Excerpt & #Giveaway ~*~ The Australian by Lesley Young

The Australian
Crime Royalty Romance # 2

By: Lesley Young

Blurb

Charlie Sykes takes everything and everyone at face value—and believes life would be a lot easier if everyone else did, too. Aussie Jace Knight, international hotelier and purported playboy, has never met anyone like the absurdly literal and beautiful American who applies for his personal assistant position. The trouble is, how do you pursue a woman whose definition of flirting comes straight out of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary? That, and he’s not the only one after Charlie. Seems Mr. Knight might not be a reformed criminal after all.

Soon, Charlie’s immersed in a whirlwind of international espionage that takes her from the hip streets of Sydney to the majestic Great Barrier Reef and the wild, desolate outback. A dangerous trap’s being set, but how will Charlie protect herself and prevent a tragic betrayal, when she can’t even sort out what her heart’s telling her?

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/03/the-australian-crime-royalty-romance-by.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24976491-the-australian?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/143063-crime-royalty-romance

Buy Links:   Amazon

                                       

Excerpt

I slid into a soft leather upright, and put my satchel on the floor beside me. Mr. Knight said nothing.

I waited, calmly, expecting him to peruse my prominent breasts, especially since my nipples were no doubt peaked through my thin blouse and bra. But, he did not, which I greatly respected. Instead, he openly appraised my face, and finally, smiled.

“So Miss Sykes, what brings such a beautiful yank to Sydney then?”

“My looks are not at all pertinent, Mr. Knight.” His smile dropped. “I chose Australia spontaneously,” I offered, having enough sense not to share the Muriel’s Wedding detail. “I simply moved here to start fresh.”

He leaned forward in his chair, examining me much closer, eyes narrowed. “There are only a few reasons why a woman such as yourself leaves America for down under . . . Miss Sykes.”

I waited for his assumption.

“You’re running from someone. An ex? Husband? Boyfriend?”

I did not like the way he eyed me just then.

“Incorrect on all counts,” I informed him. “I have never had any of those. But I do not believe my sexual history, or lack of it, is pertinent to the job interview.” As I spoke, his full lips had popped open and his eyebrows had hiked farther up, creating strong lines in his forehead.

“Here we go,” I thought, frowning. Something I was doing was confusing him. Of course, I had no idea what it was. My tone of voice? Something I had said? It was like trying to figure out  an alien alphabet. I cleared my throat. “However, you can be rest assured I am in Australia for no reason other than a desire to live life, finally, and that I have no intentions of leaving.” I did not want him to think I was not capable of a long-term commitment to the company should things work out.

Author Info

Lesley Young is an award-winning Canadian journalist by day, and compulsive novelist by night. Her debut novel, Sky’s End (Soulmate Publishing, 2013) hit #9 on Amazon’s sci-fi romance paid best-seller list in its first three months of release. Not too long after that, she started dreaming up quirky heroines who lose their hearts to extremely powerful, imperfect heroes, while on dangerous adventures abroad. She called it the Crime Royalty Romance series, and kicked it off with The Frenchman, which landed her an agent at Spencerhill Associates. Lesley’s never sure who or what will pop up in her imagination next. The Irishman? The Spaniard? The Englishman? She’s taking requests!

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Review & Excerpt ~*~ Jealousy by Jenna Galicki

Jealousy, a stand-alone novel

He's the shoulder she leans on.

He worships her.

She shields and protects him.

He watches over her.

They're soul mates for life.

They're not lovers; they're best friends.

Their struggle to find someone who can handle their intense bond is met with a roller coaster of raw emotion, loyalty and heartache. Follow their journey to find love.

Hailed as Will and Grace meets Sex and the City, two best friends, a straight woman and a gay man, struggle to find someone to love as much as they love each other.

When Heather Cooper married Peter, she thought that she had finally found someone who could handle the inseparable bond she shares with her gay best friend, Justin Perrotta. It's only a matter of time, however, before jealousy rears its ugly head and Peter's true feelings emerge. He starts drinking and his erratic behavior threatens their marriage.

Burned by an ex-boyfriend, Justin refuses to open his heart to love again. Wild relationships and one night stands leave him lonely and unfulfilled, even though he will not admit it. He finds love when he least expects it, but his fear of commitment threatens to ruin the best thing that has ever happened to him.

Excerpt
Heather tilted her face up into the hot spray of water and pushed her fingers through her wet hair. She closed her eyes while her subconscious drafted off and replayed the previous evening with Nick in her head. The rumble of the shower doors abruptly startled her back to reality, and Nick stepped inside to join her. She turned toward him and folded her arms in front of her body to shield the scars from her accident. “Stop doing that.” Nick took her arms and placed them around his waist and kissed her amidst the steamy water.

They lathered and washed each other, slowly, sliding the soapy water over the curves of each other’s body. It was sensual, not sexual. His kiss penetrated her mouth, while the water pelted off her back and splashed onto him. Her hand traveled over his sleek wet chest, and just when it was about to travel further downward, he removed it from his body and kissed the palm of her hand. He stepped out of the shower, unfolded the large bath towel and held it open for her. She looked at him quizzically for a moment before exiting the shower.

Nick wrapped the bath sheet around the both of them and hugged her close to him. She felt familiarity in his arms—warmth and security. They stood on the plush bath mat with their naked bodies pressed against one another. Nick held her in his arms without moving or making a sound. He left her with a gentle kiss and the towel, and strolled into the bedroom to dress.

Heather’s eyes followed his bare, round butt cheeks as he walked away from her, and she realized that she was beginning to fall for him. Her defense mechanism kicked in, and she reminded herself that she barely knew him . . . and he was young. She wondered how old he was, maybe 29 or 30. He was probably only still here for sex. After yesterday, why else would he be here? But he just passed up a perfect opportunity in the shower. He was visibly aroused, and she was clearly receptive. They could have easily had a third encounter, but he didn’t pursue it, and now they were going to breakfast.

Nick looked up from buttoning his jeans, and they shared a smile.

She brushed the incident off, resumed drying herself with the towel and quickly dressed in anticipation of spending more time with him. She wanted to find out what lurked behind that sensitive and arousing smile.

Buy Links~

Amazon ~ iTunes  ~  Nook

Review~

I was so excited to meet Jenna this spring and get offered a chance to read the re-release of Jealousy (which I didn't even know about) that I was bouncing around the house when I got home from the event.

Jealousy is a deep story that is fun, sexy, and has just enough twists that when you think you have something figured out, it changes. While Jealousy is sweet, sexy and emotional, it's much more about the friendship of Heather and Justin than about any romance the two may have.

I can easily see the Will and Grace reference as it is similar, but this story has a depth to it that I don't find often and shows how friendship can help and hurt a relationship.  There are many compromises we have to make in life and Jealousy does a great job of highlighting some of those and the difficult choices Heather and Justin end up having to make for themselves and for each other.

If you are looking for a story that has a lot of emotional turmoil, angst, drama, and love. then I highly recommend Jealousy.  It is sexy and if you've read any of Jenna's other books, you know she can heat up the pages, but there is a lot more beneath the surface of this story that will really tug at your heart-strings.

Other books by Jenna Galicki
Radical Rock Stars Series:
The Prince of Punk Rock (Radical Rock Stars Book One)
Between A Rock and A Hard Place (Radical Rock Stars Book 2)
Punk Rock Resurrection (Radical Rock Stars Book 3)

The Undercover Rock Star - Wickedly Erotic Spring Erotic Wonderland Box Set (100% of Proceeds benefits National Autism Association)

Bio:
Jenna Galicki is a strong advocate for LGBT rights and marriage equality. She volunteers with God's Love We Deliver, delivering meals to people with HIV and AIDS and other life threatening illnesses. She actively raises money and participates in AIDS Walk New York and is a proud sponsor of Children International.

She lives in Long Island, NY with her husband and two dogs. She's a Rottweiler enthusiast and an avid music buff. Elaborate stories and fictional characters are her constant companions. When she's not hunched over a computer, you can find her front row at a rock concert.


Contact Links:
www.jennagalicki.com
@jennagalicki
FB friend request: www.facebook.com/authorjennagalicki
FB Fan Page: www.facebook.com/jennagalicki.author1
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1P5GvNb

Excerpt & Giveaway ~*~ Fighting for Her Dragon by Julia Mills

Fighting For Her Dragon

(Dragon Guards #7)

By Julia Mills

AMAZON US / UK / CA

 

There Are No Coincidences….

Given a fairy tale life by the clan of dragon shifters that rescued her as a little girl, Emma Sinclair long ago accepted she might never solve the mystery of her heritage. Of course, that was before she could feel the traitor’s pain, before she knew he was slipping away. And before the unthinkable happened… he called to her in the language of his kin.

The Universe Does Not Make Mistakes…

Captured by his brothers. Imprisoned in a cave. Bound in silver chains. Andrew knew his days were numbered. He accepted his fate. Knew he was getting what he deserved. Hallucinations of his long dead parents were his only solace in the debris of a wasted life. Then the scent of salt, sun and fresh air entered his prison. The fragrance stirred visions of expressive brown eyes, a smile that rivaled the sun and a voice that was a balm to his tattered soul. He clung to the memory of her. She became his lifeline…his only hope of survival…

Fate Will Not Be Denied…

One doomed dragon shifter. One very special woman. One destiny no one could have predicted. Will they save dragon kin or destroy it?  

 “Emma! Emma! Open this damn door!” Devon bellowed. 

This was the third time in two days he’d pounded on her door however on this occasion he seemed really upset, almost desperate. She tried to get up, had tried every time. Wanted to answer the door or at least call out to him. Needed to tell him she had the flu or whatever it was and would talk to him when she felt better. The problem was no matter how hard she tried, not even a finger would move. Her throat was so dry from crying and lack of drink she could only whisper. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she’d actually left her bed.

All of this had started forty-eight hours earlier with the voice of the traitor sounding in her head and reached its first climax when she’d collapsed on her living room floor. He’d spoken directly into her mind, had been doing so since the moment he touched the land of their lair. As shocking as hearing him like he was a part of her was the fact that he called her his mate had been the trigger for her passing out. On the heels of his mind-boggling revelation, the traitor had begged her to come to him. Then he had reached for her. Not like you reach across the table but through some invisible link she felt in the very depths of her soul and would’ve sworn had never been there before. 

Pain accompanied his pleas. A crippling aching that permeated every cell of her being. It has finally become too much for her to bear. Emma landed face first in front of the couch, barely missing the corner of the coffee table with her head. 

Wave after wave of pain racked her body for hours. When the sun began to shine through the slats of her blinds hanging on the picture window the pain had receded. It had been almost twenty minutes since the last barrage of agony. The longest it had stayed at a dull throb since she’d hit the floor. Working up her courage, Emma rose to her knees. 

Cold sweat peppered her upper lip, wet her spine and ran down her arms. Taking a long deep breath in an attempt to end her panting and hopefully not hyperventilate, she steadied herself and began crawling towards her bedroom. Halfway to her destination, the pain returned with a vengeance. Her muscles knotted, feeling as if they were pulling away from her bones. Cramps like nothing she’d ever experienced set her insides on fire, a blaze that tore through her abdomen and chest forcing the air from her lungs. Spots danced before her eyes before she once again found herself laying on the cold, hard tile.

With no windows in the hallway, Emma could only guess how long she’d been there when she was finally able to pry open her eyelids. Struggling to her knees for the second time, she was determined to make it to her feet and used the wall as a crutch. Finally standing, she put one foot in front of the other, her shaky legs threatened to buckle out from under her as, she finally made it to her bed. Moaning, she fell face forward onto the sage green comforter praying to the Heavens that she never had to move again.

Over the next few hours she floated in and out of consciousness never quite sure if what she heard and saw was real. Andrew’s voice the only constant as she battled whatever force was attacking her body, mind and soul. He would plead with her to come to him, speaking beautiful words in the ancient language of the dragon kin, telling her that she was the only one that could end his torment. Then he would demand, his tone sharp, his words direct, as if he would accept nothing but her complete surrender to his will. In between, he would whisper her name over and over all the while pushing his need into her. 

His eyes peered into her soul. She had no idea how but his mismatched stare followed her from consciousness to restless sleep and back again, ever present, keeping watch over her. When one especially horrific wave of torment came upon her, their gazes locked. The agony she saw reflected in those hauntingly imperfect eyes confirmed her worst fears, it was not her pain but his attacking her. 

“Why are you doing this to me?” She whispered, barely able to make out her own words.

Horror overrode the ache in his eyes and seemed to push the agony from his tone. He spoke with command and a clarity that baffled her considering his pain. “I’m not doing anything, a thaisce. It’s our connection…our bond. If you come to me, I hope to free you from my influence.”

 “But…” Her attempt to answer through mindspeak, as he had spoken to her, was cut short by Devon’s first round of knocking at her door.

The next two days was an endless loop of pain, visions and nonsensical conversations with the traitor in her head only interrupted by the few precious moments when she was overtaken by exhaustion. Andrew’s pleas became more insistent, the power he was pushing through more forceful as she continued to explain she was trying to come to him but physically unable. 

“You must! It’s the only way I can save you.” Was the last she heard of him. Their bond had gone silent. She had called to him but to no avail, he had simply stopped communicating.

But I still hurt…

Mom of two rockin' girls, Reader of everything, Author of The Dragon Guards series and many more surprises to come! 

I am a sarcastic,sometimes foul-mouthed, not afraid to drink a beer, always southern woman with 2 of the most amazing teenage daughters, a menagerie of animals and a voracious appetite for reading who recently decided to write the storied running through her brain. I read my first book, Dr Suess' Cat in The Hat by myself at 4 and was hooked. I believe a good book along with shoes, makeup and purses will never let a girl down and that all heroes of all the books I have ever read or will ever write pale in comparison to my daddy! I am a sucker for a happy ending and love some hot sweaty sex with a healthy dose of romance. I am still working on my story but believe it will contain all of the above with as much SPICE as I can work into it. CHEERS!

Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Previous Books in the Series

Her Dragon to Slay (Dragon Guards #1)

http://amzn.to/1dnS8Dv

Her Dragon's Fire (Dragon Guards #2)

http://goo.gl/vKqv0X

Haunted by Her Dragon (Dragon Guards #3)

http://goo.gl/mKZPZf

For the Love of her Dragon (Dragon Guards #4)

http://goo.gl/8pIUFn

Saved By Her Dragon (Dragon Guard #5)

http://amzn.to/1IiuvYI

Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard # 6)

http://amzn.to/1JNAh2I

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New Release & #Giveaway ~*~ Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee

SEDUCED BY SUNDAY

The Weekday Bride Series, Book SIX

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

April 14, 2015, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

Meg Rosenthal: Matchmaker by day, realist by night, Meg is not about to get swept away by a charming, darkly handsome businessman in a designer suit.

She’s come to a beautiful secluded resort to evaluate the private island’s potential for her agency, not to ogle its owner. But there’s something about the magnetic man that’s hard to resist, even for a woman who refuses to fall in love.

Valentino Masini: A successful and drop-dead sexy businessman, Valentino is used to having the finer things in life. Yet he’s never wanted someone the way he wants Meg, who’s stirring up a hurricane of trouble in his heart. But just as he decides to convince her to stay, someone else decides it might be time to get Meg off the island...permanently.

Praise for Catherine Bybee

“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read in the style of Julie Garwood and Suzanne Brockmann.” —Booklist on Fiancé by Friday

"This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome." —Booked Up Reviews on Married by Monday

"[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!" —Harlequin Junkie on Single by Saturday

BUY LINKS:

Amazon  ~  B&N   ~  BAM  ~  BOOK DEPOSITORY  

EXCERPT

A shadow fell over her, drawing Meg's attention from the nap she was trying to take. It might have been unfortunate that she opened her eyes to find a pair of dress pants, with a rather impressive bulge hiding the sun...but Meg found herself tearing her gaze away to follow the overdressed path to broad shoulders, partially shaven face...dark eyes.

"Mr. Masini."

"Miss Rosenthal."

"You're a little overdressed for the pool, don't you think?"

The weight of his eyes traveled over her exposed skin. The bikini hid the important parts, but didn't leave a ton to the imagination. She couldn't tell if Val's lips twitched with admiration for what he saw, or disapproval. Either way, she felt a little like a Catholic school girl who'd shown up for the first day of school with the wrong uniform... which had actually happened to her before her parents decided to ignore her grandparents' suggestion that public school might prove best.

His gaze lingered on her thighs and Meg felt the need to squirm. Instead, she simply called the man out. "You're staring, Mr. Masini."

He jolted as if his own personal earthquake woke him. "Please, call me Val."

"We're on a first name basis now?"

Val rocked back, placed his hands into his pockets as if he didn't know what to do with them.

He'd been nothing short of cocky since before she'd arrived...this new look suited her just fine.

"I welcome all my guests to use my name."

"Yet you don't go by Valentino. I'd think you'd prefer only friends call you Val."

"Are we not friends?"

Meg couldn't help it, she laughed. "Sure, Val, let's be friends...you can call me Margaret. Miss Rosenthal reminds me of my great aunt who never married.

His eyes laughed even though his lips didn't. "Don't you use Meg?"

"Let's not push it, Val."

CATHERINE BYBEE

BIO:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.  

CONTACT LINKS:

www.catherinebybe.com

catherinebybee@yahoo.com

catherinebybee.blogspot.com

twitter.com/catherinebybee

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