Monday, March 31, 2014

Sneak Peek at Tough Love Book 3 in the Love and Trust Trilogy

Hey Friends!
   Just thought I'd let you know that Tough Love is going through the final edits. To celebrate, I've decided to give you a little sneak peek. I'm hoping tomorrow to do a cover reveal, but don't hold me to that. In case you're new to the Love and Trust trilogy, I'll give you a little background. My first trilogy was the Love and Dessert trilogy based on the Kendall sisters and Belinda's Bakery in Fircrest Washington.  My Love and Trust trilogy is based around Rob Downing and his sisters Bailey and Taryn and their restaurant The Iron Skillet. Come To Me was Rob and Wren's story and Be Mine is Bailey and Kam's story. 


    So of course that leaves Taryn.  Tough Love is the perfect title for Taryn's story because she's pretty tough. She's feisty and proud and strong, but she can also be loving and sweet. If you've read Come to Me and Be Mine, you know she has some hang ups about being with Brogan, a younger man. Being a Cougar might be harder than it looks though.

               Taryn drove home in a fog of depression. It was a special kind of hell to sit at the dinner table with her family and see how in love Rob and Wren were and how passionate Kam and Bailey were about each other.  She reached up and massaged her forehead as she came to a stoplight.  There was no one else now to diffuse mother’s attention.  She was the last one and her mother would now stop at nothing until she was married happily with two children.
                She drove down the street and pulled into her driveway. She rented the top floor of a renovated craftsman style home from the early 1900’s.  The older couple she rented from took care of the upkeep and the yard so she never had to worry about anything.  She could have had a modern condo down by the water, but this was close to work and felt more homey.  She walked up the steps and let herself in, automatically locking up behind her.  She threw her purse on the counter and headed for her bed. She collapsed face first onto her pillow and kicked her legs for good measure.
                How in the world was she supposed to come up with a date for Bailey’s engagement party when she knew full well Brogan would be there too? She turned to her side as her oxygen began to fade and sighed with her eyes closed.  She’d been seeing Brogan secretly off and on for the last few months, but she’d broken things off for good a couple weeks ago and she still felt physically sick about it.
                Brogan had given her an ultimatum.  Bring their relationship out into the open or they were done. 
                So they were done.
                Taryn pulled her pillow over her chest, hugging it to her face as she remembered Brogan’s face as she’d told him they were over.  Shock, disappointment and surprisingly, pity.  He’d turned around walked out without another word and that was the last time she’d talked to him.  At work, she studiously avoided him.  And he wasn’t exactly seeking her out either.
                She pulled her knees up into a fetal position and listened to the rain hit the windows as she thought about Brogan.  She missed him.  He was always so positive and happy and kind. He had a gift for turning her bad moods around and getting her to laugh. He was like her own personal Prozac and she was turning darker, meaner and less happy with every day that passed without him.
                And oh how she missed the kissing. Brogan was big on kissing and was always finding excuses to pull her into her office to kiss her breathless.  But that was over now.  Really, how could she see herself in a serious, long term relationship with a waiter? It was ridiculous.
                Okay, maybe he was more than a waiter, but still. He was younger than her by three years, and he still lived at home. Total deal breaker. Taryn turned over on her stomach and leaned her chin on her hands. Sure he was living at home and waiting tables to pay off his student loans and she could respect that, but why should she date him, when there were thousands of men who were past that stage in life? She could very easily be dating a man who had an established career, who was out of debt and living independently. 
                Taryn closed her eyes.  Well of course he had started his own graphic design business on the side and was doing pretty good so far, but that was no guarantee of future success. Most business failed in their first year.  Startups were a gamble and it was very likely that he would end up at the end of the year, broke and right back where he started, living at home and waiting tables for her brother.
                She stood up and walked over to her bathroom, flipping on the light and leaning over the sink as she stared into the mirror.  She was Taryn Downing, manager of The Iron Skillet.  She was a strong, smart, successful woman and what would that say about her, dating a younger man?  People would call her a Sugar Mama or worse, a Cougar
                She grinned at the term and tilted her head as she studied her reflection.  She wasn’t conceited but she knew she was attractive. She was tall, slim yet strong and she had good Italian genes thanks to her mama that gave her face with a little extra drama, from the dark wings of her eyebrows to her full pouty mouth. Being beautiful had been a double edged sword. She was noticed but disregarded because of her looks. She’d had suppliers try and take advantage of her because no way could a beautiful woman have brains. She loved reeducating people.
                She could get a date to the engagement party if she wanted one.  She’d been asked out just yesterday by one of their regular patrons, Jeffrey Archer. He was perfect actually. In his mid-thirties, successful, kind and attractive, but she’d said no before she’d even thought about it.  For some reason, dating another man kind of made her sick to her stomach. 
                Taryn walked out of the bathroom and grabbed her cell phone as she scrolled through all the selfies she and Brogan had taken of themselves.  She smiled softly at the picture of them in Seattle a month ago. They’d driven up to see a concert and have dinner.  Taryn felt her heart ache as she noticed how happy they both were.  Brogan was so blond and golden compared to her dramatic dark coloring. They were the exact opposites in just about everything, which is probably why they were so drawn to each other.
                She scrolled down to a different picture and sat down on the edge of her couch, feeling her heart bleed a little.  They’d been right there in her family room, watching a movie. She’d had her head leaning against his shoulder.  They looked so comfortable with each other. She couldn’t even imagine being so comfortable and easy with another man.
                She sighed and walked over to the long window and leaned her forehead against the cool glass as she wondered for the thousandth time if she’d made the worst mistake of her life. She closed her eyes and thought of what Brogan had asked of her.  It wasn’t so much really.  Just tell everyone that they were together.  Let her family and everyone at work know that they were in a committed relationship with each other.  He had told her he was sick of being kept a dirty little secret and that he deserved a woman who not only respected him but was proud to be with him.
                She felt horrible about hurting him, but in the end, she couldn’t do it.  She couldn’t stand the thought of people judging her, snickering behind their hands at her. Laughing at her. 

                The question was, was her pride so important when in the end, she was alone?
*Copyrighted Material*

    This has been one of my favorite books to write just because Taryn is so close to my heart.  Be warned though, this one's a little intense. Let me know what you think!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Breathtaking Update!


  I had SO much fun at the launch party last night! If you stopped by for a while, thank you.  It was fun getting to know you guys a little better.  I think our first day on sale went really well.  And if you haven't heard, if you go to my facebook page and share my post about Breathtaking - you're entered into a giveaway for a beautiful necklace from Mayan Treasures.  It goes from now until Saturday.  So easy, all you have to do is share the post.

   In the mean time, check out two more books being offered in the set.  Remind me, what's $.99 divided by 7?  Just kidding, I totally knew the answer - That's $.14 a book and these are some fantastic books. Remember it's only on sale for a short time so check it out here !






Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon
Deliah Dreser's in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there's more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole's in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. Is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother's murders?
Bestselling author Sherry Gammon's reviewers exclaim; "She has a gift for touching her readers with beautiful, gripping stories that you can’t put down."



Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt
Nothing good ever happens after dark. Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.
Now her father is dead, and Daleigh finds a hidden journal hinting that his death was no accident. Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. As the two work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.
Award-Winning Suspense Novelist and Bestselling Amazon Author, touted as "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky" by USA Today

Friday, March 21, 2014

Want to know more about Breathtaking: 7 Novels of Love and Suspense?

I want to tell you all about two more books in our Boxed set - going on sale March 24th.  
7 Full length novels at the amazing price of $.99 

Cami Checketts- Blog This

Will protecting children throughout the world cost Natasha her own family?

Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot works to expose the dangers of Matthew Chrysler's violent video games, succeeding in bankrupting and humiliating him.
Chrysler retaliates and sends a hit man after her. Natasha is forced to fake her own death to protect her children, but after witnessing another tragedy, Natasha won't hide any longer.
In a race against time, can Natasha expose Matthew Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world?
5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be able to put it down December 5, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition
I usually read a book once and I'm good. Blog This however is full of suspense and excitement it's hard to put it down once you start reading it. I've read it three times and each time I react as if I had just picked it up. Have read all of Cami's books and enjoyed each one but I love this one. Just when you think you know what's going to happen Cami leads you down a different path. This is not a book you want to start reading before you go to bed...it will keep you awake. Highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

Kimberly Krey - Cassie's Cowboy Crave

Cassie's words dangled in the air like an invitation, warm and welcome. He couldn't likely bring her home without a simple kiss, now, could he? When their eyes met, Shane tilted his head, asking for permission with the lift of his brow. She nodded slightly - a silent response - yet the best thing he'd heard in weeks - Yes.

Twenty-four-year-old Cassie Lovell has a great job, good friends, and an apartment with a killer view. That is, until life is turned upside down. Without the chance to say goodbye, Cassie is forced into a witness protection program on Emerson Ranch. Just when she fears life is doomed, Cassie meets Shane Emerson, the stunningly handsome cowboy who'll be posing as her newlywed groom.

Shane Emerson is determined not to fall for the woman he's agreed to harbor. Especially since the whole thing was his family's way of trying to get him hitched. So why is it when he takes Cassie into his home, Shane wants nothing more than to turn their make-believe marriage into more than just a sham?

In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss.
In return, Cassie steals his heart.
Yet before they confess their undying love,
a hidden danger threatens to tear them apart.

*Though this novel is considered clean romance, it contains passionate kissing & a few mild curse words.

5.0 out of 5 stars Every girl's dream... December 28, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
What woman doesn't want a handsome man to fawn all over her, fall in love with her, and protect her with everything inside of him? And throw in that Shane's a cowboy, living on a huge ranch, with a close knit family, you can't go wrong. Ms. Krey does a wonderful job at bringing these characters to life. Cassie's Cowboy Crave was 'clean without losing the steam' just as the author promised. Great read!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

A Launch Party, an Introduction and the best deal you've ever seen!


   If you know me, you know I am powerless against a good deal.  If you know me, you know I'm powerless against a good romance.  Put those two things together and you had me at, Check this out!  
   As many of you already know, I'm part of the boxed set Breathtaking: 7 Novels of Love and Suspense.  7 authors have come together to offer 7 full length novels for the insane price of $.99 starting March 24th through the 29th. You all know me and my books, but you might not know these other authors which is a darn shame because they're stinking amazing. Seriously. So get ready to get hooked. Starting now I'm going to introduce you to each of these ladies so you're as excited a I am. 

    We're doing a launch party on Monday - tons of prizes, tons of fun. You have to come! Here's the link.






    For me, I'm offering my book You Belong with Me. Sure you've read it.  Of course you have!  But have your friends? Has your sister or your mom or your grandma?  Ladies, this boxed set makes an incredible gift. Can you imagine getting an email that someone who loves you sent this to you for your birthday or Easter or Mother's Day?  
    On Amazon if you pick Give as Gift you can pick the arrival date. So easy. Such a deal. And you're going to come off looking like a champ.  I have a friend who has already read three of the books included in the boxed set, but just knowing that she can get 4 books that she hasn't read for $.99 she was ecstatic!  Again, jump for joy.  You're allowed.  It's even expected.

     Also - one other super cool thing.  I only offer my books on Kindle through Amazon.  If you have a nook or some other e-reader, here's your chance to have one of my books along with all of the others.

  My first introduction is Heather Tullis. Amazing author.  And here's the deal. This book- if you bought the hard cover would be $12.65.  Kindle price for A Perfect Fit is $4.99.  So are you getting a good deal?  Nah, you're getting the deal of a life time and when you hear about all of the other books you're getting you're going to want to jump for joy.  Either that, or share on your Facebook page or twitter or Instagram or Pinterest. You get the idea.  


A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis - Cami DiCarlo doesn’t agree with her father that her life has been stuck in a rut, so she is not happy when he forces her hand into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel. The fact that he unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, and insists that they live together while they launch the new resort, only makes things worse. 

When she meets Vince Talmadge, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything she and her sisters are working to build.



5.0 out of 5 stars A Nicely Crafted Romance NovelFebruary 12, 2014
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: A Perfect Fit (DiCarlo Brides Book 1) (The DiCarlo Brides) (Kindle Edition)
A philandering father's death brings together the daughters he had fathered with his wife and mistresses. Forced to work together by the conditions of his will, they reluctantly begin forming bonds with one another. As they do so the DiCarlo sisters find themselves romantically involved with the plethora of hunky men that seem to inhabit this small Colorado town. The first book it's the oldest sister's opportunity to discover love when she was only looking for a distraction. This is a nicely paced romance, written with much creativity. While the lead characters start having sex, the author sees no need to give us long, graphic, nearly pornographic sexual descriptions as do so many modern romances whose authors take the path of cheap titular ion over crafting a good story. In this book the sex is alluded to, not described. Nearly perfect, this is what a romance story should be.

Tomorrow - I'll be introducing you to Cami Checketts. an incredibly talented author. So check back to see what you're in store for!