Coming to Facebook - The Great Fantasy Debate!

I got this press release today and decided to share. Most press releases I just delete but this looks fun and interesting.

Penguin Random House has a cool new project for fantasy readers, a video series called The Great Fantasy Debate, premiering on their Facebook Page this coming Tuesday, May 5th. It features top science fiction/fantasy authors and comedians debating fantasy topics, such as: Should dragon ownership be legal? Is a degree from Hogwarts worth it?

SPOTLIGHT: Unconditional Surrender- An M/M Military Bundle

Welcome! Today I have a new bundle in the spotlight. This is a sponsored post. "Unconditional Surrender" is perfect for readers who love a man in uniform, love their stories steamy, and love some male on male lovin'.

Thirteen of today's hottest gay romance authors are celebrating military heroes and the men brave enough to love them in sexy M/M novellas featuring all branches of the service. There’s something for every reader. Almost 300,000 never before published words!

99¢ for a limited time.

Read Pink this October

Penguin Group USA is once again supporting research about breast cancer. For the third year in a row, they are running a program called Read Pink. Penguin will make a donation of $25,000 (US $) to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF).

Additionally, Penguin will offer an assortment of 8 bestselling mass market titles and 6 trade titles by some of their most beloved female authors in a special Read Pink edition. The participating authors are: Jayne Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts, Catherine Anderson, Jodi Thomas, Carly Phillips, Madeline Hunter, JoAnn Ross, Jillian Hunter, Karen White, Natasha Solomons, Eleanor Brown, Wendy Wax, and Kathryn Stockett. These special editions feature Read Pink seals on the cover and additional information in the back of the book underlining Penguin's support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's mission and urging readers to become actively involved in supporting the organization.

For more information about the program, go here. The money is donated regardless of book sales. The books are a tool to help bring attention to breast cancer and to spread some information. These are the books that are part of the campaign:

Books for Bunnies

So, I like bunnies; they're cute, sweet (HUSH John! Your opinion is irrelevant :P) and like many animals, often mistreated. :( Now, whether an animal is a pet, destined for food, a working animal, what have you, there is NO, NO reason ever to mistreat them.

Books for Bunnies

Books for Bunnies is an event set up by the bloggers over at The Bunny’s Review and coordinated with the help of blogger Alchemy of Scrawl.

These two ladies have worked tirelessly in getting authors to donate eBooks for the event. Currently there are over 100 eBooks that have been donated, along with over 30 print books. Some of the print books are even signed by the author’s themselves.

The event is to help raise money for the House Rabbit Society. The House Rabbit Society (or HRS) is a 501 non-profit organization to help raise awareness and to rescue rabbits from animal shelters. Below is a little about the background of the HRS.

House Rabbit Society Background

House Rabbit Society is a national, nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Richmond, California. Our mission has two parts:
• Through our fostering program, volunteers rescue abandoned rabbits and find permanent adoptive homes for them.
• Through education, we seek to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits — and to improve bunnies' lives — by helping people better understand these often misunderstood companion animals.

In line with our mission, we are against the exploitation of rabbits.

Since HRS was founded in 1988, over 25,000 rabbits have been rescued through our foster homes across the United States. Many of these bunnies had run out of time at animal shelters and were scheduled for euthanasia; others had been deemed "unadoptable" because of age, health, or disposition. Because there is no time limit on our rescued rabbits, HRS foster parents are able to spend time getting to know each individual bunny and can then match him or her with an appropriate home. We neuter/spay all incoming rabbits, obtain any necessary veterinary care, and attend to their social needs.

In caring for so many diverse bunnies, our all-volunteer organization has learned a tremendous amount about their social, behavioral, and medical requirements. By sharing the collected information these rabbits have taught us, we are able to help other people improve their relationships with their rabbits. HRS provides educational materials to veterinarians and humane societies and helps individual rabbit people solve behavior and health problems, primarily through our web site, www.rabbit.org, and our quarterly publication, House Rabbit Journal.

Over the past 20 years, HRS has grown from 300 to more than 8,000 members, with local chapters and educators in over 30 states plus Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore. Our web site, www.rabbit.org, is accessed over 100,000 times a day by people in dozens of countries around the world.

We are asking people to donate money to the HRS at this link through Network for Good. The person that makes a donation will receive either an eBook or print book equal to the amount donated. There are books ranging in price from 99 cents to $27.00. There are several print copies of the books that have been autographed by the author.

The person that donates will receive an email thanking them for donating. That email needs to be forwarded to books4bunnys@bunnysreview.com. This will show the amount that has been donated. Please remember there is not any donation that is too small. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. (Even if it's only a dollar! Every bit helps ~ Bea) The HRS will use the money to either help pay for vet bills or help in finding a forever home for the hundreds of bunnies in their care.

Please if possible take a moment to donate a couple of dollars to the HRS you never know what bunny’s life you might be saving.

Suzie & The Bunnies - CupCake & Coale

Books for Bunnies




So please, take a minute and donate any amount you are able to help a rabbit. Yes, you too John.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

InkWolf Press, new indie publisher, now open for business

Inkwolf Press is a small press that YA author J. A. Campbell, who has written guest posts and reviews on here and whose books I've reviewed, created with three friends: S. N. Holl, D. F. Paul, and Allie O’Connor. Their intention is to publish their shorter works of fiction, novellas and short stories and even possibly some poetry. Right now they have one novella available, "Doc, Vampire-Hunting Dog" by J.A. Campbell. However they have two more projects close to completion, a Steampunk novella and an Urban Fantasy novella.

J.A. is the publisher, formatter, owner of the business and is a traditionally published author of several fantasy novels and short stories. S. N. Holl is an author and graphic artist, D. F. Paul is an author, poet, and our line editor. Allie O’Connor is a writer, editor and horse trainer.

One of Inkwolf Press's goals is to be able to sell their works directly, digitally, and in print for those we send to the printing press. Their online store is now up and running and accepts payments through PayPal so everyone is protected.

They are running a fundraiser for the WOLF Sanctuary, a rescue and education sanctuary for wolves and wolf-dog crosses in Fort Collins, CO. From July, 1, 2012 until October, 31st, 2012 J.A. will donate half of the proceeds on all sales of "Doc, Vampire-Hunting Dog" to the WOLF Sanctuary. They, like so many, were evacuated by the High Park Fire in June and the ongoing costs of running a sanctuary never go away. You can help by buying a copy of one of Doc’s stories.

Inkwolf Press is not open to submissions at this time.

For questions contact Inkwolf Press at Inkwolfpress [at] gmail [dot] com

or Mail them at:
Inkwolf Press
PO Box 251
Severance CO 80546-0251

Release Blitz for "Shamrocked" by JoAnne Kenrick

Last fall, I read and reviewed "Sweet Irish Kiss", which I enjoyed. Now JoAnne has released the next book in the series, "Shamrocked."

Devlin Kinney is the crass Irish charmer who helped Shaun Bell out on his 1Night Stand by packing him up a few surprises in his overnight bag in the HUGE bestseller SWEET IRISH KISS. Surprises both he and Rachel were grateful for. And now you can have all of him because he's back! With his toy box and a 1Night Stand of his own.

Set in Notting Hill, London and the now infamous Bell's Irish Pub in Soho, London.

Bell's Irish Pub is open for business, and Devlin Kinney is serving up one tasty treat.

Book Blurb (from author):

Devlin Kinney is focused on his Irish Rock band, Shamrocked. Between that and tending bar at Bell’s Irish Pub, he’s rushed off his feet. Still, he’s envious of Shaun who found his perfect woman through Madame Eve’s exclusive agency, 1Night Stand. Pushed for time, he follows his friend’s lead and hopes to be matched with a woman ballsy enough to share in his fetish for things that go buzzzz.

At the event of the year for soap stars, Elizabeth Grant meets Devlin and mistakes him for her soon-to-be The EastEnd co-star. Before she has a chance to confess she’s not his 1Night Stand as he seems to think, the silver-tongued smooth dancer proves irresistible. He seems perfect…for one night of pleasure. She’s ready to play the role of her life!

Will his Irish charm and toys be enough to hold onto his leading lady, or will his heart be shamrocked into next week?

This is also part of Decadent Publishing's 1NightStand series.

Buying Links:
All Romance
WHSmiths

Kindle USA

Kindle UK

Nook
BookStrand

Decadent Publishing

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

EXCERPT

Surrounded by bridesmaids—the hottest guy in the place. His thick Irish brogue carried over the chattering wedding crowd and bad party songs.

Swallowing any signs of stage fright, she checked her fake hair in a mirrored wall, plumped her boobs, and plastered on a smile before making a beeline for her drop-dead gorgeous, future co-star.

She waded through the rough sea of pink-chiffoned up women, snapped out her arm, and took his hand like one of those shaking weight things. Thought she’d blown it until his mouth tilted up into a tempting smile. Dimples. Oh, my. He would be popular with the ladies. Might even help get her noticed by movie producers. Dating this hottie would get her on every front page known to the British public.

“Liz.” She fought to keep focused on his face rather than his thick muscles and rhythmic movements. She couldn’t recall ever seeing a man who could make dancing to All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie so goddamned sexy. His jig was infectious—her arm swayed in beat with his, their hands still clasped together.

“As in Elizabeth?”

“Uh-huh.” The swarm of bridesmaids knitted their brows and pursed their lips. One even stamped her foot. Liz couldn’t help but turning on a sweet smile. “Buh-bye, ladies.”

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

JoAnne Kenrick, an ex-Ghost Tour Guide turned Romance Author, is a Welsh lass who has lived in various countries around the world. She now calls North Carolina her home, where she lives with her husband, two children and two cheeky cats. When they aren't demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading or baking up a British favorite in her N.C. kitchen. That is, when she isn't writing or chatting up a storm on social networking sites. Travel across the pond and faraway…with JoAnne Kenrick www.joannekenrick.com If you have a Kindle and want JoAnne's signature on one of her books, go to kindlegraph http://kindlegraph.com/authors/joannekenrick

New Astraea Press Submission call - it's for charity! For the Love of Paws

Astraea Press is seeking submissions for to benefit a charity, For the Love of Paws. Astraea Press is an Epublisher that offers clean fiction in all genres based on high morals appealing to audiences of ages 15 and up. Click here to see their submission guidelines.

DISCLOSURE: I work part-time for Astraea. I am not being compensated in any way for posting this information.

Giveaway of "Accidentally Married to...a Vampire" by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff's ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO...A VAMPIRE, Book 2 in her popular "Accidentally Yours Series", recently hit #34 on the NYTimes Best Seller List (Fiction eBooks)!! "VAMPIRE" has also earned a well-deserved spot on both the Amazon and USA Today Top/Best Seller lists! To celebrate, Mimi Jean is giving away an eBook copy of not only ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO...A VAMPIRE, but ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE WITH...A GOD, Book 1 in the "Accidentally Yours Series", as well, to 20--yes, you read that right, 20--lucky winners!



Accidentally in Love With...a God?

(Book 1, Accidentally Yours)

Contemporary Paranormal Romance by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff



"4.5 out of 5 Stars for Accidentally in Love With...a God? (Amazon)!"



Blurb:

Twenty-two-year-old Emma Keane has a secret friend. He’s powerful, mysterious, and devastatingly handsome. In her dreams, anyway.



In real life, he’s an enigma. Maybe just a teensie jealous. Definitely overbearing. He’s also a voice only she can hear.



So who or what is he? He won’t say. But if she wants to be free, to be normal, Emma will have to trek to the jungles once ruled by the Mayans and find the forgotten ruin holding the answers.



However, the ruthless deity she’s about to unknowingly unleash on the modern world might not be so easily extracted from her life. Bottom line, he’s got enemies, and now, so does she.



Excerpt:

With his golden face beaming, the man smiled as he stroked my sopping wet hair and cradled me against his warm, smooth chest. “I love this dream,” I said with a breathy voice, then stretched my arms above my head, gazing happily into the most striking set of luminescent, turquoise green eyes I’d ever seen.



To boot, they belonged to a breathtaking, masculine face, a face one would expect to see on the cover of a magazine named something like, I’m Way Too Hot to Be Your Man, or In Your Dreams, Honey.



Oh, yeah. Without a doubt, I’d topped myself this time. Sculpted cheekbones, thick dark lashes, chiseled jaw, and lips so full they simply had to be meant for kissing or eating something really juicy. He was way hotter than the specimen of perfection from my last dream, and bonus, he didn’t have that scary vibe. I reached up and ran my fingertip along the ridge of his hard-lined warrior nose.



“Emma, what in the name of the gods’ creation are you doing?” he scorned. “We really don’t have time for your immature little fantasies. We’re in the middle of a crisis. Do you not remember?”



I blinked and slowly moved my eyes from side to side.



Jungle? I was in the jungle. And my clothes were wet. Come to think of it, for a dream, I didn’t feel so hot. My lungs burned, my body felt like it’d been chewed up, and my head was throbbing. So, aside from the perfect man with long, damp, wavy black hair holding me in his arms, none of this felt like a dream. It felt…



“Holy Mother!” I pushed myself away and rolled into the dirt, pointing in disbelief. “Wha—you—you—?”



“Aaah. So eloquent as always, my sweet. It is astounding; you actually have a college degree, yet cannot find better words.” He pushed himself up off the ground.



As he rose, my heart stopped, started, then went into overdrive. His legs and spine straightened into a towering mass of unforgiving muscles. With shoulders like a lumberjack and thick, powerful thighs, I didn’t know if I wanted to run away or climb him like a tree. He was utterly enormous. Jolly Green Giant enormous. Except, obviously, not green. More golden brown. He was a gorgeous, towering mass of golden brown perfection.



No. Definitely not a cave-dwelling, wart-infested troll. Great. Just great. Now I knew I wasn’t crazy—Guy was definitely real—but now I also knew I was way over my head. He was gorgeous.



I stood in awe, my mouth gaping as my eyes attempted to register every rope of muscle, every capacious curve packed with power. Christ, he had to be at least seven feet tall.



“Six nine, actually,” he said, guessing my thoughts.



“This can’t be possible,” I whispered, my eyes continuing to dart up and down the length of his body, stopping right on dark trail of hair that started just below his navel and continued down, down, down to his enormous beast of a—“Oh! You’re naked.” I turned sharply, but only to stop myself from reaching out to touch it; no man could be that…that…endowed. Wow. “This can’t be happening.” I covered my face.



“Emma,” he moved behind me, placing his powerful hands on my shoulders. A jolt shivered its way through my body.



I was wrong about the vibe. Way wrong. This man, or whatever he was, radiated hazard. He should come equipped with a set of blinking lights or flares. He was…“Bad. Very, very, bad,” I mumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose.



And pathetically, after everything that had happened, all I could think about was this naked, hard-bodied, glorious “man” who’d just permanently seared his image inside the storage compartments of my female DNA. All men from this day forward would have to survive a mental side-by-side comparison against him. They’d all lose.



Available for ONLY $0.99 at:

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords





Accidentally Married to...a Vampire?

(Book 2, Accidentally Yours)

Contemporary Paranormal Romance by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff



"4.5 out of 5 Stars for Accidentally Married to...a Vampire? (Amazon)!"



Blurb:

“If you love her, set her free. If she comes back, she’s yours. If she doesn’t...Christ! Stubborn woman! Hunt her down, and bring her the hell back; she’s still yours according to vampire law.”--Niccolo DiConti, General of the Vampire Queen’s Army.



The Determined Vampire:

Niccolo DiConti has faithfully served as leader of Her Majesty’s army for over a millennium, but he’d rather sunbathe in the Sahara than spend another grueling day under his demented queen’s command. However, no one has ever left her side and lived to tell. So when a powerful goddess prophesizes he will meet his salvation—a human woman he must turn into a vampire with her consent—he eagerly rises to the challenge. After all, how hard could it be to seduce a human female into taking the immortal plunge? Harder than he thinks. Because his mate won’t be born for another three centuries, and when he wakes up in the goddess’ tomb, not only is his life a mess, but his destined female isn’t about to settle for a coldhearted vampire. Can he win her over before it’s too late? Not if his enemies have anything to do with it.



An Unwilling Bride:

On the night Helena Strauss meets the fierce, devastatingly handsome vampire who saves her life in the jungles of Mexico, she knows her world will be forever changed. Because an attraction this mind blowing only comes along once in a lifetime—or existence. And when he claims she is his one true mate, destined to be his for all eternity, it’s a fairytale come true. So what if her knight in shining armor is a vampire? Nobody’s perfect. But discovering the powerful, overbearing immortal doesn’t “do love”? Deal breaker. Helena will flee and set out to accomplish the impossible…sever the otherworldly bond between them. And it turns out, Helena is just the leverage Niccolo’s enemies need to break the mighty warrior and wipe out his people.



Excerpt:

What the hell is this place?



Then Helena’s eyes focused on something else she couldn’t quite grasp. In the middle of the room, lying across a stone altar, was a naked man with dark symbols tattooed down the length of one arm. But he was not just any man. He was a male so perfect that words would catfight each other just for the honor of describing him. He was a god. A bona fide deity. He had to be. Because a normal man wouldn’t give her the urge to fall to her knees and worship at his feet. Or drool.



The torchlight licked his sculpted cheekbones, angular jaw, and full, sensual lips. Every capacious curve and ripple of hard muscle looked to be packed with raw power, and his size left no doubt that he’d been built in another time. A time when giant warriors roamed the earth, looking to rescue lame tourists wandering the Mexican jungle at night.



In my dreams. Wait...this is a dream! It has to be.



“Move closer my sweet, delicious woman.” The deep voice radiated from every direction, filling the room.



Helena’s blood pressure crashed to the floor. She gasped as the weight of her body slammed back against the cold chamber wall to keep from falling.



“Hel-hello? Can you hear me?” Fists clenched, Helena waited for a response, her eyes continuing to soak him in. Every inch of him.



Was he real? No, he must be a statue. Too perfect. His full lips were built to nuzzle a woman’s neck. Specifically, her neck. And that hair—thick, long waves of black satin—was the kind a woman could grab fistfuls of while being driven insane by those lips.



Then there were the diamond-cut grooves of his abs, his perfectly shaped navel, the fine dark hair adorning his lower belly that trailed down to his awe-inspiring man-gear. The size and thickness, even in its slumbering state, was something women dreamed of and scores of artists throughout history attempted to immortalize in marble. He was every woman’s fantasy, she thought. And by every woman, she meant hers…’Cause I’m not gonna share.



“Kiss me, Helena,” the seductive voice rumbled.



Had the man said her name? No. Clearly, his lips hadn’t moved. The margarita amoebas were attacking her brain and she was losing her mind.



“Kiss me, woman. I command you,” the voice echoed, this time compelling her to obey.



Helena’s survival instincts gave her a hard kick, jarring her back into the horrific reality of the situation. But as she tried to regain control of her body, her tongue slipped from her mouth and wet her lips.



Traitorous tongue. Backstabbing lips. What the hell are you doing? Her body inched closer.



“Sì, that is it, my love. I can smell your blood.”



Blood? What the...? Every nerve in her body fired on all cylinders, but she couldn’t run even if her hair had been on fire. It seemed the harder she fought, the stronger the force controlling her became.



“Brush it against my lips, my love. I want to taste you when you kiss me.”



Without realizing it, her hand stretched down to coat her fingertips with the thick, nearly dried blood from her knee. Trembling, she smeared it over his lips.



“Now, kiss me, my love. Awaken me, my bride.”



“No! No! Let me go!” Helena struggled, but her body’s betrayal persisted. Her head dipped, and her lips rested on his sensuous mouth. In that instant, the compelling force dissipated and her entire body lit up into one glorious pyre of life.



Had she been asleep the last twenty-four years? Because she could swear she’d just taken her first breath. Ever.



Holy hell, what was that?



The torches flickered, and the wind kicked up around her.



The altar was empty.



She crumbled to the cold, dusty floor. A pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders from behind.



“Oh, Christ. You...you’re behind me, aren’t you?” she whispered.



The deep dark voice replied, “Sì, my love. Stand, and let me see my mate.”



Helena slowly rose to face the naked god behind her.



Available for ONLY $0.99 at:

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

One hundred percent (100%) of all royalties received from the sale of Accidentally Married to a...Vampire from both B&N and Amazon THIS SUNDAY will be donated to The Breast Cancer Foundation.

COMING IN SEPT 2012!

Sun God Seeks... Surrogate?

(Book 3, Accidentally Yours)

Contemporary Paranormal Romance by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff



Blurb:

Twenty-four-year-old Penelope finds herself in all sorts of hot water, vaporous and otherwise, after agreeing to become a surrogate mother for an eccentric, wealthy, and devastatingly handsome man who isn’t exactly a man.






About the Author:

Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mimi spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas, but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she’s not busy with kids, work, and life…or getting sucked into a juicy novel.



She hopes that someday, leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh when you need it most.



Website: http://www.mimijean.net

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mimi-jean-pamfiloff/id498303364?mt=11

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MimiJeanRomance

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Jean/218935048190356

Email: mimi@mimijean.net

Spotlight On: Rebel Ink Press

Rebel Ink Press is a relatively new independent digital publisher specializing in cutting edge romances and happily every afters. While most of their romances are HEA's they also have some HFN's (Happy For Now). As long as it's a romance with a happy ending, you can probably find it at Rebel Ink Press. Currently, they're not accepting any erotica or erotic romances. They are particular about what topics they'll accept - you won't find incest (pseudo or real), pedophilia, rape, or bestiality with naturally occurring animals or sex with non-animated corpses. Ok, those last two made me giggle as they are carefully trying not to exclude urban fantasy while still staying "clean". Now, the stories aren't clean in the sense that they're sex free; it all depends on the book and the author. But you won't find much in the way of squicky stuff either.

Not sure you want to take a chance on them? Wondering if you have ever heard of any of their authors? Chances are you have. Their roster of authors include Melissa Keir, Crymsyn Hart, and Janelle Lee.

Where can you find their books? Amazon Kindle, All Romance E Books, Barnes & Noble Nook and Bookstrand.

You can also follow Rebel Ink Press on Twitter and facebook.

JoAnne Kenrick's Sweet Irish Kiss F R E E for a week!

Sweet Irish Kiss is apart of Decadent Publishing's 1 Night Stand multi-author series.

1 Night Stand Blog | Decadent Publishing

The series is based around Madame Evangeline's match-making skills. A woman to be reckoned with, and owner of a highly successful matchmaking service; put the right two people together for just one night and anything is possible. Especially when the dates take place at the fabulous Castillo Hotels and Resorts in some of the most exotic places in the world. For more on Madame Evangeline.

BLURB

Rachel Taylor has issues. Her father broke her mother's heart with his cheating and Rachel swore never to let that happen to her, but one ruined relationship after another and she's realized she's got to get over being closed off to men. Perhaps a one-night stand is just the baby step she needs to begin to build trust again.

Shaun Bell, a divorced workaholic, spends all his time tending bar in his Irish Pub. He's ready to love again, but the women who visit his bar are only after his infamous Irish cocktails. At the advice of his darts team, over a tanker or two of Beamish, he applies to 1Night Stand to get back into the swing of things and enjoy the company of a woman specially selected for him by Madame Evangeline.A match seemingly made in heaven...until morning rolls around and Shaun can't bring himself to say good-bye. Can he win her over with his secret weapon, a Sweet Irish Kiss, or is Rachel still too scared to love?

"

Your Panties will be bunching and you will be sitting on the edge of your chair to wait and see what goodies Shaun has packed in his overnight bag ** grins **"-- Kat, Pageflipperz

GRAB YOUR COPY FOR FREE TODAY! LIMITED TIME OFFER TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY! AVAILABLE IN MOST EBOOK STORES...

99c 77p normally 2.99

Book Trailer Full Screen| Book Trailer Playlist

"Ms. Kenrick's writing style flows nicely throughout the story. Her attention stays more on the characters rather than the setting which is fitting for the genre of the novella. I like her ability to dig deep within the characters feelings allowing them to step up and tell their story. It is as if the author really took the back seat on this one. Very well written indeed! JoAnne Kenrick knows how to write unique, if not quirky, characters that stay with me long after I've finished reading their stories." -- Talina, Night Owl Reviews

This Sweet Irish Kiss excerpt has been edited to make it a PG-13. Please keep in mind that

the full story has a 4 flame rating and is therefore NOT suitable for minors.

I can’t believe I did that. What a great first impression. Not! And only I could top it off by going all defensive on his ass. Poor guy looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights. At least he was a gentleman about it, though. Had any of my exes seen me go down like a ton of bricks, all Nia Vilvados style, they’d have pissed themselves laughing and grabbed their cameras. I’m the character who gets caught up in headphone wire when she sees a hot guy in that movie...Fat Greek Wedding, Big Fat Greek...whatever. I know what I mean.

Rachel shuddered. She’d fallen flat on her face because the hunkiness of her one-night stand had taken her by surprise. She hadn’t expected it. Not in the least. Average, that’s what his profile had said. It’s why she picked him. She figured he wouldn’t be up himself. Most attractive men who know they’re hot behave like monkeys in heat because of it. She wanted a man who would be thanking his lucky stars to have her in his arms, and one who would be romantic and polite. And when he rushed to help her, he‘d surprised her again.

Drop dead gorgeous and caring? This could be dangerous.

“Ya feeling better now?” Thick Irish accent, smooth like Baileys, coated each word her one-night stand spoke.

“Uh-huh.” She glanced up at his welcoming expression and caught her stare in his. “So, you’re Irish?” You’re Irish?

He quirked his mouth into a grin as if she amused him. She reminded herself that she wanted this and backed up. She sat on the nearest thing to her, a dining chair from the breakfast for two set, and chewed at her freshly manicured nails. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this nervous. Her stomach flip- flopped around the butterflies dancing in her gut.

“Ya, that a problem?” God I love his Irish brogue.

“Listen, Shaun, I’m sorry about the way I came down on you. I mean, not came down on you. Hell, I...I’m sorry for losing it.” He raised an eyebrow. “For biting your head off when you tried to help.”

“Hey, I get it. I’m not what ya expected.” Shaun, hands firmly rooted in his pockets, shrugged his shoulders. “Ya definitely not what I expected, either, but here we are. We can call it a day if you prefer or we can enjoy the rest of the evening. What do ya say? I can leave if ya like. The hotel room’s been paid for, so ya can spend the night and make the most of it. I’ll leave ya be, so I will. But I’d rather stay here...with ya.”

Her stare locked on Shaun, and she watched him grab his bag from the foot of the bed and stride toward the exit. His muscular frame, dark features, and great sense of style had her knees knocking together. She couldn’t remember the last time she actually wanted a man. But it wasn’t like she’d chase after him. The day she did that would be the day she forgave her daddy, or rolled over dead. The latter was more likely to happen first.

The following excerpt has been edited to make it a PG-13 excerpt. Please keep in mind that the book does contain adult themes and language, and is not suitable for minors.

Pretentious, that’s how Rachel described the infamous Knightsbridge store where she worked. She loved her job, though. It meant she could let loose, make crazy-ass window displays, and stretch her imagination beyond the high street fashion trends. Usually.

“Effing yuppie fashion.” She stood, pin cushion in hand, staring out the huge plate glass window. The rain drizzled over passing shoppers who huddled and shared umbrellas with loved ones. She wished she could have someone she could trust to protect her when life pissed all over her, but she didn’t have anyone like that. The big brick wall she’d built had seen to it.

A flashback of running through a downpour with her father hit her hard. He’d thrown his coat over her, sheltering her and leaving himself open to the elements. They giggled all the way home, running late for a Mother’s Day dinner.

She closed her eyes to try and block out the past, but the darkness acted as a blank canvas for her memory to play out the scene until a rumble of thunder in the distance brought her back to the present.

She sniffled back her feelings and grasped a plastic body to steady herself. A teardrop trickled down her face, and she smeared it away. Time to buckle up and get over it. Once a fond memory, it now served as a bitter pill. He’d tricked her, tricked everyone with his gallant gestures. He could never again be the genuine, kind man she remembered from her childhood. At least not to her, anyway.

“Effing life.” She threw a knit over a male model’s shoulders and fluffed to give it a casual yet purposeful style. “What are they thinking, asking me to decorate the mannequins with this jumped up crap? Men don’t dress like Prince William. No man I know anyway.”

Her pocket buzzed. Rachel flipped her phone open. “Hello?” Nothing. “Hell-o?”

Still nothing. She pulled it from her ear and glanced at the digital display.

“Email, not a call. I’m never going to get used to this stupid, high tech phone.” She pressed a few buttons. Some wrong. Some right. Eventually, she managed to open up the message.

A last minute check, to make sure your 1NightStand goes as you desire. May I suggest you wear a corset, my dear, to flatter your curves. He’ll be there before you, and I picked a room especially with a double door entrance so you can have a Scarlet O’Hara moment. Please don’t wear green. He hates the color. A bottle of Jameson would make a wonderful gift, should you wish to bring something along to break the ice. And best of all, Rachel, remember why you wanted this and enjoy the experience. Good luck, dear, I hope he’s all you need.

Bien a toi, Evangeline

— Is he ALL she needs? There is only one way to find out…READ THE BOOK FOR FREE! St Patrick's Day Promotion, free offer for a limited time only.

This excerpt has been edited to make it suitable for a general, mature audience. Sweet Irish Kiss is not suitable for minors.

“Put this blindfold on,” he ordered, “if ya want a surprise.” He wanted to put it on her himself. But knowing she had trust issues, it didn’t feel right to do so. Instead, he went to the bathroom to clean the toys with warm, soapy water as the packet had said for him to do. He hoped she would be sightless and under his demand when he got back.

He wasn’t disappointed. Still on all fours, she had done as requested. He smeared lube over the beads and eased them into her. As an anal newbie, he had no idea how much it would turn him on and drive him insane. He wanted to rip them out and shove his cock inside her tight little hole instead. His hard on throbbed with need already, and it had only been minutes since he’d come. Sure he would be able to perform again, and probably too soon if he didn’t grab hold of himself, he grinned.

When the fifth and biggest bead was inside her, he whipped on a condom, slipped inside her bleep entrance from behind, and plunged all the way into her slick warmth . The bumpity-bump of the latex numbs rubbing against him through her thick layer massaged his length as he moved, and he couldn’t contain the growl that emerged from deep in his gut.

JoAnne Kenrick

JoAnne Kenrick, an ex-Ghost Tour Guide turned Romance Author, is a Welsh lass who has lived in various countries around the world. She now calls North Carolina her home, where she lives with her husband, two children and a lazy cat. When they aren't demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading or baking up a British favorite in her N.C. kitchen. That is, when she isn't writing or chatting up a storm on social networking sites.

Kindlegraphs available.

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I reviewed this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like the excerpt, go get the book. It's free so all it's costing you is your time.

Ruby Lioness Press Contests!

Ruby Lioness Press , a small indie romance press, is having several contests, a writing contest and two tagline contests.

Writing Contest

From their press release:

Ruby Lioness Press is having a writing contest! All authors who submit manuscripts of at least 40,000 words between June 1st and July 31st, 2012 will be entered for a chance at having their book published and receiving an advance royalty.

1st Prize – $100 USD Advance Royalty

2nd Prize – $50 USD Advance Royalty

3rd Prize – $25 USD Advance Royalty 

Requirements: Submit your 40k+ novel to Ruby Lioness Press following the submission guidelines between June 1st and July 31st. The novel must not have been under contract or published before. This contest is open to participants worldwide, but the work must be in English.

This contest is open to all genres, including submissions for the Clearwater series. 

The winners will be chosen in early August. All authors who submit manuscripts during the contest time frame will be notified of their status after that time. Any author who wishes not to participate should state as such in their submission.

Tagline Contests

I received an email about these from the publisher. 

Ruby Lioness Press and their Clearwater series are doing two tag line contests. They;re looking for the best tag line that fits the publisher (Ruby Lioness Press) and one for the Clearwater series. The deadline is ^{February 20th.}

The tag line that wins will be rewarded with a $10 amazon gift card, one for each contest.

To enter the Ruby Lioness Press tag line contest, fill out this form… https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFlyMEV0YVVlRlJYNXpydnNNdkxsV2c6MQ#gid=0

To enter the Clearwater mutli-author series tag line contest, fill out this form… https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFRma0ctZ01KSkkzWERvM24xTWx2a1E6MQ#gid=0