Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Destiny Awakened


Title: Destiny Awakened
Series: Destiny #4
Author: Nana Prah
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Published: November 6, 2016
Published by: Decadent Publishing
After enduring a traumatic event as a child, Gloria Anokye isn’t sure she’ll ever be enough for any man. With no other option, she entrusts her romantic future into the hands of Esi, midwife-turned-matchmaker. In the meantime, the one guy she’s ever desired has the power to destroy her newfound career as a wedding planner.

Kamal Lawrence has less than six weeks to plan his sister’s wedding. With the help of a wedding planner, they might be able to pull off the best wedding Ghana has ever seen. The trick is to fight off the attraction exploding between them. Once Kamal realizes there’s no way he can or will be able to stay away from Gloria, he plans his seduction.

Will she fall into his arms or keep it strictly professional?


Destiny Awakened Excerpt © Nana Prah 2016

She pointed to an arbor standing to the side of the pond. “They can get married over there with the archway draped with flowers.”
Kamal stumbled backwards when their gazes met. Afraid he’d fall, Gloria reached out and grabbed his arm.
“I didn’t even notice it,” he said as he focused on the gazebo. He looped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s almost like the one I mentioned earlier.”
Gloria wrapped her arm around his waist, molding her body into his side. It’s only to provide him with support since he nearly collapsed a moment ago. How come she never wanted to let go?
Awe still filled his voice as he walked them closer to the pond. “It’s just what I imagined.”
Never had she thought she’d be standing in her precious garden in the embrace of the one man she’d ever desired. When he gazed down into her eyes the air rushed out of her lungs. The need to kiss him overpowered her common sense as she licked her lips. 
One moment, Gloria anticipated the second-best kiss of her life by the man who’d made her toes curl with his first. The next moment found her stumbling forward as he released her. What the hell?



Nana Prah first discovered romance in a book from her eight grade summer reading list and has been obsessed with it ever since. Her fascination with love inspired her to write in her favorite genre where happily-ever-after is the rule.

She is a published author of contemporary, multicultural romances. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing she’s, over-indulging in chocolate, enjoying life with friends and family, and tormenting nursing students into being the best nurses the world has ever seen. Nana loves to connect with her readers on Twitter @Nana Prah and Facebook at Nana Prah, author.
Hosted By: 
 

Hail Mary

 


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At a boxing gym in Chicago, Mary Monahan accidentally knocks out the most handsome man she’s ever met. After she wakes him up with a few slaps and some smelling salts, the very first thing he does is ask her out for ribs and beer. His name is Jimmy. He looks like a Gillette model. And he’s just too hunky to resist.

Jimmy “The Falcon” Falconi is mystified that Mary has absolutely no idea who he is. Mystified and refreshed. He is, after all, not your everyday NFL quarterback. He shops at Costco, has a soft spot for Pinterest, and is in the midst of an epic losing streak.

Jimmy falls for Mary fast and hard, the way he does everything—balls out and like it’s fourth and long. And he realizes he’s finally met his match. That stamina he’s so proud of? Doesn’t stand a chance against her Kegels.

But what they don’t know is she’s also his new physical therapist, recently hired by the Bears to work on his rotator cuff…and groin injury. If she can’t help him, he’ll be traded faster than they can say “offensive penetration.”

In spite of the thousands of internet memes featuring Jimmy’s face with captions like: “HEY GIRL, WANT TO TOUCH MY BALLS?” Mary finds herself falling for him and his unrelenting desire to make her his.

Until a toddler shows up at Jimmy’s door.

And throws their lives into total chaos.

***

To the reader: Contents includes love, sweetness, naughtiness, honey, champagne, and an HEA. Safe.





















With her hand in mine, I hail a cab on Fullerton. She isn’t saying much, and I like that. I like talking to her, getting dirty, watching her lose her words. Because I’ll tell you what, I’m planning on her losing a shitload more than that before I’m done with her. Losing everything to me. That’s the fucking plan.
The cabbie pulls off to the other side of the road a little way up from us and puts on his hazards to tell us he’s waiting. As we head for the crosswalk, I kick aside a drift from one of the plows, but it’s unsteady footing, icy and slick. As she begins to slip, her grip on my hand tightens.
“That’s enough of that,” I tell her, and scoop her up into my arms, newlywed-style.
She squeals and hangs on tight. She fits fucking perfectly in my arms, and I love the way she feels tight against me. Her fingers slip past my collar, and her fingernails dig gently into the back of my neck. “I can walk,” she says, mostly to my mouth. Then she raises her eyes. “It was just slippery.”
I don’t answer right away. I don’t want to come on too strong. I don’t want to scare her, but I don’t want there to be any fucking mistake at all about what I want or how I plan to get it. “I know you can. I’m sure you can do pretty much everything.”
Her eyes glisten, and I hoist her up a little higher in my arms. The walk signal starts flashing its hand as we get to the other curb. “I’m no shrinking violet.”
“Good. Because I’m going to need you to come strong for me tonight.”
Her body reacts before her face does, her back arching under my hand, that bend so delicate under my palm.
“Multiple times. Loudly.”
She presses her face to my chest and moans out what sounds like, “Who are you?”
“And you’re going to tell me what you like and how you like it. We’re not going to fuck around. Communication, pussycat. That’s the key.”
There go her words again. I’m getting to know that glaze in her eye, disoriented with desire. “And what about you?”
Now we’re even with the cab, but I’ve still got some things she needs to know. “I don’t come until you do. At least twice.”
She’s got no answer for that, so I bring her chin up toward me, stretching her pretty neck out with my thumb on her jaw. “You hear me?”
She nods. She breathes. She blinks.
“That’s how it’s going to go.”
“I think I can handle that.”
I laugh, sending a plume of steam out of my nose. This girl has no idea how badly I want her. How badly I need her. How fucking hard I am already to get inside her. “Yeah? You think so? You think you can handle me?”
Her eyes widen a little. “I think so,” she whispers.
Then I let her slip from my arms, such a fucking shame, but I’m not about to let her open her own door. As she gets into the cab—on the street side, the safe side—I say into her ear, “We’ll just see about that.”









A signed copy of Hail Mary and a $50 Sephora Gift Card
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Nicola Rendell writes dirty, funny, erotic romance. She likes a stiff drink and a well-frosted cake. She is at an unnamed Ivy and prefers to remain mostly anonymous for professional reasons. She has a PhD in English and an MFA in Creative Writing from schools that shall not be named here. She loves to cook, sew, and play the piano. She realizes that her hobbies might make her sound like an old lady and she’s totally okay with that. She lives with her husband and her dogs. She is from Taos, New Mexico.


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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Christmas Candy








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A Christmas novella where everyone gets their just desserts.
Olive had a major crush on Hank in high school. She was the too-smart, slightly chubby girl who gawked as Hank ran track and made all the cheerleaders swoon. After high school, the two went their separate ways. Olive opened a yoga studio and swore off sweets while Hank traveled the world. No problem, right? At least there wasn’t a problem until Hank moved back to town and opened a candy shop across the street from Olive’s studio. Now, Olive will do everything she can to shut her old crush down. But Hank has other plans, and all of them end with an Olive sundae.

Author’s Note: This is a sweet Christmas treat that will leave you satisfied, yet desperate for a little taste of sugar.







“Can you call that number again, dear?” Mrs. Carmichael adjusts her enormous bifocals. “I couldn’t hear it over my cats. They meow something terrible when they’re hungry.”
I glance around at the cat-free common room. “Sure. I-14.”

“Thank you.” She stares at her upside down bingo card.

“I wanted to ask you something last night, but I couldn’t quite work up the nerve.” His fingers linger against mine again as he hands me the next ball.

“What?” My voice comes out breathy as I call out the number. We should have had a bingo by now, but I’ve learned everything takes a little longer at the senior center.
He leans over, his warm breath tickling my ear. “I was wondering what your favorite candy is.”
Goosebumps break out along my neck and arms as I snatch the ball from his hands and announce the next number.
“I don’t like candy.” I glance at him. He’s watching me, eating me up with his eyes. Problem is, I can’t say the sensation is unpleasant. Quite the opposite.
“Come on. Everyone likes candy.”
“I don’t.” His nearness is throwing me off, and I stutter out the next number.
“You sure? I saw the way you looked at my candy apple.”
I huff out a breath. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He moves closer, our arms touching. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” His conciliatory whisper has my heart stutter-stepping. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
I can’t focus on the numbers, not when he’s winding me up like a clock. It doesn’t help that this is the most distracted I’ve been over a man since … Since senior year when I stared at him running track instead of doing my homework. I’ve fallen into the same hole with the same guy, and I can’t seem to get myself free.
“Candy apples.” I keep my voice low.
“What?” God, his voice in my ear sends shivers shooting down my spine.
“I like candy apples the best.”
“I’d like to see you eat one of my candy apples. Extra caramel for you.” He hands me the next ball, his index finger skating along mine. “Something sweet on your tongue.”
My body goes up in flames as our eyes meet, and I call out, “O-69.”


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Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark. Thanks for reading.


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My Own Nightmare

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My Own Nightmare
Shattered Lives Series; Book 1
Published: November 26, 2016
Published by: Barb Shuler
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Cover Designed by: MadHat Books


~ Blurb ~
One night a life changed. My life.

I used to write about chaos – about lives turning on a dime. Never once did I think it would ever happen to me. I went from a blossoming career to a prisoner in the span of a single evening. A living nightmare I was determined to escape.

The price of evil was high, but I wasn’t backing down. I knew in my heart the men in my life would be looking. I just had to survive. One day at a time. Minutes turned to hours. Hours turned into days. Then, it was time to make a choice.
Live or Die?
I chose to live.

Hell hath no fury and I had no more time...




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~ Purchase Links ~
Amazon US : AU : CA : UK
**On Kindle Unlimited

~ Excerpt ~

Looking around, I finally saw Drew and Jackson as they walked into the gym. The looks on their faces made my heart sink a little. It was if they had bad news to tell or something, and both were still in their uniforms. Were they still on duty? And where was my dad? They both caught my eye and their faces changed as they moved my direction. Big smiles met me as I was engulfed in huge arms and spun around by Jackson. Before I could catch my breath Drew pulled me up into his arms and I could feel the fire burning in my cheeks as he kissed my lips softly.
“You’re gonna squeeze me to death one of these days,” I said as I looked up at them and patted their cheeks at the same time.  
It was then that I felt Drew pulling me back to him. We were in public, but I couldn’t hide it anymore, I didn’t want to. It was time to let it be known that he and I were a couple. His arms wrapped around me as our lips met again. I heard Jackson beside us chuckle and say “busted”. A moment later I heard a shrill voice yelling over the crowd behind me. Damn, Katie saw us, now we were busted. I reluctantly pulled back from his lips and grinned as he told Katie to shut it. “Play nice, you two.”
I turned in his arms and as he held me against him. I looked at her, her face contorted as her hands went to her hips. “What is this?” Her eyes were tearing into us like we were sadists walking into a Baptist church on Sunday morning. I held my hand up to her and raised a brow.
“Before I tell you what this...” I gestured between us as I looked back at her smiling, “is, you have to not lose your cool.” I glared at her scowl; my eyes on hers. “Katie Landry, promise me!” She crossed her arms over her chest and I followed her eyes as she glared at her brothers who were both wearing identical smirks.
“If you don’t promise I will make you wait longer…” My words trailed off as I felt Drew’s lips move down the length of my neck, making it hard to focus. Asshole. He knew exactly what he was doing to me and I could see on Katie and Jackson’s faces they did not love our PDA.
“Andrew Landry, you stop that right this minute.” I tried to sound stern but my voice was raspy and I smirked to myself. His arms moved up mine and I smiled back at Katie. “Well, Landry, do we have a deal?”
“You hid this from… me?” She blinked a few times and narrowed her eyes at me. “That is just rude, Dani Lynn Cartwright!” She huffed. “Oh my God, like really? I will hate you forever now. Some friend… And you…” she said, her voice hitting an octave higher now as she pointed her bony little finger towards Drew. “You are supposed to be my brother, and you kept it from me, too?” She crossed her arms back over her chest and acted like she was going to pout.
I snickered and moved out of Drew’s embrace to hug her around the neck and whisper in her ear. “Please don’t be mad, I wanted to surprise you with this.” There was more, but that would be for another time. I had to make sure the test I took yesterday was accurate. And, let’s face it, I needed to check my math. I sucked at math. When Drew was around I seemed to lose track of so many things. My period was the biggest one apparently. If I was pregnant, he had to be the first one to find out. Privately. I wasn’t sure how he would react. Then I’d tell Daddy. Everyone else would have to wait.

Copyright © 2016 by Barb Shuler  


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~ Meet Barb Shuler ~

I’m a Carolina Girl by right and a Texan by birth. Best of both worlds. I have the brass sass to keep up with my Texas sized temper. Living and working in both states I’ve learned a lot about hard work, adapting to your surroundings and making the best of the path that you have been led down. My grandma Dollie once told me I would know what I was meant to do when it happened. She was right, as always.

As with most book lovers, I am an avid reader. Reading has always been a hobby - a passion, really and a way to get lost in other people’s lives, their drama and other worlds. It’s a private movie in your imagination that you get to cast and navigate through, at your own pace. Reading helps to expand the perimeters of one's mind. That is what got me into writing. Writing has been something that I have done since I was a kid. If I had paper, I was writing. Nine out of ten times it made no sense but what are words if they are not to be used to your advantage? Words are a part of us all. Why not use them, right?

During the day I work as a ‘desk jockey’ and help the residents of my county navigate themselves around our little, but not too little country town. By night I am either blogging, doing PA work for some of my favorite authors or fighting with the voices in my head. They can be stubborn at times. It’s a blessing and I am cherishing every moment. Tomorrow is never guaranteed so I want to make sure I live the day as fully as possible. For what is my creation, can become someone else's treasure.


~ Connect with Barb ~


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My group will get teasers, excerpts and all the behind the scenes things of my writings before anyone else gets them. #BecomeAMisfit


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Come and join the fun! Sunday, December 4th @ 6:30pm CST / 7:30 EST in Nancee Cain’s Cain Raisers Group!