Written Fireside Blog Hop

It might only be August, but there's a reason Christmas has come early....

Fifteen HarperCollins authors have all been given the same opening paragraph and challenged to write a 'Christmas by the Fire' short story. That brilliant first paragraph was written by competition winner Georgia Beyers. To join in the fun follow the hop, read excerpts from all the stories and enter the giveaway and be in with a chance to win lots of books and a 70$ Amazon Gift Card!
To read the stories in full, look out for the Christmas e-book anthology which will be published later in the year. So, here's the opening paragraph, followed by a snippet from my story...


Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon. - Georgia Beyers

Threes…
 Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon.

Seriously though, naughty or nice, she seemed to be hurtling headlong towards the obligatory three bits of bad luck. Why did it have to come in threes? And why now, when she really could do with a bit of festive encouragement?

Actually, thinking about it, luck was a bit like buses, all or nothing, and right now her bad luck was piling up like a road block and the buses, well… there was a distinct lack of anything big, red and warm.
She glanced down at her watch, for the umpteenth time, if one didn’t come soon she’d be shattering (well shattering might be a bit on the strong side, severely denting more like) more than one little heart, and she’d actually BE blue, not just feeling it.
Although not as blue as Daniel. Poor, poor Daniel. No festive cheer for him. He was the first bit of bad luck, if you could call it that, some might call it clever engineering. And talking of engineering (or should that be mechanics?) black cloud two on her horizon was her car.
For the first time in like ever, their whole entire relationship, it had spluttered as though it had swallowed something down the wrong way, and then given up the ghost altogether. Which did just about sum up her past relationships (the human, not mechanical ones). The one with her car had probably been as good as it got.

 Maybe it was enough that her car had broken down just when she needed it most, leaving her waiting for a bus in the freezing cold. Maybe Santa could strike the Daniel thing off the list and call it quits – which left her in the good camp didn’t it? Well evens, because apparently the kitten wasn’t actually a stray. Long story, but hey she’d tried. And didn’t they say it was the trying that mattered? And it had been attempted rescue, she had climbed up the tree even if she’d missed the fact that the darn thing had decided a suicidal scramble down the other side was a better bet than being saved by her. Okay, so that left it about evens. Clean slate, hello Santa. Or maybe the third bit of bad luck would be no bus, and a lot of un-festive bad temper and maybe even tears.
 And the whole Daniel thing wasn’t really her fault anyway. Oh, why wasn’t life ever simple?

 ***

“Have you got any idea what you look like dressed like that?”
Charlotte instinctively jumped back as the car pulled in at the kerb, determined not to get her tights sprayed by yet another wave of slushy snow, then thoughts of Daniel, ungrateful kittens and naughty lists took a hike as she registered who it was.
“Like Santa’s little helper I was hoping.” She grinned at the girl inside the car, who had wound the window down and seemed to find the whole thing quite entertaining. Amy.
“And there was I just thinking green tights were the in thing this Christmas. Come on, get in, I’m freezing my bits off here.”
Charlotte pulled opened the car door and stepped as carefully as she could in, studying her by now drooping boots. Well, the perky points were drooping. Getting changed before setting off had been a good idea when she’d thought she had a car. Not so good when you have to trudge the streets.
“Crumbs it’s hot in here.” The tips of her fingers were already tingling seconds after she’d shut the door. “Don’t complain, if you’d stood out there much longer you would have either got picked up or arrested.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a nice policeman.”
“As in picked up, or arrested by?”
She shrugged and Amy laughed and steered her way back into the traffic. “I thought you were off men.” “Only other peoples.” Charlotte sighed and closed her eyes for a second, although surely the fact that Amy had turned up was a good sign. A sign that she may be forgiven? “And my look not touch policy is working just fine.”
“That so wasn’t your fault. And I can’t believe he actually cried. I mean cried. Real tears.” Her best friend glanced at her briefly, with a look of mock horror then turned her concentration back to the road.
“Real man tears.” She looked glumly out at the garishly decorated shop windows that were whizzing past in glorious Technicolor. “That, apparently, was one of the things Holly liked about him. His sensitive side.” “Until she decided to swap him for a fireman.”
“He has a big pole apparently.”
 Amy giggled, then beeped the car horn angrily as a man, half hidden behind a large conifer stepped out in front of the car. Charlotte made a grab for the door handle as the car shimmied on the ice, but Amy didn’t seem to notice. She was warming up to the subject. Holly assassination. “She is such a cow though, expecting you to do the dirty for her. Sorry, but she is.”
Diversionary tactics seemed in order. Much as Charlotte didn’t like the way her sister took advantage of her good nature, she was prepared to forgive and forget. The festive season and all that. “A lucky cow, you should see the fireman. And she probably knew Dan would cry, she only does soft sides when it works for her. I mean she just wouldn’t know what to do, would she? She’s not exactly the type to hand out tissues.” 

“More the type to give him the money so he can go buy a packet. I can’t believe you two are sisters. Here we go, grotty grotto time.” Amy pulled the handbrake on with a flourish and stared at the entrance door. “I suppose we should be thankful we’re not reindeers. The little horrors kept pinching Becky’s bum last year, they said they just wanted to see if her tail was real. One of them tugged it so hard she thought the elastic in her knickers was going to pop.”
“Knickers?”
“It was attached. Safety reasons. Elf and safety.” Amy giggled at her own joke.
“Very funny.” Charlotte passed Amy her elf hat. “Nor can I, believe we’re sisters I mean.” And sometimes she couldn’t. Holly was tall, slim, had perfect nails and breathtakingly outrageous dress sense. Charlotte stopped at outrageous. She was small, on the verge of a donut-too-many and generally wore the first thing that fell out of the wardrobe. Or, as in tonight, an elf costume. Holly would never be seen dead in green (despite her name), it clashed with her skin colouring apparently. And as for the curly toed shoes and the perky hat… “Hang on.” Somewhere from the depths of the elf tunic a merry Christmas tune announced an incoming text. “Oh.” She re-read the text just to be sure. “Apparently she’s moved on to the fireman’s mate now.”
 “So he didn’t light her fire exactly?”
Charlotte shook her head and tried to look disapproving. “You’re on form tonight.”
“It’s my mental preparation for coping with two hundred hyper kids. Shall we go find Santa?”
“I think my boots are running.”
“Sorry?”
 “The colour,” she swung her feet out of the car and watched the snow turn emerald. “It’s running. My feet are in a bit of a green puddle. Oh, shit.” Charlotte paused, half in and half out of the car. Which wasn’t a good idea as her feet nearly shot from under her on the ice. She straightened up reluctantly, which meant she couldn’t hide behind the car door any longer.
“What? Oh.” Amy walked round and stood at the side of Charlotte, and stared at Santa Claus, standing stock in the centre of the doorway. His white beard tucked under his chin. A bashful grin on his face. Amy wasn’t bothered about displaying herself in full elf costume to Santa. “Er, I mean oo.” She dropped her voice a notch, but it still seemed far too loud to Charlotte. She leant in closer, dropped to a stage whisper. “Well, I mean wow, but what is with the ‘oh shit’, girl? That is one hell of a Santa, Christmas has come early. I’m a believer.”

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The Keepers: Declan - Rae Rivers Launch Tour + Giveaway!

 

The Keepers: Declan, the book fans have been eagerly awaiting, is finally here! We're celebrating the release of the second book in Rae Rivers' paranormal romance series today with a launch tour and giveaway. Find out all the details and be sure to get your entries in to win a copy of Archer, the first book of The Keepers.

  What they say: '“You lied to me, misled me, attacked me,” Declan murmured, dipping his head toward hers, “but what we had three months ago wasn’t fake, was it?” Kate's gaze faltered to his lips, heat pulsing between them. But she didn’t deny it. Declan Bennett has zero tolerance for thieves. He and his brothers, the Keepers, are fiercely protective of their witch, Sienna, and their privacy. So when Kate Carrigan breaks into their estate, he'll be damned if he lets the little wildcat get away with it – especially after she seduced him three months ago, leaving him buck-naked in a New Orleans hotel. Declan wants payback – and some answers. Before she was murdered, Kate's mother ingrained it in her not to trust anyone. Kate’s magical powers make her a pawn in the war between good and evil, a war she’s always avoided. Declan is everything she’s been taught to fear, even if she can’t forget the memory of his touch that one night… Trouble is brewing as the powers of evil regroup - bolder and hungrier than ever - and Kate is forced to choose a side. Hot romance, epic battles and action abound in Book 2 of The Keepers.' Click Here To Buy The Book - UK Click Here To Buy The Book - US   Author Bio: I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets. Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and chocolate. For more information about my books, or me, please visit www.raerivers.com. I can also be found here:

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If you haven't already had the pleasure of reading one of The Keepers' stories, you can find information on Archer, the first book, HERE and why not download the FREE prequel to the series, The Keepers: Sienna HERE.

Otherwise, enter via the Rafflecopter below for the chance to win one of two copies of Archer*

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Winner! And a great weekend event...Romance Festival 2014!

Yay, I'm pleased to announce my winner of the 'Is It Summer Yet?' blog hop. And, it's.... Tina B! A copy of 'Summer of Surrender' is on its way to you. Enjoy!


And what am I up to this weekend? Well, I've just hit 'send' on my latest book, which is winging its way to my editor, and now I'm getting ready for a weekend of fun. It's the Romance Festival!

Have you signed up yet? Whether you just love reading romance, or you're an author, or would love to write then there is something for you! It's free, and it's online. And I'll be sharing some big news!!

So, if you want to find out more about this fabulous event you can sign up here - Sign Up! Just check out the amazing line up, and events that are going on, cover reveals, advice, author chats, giveaways...

Or, check out the blog here - Romance Festival

Have a great weekend!

Zara x

Written Fireside - 'Changes' Part 5

Welcome to Part 5 of the latest Written Fireside story, Changes. If you've not read any of the previous parts, catch up with them here -

Part 1 – Lori Connelly

Part 2 – Teresa Morgan

Part 3 – Lynn Marie Hulsman

Part 4 - Sue Fortin

Part 5 ...

“You dare me?” She could feel the smile playing over her lips as she dared herself to do what she’d been wanting to do since he’d walked into that art class. Reach out and touch him. The sizzle of heat burned through his shirt, set her fingertips tingling.

Zach had always been able to set her all-a-tremble with the lightest touch, she’d let him do what he wanted, let him take control. But that had been then.

He nodded, his dark eyes alive and dancing with a mix of fun and confidence. “I dare you, Marie. Take a risk.” The unspoken ‘for once’ hung between them.

“Okay.” She drew the word out long as she let her fingers trace a path down his chest. If she had changed, this was the test. She’d faced the future, decided it was time to do things differently. And now she had to face the past. She finally had a chance to draw a line under what had happened between them, rather than bury it under the carpet. End it properly, with her eyes wide open rather than letting the fantasy man come between her and every other man she’d tried to date. She stood up on her tip toes, so that her lips were level with his. Resisted the temptation to kiss him. “I will if you will.”

Zach slammed the passenger car door shut a little harder than he’d meant to. He’d wanted Marie to accept his offer, but if he was honest he hadn’t thought she would. He didn’t really deserve even an acknowledgment from her, let alone the time of day. But there was still something between them, he could tell she was still as drawn to him as he was to her. Which was why he’d dared to stop and talk to her. Why he’d offered to help.

He got in the car, started the engine up and risked a glance in her direction. And although he had a thousand and one questions he wanted to ask, he was tongue tied. Which wasn’t something he was used to.

She grinned back, raised an eyebrow. She’d changed. He’d loved the old Marie, but he had a horrible feeling he’d love the new one even more. Except she would never forgive him. He’d blown his chance long ago, even if he’d had no choice.

“Whenever you’re ready.” Her tone was teasing, something else that was new.

He pushed the car into gear. “What did you mean, I will if you will?”

The sexy chuckle sent him straight back to that summer. Made it all worse. “Dare. Take a risk.”

“Risk, what risk?” He was confused now.

“Explain to me why you did it.”

Don't miss the rest of the story! 

Next up, on the 6th May, is part 6 by Jane Lark. While you're waiting why not discover a bit more about her, and her books
Contact - Website Facebook Twitter Blog History

Her books - I Found You Just You The Illicit Love of a Courtesan The Passionate Love of a Rake The Scandalous Love of a Duke

Part 7 by Mandy Baggot
Part 8 by Linn B Halton
Part 9 by Erin Lawless

New Release! 'Crazy, Undercover, Love' by Nikki Moore

The day has finally arrived!! Nikki Moore's debut novel with HarperImpulse - Crazy, Undercover, Love - is released as an ebook today, 24^th April 2014.

If you like pacy, sexy romance and fancy a long weekend in Barcelona with a smoking hot guy this one's for you!  Want to know more...?

When uber-feisty career girl Charley Caswell-Wright takes on the assignment as PA to the gorgeous Alex Demetrio, CEO of Demetrio International, she's there under entirely false pretences; to get her life back on track. Having lost the job she worked so hard to earn, she’s determined not to give it up so easily, especially when she didn’t deserve to lose it in the first place.

Mr Dreamy CEO is her only chance of clawing back her career – and her reputation. So she has to keep things strictly professional… boy, is she in trouble!

To buy Crazy, Undercover Love as an ebook:-

Amazon – http://amzn.to./1gdpOxb

Google Play - http://bit.ly/1rTMrQw

iTunes - http://bit.ly/1mkzpHP

Kobo - bit.ly/QlpKpC

Sainsbury's - http://bit.ly/1hoD1bj

Or to buy it as a paperback on pre-order, released on 26^th June:-

Amazon - http://amzn.to/1rTKGmB

What people are saying about Nikki's other stories...

The Love Letter and A Day in the Life... HarperImpulse short story collection Be My Valentine, with Teresa F Morgan and Brigid Coady, attracting 4 and 5 star reviews.

'I loved all 5 stories and will look out for more books by each author.'

CometBabesBooks, Amazon

'Whilst I enjoyed all of the stories, I particularly liked Nikki Moore's … her voice as an author really resonated with me and I can't wait to read more of her work.'

Kate Beeden, Goodreads

Nikki's short story A Night to Remember in the Mills & Boon/Romantic Novelists Association anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply which has also attracted 4 and 5 star reviews.

'My favourite story was A Night To Remember. I think what drew me to this … was its resonance with real life. I'm not going to spoil the story but I could feel the emotions spilling out of the page - it was beautiful.'

Beckie, www.beckiesbookmix.blogspot.co.uk

'A Night to Remember - Beautiful, devastatingly so.'

Cheryl M-M, Goodreads & http://mmcheryl.wordpress.com/

Nikki Moore lives in beautiful Dorset and writes short stories and sexy, pacy romances. A finalist in several writing competitions including Novelicious Undiscovered 2012, she graduated from the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers' Scheme after four years and and has contributed to their magazine Romance Matters. She has far too much fun attending the annual RNA conference and has previously chaired a panel and taken part in a workshop at the Festival of Romance.

She blogs about some of her favourite things – Writing, Work and Wine – at www.nikkimooreauthor.wordpress.com and believes in supporting other writers as part of a friendly, talented and diverse community.

You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NikkiMooreAuthor or on Twitter @NikkiMoore_Auth and she invites you to pop in for chats about love, life, reading or writing!

New Release - 'Catch My Breath' by Lynn Montagano

I'm thrilled to have Lynn Montagano here today - sharing some background info about her new release.

‘Catch My Breath’ 

Lia Meyers' plan for a relaxing Scottish vacation is short-lived when one uncharacteristic moment of clumsiness lands her in the arms of her very own Knight in Shining Armani…

The perfect opportunity for a much needed holiday romance? Wrong! Lia’s still reeling from the mother of all bad breakups, and she really doesn't have the patience for Alastair Holden – despite his effortless charm and cute British accent.

Arrogant and totally inscrutable, he's exactly the sort of guy she wants to avoid but can't:  the man behind the mystery proves just too tempting to resist.

Drawn to him, Lia is forced to battle with her own insecurities, and the closer they become, the more she recognizes her own weaknesses as she peels away his layers with every night they spend together. Discovering the past Alastair is so desperate to conceal, Lia must decide if they can heal one another together or if their deepest fears will tear them apart.

Lynn has been kind enough to answer a few questions, and give some insight into the characters and setting for her book. I hope you enjoy finding out more...

Okay, starting off with the book…

1. Have you ever been out with a Chief Financial Officer (like Alastair)?! If not, what made you pick that as his career?

Can’t say that I have! For my hero, I wanted to give him a career that, on the outside, made him look very well put-together and in control of things. It’s important for him to appear that way to the world and this job suited him.

2. Can you tell us a bit more about Glasgow and why you used it as the setting for your book?

The book starts with my heroine on vacation in Scotland for her sister’s wedding. I’ve been there a few times, as well as London, and absolutely fell in love with it. Or should I say, the accents? The idea of a trans-Atlantic romance gave me a chance to write about several places instead of just one area, so even though their story begins in Glasgow, it travels through Orlando and London as well.

3. If you had a choice where would you choose to live, and why?

I want to live in so many different places! For starters, I’d have to be independently wealthy to actually achieve all of this but for the sake of the question, here goes: London. I love it there. Every time I visit it gets harder and harder to leave!

I’m an East coast girl originally from Rhode Island so I’d also definitely want to live somewhere close to NYC and Boston.

4. What comes first when you write a story?

Dialogue. For some reason, the characters have non-stop conversations in my head and if I don’t write it down they keep chattering on and on. Sometimes the conversations are inspired by ones I’ve had with friends or something I overheard. It’s always dialogue though. The settings, etc comes later.

5. Can you name five characteristics we’re likely to find in your heroes, and same for heroines?

Stubborn, humorous, caring, intelligent, curious

6. What’s your idea of a perfect day?

This will probably make some of you shake your heads but I absolutely LOVE winter, so my perfect day would be snowy and cold. I’d spend it one of two ways: snuggled up on the couch with some hot chocolate or outside at a football game cheering on my favorite team. I’ve done both and equally enjoyed it. =)

And before you run off, can you share a little excerpt?

Excerpt –

 “You’re quite lovely, Lia. Pity you’re leaving soon. I’d like to take you—” he paused, tracing his thumb over my lower lip. I shuddered. “—out. Again.”

“You would?” I asked hoarsely.

Nodding, he stroked the curve of my cheek. “Are you coming back to Glasgow after the wedding?”

“Yeah…yes. Saturday.”

Backing away from him, I bumped into the arm of the couch. I almost toppled over it, but managed to steady myself. Being in his presence made me so damn skittish, it was frustrating.

“I’m supposed to make an appearance at a cocktail party for my grandfather’s company.”

Oh good, he’s busy.

“You should come. Or we could go out to dinner.” Like an apparition, he was in front of me, stroking his fingers along my arm. “What do you say? Fancy spending the night with me?”

The unspoken promise behind that question nearly shattered me on the spot. This was supposed to be an easy trip across the pond. Go to the wedding, hang out with the family and go home. Not fend off an amazingly sexy, impossible-to-resist guy.

“Stop overthinking,” he ordered.

Stormy, dark eyes carved a path through my skull. I wilted beneath the strength of his stare. A shaky breath escaped my lips as he traced his finger along my jaw and down my neck. He drew me into his hypnotic orbit with such ease. I was powerless to resist.

“This is inevitable, Amelia. Don’t deny it.”

Inevitable? Each stroke of his fingers left a fiery trail in its wake. The smooth, soft skin of his cheek brushed against mine.

“Come with me.”

Oh Jesus, those three words. I jolted out of his seductive haze like I was on fire, trying to avoid his eyes. His expression was one of pure lust.

“No,” I whispered.

His mouth fell open slightly in surprise. “No?”

“No,” I repeated, louder. “Do you not hear that word very often?”

Impassivity dominated his features. He studied me as though I was the most confusing creature on the planet. We stood so close to one another I was overcome by his intoxicating scent. 

“Why not?”

“Because,” I sighed. “I’m not interested.”

“In what, Lia? Food or drinks?”

“You know what I mean.”

***

Buy links – Amazon: http://www.smarturl.it/CatchMyBreathBook

                  Google Play: http://www.smarturl.it/CatchMyBreath_Book

Thanks for stopping by Lynn!

About Lynn Montagano  -

A fresh, new voice in contemporary romance, Lynn is a former TV news writer who decided to take the plunge and write a novel. She's thrilled that her debut, Catch My Breath, will be published by Harper Impulse in April 2014.

Lynn grew up in a small town in Rhode Island before venturing out into the world. An avid traveler, she's been as far away as Australia and as close as Canada. Her favorite place to visit is London. 

For now, the small town New Englander hangs her hat in Northern California. If you can see her through the fog, wave hello.

Where can your readers find you?

Author Page Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnMontagano

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnMontagano

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7706026.Lynn_Montagano

Guest Week - Aimee Duffy

Welcome to Aimee, with the second book in her Indecent Proposals series!

Blurb:
The second novella in a thrilling, pulse-racing new erotic romance series, Indecent Proposals.
Three best friends, Shey, Eloisa and Georgia take on the most powerful and eligible men of the New York dating scene.
Georgia broke away from his mouth, gasping in a lung full of air.
‘Max, I need—’
He unwrapped her legs from his waist and placed her back on her feet.
She was about to protest when he broke in, ‘I know exactly what you need.’
Striking New York singleton Georgia has never had any trouble attracting men, but she has a surprising secret; she’s never had an orgasm.
So when her gorgeous new boss Max Briggs makes her a scandalous offer, she doubts this time will be any different. But what happens when Max discovers her secret? How long will Georgia’s resolve last when he becomes determined to be the man to give Georgia her first taste of ecstasy?

Excerpt: 
‘It’s personal,’ he warned.
Georgia swallowed. They hadn’t agreed on this being more than an extension of work and she couldn’t blame him for assuming. After all, she’d let him touch her, let him pull her close. She’d even licked his mouth, for frick sake. But she hadn’t made her mind up on it being anything more. Or was her body deciding for her?
‘Relax,’ he said, stroking her lower back. ‘It’s not what you think.’
Georgia straightened up and pulled her arms from his neck. He caught her wrists, his thumbs lazily drew circles over the veins, sending delicious currents through her.
God, no man had touched her like this. No man had turned her on this much. Could Max be the one to give her what she’d never had?
‘Easy.’ His expression turned serious, but he didn’t release the gentle hold he had on her wrists. ‘Do you always take the lead with men?’
The question caught her off guard. ‘What business is that of yours?’
The corner of his mouth twitched, pissing her off and giving her the strength to pull her arms free. He didn’t seem deterred by her anger.
‘It’s not, but you seem more sure of yourself when you do. I’ve been thinking.’
She crossed her arms, tucking her clutch under her elbow. ‘About whether I like it better on top? I thought we’d been through this, I can’t—’
‘Maybe that’s the problem,’ he said, deadpan serious.
Her chin dipped. ‘You try to take control, thinking it will be easier to get what you want. Have you ever thought of surrendering that with someone? Letting them take the lead.’
Well, yeah. About a minute ago but she’d been thinking about dancing. Her face burned, and she was right back in the moment in her office when she realized he’d read the email. She darted a glance around, but they weren’t in hearing distance of the other guests. Didn’t stop the shame burning up her neck. Max came closer, and she leaned back. He didn’t try to touch her which was smart. Her anger was simmering right below the surface.
‘Georgia, imagine surrendering that control to me. Imagine letting all the worry about everything go until there’s nothing left but my mouth and hands on your body. Teasing, nibbling and sucking you all over.’
Before she could stop it, the fantasy formed – but it wasn’t like others she’d had. She was on a huge four-poster bed with her wrists bound above her head. Max was on top of her, his mouth hot and teasing against her collarbone as he toyed with her nipples. They pebbled, and heat flooded between her legs. She closed her eyes, lost in the faux sensations, until his arms came around her for real. Her eyes snapped open, and she shoved at his chest as panic tightened her throat.
Though he loosened his hold, he didn’t let go. ‘People are watching,’ he warned. Her heart was beating so hard, pumping scorching blood through her veins. The pounding between her legs almost hurt, and she squeezed at her thighs to get relief.
But this was crazy, she wasn’t submissive.
‘Max, that’s not what I want.’ The lie didn’t convince either of them, so she tried again. ‘I’m not some…some…submissive who will kneel at your feet.’
She’d read enough of those kind of romance novels to know that much. Some of the scenes had turned her on, but the pain… She shivered.
‘I’d never want you to, but just now whatever you were imagining turned you on. Georgia your skin flushed, you were panting and swaying so much I had to hold you up.’
She couldn’t look into his knowing eyes, instead she focused on his black tie. The pain was a deal breaker, but other things? Georgia didn’t know. The thought of his tie around her wrists while he had her in all of those different ways did turn her on.
‘I’m not a submissive,’ she said again, her voice hard and firm. He tilted her chin up until she was forced to meet his eyes. They were soft, unexpectedly kind and full of understanding.
‘That’s a label, honey. One that gets misused all the time. You’re strong, confident and extremely sexy. Giving up control in the bedroom doesn’t make you any less of who you are. Different things turn different people on.’
‘What do you like in the bedroom?’ she asked, desperate to get subject off her.

Buy link: Grab it here

About the Author:
Aimée writes steamy, contemporary romance for the 21st century woman who enjoys the 21st century alpha male. She’s addicted to reading, shopping and can’t go a day without music. When she’s not writing you can find her traipsing up the Ochils (weather permitting of course) or procrastinating on Facebook and Twitter.

Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest / Google +

Her Best Four Letter Word - Competition time!!

Another chance to win on the Her Best Four Letter Word Blog Hop, celebrating the publication of two HarperImpulse titles:  Eve Devon’s ‘Her Best Laid Plans’ (contemporary romance) and Zara Stoneley’s ‘Love is a Four Letter Word’ (erotic romance).

Look out for the deets for TWO GIVEAWAYS via Rafflecopter and using the comments section on this blog at the end of the post. 

ABOUT ‘HER BEST LAID PLANS’ by Eve Devon

Blurb: Love is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans…

The Totally Perfect Life Plan of Amanda Gray

Step 1 – Take total control of own destiny and avoid getting too wrapped up in the details.

Step 2 – Definitely do NOT kiss gorgeous bad-boy businessman who doesn't know how to live life without scheduling it six months in advance, even if he is absolutely irresistible.

Step 3 – Don't even THINK of accompanying him to London as his PA to enjoy steamy encounters in a metropolitan paradise.

Step 4 – Absolutely, positively, whatever you do- do NOT fall in love with him…

Available from AMAZON or click here for other retailers.

ABOUT EVE DEVON:

I love connecting with readers. Find out more about me or stop by for a chat:

 Website    Facebook   Twitter

ABOUT ‘LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD’ by Zara Stoneley

Take one rich girl who has a thing for the bad boys.

Take one tough guy who thinks possession is nine-tenths of the misery law.

Mix generously with a land dispute and a whole lotta lust…. And what have you got?

Sometimes being bad can be just too good to miss.

Available from AMAZON or click here for other retailers.

ABOUT ZARA STONELEY:

To find out more about Zara and her books, please follow the links:

Website    Facebook   Twitter   

WIN!

Goodie Bag Contents: All the perfect ingredients for a girlie reading experience…

10.00£/$ Amazon Gift Voucher (to purchase delicious ebooks)

Her Best Laid Plans Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Love is a Four Letter Word Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Her Best Laid Plans/Love is a Four Letter Word Linen Bag (to keep all your reading experience ingredients together and handy for those urgent date night clothes shopping trips)

Bottle of Bubbly (for if you don’t like hot chocolate/tea)

Hot Chocolate/Tea Drinking Goodies (for if you don’t like bubbly)

Chocolates (no explanation required!)

Nail Varnish/Nail Files (for that break between reading books!)

And it’s all inside a lovely HarperImpulse bag!

Due to the content of the prizes, all entrants must be over 18. If the winner does not reside in the UK, some items may be substituted with others of an equal or greater value due to individual country restrictions

No purchase is necessary, all answers will be available on the publisher’s blog, retailer sites, or the authors’ blogs, websites or Facebook Pages.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN THE GOODIE BAG: Answer Eve and Zara’s questions using the Rafflecopter:

Question 1: What colour code does Jared issue when he needs Amanda’s help to get rid of his latest clingy girlfriend?

Question 2: What colour are Jake’s eyes?

Don't know the answer? Check out Eve and Zara’s facebook pages for snippets from their books                              

All correct entries will be put into the grand draw for the Goodie Bag. Winners will be announced on March 6^th HERE

To gain extra entries in the Rafflecopter follow us on our blog hop and answer each new set of questions – you can find a full listing of where we’ll be on my previous blog post or: HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TODAY'S PRIZE: Win an iBook Voucher every day of the hop by taking part in:

Her Best Four Letter Word…to describe reading erotic romance

Leave your best four letter word (no profanity, please) to describe reading erotic romance in the COMMENTS SECTION below and a winner will be chosen to receive an iBooks Voucher for a HarperImpulse title (please note if your first choice is not available you may have to pick another!). The winner of today’s competition will be posted at the end of the blog hop on 6^th March. Only ONE iBooks voucher is available each day, if the Blog Hop is visiting more than one blog then ALL entries for the day, from all participating blogs, will be entered into the daily competition.

Good Luck and we hope you enjoy Her Best Laid Plans and Love is a Four Letter Word

Her Best Four Letter Word Blog Hop - competition time!

It's out!! My second HarperImpulse title is released today, 27th February, and I am just so excited to finally be able to share my very sexy bad boy biker Jake, with you! I do hope you love him as much as I do.

To celebrate launch day, I've got together with the lovely Eve Devon, whose contemporary romance 'Her Best Laid Plans', also releases today, and we're offering a week of fun competitions and some great prizes as part of our Her Best Four Letter Word Blog Hop.

Grand Prize: We have a fab Rafflecopter competition that you can enter at each stop on the Blog Hop - join us every day to gain more entries! Eve and I will pose a question each day - answer both correctly and be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous Goodie Bag:

Contents: All the perfect ingredients for a girlie reading experience…

10.00£/$ Amazon Gift Voucher (to purchase delicious ebooks)

Her Best Laid Plans Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Love is a Four Letter Word Beaded Bookmark (for a touch of book bling)

Her Best Laid Plans/Love is a Four Letter Word Linen Bag (to keep all your reading experience ingredients

 together and handy for those urgent date night clothes shopping trips)

Bottle of Bubbly (for if you don’t like hot chocolate/tea)

Hot Chocolate/Tea Drinking Goodies (for if you don’t like bubbly)

Chocolates (no explanation required!)

Nail Varnish/Nail Files (for that break between reading books!)

And it’s all inside a lovely HarperImpulse bag!

Daily Prize: Because HarperImpulse is such a fab publication team they’re also offering an iTunes voucher on each day of the Blog Hop. Just enter the “HER BEST FOUR LETTER WORD” competition of the day.

Join us on these fab blogs – follow the Hop!

Thursday February 27^th   HarperImpulse Blog, Sarah Ballance

Friday February 28^th Mandy Baggot, Romancing Rakes – 4 The Love of Romance

Saturday March 1st  Here!!, Lori Connelly, AJ Nuest – Tattered Pages

Sunday March 2^nd Eve Devon’s Blog, Tea Cooper, Teresa Morgan – The Wittering Woman

Monday March 3rd The Romaniacs, Ann B Harrison

Tuesday March 4^th   Aimee Duffy, Books with Bunny, Lynn Marie Hulsman

Wednesday March 5^th Carmel Harrington, Eva Scott

Thursday March 6^th         HarperImpulse - to announce the winners!

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to the HarperImpulse blog, and stop by at Sarah Ballance's, to enter Thursday's iTunes voucher competition, and gain entries for the Goodie Bag giveaway! Good luck.