Anissa Toma fled war-torn Syria after narrowly escaping the massacre of her Christian family by Islamists. Fortunate enough to rebuild her shattered life in New York City, the young refugee gained admission to an elite college, where she excelled. Her beauty, brains, and purity soon captured the interest of two powerful men: Michael, an activist working to establish Antioch, the first Mideast Christian state, and Julien, her professor and one of the city’s wealthiest bachelors.
As Anissa’s saga continues, the refugee-turned-rising-star must navigate between Michael and Julien, while trying to help her surviving relatives and other vulnerable Christians in Syria. As she gets closer to both men in a complex and evolving love triangle, can she unlock Julien’s traumatic childhood to open up his heart? Or will Julien find greater solace from his nightmares and other demons in the sessions with his intriguing therapist? What will Michael do for Antioch and for Anissa, and what will Julien’s role be? How far will each person go to help Anissa’s remaining family and other persecuted Christians at risk in Syria? Find out in this stunning sequel to “The Syrian Virgin.
About the Author
Zack Love graduated from Harvard College, where he studied mostly literature, psychology, philosophy, and film. After college, he moved to New York City and took a corporate consulting job that had absolutely nothing to do with his studies. The attacks of September 11, 2001 inspired him to write a novelette titled “The Doorman” and heightened his interest in the Middle East. A decade later, that interest extended to the Syrian Civil War, which provided the backdrop for his latest work. In late 2013, Zack began releasing his unpublished works of fiction and became a full-time author. He has published comedy, psychological and philosophical fiction, and romance. Zack enjoys confining himself to one genre about as much as he likes trying to sum up his existence in one paragraph.
Today we are thrilled to welcome author Tof Eklund to our blog. Tof has just released Autumn Harvest: Maiden, an erotic fantasy romance, published alongside eighteen short stories from the world of Autumn Harvest. You can find out more about this novel, including some excerpts, by reading the rest of this post, in which Tof also shares with us some of the many and varied experiences of being a writer. Tina 🙂
Interview with Tof Eklund
1. Hi Tof. Thank you for being with us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I think all writers are odd ducks, but I may be a bit odder than most. I earned a Ph.D. in English with a dissertation on comic books and videogames, I’m non-binary transgender (closer to “androgynous,” than male or female), I’m a proud parent of two, and I teach creative writing and game design at my day job.
2. Please tell us about Autumn Harvest: Maiden and the other tales contained in the novel and what inspired you to write them.
I’ve always had a very active, very visual imagination (and a rather wild libido). Most of these stories began with vivid impressions in my mind’s eye and grew from there. The romance of Yelen and Kaye in Maiden has a unique origin: it began as a story written for my spouse when she was pregnant with our first child, and I was torn between excitement at becoming a parent and fear of complications during pregnancy.
3. The tales are set in fantasy worlds. What do you think prompted you to write these tales in the fantasy realm rather than other settings?
I have a love-hate relationship with fantasy that goes all the way back to grade school. I love the idea of new worlds and magic, but not the paternalism and ethical simplicity that often go with fantasy. I wanted to write a romance that didn’t idealize feudalism, a world where the existence of magic reflected the complexity of human nature and ethics.
4. What is your writing process like? To what extent do you plan and how much do you just let the words flow?
Because Maiden was originally serialized online by Big World Network (http://bigworldnetwork.com/site/), I had to outline my episodes and plan ahead, but that’s only part of it for me. When I’m into a story, I obsess over it, planning scenes and trying out ideas in my head, coming up with more plot threads and themes than I will ever use. Then, when I sit down to write, all of that stuff’s there, but I’m much more focused on the immediate, and what comes out on the page often surprises me.
5. What about the personalities of your characters – are they always fixed in your head before you start writing or do they develop a will of their own?
There’s always a concept, but I don’t feel like I’ve “found” a character until they surprise me. Honestly, my characters tend to be a step ahead of me. Maybe it’s a subconscious result of my ruminating on my own plots, but I often find I reach a point where I go “oh, that’s why they did that thing thirty pages ago.”
6. Are any of the characters in your novels based on people you know or reflect elements of your own personality?
There’s a little of me in each of my characters, even the unlikeable ones, maybe especially the unlikeable ones. There are also bits and pieces of people I know in there, but I’ve never written a character that was a straight-up fictionalization of a real person.
7. What is the best thing about being an author? What do you find the most challenging?
The best thing is getting to create the stories, the worlds and people, that you always wanted to read about but couldn’t find. For me, it’s promotions, getting the word out that’s the hardest part. I find it helps to think of it as something I’m doing for my characters and worlds, rather than for myself.
8. If you could give an aspiring author one tip, what would it be?
Write the stories you want to read, the ones that are telling themselves in your head. It’s the only way to remain passionate about writing, and writing is too hard and too demanding to be worth it if it doesn’t satisfy an inner need.
9. What type of books do you like to read? Have you any favourite authors?
Octavia Butler and Ursula K. Le Guin, have influenced me greatly. Le Guin’s short story “Coming of Age in Kaehide” is great speculative fiction and very sexy at the same time. Lois McMaster Bujold as well: the way she combines romance and action, magic and scientific understanding had a huge impact on Autumn Harvest. Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona’s Staples’ comic book Saga is another inspiration: it’s a borderline surreal science-fantasy, but it’s really all about family. Oh, and there are some seriously hot moments in Saga as well.
10. Can you tell us about what you working on at the moment?
In between teaching and co-parenting, I’m working on a tie-in game called Autumn Harvest: Rites of Spring. We’re not talking about anything too fancy, it’s basically going to be like a “choose your own adventure” book. The story in Rites of Spring is from over a thousand years before Maiden, but with implications about where the plot will go in Autumn Harvest: Mother, the second novel.
11. And finally, have you a message for readers?
I have a lot of stories I want to tell in the world of Autumn Harvest. The continuation of Yelen and Kaye’s story is the biggest one, but I have tales to tell about Isa and Bess and their lovers, plans for the literal subculture of the dwarves, and secrets to reveal about the saphhic temple in Rites of Spring. If you want to see more of any particular part of that world, let me know! There’s a big picture I’m working towards, but your input can help me decide what order the stories get told in.
Tof, many thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions. It is always interesting to find out where authors find their inspiration and how they develop their stories and characters.
Autumn Harvest: Maiden certainly sounds like an entertaining and fascinating read, which I am looking forward to reviewing. I think that when it comes to writing fiction the fantasy genre is a great forum in which authors and readers can explore both major societal issues or those affecting the individual. Authors in the genre produce many entertaining and thought provoking reads. When I first started to read fantasy novels many years ago it was sometimes difficult to find stories where the romance was central to the plot and I am pleased to see that today many authors write fantasy romances and erotic fantasy romances.
Your plans for future tales set in the world of Autumn Harvest and the tie-in adventure game sound really exciting and we’d be more than happy to help you spread the word on these. Tina 🙂
Book Blurb
Autumn Harvest: Maiden is a sensual and socially conscious tale of irrepressible longing in a court full of intrigue and inequality. Yelen is a long-lived witch of the Order sent to the patriarchal kingdom of Thrycae, where witchcraft is punishable by death. Kaye is the young prince of that kingdom, and becomes attached to Yelen after she saves his life (but not the use of his legs) from a deadly childhood disease. As the years pass, Kaye grows into a handsome and thoughtful adult, and Yelen finds herself drawn to him despite the mortal peril inherent in such an affair. Eighteen short stories from the world of Autumn Harvest are also included in this volume, including a jilted young man’s life-changing encounter with an emerald-eyed dwarf, the inner monologue of a lady’s maid in need of a helping hand, the frustrations of a dominant dryad, and a series of tales about a polyamorous trio.
Summer passed into autumn, and the weather cooled. I was reviewing some of Kaye’s geometrical proofs when he broached a topic that I should have expected, but was unprepared for. “One of the maids offered herself to me.” I was struck silent, so after a moment, he continued. “I refused her.” I managed to nod and, after a moment, said, “Well, Kaye, that was very responsible of you. You shouldn’t let anyone push you into a sexual relationship before you’re ready.” “That’s not why…” he trailed off, then started over. “I don’t know how to love a woman. You once told me that it’s more than just putting it in – that only barbarians ignore a woman’s, uh…pleasure.” He blushed. Embarrassed at his discomfiture, I replied, “You do have a right to know about these things. And any lovers you have in the future will appreciate your, ah, consideration. I’ll see that you get uncensored copies of the Codex Anatomica, the Garden of Seventy Paths, and…let’s see, Timor’s Way of Love is probably the best general introduction.” “Yelen…you have been my tutor in everything – will you be my tutor in this?” I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks at this, and had to take a moment to compose myself before answering. “I…if there is anything that confuses you about the texts, let me know and I will attempt to explain it.” Kaye’s face twisted up in a conflicted expression. “Thank you,” he replied, his voice quiet and flat. “I couldn’t ask for more.” I felt simultaneously flushed and queasy looking at him, so I returned my gaze to the parchment in my hand and launched into a lecture on the various applications of geometry to architecture and sealing sigils. Kaye was silent and downcast, quite unlike his usual self. After a couple of minutes, I sputtered out in mid-sentence, and declared our lessons over for the day.
Excerpt 2:
“Kaye…” I started, then trailed off as my voice began to tremble. “No!” His voice was soft, but intense. “Please, Yelen, don’t reject me. I’ve loved you for years. I can’t remember not loving you.” “I’m older than your mother,” I started, a bit feebly. “So? I’m not a child anymore.” “No, but you are the heir to the throne of Thrycae.” “The throne can go to Nestor or another noble house for all I care.” “You should. You have a chance to improve upon your father’s reforms, make Thrycae a better place. Others would undo what progress has been made.” “You yourself told me that I don’t have any great destiny. I will help someone else towards greatness, but I will not achieve it myself.” “That’s not quite what the wyrding means. I’m more worried that you could destroy yourself.” “For you, Yelen, I’d—” “Stop! I didn’t save your life—twice—just for you to throw it away!” “Yelen, give me your hand.” I reached out and let him clasp my hand. “Yelen,” he whispered, “you’ve given so much to me, so much for me. I don’t know if I can be your lover. I don’t know if that’s what you really want. I know that’s what I want. I want to be close to you, any way I can. You tell me how, and that’s what I’ll do. I’m not afraid for myself.” “Oh, Kaye, I want to remain close to you as well, but I don’t think I can bear it. If we become lovers, one of us is going to die.” Kaye stared at me in shocked incomprehension. I continued, “I’ve seen it, in true dreaming and waking omen. We have a child, and then only one of us is left to raise her—or him. That part of the vision is unclear.” Kaye lurched forward, pressing off the wall in a half-controlled fall toward me. I caught him and held him close. For some time we stood there, just supporting each other like fallen branches in the path of the firestorm. In that sudden silence, I heard Kaye whisper in a voice husky with awe, “Our child.”
Excerpt 3 (from “Delta,” one of the included short stories):
Not far from the coast of Pa’an, in the delta of the lifegiving Lwan river, there lived an old fisherman. Every morning he would cast his net into a fork of the delta and fasten it on either side with bamboo pegs, hoping to catch a great salmon swimming upstream to spawn, or even a handful of herring. Every evening he would return, and most days the net would be empty. When he caught small fish he would fillet them by the side of the river and eat them raw. On the rare occasion he caught a salmon or other large fish, he took it back to his hut and smoked it carefully to preserve it. When he had no fish, he would take a small handful of rice and prepare it in a large pot ofboiling water. As the rice cooked, he would stand over the pot and breathe in deeply, not letting the rice-steam go to waste. One day, when the old fisherman went to check on his net, the pegs had been pulled out and the entire net dragged upstream by some great fish that now lay tangled and beached on the near side of the river. The fisherman was confused, as he’d never caught a salmon that large, and from between the close-woven strands of the net, the fish’s scales gleamed in the dimming light, catching and throwing the sunset like flashing fire. Picking his way through the wild yarrow, the fisherman stopped still when the fish spoke. “Fisherman, you have caught me in your net. Free me and I will grant you a wish.” The voice was high and undulating, moving over itself like waves coming to shore. The old man stared, dumbstruck. “Please, good fisher, do not leave me here. I grow dry.” A talking fish was a wonder, and wonders were dangerous things. The fisherman hesitated a moment, then gave a slight nod and knelt by the fish’s tail. The net was a mess, torn and twisted by the fish’s struggles. There would be no simply pulling it free. Taking out his boning knife, the old fisherman began cutting his net, carefully sliding the flat of the blade between strand and scale, then turning the sharpened edge out and slicing away from the great fish. The tail, a wondrous fan-like spread of glittering color, was soon free, but that was the barest beginning. It was slow work, and grew slower as the blade dulled on the hemp, but the old man was immune to boredom, as all his work was slow. Completely focused on the task at hand, he did not look ahead, and so was surprised when iridescent scales gave way to pale skin. Smooth, flawless skin, and so light in color as to be translucent; he could make out fine blue veins traversing that milky map, and thought of the familiar forks and windings of the river delta.
We are thrilled to be taking part in the release blitz for another sizzling novella to the City Nights series:
One Night in Madrid by JD Martins
Blurb:
Danny left Dublin for Madrid two years ago, but still scans the crowd in the Irish pubs for the face of someone from home. Though doubtful he’ll ever recognise anybody, one evening he sees Aisling, a girl he’d known – or wished he’d known – at university. Beautiful but haughty, she’d always ignored Danny, and though he’d fantasised about making love to her, she’d never so much as smiled at him.
To his amazement, Aisling is extremely friendly when she meets him all these years later and away from home. She is still snobby and condescending, but Danny decides to make her night as enjoyable as he can, hoping for one last chance to impress her and make his teenage fantasies come true. As the sultry Madrid night progresses, mere lust grows into affection, and Danny begins to see her snobbery as something else entirely. Will Aisling see Danny as more than just a way to pass her night in Madrid?
We are delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for Nina Mason’s latest release, Devil in Duke’s Clothing. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the novel from the author and you can read my review below – fans of erotic historical romance will not want miss this novel. You can also scroll down to read a sizzling excerpt, check out a promotional video and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway where a signed copy of the novel is up for grabs. Tina ❤
Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical romance by Nina Mason, tells the story of an innocent bride’s struggles to adapt to her new husband’s eccentric erotic tastes amidst the instability and hedonism of the reign of Charles II. The book is the latest by Nina Mason, the author of The Queen of Swords and The Tin Man. Book One in the Royal Pains Trilogy, Devil in Duke’s Clothing is highly erotic and features scenes of voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeuristic menage.
Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady’s maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights–and she’s been hungry for more ever since.
Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives–and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn’t the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.
Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?
I LOVED this deliciously decadent Restoration romp where the hero the Duke of Dunwoody is to die for and the heroine is strong and spirited. It is full of desire and debauchery and gives the reader an insight into the political machinations and excesses of the court of Charles II.
The read is one of the most erotic romances that I have read this year, the teachings of the church, so prevalent at the time, (especially in the mind of the convent raised heroine Maggie), make the scenes appear more daring and debauched than they ever could in a contemporary novel. Nina Mason’s clever use of language, manners and internal dialogue of the characters and her colourful descriptions evoked the time period perfectly.
There are plenty of explicit language and scenes as the Duke instructs his young virginal wife in the delights of the marriage bed and his own very particular tastes. The read is most definitely HOT! It is certainly the case of move over Mr Grey and make way for your replacement. Indeed, the Duke of Dunwoody has his own dark desires and proclivities which put Mr Grey well in the shade! The love the couple develop for each other is palpable and the scenes between them sizzle.
The journey that the heroine Maggie embarks on in this novel is a wild one. The ward of the Duke she has been attracted to him for a long time and knows something of his dark desires, desires which she fears, yet is excited by at the same time. Fortunately despite her convent upbringing, she is a spunky and adventuresome lass and is able to give as good as she gets. I love the deal she strikes with her husband whereby she will permit him to train her in the erotic arts if he also educates her in knowledge usually reserved for men. Whilst Maggie comes to enjoy her husband’s debauchery, it remains to be seen whether she can stomach what the King has in store for her and if the love she is developing for her husband can endure. The Duke’s decision to make her his bride has certainly put her in a pretty pickle and I devoured he read to find out her fate and that of the Duke.
The author has certainly researched the time period well, referencing not just the political and religious nuances of the time but the literature and the sexual excesses of King Charles and his contemporaries. Indeed, her descriptions of the debauchery and decadence of the Stuart court, presided over by its licentious king, which play a pivotal role in the plot, are truly sublime.
This is one of my favourite reads so far this year and I wholeheartedly recommend it to lovers of erotic historical romance.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Here’s an excerpt:
The duke pushed the sleeves off her shoulders and halfway down her arms before about-facing her. Stooping, he pressed his mouth to her décolletage.
His lips were deliciously warm and moist against the bulging tops of her flattened bosoms. His hair tickled her flesh in a pleasing sort of way and smelled faintly of lavender.
He moved upward, kissing her collarbone, her throat, the side of her neck, and her earlobe. After blowing in her ear, he whispered in a voice like velvet, “Why did you marry me, knowing what you knew?”
A hot lump formed at her core. “Because.”
He ran his tongue around the folds of her ear, sending delicious shivers through her.“Because why?”
“Because you are a duke.” Mouth suddenly parched, she licked her lips.
“And you dreamed of being a duchess?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I would prefer not to say.”
“Why?”
“Because it will make me sound small and petty.”
His tongue’s explorations undermined her concentration. “Now I really must know.”
She heaved a sigh of surrender. “Survival, “ she said, forcing the half-truth from her throat. “Since you insist upon an answer, I married you because you asked me to…and I had nowhere else to turn for protection.”
His mouth returned to her neck and proceeded to kiss, lick, and nip her flesh, turning her insides to syrup.
“Thank you,” he said betwixt kisses.
“For what?”
“Your candor.”
Guilt crushed her chest like a boulder. Yes, she’d married him to gain security, but she’d left out the part about lusting after him deep in her heart. She moved away, removed the full-sleeved bodice, and laid it over the bench at the foot of the bed.
He came up behind her, slipped his arms around her waist, and kissed the back of her neck, setting her aflame.
She spun in his embrace and looked at him. His dark hair tumbled in soft waves over his broad shoulders. His features were shadowed, making him look dangerous. The need she’d stuffed down for so long erupted from her core, thick and molten.
Bringing his mouth to hers, he kissed and nibbled her lips as his hands untied the strings of her petticoat. It billowed to the floor, leaving her in only her fancy wedding stays and shift. “Now, ’tis my turn.”
Stepping back a wee ways, she pulled the diamond stick-pin from his cravat, loosened the knot, and unfurled the long strip of linen encircling his neck. Was it the same one he’d used to tie the maid’s hands?
“Why did you dismiss Mistress Honeywell?” she asked, letting his neck cloth slip from her fingers to the floor.
His beguiling mouth hitched into a crooked grin. “Had I known you’d seen me swive her, I could have saved myself the trouble—and a few sovereigns.”
“I’m sorry for your trouble, but do not regret her loss. Truth be known, I never liked her—though I do not doubt part of my aversion stemmed from what I witnessed.”
He lifted her chin, pulling her gaze to his. “Were you jealous, Rosebud?”
“Not at the time, but afterward, I resented her relationship with you.”
“There was no relationship. ‘Twas merely a one off.”
Unsure what to say in response, she unbuttoned his collar, opened the front of his shirt, and slipped both hands inside. As her fingertips met the warm, hair-garnished flesh of his chest, she nearly swooned.
How many times she had fantasized about touching him in this way. How much better he felt in real life—a pleasing quilt of smooth skin, solid bone and muscle, wiry hairs, and petal soft nipples. She pinched one until it grew erect.
“You feel good, husband” she said. “You are well put together.”
“It gets better.” He laughed.
“I know.” She blushed at the memory. “I saw everything you own that day in Mrs. McQueen’s closet.”
“And you married me anyway?”
“Oh, no. I married you because of it.”
The smile he gave her warmed her all the way down to her toes.
She swept her hands downward, shuddering when they touched the tartan draped around his hips. The wool was finely woven, soft. She brushed the apron, pleased to find he was aroused. So was she. Mightily.
Since that day in the closet, she’d pictured his hard phallus a thousand times—in her hand, her mouth, and her cunny, and now ’twas at last within grasp. She bent to unbuckle the belt circumnavigating his hips, but, changing her mind, reached underneath the curtain of plaid instead.
He sucked in a breath as she ran her hands up the backs of his thighs. They felt exactly as she’d dreamed they would. Lean, hard, and flocked in bristly hair. Would his phallusfeel the way she’d imagined, too?
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
She has two books out at present: The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller.
Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series’: an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. Devil in Duke’s Clothing is book one in Royal Pains. Starry Knight, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington>
When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
**The Hell’s Kitchen series will be available on Amazon on release day. No pre-order option.
Blurb
Hell’s Kitchen (Hell’s Kitchen #1)
*From International Bestselling authors Callie Hart and Lili St. Germain comes a tale of two families co-existing in a melting pot of violence, murder and drugs in the seedy underbelly of New York City*
Hell’s Kitchen
Theo and Sal Barbieri are brothers, tasked by their Mafioso father Roberto with a very clear purpose: kidnap Kaitlin McLaughlin. The beautiful daughter of Roberto’s Irish enemy. It’s high time Kaitlin was punished for her father’s sins—not to mention, her own.
And Operation: Kidnap Kaitlin is a roaring success… until it isn’t. When Kaitlin escapes into the busy streets of New York City, it’s a race against the clock to find her before Sal and Theo become the hunted.
Zeth Mayfair has traded his life as a hitman for a quieter existence, but it isn’t long before the past catches up with him in the form of Roberto Barbieri. Will he succumb to the lure of power that Roberto is offering? Or will he retaliate by killing every last Barbieri in New York to get them off his back?
Jason Ross is running. Woken in the night by a tip that the Gypsy Brothers are coming for him, he packs a bag and gets his girlfriend the hell out of dodge. Arriving in New York City in the midst of a heatwave is one thing, but being tailed by an entire drug cartel is another.
Worlds collide in Hell’s Kitchen as secrets come to light and sins are punished. Because we might be different in the light of day, but in the darkness, we’re all connected somehow.
Hell’s Kitchen is a serial comprising three volumes: Hell’s Kitchen, Tribeca and Bleecker Street. Volume One releases on March 3rd with a limited-time sale price of 99 cents
Teasers- Meet some of the players…
Excerpt
“What time they due to land?” Sal asks. He loops a tie, pre-knotted and ready to go, over his head.
“Twenty minutes.” With traffic the way it is, we’ll be there in ten.
Sal tightens the tie around his neck, placing the ridiculous fucking chauffeur’s hat on his head. He tucks his hair back behind his ears. He needs to cut it, but will the bastard listen? Hell, no. He never listens to a word I say. “Are you ready?” he asks.
I take my eyes off the road, arching an eyebrow at him. Who the hell does he think he’s talking to? I’ve been doing this job longer than him, after all. I’ve never blinked. Never not been ready. He gets the point pretty damn quickly.
“All right, man, I’m sorry.”
When we arrive at the airfield, we’re directed to hangar twelve, no questions asked. Paddy McLaughlin’s own men would have arrived around now—if we hadn’t already beaten the shit out of them and handcuffed them to a pillar inside an old cardboard factory down on the wharf—so we’re expected. Kaitlin McLaughlin’s plane is delayed. I’m already bored and itching to go by the time the private jet touches down. Sal climbs out of the car and leans against the front passenger door, waiting for the prissy Irish princess and her entourage to exit the plane. When she does, we’re in luck.
Normally, Paddy doesn’t send his little girl anywhere without two personal bodyguards. Today, she’s only accompanied by one. Sal taps the hood of the car as he goes out to take her bags. I have the engine purring in anticipation as he opens the back passenger side door for her and she climbs inside.
Huge sunglasses cover her eyes. That full mouth of hers is perfectly visible in the rearview, though. “Where the fuck is Ray?” she asks. Her father may be first generation Irish, but Kaitlin was born and raised in the States—she sounds like a spoiled little Yank bitch.
“Mr. McLaughlin needed him for something else. He sent us instead.”
She slides the sunglasses down the bridge of her nose, peering at me over the car’s half-raised privacy screen. “And who are you?”
I give her a tight-lipped smile, doing my best to keep my tongue in my head. We need the bodyguard to get in the car, and then we’re golden. Until then, I’m Jerry, the friendly town car driver. “Jerry. My buddy there, that’s Gareth. We’re new.”
“I can see that.” She makes a low, humming sound at the back of her throat. She sounds like she approves. Sorry, sweetheart. I don’t touch crazy pussy. But I will introduce you to my old man, all the same. He just can’t wait to fucking meet you.
The door behind me opens and I feel the car dip as someone gets in—I didn’t notice before, but the lone bodyguard with Kaitlin is a woman. Must be the chick Roberto was talking about. I get a good look at her in the rearview and find myself taking a second one for good measure. She’s blisteringly hot. Maybe in her mid-twenties? Long dark hair, tied back into a braid. High cheekbones. A mouth to rival Kaitlin’s. Her tits strain against her tight black shirt as she twists to put on her seatbelt. You can tell she works out; her clothes fit her far too well for her not to know she looks good in them, too.
Just like Kaitlin, she asks, “Where’s Ray?”
“Busy doing something for Daddy,” Kaitlin informs her, which saves me from spinning the lie again.
“Okay. Straight to the bar, then.” The body guard’s head doesn’t even lift, but she’s a professional. She assesses me in the mirror just as I’ve assessed her. I pretend not to notice as Sal folds himself into the passenger seat.
“Of course.” I press the button for the privacy screen, raising it the rest of the way, blocking out all sound from the back of the car. Sal turns and gives me one of his wicked, crazy-ass grins. He’s enjoying this already. “All right, then, big brother. Let’s do this.” He leans forward and hits a button on the dash—and every single door on the town car automatically locks. “No backing out now.”
I burn out of the hangar to the sounds of muffled thuds from the back of the car. The bodyguard’s not stupid. She’s heard the doors locking and knows something isn’t right. “Motherfucker! Open this up right now!”
Normally there’s an intercom in these cars, but this one’s different. Sal and I smashed the shit out of this car’s intercom with two lump hammers and ripped out the wiring. We also lined the roof with lead. The girls in the back aren’t striking up a conversation with us any time soon. And they aren’t making any phone calls to dear old Papa McLaughlin, either.
As I head back toward the city, the shouting from the back gets louder. It’s accompanied by the dull thudding of feet trying to smash out the privacy screen. Sal raps his knuckles against the glass, grinning again. “Bitch sounds crazy back there. I don’t think she likes the modifications we’ve made.”
I allow myself a small smile as we hit the George Washington Bridge, heading back toward North Manhattan. So far Operation: Kidnap Kaitlin has been a roaring success. Sal pulls out his cell and starts tapping into it with quick fingers. “Telling the old man we’re on our way?”
He nods. “Bastard better give us credit where credit’s due. He’s probably still organising his own fucking birthday party. Meanwhile, we have just successfully taken our mark hostage. We’re on the homeward stretch.”
The fucking homeward stretch.
The thing about saying you’re on the homeward stretch is that often it’s like waving a red flag at a bull. Fate must hear that phrase and decide to fuck over the poor schmuck who was dumb enough to utter it every single fucking time. It’s only seconds after Sal’s parted with those words that the electric window behind me—the bodyguard’s side window—shatters. We knew the bodyguard would be armed, but we didn’t expect anyone to be shooting out the damn side windows. An eruption of fragmented diamonds explodes sideways, spraying a bright yellow smart car with a million shards of glass. The sound of the firing gun is almost deafening.
“What the fuck?”
The smart car veers sideways, smashing into us; I press my foot to the floor, grinding my teeth at the sound of screeching metal and more hammering from the back as I swerve through the traffic. Sal twists in his seat, pulling his gun and pressing it to the glass of the privacy screen. His finger’s on the trigger. “She’s going fucking crazy. I’m gonna shoot the bitch.”
About the Authors
Callie Hart
Callie has experienced many changes throughout her life, and gone through many ups and downs that have all worked towards shaping and molding her into the person she is today: fun loving, active, social, and hard working. The only thing that has remained a constant throughout her life is writing. Creating characters who will tear your conscience in two is a favorite pastime of Callie’s. There are few real saints and sinners in her books; more often, the denizens of her stories are all very human. Broken, flawed, and always with the potential for redemption.
Despite the subject matter being markedly hot and heavy in comparison to the stories she wrote in elementary school, there will always be an element of fairytale to her work.
Lili writes dark romance, suspense and paranormal stories. Her serial novel, Seven Sons, was released in early 2014, with the following books in the series to be released in quick succession. Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
Callie Hart & Lili St. Germain are coming back to the US! Just in time for the release of their joint projectHell’s Kitchen. Join Callie and Lili, Saturday March 14th, at the super cool Inspire News Cafe from 5-7 for a special printing and signing of their newest book and a Q& A session.
Then, come upstairs to the Wayfarer Bar, from 7-9 for cocktails (cash bar) and laughs. It’ll be a fun evening with Hell’s Kitchen chatter, some themed cocktails, light bites and a chance to spend some more time talking about all things Hart St Germain.
**Books that are printed will be available for purchase for around $10. Exact price to be confirmed closer to event date. This is pretty awesome! The machine that prints books while you watch is one of only 30 in the world! You’ll be able to take away your unique, limited edition of Hell’s Kitchen, signed by both authors – There will never be others that look like the ones printed in Vegas.
**Snack foods will be provided.
**All drinks are your responsibility
The Venues
Inspire News Cafe (downstairs) and Wayfarer Bar (upstairs) are both gorgeous, hip venues with kick ass atmosphere! The Wayfarer bar is where we’ll finish the night and is a gorgeous, mad-men inspired bar that will be closed just for attendees!
The Final Straight by Charlotte Howard (@shy_tiger)
Blurb:
April Miller works for her best friend, Max Knight on his livery and competition yard. Their friendship has withstood many turbulent times, and while April is deeply in love with Max, she is also aware of his womanising ways and has refused to succumb to his flirtatious charms. When her ex, AJ, suddenly comes back with a business proposal, April finds herself torn between the two men.
“You up there?” she called. The thud of footsteps grew louder as she made her way up the stairs. It wasn’t long before she was in the doorway, hands on hips, surrounded by a halo of curls the same colour as her temper.
The dog had followed and was panting by her leg. April batted her away, and Max rolled his eyes at the anger and frustration that exuded from her every pore, turning his back on her and dropping the towel.
“What the hell, Max?” she exclaimed, but it wasn’t because of his nudity. She’d seen him naked more times than any other woman.
He stepped into a pair of tight boxer shorts and turned around, preparing himself for the grief he had been hoping to avoid. “What have I done now?” he asked, walking towards the wardrobe and pulling out a pair of dark, shredded jeans.
“What’s the point? Do you even remember her name?”
He didn’t answer. She wasn’t expecting him to; she never did. Fastening the button on his waistband, he went to the chest of drawers and took out a clean T-shirt.
“Well, I’ll tell you what her name was,” April said, walking into the room. “Mellie Banks. Ring a bell?”
Max shrugged.
“It should,” she snapped. “Her father has three horses on this yard, or did until he turned up this morning and took them off.”
He moved behind her and started to massage at the knot of tension that had built at the base of her neck.
“Don’t try to appease me, Max,” she said, but he could tell that her anger was waning. He continued to press into her muscles, letting his thumbs make small circles either side of her spine. Bending his head to the curve of her shoulder, he placed his forehead on the sleeve of her polo T-shirt and took a deep breath, inhaling the dusty scent of straw and shavings.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured into her back.
She shrugged out of his touch and turned to face him. “You’re hopeless,” she sighed. The corners of her lips flickered into the smallest of smiles.
“We could just hide in bed all day,” he said, taking her hands and tugging her forwards. “Forget about Mellie Banks. Forget about the yard…”
“And who’s going to pay my bills when this place falls on its arse?”
The edge of the mattress connected with his knees and he fell backwards, pulling her with him. “You know I’ll always take care of you.”
She landed on top of him, inches away from his face. He lifted a hand and tucked a stray red curl behind her ear. With a frustrated groan, she rolled off of him and lay on her side.
“As much as I would like to be the next notch on your bedpost, we have a business to run.” She shoved herself up.
He watched as she straightened her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair.
“Anyway,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “I’m not your type. I have a brain.” She flashed him a smile before bending down to pick up the towel and tossing it in his direction.
“Ouch.” He feigned a hurt expression before getting up to follow her. Bracken panted around his ankles.
“I’ll make you a coffee, and then if you need me I’ll be saving your business.”
Author Bio / Links:
Charlotte lives in Somerset with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets and can always be found with a cup of tea in her hand. When she’s not writing or running around after small people and animals, she loves to eat curry and watch action films.
Charlotte is an active (and vocal) member of the Yeovil Creative Writers.
Fate is a fast paced novella about two people from opposite ends of the country trying to support each other as friends while denying their instant attraction for one another.
Adam and Evette have both recently ended relationships that were never meant to last. Each of them is longing for something more intense and meaningful, and fate brings them together online in a support system for rebounding daters. The only problem—they’re perfect for each other but too far away to do anything about it.
Will they help each other find love with someone else, or will Fate completely take over their destiny?
Indie Author of contemporary romance and suspense novels such as the Charity Series (Charity’s Warrior, Charity’s Secrets, and Charity’s Passion) and a novella titled Fate: Adam & Evette. East coast born and raised, I’m married, extremely happily, with 4 kids, 3 of which are now young adults (not sure when that happened). I’m a COO in my technology-based “day job,” which requires a mix of technical and creative writing for both internal and client-facing materials, but it was not satisfying my artistic spirit. Writing the “Charity” series has been absolutely fulfilling and exciting. My favorite writing takes place on my phone while lying on the Southernmost Beach in Key West, where I try to go at least twice a year.
Brock Waters had his life planned out. Marry his childhood sweetheart and raise a family, but when tragedy hit home he loses the one girl he thought he would love forever. Heartbroken and scorned he joined the United States Marine Corp. While serving his country he hardened his heart vowing never to allow his heart to get emotionally involved until fate steps in.
Grace Steele has spent her whole life running. She ran from her family. Tired of being overlooked by her older brothers, she set out to find herself. What she encountered was her worst nightmare. She found herself in an abusive relationship that led her down a path of drugs and alcohol. Fearing for her life she ran to the one place she knew she would be safe. Home. She vowed never to fall in love again until she meets Brock.
Can Grace fight the strong attraction she feels for Brock? Will Brock be able to break thru her walls and help her find her way back to love? Brock will move heaven and Earth to prove that he is eternally bound by Grace.
Mia Natal was born in Bronx, NY, USA and grew up in a very dysfunctional family, but she loved every second of it. She met her once in a lifetime love, Edgar in college. Edgar loved sticking his head out of every open window to shout, “Mia, I love you, Baby!” He still does that to this day.
Mia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health Science and has been married for twenty-four years. She has two sons and a Lhasa Apso, named Dallas.
Mia’s hobbies include reading, writing, 80’s music and Marvel comic books. She loves spending time with her family even though they drive her bat shit crazy.
Mia continues to write and hopes to be a best seller one day.
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Check out the synopsis for the series below:
He takes a picture of every woman he kills.
She takes nothing from anyone.
Kate Jackson is a woman haunted by her past with no direction in life, and surviving only on her close relationship with her sister, Annie. Until she meets charming lawyer, Derrick Kane.
Just when she thinks she might have found the key to learning how to live again, maybe even how to love, The Photographer rips it all away from her with one click of his camera.
Somehow she survived, determined to rise above the trauma life has dealt her. Yet, she doesn’t get away that easy, The Photographer isn’t done with her yet.
The infamous serial killer begins dropping menacing hints at every turn.
Reminding Kate that he owns her. That he broke her body.
The small, quiet life that Kate Jackson had built for herself is over. Pulverized by the twisted workings of the notorious serial killer and the agony of being betrayed by the one man she had trusted her heart to. Trust had never come easily to her, yet she had given it to Derrick. And he destroyed her with it.
Kate is a fighter and refusing to allow a sadistic killer to take everything from her yet again, she delves into the police investigation targeting The Photographer and finally revealing his true identity. Kate is fighting for justice while fighting to reclaim the man she loves, and somehow learn to trust him again.
But when an innocent life is on the line, the cost of justice could be more than love can afford. Kate quickly learns that finding the face behind the mask, doesn’t make you safe.
Monsters are only uglier in the light of day.
**Please note that there is no cliffhanger at the end of this series and everything is fully wrapped up. This box set also includes a never before read, deleted scene about The Photographer’s childhood! DISCLAIMER: Due to violent and dark subject matter, this story is intended for readers over the age of 18 years old.
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Sarah Robinson is the Amazon Bestselling Author of the contemporary Rockstar romance series Sand & Clay, as well as the very popular romantic suspense thriller series, The Photographer Trilogy. All of her novels have reached Amazon’s Bestseller Rank in Crime, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary Romance, and/or Romantic Suspense.
In regards to future publications, she is with the Seymour Literary Agency and has recently been contracted by Loveswept, a Random House Penguin imprint, to begin a new contemporary romance series in late 2015.
Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She is newly married to a local police officer, Justin, who is just as much of an animal rescue enthusiasts as she is. Together, they own a zoo of rescues, as well as volunteering and fostering for multiple animal shelters.
TITLE – Kissed at Midnight AUTHOR – Samantha Holt GENRE – Historical Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 18th February LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 60,000
BOOK SYNOPSIS
August Avery, a renowned civil engineer, has found himself the sole custodian of his cousin’s six month old daughter and he needs assistance—fast. He understands how to build railways, to construct bridges and to save the railway tycoons thousands of pounds. He doesn’t understand, however, how to care for a child.
When Ivy Davis turns up at his door looking for work, he believes his prayers are answered. If only the exotic, exuberant young woman did not prove to be such a distraction from his busy workload.
Unsure if she is even up to the task of looking after a baby, Ivy finds herself swayed by the handsome and slightly desperate August into working for him. With her singing career failing before it even started and no other talents, she decides looking after a young child cannot be so hard, surely?
But the child may turn out to be the least of her worries. Her handsome, brooding master seems to keep her awake more than the baby. Add to that her desire to achieve her dreams of singing on stage and the machinations of the indomitable Mrs. Pepperwhite who sees her as competition for August’s hand, Ivy finds this simple job growing harder by the day—as does her desire for her master…
Ivy darted a look at the door as she eased herself down onto the bed beside her master. The housekeeper could have no reason to come upstairs but if she caught her in the master’s room—on his bed no less—she could be in quite a pickle.“Mr.—” A snore escaped his mouth and she shook her head.
“Oh dear, Mr. Avery. You are the one who is in a pickle I think. Or more likely utterly foxed.”Leaning over, she went to grasp his hand to study the damage and froze when he grunted and rolled towards her. His arm landed near her backside on the bed and his head was almost on her lap. Ivy attempted to take his hurt hand from behind her but he twined it out of her grasp and released a low mumble.
She gasped when his hand curved around her backside. She wore only her chemise and her drawers. Mr. Avery’swarm hand fairly burned through the cotton, feeling as though she would wake up with a handprint on her bottom. She twisted to yank his hand away, only to end up with his head pressed against the side of her breast. Mr Avery nuzzled his face against her breast and she stilled. She should draw away, press him back, but for some reasonher body refused to cooperate. Hands to his head, she found his hair to be soft and thick.
Oh dear. One part of her body seemed to be working—her fingers. They twined into the softness, so at odds with the rest of him, from his stern features to what she suspected was a body that rivalled the statues of London. He released a muffled groan against her and she heard him inhale deeply.
“Smell so good,” he murmured.Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. She was going to lose her job not two days into it if she was not careful. Her nipples were tight and hard. Lush heat rolled throughher as he burrowed closer and his hand splayed across her back to hold her to him.
A creak from somewhere else in the house startled her into action. She jerked back and clasped his wrist to force his hand back. At least in his foxed state he wasn’t particularly strong. She had no doubt if he really wanted to keep hold of her, he could, but had he been sober, she was positive he’d want nothing to do with the governess. A man like Mr Avery likely enjoyed the company of women less… interesting-looking than her. Blonde ones with soft features and a delicate manner.
He rolled onto his back, a grin cracking his face. His eyes were at half-mast and she wasn’t sure what amused him. Recalling her original reason for being on the bed, she grasped his hand and inspected the cut. It had already stopped bleeding so couldn’t be deep. Ivy rolled her eyes to herself. All this for a tiny scratch. At least he was so foxed he would never recall any of it.
AUTHOR BIO
Samantha lives in a small village in England with her gorgeous twin girls. She enjoys writing historical romance involving chivalrous knights, hot highlanders and cravatted men, but sometimes gets lured away by bad boy bikers, soldiers and other heroic modern men.
Upstairs meets Downstairs in this sensual Victorian romance *****
I loved Kissed At Midnight, where the usual walls between master and servant crumble and passion ignites. The read is sensual, romantic and fun as the two protagonists, Ivy and August, who may well be my favourite Samantha Holt couple to date, circle each other, trying in vain to deny their growing mutual attraction.
August is in a real pickle since he assumed the responsibility for caring for his cousin’s baby Elsie, and in an uncharacteristic show of impetuosity he hires Ivy as her nursemaid, despite her lack of experience in such a role. Both know that the situation is only transitory as Ivy’s real goal is to forge a career as a singer.
The author’s voice in this novel is decidedly playful, driven in part no doubt by the character of the heroine, Ivy, whose actions compel the evolving romance with her knack of plain speaking and spontaneous nature. By contrast the engineer August is methodical, cautious and conservative in outlook. Ivy is the perfect yin to his yang, free spirited and adventurous. I just adored how the tale shows us how August’s well-ordered life is soon compromised by Ivy’s presence in his household.
I loved how the author showed this handsome man grappling with his conscience regarding how to treat Ivy, a woman in his employ who he is honour bound to protect, yet at the same time the very woman who he is developing an irrepressible attraction for. He also strives to avoid the unwelcome attentions of the widow Mrs Pepperwhite, who does not care for Ivy’s appearance on the scene.
Ivy is quite a heroine! I loved her back story and her character which goes against everything that is expected of a Victorian lady. She certainly upsets August’s routine and in a household as small as his, the usual rules between master and servant are soon compromised. Their romance is a real page- turner as neither August or Ivy know how to cope with their growing feelings for each other and there are a number of barriers to their HEA: Ivy’s ambition to become a famous singer; August’s desire to maintain his distance from the hired help and Mrs Pepperwhite’s interest in August.
Their love-making scenes between the couple are hugely romantic and sensual and although August is a true gentleman, he is very much flesh and blood and as I read I could sense the growing desire between him and Ivy which demands to be sated…..
All in all a super sensual romance and I feel one of the author’s best to date. Recommended for readers of historical romance.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this novel was made available for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
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