Wednesday, January 7, 2015

#Spotlight on Nina Crespo #Contest #NewRelease


Naughty Little Wishes
Birthday Dare (novella)
by Nina Crespo

Opposites attract. Enemies ignite...

There's nothing personal stylist Tabitha Drake loves more than pissing off Andrew Bode. He’s uptight, he refuses to agree with her on anything, and she loathes the hideous brown suits and red power ties he wears. The man even hates ice cream. How can her best friend work for a man who hates ice cream? But the absolute worst thing about Drew? He’s sexy as hell, and she's totally and ridiculously attracted to him.

Military contractor Andrew Bode is convinced he and Tab will never get along. Unfortunately, the infuriating—and sinfully tempting—stylist is his ticket to a major account. The only way to get what he wants is to agree to Tab's terms: a style makeover. However, Drew has a few terms of his own, most of which involve her naked in his bed. But neither of them are prepared when their lust-fueled hostility turns into something altogether unexpected...

BUY LINKS:


Excerpt:
            Tab yanked the sleeves of her extra-large sweatshirt and trudged downstairs. Coffee and Fruit Loops. The only sensible things in the midst of a week living in insanity. She’d expected her deal with Drew would place her in uncomfortable territory, but she hadn’t anticipated it dropping her into the hot zone. Not even Bode-Wynn’s golden connections had been able find a hotel not taken over by the convention or spring break. She should have waited until Drew’s assistant had confirmed everything before canceling her reservations.
            Morning sun glared off highly polished marble and steel in Drew’s kitchen. Not staying in a hotel should have rated as an enjoyable experience, but his stick-up-the-butt tendencies stretched way beyond impossible. Like yesterday when she’d taken a towel from the linen closet to dry her hair, causing the weekly housekeeper to freak out. At first, she’d thought the woman inhaled too much pine cleaner until she’d explained. Only blue towels, not green ones, belonged in the upstairs guest room. Why? Because Drew wanted order.
The list didn’t end there. No dishes left in the sink. Pillows properly spaced on the couch. The thermostat set at precisely frigid-ass cold. Throw in his other quirks about no TVs in the bedroom and the evils of junk food, and she existed in the equivalent of Siberia. Alone. He left early. Came home late. When he was there, he kept to himself and barely spoke. The beautifully decorated house felt unlived in and unloved. More than ever she needed the homey touches she used to make long trips bearable. Her Cinderella blanket, Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt, and comfort food. Two more weeks and then she would head for Virginia and a hotel room. She couldn’t wait.
            Tab opened the top cabinet. Beans, brown rice, organic peanut butter. Where was it? She searched through other cabinets, top and bottom. Sadist! He wouldn’t.
            “What’s wrong with you?”
            Keeping her back turned from him, she gripped marble. “Where are my Fruit Loops?”
            “You’re joking.”
            Spoon, bowl, those words matched. Joking didn’t fit anywhere in the scenario.         She’d endured his house rules, but messing with her cereal went too far.
“No. I’m not.” She whirled around to face him, and her breath hitched.
            Drops of water slid into the divide of his pecs, traveled over the ridges of his abdomen, melted into the soft, downy looking hairs leading like a silken arrow into his short, square-cut swim trunks.
            “I want my treat.” Prickles surged into her scalp. “I mean cereal. It was here yesterday.” Damn, she sounded mental.
            He took the towel from his shoulder and wrapped it around his waist. “I put it where it belonged.”
            “And where’s that exactly?”
            He walked in and opened the cabinet near her head. His closeness tempted her to touch, stroke, follow the drops of water with her tongue to the bulge under his towel. She should look away, but only a blind nun could stare and not lose every scrap of sense.


About Nina Crespo

 
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions—the beach, kickboxing, a good glass of wine with her own real-life hero, and dancing. Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel. Curiosity about people and places, including what’s beyond the stars, fuels her writer’s imagination. This wellspring of inspiration allows Nina to create sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales, which she hopes will feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after. Her debut novella, TAKE ME IF YOU DARE, was released in June 2014 by Entangled Publishing.  The sequel, NAUGHTY LITTLE WISHES, will be released January 2015. Her debut romance, fantasy novella, THANE’S REDEMPTION, is scheduled for release in March 2015.

Author Links:

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

2015 Release Schedule #ComingSoon



A peek at some things to come...

January 30th

Odd Wolf — in the Under a Wolf Moon box set
Add it on Goodreads here!

Dara is Alpha and used to taking control of the situation when it goes swirly. A rogue on her turf means a fight, and she’s ready to take him on. A woman with no plans to be tamed and a rogue wolf with no plans to stick around shouldn’t have more than a brief meeting to establish boundaries and be done. However, when Dara meets Lynwood, the call to mate might drown out logic altogether.





February – Super Secret Project— More info coming soon!


March 17th
Back in Time – The Set Up Line
Add it on Goodreads here!

 
Lady Daffodil Davola grew up traveling Ren Faires with her family. She’s not ashamed of living life off the grid, content with her world and the bawdy band of misfits and wanderers who share it with her. She doesn’t seek the approval of the outside world…not even from the one man who ever made her want something more.

Gregory Wilder grew up in a family obsessed with politics, determined to become movers and shakers. He remembers a fluke visit to a medieval faire and the girl he met once upon a time. After a messy divorce, he’s determined to find her and see what if…

Assigned to play King and Queen, they have to work together for Knight’s week, like it or not, because Daffy’s father insists. Can they make it through a week without killing each other, or will they end up Falling Back In Time?


April 21st

Forever Devoted – TAURUS, Tempting Signs Series


Robbie Jacobs is content being just one of the guys. For years, she’s run with her ‘Pack,’ a group of rowdy boys she went to high school with, used to party with, and now leans on in times of trouble. She has a couple gal pals, sure, but none of them are as close as the Pack…
Gray Smythe has been the unchallenged leader of their group of friends for years. Stoic, determined, he’s managed to be there for them all through some crazy shit. But when Robbie, the only girl in their group, gets into a car accident, the line between friendship and lover suddenly gets a hell of a lot thinner.
One stubborn Taurus man who’s sure he knows what’s right and wrong and one woman fighting to win back her body and a chance at love… Will Robbie believe Gray is actually Forever Devoted?



12 Authors. 12 Signs. 1 Explosive Series. Be prepared starting in March 2015 with Aries for the Signs of the Zodiac to lead the way to love in the emotional contemporary series.


RELEASE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED


Wolf on A Leash – The Black Hills Wolves Series with Decadent Publishing

Patch Williams is looking for a top in more ways than one. A long-time submissive at a local club, she hides her secret, never quite finding the release she seeks but willing to keep looking. When a new dom visits town, offering play she’s never tried before, it’s a battle to give into the pleasure he offers while keeping her wolf nature a secret.
Kennedy Laurie came home from overseas service realizing a few things about himself—he only got off when a little sadism was involved and he was terrified of going too far, getting lost in the play. He’s been traveling for a while when he comes across a sleepy little town with a backyard dungeon and just the submissive he’s been dreaming of.
Patch recognizes the call to mate, but with an out of towner? Her body cries out for her to submit, to tell him everything, but can her dom tame the Wolf on a Leash?


Must Love Cakes – The Watkin’s Pond Series
Carrie is looking for a man, or two. One requirement? Must Love Cakes.
Carolyn Bannister lives the sweet life. Wrapped up in a career as co-owner and operator of a small town bakery with her two best friends, she’s sure there’s nothing more she wants—until one silly drunken moment awakens a hunger no pastry will satisfy.
Grady Brooks and Ben Shipman take good care of their longtime buddy, Carrie.  Although they’ve shared women in the past, they never considered becoming sexually involved with Carrie, at least not out loud. Then everything changes.  Now, neither can pretend not to want the one woman they’ve both always loved.
At Decadent Delights, the treats are hot and the man of Carrie’s dreams…Must Love Cakes.

Necro – A vampire romance!
Aria works as a mortician by day, but by night she dreams of cold arms closing around her. Long assuming she’s just a bit sexually twisted, nothing prepares her for the night a corpse comes to life on her table…
Astor has tried to avoid the truth for years. A born vampire, he’s attempted to stay alive to avoid dealing with family politics which will come into play when he ends his human life and begins his undead one. When he wakes in a morgue being massaged by what he immediately recognizes as his soul mate, he has to make some choices—fast.
Can a woman who works with dead bodies find it in her heart to love a vampire?

More coming soon!!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Announcement! #NewBoxset Get Ready to Howl Under a Wolf Moon!

Five brand new, hot paranormal romance stories from bestselling authors. Alpha heroes and heroines with dark pasts and the need to discover their own happy ever after will draw you in and make you turn to the next page.

On January 30th, discover love, romance, heat, and passion Under a Wolf Moon with Heather Long, Saranna DeWylde, Rebecca Royce, Cara Carnes, and Virginia Nelson.

Each novella offers a look into a different series and world, but each features the power of the wolf.  Whether you like your wolves from small town, as billionaires, fighting wars they have to win or wrestling with ancient powers, Under a Wolf Moon has something for you.

Discover never seen before stories!
Meet tempestuous wolves!
Survive fiery battles!
Mark the date to meet their mates!

The wolf moon fills the sky and it’s time to howl!

Warning:  Contains alpha heroes and heroines, scorching passion, tough love, family ties, and pack dynamics which bind them together. Sometimes a wolf’s greatest challenge is finding their way home…

Under a Wolf Moon
Release Date: January 30, 2015

TITLES INCLUDE:

Wolf Next Door by Heather Long

When Claire Webster was five years old Tyler Buckley, the wolf next door, told her he was her mate and then ordered her not to play with one of her friends. Butting heads throughout their childhood, her choice to leave Willow Bend tore them apart. Eight years later, she sends a request to the new Alpha—she wants to come home, and when he grants it, she’s both relieved and terrified. The first person she runs into is the last one who ever wants to see her again.

Princess of the Pack by Saranna DeWylde

Marchessa de la Luna’s duty is to the marriage arranged to the enigmatic and powerful, but aging Alpha Antony Rommulus. Her passion is for the rogue Cassius who can give her nothing except pleasure. Marchessa must choose if it will be duty or desire that will decide her fate and that of her pack.

Eternal by Rebecca Royce

Dougal Owens has served on the front line of The Dragon Wars for sixteen years. The last thing this Alpha werewolf expects is his mate to drop in with a plan to end the war. Together, they will battle to save the Wolves or die trying.

Hell’s Playground by Cara Carnes

The Quadrant Alpha once thought Mira’s death was the worst thing that could have happened. Learning she lives, and worse, survived torture and purgatory gives Adrik a chance to save Redemption and his mate.

Odd Wolf by Virginia Nelson

Dara is Alpha and used to taking control of the situation when it goes swirly. A rogue on her turf means a fight, and she’s ready to take him on. A woman with no plans to be tamed and a rogue wolf with no plans to stick around shouldn’t have more than a brief meeting to establish boundaries and be done. However, when Dara meets Lynwood, the call to mate might drown out logic altogether.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

About children's books - A photo blog

Fairytale picture books from my childhood

My favorite childhood book and next to impossible to find nowadays

Early reading--Lots of Jim Henson and I Can Read books


A book starring me! I remember feeling so special because Dopey knew my name

Eventually I graduated to chapter books and NKOTB
Some of my children's favorite books
What were some of your childhood favorites? Do you still have them?

Thursday, January 1, 2015

12 Authors. 12 Signs. 1 Explosive Series. Introducing the Tempting #Signs #series from Fated Desires Publishing!


Forever Devoted ~ Taurus - Coming April 21st, 2015

Add it on Goodreads | Fated Desires Publishing

Robbie Jacobs is content being just one of the guys. For years, she’s run with her “Pack,” a group of rowdy boys she went to high school with, used to party with, and now leans on in times of trouble. She has a couple gal pals, sure, but none of them are as close as the Pack….
Gray Smythe has been the unchallenged leader of their group of friends for years. Stoic, determined, he’s managed to be there for them all through some crazy shit. But when Robbie, the only girl in their group, gets into a car accident, the line between friendship and love suddenly gets a hell of a lot thinner.
One stubborn Taurus man who’s sure he knows what’s right and wrong, and one woman fighting to win back her body and a chance at love…. Will Robbie believe Gray is actually Forever Devoted?

The second book of the Tempting Signs series!

12 Authors. 12 Signs. 1 Explosive Series. Be prepared starting in March 2015 with Aries for the Signs of the Zodiac to lead the way to love in the emotional contemporary series.

Friday, December 26, 2014

´*•.¸»♥«¸.•*´ Some Like It Secret by Heather Long #NewRelease #contemporary #GoingRoyal ´*•.¸»♥«¸.•*´

Some Like It Secret
Heather Long


´*•.¸♥¸.•*´ AVAILABLE NOW ´*•.¸♥¸.•*´


His life is an open book.

The second Andraste son, Sebastian, has always been the “spare.” His secret affair began as a lucky accident yet lasted over five years. After his older brother’s marriage, the press speculates wildly about which Dagmar will be next. The paparazzi dogs his every step, making it harder and harder to spend time with Meredith. When she abruptly ends the relationship, his world seems to turn upside down.

She’s his dirty little secret.


The last place Meredith Blake expected to find herself was in the bed of a prince, but her tempestuous affair with Sebastian Dagmar feeds her need for passion. He's put off revealing their relationship and, understanding his need for privacy, she’s contented herself with being the object of his very real affection whenever they were together. Those times draw farther and farther apart and his royal life stampedes their romance. She wonders if she's just not good enough for him. Deciding enough is enough, Meredith ends their affair, tired of being his dirty little secret.

Enough is enough…

Sebastian wanted to protect Meredith from the media and security circus that came with the royal package, but he refuses to lose the love of his life. He'd do anything to keep her—even kidnap her to a private isle. Can he overcome her reluctance, evade the press, and protect her from assassins determined to end the Dagmar family once and for all?

*Note from Virg:
This is a series, but each book can easily be read as a standalone in my opinion. Although it would of course increase the reader's enjoyment if they recognized the secondary characters appearing (since this adds the, "Aww...it's Armand," experience), none of these books require that.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

****PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REPOST, SHARE, OR BLOG THIS POST****

****PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REPOST, SHARE, OR BLOG THIS POST****
You don’t have to give credit to me if you don’t wanna. I don’t care, seriously. This isn’t about me…it is about helping others.

Everyone is talking about their holiday shopping and some of you are probably like me—I haven't managed to get the things my own kids want. But if this is the holiday for giving, shouldn’t we also be thinking of others? My kids are healthy and happy. They have a lot of stuff, if not all the stuff they want. We go to sleep in warm, clean beds every night and know we’ll wake up the same in the morning. Not everyone has that. Folks that don’t? I figure they’re probably having a hard time getting through this season. We could make a difference for them, a real difference.

Money is tight. I get that. I don’t have money to throw around either. But I have time. When I can, I try to help out here and there. I also like to look up ways I CAN afford to help more, whether for free or for a small amount of money. Just about everyone can afford to help those who have even less than us this holiday season—folks who aren't WITH their family or are trapped in the sterile walls of a hospital, for instance.

I found a few free/low cost ways you can probably help out this holiday season. I’m not saying do all of them, but maybe there’s something on here that will strike a you. These folks deserve a smile this holiday. Maybe you'll be the one thing that gets them through what is supposed to be a happy season, but for them hasn't been one at all.

Some kids are stuck in a bed surrounded by strangers. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Hanna House could use your help this holiday season. Rainbow Babies & Children is 65% children under the age of 3. That hospital has 244 beds services about 30k people a year, and they once saved my daughter's life. Their wishlist includes items almost anyone can afford—chapstick, band aids, a baby rattle, little things. Read more here:
http://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbow/services/family-and-child-life-services/child-life/wish-list

If you haven't heard of Ronald McDonald's house, they offer a place for sick kids' families to stay with/near their sick child—over SEVEN THOUSAND bedrooms, actually. There are currently 322 Ronald McDonald's Houses in 57 countries and regions. If you've ever visited a sick kid ward and seen a child alone, surrounded by machines and strangers...yeah, it is important they have the support of their family while they’re trying to get well. Not everyone can afford to be there, so this charity offers them a way. There are boxes in almost every McDonald's—you can even just toss a penny in the box after getting a .99 cent burger in the drive-thru. Hey, I get it. Not everyone can afford to give up their change. If you can’t afford to put money in the box, they have another program... You or your business can collect pop tabs to help raise money (through recycling) for the kids. Doesn't sound like it could help much? Some chapters of Ronald McDonald House have raised $30k with pop tabs in a year. They also offer a wishlist including little things like trash bags, stamps, cards, foil and sandwich bags.
Find out more here: http://www.rmhc.org/other-ways-to-help

The Red Cross is no longer doing the Holiday Mail for Heroes, but you can still go to their website to find ways you can sign a card for a military service member far from home this holiday season. Instead of one address, they have localized it, and are likely having a 'card making/signing' event in your area. To find out when/where— http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes

If you know of other ways to help, go ahead and toss them in the comments section of this post because I try to do this (or something like it) every year. I’ll save your responses and include them next year.

And remember…we’re all in a hurry. It is the holidays! We’ve got places to go, things to do, and not a lot of time to do them. But a smile? A moment of biting back your temper and taking a second to listen? Sometimes those little things can make a big difference, too.

Be kind to each other.

xoxo
mama virg