Friday 28 February 2014

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway ~ Afternoon Delights

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Title: Afternoon Delights, Anthology

Authors : Elise Marion, Karen Swart, Emily Fogle, Elizabeth Marx, Elizabeth Kirke, LP Dover, Kimberly Larson, Jenna Pizzi, Morgan Black.

Genre: Romance (from Contemporary Romance to Erotica)
Audience: Adult
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Cover By: Sprinkles On Top Studios
Editor: Melissa Ringsted
Pages: 130 pages
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13: 978 -1310345180
ASIN: B00IDE0ICU
Date Published: Feb 12, 2014










 
blurb

Afternoon Delights is just the perfect size for a literary nooner! Nine short stories to tease your senses, from sweet and romantic, to hot and heavy. Get a taste of why these authors are well known for their romance.
 

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~ Review ~ 

This is the perfect romance anthology, which covers the entire spectrum from sweet romance to hot and steamy.  I thoroughly enjoyed every story, and there wasn’t one that I wanted to skip over.  Each author did an excellent job, and I couldn’t possible choose a favourite out of them all.  I knew some of the authors (and some of the characters), but will now definitely look up the others.  I would highly recommend this to all lovers of romance, no matter which sub-genre is your preference.        


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excerpt
From Sabella -
Although I tried to avert my gaze, I couldn't bring myself to look away from his beautiful eyes. They pulled me in from the chaos like a lifeline. In the dark blue sea of endless comfort, I was calm and at peace. The last two days of confusion and the whirlwind of emotions were all settled in his eyes.

From The CEO’s Wife-
Blair paused just outside the door to Evan’s office, her heart hammering in her chest. Just on the other side was her husband—her very rich, powerful, sexy husband. When had she become intimidated by him? When had the thought of initiating sex with him become something to worry over as opposed to something fun and sensual?
When she realized she might lose him, that’s when. And now, it seemed like everything depended on what she did next. She needed to prove to Evan that she still wanted him, that she would do whatever it took to save their drowning marriage. She swallowed past the ball of nerves lodged in her throat and placed her hand on the knob. His secretary had told her that Evan was alone in there and had no more meetings until after lunch. Now was her window of opportunity. Yesterday, he’d gone into a hotel with another woman. A slip up she was willing to forgive him for just this once. After she rocked his world, of course. Remind him who he chose, she told herself for the millionth time. Don’t let him get away.
She turned the knob and squared her shoulders, remembering her practiced seduction as she strode into the room, locking the door behind her. Determination kept her chin high and her expression sultry. Confidence swung her hips as she sauntered across the large office. Evan, who had been having a heated conversation on the phone, dropped the handset. Mouth hanging open, he stood. His eyes were wide as they took in her short, blunt blonde bob, fully made up face, black trench coat, and knee-high leather black boots. The heels clicked across the tiles as she came in front of his desk, pausing to strike a pose; legs spread, one hand on her hip.
“Blair?” He smiled. “What have you done to yourself?”
Blair caressed the strands of her bob and smiled. “It’s not what I’ve done to me,” she purred, “it’s more about what I’m going to do to you.”
Evan’s grin widened as he fumbled for the dropped phone. “Carl? Let me call you back.”
Without waiting for a response, he dropped the phone into the cradle and rounded the desk. Blair stopped him before he could grab her with a hand on the middle of his chest. She needed to maintain control of the situation and couldn’t afford to let him touch her just yet. Those hands of his had always driven her wild.
She grasped his silk, blue and grey striped tie and yanked, pulling him behind her toward the desk. He followed happily, his hard body brushing up against hers.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I like it,” he murmured as she turned him, pushing him to sit on the edge of his desk. He reached behind him, shoving papers and files out of the way and obediently perching on the large piece of furniture.
“I seem to remember you always wanted to have sex in here,” she said as she reached for the belt holding her coat together. When Evan was newly promoted to CEO, he’d wanted to celebrate by taking her in the office, but Blair had refused. She’d been worried that someone would catch them, hear them, think she was trashy for doing it. Now she didn’t give a damn what anyone thought. If Evan wanted sex in his office then he was going to get it. From her. “I take it that’s still a fantasy of yours?”
Blair snatched her coat open, revealing the corset, thong, and stockings beneath. They were black and trimmed in red, Evan’s favorite color. His lower lip disappeared between his teeth at the sight, zeroing in on her breasts—which were displayed gloriously in the cups of the corset top.
“Hell yes.”

From My Beloved, Marie -
I reached down and squeezed the water from the washcloth. “Please don’t, Jacob. I don’t look pretty anymore,” she sobbed. Reaching out, I slowly turned her around, her eyes trying to escape mine. Gently, I washed her arms, and then dipped the cloth in the warm water.
“You will always be beautiful to me, my love. Even weak and underfed, you still take my breath away,” I replied softly.
“How can you say that? Look at me!” She was angry, and I could understand why.
“I am, my love, and I always will. I understand your anger and why you believe you don’t look pretty. But I didn’t marry you because of your looks. I married you because you were the bravest girl I have ever met.” I leaned in and kissed her stomach. “I married you because of those beautiful blue eyes filled with mischief.” I kissed her hip, and smiled as goose bumps broke out under my kiss. “I married you because of your stubborn nature, knowing that you would give me a good fight one day.” She laughed a little, and I kissed her other hip. Slowly, pulling her down on to my lap, I reached for her face and made her look at me. “I married you because you stole my heart the moment you looked at me. Yes, I see your body now as it is, but I also know that with my love and attention, you will be healthy again.” I kissed her on her mouth softly.

From Dinner Break - A More than Magic Series short story
I sighed and opened my eyes.
“I can’t,” I admitted. “I can’t think about anything other than that stupid rec center.” I tried, and failed again, to dislodge him and get up.
“Mm. Not good enough. You know, you’ve been here since eight, right? It’s almost eleven. You’ve been working on that crap for fifteen hours.”
“Jesus,” I groaned. “Has it really been that long?”
“See why I’m forcing you to relax?”
I sighed and leaned forward, until my forehead was resting against his. His skin was almost too cold, but I welcomed the discomfort. It gave me something else to think about. He draped his arms over my shoulders in a loose hug. His fingers ran down my back, rubbing in small circles, until they stopped on a painful knot. I closed my eyes, while he worked at it, and we just sat like that for a few minutes. By the time his skin had warmed up to my temperature, he had worked the knot out and found another. I leaned into his hand, feeling more comfortable and relaxed than I had in days.
“You were right. I needed a break,” I whispered.
Danio chuckled. “I know.”
He moved his hand up my back and pressed his fingers against the taut muscles in my neck. A headache I’d had for hours started to mercifully recede. I opened my eyes and found his dark blue ones looking back at me. They were swirling with a mesmerizing blend of blues; a water elemental trait that I had never expected to be able to decode. But now, every shade and ripple was as clear to me as the flaring reds and flickering orange eyes of a fire elemental. His eyes were splashing with merry, relaxed shades of blue. Yet, I could see a telltale trickle of gray, just ebbing and flowing on the edges of his irises. He was still worried about me.
I tilted my head, just a little, leaned forward, and kissed him.

 
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giveaway

1 x $25 Amazon Gift Card 
3 x $10 Amazon Gift Card 
E-book Of A Magic Semester Aboard by Elizabeth Kirke
E-book of Unhappily Ever After by Anchor Group
E-Book of Fairy Tales with a Twist by Anchor Group
E-book of Dragon Wars by Emily Fogle
E-Book of Chasing Flames by Emily Fogle
E-book of The Groom by Elise Marion
E-book set of Kasadya Hellhound Series by Karen Swart
E-book of Hidden Demons by Dawn Gray
E-book of A Garden of Eden by Katie Cowan
 
author
   
clip_image010Emily Fogle was born and raised in Southern California. Her dream and ultimate goal was to get her Masters degree in English and become a teacher with enough time to write, as well. However, she soon found out that the best dreams often come true when they aren’t planned. Instead of fulfilling her teaching goal, real life took over and she married the man of her dreams. She now has an amazing 7 year old son and a beautiful baby boy.
She dedicates the majority of her time taking care of her family, volunteering at her son’s school, and being a Cub Scout Den leader. And though she loves every minute of it, the thought of being a writer still tugs at her heart. So, after the busy days are done and everyone is finally sleeping quietly, she squeezes in time for all the other loves in her life: the characters running wild inside her head.
Now, incredibly, her writing dream is also coming true. Her first novel, Dragon Wars, is being published by Anchor Group. Emily feels sincerely blessed to have been given so much in life and can’t wait to start the next chapter.
Media Links-
Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter/ Website
 
 
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Elise Marion is a lover books and has a special place in her heart for sweet and sensual romance. Writing about love across all walks of life is her passion, as is reaching people through the written word. The Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three spends most of her time taking care of her children. Her second job includes writing stories about characters that people can fall in love with. When the Texas native isn’t caring for her family or writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, singing loudly, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.
Contact Elise via email: elisemarionwrites@yahoo.com
Media Links -
Facebook / Twitter / Website

 
 
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Karen Swart lives in a small town in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. She shares her live with her husband, two sons and daughter. If she isn't reading she is writing.
Her preferred genres are Paranormal and Urban fantasy. Karen specializes in payroll and HRIS systems analysis and development. At the age of 21 Karen's professional success reached its highest platform, an outstanding achievement at such a young age.
Media Links –
Amazon / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter



 
 
clip_image016Elizabeth Kirke wanted to be an author before she even knew what an author was. She used to say that she wanted to be an artist, but that was only because she was too young to write and had to tell stories with pictures instead. She hasn't stopped writing since she learned how. It wasn't long before she dreamed of becoming an author and couldn't be happier now that that dream is a reality.
If she isn't writing...well, let's be honest; if she isn't writing she's probably on Facebook thinking that she should start writing. But, if she isn't writing or on Facebook, she's probably doing something involving books, baking, gardening, or yarn.
Like most slightly-nosy, avid readers, Elizabeth can't resist trying to catch a peek at books she sees people reading when out in public to see if she can figure out what it is. While doing just that one day, she realized that it would probably be the coolest-thing-ever if she caught a complete stranger reading one of her books. That's her new dream.
Media Links-
Facebook / Blog
 
 
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USA TODAY Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is the author of the Forever Fae series, as well as the Second Chances standalone series, and her NA romantic suspense standalone called Love, Lies, and Deception. She lives in the beautiful state of North Carolina with her husband, her two wild girls, and her rambunctious kitten Katrina.
Before she began her career in the literary world, L.P. Dover spent her years going to college and then graduated to cleaning teeth, which she loved doing. At least until the characters in her head called her away. She has never been the same since.
Media Links -
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Pinterest.com / Website / Blog

 
 
clip_image020Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer—not a decorator—which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.
Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she's not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who've spelled everyone into believing they're really dogs.
Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there's no town like Chi-Town.
Jenna Pizzi is the bestselling author of the NA Destined series, as well as her romantic standalones Sweet Serendipity and Chance Encounters, and her romantic suspense The Long Road Home. She lives in Massachusetts with her children, her lazy old dog, and three cats that adopted her as their pet. When she is not writing, she loves spending time walking the beach, collecting rocks with her children, or exploring the deep dark woods of New England. When the muse calls and there is a heartstring to pull, you’ll find Jenna creating a world that will touch many lives.
Media Links-
Website / Facebook / Twitter /Amazon
 
 
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Morgan Black is a hair stylist by day and hottie writer by night. She walks her dogs in high heels and never leaves the house without red lipstick. She firmly believes in the power of Zen, and does Yoga freely in her backyard, in her favorite set of pumps.
You can find her steamy writing at authormorganblack.wordpress.com
She also designs eBook covers at Cover Up Designs.
 
 
 


 
 
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Jenna Pizzi is the bestselling author of the NA Destined series, as well as her romantic standalones Sweet Serendipity and Chance Encounters, and her romantic suspense The Long Road Home. She lives in Massachusetts with her children, her lazy old dog, and three cats that adopted her as their pet. When she is not writing, she loves spending time walking the beach, collecting rocks with her children, or exploring the deep dark woods of New England. When the muse calls and there is a heartstring to pull, you’ll find Jenna creating a world that will touch many lives.
Media Links -
Website / Email / Facebook / Twitter
 
 


clip_image026Kimberly Larson, author of the Contemporary Romance novel,"If I Didn't Have You," lives in Southeast, Michigan, with her two gorgeous children who are four and six. She loves to read, especially Romance and Young Adult novels that have that one encounter or connection between two people that is so strong. It keeps you wanting to read about them so much more and you just can’t help but feel it through the reading
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Tour Schedule - Two Week Blog Tour for Afternoon Delights, an Anchor Group Anthology - Feb 24 to March 9
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28
March 1
March 2
March 3
March 4
March 5
March 6
March 7
March 8
March 9

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Fire Country Birthday


Today, Fire Country by David Estes turns one year old. In the first year since Fire Country was born, so much has happened. David signed with an agent, sold more than 10,000 books, wrote five more books and published a further three). He knew he just had to celebrate and he'd love for you to be a part of it! David owes so much of his support to the blogger community, and he wants everyone to have the chance to be a part of the Fire Country Birthday Bash.

Everyone goes home a winner, simply follow the prompts below and swipe your eCopy of Fire Country from Smashwords. Read and leave a review on Amazon if you enjoyed it. Feel free to share the code with your friends, family, neighbours and literary inclined pets.

Coupon Code: WH62C
Expiration: March 1, 2014


What's a party without prizes? Yes, David is not only giving everyone a chance to download their own copy of Fire Country, book one in the Country Saga for free, but he's also giving you stuff too. You could win an Amazon giftcard open internationally, U.S residents can win a signed copy of the David Estes book of your choice, or a handful of David Estes eBooks of your choice. Awesome.
 
Visit David via his Blog  Facebook • Twitter and via Goodreads
Pay Perry the Prickler a visit on Twitter and Goodreads

Monday 24 February 2014

Stalkers Blitz with Giveaway




Release date: November 26th 2013
Publisher: Indie Style Press
 
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Shadows follow you in the darkness of the night and the eerie sensation of being watched crawls up your spine. Your sanity pulls apart at the seams as the terrors stalk their victims, leaving you too frightened to turn off the light.

These twisted stories will leave you breathless, dreading the horrors lurking around the corner.

Seventeen authors. Seventeen tales of terror. Infinite nightmares. 

Book Links: Amazon / Goodreads 



ABOUT Rene Folsom

As an award-winning web and graphic designer, Rene Folsom has always grasped the ability to transform information into art. After many years in the design industry, capturing the attention of the reader with great graphics was no longer her only goal. While her artistic side will always be her source of inspiration, Rene has found that branching out into the literary world with her heartfelt, romantic, and rather steamy stories by combining her love of art and reading, was just the next step in her journey.

Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and, if it weren't for her day job as a graphic designer, she would have a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to web design, she is also a graphic artist who loves to create custom book cover designs for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours. 

Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…


 

Stalk Rene

* Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

More from Rene

Soul Seers Boxed Set: http://amzn.to/17O2fgI

 

Excerpt

Later that evening, Brittany lay in her bed and stared at the rose she placed on her nightstand. A dull, soothing breeze lingered from the patio and made her sheer curtains dance gracefully in its wake. The moon shining through the open sliding glass doors lit her room with dark hues of blue and gray. The purple rose looked almost black with the muted lighting.
“Why purple?” she murmured, unsure what the gesture meant.
With curiosity burning a hole in her mind, she grabbed her cell phone from the nightstand and searched the web for purple rose meaning.
Enchantment; Love at first sight.
“Well, that’s a little bit of sweet and a whole lot of creepy,” she said out loud while locking the keys on her phone and placing it back on the table next to the rose.
Thinking twice about the implications of this random rose, Brittany slid out of bed and tiptoed over to the doors leading to her patio. The light wind tickling her bare skin made a shiver roll up her spine. Sliding the heavy doors closed with a low whooshing sound, she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the click of the lock latching in place.
Slinking back into bed, she settled down against her soft pillow and stared at the rose once more. The rose giver continued to plague her mind as her eyelids grew heavy, and she began to doze off.
That night, Brittany dreamed of purple roses and stalker eyes.

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Tuesday 18 February 2014

Review & Giveaway ~ The Polaris Uprising



Title: The Polaris Uprising (Polaris #1)
Author: Jennifer Ibarra
Publication date: October 30th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult


Synopsis:
In less than seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will succeed her father as the president of Neress, a nation where all citizens are cared for from the moment they’re born. Fed, sheltered, even educated—every need of theirs is met.

The only price they pay is their free will.

Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.

Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.

~ Review ~ 


If you enjoy YA dystopian, then this book is definitely for you.  I tend to devour dystopian reads, and am always surprised at how authors come up with so many variants; thankfully this book was different to all the others I’ve read and I was completely gripped from the start.  Details are slowly provided, letting the world build gradually, which helped keep the attention focused on the events unfolding throughout.  Fast moving, full of action, incredibly descriptive and easy to read, I can’t wait to read more of this trilogy.

Links: 
 *Goodreads *Amazon US *Amazon UK *B&N

AUTHOR BIO


Jennifer Ibarra grew up on a steady diet of books, Star Wars, and other fantastic feats of the imagination. Her debut novel, The Polaris Uprising, is the first book in a trilogy and mixes dystopia with family drama, romance, and political intrigue.

She lives in Silicon Valley, where she does marketing for a tech company and spends her time running, cooking, baking, and keeping up with celebrity gossip.

Author Links:

Tour wide giveaway


Open internationally 
-25$ Amazon GC, Signed ARC + Swag
-20x signed ARC + Swag
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