NEW RELEASE - Too Many Reasons, A Spotlight Series Novel by Kristen Strassel

Kristen Strassel is one of my fav NA authors. Toss contemporary romance with some paranormal and add a dash of rock-n-roll is her usual recipe for an amazing book. This year she is releasing two new stories. Today she releases the second book which happens to be a full length novel in The Spotlight series, a collection of stand alone books that all feature a contestant from the Spotlight Talent Competition. 

Abby Gauthier is close to getting everything she's worked so hard for. The band she manages, Sinister Riot, has been offered a major record contract. But it comes with a catch: the band must add Eli Jamison, winner of the talent show The Spotlight, to the lineup. 

Devon Sinclair is the singer of Sinister Riot, and he's Abby's best friend. She's in love with him, but fears she'll lose him if she makes the first move. Devon thinks adding Eli to the band is dangerous, and he's right. Eli's interested in more than just making an album. He wants to take control of the band, and he wants to get to know Abby better. A lot better. When tensions between Devon and Eli threaten to destroy Sinister Riot, Abby must act on her true feelings or lose everything she's ever wanted. 

EXCERPT

“That’s why I think you should just start a label, Abby. We wouldn’t have to deal with this sneaky bullshit.” After Devon strained the macaroni and stirred everything together, he sprinkled hot sauce over it and handed me a bowl.

“Someday, maybe that will happen. But I’ve got to go work for the big guys, too, so I know what I’m doing.” I hadn’t realized how hungry I was. Maybe it wasn’t so bad that Devon came back with me after all. “But I’m not going to get any job if I fail that test and don’t graduate.”

Devon put his bowl down on the counter. “Shit. With everything that happened, I forgot all about that.” Yeah, right. I was familiar with his work. He smiled sheepishly. “Do you still want me to go?”

Fuck. “No. You can stay.” I hated myself for giving in, again. He’d probably be able to figure out another place to sleep, but that sucked. It was almost midnight.

He squeezed my shoulder on his way back to the bedroom. “You’re the best.”

I was an idiot. “I know.”

“What can I do to help you study?” he asked. “Is there a quiz or anything?”

“Yeah.” He took my bowl and went back to the kitchen, then came back to my bedroom with a pot cover and big spoon. I brought up the app on my tablet, and handed over to him. It was going to be impossible to concentrate over the noise of the party, but I didn’t have a choice.

Devon scanned the screen, looking for the right question to start with. He asked me the questions like he always did, in his best cheesy game show host voice. “What was the cause of the Vietnam War?”

Man, I wasn’t prepared for this test. “America wanted to keep it from falling into a communist state.”

“I’ll accept that. Who was the disagreement with?”

Easy. “The Soviet Union.”

“Yes! Those Commie bastards. Vietnam was formerly a territory of what country?”

“China?” They had something to do with this.

“I’m sorry, Miss Gauthier, but your answer is wrong. So very wrong.” He hit the spoon against the pot cover, the gong echoing through the room. I’d never not find it hysterical. “Please rephrase your answer with the correct information.”

Now all I could think about was that contract laying on my nightstand. “Give me a hint.”

“New Orleans was also a settlement of this country.” Devon pretended to look at a watch. “Time is running out for your answer.”

“France!”

“Very good. You do realize, Miss Gauthier, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it?” It was a lesson I was all too familiar with.

Finally I got everything right, and Devon was satisfied I was ready for the test. Of course, none of that would matter if I slept through it. “You need to get to sleep.”

“Yeah, about that.” There was no telling Mallory to quiet down. “Are you still staying?”

Devon ran his tongue over his lip ring and looked toward my curtains, the little lights twinkling and swaying in the breeze coming in through the window. He slid down under the blanket, and motioned for me to join him. “Are you sure it’s all right for me to stay?”

I snuggled against him. Every reason I should tell him to go rattled inside my head. “Yeah.”

“Soon, we’re not going to have to worry about any of this.” He started playing with my hair, lulling me to sleep. “We’re going to get everything we want.”

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OUT NOW – A Different Kind of Cosplay by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985) #erotica #romance #geek

Here is a little dose of Friday Fantasy. Lucy Felthouse is a fellow chocoholic and a super busy writer has a new book out. Be sure to check it out. It will make you look at comic books and superheroes a little differently.

Blurb:

Zachary has a dilemma. His girlfriend, Reese, has a special birthday coming up soon and he has absolutely no clue what to get for her. It doesn’t help that Zach does not share or really understand Reese’s biggest hobby—comic books, superheroes and everything that goes with them. Zach raids Reese’s DVD collection for inspiration, and what he finds there gives him an idea…possibly the best one he’s ever had.

Sure, Reese has fantasized about her favorite superheroes. All those muscles and rakish smiles are to die for. She didn’t think Zach would ever really understand, though. But he proves her wrong in the best way possible.

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Excerpt:

Zachary sighed at the calendar entry in his phone, which was reminding him for the third time about Reese’s upcoming birthday. And it wasn’t just any birthday—she was going to be thirty.

There were perks to dating a doctor—the uniform was pretty hot, for example—but when that doctor had no particular fondness for jewelry, flowers or chocolates, buying her presents was nigh-on impossible. And because of her work schedule, a surprise weekend away was out of the question. 

He’d long since learned to always keep the receipts.

Most people get their partners something to do with their hobbies or interests. However, Reese was even awkward in that regard. Her main hobby was so complex that Zach didn’t have the first idea what to get her to do with it—Reese was an uber-geek. Films, graphic novels, collectibles, all that jazz.

Obviously he could just ask what she wanted, then go out and get it, but then it wouldn’t be a surprise. And it was too easy—he wanted her to know he’d really made the effort.

Snoozing the calendar reminder once more, Zach threw the phone onto the sofa, then walked over and started rooting through their combined film collection for something to watch after dinner, which was almost ready. Reese was on-shift at the hospital until silly o’clock, so he had the house to himself and could watch whatever he liked. An action movie it was, then.

Running his fingers along the spines of the DVDs and Blu-rays, he suddenly paused. The Avengers leaped out at him, for some reason. He’d seen snippets of it before, as Reese watched it pretty frequently. The parts he’d seen hadn’t looked too bad, actually. It was essentially an action film, he decided, but with superheroes in it.

He pulled the case off the shelf, an idea beginning to form. Maybe if he watched it beginning to end, he’d seen what drew Reese into that world so much, why she was so fascinated by the films, the graphic novels and so on. Even if he didn’t get it, though, maybe it would still give him some inspiration for a gift. He had nothing better to do that evening, in any case, so it was certainly worth a try.

After putting the disc in the player, he headed into the kitchen to see how his dinner was coming along. A meal in front of the television was the order of the day, it seemed.

A few minutes later, he settled onto the sofa with his lasagna and garlic bread, a bottle of beer on the table next to him. Time for some Avengers action.

Within half an hour, he’d ascertained that the film wasn’t just for geeks. In fact it was easy to see why it had such a wide appeal—the cast was supremely attractive, whatever gender you were into, the plot was interesting and the dialogue seriously witty. He’d already developed quite the crush on the Black Widow, and Nick Fury’s right-hand woman had a lovely pert backside.

Trying to put himself in Reese’s shoes, Zach looked at the male characters. Okay, when it came to this film, straight women clearly had more eye-candy than they knew what to do with. He vaguely remembered a bunch of crazy stuff going around on the Internet about Loki—even the villain of the piece had sex appeal, for heaven’s sake! So much so that it had spilled over into even Zach’s limited social media presence. He barely used Facebook, and he’d never gotten the hang of Twitter. And yet he knew about the rabid fangirls. That was another score for The Avengers, then—truly mass-market appeal. If only there were mass-market gift-buying options.

Sighing, he tried to empty his mind and concentrate on the film. The more he tried to force an idea to present itself, the less likely it would be to happen. He’d just enjoy the entertainment and keep his fingers crossed that his subconscious provided something useful.

Once he’d made the decision, it wasn’t difficult to get sucked back into the narrative. It was engaging, easy-going and fun. Zach surprised himself by thoroughly enjoying the entire thing. Reese would be pleased when the next film came out at the cinema and he offered to go along with her.

He’d keep his new found admiration quiet for now, though. He didn’t want to arouse her suspicions, although she was bound to know he was planning something for her milestone birthday.

The question remained—what the hell could he do or buy to blow her away?

Author Bio:

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over 100 publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house. She owns Erotica For All, is book editor for Cliterati, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Erotic Author Clare Dargin Talks About Her New Book

Clare Dargin is an author of science fiction, paranormal romance, military sci-fi as well as interracial and multicultrual fiction. This amazing gal with her over active imagination has given us stories that are out of this world!

[Ménage Amour: Erotic Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, HEA]

A Siren Erotic Romance

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Jilly Reimers wants love but can't find it. Chris Spinell is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who suffers from PTSD and a haunting feeling that something is missing in his life. Chris Poole is also an Afghanistan war veteran is ready to break out of his shell but is unsure how.

With Christmas just around the corner, they decide not to spend it alone. Believing The Love Play Matchmaking Service to be just what they need for a night of fun and passion, they sign up. But when the guys show up and see that they've been set up on a menage, the only one happy about it is Jilly. 

Their consultant, called an Eros, assures Jilly that the service has a perfect track record but she's certain they'll be the first ones to get their money back. Will they have a very merry Christmas? Or will the three spend yet another one alone?

Thank you Clare for joining us on this blustery winter day. I have coffee, tea and hot cocoa available. Just help yourself. 

 Now, you have some sci-fi romance stories and some military. How many books have you prior to Merry "Chris"Mas?

 Actually it's my seventh.  Yay!!! Believe me it's a triumph considering it had been a dream of mine to be published ever since I was thirteen years old.

You have a hyper imagination like me. I get ideas all the time for new stories. What inspired you to write your Merry "Chris"Mas? Is anything in the book based on someone you know or events in your own life?

LOL!  Oh boy that's a loaded question.  How do I respond?  Well, I'll answer the second question first-- I don't know them personally but the characters are inspired by real people.  I saw a meme on a social network that I'm on and I got to thinking some naughty thoughts and the story kinda told itself.

Sounds like the story was easy. Come on, fess up. What was the hardest or most challenging part to write?

Without giving anything away, it was the central conflict between the two guys because they are so likable and easy going.  I just wanted every one to get along.

Who did you picture when you created the hero?

For the two heroes a couple of well known personas- that's all I'm going to say for now.  ;)

Sorry.... I spaced out for a minute as I imagined who it might be. LOL How do you come up with your characters’ names? 

Normally, I utilize my reference list and then see if a name fits the individual character.  And sometimes there's an automatic match and then there are times when I have to resort to the internet and I hunt down the perfect name for hours!

Which character is your favorite? 

I can't choose!  I love them both!  Believe me! They are my dream guys.

I love the title, how did you come up with it?

I had a theme in mind when I thought of the series and a specific time of year in which it would be set, so it made since do a play on words.

The cover is super smexy. Who designed it.

Harris Channing at Siren Bookstrand designed it.  She did an awesome job.  I love the balance of color and the sense of a winter chill along with the seasonal theme of Christmas without it being too Christmas-y with wreaths and bulbs everywhere which may not play as well during other times of the year (it was released December 24, 2014).  I think this way it doesn't look like a Christmas book.  But looks like a book that takes place during the holiday season but could just as easily be set during a different time of year.

Fan want to know...give them a fun fact or more about the book.

Since I live in Michigan, I place a lot of fun tidbits about my home state through out.  Things I think only a native Michigander may know.  If you are Michigander especially one who lives or has lived in the Metro Detroit area, you'll point and say, I know that!  Whoa!

As a fellow Michigander, I've noticed that. *wink, wink* Love it!!! One of these days we need to zip over to the Ann Arbor area and check out the brewery owned by fellow romance author, Liz Crowe. Just don't wear any of your State gear. 

Back on subject...are you currently working on something?  

I'm always working on projects.  Currently I'm working on an shifter romance for a different publisher and I hope to have that completed very soon! 

Squeeee!!! I have a hunch I know who it's for. I can't wait!!! Before we head out to brave the Michigan weather, do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

Yes.  Thank you so much for your patience and support.  Since I don't write full time, I have to write whenever I get a chance and it really means a lot that you've stuck by me for so long.  I promise this book and the others within the series will not let you down.  

I'm sure you won't, Clare. Thank you for visiting with us today!

Be sure to visit Clare and check out not only her latest book but all of them. Perfect reading for these cold winter nights.

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The inspiration for Cpl. Jamie Hawke