Book Blast: Portrait Of Rage by Cynthia H. Wise – The Marcel Experience

Introduces real-world horrors into
the universe of the supernatural.

 

PORTRAIT OF RAGE
The Marcel Experience #1
Cynthia H. Wise
Released October 31, 2015
BookLogix
 
“The
air became frigid and the lights flickered as they both watched a shimmering
veil of mist rise from the hardwood floor. As it floated toward Kelly, the dim
shape of an adolescent came to life in its veiling center. The little girl’s
body grew more defined in its advance, until every detail of the portrait at
Kelly’s back focused and came alive before them.”

Soon after Thomas Shear buys a house
for his art gallery, the spirits of a killer’s child victims haunt his dreams.
Believing they were conjured by stress and a vivid imagination, Tom hopes to
vanquish the nightmares that leave him shaking and sweat soaked by creating a series
of life-sized portraits portraying the suffering of each little girl.

When news of his portrait series
spreads, Tom is confronted by the lead investigator for the missing children,
Detective Mark Winward. Realizing he has become involved in something more
sinister than he could ever have imagined, and becoming the detective’s number
one suspect, Tom races to find the real killer before he is framed and someone
Tom loves becomes the killer’s next victim.

Portrait of Rage sets the stage for The Marcel
Experience, giving readers a glimpse into what is to come. Both horror and
romance, real and fantastic, Portrait of Rage introduces
real-world horrors into the universe of the supernatural.
ONLY .99 CENTS
Amazon | B
& N
 | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

Cynthia H. Wise lives with her husband in Marietta, Georgia, where her series, The
Marcel Experience, is centered. When she is not writing novels about the
supernatural and the fantastic, Cynthia can be found with her husband, Cliff,
their two dogs, Jake and Sadie, and their cockatiel, Sam.
In
Cynthia H. Wise’s paranormal mystery series, The Marcel Experience, readers
will find themselves thrown into haunted houses, avenging ghosts and wandering
spirits, and even, possibly, falling in love with a handsome shapeshifter. In
the next novel in the series, Eyes of Autumn, releasing this
October, a dangerous enemy from Marcus’s past is threatening to destroy
everything he holds sacred, including the only woman he’s ever loved—a woman
who doesn’t remember him.
 
For more
information and updates on new books, giveaways, and other news, visit her
website or follow her on twitter.

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Waiting On Wednesday Teaser: Don’t Tempt Me by Lori Foster

Don't Tempt Me - Waiting on Wednesday banner

 

 

Lori Foster’s DON’T TEMPT ME is coming! Being released on July 26th, this fantastic contemporary romance is a story of how love comes along when you least expect it. Be sure you pre-order this amazing standalone novel today!

 

 

Don't Tempt Me - cover

Preorder DON’T TEMPT ME here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Nook * Book Depository * GooglePlay * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

Love comes along when it’s least wanted

Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can’t seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet…

 

Check out this exclusive graphic teaser we have for
DON’T TEMPT ME!

 

DTM Teaser 5

 

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

 

 

Lori Foster - Author photoAbout Lori Foster:

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN. Visit her online at LoriFoster.com.

 

 

 

 

WEBSITE ** FACEBOOK ** TWITTER ** GOODREADS ** PINTEREST ** YOUTUBE

 

DTM 6 days

 

 

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Waiting On Wednesday Teaser: Fatal Identity by Marie Force – Fatal Series – Book 10

Fatal_Identity-WoW banner

 

 

Sam and Nick return in the stunning romantic suspense, FATAL IDENTITY, that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat! Being released on July 26th, FATAL IDENTITY is the tenth novel in Marie Force’s Fatal Series being published by HarlequinHQN. Check out the exclusive graphic teaser below, and make sure you pre-order your copy today!

 

 

Fatal_Identity-cover

Every family has its secrets…

As the first anniversary of her marriage to Vice President Nick Cappuano approaches, Lieutenant Sam Holland is dreaming of Bora Bora—sun, sand and a desperately needed break from the DC grind. But real life has a way of intervening, and Sam soon finds herself taking on one of the most perplexing cases of her career.

Government worker Josh Hamilton begs Sam to investigate his shocking claim that his parents stole him from another family thirty years ago. More complicated still, his “father” is none other than the FBI director. When a member of Josh’s family is brutally murdered, Sam begins to question how deep this cover-up goes. Is it possible the revered director was part of a baby-napping ring and that others involved are also targets?

With a killer intent on deadly revenge and her team still reeling from a devastating loss, Sam’s plate is full—and when Nick and their son, Scotty, take ill, is her dream of a tropical anniversary celebration in peril too?

Preorder FATAL IDENTITY here!

Kindle US | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google | Kindle CA | Kindle UK

Get Fatal Identity in print at Amazon, B&N, Books A Million, Chapters Indigo, Booktopia and Indie Bound.

Audiobook

Amazon | Audible | Audible UK | Audible AU

 

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

 

Check out this exclusive graphic teaser for FATAL IDENTITY!

FI Teaser 3

 

And don’t forget to grab the previous titles in the Fatal Series Today!

FATAL AFFAIR

FATAL JUSTICE

FATAL CONSEQUENCES

FATAL DESTINY

FATAL FLAW

FATAL DECEPTION

FATAL MISTAKE

FATAL JEOPARDY

FATAL SCANDAL

FATAL FRENZY

 

Marie Force -headshotAbout Marie Force:

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the Gansett Island Series, which has sold more than 2.2 million books, and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books, which has sold more than 1 million books. In addition, she is the author of the Green Mountain Series from Berkley Publishing as well as the new erotic romance Quantum Series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

 

 

 

Website **Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** Newsletter **Pinterest ** Instagram ** YouTube** BookBub

 

 

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Sale Blitz: Welcome Home, Cowboy by Annie Rains – A Hero’s Welcome Series – Book 2

It takes a cowboy to rescue the
town’s newest resident from heartache.
 
WELCOME HOME, COWBOY
A Hero’s Welcome Book Two
Annie Rains
Released April 26th, 2016
Loveswept
With its thriving military
base, Seaside, North Carolina, is teeming with heroes of all stripes. But, as
the Hero’s Welcome series from Annie Rains continues, it takes a cowboy to
rescue the town’s newest resident from heartache.
After a bad breakup leaves Julie Chandler
completely devastated, she comes to Seaside seeking a fresh start. A talented,
compassionate yoga teacher, she has developed a program to help alleviate the
effects of PTSD, but getting a bunch of bullheaded Marines into downward facing
dog might be impossible. So Julie’s shocked when one of her first students
dives in headfirst—and almost tempts her to take down her walls with his easy smile
and electrifying touch.

 

Ever since Texas cowboy turned Marine pilot
Lawson Phillips lost a crew member in a helicopter accident, he hasn’t been
able to fly. When a psychologist orders him to attend, of all things, a yoga
class, Lawson’s outraged—until he finds out Julie is the instructor. She’s
beautiful, graceful, and completely guarded when it comes to his advances, but
he’s determined to find out what makes her tick. Because underneath Julie’s
hard shell is a woman Lawson knows he could fall for—and he’s not ready for the
ride to end.


ONLY .99 CENTS
Amazon | B
& N
 | iTunes | Kobo
Annie Rains is a contemporary romance
author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast
of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities,
Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting
for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing,
she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one
of her favorite authors. Represented by Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary
Agency (NYLA).
Don’t Miss any of the Hero’s Welcome Series
WELCOME TO FOREVER (Available Now)
WELCOMING THE BAD BOY (Releasing 8/2)

Pretty Series by M. Leighton… On Sale…Limited Time

The Pretty Series books by M. Leighton have pretty new faces and a pretty new price!  From June 29-July 6, each of the Pretty Series ebooks are on sale for ONLY 99 pennies!  Get your copies here:

She has also opened her store for the week, so you can get SIGNED PAPERBACKS with the new covers!

Teaser Tuesday #3: No Pants Required by Kim Karr

NPR_MileHigh

No Pants Required by Kim Karr

Release Date: July 11th
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Hang Le

No Pants Required AMAZON

Synopsis:

I, Makayla Alexander, am on a mission to reinvent myself. So when a super hot guy boards the plane and flashes his rock hard abs, I pay attention. When he sits next to me and offers me his nuts, I can’t resist. But when I choke on them and he tells me I need to work on my gag reflex, I realize I might be in over my head.

Before I know it we’re in the lavatory and attempting to join the Mile High Club. Let me just say this…anyone who tells you it’s easy to get it on at 37,000 feet isn’t telling you the truth. After the flight attendant busts us for getting frisky in the air, the only thing that can ease my total and complete mortification is the simple fact that I am never going to see him again.

Hours later, I can’t help but wonder if fate will ever allow me to become a new version of myself.

Because Fate, she’s a fickle bitch.

Case in point…my seatmate is my new next-door neighbor.

Even with the whole fate thing we have going on, we are so not meant to be together. He’s all cool and sexy in that make love not war kind of way. Guys like him are dangerous. With that bring-you-to-your-knees body, that handsome-as-hell face, and that dirty, dirty mouth, I guarantee one glance from him wets every girl’s bikini bottoms.

And then there’s me…the quirky girl looking to find herself in California. All I want to do is learn to let loose. Say words like peace and groovy. Bury my toes in the sand. Who knows, maybe even have sex on the beach.

Unable to get him out of my head, I entertain the thought of being more than just friends. I know the idea is absurd. And yet, I go with it. You see Camden Waters gets me. Really gets me. Like no other guy has before.

On this 7-mile stretch of paradise, I decide to keep things simple and just have fun…that is until fate decides to screw with me, again.

Can two people hell-bent on finding themselves realize the search should have ended the day they met? Find out in No Pants Required—a sexy, funny, romantic stand-alone, that will have you hurrying to grab your bathing suit and rushing to the beach to check out every lifeguard on duty.

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order Links:
Kobo / B&N / iBooks

NPR_MileHigh

The Mile High Club is going to be my doom.
The flight attendant is braced against the service cart and she is leering at me. “Federal Aviation Administration regulations mandate a lavatory occupancy of one. I’m going to have to report this incident to the captain.”
I want to slap that smirk off her face, but that would require standing vertical, not laying horizontal with my accomplice half-naked on top of me.
Besides, aggravating her now won’t do me any good. If she turns me in, I could be flight violations or even public indecency.
Slowly, the weight on top of me is gone. The man I was just about to have sex with is rising to all of his six plus feet.
Oh, God, his pants. His pants. They’re undone and without that belt buckled they’re certain to fall down.
I don’t pray often, but please God, give me a break here.
NPR_Teaser-4

NPR_Teaser6

About the Author:

kim karr bio

Reader * Writer * Coffeelover * Romantic

Kim is a daydreamer. So much so that if daydreaming could be a hobby it would be her favorite. It’s how her stories are born and how they take root. An imagination that runs wild is something to be thankful for, and she is very thankful. 🙂

She grew up in New York and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and with the rest of her time embraces one of her biggest passions–writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read.

She likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Website

 

Teaser Tuesday 2 : No Pants Required by Kim Karr

NPR_Teaser-4

No Pants Required by Kim Karr

Release Date: July 11th
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Hang Le

No Pants Required AMAZON

Synopsis:

I, Makayla Alexander, am on a mission to reinvent myself. So when a super hot guy boards the plane and flashes his rock hard abs, I pay attention. When he sits next to me and offers me his nuts, I can’t resist. But when I choke on them and he tells me I need to work on my gag reflex, I realize I might be in over my head.

Before I know it we’re in the lavatory and attempting to join the Mile High Club. Let me just say this…anyone who tells you it’s easy to get it on at 37,000 feet isn’t telling you the truth. After the flight attendant busts us for getting frisky in the air, the only thing that can ease my total and complete mortification is the simple fact that I am never going to see him again.

Hours later, I can’t help but wonder if fate will ever allow me to become a new version of myself.

Because Fate, she’s a fickle bitch.

Case in point…my seatmate is my new next-door neighbor.

Even with the whole fate thing we have going on, we are so not meant to be together. He’s all cool and sexy in that make love not war kind of way. Guys like him are dangerous. With that bring-you-to-your-knees body, that handsome-as-hell face, and that dirty, dirty mouth, I guarantee one glance from him wets every girl’s bikini bottoms.

And then there’s me…the quirky girl looking to find herself in California. All I want to do is learn to let loose. Say words like peace and groovy. Bury my toes in the sand. Who knows, maybe even have sex on the beach.

Unable to get him out of my head, I entertain the thought of being more than just friends. I know the idea is absurd. And yet, I go with it. You see Camden Waters gets me. Really gets me. Like no other guy has before.

On this 7-mile stretch of paradise, I decide to keep things simple and just have fun…that is until fate decides to screw with me, again.

Can two people hell-bent on finding themselves realize the search should have ended the day they met? Find out in No Pants Required—a sexy, funny, romantic stand-alone, that will have you hurrying to grab your bathing suit and rushing to the beach to check out every lifeguard on duty.

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order Links:
Kobo / B&N / iBooks

NPR_Teaser-4

NPR_Teaser6

About the Author:

kim karr bio

Reader * Writer * Coffeelover * Romantic

Kim is a daydreamer. So much so that if daydreaming could be a hobby it would be her favorite. It’s how her stories are born and how they take root. An imagination that runs wild is something to be thankful for, and she is very thankful. 🙂

She grew up in New York and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and with the rest of her time embraces one of her biggest passions–writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read.

She likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Website

 

New Release: Bad Boys After Dark : Mick by Melissa Foster

NEW RELEASE……..
Bad Boys After Dark: Mick

Indulge your inner vixen…

You asked for naughtier lovers, with the same fierce loyalty as The Bradens – Meet the Bad Boys… Four sinfully sexy, uber alpha brothers, about to fall head over heels for their leading ladies.
.

Everything’s naughtier after dark…
Amanda Jenner is done being a boring-man magnet and has finally taken control of her love life. As any smart paralegal would, she’s researched the hell out of how to seduce a man. She’s waxed, primped, and ready to put her newfound skills into action—and a masquerade bar crawl is the perfect venue for her solo coming-out party.

Entertainment attorney Mick Bad lives by two hard and fast rules. He never mixes business with pleasure, and he doesn’t do relationships, which makes the anonymity of a masquerade bar crawl the perfect place for a onetime hookup.

Amanda thinks she’s hit the jackpot when she bags a tall, dark, and sinfully delicious masked man—until she discovers the man she’s made out with is her off-limits boss. Mick’s already crossed a line he can never uncross, and one taste of sweet and sexy Amanda has only whet his appetite. When Mick offers to give Amanda a lesson in seduction—no strings, no regrets, and for goodness’ sake, come Monday, no quitting—the tables turn, and Mick’s totally unprepared for the lessons this sweet temptress provides.

The Bad Boys are a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom series.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

“If you’re interested in books with super-hot alpha males, ridiculously sexy heroines and need-to-take-a-cold-shower love scenes, this is the series for you!” M. Engel, Book Mama Blog

 

BAD BOYS AFTER DARK 
Mick (now available)
Dylan (releasing Dec 21st pre-order here
Carson (coming soon)
Brett (coming soon)
More After Dark books available now…
WILD BOYS AFTER DARK

Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper

 About the author
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.  Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. 


Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe
or her personal website.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….

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New Release: Stolen By The Sheikh by Lauren Hawkeye & Suzanne Rock

sbs-release

New York Times bestselling authors Lauren Hawkeye and Suzanne Rock’s STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH is available now! Get swept away in Liv and Nayo’s story.

Stolen by the SheikhAbout STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH

Fast-talking career woman Olivia Bremer is at the peak of her profession. Employed by one of the country’s most influential magazines, she spends her days dining with celebs and taking her pick of free products from designers and cosmetic companies. Every woman’s dream job, basically. So what if it’s a little lonely at the top. Success often comes at a price, right?

Nayef “Nayo” Darzi is used to getting his way. The wealthy prince can have any beauty he wants—until danger throws him together with a stubborn American, perhaps the first woman unaffected by his alpha tendencies. Tattooed and contentious women aren’t his thing—normally. But there’s something about Olivia and her sexy curves that makes Nayo want to take a big bit. If he can keep her out of trouble long enough…

Kindle | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

Get a sneak peek of STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH:

“I apologize. I never meant to offend. It’s just, where I come from, women are meant to be provided for.” Nayo reached up and tucked a stray strand of her long red hair behind her ear. “And a woman as beautiful as you would have many suitors lined up for the job.” Her body betrayed her, reacting to that one simple touch in ways most men couldn’t elicit with their best efforts. Jesus. What was wrong with her? She should be telling this ass-backwards man where he could shove it, yet instead she was quivering at his touch. She needed to get out of there and get her head on straight, fast.

“Um. Thanks?” Listen, I’m already running late for my meeting, and I still need to clean myself up. Carrie will have a fit if I show up looking like this.”

She started to turn to walk away, but Nayo’s intense stare held her in place. He took in every inch of her from top to toes, and back up again. His eyes burned a trail of heat on her body as if his hands touched everywhere he looked. Finally his gaze stopped, lingering on the first green stain she acquired on her chest and to her own surprise, she found herself leaning forward ever so slightly to give him a better view.

“I think you look perfect,” he said. Stepping in close, Nayo reached his hand up to her face and slowly rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Except for maybe this.”

“What are you…” Before she could finish, Nayo placed his thumb to his mouth and licked off the green smoothie that was there. A low growl escaped his lips. “Delicious.”

She felt heat rush her cheeks, flushing them a deep crimson. She couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or the sight of him licking his thumb, but it was probably a bit of both.

“I…uh..” Liv stammered over her words, lowering her head in hopes he wouldn’t notice how much he had affected her with his words, his actions. Fat chance though, it would be hard to miss the red in her cheeks, as her fair skin provided a great contrast.

Nayo leaned in close, breathing his next words into her ear “I’d love to taste more.” Her whole body shivered and Liv snapped her gaze up to meet his. She slowly tilted her drink toward him, offering it up without a second thought.

“I wasn’t talking about the drink.” Heat coursed through her body at his words. Her breath hitched in her throat as Nayo closed what little distance was left between them. Images of biting that luscious lower lip of his flooded her mind as Liv parted her own in invitation… Ding! Ding Ding Ding! “Oh, for fuck’s sake” Liv muttered under her breath, her boss’s incessant text messaging effectively ruining the moment. And she knew it had to be her boss. No one else would send her that many messages in a row.

 

About Lauren Hawkeye

Lauren Hawkeye/ Lauren Jameson never imagined that she’d wind up telling stories for a living… though when she looks back, it’s easy to see that she’s the only one who is surprised. Always “the kid who read all the time”, Lauren made up stories about her favorite characters once she’d finished a book… and once spent an entire year narrating her own life internally. No, really. But where she was just plain odd before publication, now she can at least claim to have an artistic temperament.

Lauren lives in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada with her husband, toddler, pit bull and idiot cat, though they do not live in an igloo, nor do they drive a dogsled. In her nonexistent spare time Lauren can be found knitting (her husband claims that her snobby yarn collection is exorbitant), reading anything she can get her hands on, or sweating her way through spin class. She loves to hear from her readers!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Reader Group

About Suzanne Rock

A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy.

Suzanne is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency and writes mainstream romances under the pen name Ava Conway.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Reader Group

Book Blast + Excerpt + Giveaway: Planning For Love by Ellen Butler

Enter to Win a $20.00 Amazon eGift Card and 
digital set of the Love, California Style Series

 

PLANNING FOR LOVE
Love, California Style #2
Ellen Butler
Released January 26th, 2015
Crimson Romance
 
Poppy Reagan is a Type A personality
who runs her professional life with the precision of a Swiss watch. After
catching her latest boyfriend cheating, she decides it’s time to take her
dating life as seriously as she does her business. She swears off the bad boys
and strategically maps out a plan to find an honest, attractive man to become
her life partner.
As she works her way through a summer of dates ranging from crazy to plain
boring, she begins to wonder if her soulmate’s even on the same coast. Her
foolish emotional spirit secretly yearns for the sexy Ohio dermatologist she
met on a trip to Hawaii last year. The one who she insists is “just a friend,”
because she refused to engage in a long-distance relationship.Will her heart overrule her head and move this California girl to the Midwest?

Planning for Love is
a 2016 InD’tale RONE Finalist in the Chick Lit Category
 
BUY NOW
Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo
Excerpt-Banner

“You’re behind the times.”

“Probably so. I’m not much on technology. My phone is four years old and I’m told it’s considered a dinosaur. So, how have the computer dates been going?”

I stared at the green lip on the coffee cup. “I’ve just started.”

He snorted, “That well?”

I allowed the silence to speak for me.

“Sorry. I’m not usually such a jerk. I’m out of my element.”

“What is your element?”

His eyes narrowed and his jaw muscles worked. “You like adventure?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Who doesn’t like an adventure?”

“You have anywhere you need to be in the next, say…” he studied his watch, “three hours?”

My curiosity piqued. “Three hours? Not in particular.”

He ducked under the table to glance at my crossed legs. “You wouldn’t happen to carry a pair of boots or tennis shoes in your car?”

“I have a gym bag. Yoga pants, T-shirt, sweatshirt, shoes, socks.” I rattled off, listing each one by finger.

“A well prepared woman, I love it.” He rose and held out his hand. “C’mon, let’s get your stuff.”

“I need gym gear for a three hour breakfast?”

“That’s right, I promised you breakfast. Wait here.”

Campbell sauntered over to the counter and perused the glass case of pastries. He exchanged conversation with the barista behind the counter and pointed to different confections, and I turned back to the table to gather my materials.

“All set.” He held the bag aloft.

I rose, shouldering my tote and grasping my coffee like a lifeline.

What the hell am I doing?

It’s an adventure; you said you were up for an adventure.

Yes, but I hardly know this guy.

Just go with it.

As my subconscious argued with itself, Cambell held the door for me. “Where’s your car?”

“I lucked out. Street parking, around the corner.”

“That’s me, right there.” He indicated a black four door jeep with a hard top, big knobby wheels and splashes of dirt fanned along the sides.

“Okay, why don’t you stay here, I’ll drive round the block and follow you.”

“No need. Let’s get your stuff, I’ll drive.”

My head moved from side to side. “I don’t think so. I’d feel more comfortable if I followed you.”

“It’s about forty-five minutes away.”

“So.”

“Fine,” he sighed. “We’ll take your car.”

“Hold up,” I placed a hand on his chest. “I’m not getting in a car alone with a stranger.”

A light bulb went on. “Ah. I see. Did you read this in a dating handbook? You’re right. You shouldn’t get into a car with a stranger, except, I’m not a stranger. We were introduced through mutual friends.”

“First, Erika and Neil, though very nice people, are not my friends. They’re clients, and I’ve only known them a few days. Second, you’re much larger and stronger than me. It wouldn’t take much to overpower me, steal my car, and leave me stranded along the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.”

“Hey, I offered to drive.” He ran his hand through his hair, tucking it behind his ears.

I frowned.

“Okay, okay. I get it. Here’s what we’re gonna to do. Who’s on speed dial on your phone?”

“Why does that matter.”

He rolled his eyes and sighed, “Work with me. Who’s on speed dial?”

“Office co-workers, best friends, my mom…”

“Who’s expecting to see you soon?”

“That would be either Sierra my assistant, or Cody an account manager.”

“Call one of them, and tell her you’re going to Malibu for an adventure. Then take a photo of me and text it to her. Tell her if she doesn’t hear from you in three hours to call the police and turn me in.”

“Hmm…it’s a thought.”

“Here,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife, deftly flicking it open.

I sucked in a breath.

He laid the sharp end in his palm and offered the handle to me. “You can hold onto this for security. If I make any false moves you have my permission to gut me with it.”

A passerby eyed the knife and scuttled quickly through a neighboring shop door.

“Oh, for the love of Pete. Put that thing away,” I hissed. “We’ll do the photo thing. Say cheese.” I held up my phone and clicked a photo.

 

 

Ellen
Butler
 is an award winning
novelist living in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. She holds a Master’s
Degree in Public Administration and Policy, and her history includes a long
list of writing and editing for dry but illuminating professional newsletters,
and windy papers on public policy. The leap to novel writing was simply a
creative outlet for Ellen’s over active and romantic imagination to run wild.
She is an admitted chocoholic and confesses to a penchant for shoe shopping
 
Planning
for Love 
won The
Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award for Romantic Comedy and you can find the
entire Love, California Style trilogy on Amazon and other
major eBook retailers. Book club questions for Ellen’s novels can be found on
her website.

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