Welcome to Whynot, North Carolina, population 3,872. It has one stoplight, one bar, and the one-and-only Trixie Mancinkus.

Eleven years ago, Trixie graduated Harvard Law, turned down a job offer from one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston, and headed home to Whynot to open her own firm. Not only did she leave behind the big city, but she also left her boyfriend of three years. And just so we’re clear… that would be me.

So what am I doing in Whynot at this very moment? It seems Trixie needs help with a legal case and for some insane reason, she called on me for assistance. I’ve been in town for five minutes, and I’m every bit as out of place as I feel. Trixie is all sweet, southern curves to my tailored suits and high-priced haircuts. It’s a culture clash of north versus south and about the only thing we have in common is our physical attraction to each other.

But I have a new motto since coming to Whynot: When life hands you lemons, all you need is a little sex and sweet tea to make things better.

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Suddenly, my pole jerks in my hands, and I instinctively snap the tip upward into the air. I feel something catch as the pole bends in an extreme arc.

“Holy shit,” I exclaim as I sit up straighter in the boat.

“That’s a big one,” Pap says, and Trixie laughs with delight. “Now… keep the rod up and reel it in.”

I plant my feet hard on the bottom of the boat and crank my catch in. My heart is racing because I don’t know what’s on the other end of the line, but it feels massive. I reel and reel and reel, watching as the end of the line in the water comes closer to the boat. I see a flash of grayish-brown thrash at the top of the water before the fish dives back down deep, but I keep cranking that spinner.

Pap sets his pole aside, grabs a net, and leans forward, balancing himself with a hand on the edge of the boat. I give another mighty heave on the spinner’s handle, and the fish comes to the surface.

“Oh, my God,” Trixie practically shrieks with excitement as her feet come off the edge of the boat. She leans closer to me. “He caught Ol’ Mud. I was knee high to a grasshopper the last time someone managed that.”

Pap grunts in acknowledgment, scooping the net into the water under my catch. He proceeds to pull it up, and in it is the biggest, ugliest fish I’ve ever seen in my life. Not that I’ve seen many up close and personal. I mean, I went snorkeling in the Cayman’s once, but those were all brightly colored fish with long, flowing tails. This thing is indeed the color of mud, with enormous eyes that seem to be rolling and long whiskers sticking out from around its mouth.

“What the hell is that thing?” I ask in horror.

“That’s a flathead catfish,” Pap says as he hauls him in and carefully maneuvers him out of the net with practiced efficiency. He pulls the hook out of the corner of the fish’s mouth and then holds him up for me to see.

The fish is massive and thrashes in Pap’s hands, but he grips him firmly before pushing him my way. “Want to hold him?”

I recoil slightly. “Um… no, but thank you.”

Trixie snickers behind me. “Oh, God… ain’t he precious?”

Pap snorts but doesn’t give me too much shit. “Suit yourself. Take a picture, Trixie.”

I turn in my seat and watch Trixie pull her phone from her pocket. Pap scoots closer to me and holds the damn fish up over my shoulder—which, in addition to fish, smells like mud too—and chuckles, “Smile for the camera, city boy.”

Trixie holds the phone out, grinning as she takes a picture of Pap and me as he holds that slimy, nasty-looking catfish. I know my manhood took a bit of a ding with my refusal to hold it, and I can’t say I’m thrilled that Trixie thinks I’m precious, but screw it… not going to apologize for my failure to bond with that smelly thing.

To my amazement, Pap leans over the side of the boat and slides it gently into the water while murmuring, “Until we meet again, Ol’ Mud.”

“You let it go?” I ask incredulously. While the thing was scary looking as all get out, I’ve eaten catfish before and it’s delicious. I have also witnessed Catherine’s cooking firsthand, and I bet she’d do heavenly things to that fish. Besides… I thought that’s what you did in the south. You hunted shit and you ate it.

“Ol’ Mud’s been in this lake for years,” Trixie says by way of explanation. “He’s rarely been caught, but we always release him. He’s like an icon around here. The fact that you caught him, and in the morning, is amazing.”

“Really?” I ask, a small pattering of pride thumping in my chest.

“Flathead’s normally sleep during the day, usually down under lake debris,” Pap explains. “They’re easiest to catch at night, but I don’t think Ol’ Mud’s ever been caught in daylight hours, right, Trix?”

“Right, Pap,” she says and then winks at me. “We might turn you into a southern boy yet, Ry.”

 

 

Juliette Poe is the sweet and swoony alter ego of New York Times Best Selling author, Sawyer Bennett.

A fun-loving southern girl, Juliette knows the allure of sweet tea, small towns, and long summer nights, that some of the best dates end sitting on the front porch swing, and that family is top priority. She brings love in the south to life in her debut series, Sex & Sweet Tea.

When Juliette isn’t delivering the sweetest kind of romance, she’s teaching her southern belle daughter the fine art of fishing, the importance of wearing Chucks, and the endless possibilities of a vivid imagination.

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Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.

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This week, Entangled Publishing has been celebrating The Best Book Boyfriends Ever by shining a light on some of the heroes on Embrace! Today I’m joining in as we salute the military book boyfriends!

Authors Ophelia London & Cole Gibsen shared their thoughts about writing about men in uniform. Entangled has all of the Embrace stories with military heroes on sale for just 99¢, today only!

Is your hero inspired by a real-life person? If so, who?

Ophelia London (author of Abby Road & Crossing Abby Road): Actually, my hero, Todd, is very, very roughly based on a mix of my college boyfriend and the fantasy I wished he’d been back then. Hee-hee. I started dreaming up this story a few years after 9/11, so I KNEW Todd needed to have served in the military.

Cole Gibsen (author of Seared on my Soul): I’m the executive director of a charity that places PTSD service dogs with veterans. I wouldn’t say Reece was inspired by a particular veteran, but rather the struggle I’ve witnessed so many of them going through.

What other kinds of heroes do you like to read about?

Ophelia: Basically any of them! But currently, I love to read about powerful men: the businessmen: strong silent type that appear to be all business, but deep down have a gooey heart of gold. And if they have an accent, whooo baby!

Cole: I’m seriously a romance junkie, so when it comes to heroes, I don’t discriminate. I love them all.

Playlist – music inspired by Embrace’s men in uniform, selected by the authors.

Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/hollishter/playlist/77at4Yqi8hCkCxnAEdRLPN

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros
Fight & Glory #1
She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew Dad was dead. Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. Her dad would never be coming home. Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor…and endowed with the most delicious hands that have a way of erasing her pain with a single touch. But just when Ember lets him in, Josh’s secret shatters their world. And she must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her world bare.

Eyes Turned Skyward by Rebecca Yarros
Fight & Glory #2
Since her sister’s death, Paisley, who shares her sister’s heart condition, is treated like glass by her parents. But nothing will stop her from completing her Bucket List—even if it kills her. And it almost does, until Jagger pulls her from the ocean and sets her soul on fire. Jagger is wickedly hot, reckless, and perfect for a girl living life to the fullest. Except Paisley is the commanding general’s daughter and her boyfriend is Jagger’s biggest rival. One wrong move, and they could crash and burn…

Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros
Fight & Glory #3
The last thing Lt. Grayson Masters needs is the distraction of his gorgeous new roommate, Samantha Fitzgerald. While her smart mouth and free spirit are irresistibly irritating, he can’t deny their off-the-charts chemistry—or her ability to pull his focus away from his Apache helicopter course. Sam has no business digging for Grayson’s secrets while she’s hiding her own, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to tear down his walls. Each barrier she busts through drops one of her own, though, and she’s not prepared for the truth…

Hallowed Ground by Rebecca Yarros
Fight & Glory #4
Josh Walker is loyal, reckless, and every girl’s dream. But he only has eyes for December Howard. Together they have survived grief, the military, distance, and time. As Josh heads to Afghanistan, a country that nearly killed him once before and took Ember’s father, they fill their last days together with love, passion, and plans for their future… If there’s one thing Ember has learned from her father’s death, it’s that there are some obstacles even love can’t conquer.

Seared on My Soul by Cole Gibsen
Written on My Heart #2
Reece Montgomery never planned on being anyone’s hero, especially the foul-mouthed, bleach-blonde barista from the local coffee shop. He thinks there’s more to Emily Garret than her tattoos, and lip ring, but getting close means letting her into his past and meeting his ghosts.

Abby Road by Ophelia London
Abby Road #1
It’s been exactly one day since rock star Abby Kelly fled her chaotic life. One day without her demanding manager, papparrazzi, ridiculous tour schedules, and recording sessions. But all it takes is one twist of fate— to enter a stranger’s surf shop while trying to dodge some fans—for everything to change. When Abby meets Todd, an ex-Marine sniper turned surfer, she feels things she hasn’t felt for a long time. Possibly never. But when the real world comes crashing back in, Abby is caught between the superstar she’s become…and the painfully real human being she longs to be.

Crossing Abby Road by Ophelia London
Abby Road #2
Todd Camford went from Marine sniper to owning a beachfront surf shop in Florida. He’s a free-flying, unfettered hawk, and relationships outside of family are out of the question. And then she comes into his shop. Everyone knows who Abigail Kelly is—mega rockstar, tabloid fixture. He’d be an ass (or possibly insane) to think he can resist her. Just for today, maybe he’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t get mobbed. Because really, how much damage could one day with a super-hot, kick-ass celebrity really do?

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DARING THE PILOT by Jeannie Moon

 What do you get when you cross a brainy geophysicist and a former army helicopter pilot? Chemistry that smolders like a volcano. Keely Anderson and Jonah Clark reconnect in their hometown of Marietta, and the longtime friends find it impossible to fight their attraction for each other. Read on for a peek into Jeannie Moon’s exciting new contemporary romance, Daring the Pilot!

Title: Daring the Pilot

Author: Jeannie Moon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Series: Men of Marietta (Continuity series, book #3 of 5)

Word Count: 328 pages

Format: Digitial

ASIN: B01N2AQ7JH

About the book

Keely Andersen hasn’t visited her hometown more than a handful of times in the last ten years, but when her doctoral research sends her back to Marietta for the immediate future, she can’t wait to reconnect with the community and the mountains she missed so much. Of course, nothing goes as planned, and Keely’s truck breaks down a few miles outside of town. When help arrives, she finds herself face to face with her brother’s best friend – the guy she used to call big, bad and gorgeous – Jonah Clark.

Still settling back into Marietta after a harrowing stint as an army helicopter pilot, Jonah Clark plans to spend a few days hiking the local mountains to prepare for his job as a pilot for Crawford County’s Search and Rescue team. When he stops to help a stranded driver, Jonah is shocked to find his best friend’s younger sister is the one behind the wheel. Only now, instead of the geeky teen he remembered, Keely is all grown up with curves he can’t resist.

Though the sparks of attraction ignite immediately, the pair is hesitant to act because of their shared past. But when a project dear to their hearts is threatened, and a child is lost on Copper Mountain, Keely and Jonah drop everything to fight for what matters, including each other.

Available at:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads

See the series on Tule’s website

 

Chapter One

Copyright © 2017 Jeannie Moon

The clunk and bang out of the engine was the only warning Keely had that her old truck was going to die.

Just up and die.

Sonofabitch.

She was still at least five miles out of town, on a stretch of road that saw cars, but not as often as a person who was stuck would like. The occasional tractor-trailer sped by causing tremors all around her, leaving the smell of diesel fuel in its wake. Keely was thankful there was a nice wide shoulder.

In her mind this was a bad sign, though. She hadn’t been home for more than a few days at a time since she graduated from college six years ago. Ever since then, she jumped from one research site to another, trying to uncover the secrets that were buried in the earth.

What made the earth tick was Keely’s calling.

And now she was going to spend a year back in the place where she first learned to love nature, where she found that rocks sometimes revealed more of a story than the best books in the library.

Getting stuck had to be a bad omen of some sort.

Her truck couldn’t be dead. Refusing to accept it, she turned the key, and for a second she thought she might be in luck. The engine made a pathetic attempt to turn over, but then it clunked again, and went quiet. “Great.”

Pulling out her cell, service was spotty at best. The story of her life in this valley.

Still, she pressed the button to speed dial her mother, and hoped the call went through. “Hey, Sweetie! Are you home? I’ll be there soon.”

“Hi Mom, no. My truck died out on 89, not far from Carter’s Bridge.” She wanted to give a landmark her mother could easily identify. “I’m fine, but I can’t even get the engine to turn over. “

“I told you that truck would strand you. Thank goodness you’re not too far from home.”

Getting a new truck was on the top of her list once she settled in at home. She knew she needed one, but what she didn’t need was her mother’s ‘I-told-you-so.’ “I know, Mom. Can Dad come out?”

“I’ll call him. He had clients to see today, but I’ll let him know. I can’t wait to see you, honey.”

“Me too, Mom. Me too. “

Her mother was a worry wart and had recently been suggesting that a teaching job at the university in Bozeman would be much safer than hopping around the world. Her parents, specifically her mother, were proud of everything she’d accomplished, but at the same time, they saddled her with guilt over not taking a more traditional path. Someday, Keely knew she’d pull back from her high-octane life, but for now, her research was her passion. Tradition would have to wait.

Opening the door, she checked the road and hopped out. The cold was a shock to her system, but she had no idea why. It was mid-March in Montana, which meant cold weather. Not knowing what made her do it, she popped the hood of her truck and looked at the very dead engine. She was no mechanic, but there was a funny smell coming from the compartment, and that made her wonder if the damn thing was going to burst into flames.

Wouldn’t that be a sight?

Shaking off her desire to see the old truck go out in a blaze of glory, she closed the hood, and stepped down.

Sighing, Keely parked her behind on the front bumper, taking a long look at the foothills that surrounded her. The air was so clean here. Every breath cleared her head.

The expansive beauty was overwhelming at times. It was easy to take for granted that she was coming back to such a beautiful place. Less than fifty yards away, the Yellowstone River ambled past, its water bubbling and cold. There was still snow on the banks, a gentle reminder that the weather was still unpredictable. Further on, the dormant grass in the meadow faded into a grove of trees and then the mountains rose into the sky. A few cattle dotted the landscape, and almost immediately, a sense of calm settled over her. Home was a good idea. It was time. Keely had missed it.

Her work was all she knew, and it had her full attention all the time, but she was ready to put school behind her. A prime research job was waiting for her when she finished her dissertation, and she couldn’t wait to apply what she’d learned to make lives better. And maybe somewhere in there, she could start having an actual life.

The mountain ranges around Marietta were perfect for her final study and coming home was no hardship. She’d missed her family and her friends. Missed her grandparents. Missed her hometown. It was going to be different being back in the middle of nowhere, but in some way, she was ready for a new routine. A lot had happened while she was gone, and it was high time she gave some attention to the people who had given so much to her.

Sitting on the wide chrome bumper of the truck, she glanced at her watch before wrapping her parka tightly around her and folding her arms. It might be an hour before her father arrived. Or longer. She could call roadside assistance, but that was no guarantee of help arriving any quicker. She sighed. It really was time to buy a new truck. She couldn’t risk getting stranded in some of the more isolated spots she planned on studying. The last time she got in trouble in the mountains, she’d nearly died.

In the distance, she heard a car coming her way. Probably a pick-up truck, based on the sound. It was a steady hum, but then something changed. The truck was slowing down. She took a deep breath, but then froze when she heard the telltale sound of tires kicking up gravel. The driver cut the engine. A door slammed. Footsteps.

Keely cursed herself for not following rule one of being stranded on the highway: Stay in the car. Why hadn’t she stayed in her truck? She knew better. The headlines flashed before her eyes.

Clueless Graduate Student Murdered on Side of the Road.

It would be a brutal end. She just knew it.

With her hands over her heart, Keely thought about how her poor parents would react when they heard she’d gone missing. They were strong people, and they’d gotten her through so much, losing a child would devastate them. She took deep breaths and steeled her spine waiting for the end to come.

Crap.

She shrunk down against the grill and listened. The footsteps drew closer. “Hey, do you need…” The voice was deep and soft, like a warm summer day in the hills. “Science Girl?”

Keely’s eyes flew open. Only one person called her Science Girl.

One very big, bad, and gorgeous person.

Sure enough, when she turned her head she saw the man who had occupied her daydreams and fantasies since the day she left Marietta. “Jonah? I… wow.”

She’d been home a half dozen times in the last five years, but they’d never crossed paths. If they had, she’d have known Jonah Clark, the cute boy who’d been her brother’s best friend was an even more gorgeous man. And built. Mother of God, the man was built.

“What are you doing out here?” He folded his arms and widened his stance.

“I’m on my way home and my truck broke down. I was just enjoying the view.”

He scowled, his brow furrowing between his deep blue eyes. “You should be enjoying the view from inside your locked truck.”

“Still bossy, I see,” she teased.

“Some things don’t change,” he replied flatly, gently nudging her out of the way.

“I’m just… waiting… for… my dad. What are you doing?”

“Move,” he mumbled, as he bumped her with his hip. “I’ll take a look.”

“No, but…”

And just like that, he was rescuing her again. And while younger Keely would have swooned, and let him do what he wanted, older Keely was a little more hesitant. But before she could say a word, Jonah had flipped up the hood of her truck, jumped on the pitted chrome bumper, and grumbled.

“Do you ever have this serviced?”

“Yes. I had the oil changed not too long ago. This is silly. My dad is coming…”

“Uh huh.” He was tugging on something and grumbling. “Call him and tell him not to bother. I think I see the problem. You need to be towed.”

“What are you talking about? I’m sure it’s not that serious.”

“Yeah, it is. Your engine is done.” Reaching into his back pocket after he hopped down, he pulled out a rag and wiped his hands. “Your dad doesn’t need to come out here. I’ll bring you home. Let’s get your things.”

“That’s not necessary.” Keely pushed her glasses up her nose and took him in. He was bigger—broader—than the last time she saw him, if that were possible. His angular jaw was rough with stubble, and his eyes were a stormy blue. Something was different, though. Jonah had always been more serious than her brother, but he had a sweetness to him that made all that brawn totally irresistible. He was steady and mature, but it was his innate kindness that made him so special. He did his best to hide it from people, but he couldn’t hide it from her. Even now, couched in seriousness, there was no way to hide he was a good man.

“It’s necessary.”

“Jonah, I can wait for my father.”

“Call. Him.”

She was all revved up and ready to argue, because gorgeous or not, she didn’t like to be told what to do. But something stopped her. Something in the way he made her take a breath, and fold like a lawn chair. She was weak.

“Fine.” She threw up her hands. “This is under protest.”

“Whatever. Where are your things?” He really was bossy and stubborn. But there was no use fighting it. She gave up the information.

“My duffle is behind the passenger seat, and there are four large plastic totes with my equipment secured in the back.”

“Four? I thought you science types traveled light. You know, more room for your microscopes.” From the corner of her eye she could see his wry grin. No way was she going to give him the satisfaction of a snarky response.

“Not this time.”

Pulling her cell from her pocket, Keely pressed the button for her mother.

She felt so much of the old Jonah in their exchange. He was concerned. Kind. He wanted to help. But something had changed. He was more somber, and there was a very dangerous edge. Something in his eyes told her Jonah Clark had a story, and Keely intended to find out what it was.

 

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About the author

Bestselling contemporary romance author Jeannie Moon, has always been a romantic. When she’s not spin­ning tales of her own, Jean­nie works as a school librar­ian, thank­ful she has a job that allows her to immerse her­self in books and call it work. Mar­ried to her high school sweet­heart, she has three kids, three lov­able dogs and resides on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy.   Visit Jeannie’s web­site at www.jeanniemoon.com

Follow Jeannie online:

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April 3, 2017
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Jeannie Moon’s Daring the Pilot is the third in the Men of Marietta series.  With this latest visit back to Marietta, we get a brother’s best friend/best friend’s little sister romance.  I enjoyed the set up with Jonah coming to Keely’s rescue.

Moon has a way with characters that will stay with you long after the book is finished.  I loved the chemistry and couldn’t wait to see what was going to develop with these two that had a shared past.

As I read each book in the Men of Marietta series, I can’t help but want that next one.

TRUSTING TANNER
Release date: May 8, 2017

To win her trust, he’ll have to surrender his heart.

Trusting Tanner is a sexy new adult romance coming May 8^th from Entangled Embrace. Check out the cover!

About Trusting Tanner:
The Collins Brothers #1

Tanner Collins is the embodiment of perfection—tall, dark, sinfully sexy—and completely out of Juliana Shea’s league. Knowing she’d never survive a repeat of her last disastrous relationship, she parks Tanner firmly in the friend zone. But man, he’s hard to resist.

Juliana is exactly what Tanner wants, and he’s determined to win her over with his kindness and humor… But one night—a night he can’t even remember—threatens to take it all away.

With the flick of a “send” button, their hope for a future together is shattered. But Tanner isn’t the type to give up on what he wants—and he wants Juliana.

About Lexi Lawton:

Born and raised in Central New York, Lexi Lawton is an only child who found companionship in books. When she was old enough to put pen to paper, she began writing her own stories of love, suspense, and heartbreak. She hasn’t stopped since. Represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Lexi is actively pursuing her dreams of publication.

Today, Lexi lives in Michigan with her husband, four kids, three pit bulls, and two cats. When she’s not writing, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her family and friends, and obsessively listening to anything by Luke Bryan.

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Courtesy of the author, we are giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card! Enter below & good luck!
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Title: Pretty Fierce

Author: Kieran Scott

Pub Date: April 4, 2017

An action-packed, edge-of-your-seat novel about a teen who, when backed into a corner, fights back, from the author of What Waits in the Woods

Kaia has been on the run her whole life. The daughter of professional assassins, she knows danger—and she’ll do anything to survive. After her parents vanished during a job gone bad, Kaia’s spent the last year in hiding, trying to blend in as an ordinary teenager, and there’s no one who makes her feel more normal, more special, than her boyfriend, Oliver.

But when she’s attacked by someone from her mother’s past and Oliver catches her fighting back, Kaia’s secret is exposed. In a split-second decision, she flees the small town, taking Oliver with her. Stalked at every turn, Oliver and Kaia must protect each other…or die trying.

KIERAN SCOTT is the author of several acclaimed young adult novels, including the Non-Blonde Cheerleader trilogy, the He’s So/She’s So trilogy, and Geek Magnet. She also wrote the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Private and Privilege series under the pen name Kate Brian. She is a senior editor at Disney/Hyperion and resides in New Jersey with her family. Visit kieranscott.net.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Kobo | iTunes | Indiebound

One of my favorite things about writing PRETTY FIERCE was trying to figure out what Kaia would do next. I don’t consider myself to be particularly brave—except for the fact that I don’t mind public speaking which is one of those things that keeps people awake at night. But I imagine that if I were ever in a situation like Kaia is in—being pursued by bad guys, hunted down at every turn, forced to try to protect the man I loved—I’d probably end up a ball of blubbering mush in a corner. So when I was writing her, I would try to imagine the exact opposite of what I would do in a given situation, and then write that. More often than not, it ended up being the thing that I wish I would have the guts to do, but really just couldn’t imagine myself doing. And that’s what I think makes a great kick-butt heroine—someone who allows us to see the possibilities of what we could do—what we could be—if we could find that deep well of courage within ourselves.

Here is one of my favorite kick-butt heroines:

Cassie Hobbs, The Naturals, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Cassie has an innate ability to understand what other people are thinking and why they do what they do. Cassie’s mother was murdered when she was very young and it’s haunted her ever since, so when Cassie is given the opportunity to join an elite squad of teens with natural sleuthing abilities at the FBI, she takes it—and then finds a way to work the system to discover the truth about what happened. Her love for her mother is unwavering, as is her determination to understand what happened to her and why, plus she’s constantly using her brain to get her out of crazy situations, which makes her one of my favorite cerebral kick-butt heroines.

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EXCERPT

 OLIVER

It sounded like two freight trains colliding, even from a good quarter mile away. The truck hurtled into the air, flipped over, and landed upside down. Then, with a wail, it tilted sideways and slid down the embankment at the side of the road, before ever so slowly flipping again and landing back on its wheels. The Hummer that had hit them sat there, blocking both lanes. There wasn’t another car on the road.

“Kaia!” I screamed.

I took off, running down the center of the scalding blacktop in my bare feet. I was a few yards away when a man with the build of a WWE wrestler got out of the Hummer—which barely looked dinged—and slid down the slope toward Marco’s truck.

Who the hell was this now? Some other enemy of Kaia’s parents? How did they keep finding us? Not that it mattered if Kaia was already dead.

The man yanked open the driver’s side door. I ran down the hill and went to the passenger door. All I could think about was getting Kaia out of there before this guy grabbed her.

“Kaia!”

The wrestler’s glanced me. He looked confused. Then he clutched Marco by the front of his shirt with both hands and dragged him out of the car.

“Kaia!” I shouted again.

She blinked a few times before her eyes finally focused. There was a gash across her hairline, leaking blood down her forehead and nose.

“What happened?” she asked.

“You were in an accident,” I said, trying to be calm. “Can you move?”

She nodded and slumped toward the door, then cried out in pain.

“What?” I blurted. “What is it?”

“My ankle! I can’t turn my ankle!”

At that moment, Marco came careening toward us, his head slamming against the side of the truck as he fell to the ground.

Kaia yelped in surprise. “Marco!”

The wrestler dude wasn’t done with him yet. He picked up Marco, propped him against the side of the truck like a rag doll and pulled back a fist.

“Leave him alone!” Kaia shouted. “He didn’t do anything to you!”

The wrestler looked inside the cab and laughed.

“Darlin’, you got no clue what you’re talking about.”

Then he slammed his boulder-sized fist into Marco’s jaw. Blood spurted everywhere. I opened Kaia’s door. Her ankle was wedged underneath a jumble of broken dashboard plastic and metal.

“We have to get you out of here.”

“Oliver, no. You have to run,” Kaia whimpered. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“See, that’s your main problem,” I said, as the whole truck shook with Marco hitting its side again. “You’ve yet to figure out anything to do with you, has everything to do with me.”

She managed a smile as a drop of blood dripped off the end of her nose. I bent into the truck and pulled at the plastic casing closest to her ankle, prying it away half an inch. Kaia jimmied her ankle free, then winced.

“Is it broken?” I asked.

“I don’t think so. But it hurts. A lot.”

“C’mere.”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her out of the truck. She hopped away from the door on her good foot and together, we made our way around the front. Blood from Kaia’s forehead splattered my white T-shirt.

“Stop!” Kaia shouted, when she saw the man cocking his fist again. Marco’s face looked like hamburger meat. Rotten hamburger meat. “If you want to take me back to Hector T. or whoever it is you’re working for, I’ll go! Marco has nothing to do with it!”

“Girl, I got no idea who Hector T. is, or who you are for that matter.” The wrestler let Marco side to the ground in a heap. “What I do know is that Marco here owes me ten large, and it’s way past due.”

Kaia glared down at her sputtering uncle. “Is this your bookie?”

“I thought you were giving me another week,” Marco said, trying to push himself up by gripping the front tire.

“That was two weeks ago!” the man shouted.

“This is unbelievable.” Kaia extricated herself from my arms and tried to walk back to her side of the truck, but fell sideways against the grill. “Shit.”

“What do you need?” I asked her.

“My backpack.” She turned so her back was against the car and ran her arm over her forehead, smearing the blood into her hair. She kept her right knee bent, holding her foot off the grass. “Get my backpack. Please.”

I reached inside the open cab and pulled out the gray backpack. Kaia ripped it open.

“You want ten grand? Here.” She fumbled a stack of bills from the bag and slammed it against the man’s sizable chest. Guess there’d been another stash of cash in the Batcave. “Here’s ten grand. Plus interest!”

The bookie’s eyes widened. He sized up the backpack covetously, realizing that there had to be more money inside. On impulse, I reached into the bag and slipped out Kaia’s gun, aiming it at the man’s chest in what I hoped was a convincing way.

“Oliver!” Kaia cried.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” I said through gritted teeth. “You got what you came for, and my guess is someone on this street has already called the cops thanks to the mess you made. I’d quit while you’re ahead.”

The bookie raised his hands. “You make a good point, kid.”

Then he turned tail and ran for his tank-like vehicle. I lowered the gun and shoved it back in the bag.

“Wow,” Kaia said. “That was pretty intense, Oliver.”

The look of admiration in her eyes pissed me off. Five minutes ago she was walking away like she didn’t need me. Well, look where we were now.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, starting up the embankment.

“Where’re you going?” Kaia asked.

“To get your dad’s car,” I said without pausing. “Not like I can single-handedly carry both of you back to the house. At least not before the cops get here.”

I tried not to think about my bare feet or the bloodstained pajamas I was wearing as I stormed indignantly up the road.

Kieran Scott’s Pretty Fierce starts with action and keeps it coming as the pages keep turning.  After her parents go missing and while in hiding, Kaia is finally living a normal life until she suddenly isn’t.  As a daughter of former assassins, she’s rather savvy to the unconventional and unexpected.  The shift to being on the run with her boyfriend, Oliver, is sudden and the pace promptly quickens.  Add in some secrets and mysteries that are being uncovered and the pages won’t stop turning until everything is revealed.

I enjoyed Pretty Fierce and I’m interested in checking out other titles by Scott.  Hope for another read filled with all the things that keep me turning the pages.

This week, Entangled Publishing is celebrating its new adult heroes! Today, we celebrate men who don’t mind getting their hands dirty – the working man! Entangled has all of the Embrace stories about Blue Collar guys on sale for just 99¢ today!

To celebrate, authors Candace Havens, Suzanne van Rooyen, Beth Anne Miller, Julie Particka, Tiffany Truitt, Erin Butler, Cole Gibsen, & Melissa West shared their thoughts on writing about The Right Man for the Job.

Is your hero inspired by a real-life person? If so, who?

Candace Havens (author of Branded): Oh, no. I’ll never tell. Let’s just say my late teen years were spent around a lot of very sexy cowboys. Shhhhh. Don’t tell my husband.

Suzanne van Rooyen (author of Scardust): Yes, there are aspects of my hero that are definitely inspired by real life people but he’s more of an amalgam than a fictional version of any one specific person.

Beth Anne Miller (author of A Star to Steer Her By): I participated in a semester at sea when I was in college, and have sailed on a few tall ships since then, so I would say that Tristan is inspired by all those deckhands and mates –male and female– that I observed, who work hard and tirelessly to keep the ship running smoothly and safely. There have been a few particularly hot deckhands that I’ve perhaps observed a little more attentively, who may have inspired Tristan a little more specifically. 😉

Julie Particka (author of Fall with Me): My family is blue-collar. The business run by Jenna’s dad is basically the business that my father ran. (And yes, all of us worked for him for at least a summer.) Sutton, however, was basically a combination of the fact that my first boyfriend ended up working for my father for a while (long after we broke up) combined with the idea of falling in love while under the watchful gaze of a parent. (So, while the *idea* of my ex-boyfriend was involved, Sutton is nothing like Dennis LOL)

Tiffany Truitt (author of Seven Ways to Lose Your Heart): The professional in me should categorically deny that any of my male heroes are inspired by real people…especially because I don’t want my friends or exes reading into anything…but, subconsciously, I am sure there is some sort of resemblance to men I have dated. I asked my friends if the hero, Kennedy, reminded them of anyone, and one set named one guy and the other set of friends named another. So, sure, yes, or maybe not.

Erin Butler (author of Last Wish): My husband. Out of any of the heroes I’ve written, Ronan is the most like my husband. He’s got a temper, but he’s also sweet, fun-loving, and LOYAL.

Cole Gibsen (author of Written on my Heart): My hero was inspired by every working, single, father, who works their ass off for their family.

Melissa West (author of No Falling Allowed): Yes, my husband. My husband is outwardly a white collar businessman, but on the inside, he is a handyman all the way!

What other kinds of heroes do you like to read about?

Candace: Any kind of alpha hero. I like a strong man who takes care of business. But I also like enlightened alphas who are strong, but also have a soft, mush heart.

Suzanne: Military heroes. I have a very soft spot for soldiers, for those who choose to sacrifice the people and things that they love to protect others and the greater good. There’s something so selfless and courageous about that.

Beth: On the whole, I like to read books with heroes who aren’t afraid of a little dirt. Cowboys or firefighters or law enforcement or military guys. I’m re-reading all of Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters books right now, so all those military and ex-military guys are on my brain. 🙂 I tend to be more attracted to the jeans-and-a-tee-shirt guys than the Armani suit guys, to guys who work outside rather than in an office. That’s definitely not a hard and fast rule, but I would say that I pick those books up more frequently.

Julie: I love down-on-their-luck heroes, the kind that are a little exasperated with everything but still keep going no matter what goes wrong. These kind of guys tend to take life as it comes, and I find that really appealing because no matter how hard you try to build something nice and orderly, life comes at you. I love heroes who are ready to face that head on.

Tiffany: I would hate to pigeonhole myself into reading about only certain types of heroes. I like to think I am an equal opportunist. My enjoyment of a good romance book is less about the hero and more about the relationship between him and the heroine. I like a bit of conflict there, a battle of the wits. Doesn’t matter if the hero is a cowboy or an astronaut as long as he can hold his own.

Erin: I love a good hero. As long as he’s swoon-worthy, I don’t really care.

Cole: I have zero hero discrimination. I love them al!

Melissa: I like a variety. There are great heroes in all walks of life.

Playlist

Code:

Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/hollishter/playlist/6HvAK2mNlP6M6feOZAGP8K

Branded by Candace Havens
The last thing I need is a Texas princess like Callie messing with my head. But there’s something more to this spoilt little rich girl than the perfect image she works so hard to keep. There’s only one rule to keeping my job and a roof over my sister’s head: stay away from the boss’s granddaughter. But I’m not always great at following the rules.

No Falling Allowed by Melissa West
No Kissing Allowed #2
Twenty-four hours. That’s how long it took my life to flip upside down. Wake up in bed alone after the best night of my life? Check. Get fired? Check. Wealthy parents cut me off when I refuse to follow their path for my life? Check. Now I’m in Cricket Creek, SC—a place where no New Yorker belongs—disowned and broke, with a new job that I can’t mess up. Oh yeah, and staring at my one-night stand, who happens to be the complete opposite of my type. Southern. Cocky. Bartender. Who knew Mr. Wrong could feel so right…

Seven Ways to Lose Your Heart by Tiffany Truitt
In the span of seven days, Annabel Lee will lose her heart. Kennedy Harrison, as reckless with life as Annabel is obsessed with order, never could commit to anything. But he’s got a history with Annabel, and for once Kennedy doesn’t want to run. Determined to spend time with her before she leaves for college, Kennedy dares her to join him on a road trip to a music festival. And neither of them could ever say no to a dare. What follows is a dizzying week of music, shady hotels, comical dares, and a passion neither one knew existed. But when it ends, Annabel and Kennedy will realize the biggest dare of all might just be falling for each other.

A Star to Steer Her By by Beth Anne Miller
Ever since her last dive ended in bloodshed, Ari Goodman’s been terrified to go back into the water. But the opportunity to spend a semester at sea is too good to pass up. So is Tristan MacDougall. Rugged, strong, and with demons of his own, Tristan heals her with every stolen moment they share. But when a dive excursion goes wrong, their only hope for survival is each other.

Scardust by Suzanne van Rooyer
Dead Rock, Texas, 2037 Raleigh made a promise to his brother before he died, that he’d scatter his ashes on Mars. His plans are thwarted when a meteor near-misses him in the desert, and in its crater he finds a man with no memory of who he is—but whenever they touch it ignites a memory swap between them. As their minds and worlds collide, reality unravels and Raleigh must face a painful truth, one that could shatter his dreams of finding love, reaching Mars, and fulfilling his brother’s last wish.

Fall with Me by Julie Particka
Dumped by her college boyfriend for her best friend, the last thing Jenna Brandt needs is to be around her backstabbing-BFF’s hotter-than-hot brother, Sutton Bell. When he offers her a chance to get revenge on her ex, she can hardly say no—even if spending time with Sutton puts her heart in jeopardy all over again. Sutton’s determined to convince Jenna he’s not the player he used to be, but saving his sister from making an awful mistake might mean losing Jenna for good.

Last Wish by Erin Butler
Remembering Kyle #1
Nothing feels right. Not since my best friend died and I screwed up the one promise asked me to make. Now my life is empty. So goddamn empty. Then she walks into the bar, all bright beauty and sweet lips made for kissing. Em Stewart is a complication…one I need to avoid. No matter how hard I try, I can’t resist her, and our unexpected road trip sure as hell isn’t helping my cause. But I’ll be damned if I screw up my first chance at something real…

Written on My Heart by Cole Gibsen
Written on My Heart #1
It’s been six months since Ashlyn Daniels was kicked out of her home. Six months since she stood up to her abusive stepfather and got a busted rib—and seeing all her things set ablaze in a backyard bonfire—for her trouble. Never going back. She doesn’t need trouble…especially if trouble is tattoo artist Lane Garrett, who’s six-feet-plus of tattooed hotness and a complete ass. But while some secrets are as visible as ink on the skin, others must be hidden at all costs…

This week I’m helping Entangled Publishing celebrate new adult heroes! Today is focused on the out-of-this-world hotness of otherworldly heroes! Entangled has all of the Embrace books that feature paranormal heroes on sale for just 99¢ today!

Authors Marnee Blake, Reese Monroe, & Jocelyn Adams share their inspiration for their otherworldly heroes!

Who or what inspired your otherworldly heroes?

Reese Monroe (author of the Bound by Hades series): I’ve always been inspired by The Rock and Vin Diesel. Yeah, I know I kind of dated myself a little there, but in some of their movies…**whew**…the lengths to which they’ll go to protect what’s theirs–amazing to watch.

Off the screen, if you watch their social media feeds, it’s all about family, inspiration and working hard for your goals. I’m all about that.

Oh, and they’re nice to look at, too.

As far as what inspired me while creating my heroes…Love. In all honesty, faith, hope and love are the key elements to all my stories. Love being the greatest of these. It makes my heroes stronger than they already are and that kind of strength, no matter what kind of evil they face off with, gives them an edge.

Jocelyn Adams (author of the Mortal Machine series): Years ago, a friend of mine suggested I read the Anita Blake series of books by Laurel K. Hamilton, and I absolutely fell for Jean-Claude. Tall, unusual, with a colorful past, and that French accent was the cherry on top. He was the first hero I’d ever read that stepped outside the boundaries of typical romantic relationships. The moment I finished the first book in the series, I knew what genre I wanted to write.

Besides otherworldly heroes, about what kind of heroes do you like to read?

Marnee Blake (author of the Altered series): I love reading about heroes who do real-life heroic things as well. FBI agents, cops, detectives, military men, firefighters… People who help others are sexy.

Reese: Those who cherish their mates above all else and would do anything for them. Also, I love a good hero that is strong and honorable.

Jocelyn: Dark anti-heroes are my absolute favorite, or even better, villain-turned-heroes. There’s nothing I love more than a good redemption story.

Playlist:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect the human Serena Cross from his mortal enemy. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable breaking the rules he’s lived by. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life…or is it Hunter?

Ruined by Jus Accardo
Eternal Balance #1
Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world’s first murderer, he’s plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. Samantha can’t outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she’s thrown into the path of a past–and a guy–she’s been trying to forget. But someone–or,something–followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

Embraced by Jus Accardo
Eternal Balance #2
Descended from Cain, Jax Flynn is destined to spend his life making others suffer. To shield the world from horrific chaos, he was forced to sacrifice the only thing he loved. Samantha Merrick. When an enemy from the past resurfaces with an ultimatum—complete a simple task or Sam dies—they’re backed into a corner. The goal? Kill a demon called Malphi. The problem? Jax’s demon, Azirak, has no intention of letting that happen…

Released by Jus Accardo
Eternal Balance #3
Jax Flynn’s life just went from bad to worse. He was already sharing his body with a demon named Azirak, but after killing its mate… Well, shit got real. Now the demon has taken control of Jax’s body and everything he cares for is at stake, including Samantha, the girl he loves. Yeah, that’s not going to happen. It’s time Jax showed everyone what he was really made of.

Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe
Bound by Hades #1
He’s waited more than 900 years to love her…Being the Gatekeeper to Hades is no small feat, but Theo Bradford’s mark has finally surfaced on young genius, Sadie Nowland, and now he has to convince her to embrace her supernatural heritage. Targeted by a vicious demon escaped from Hades, Sadie is thrust into the volatile world of Shomrei warriors and a connection to Theo her brain can’t comprehend and her body can’t deny—a bond that just may be the key to the world’s survival.

Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe
Bound by Hades #2
For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done. As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity.

Claimed by Light by Reese Monroe
Bound by Hades #3
When his sister becomes tangled with a coven of demons, college senior Slade Bennet must trade his soul to save her. But first he must kill the assigned target: a sexually charged beauty who ignites his protective instinct. Halena Girard lives for only two things: vanquishing demons and seeking Artifacts rumored to lead to Lucifer’s downfall. That is, until she’s seduced and tortured by a…frat boy? Working together is the only way Slade can find his sister and Halena, the Artifacts, but as they face the darkest of evil, crushing Halena’s carefully erected walls might prove to be the most lethal battle for Slade.

Altered by Marnee Blake
Altered #1
The sickness came on suddenly and violently. When it ended, the entire town of Glory seemed to be dead…except Blue Michaels. And she is very different. Only a handful of them made it, including U.S. Army Specialist Seth Campbell, who is fierce and protective, and way too good-looking. Now they are hunted. What their pursuers don’t know is each of them has strange new powers. And they’ll use their “gifts” to survive…no matter who stands in their way.

Avenged by Marnee Blake
Altered #2
Special-ops soldier Nick Degrassi blames himself for Kitty Laughton’s capture, and he’ll do whatever he can to free the quiet beauty, but close quarters and a shared secret bring an attraction that neither of them expected. With the organization that started it all making mercenaries for hire, Nick and Kitty must save themselves and stop a madman…before it’s too late.

Darkside Sun by Jocelyn Adams
Mortal Machine #1
Since she was six years old, Addison Beckett’s seen the world around her unraveling, as if someone is pulling a thread from a sweater and it’s all slowly coming undone. Her arrogant-but-hot professor Asher Green insists that the dead from a parallel dimension are trying to possess the living in this one. And since Addison seems to be the only one who can see these “wraiths,”she just might be the key to saving the world. Stop the wraiths. Break the rules. Save the world. All in a day’s work. Normal was overrated, anyway.

Midnight Dawn by Jocelyn Adams
Mortal Machine #2
With only three days until the wraith king turns the earth into an all-you-can-eat buffet, Addison Beckett must enlist brooding sentinel Asher Green’s help. But Asher has erased her memory, along with the knowledge that he loves her, wants her, needs her. When Addison’s trapped by the wraith king, she must choose who will stand by her side during battle: the sentinel she loves who refuses to love her back, or a powerful stranger who insists they’re meant to be together. Her decision will decide the fate of humanity, and once determined, can’t be undone.

Forever Dusk by Jocelyn Adams
Mortal Machine #3
Life for the Mortal Machine—the secret-society that protects Earth from dark forces—has become almost…normal. For everyone but Addison. The evil she’s imprisoned in her soul is destroying her sanity. Consequently, nobody believes her warnings that an old enemy has returned. If she relies too much on her soul mate Asher, he’ll likely imprison her, if only to keep her safe. So she’s forced to distance herself from her love—to keep the world from certain death.

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FIGHTING ATTRACTION

Four sexy MMA fighters who will fight hard to win their women. Fans of Real, Beautiful Disaster, Worth the Fight, and Fifty Shades of Grey will love this standalone addition to the Redemption series by New York Times Bestselling author Sarah Castille.

Snag your copy of FIGHTING ATTRACTION or add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get a sexy peek inside FIGHTING ATTRACTION and to enter the giveaway for the first three books in the Redemption series!

 

About the book

 My sweet, sexy Penny has a dark side. Just like me.

I will have her. And then I will lose her, and suffer a lifetime of regret.

Rampage. Everyone loves him. He is Redemption’s top heavyweight fighter and the biggest gossip in the gym. But he isn’t the teddy bear everyone thinks he is. He’s hiding a dark secret-and he hates himself for it.

Twice a week, Rampage transforms into Master Jack, a notorious dom only the most hard-core submissives will play with. How can he-a Southern gentleman, bred to respect and protect women-want to dominate them?

But Penny Worthington wants him. Beneath her pearls, kitten heels, and prim British exterior beats a tortured heart…Master Jack is the only one who can set her free.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US  **  Amazon UK  **  B&N  **  iTunes  **  Google Books  **  BAM

Redemption Series:

Against the Ropes

In Your Corner

Full Contact

Fighting Attraction

 

PRAISE for Sarah Castille’s Redemption series:

“Powerful. Gritty. And sexy beyond belief. Sarah is a true master!”- Opal Carew, New York Times bestselling author of HIS TO CLAIM

“Hilarious, hot and occasionally heartbreaking. I loved it! “- Maryse’s Book Blog on AGAINST THE ROPES

“Castille’s follow-up to the excellent Against the Ropes doesn’t pull its punches.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review for IN YOUR CORNER

“Emotionally charged, amazingly sexy, and flat out fantastic.”- Fresh Fiction on FULL CONTACT

 

Other Books in the Redempton Series

Redemption series books are ON SALE NOW!

AGAINST THE ROPES (Redemption #1)

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IN YOUR CORNER (Redemption #2)

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FULL CONTACT (Redemption #3)

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Read a smokin’ hot excerpt from Fighting Attraction!

Copyright © 2017 Sarah Castille

“You’re so fucking soft,” he breathes. “So sweet.” He presses a kiss to my neck as his hands move over my body. I wrap my arms around his neck, pull him down for more. I want his full weight on top of me. I want to feel crushed, smothered, enveloped in hot, musky male.

Jack groans. His hips press into my stomach, his erection a delicious friction between my thighs. I part my legs wider, grind against him, seeking the delicious sensation of rough denim on my throbbing clit.

“Shh. Slow down. I want to enjoy you.” He trails kisses down my neck, over my throat. Shifting to the side, he cups and squeezes my breasts through my bra, his touch solid and strong. I writhe and wriggle, unable to stay still. He is driving me crazy with his touches, making me so wet it’s all I can do not to rip off his clothes and make him give me what I want.

His eyes darken, and he shoves my shirt up over my head, baring me to his heated gaze. “Ah, Pen.”

My hands find his back and smooth over his muscles, feeling them ripple beneath his shirt as he slides one bra strap over my shoulder. His breathing is heavy, his gaze intense as his head dips down to press a soft kiss to my bare skin.

He slides the other strap off, slowly, gently, carefully unwrapping me as if he is teasing himself. I arch my back, offer my breasts for the pleasure of his mouth. Beyond rational thought, I am lost in sensation, a seething, yearning mass of want.

Jack traces his finger along the edge of my bra, leaving a burning trail across my skin. With painful slowness, he eases the cups down, releasing my breasts from their restraint. I gasp when my burning skin comes into contact with the cool air, and my nipples bead so hard they ache.

I want his mouth on me, his lips, and his heat. But he doesn’t oblige. Instead, he traces a finger around my nipple. Around and around until I tangle my hands in his soft hair and pull him down to my breast. “Please.”

“You’re making it very difficult to go slow.” He feathers hot kisses across the curve of one breast, moving down to draw my left nipple between his teeth. I moan as he licks and sucks, nips and bites, while his other hand squeezes and caresses my right breast. My thighs fall open, inviting, and he lowers his hand to my leg and traces his finger slowly along the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

I have never known lust like this, want so fierce I burn, need so intense I ache. He is a master of manipulation, a purveyor of pleasure. He knows just where to touch and how hard. He knows how to drive me up and take me down, when I can’t take any more and when it isn’t enough. I try not to think about where he gained all that knowledge, the countless women he’s been with, the things he has done to them in his room at the club. I pretend I am the only one he has caressed into a haze of lust, the only one he wants.

I open my eyes to see him watching me, assessing my reaction to his touch. I feel at once stripped bare and treasured by the intensity of his focus. He moves to my other breast, pulling down my bra cup, teasing and torturing my nipple with his mouth. He trails his fingers up my thigh and then cups the curve of my sex, over my wet knickers. I let out a guttural moan and in seconds he’s on top of me, as if I’ve broken his self-control. He kisses me hard, rough, grinds his hips against me as he presses me into the couch. I reach for him, and he grabs my wrists with one hand and pins them over my head. He pushes my knickers aside and strokes a thick finger along my labia while he sucks and bites my nipple until I am writhing and groaning beneath him.

“Please,” I moan. “Please. Please. Please.”

“Tell me what you want.” He buries his face in my neck, bites down on the sensitive skin at the top of my shoulder.

“Sex. I want to have sex. I want you inside me. Now. Take off my clothes.”

His hand tightens on my wrists so hard it hurts. “I don’t have normal sex,” he growls. “If I take off your clothes, I’m going to hurt you. I need your pain, darlin’. Can you give it to me?”

 

Giveaway

Spread the news about FIGHTING ATTRACTION with a GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize: One (1) lucky winner will receive paperback copies of the first three books in the Redemption series (AGAINST THE ROPES, IN YOUR CORNER, AND FULL CONTACT)

Runners up: Three (3) readers will win Sarah’s bonus novella, YIELD TO ME! (Physical copies for both prizes are available for shipping addresses in US and CA. E-books will be delivered to all other locations)

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ABOUT Sarah Castille

Sarah Castille is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Redemption Series, Ruin & Revenge Series, Sinner’s Tribe Motorcycle Club series, Legal Heat series and the Club Excelsior series. A recovering lawyer with a fondness for dirty-talking alpha males, she now is a full-time writer, who lives on Vancouver Island.

Sarah loves to connect with readers. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases: http://bit.ly/LgFZlb

Connect with her at:

TWITTER  **  FACEBOOK  **  INSTAGRAM  **  AMAZON AUTHOR

GOODREADS  **  PINTEREST  **  YOUTUBE  **  BOOKBUB

 

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Monday, April 3rd
Books & Bells
nikkis book nook
It’s All About the Romance
Two Girls with Books
Romance Book Review For You
Tangled Hearts Book Reviews
Nicole’s Book Musings
Red Hot + Blue Reads
Spicy, Smalltown Romance Served Here
Joyfully Reviewed
Hoards Jumble

Tuesday, April 4th
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Wednesday, April 5th
Bookalicious babes blog
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For the Love of Bookends
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Nadine’s Obsessed with Books
Collector of book boyfriends

Thursday, April 6th
Sour Puss Reviews
Book Loving Pixies
EskieMama Reads & Dragon Lady Reads
OMGReads
Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm
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Friday, April 7th
danielriding.com
SiK Reviews
a small girl, her man and her books
Kitty’s Book Spot!
Reese’s Reviews
Obsessed by Books

 

 

I am still loving Sarah Castille and her writing. Her latest is Fighting Attraction, book four in her Redemption series. From the beginning I was pulled into Jack and Penny’s story and couldn’t put it down. With characters that have you wanting to know more and still more, the pages kept turning. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and turn to each other. I thought there was a good balance between Jack and Penny, both with secrets and learning to accept parts of themselves.

This week, I’m helping Entangled Publishing celebrate the heroes of Embrace & New Adult Romance!

Today we’re celebrating athletes! Here’s what Embrace authors have to say about their athletic heroes.

Are any of your athlete characters inspired by real life people? If so, who?

Tessa Bailey (author of Unfixable): Shane from Unfixable is a bartender from Dublin (in addition to being a Formula One driver). In real life, I married a bartender from Dublin. He doesn’t race cars, but there is some definite similarities.

Cindi Madsen (author of the Taking Shots series): Beck Davenport was modeled after Gabe Landeskog, Hudson Decker came about after staring at a lot of pictures of Tyler Seguin, & my inspiration for Dane was Chris Letang. Ryder “Ox” Maddox was tricky, & he’s actually more modeled off actor Robbie Amell.

Jennifer Blackwood (author of Foolproof & The Rule Maker): Gus Kenworthy totally helped inspire me to write Ryder Covington 🙂 and Claudio Marchisio was hero inspiration for Ryan from Foolproof.

Shae Ross (author of Rush & Fearless): The heroine athletes in RUSH were partially inspired by my nieces, Samantha and Sydney. Sam played soccer for Florida Gulf Coast and Syd plays for the University of Toledo, Rockets. Some of the scenes in RUSH parallel their experiences as female athletes on and off the soccer field.

Megan Westfield (author of Lessons in Gravity): I was watching a short rock climbing film when I initially had the idea for Lessons in Gravity. The climber in that film was Dean Potter who was one of the greatest rock climbers of this generation. Like Dean Potter, the pro rock climber in Lessons in Gravity, sometimes climbs without a rope—also called free soloing. (Sadly, Dean Potter died two years ago B.A.S.E. jumping in Yosemite National Park.) The most well-known free-solo rock climber is Alex Honnold who is practically a household name after appearing on 60 Minutes, in nationwide TV commercials, and on the cover of National Geographic, to name a few.

Jessica Lee (author of Falling for the Player): No!

Besides athletes, about what kind of heroes do you like to read?

Tessa: Blue collar men have always been my favorite. I love men who get dirty and work with their hands. Mechanics, law enforcement, construction workers. They can’t solve problems with money, so they have to be more creative and that’s what I love most.

Cindi: Really I’m a fan of all heroes. I just want to see a guy fall head over heels over the heroine. If they’re funny, bonus points.

Jennifer: Men who like to work with their hands, who don’t mind getting dirty. Maybe a mechanic? Or a cowboy?

Shae: I like to read about heroes in the working world. There’s something oh so appealing about a successful man in a business suit. Don’t you think?

Megan: Aside from heroes that are athletes, I’m currently smitten with rock star heroes like Berkeley from In Bloom by Katie Delahanty and Jack from Mean Girl Apologizes by Stephanie Monahan.

Jessica: I also adore a hero with a tortured soul. A man whose been to hell and back. And the heroine is the only person who can see who he really is behind the pain. She’s the person who can finally help him heal.

What sport do you think has the hottest athletes? Why?

Tessa: I have to go with hockey players. It’s not just the fact that they’re massive, muscular, sweaty gods—they fist fight. Normally, I would eye roll two men in a physical fight, but I’ll allow it in the name of sports glory.

Cindi: Well, I have to go with hockey, because I don’t want my hockey players mad at me. LOL. But football would be a close second.

Jennifer: Soccer. The abs. Need I explain more?

Shae: MMA–Mixed Martial Arts.

Megan: Outdoor adventure athletes are the very hottest! I define adventure sports as non-motorized sports out in the wild somewhere. Backcountry skiing, rock climbing, surfing, mountaineering, rafting, mountain biking, etc. These sports are the sexiest because they take athletic ability far beyond what you see in a city-sport, plus the stakes are way higher because chances of rescue are very slim if the athlete gets hurt.

Jessica: Soccer or football. Why? Have you seen those shorts and those tight pants? lol

Playlist:

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Foolproof by Jennifer Blackwood
Drexler University
It’s been a rough semester and Jules Carmichael needs to get her life together. Pronto. Unfortunately, the only available work is at Office Jax, home of horrid 90s music and the biggest jerk on this side of the galaxy. Then Ryan DeShane discovers the “6 Ultimate Steps to the Perfect Summer Fling”—and Jules is his target. But the “steps” work a little too well, because he and Jules are definitely, uh, flinging. And it’s only a matter of time before Ryan’s foolproof plan starts to seriously unravel…

The Rule Maker by Jennifer Blackwood
Rule Breakers #2
Ten Steps to Surviving a New Job: 1. Don’t sleep with the client. It’ll get you fired. (Sounds easy enough.) 2. Don’t blink when new client turns out to be former one-night stand. 3. Don’t call same client a jerk for never texting you back. 6. Ignore accelerated heartbeat every time sexy client walks into room. 8. Don’t let client’s charm wear you down. Be strong. 9. Whatever you do, don’t fall for the client. You’ll lose more than your job—maybe even your heart.

Wilder by Rebecca Yarros
The Renegades #1

He’s Paxton Wilder, five-time X Games medalist and smoking-hot leader of the Renegades. The world is his playground, and for the next nine months Leah Baxter is stuck as his tutor on the Study at Sea program. If she can’t get him to take his academics seriously, she’ll lose her scholarship…if she doesn’t lose her heart first.

Nova by Rebecca Yarros
The Renegades #2
He’s Landon Rhodes, four-time X Games medalist and full-time heartbreaker. This tatted-up adrenaline junkie has earned his nickname Casanova, going through girls in an attempt to forget the one who got away. But now she’s back and determined not to let him destroy her again. The problem is, he will stop at nothing to prove to her that they are meant to be together.

Fearless by Shae Ross
Pretty Smart Girls #2
Devi Dalton won’t let anyone hold her back. With a shiny new job in Manhattan, she’s finally taking control of her life. Her only obstacle? Ben Winslow, the sexy cage fighter she’s desperately trying to resist, who isn’t about to let her push him away again. They’re more than friends—always have been. But every fighter has a weakness. Ben’s is Devi. And this time, not even Devi’s favorite “ Fearless Red” lipstick will be able to protect her heart..

Rush by Shae Ross
Priscilla Winslow has a mouth that spits fiery sarcasm faster than I can throw a touchdown. But I’ve wanted her ever since I saw her in that Bo Peep outfit on Halloween. Yep, I’m a sheep who will follow that little hottie anywhere. There’s one problem…she hates me. Just because we ended up in jail and quite possibly ruined both our futures…

Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen
Taking Shots #1
Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. So she creates a “College Bucket List”―with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex…But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend. With every item she ticks off, Hockey player Beck Davenport finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he’s not careful, he’ll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7…

Anatomy of a Player by Cindi Madsen
Taking Shots #2
Whitney Porter is done with men. She’s focusing on her first assignment at the college newspaper: Posing as a sports writer for an exposé on the extra perks jocks receive. But Hudson Decker, the bad boy of the hockey team, is about to test her no-sex rule. With his life spiraling out of control, Hudson is looking for a distraction. When his teammates bet him that he can’t land the gorgeous but prickly new reporter, he accepts, boasting he’ll have her in bed by the end of the semester. But Whitney is so much more than Hudson expected, and soon enough, he’s in too deep.

Crazy Pucking Love by Cindi Madsen
Taking Shots #3
I just met the girl of my dreams. Megan Davenport is funny and smart, and she’s as much of an insomniac as I am. She’s also my team captain’s little sister, which I only found out after our passionate kiss. Megan is completely off-limits—her brother makes that very clear—and I know better than to think I can keep a relationship going during hockey season anyway. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be late-night friends, right?

Lessons in Gravity by Megan Westfield
Falling for the star of a rock climbing documentary is not a good idea, especially if you’re the filmmaking intern who will be dangling from the side of a three thousand foot cliff with a camera while he climbs Yosemite’s most treacherous spire without a rope.

Falling for the Player by Jessica Lee
Bad boy and former NFL running back Patrick Guinness is tired of meaningless sex. Ever since his scorching hot one-night stand three years ago, no one has interested him. So when Max Segreti wanders into his mechanic shop—and his life again—Patrick can’t stop thinking about the totally-out-of-his-league law grad and the possibility of getting him out of his system once and for all…

Unfixable by Tessa Bailey
Willa Peet isn’t interested in love. She’s been there, done that, and has the shattered heart to prove it. Ready to shake the breakup, she heads to Dublin, Ireland. But there’s a problem. A dark-haired, blue-eyed problem with a bad attitude that rivals her own. And he’s not doling out friendly Irish welcomes. Shane Claymore is only in Dublin long enough to sell the Claymore Inn and get things in order for his mother and younger sister. Meeting a sarcastic American girl makes him question everything, but will their pasts destroy any hope of a future together?

 

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