Meet Tessa Berkley

            Hi everyone, today we have Tessa Berkley with us to tell us about her Historical Western from The Wild Rose Press Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose. Good morning, Tessa.  

             Good Morning all, I'd like to first thank Becca Dale for having me today. 

             You are more than welcome, Tessa. Glad you could drop by. Please tell readers a litte about yourself.

           My name is Tessa Berkley and I've just had the pleasure of releasing my fist book with The Wild Rose Press entitled Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose, a historical western romance.

            Why historical westerns you ask?

            All my life, I've felt drawn to the American west. The power of the men and women who dared to tame a wild land, to take on nature, or their fellow man when most lived by their own creed governed by their own rules or lack of rules completely intrigues me. So, it should come as no great stretch that I studied history at our local University. 

            For those of you who have picked up a copy of Castillo's story, you've probably already noticed that Trace embodies several characteristics of famous actors. He is a U.S. Marshall aka Matt Dillion. He has a roguish smile similar to Henry Darrow of The High Chaparral. But most of all, he is a man of honor. I think he gets that from John Wayne. 

            Trace is a bit cynical. He's seen the world at its worst and had his heart broken.  He opens the story by running afoul  of our heroine, Mary Rose Thornton. A hot headed Irish lass who could  be played by Maureen O'Hare.  Trace tells Mary Rose's brother, "Women cause trouble on the trail." He just doesn't know what  he's in for.  I'll leave you with a bit of Trace Castillo and Mary Rose.

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Excerpt from Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose.

            Trace spied a bench partially hidden beneath the boughs of a willow tree. “Over there.” He motioned with his hand and escorted her to the bench. “Sit.”

            She sat down and looked back. “What is so important, Marshal, that you brought me out here, away from my guests?”

            “Miss Thornton,” he began, “do you think it’s advisable to return to the freight office?”

            The air filled with a stunned silence. “Excuse me?” she whispered. He detected a hint of laughter with her disbelief. When he didn’t speak, her eyebrow rose in mild contempt.

            Trace’s mouth pulled to a straight line. “You have experienced the tragic loss of your

brother, whom you clearly adored, not to mention being injured. Surely, you don’t expect to walk into—”

            Her hostile glare stopped him cold. “Go on.”

             He recognized the trace of contempt in her voice. Her eyes were cold and stormy, and he knew he stood on dangerous ground. But she was being pigheaded, and he intended to prove his point. “A freight office is a place where men hang out, rough men. The type of men who would walk over you as soon as look at you.”

            She rose to her feet and stood nose to nose with him. The faint scent of vanilla surrounded them as, eyes ablaze, she lashed her words like a whip. “Don’t you dare tell me it’s not my right to work,” she hissed. “My brother may be dead, but I own that freight company. It is my blood, my sweat, my life!”

            “Your life,” he scoffed. “Your death, Miss Thornton, if you keep up with this foolhardy attempt.”

            She flashed him a look of disdain. “You pompous windbag.” Her nostrils flared and color crept into her cheeks. “Don’t you preach to me! I intend to honor my brother’s memory by making Thornton’s the best freight company in Texas.”

            Her fire set his blood aflame. Any other woman would have run in the opposite direction. In defiance, she stepped closer, glaring up at him, the color of her eyes deepening from blue to deep indigo. In their depths a sparkling of fire leaped and could not go unchallenged. Unable to control his movements, Trace reached out and grasped her by the waist, his broad hands nearly spanning her middle.

            “Oh, yes.” His words tumbled over his lips, deep, throaty, and laced with desire. “You’ll make a name for yourself. Every unmarried man, every scoundrel, and every hot blood in southwest Texas will turn up on your doorstep. They will watch the tilt of your head, the sway of your skirts, and try to catch the shimmer of fire in that fine head of hair.”

            Beneath his stare, her eyes widened. Not from fear, but with understanding of what his words meant. He searched her face but didn’t hold back. “They won’t stop there,” he continued, pulling her toward him. “Not until they have a taste of heaven.” He felt the warmth of her hand upon his chest setting the skin below it aflame as she tried to push him back. Ignoring the pressure, he leaned closer. Her mouth opened to signal a protest, and before she had time to stiffen her arm and push him away, his lips descended upon hers.

The Wild Rose Press (e-book) The Wild Rose Press (print) All Romance E-books Omnilit

            Please look me up on Facebook and on Twitter @tessa_berkley

            You can even join my newsletter by clicking over to my website and following the links on the first page. Stop by and say hi. I'm in a pretty generous mood today, so one lucky commenter on this blog will win a copy of Castillo's FieryTexas Rose. So be sure and leave your email addy so I can get in touch with you.

Thanks,

Tessa

Garland and Gould: Becca Dale Talks about Her Sexy Shifter Story: Kya...

Garland and Gould: Becca Dale Talks about Her Sexy Shifter Story: Kya...: Debbie : ( Hands up around back of neck, tying on a huge plastic bib with two red lobsters on the front of it .) I’m so ready for this! To...

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My name is Sarah Grimm, and I’m an addict

Hello, my name is Sarah Grimm, and I’m an addict. I read my first romance when I was twelve years old. I don’t recall the title, you think I would with something that changed my life so dramatically, but I don’t. The title doesn’t really matter does it because it was just the beginning for me? That one book led to another, then another. Pretty soon I was devouring romances like my life depended on them. Somehow, I didn’t see anything strange about that.

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One day my mother walked into my room without knocking and she caught me reading. I dropped that book so fast, tucking it under my thigh so she couldn’t see the cover! But I wasn’t fast enough. My mother knew what I was doing – reading romance in a ‘mystery’ house.

She kept an eye on me after that, locating all the paperback and hardcovers in my closet and under my bed. She told me I had a problem. I told her I couldn’t stop – even to make her happy. Instead, I lured her into my world. I gave her her first romance, then her second; her third. She is stronger than me – romance never took control of her the way it did me.

I began reading romance everywhere: curled in the corner of the couch while the family watched television, in the back of the classroom while the teacher talked biology. I didn’t need to learn biology, I had romance novels. I couldn’t get enough – the promise of happily-ever-after, of love being enough to heal all wounds. *sigh*

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AFTER MIDNIGHT:
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In no time at all my addiction grew stronger. Just reading romances wasn’t enough. Suddenly I had this urge, this new and frightening, uncontrollable urge…to write. I wasn’t strong enough to resist. Who is? I began carrying a notebook with me everywhere I went. A notebook I filled with dialogue and partial chapters, story ideas and possible titles. Some days it got so bad that the world around me faded away. While others enjoyed the sun or the lake, I wrote.

It’s hard for some people to understand, this addiction to romance. I’ve endured the odd looks, the smirks, and even those that say “You’re poisoning your brain with that stuff.”

Well guess what, if stories that celebrate falling in love, emotion and commitment are poison, I don’t want the antidote. I love the stuttered heartbeats when the hero and heroine first meet, the gut punch of sexual awareness. My heart races with the sweetness of that first kiss, and the momentary panic over the realization they’ve fallen in love. I thrive on the idea how even at the worst of times, at those moments when you least expect it, two people can find love.

Yes my friends, I’m an addict, and happily-ever-after is my drug of choice.

where dangerously sexy & happily-ever-after collide

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Garland & Gould Talk Love & Curses

Debbie: Good morning all.

L.J.: Sorry, I’m late. Here’s your water. I’m glad the coffee shop had the brand you like. 

Debbie: Thanks. Today we are at the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, to meet with Ben Walker. Ben will be featured in each book of our Cursed Ink series.

L.J.: Mmm…wow, this is amazing coffee!

Debbie: Focus, Laura!

L.J.: Right. Um, yes, our first book is Love & Curses, and it seems Ben has been a bad boy. He’s gotten himself cursed and now has to watch all these different couples get their happily ever after.

Debbie: But we’ll let him tell you more about all that.

L.J.: Absolutely!

DEBBIE: Well, hey, Ben. Good afternoon. Glad you could take the time to meet with us.

L.J.: Yes! Great to talk to you at last.

BEN: Ladies.(nods head) Always a pleasure to chat with you two.

DEBBIE: (turns to Laura and shakes head) Soooo, we’re chronicling your life here.

L.J.: And the stuff that happens around you. You know, to the people you meet.

DEBBIE: Right. So, readers want to know how everything started.

BEN: How what started?

DEBBIE: Weren’t you cursed or something?

L.J.: Yeah. How did that happen? I mean you had to have done something really bad….

BEN: (rolls eyes) You’re talking about Calista.

DEBBIE: Yes! Tell us about your relationship.

BEN: What relationship?

L.J.: The two of you dated, right?

BEN: Yeah, but there was nothing to it. I don’t do relationships.

DEBBIE: What do you mean by that?

BEN: Look, I'm young, in the prime of my life. Does it make me such a bad guy to shy away from commitment? There's a heck of a lot of fun out there to be had.

DEBBIE: (cocks an eyebrow) So, you just use women for your pleasure?

BEN: No, it's not like that at all. It’s always a mutual thing. You know…just sex.

L.J.: Riiiiight. And Calista?

BEN: A miscommunication. Plain and simple. I thought she understood the no-strings thing. She thought I wanted more. When we realized we weren’t on the same page, we called it off.

DEBBIE: That’s not how I heard it.

L.J.: Me either. But anyway, how did that turn out for you?

BEN: It was fine. We went our separate ways.

DEBBIE: And…?

BEN: Her screwy Gypsy aunt. The old lady had to get involved and did some hocus pocus curse on me. (shakes head) I don’t even believe in that stuff. But there has been a lot of crazy shit that’s started happening.

L.J.: Like what?

BEN: Well, I saw Calista almost get killed. Course her boyfriend—

DEBBIE: Husband.

BEN: Oh, yeah right. Well, he was her boyfriend when it happened. Anyway, he saved her. Barely.

L.J.: What else?

BEN: Weird lightning in a clear night sky. Umm…you’ll think I’m crazy, but when the old biddy was doing her mumbo jumbo stuff, I thought I was going to freeze to death. It was some strange shit for sure. But I don’t believe in curses.

L.J.: And how’s that working for you?

BEN: Fine.

DEBBIE: So you left New Orleans. Why San Antonio?

BEN: It was time to leave and I had a friend that had some extra room for me in his shop, so why not? Having a great time out here hanging with my bros.

L.J.: Anything strange happening there?

DEBBIE: Yeah. Any more lightning or freezing spells?

BEN: It’s all good. (grins) How ‘bout you, darlin’?

DEBBIE: What?

BEN: You free to hook up?

L.J.: O.M.G.

DEBBIE: (holds up hand) Engaged.

BEN: So, no knot has been tied yet?

L.J.: (leans toward Deb) I think he’s avoiding the curse subject.

DEBBIE: (laughs) Me too.

BEN: Nothing to avoid. There is no curse.

DEBBIE: You just keep telling yourself that.

L.J.: So, what about Calista. What happened to her?

BEN: Oh, she finds her love and has a happy ending.

DEBBIE: And you?

BEN: That's a totally different story altogether. You two put me through the ringer.

L.J.: Oh, we’re so sorry about that.

BEN: No you’re not.

L.J.: Okay. So, we’re not.

BEN: I guess I'll see in the next couple of stories what you two do to me.

DEBBIE: Oh, you will.

BEN: Just so you know, I'm holding out for my own book.

DEBBIE: Really?

BEN: Yeah. Figure it comes down to the count. See who wins. Me or the old Gypsy.

L.J.: Hmm…tough choice.

BEN: (snickers) In the meantime, Andy and Calista have quite the story to tell.

L.J.: That they do.

DEBBIE: Well, thanks for talking with us, Ben.

L.J.: Yes! It was all very…enlightening. Okay, I guess we'll be hearing more from you.

BEN: You bet you will.

Debbie: (watches Ben leave down the walk) Damn. How the heck are we gonna make him likeable enough for his own book. I mean, I know his is the last story, but he’s got some serious learning to do before he’s ready for that.

L.J.: Torture. Make him suffer. Eventually, he’ll see the light.

Debbie: Umm, he HIT on me!

L.J.: Of course he did! I’m not surprised one bit. I hope your man knows he’s one lucky guy.

Debbie: Well, duh. (chuckles)

L.J.: I’m outta coffee. Walk with me, chickie. I’ll buy you a cupcake or croissant or something.

Debbie: I’d rather have a daiquiri. We could take one of those boat rides down the river and talk about the evil ways we can torture good ol’ Ben. Whip him into shape. I have so many wicked ideas.

L.J.: What a coincidence. So do I!

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Love & Curses

Cursed Ink Book 1

BLURB:

Calista Page always gives her heart to the wrong guy. The latest one gives her a tattoo before he dumps her to move on to his next conquest. As she falls apart from yet another failed relationship, her sexy, steadfast neighbor holds her. Why can’t she find a guy like him?

Successful restaurant owner, Andy Mitchell pines for the girl next door. Tired of being her go-to guy, he decides to tell her how he feels. But fresh off her latest rejection, he wonders if he can convince her that this time love will last.

“Death is after you,” Calista’s crazy aunt warns. After cursing the tattoo artist who broke niece’s heart, she fears the black magic has splashed over to her. Gypsy mumbo-jumbo or not, Andy’s instincts kick in, but with Death determined to take Calista’s life at every turn, can Andy unravel the secret of Love and Curses before it’s too late?

Genre: Paranormal romance, suspense/thriller, erotic romance

Heat level: 4

Word count – 18k

Cover art by TygraPro Designs

BUY:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Love-Curses-Cursed-Ink-ebook/dp/B00AW1ZY3A/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1357223462&sr=1-2

ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-lovecurses-1036532-140.html

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/270756

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-curses-lj-garland/1114060043?ean=2940016139500

It's Not Too Late!

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Giveaway celebrating the release of the latest in the Sweet Series runs through June 2. Don't miss out on the fun. Prizes include 2 - $5 Amazon gift cards, 1 Special Goodies basket from me to you, and 1 - $10 Amazon gift card.

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Meet Beverly Preston

Please welcome Beverly Preston to Meet the Author Monday. I originally met Beverly last year at Arizona Dreamin and have to say she is a fun one to party with and very much as she describes herself. 

I was once asked to describe myself in one sentence. My reply: I’m classy, sassy and a bit smart-assy…or at least I try to be classy when I must.

I’m a firm believer in the motto Everything Happens for a Reason and my writing journey follows that path. 

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My debut novel No More Wasted Time came to life three years ago after waking up from a nightmare that my husband had died and I was on a boat in Bora Bora scattering his ashes in the lagoon. I never dreamed of being a writer. In fact I’d never written anything, but that tiny fragment of a dream haunted me, building into a story that wouldn’t rest.

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Three years later, I published No More Wasted Time, the first book in The Mathews/Clemmins Family series. If someone would’ve told me four years ago that I was going to write a Best-selling romance novel, I would’ve told them to stop drinking the water. Book two in the series, Shayla’s Story, releases June 27^th.

When not writing, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and four kids, riding my spin bike, reading a book, or diving into travel magazine that whisks me off to an exotic beach.

You can find Beverly at any of the following places.

Website 

Twitter: @beverlypreston

Facebook: 

Goodreads 

Meet Sultry Summers

Everyone, please welcome, Sultry Summers to Meet the Author Monday. Welcome, Sultry. Nice to have you here.

Thank you, Becca, for inviting me! Let me say, nice to meet y’all! Yes, I live in the south, but not as far south as I use to. Actually, now I live in more the south ‘proper’. That is, in North Carolina up in the mountains. This is big change from where I grew-up, in Central West Florida, and lived in East South Florida for 23 years before moving up to the rainforests of the Smoky Mountains. I’m adjusting to the climate change and I love it here. It is a great deal greener, more wildlife, and the season change is dynamic. This is a wonderful place to write, paint, take photographs or do whatever your heart desires, except possibly surf. Of course, there is kayaking, and whitewater rafting and that is a real thrill.
I’ve found my imagination takes flight here. Going in so many directions I have difficulties focusing at times. But since my favorite axiom is Imagination is the first step of Escapism, I guess I’m in the right place. So, come along in one of my adventures I’ve committed to pen and Escape Into Romance – Dare Imagination with me.

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If you dare, my last book out is ATLANTIS VORTEX, this romance is also a dynamic adventure full of intrigue and action.
Instead of going back to Atlantis, Jessica Carter, a newly graduated, but experience archaeologist finds an ancient entrance to that fabled civilization. Her discovery, eventually, unlocks the mystery of who saved her in a scuba diving several years earlier. Jessica’s unearthing the entrance comes at a high price. As she digs further into the strange pyramid she has found, her life becomes more imperiled. Strangely, the man whose aquamarine eyes sits well ensconced in her subconscious, yet she cannot fully remember, appears to save her.

Xerxes Kallias, High Lord of Atlantis, now a city-state that thrives under pressure-domes beneath the Atlantic Ocean, has watched Jessica since he saved her. Now she has discovered the ancient entrance to his realm and poses a high security risk to Atlantis’ discovery. Xerxes must decide the fate of the woman he has loved from afar. Have her executed, or bring her to Atlantis. Well that decision is a no brainer. Getting her there and maintaining the secret existence of Atlantis with a traitor trying to reveal it from within his ruling council, that’s a different matter. Especially when this traitor has upper-world contacts and plans on compromising the protection grid that covers Atlantis from the orbiting satellites and the other prying eyes of modern technology. Add into this mix, the United States’ Military, a group of crazed Aztecs who believe Jessica is a prophesied sacrifice to their god Tlaloc, and you got ‘a know, Xerxes has his hands full. Poor man, this is before Jessica has remembered who he is, and before he gets her to the safety of Atlantis. This only the beginning. ATLANTIS VORTEX isn’t a short story, but a full length novel you can sink your teeth in. 

Please check on my web site for more information and several excerpts!

Next, due out in June is BLOOD OF THE RUBY THRONE. Let’s go into outer-space together and to another galley and solar system. Two neighboring worlds, populated by the same race of people only three generations apart, but they aren’t on the best of terms. A roving group of space pirates are approaching their solar system with hopes of conquering both worlds for their own. Only a marriage between the two worlds of their royalty can unite them against these invaders.

Romance, space pirates, spies and murder unfold with a healthy dose of a mysticism, an empowered sword, and thrones that mysteriously change into rubies. However, in my books, love does win out – so far.

Web pages on BLOOD OF THE RUBY THRONE will go up sometime this week so check back.

Web Site at  www.sqpens.com

Blog Site at http://wwwescapeintoromance-dareimagination.blogspot.com (note: no period after the www) I have to be different!

Sweet Satisfaction with a Giveaway

Available Now from the Wild Rose Press Wilder Catalog

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Blurb:

Terrified of her submissive nature, Kate Hastings refuses to give a man control of her life. Somehow faking a wild and confident personality scares her less than facing reality -- the heated longing for her sexy best friend and her deep-seated need for domination. Trouble is, none of the passive men she's dated do it for her.

Victim to a family curse, Connor Wallace can love only one woman his entire life -- Kate. Yet, she insists on keeping him firmly in the friend zone. Determined to prove he's more than friend material, he sets out to fulfill her greatest fantasies, even if it means tying her up to get her attention. 

When passion and protective instincts collide, something has to give, but will the impact lead to broken hearts or sweet satisfaction? 

Excerpt: Language warning NC17.

Connor leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear. “Think of how much fun you could have with a guy like Kurt.”

He surely didn’t mean sexually. Connor had never even made an off color joke around her. His good-guy mind didn’t run along those lines, but hers unfortunately did. The image of her and Kurt trying to do it caught her off guard and a laugh burst out before she could stop it. They wouldn’t even be able to kiss while he was inside her and mutual oral would definitely be out unless one or both of them were double jointed, and she sure as hell wasn’t.

Connor hugged her closer. “What’s funny?”

“Nothing.” How had she missed the way his body fit to hers? His groin nestled against her lower belly, and if she rose to her toes…Shit, knock it off! But the image of lying with him while she sucked his cock, and his gorgeous mouth did delicious things to her clit would not fade. Fucking him would be easy, like he was custom built to pleasure her. A shiver raced up her spine, and she snuggled closer.

“Cold, Katelyn?’

She shook her head but did not back away from the warm comfort of his chest. His strong arms cradled her, protective and solid, making her feel safe but needy. The last thought spiraled through her, triggering unease. The man was dangerous. Controlled and persuasive with a sense of humor, good qualities for a lawyer, a killer-bad combination in every other way. He stopped moving, simply holding her until she lifted her head. “What?”

His eyes teased. “I thought you’d fallen asleep. The music ended.”

She hated when guys laughed at her. It pissed her off. But Connor never seemed to make fun, only enjoy life in general. Still, she pushed from his embrace and walked off the dance floor.

Catching her arm, he pulled her to the side. “Want a drink?”

No! The man had too much animal magnetism most days, always restrained but never far from the surface despite his easy smile. Drinking, eating, or any other ing with her favorite hottie other than hiking or talking was off limits, and even those had potential hazards. He’d get ideas she wasn’t strong enough to handle.

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Meet author and busy mother, Krista Ames

Hi, Krista. Welcome to Meet the Author Monday. I’m happy to have you join me. Let’s jump right in, shall we?  

I’m all set and ready, Becca. 

Great, can you define yourself fore readers in five words or less?

(hmmm…)  Dedicated mom, wife and author!

Wow, exactly five. LOL. Okay, a little tougher one. Where would your perfect vacation home be located?   

Well I could think and think on that but really I haven’t been to a bunch of places that I would love to live for a while.  One that my hubby and I return to every year, just to get away by ourselves is Mackinac Island and we’ve talked a few times on what it’d be like to have a home there.

Mackinac Island sounds gorgeous, Krista. It is on my list to go sometime soon.  You define yourself as a wife and mother and your favorite place is based on an area you go to with your darling hubby. So you have to tell us about this man. What makes him the best? 

The best part about my man is his constant support & love because I tell ya he puts up with a lot!  This is my second marriage after a really rocky hard first one.  We met and fell in love over the internet of all places.  He has 1 daughter and I have 3 kids and for sure, it’s not easy going from being a single dad with a 4 year old to being married with 4 kids.  He’s been an absolute trooper AND he lets me be a stay at home mom, which also helps my writing career.

Nice. You are a lucky woman. What make writing important to you?

Writing is important to me because it just give me my ‘me’ time to do what I love to do.  It gives me an outlet for all those stories running around in my head.  I may never be rich at it but it’s what I love to do.

What's the best thing a reader/reviewer has ever said about you or your work?

In a review written for my latest release from "Not Now…Mommy’s Reading" and goes like this…  "I have a confession, I read 'Take Me Home Cowboy' about a month ago. You see, I've had the opportunity to work with Krista Ames on different projects over the last several months, she's a hard working mommy just like us, Blu and I really like and respect her. So, as you can imagine I wanted to do a review of her work justice. Sounds like I didn't like it, right? Well, let me tell you I loved Take Me Home Cowboy!”  read the entire review here… 

How sweet. Gotta love it when readers have such a positive reaction to your work. However, you're sounding a little too perfect. Tell me something odd about you so I don't feel inadequate. 

One of the oddest things about me is that I like to square dance ;)

Ha ha, okay that's unusual in today's world. I can picture you in the swirling skirt - sounds like a blast. An odd thing about me is that I crave old-school foods like pork and kraut and other mundane things over really decadent dishes, but I do love Better Than Sex Cake although I am not sure I agree with that label. Is there anything you would put that label on?

I have heard of Better Than Sex Cake, but if I put that label on something, it would have to be the spicy crawfish cream sauce my hubby makes from scratch and puts on baked fish.

Oh, that sounds yummy. My son would love it. You should sweet talk the recipe out of him for me sometime. But first, brace yourself for a quick fire—a fast way to get to know you. Complete the following sentences:

The person I admire most is my mother. 

If I had my druthers, I’d druther have a warm climate to live in than the cold one I currently reside in. 

If I could change one thing about myself, I would be more patient with my kids.

The happiest moments in my life were the days each of my children was born.

Nine out of ten times, I don’t go back to bed in the morning after my kids leave.

Life is too short to settle for second best.

Thanks for stopping in, Krista. It was fun to get to know a bit about you. Readers you can connect with Krista at any of the following places.

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Weekend Writers

  

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Blurb:

Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.

Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

Excerpt:

Ally’s attention immediately flew to the newcomer in the room. How could she not? He was gorgeous. Not that she actually wanted to notice.  Ha! Who was she kidding? His hair was still damp where it curled slightly at the neckline of his T-shirt. The short sleeve tee was snug fitting and showed off his pectorals and tanned arm muscles. He grabbed his plate, made his way around the table, and leaned in close. Oh, his scent hit her—clean soap and pure male. Good God.

 "Like what you see, princess?" he murmured.

Startled out of her trance, she stumbled for a quick, snide comment. "You wish, cowboy," she whispered back, and then turned back to her daddy, who was already halfway finished with his meal.

She was not about to let anyone see how rattled the foreman’s presence actually made her. She only hoped she hadn’t already given her odd interest in him away. Ignore him and he won't be any the wiser.  She would be sure to make this trip a short one, or she would be in trouble.

Jesse cleaned his plate and abruptly stood, placed his dishes in the sink, and made to leave the room.

"Looks like you kids get to do the dishes. I’m off to my study." Her dad kissed the top of her head and slapped his foreman on the back, then chuckled as he disappeared through the door.

"That rat!" she said. "He shoveled through his dinner on purpose."

"No worries, princess. I do the dishes every night anyway. You can go do whatever it is you do before bed. I’ll take care of the clean up before I head out to check the horses."

"Oh no you don’t. I won’t let you go running to Daddy tomorrow whining because I didn’t do my share, so I’ll wash. And why are you calling me ‘princess’?"

"It seemed fitting. Would you rather me go back to ma'am?"

"No, I would rather you use my name, thank you."

He only shrugged.  He pushed his place setting aside, rose, and reached for the dessert and plates on the counter.  "Since we'll be working together, how about some dessert before we get busy?"

Buy links:

Decadent:  http://www.decadentpublishing.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=take+me+home%2C+cowboy&osCsid=n740fb440ir41l10k8i7fis1d5&button=search

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Take-Cowboy-Western-Escape-ebook/dp/B00AA3PA52/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1353466393&sr=8-7&keywords=Krista+Ames

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/take-me-home-cowboy-krista-ames/1113823704?ean=2940015728804

ARe:  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

BookStrand:  http://www.bookstrand.com/take-me-home-cowboy

Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/257040

Kacey Hammell’s Roller-Coaster Writing Reality…

Hey everyone, please welcome Kacey Hammell to Meet the Author Monday! Kacey, please tell us a little about yourself and your writing. 

Many know I’m a Mom of three – two teens and one pre-teen – wife, daughter, cattle farmer & sometimes a Jane-of-all-trades type gal.

But I run a lot deeper than that, and am open to sharing more about myself, but it’s difficult to be vulnerable. That’s one of my biggest fears to be honest…being vulnerable. Odd thing to say for an author, isn’t it, considering many authors are vulnerable with each new release. And with each new release, the craziness really begins …

IMO, waiting to hear from readers/reviewers about a story is a roller-coaster, and sharing that baby and exposing oneself up to criticism makes an author vulnerable. I like to think I’m calm, cool and collected whenever I send a book out for submission or a new story releases, but to be honest, I feel like I’m standing in front of the classroom back in high school or a room full of peers expected to make a great speech—not a situation I’d ever like to find myself in.

I pace a lot. Even when I know there are going to be no reviews or reader feedback that first day, I still pace and stalk Amazon, Goodreads and other distributors and drive myself—and my husband—crazy. And even when I know in the back of mind I’ll find nothing for a few days at least, then I panic because there are none and think no one likes the story! Yep, a roller-coaster ride on full throttle. And it’s a vicious cycle with every new book! But I can’t seem to help myself, it’s like this self-conscious, paranoid, and nervous-nelly (my Mom’s fave term LOL) takes over me.

And in reality, bad reviews don’t phase me – again it’s odd – but I stalk bookseller sites for reviews and if I receive one and it’s not the greatest, I usually laugh it off and move on. I was a reviewer once, for many years. I understand that every person has their own opinions on what makes a great story, what works for them and what doesn’t, so for me to worry over things like that makes me want to pull my hair out. Reviews are important to our business yes, but for the most part (IMO) they don’t make or break an author/story. A lot of readers don’t spend time reading reviews – personally I don’t unless it is an author I’ve never read before and then again, I pull apart those thoughts/comments a bit in order to decipher what facts I find important – but most readers consider the blurb/excerpt/cover before they consider what a reviewer has to say.

All in all, I dislike being so vulnerable, but it’s the type of business I’m in. I signed up for it, I love it immensely, but the crazy makes my head spin. Sometimes I wish I drank alcohol more than 2-3 times a year. Maybe I should find a nice wine, whiskey or tequila for each new release to indulge in. LOL  Considering I hope to have at least 5-6 more releases this year if all goes well – that seems a bit much to me. Of course, since I drink so rarely, 2-3 glasses of wine make me giggle… ROFL

But with all the craziness comes great satisfaction of a job well done, characters I absolutely love, author peers who give me a shoulder to lean on every now and again, and a wonderful group of loyal readers who fill my heart with so much joy I can’t even begin to describe it exactly. 

So I’ll just ride the roller-coaster of crazy and enjoy every minute of it…

Too funny and too true, Kacey. I am much the same when waiting to hear what readers think. It is a very vulnerable time as I worry and wonder if everyone will love my characters as much as I have grown to. However, with reviews like this, I don't think you need worry ~

"If you're looking for some erotica that has emotional depth, you'll definitely want to check out the book." Carly - Amazon Reader Review: 5 Stars

“Hammell did a masterful job creating a story that was an equal measure of sweet and oh-so-sexy.” 4 Stars, The Book Chick with Kick

  

More

Sweetest Salvation

Contemporary Erotic Romance/Light Bondage

Content Warning: Contains Voyeurism, Spanking, Multiple Partners

ISBN: 978-1-77130-330-9

Available at Evernight Publishing / Amazon.com (and more links below)

*An Evernight Publishing Editor’s Pick*

  

 Excerpt © Kacey Hammell, 2013

“Mr. Sullivan is waiting for you. He said you’d know where to go.” He smiled and winked.

Cheeks on fire, she gave him a small nod and walked ahead. She moved into the bar area and looked around. The place was packed tonight.

There were a few people she recognized, but most were new faces. Hunter’s business was certainly thriving.

Bridget caught sight of her and waved. Andy did the same and turned to the left, down the hall that would take her to room fourteen and Hunter.

Movement caught the corner of her eye, and she looked to her right. At a table in the far corner, Paige and Nolan sat with another couple. She missed a step, but gained her balance again. She hadn’t thought about seeing them again. Paige waved and her husband smiled bright.

The couple’s kindness and understanding arced across the room. Andy smiled and waved back. They’d been there for her the other night. She’d be forever grateful for it.

Reaching the room, she took a deep breath and knocked. Hearing Hunter’s gruff, “Come in,” she turned the knob.

The room, similar to the one she’d used the other night, had a warmer feel to it. The fireplace ablaze, the heat of it welcomed her.

Andy’s gaze swept the room. Furnished with a full living room set, she loved the royal purple and black colors of the furniture and curtains than anything else. This room conveyed privacy and self-indulgence. Her heart rate increased just thinking of all that might have been done in this room.

It was made for sex. Especially with a glass display case that took up the most of wall. Inside were dildos, anal plugs, collars, floggers, cock rings and more toys of pleasure.

Andy’s gaze landed on Hunter where he sat in the center of the couch, arms stretched over the back of it.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

Her gaze narrowed on his and she shut the door behind her. “Don’t you sweetheart me, Hunter. And get that look off your face.”

“What look?”

“That self-righteous look. I might be here, but not for the reasons you think.”

“Then why are you here?” he questioned, his gaze unwavering.

“I wanted to tell you in person that your idea isn’t going to happen. We’ve been… friends too long. You’re Patrick’s best friend. It’s all kinds of wrong.”

He leaned forward, arms resting on his powerful thighs. His red t-shirt molded his shoulders and the cuffs of the arms looked snug around his biceps. Damn him for being in such great shape.

She shivered, nipples tightening. She needed to get away from him.

“There, I’ve said all I have to say. Goodbye,” she muttered, and turned back toward the door.

Hunter was quickly behind her, arms encasing her as his palms pressed against the door and preventing her retreat.

His breath was warm against her ear. Andy wished she’d left her hair down. At least she wouldn’t be able to feel his breath on her neck.

A shudder ran through her. “Let me out, Hunter. I need to leave.”

“Why? You were so desperate to remain a member and be here the other night. I’m simply offering a safer solution. Me instead of strangers,” he rasped against her ear.

“I don’t have to worry about much with strangers. At least they aren’t people I have to see after the sex is over.”

Hunter pressed in closer behind her, which pushed her farther against the door. She’d always been claustrophobic. And right now, being caged in by this man, made it even harder to breathe than if she was locked in a closet. His chest was firm against her, his mouth against her ear, and his hoarse voice soft.

Her thighs rubbed together and her clit chafed against her thong. The string along her ass was snug. All she had to do was turn around and take what he offered. She wanted a cock inside her.

Dear lord, this was Hunter.

Could she step over the invisible line and take what he offered?

He was attractive, always had been to her. Hell, she’d only been married, not dead. She appreciated a gorgeous man when she saw him.

Hunter always treated with her respect and friendship. She didn’t know how much he dated but had heard women at the club mention his prowess in the bedroom. He could probably give her everything she needed. There would be a sense of safety with him at least.

And her body’s reaction to him today, while surprising, knew what it wanted. While she was sure it was a bad idea for them to journey down this path, she was overwhelmed by the sudden realization that not just any cock would do.

She wanted Hunter. Wanted only him inside her.

Her breath hitched and her lungs filled, making it hard to breathe. No, she didn`t have the courage to give into this man.

She needed to get out of this room and away from him. Grabbing the doorknob once more, Andy yanked.

Hunter’s palms never moved from the door, but in her hasty movements, his chest aligned tighter against her back.

Pressed against the door, she turned her head, her right cheek resting on it as her breasts pushed against her bra. The hard surface scraped against her clothing, which abraded her nipples. The urge to purr and rub against the wood was overwhelming.

Hunter’s body pressed against her; the cock cradling her ass told her that he was just as affected as she. His length was hard, solid. His hips dipped and shoved against the crack of her ass.

“Andy,” he whispered in her ear.

She closed her eyes, willed herself to push back against him until he let her go.

Her eyes opened when she realized her hips moved against his. Her pussy quivered and her stomach clenched. There was no sense in fighting a losing battle. She wanted him.

Blurb:

After the deaths of her husband and child, tragedies that she blames herself for, Andrea “Andy” Sheaver has shut herself off from the world. The only place she finds any relief from her shattered heart is Club Splendor, where she and her husband often frequented together.  There, Andy submits to pleasure and pain in situations so her grief is forgotten for a little while.

But Hunter Sullivan won’t stand idly by and watch Andy self-destruct. A friend of her husband, and the owner of Club Splendor, Hunter has kept his love for Andy hidden for years. He refuses to think of her at the club, cold and detached as she’s become, looking for an easy fix to take away the pain in her heart.  Hunter wants her to vibrant in life again and sets out to prove he is exactly who she needs.

 Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing / Amazon.com / Amazon.ca  / Amazon UK /

aRe / Bookstrand / B&N / Kobo

~~~

Canadian author, Kacey Hammell is a multi-published erotic romance author who writes mainly in the Contemporary Erotic/Romantic Suspense genres.  She is a true romantic at heart.

Where to find Kacey…

Website / Facebook / Facebook Author Page / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads / Pinterest