he'd enjoyed the carnal sensation of a woman in bed with him.
Then her knee came crushing down on his windpipe.
Now Luke thrashed upon the mattress, grabbing at her supple thighs, trying to throw her off.  The curve of her breast brushed his arm, her moist lips parted and she clutched at his face as if she were going to draw him into an intimate embrace…just before fingernails like talons cut his flesh to bloody ribbons.
Or at least that's what it felt like.
With the lightest touch, she could put an ordinary mortal man in complete agony. But he wasn't an ordinary mortal man and she should have known better than to touch him.
"Atone," the fury demanded, her voice driving needles of agony into his spine. “Atone!”
Luke was desperate enough to consider it. Anything to get rid of her. Anything to make the pain stop. Anything that might relieve him of the memories that haunted him. The blood in the sand and all the lies…
Take the money, Luke. There'll be more where that came from.
His traitorous lips parted in surrender, ready to tell the fury whatever she wanted to hear, but then he felt his square jaw clench tight in stubborn refusal.
No. Screw atonement and regret. Luke would rather die again.
Her lithe legs wrapped around his waist like a vise. They were locked together as tightly as lovers and in blind suffering he banged the back of his skull on the headboard. It started like a fever, a sexual rush of heat that seared its way through his veins, pulsing through his hammering heart, racing to his groin.
Damn it. He liked this villa, but he'd burn the place down to get free of her if he had to. Sparks leaped from his fingertips to the bedsheets and the scent of scorched linen rose to his nostrils. The fire would obey him—it was the one goddamned thing in his life he still had any control over—so Luke made the fire rise higher, engulfing them both in a flash of flames and searing pain.
His bones went white-hot, molten beneath his skin, and he screamed. He was turning to ash. He was burning her too, burning her alive. He could have held onto her. He could have forced her to share his torment to the bitter end, but he flung her away. And her tumbling body was the last thing he saw before he died….

Phaedra was accustomed to inflicting pain, not suffering it. But now every cell in her body screamed in protest as her burned skin rose up in blisters. She was immortal. She could never die. That didn't mean she couldn't feel pain, and making this man miserable had somehow become her own personal torment.
She lay dazed in agony on the floor, smoke filling her lungs while Lieutenant Luke Lazaros burned alive before her very eyes. Gods of Olympus, he was stubborn. He should have broken by now, but he was only getting more unmanageable. None of the men she'd been sent to torture had ever been so obstinate. Then again, she'd never been unleashed upon a phoenix before.
In the light of the crackling blaze, Phaedra's blistered body healed, new pink flesh knitting over the old with miraculous speed, and it occurred to her that the fire alarm wasn't shrieking. A quick glance up at the scorched ceiling told her that he'd disabled it. That he'd planned for this exact circumstance. He was handy that way. Good with modern gadgets. And a born strategist. He'd started anticipating her. Adapting…
All at once, the conflagration on the bed extinguished itself and a burst of air dusted her with Luke's charred human remains. A bit of stagecraft on his part.
Of course, she'd seen him do this before—rise from the ashes as a new man, his dark curly hair cut in sharp military style, his name and blood type displayed upon frayed patches on his desert fatigues. A backpack full of cash in his right hand.
This was how he looked the moment he was war-forged. The instant he stopped being an ordinary mortal man and became a monster. But as many times as she watched him die, she couldn't enjoy it. Watching him now, she took no satisfaction in his shudder of revulsion at the feel of a new body that wasn't his own. Nor did it encourage her to see the half hostile, half haunted look in his eyes as he tried to remember himself. Shaking his head as if to fasten upon his old memories, he caught her look of dismay and gave a dark smile-that-was-not-a-smile.
"What's the matter?” Luke asked. “Didn't expect me to be so hot in bed?"
Given that she was clutching the burned and blackened remains of her clothing against her body, Phaedra didn't appreciate the sexual innuendo. It didn't surprise her though. Every time the lieutenant was reborn, he battled overwhelming hunger. He'd be ravenous now, for food, drink…sex.
Still, he grabbed one of his white dress shirts from a drawer and tossed it to her. "Here. You can wear this."
The gallant gesture was starkly out of place considering their situation. Phaedra eyed her nemesis as she fastened the buttons, disconcerted by his scent on the shirt and how it mingled with the perfume of her newly healed skin. "Does this mean you're ready to be redeemed, Luke Lazaros?"
"Just means I was brought up right," Luke said through his teeth. "And that an officer falls back on his training in a crisis. Or maybe I've just always fantasized about a leggy woman wearing nothing but my shirt. Until I get rid of you, I might as well improve the scenery."
"How many times must we go through this?" Phaedra asked, ignoring the predatory glare in his eyes. She rose to her feet. She was tall, but he was taller. She was hard-bodied and imposing; even before they felt the torture of her touch, most men had the sense to cower. But not this man. "There is no getting rid of me, Lieutenant. Once a fury is unleashed upon a criminal, she's unbreakably bound to him until he atones or is driven to insanity."
"I'm not a criminal," Luke snapped. "And I will find a way to be rid of you."
I hope you do find a way, Phaedra thought. Because she was every bit as stuck with him as he was with her.

Thank you for being here today, Ms. Draven! I've been a fan since your first release! 
Readers, don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway of The fever and the Fury!


Manday Hotties Hop! Hot Inspiration...Sweet Eye Candy!


It's Monday Madday Manday! Either way it's time for some man candy inspiration! Be sure to follow the other participating blogs to catch their delicious treats for today's Manday Hotties Hop hosted by Felicity Heaton.

For today's portion, rather than having a theme, I feel in the mood for a mixed variety of sweets. My current work-in-progress is a dark paranormal romance and have found some sexy men to share that I've used for my inspiration. I've also been reading a lot of dark PNR and UBF and these luscious men definitely bring to mind the heroes of each story.

Sorry, images have been removed.

Book Review: Sex, Lies And Midnight by Tawny Weber



Don’t have time to read this review? No worries! Download HERE in PDF and save to your computer and read at your leisure or transfer it to your reading device and read on the go! Happy
reading!

This book was reviewed for
Night Owl Reviews
Sex, Lies and Midnight
by Tawny Weber
Series:
Undercover Operatives Book Two
Release Date: January 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Line: Blaze
Source: Author
Age Group: Adult
Category: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Pages: 224 pages in Print format
Available Formats:
Kindle | Nook | eHarlequin Paperback eHarlequin eBook

My Rating : 4.5 Stars ~ A Top Pick From Night Owl Reviews
Read my Rating Scale here

Back Of The Book:
Born into a con artist family, Maya Nicholas abandoned the grifting life to live on the straight and narrow (and somewhat dull) years ago. But when her family is threatened—and the swindlers are on the verge of becoming the swindled— Maya swings into action. All she needs is a stand-in boyfriend, and the charming, tasty-as-sin Simon Barton will do quite nicely, thanks.

But Simon has a little lie of his own. He's FBI, and Maya is his inside track to her less-savory relations. It's a mutual using, which quickly turns into a scorching mutual attraction.

In fact, their naughty little sexcapades are the only things they aren't faking!

First Line:
THERE WAS NOTHING like a short, glittery skirt, long legs encased in smoky stockings and spiked dome
heels to make a man sit up and take notice.

Teaser:
This was Simon's shot. If he could bust Tobias Black, his career would skip the fast track and hit rocket speed. All he had to do was make a solid contact with the old guy's daughter. She was his entrée. A couple more conversations with her and he'd be able to claim her a friend when he visited Black Oak.

As if proving she was ready to be his new best friend, Maya chose that moment to stroll in, her arm tucked into the elbow of her guy friend. Despite the party in progress, Simon could clearly see the tension in the set of her shoulders, and the way she kept her body from curving into pretty boy's.

Plot:
Sex, Lies, and Midnight is the second installment to Tawny Weber's Undercover Operatives series. Though this book can be read out of order, for full enjoyment, I would recommend reading the first of the series, Sex, Lies and Mistletoe. 

Starting out in San Francisco, we meet the heroine, Maya DeLongue (aka Maya Black). She's is the exciting woman all other women fantasize about being while folding the laundry. She's smart, sassy and sexy with a dash of bad girl vibe that gives her an edge. Then there is the little thing about her being a computer hacker and the daughter of the con artist, Tobias Black. Then we meet the hero, Simon Barton, the undercover operative that only wants to move his career up the ladder by busting Maya's father for the illegal activity he's using his bike shop to cover. There's one problem though, Simon can't keep his mind off - or hands for the matter- of the suspect's daughter. With a little manipulation and the taking advantage of a situation, Simon maneuvers himself into Maya's life and into Black Oak for a little family reunion. And that is when the story takes off in a dip and soaring ride of emotions, sizzling sexy scenes and betrayal...and eventually a life changing moment for both characters. Ms. Weber has created a story that takes a daddy's girl away from the family she loves, given her talents most would find straddling the grey area of life, and has now given her a need to return to the home she's intentionally stayed away from for close to a decade. With a mystery to solve and her heart to protect, Maya is determined to find out who is behind the drug and gun running in order to clear her father's name in the process. That is until she discovers that Simon isn't who he says he is. 

Under all the betrayal, hurt and underhandedness that surrounds the Black family, there is one thing that stood out to me and that is the strength of a father's love for his children. And more than that, it's the strength of the family bond. While each may take separate ways and have their own views, when one is in trouble everyone swoops in to protect. Well, a little manipulation and convincing from Tobias Black is needed but that just makes it more interesting! 

I loved how the author brought the story to a close and though I knew a happily-ever-after was a given, I still enjoyed the ride along the way. Ms. Weber has written a fabulous second installment into her undercover Operatives and has left the door wide open for the next book and the continuing mystery of who's framing Tobias Black! And in closing, Ms. Weber has created an intricate connection between the characters that will leave you in awe of her creativity!

Writing:
Tawny Weber continues to captivate my attention with her rich stories and intriguing characters. She adds wit and charm to each page making my reading experience unforgettable every time I pick up one of her books. With her tight prose and dedication to detail, Ms. Weber has made my must-read list!

Summary:
Sexy and witty! Sex, Lies and Midnight made me laugh, cringe and sigh with satisfaction This series is delightfully addictive and I am ready for the next installment already!


Thank you for stopping in to check out my review for Sex, Lies and Midnight by Tawny Weber! I hope I've helped you find your next read.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Introducing Assumed Identity by Lila Munro

Bookin' It Reviews, in cooperation with Sizzling Promotions, welcomes author Lila Munro here today to introduce us to her latest release, Assumed Identity.

Back Of The Book:
Assumed Identity
by Lila Munro


Innocent childhood games of dress-up and pretend…

Julie Stevens is as straight as they come. Or so she tries to convince herself. But it isn’t easy believing that little white lie when she has the two most sexually eccentric best friends on the planet. One is a bi-sexual Domme who believes if it looks fun, try it. The other is a gay man in the role of slave to his very sexy Master whom Julie often wishes wasn’t gay. Dante’s commanding presence makes her want to do things that set her on fire with need and embarrassment. Given her boring vanilla life, how exactly does she fit into their world? Would they like to have a shinier third wheel?
 Are a completely different animal for grownups…
After one wild evening and a bit too much liquid encouragement, Julie discovers a side of herself she’s always tried to ignore. The realization she’s a sub not only scares her, it excites her and she yearns for more. But the process of finding the right man to teach her becomes a real issue, until Mason comes along. He’s everything Julie imagines a Dom should be. Armed with her masque and Renaissance costume, Julie is thrown for a loop when the handsome Master draws more willingness out of her than she ever thought possible. Is it possible she’s more than a submissive? And will the assumptions he’s made about her identity end up tearing them apart?


Lila Munro pens contemporary erotic romance and currently resides on the coast of North Carolina. She is a military wife and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, A Slower Lower Love, A Slower Lower Life, Salvation, Force Recon: Beacon Bayou, Force Recon: Somalia, True Identity and Identity Crisis. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2011-2012. She’s a member in good standing with the RWA and Passionate Ink. Ms. Munro is also the Vice President of Business Affairs at Rebel Ink Press. She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted via her website http://lilamunro.weebly.com , or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro  You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com   For more information about Rebel Ink Press please visit their website at www.rebelinkpress.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

An Alpha's Path by Carrie Ann Ryan

Bookin' It Reviews, in cooperation with Sizzling Promotions, welcome author Carrie Ann Ryan here today to share with her latest release,m An Alpha's Path, and a guest post on writing paranormal. A topic so many love, myself included!

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Carrie Ann Ryan is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. Her first book, An Alpha's Path, is the first book in her Redwood Pack series. She's also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She love meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens. 
Carrie Ann loves hearing from readers. You can find her at:

Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan



Making Up Your Own World

            I found myself the other day telling myself “no, you can’t do that in paranormal.” Then I stopped myself. Really? I can’t do what in paranormal? I can do anything in paranormal. That’s the beauty of it. As long as I stay consistent in my own world – I can do anything. And that’s why I love writing it.

            In paranormal – or any type of fantasy, really – you can do whatever you want. It’s your world. Make it your own. Have fun with it. Dive into new werewolf rules and powers. Make up your own mythology and auras. Go crazy.

            But be consistent. That’s the main thing. Make up a shifter butterfly that only eats organic peanut butter on Tuesdays, but don’t change his quirks in the next chapter. J I have no idea where that came from BTW –but he sounds a little fun to get to know LOL.

            I love being able to write what I want and not write the exact worlds that I grew up reading. That’s amazing. And I thank the authors out there who broke the mold and let me dive into their worlds. That’s why I read  and that’s why I write.

            So what new world do you find yourself wanting to break into? What’s a world that you’ve found and absolutely love?

Back Of The Book

An Alpha's Path
By Carrie Ann Ryan

Get Your Copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.
Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?


Enjoy An Excerpt from An Alpha's Path

Kade could only imagine how she would look with her pale, creamy, skin against his darker, bronze skin. Watching her lashes brush her cheeks as she glanced down at her barely touched meal he knew he wanted to kiss any fears or anxiety she carried away.
Mate? I think it’s time to go upstairs. Don’t you?
He couldn’t agree more with his wolf. But he didn’t want to rush her. No matter what happened tonight, they would be going upstairs – that was a guarantee. What they did once they arrived however – was up to the woman in front of him.
“You look as if you have the same appetite as me.” At the sound of his voice, her head popped up from whatever deep thoughts she was thinking. “What do you say we take a walk around the property?”
“Oh, okay. I guess I am just not that hungry tonight.” She smiled sheepishly as she set down her fork and any pretense of enjoying her food.
“Let’s go then, the check taken care of, so we can take our time tonight.”
She smiled timidly again and grabbed her wrap and black, beaded bag. He fluidly rose from his seat and offered her his hand/
“Where would you like to walk to?” Kade, again, toned down his wolf and waited for Melanie’s reply.
“Our room?”
Her face was still stunning with the shade of beet red it became at her surprising, yet not unwelcome, announcement.
His wolf growled in agreement and preened for attention.
He gave her a smile that promised sinful and wicked deeds.
“That sounds like an outstanding idea, Melanie.”


What Reviewers Are Saying

“Carrie Ann Ryan goes in for the kill with her debut in paranormal romance and has definitely succeeded in her introduction of the Redwood Pack! The supernatural world and appealing characters are effortlessly brought to life by her talent to detail and imagery. Her sexy werewolves will have you all hot and bothered in no time!”

- Lori, Romancing the Dark Side

“…This 59 page short story had me panting for more. Carrie Ann Ryan has definitely created a fan outta me with her fast pace, humor, and scorching hot scenes. ”

- Dawn Daydrmzz   

“Carrie Ann Ryan did a wonderful job creating a sensual, fast-pace, and fun love story. She brings her characters and story to life with beautiful descriptions and imagery.If you’re looking for a steamy love story with a sexy werewolf, then this short paranormal is for you.”

- LizDavis  

“Carrie Ann Ryan and her debut story are AWESOME! This is a short, paranormal romance that will heat your heart up and turn you into a forever fan! With an amazingly created alpha hero and a heroine that will tug at your heart strings, this is one story that you won’t want to miss!”

- Reviews by Molly


Thank you for being here today, Ms. Ryan and for reminding us just how much fun and sexy paranormal romance is!