Fun Up North

Nothing beats the opportunity to get away for awhile. 

In Michigan, it's called GOING UP NORTH. 

We managed to excape for a few days.

Enjoying some bonding time over coffee and a morning bonfire.

Baseball is done and football has begun.

We spent some time on the beach and in the sun.

Houghton Lake

I'm sure my boys weren't dreaming of football camp that starts tomorrow

#TuesdayTeaser - Shift Happens by Christy Gissendaner

Shift Happens (I Heart Shifters, Book 1)

Christy Gissendaner

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Etopia Press

BLURB

Ellie Reynolds runs a nail salon that caters to shifters of all varieties. The proverbial shift hits the fan when billionaire mogul Jackson Lawrence walks in the door and offers Ellie two million dollars to sell her shop. Ellie has no intention of selling out, especially to someone who plans to bulldoze her shop to the ground and replace it with a fast food joint. Their battle of wit and will is brought to a sudden halt when Jackson’s enemies appear, throwing them into a fight for their lives.

Jackson believed he'd left violence behind when he resigned his position with the Blood Wolves, a secret shifter military group, but someone wants his company's cyber invention and will stop at nothing to get it. He didn't mean to drag Ellie into his mess, but he’s willing to do anything to protect her and the firewall his friend

created...anything except fight his attraction to the outspoken redhead he's suddenly responsible for. Jackson soon learns Ellie is hotter than he first gave her credit for...like dragon hot...and life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

 Sometimes shift happens when you least expect it.

EXCERPT

Rain kept up a staccato rhythm on the tin roof, and her supersensitive hearing picked out every drop. She’d never be able to sleep like this, not while her mind was racked by thoughts of Jackson. The situation was laughable. She should be more worried about her safety and instead all she could think about was the fine-looking man in the room across the hall, like the perfect dimples in his cheeks when he smiled really big, or the perfect symmetry of his gorgeous face. And that ass. She could bounce a quarter off that ass.

She groaned as the familiar heat filled the place between her thighs. She needed something to take her mind off Jackson.

Milk. That’s what she needed. A nice, cool glass of milk.

Well, what she really needed was her vibrator, but it was at home, tucked safely away in her drawer under a bundle of handmade scarves that she’d bought and never worn.

Ellie slid out of bed and tugged the hem of the too-short nightgown. She’d picked out a size eight when she was more like a twelve, so Jackson wouldn’t know her true clothing dimensions. When he’d gone to pay for the items she’d chosen, he’d merely lifted an eyebrow but wisely chosen not to say anything.
 Could she help it if she’d been born with a fondness for sweets? Blame Nana’s genes, not her own lack of will.

Speaking of sweets, cookies would be nice too. She wondered if Jackson had any in the cabinets. He seemed to keep the Montevallo home stocked with foodstuffs since they hadn’t had to stop for groceries.

A few minutes later, with chocolate chip cookies clutched in both hands and a mug of milk hooked around her thumbs, she crept back down the hall toward her room. She bent her head to take a bite of a cookie and lost her grip on the drink. She cursed when the mug fell out of her hands. The milk spilled across her toes and the ceramic shattered when it hit the wooden planks.

“Ellie!” Jackson jerked his bedroom door open and appeared in the doorway, disheveled and entirely too yummy. He wore nothing but boxers and oh geez, he had a six-pack. A perfectly lickable six-pack that made her mouth and sex water. She hoped she wouldn’t drool, although it was a distinct possibility.

“I’m sorry for waking you.”

Jackson ran a hand over his shorn hair. “Fuck. I thought they’d found us.”

“Nope, just the cookie monster.” She held up the cookies in her hands and grimaced. How embarrassing. “Want one?”

He came forward until their toes touched. Hers, milky and chilled. His, warm and dry. She wanted to feel her feet wrapped around his beneath the covers. She wanted to feel everything of his beneath the covers, actually.

His thumb brushed the corner of her lips. “Chocolate,” he explained right before he licked his finger.

Damn her knees. Useless joints that they were. “Umm.”

And damn her larynx for not working properly.

His gaze dropped and she suddenly realized she was in the too-short, too-tight nightgown. Her boobs stretched the cotton material and she didn’t need to

 look down to know she was nipping. If she turned around, he could probably tell she wasn’t wearing panties. She’d never been so self-conscious before, but never had she been in the presence of a hot-ass canine shifter who was practically naked.

Jackson’s expression turned predatory. His cheeks seemed to hollow out, becoming more pronounced, and his nostrils flared as if he’d caught a whiff of something. Perhaps it was her. The quick shower she’d taken had been hours before. Then again, no panties. Perhaps he smelled her scent. She clamped her thighs tight together and prayed he didn’t laugh. The situation was embarrassing enough without suffering unrequited lust.

“Ellie.” He spoke her name again, but it was low-pitched and soft.

Oh God. She wanted to eat the cookies in his bed. But later. Much, much later. “Yeah?”

“I owe you something.” He slid a hand around her waist and cupped the upper swell of her butt. His fingers spread out in a proprietary manner, as if he was sure of his welcome. “I wanted to wait until all this shit was over, but you’re killing me. I can’t hold out any longer.”

Neither could she. She went up on tiptoe and puckered her lips. He stared at her as he traced the seam of her lips with his index fingers. “I think you misunderstand the type of kiss I want from you.”

Buy Links:

http://www.etopiapress.com/brands/Christy-Gissendaner.html

http://www.amazon.com/Shift-Happens-Heart-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/B00WGX0CXE/

Romance Author, Elodie Parkes Talks About Writing

Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal, fantasy, or suspense. Her books are always steamy. 

Her tag is, Cool stories: Hot love scenes.

She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.

Elodie is joining us all the way from Canterbury. Her two dogs are eyeing me and licking their lips. Ah-ha! They know I keep doggie treats handy.

Thank you so much, Elodie for joining us today. Let’s get started. You’ve got ten seconds to describe your writing style. Ready… set… go!

Romantic. Thoughtful. Emotional. Addictive. Erotic.

I love your books Rescuing Cade and A Fairy Tale Romance. I enjoy the twists in your storylines. Do you have any authors who have influenced you or do you have a favorite authors you enjoy?

I’ve purposely not allowed writers and books to influence me. For instance, I love William Gibson books. He can do no wrong in my eyes, but would never attempt to be influenced by his work. I write completely different works. My stories are love stories with twists of paranormal, or suspense, or mystery that are woven into what could happen in real life. I could never approach writing like another author, my story and my characters drive me. I guess that other writers whose books I read lots don’t write erotic romance. I’ve read all Christine Feehan’s Dark series, but when I write paranormal, I don’t feel I’m influenced by her work. I read Henning Mankell and there’s no way I could be influenced to write as he does, because his Swedish environment influences him even though he now lives in Africa. Same with Ruth Rendell, I’ve read nearly all her work. Its good stuff but I’ve felt no influence.

I’ve dot pointed what strikes me about the above author’s work.

• Ruth Rendell, insight into the dark side of human behavior
• Henning Mankell, the atmosphere he creates, often wide open, empty spaces, bleakness
• William Gibson, intelligence, insight into society and the manipulation from powerful people, description, and scene setting.
• Christine Feehan, the creation of some of the most loveable male characters around, those Carpathians are to die for.

Real life influences me. I get my story ideas as I’m moving through life, from meeting people, seeing buildings, scenery, sign posts, all kinds of things will make a story idea drop into my mind. Then the characters start to talk. I guess that’s a little obtuse, but that’s how it happens for me. One of my vampire romance stories came from driving past a building that had an old Inn sign in the front garden, but the building was clearly not an Inn. There was an air of mystery about the place, though and a story dropped into my head very quickly. I used the name on that sign for the title. Then a paddock full of lovely horses inspired one of my shifter stories. Stories just arrive in my head and have the characters already formed in some magical way. I always fall in love with my characters and miss them like crazy when I have to let them go .

It’s fascinating how story ideas pop up then follow you around. When did you begin writing?

I started writing when I was seventeen, but I quit early on writing fiction because I needed to write academic stuff. After life got in the way for a number of years, I suddenly found my mind was crowded with fiction story ideas again and I went back to writing them.

You are living proof what one can’t escape the writing muse! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t really. That’s funny huh? I write but I think the definition of a writer has changed along with the radical changes in the publishing world.

When you think about it, writing is an art form. Writing, painting, creating music – whatever your title, you create something wonderful for others to enjoy. What is your writing process?

I don’t have a process per se. I write when I have time. It’s always there nagging me to get back to, but I have to fit it around my day job or starve. I suppose I stay up late writing because I feel peaceful then, but there are no habits attached.

Size counts… on average how loooooonnnnnggg do you like your (um, how do we put it delicately) manuscripts to be; (in words silly, not inches) and how steamy?

I write erotic romance. The love scenes are graphic. My stories must have happy endings and I enjoy that, giving happy endings to characters. I feel as if there are so few in real life. My stories are just told, the length varies from 15 K to 45 K whatever tells the story.

I usually drink tea or wine when I write. I also keep a jar of dark chocolate M&M’s handy. What snacks do you enjoy while you write?

None. I might drink a cup of tea or a glass of water, but I have lots of allergies and have to be careful what I eat.

Food allergies suck. But you stay healthy in the long run!

It’s time to get to the nitty-gritty in reference to writing:

 Are you most productive in the morning, afternoon or are you a night owl?

I am a night owl in all facets of life.

Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Both at different times and mixed together sometimes.

Which is more important: plot or characters?

For me they’re equally important. They drive each other.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Not so far. I never have enough hours in the day so there are loads of manuscripts on my desktop in various stages all clamoring to be finished.

Do you write thing at a time or more than one? How do you balance them?

I often write more than one thing at a time, but in general one will take over and I’ll finish it then go on to the next as the other sleeps before I go back for the first creative edit before it goes to the editor and then is submitted.

What is your least favorite part of the writing or publishing process?

Oh hell, marketing, promoting. It’s so time consuming, such a stressful experience and so hard to know what to do for the best. I’d like to reach readers more, and in a more intimate way, but time forbids that for me.

What is your best marketing tip?

I have nothing for you. Try anything and everything to reach your audience.

What advice would you give other writers?

If you love writing, keep at it even in the face of the saturated market, the capricious industry, the negativity and competition, because when a reader tells you they loved your story it makes up for all those things.

WHEW! That was awesome! Thank you so much for joining us today. Girl, you gotta tell me where you got those adorable boots!

Elodie writes for, Evernight Siren Hot Ink Press Eternal Press Secret Cravings

She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog  Facebook  FB  Twitter Tsu  Google + G+ Pinterest  YouTube  Amazon USA  Amazon UK Manic Readers

Check out her new release from Evernight

An erotic romance, with Dom/sub and spanking elements—a contemporary, magical love story.

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Evernight, Bookstrand, All Romance

Romancing the Wolf - Boxed Set

This awesome set contains some of my favorite authors! 

                          *******************

They’re on the hunt after your heart. Discover 11 brand new passionate tales of friendship, desire, wolves, survival, and redemption. Escape to another world, another place, and another romance…

Warning: Contains wild heroes and heroines, tempestuous passion, old secrets, new discoveries, and pack ties binding them together. Sometimes love’s greatest challenge is romancing the wolf…

Desiree Holt- Heart of the Wolf (The Devora)

Shifter Lia Popescu is desperate to find the book Legends of the Werewolf, her only clue as to what happened to her pack. Her attempts to recover the tome bring her into contact with Riley Morgan, a meeting that explodes with sexual chemistry. She’s losing her heart to the sexy detective. How he will handle knowing the truth about her?

Saranna DeWylde The Ardennes Curse (Woolven Secret)

When Armand Rommulus killed Luc Ardennes in single combat before the Great Council, he was forced to leave his pack and his home—and claim his birthright as the Ardennes Alpha. Victoria Ardennes is prepared to do murder to break the curse tormenting her pack, until she discovers the life she must take is one she’s come to value above all others—even her own. 

Robyn MacKenzie – Chasing the Moon

For the first time in her life, Rayne Adams feels like she’s home in the sleepy little town of Hood River.  Jackson Locke is tense and anxious, and his wolf is itching to break free as the rogue terrorizing the town and his pack continues to elude him. One terrifying night throws Rayne into Jackson’s path and threatens to change everything.

Virginia Nelson - Odd Mate (The Odd Series)

As second to a female alpha, Charly endures the pity of his pack thanks to her mating. Not that he can admit the one wolf he truly loved left him years ago. Gretchen fell in love with a sweet, nerdy bear of a man, but a genetic twist of fate made her flee. When she returns to town, she can’t stay away from Charly. Can a wolf sworn to destroy all coyotes claim a coywolf mate or will he be forced to destroy the one girl he ever loved?

Gayle Donnelly – Running with the Wolf (The Cascadia Wolves)

To escape her abusive ex, Abigail Mann faked her death and fled to a small town in Oregon to start over. Abram Keaton is the most ruthless hunter of the Deschutes Pack. Hungering for the quiet, elusive kindergarten teacher sparks a need deep inside. When Abby’s past comes calling, Abram must make a choice…defy pack law and bring her into his world or let her run and lose her forever.

Cara Carnes - Redemption’s Forgiveness (The Rending)

Surviving as an Outsider was tough, but Felicity faces her harshest battle when she stumbles across a plot to overthrow the trading post, Redemption.  Marek will do anything to protect his pack and their land, including executing any Outsiders who dare enter pack lands. He knows there’s no soft in war—until a curvaceous wolf with more sass than sense limps into Redemption with an impossible tale of betrayal. Can the two discover trust and redemption together?

Brandy Walker – Under Her Spell (Keystone Predators)

The Beta of the Keystone Predators, Diego Mendoza loves his job and the responsibility that comes with it—even the simple task of retrieving his Alpha's cousin from the airport. Part wolf shifter and part witch Daphne Moore had a hell of a time fitting in and everyone wants her to choose. She is ready for a change and a trip to Arizona for her cousin's wedding seems like the perfect start. Diego wants her instantly, but she’s wary. Will Diego be able to enchant the woman who is witch and wolf?

Rebecca Royce - Always (Dragon Wars)

Robbie Owens has fought the dragons for seventeen years, leading his group of secret, elite werewolves. Tatyana Knox is a human in a world where humans are like unicorns—they simply don't exist. She is real, more she’s Robbie's mate. If he can only trust her, they will turn the tide of the war. But the clock is ticking and Tatyana's time with Robbie is almost up.

 

Jennifer Kacey - Violet's Shadow (Shadow Mates) 

Violet’s spent her whole life searching for where she belongs. Two weeks alone in a secluded cabin is music to her ears, until she sees a shadow in the forest with red glowing eyes. Rayden was sent to protect and guide her. Instead, he finds the mate he’s been unwilling to search for and a passion so fierce he’ll never be able to walk away. Everything she’s ever wanted in life and love is finally at her fingertips if she’s brave enough to embrace…her Shadow

Heather Long - Wolf with Benefits (Wolves of Willow Bend)

After dropping out of college and spending a summer breaking the law, Shiloh Sullivan needs to make amends. When she returns home, her best friend, the wolfish and playful Matt Montgomery, distracts he with a ‘pretend’ relationship, which annoys her parents. They never wanted their children to take the bite.  The friendly-with-benefits arrangement suits Matt fine—makes his mother happy, helps the pack forgive his best friend, and gives him a reason to pry into the secrets Shiloh’s been keeping. Pretending a relationship with a wolf is impossible, the closer they get, the more Matt’s wolf wants to take their con game and make it a mating game. Can he keep his best friend and mate her, too?

Melissa Schroeder - The Alpha's Saving Grace (Lonestar Wolf Pack)

Alpha Jacob Sanderson doesn’t have time for distractions as he hunts a vicious killer attacking his pack. Sheriff Alexandra Littlefoot is his best resource and a woman he can’t seem to resist. As secrets rise to the surface, the killer’s violence escalates and threatens to destroy the entire pack.

Author Alexa Bourne Talks About Writing

On a dark rainy night,

nothing is better than reading a thrilling suspense with a compelling romance to spice it up.

******************

Alexa Bourne is THE author to write such a tale. She has many books out including the fast paced and incredibly hot story Wake Me (Hidden Destiny) and Chasing Gold (Beyond Fairytales) from Decadent Publishing. During her spare time she even offers on-line writing classes!  How cool is that!

 

Alexa has stopped by to give us a look into her life as a writer.

Thanks for joining us today. Make yourself comfortable. 

Help yourself to some tea and chocolate. 

So tell us, how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first “book” over 100 pages was when I was in middle school a LOOOONG time ago. I have 11 books out and I’m part of 1 anthology that just recently released.

A born writer! What genre and topics do you like to write? Is there a topic you would never write about?

My favorite genre is romantic suspense. After my 11^th book came out I finally realized I love writing about people who are thrown out of their element and must find a way to gather their courage. As for something I wouldn’t write about….I’m not sure. At the moment, I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t try.

Sounds like you have a bit of an adventurous writer’s soul. Do you have a special place you like to write or a particular writing process?

I don’t have a specific place I write, but I do have a process. I start each story with only a vague idea of the plot and both main characters. The specifics of the romance, the people and the suspense all come through during the rough draft. The only habit I have is making a soundtrack for each book with at least 1 or 2 songs that specifically represent each couple. I usually listen to that soundtrack over and over as I write that book.

OMG… I do soundtracks too!!! Music always comes up with readers. Do you ever meet your readers?

I have met readers (and love it!). I’ve only had the opportunity to do 1 book signing so far but I look forward to doing more. When I’m able to go to conventions I love to do so. I hope to do more in the next few years.

I love meeting with fans. What is a question most people ask you?

The #1 question I get is “How much money do you make?” I don’t answer it or I might say, “I’m not going to tell you.”

LOL! Hey, summer time is coming fast. I’m sure you hope to find time to read. What is on your TBR pile right now?

The Lair by Emily McKay, Far Gone by Laura Griffin, The Hit by David Baldacci, a bunch of books by Jill Shalvis. Of course there are TONS more in a suitcase, on bookshelves, in boxes in storage….

Ooooo…. I love Jill’s Animal Magnetism series and the baseball novels. Would you say you are a daydreamer?

Not really. I don’t have time to daydream!

As a mom of 3 athletic boys, I don’t have a clue what spare time is. I don’t even have a chance to clean out my purse! Say…if we were to take a sneak peak in your purse, what would we find?

My wallet, promo cards, my headphones for my iphone, a pen & little notepad, tissues and lots of receipts. I know, boring.

I know about “lots of receipts”.  LOL

Time for some fun….

EBooks or Print? Both. I like to travel a lot and the Ebook works best for that.

Wine or beer? Beer, but I wouldn’t say no to a glass of white zin!

Coffee or tea? Tea. My mom’s from England and I grew up on tea.

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Enough said.

What is your biggest “girlish” vice? Earrings. I have more than enough to last me the rest of my life, but if I see earrings in a store when I’m shopping I always check them out. More than once I’ve had my friends help me NOT buy a bunch. I also can’t leave the house without earrings. I can be in sweatpants and makeup-free with my hair in a ponytail, but I have to have at least 1 pair of earrings in. (I have 3 holes in each earlobe.)

Romantic dinner at home or dinner out? How about a romantic dinner out? It’s not really a romantic dinner if you have to clean up after yourself!

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream? Chocolate chip cookie dough. Yum!

Yeah!!! Thanks so much for joining us today, Alexa. Let’s blow this pop stand. I know an ice cream shop that serves the best Choco-chip cookie dough on waffle cones.  My treat!

****************

Find Alexa Bourne

Website  http://alexabourne.com/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

Twitter https://twitter.com/alexabourne

WAKE ME(HIDDEN DESTINY)

CHASING GOLD(Beyond Fairtales)

Grownup Fairy Tales Boxed Set

 Amazon 

All Romance Ebooks