Today I’d like to introduce Lindsey Brookes @Lindsey_Brookes with her contemporary Western romance, Kidnapped Cowboy. This one sounds like a lot of fun! Don’t forget to leave a comment because Lindsey is giving away a $10 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky commenter.

Kidnapped Cowboy by Lindsey Brookes

BLURB:

After countless attempts to speak with the owner of the retreat for troubled teens she runs on the outskirts of Lone Tree, Montana, Caitlin Myers resorts to kidnapping Brandon ‘The Ogre of Lone Tree’ Barnes in a desperate attempt to change his mind about turning Stoney Brook into a vacation resort for the wealthy.

Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother. Things go from bad to worse when a late spring snowstorm strands them together at the cabin. But it’s during their snow-in that Dalton learns why Caitlin has gone to such lengths to save Stoney Brook. Having had issues with his older brother himself and a not so happy past, Dalton promises to do what he can to help her.

When confronted Brandon tells Dalton he’ll hold off on his plans for the retreat, but only if Dalton agrees to stick around and help run it. Keeping his promise to Caitlin, Dalton agrees and what starts out as a common goal to turn the troubled teens’ lives around that summer ends up turning theirs around as well. Can a man who has always avoided putting down roots and a woman with a deep-seated fear of abandonment hang on to the happiness they’ve found together? Or will the past return to threaten their newfound love?

Love, laughter and a heartwarming read…

EXCERPT:

“D…don’t move or else.”

Dalton Barnes froze, one leg hiked up on the chrome running board of his brother’s truck, one hand curled snugly about the open door. Being held up on the main street of Lone Tree, Montana, where crime was virtually nonexistent, was the last thing he expected to happen when he’d driven into town that evening for a couple of drinks.

No, make that being held up by a woman on the main street of Lone Tree.

“All right,” he said in the same calming tone he used when working with horses, “I won’t.”

If his assailant were a man he might have attempted to wrestle the gun away. Instead, it was a female jabbing the barrel of her weapon into his back. A nervous female at that if the trembling of her hand was any indication. Not a good combination.

“Good.” Her voice shook as much as her hand.

“If you’re after money, there’s about fifty bucks in my wallet.”

She let out what could only be described as an unladylike snort. “That’s all?”

“Look,” he said, his patience slipping, “I can get more. There’s an ATM machine across the street. We can just take a walk on over there and I’ll get you whatever you need.” He started to turn.

“D…don’t turn around,” she gasped, sounding panicked.

The barrel felt like a tree trunk pressing into his back. “I won’t,” he said, throwing up his hands. “Just take it easy.”

“I don’t want your money,” she replied, sounding more shaken than he felt and that was saying a lot, considering he was the one with a gun barrel rammed into the center of his back. “I want you.”

Okay, now that was unexpected.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Romance author Lindsey Brookes grew up reading romance novels. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin’s Great American Romance Novel contest. She’s married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

Check out her websites:

www.lindseybrookes.com

www.possumhollowseries.com

Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.brookes.9?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Lindsey_Brookes

Buy links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Follow the rest of Lindsey’s tour to increase your chance of winning a prize.

My spotlight book today is The Cracked Slipper by Stephanie Alexander. It’s a fairy tale retelling, and who can resist those?

CONTEST: Leave a comment on this post or ask Stephanie a question and go into a draw to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate. Follow the rest of Stephanie’s tour to increase your chances of winning.

The Cracked Slipper by Stephanie Alexander

BLURB:

When Eleanor Brice unexpectedly wins the heart of Gregory Desmarais, Crown Prince of Cartheigh, she’s sure she’s found her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Prince Charming has a loose grip on his temper, a looser grip on his marriage vows, and a tight grip on the bottle.

Eight years of mistreatment, isolation and clandestine book learning hardly prepare Eleanor for life at Eclatant Palace, where women are seen, not heard. According to Eleanor’s eavesdropping parrot, no one at court appreciates her unladylike tendency to voice her opinion. To make matter worse, her royal fiancé spends his last night of bachelorhood on a drunken whoring spree. Before the ink dries on her marriage proclamation Eleanor realizes that she loves her husband’s best friend, former soldier Dorian Finley.

Eleanor can’t resist Dorian’s honesty, or his unusual admiration for her intelligence, and soon both are caught in a dangerous obsession. She drowns her confusion in charitable endeavors, but the people’s love can’t protect her from her feelings. When a magical crime endangers the bond between unicorns, dragons, and the royal family, a falsely accused Eleanor must clear her own name to save her life. The road toward vindication will force a choice between hard-won security and an impossible love.

The Cracked Slipper is a book club friendly fairytale retelling in the vein of Gregory Maguire, with a dash of romance. Set in a pseudo-renaissance, corset-and-petticoats enchanted kingdom, The Cracked Slipper brings a magical twist to women’s fiction.

EXCERPT:

"He tugged at his earlobe. “I can’t, Mistress, and I would, just to get you out of this hallway, but Prince Gregory is not here.”

“Not here? What do you mean? It has to be—”

“Two in the morning.”

“Two in the morning,” she said. Something icy formed in her chest, and it wasn’t from the cold tiles beneath her feet. “I see. Well, I’ll be going.” She turned slowly.

“I’m sorry, Mistress.” The gruff voice followed her, but she didn’t want to turn around and see the sympathy on his face. She started up the steps but stopped midway.

There must be an explanation. She could not face tomorrow not knowing. She would wait and see, and it would all be revealed. Probably just some late-night meeting with his advisers, a problem that must solved before the wedding. She would wait until he returned, and then go back to bed happy.

Exhaustion caught up with her and she sat on the bottom step out of view of the guard. She wrapped her arms around her knees and in spite of the cold she nodded off. After some time, maybe ten minutes or maybe an hour, she heard voices. She sat up.

They were male voices, and some of them sounded familiar. She rocked forward on her numb toes and peered around the corner again.

She recognized Dorian first, and then Brian, Raoul, and several of Gregory’s other friends. Dorian struggled to hold someone up. Her heart sank as she recognized Gregory’s auburn hair.

He could barely stand. His legs kept buckling underneath him. Each time they crumpled he reached up with both arms. He grabbed Dorian’s neck and nearly dragged them both to the floor. The other men kept up a constant stream of harassment. She lost track of who said what, but their words rang painfully clear.

“What’s that Gregory? Those two Talessee girls where too much for you?”

“We should have quit after the redhead. She took care of him quite nicely.”

“Did you see the tits on that one?”

“Old Greg was probably seeing four of them. He was so smashed he was already falling over.”

“But his flagpole was standing up!” They all roared with laughter.

“A fine tribute to Cartheigh!”

“Tell me, Gregory, how will your sweet little maid compare with those last two?”

Gregory’s head swung up. “See, what you boys don’t realize…is I can have the sweet little maid and still bang as many whores as I see fit. Benefits of the crown.”

Eleanor could barely breathe. She head Dorian’s voice for the first time. “All right, all

right, let’s get you to bed or you’re liable to pass out on the altar.”

Gregory spoke again. “And you know, boys, little Eleanor is not quite as sweet as you may think— I’ve already had my hands on her—”

“Enough, Gregory,” Dorian said. He thrust the stuttering prince off on Brian and Raoul. He took the keys from the guard, who gazed resolutely at the wall.

“Tonight was just practice for tomorrow—”

“Enough!”Dorian exclaimed.

Eleanor couldn’t take any more. Without any further thought she stepped out into the hallway.

They all froze, a bunch of possums blinded by a woodsmen’s torch. Eleanor couldn’t speak. She simply stood there, staring at Gregory strung between Brian and Raoul like a pair of wet stockings left out to dry. Her hands clenched at her sides in tight fists. Blood roared in her ears, but her eyes were dry.

Dorian finally broke the silence.“Eleanor.”

Gregory cocked his head. “Sweetheart, how good to see you.”

His body jerked and he vomited. It covered his boots, and the sentry’s. The guard never moved. The acidic scent hit Eleanor’s nose and broke her paralysis. She fled up the steps. She heard Dorian calling after her but she didn’t stop. She brushed past her own sentry, threw the door open with both hands, closed it and drew the latch. She leaned against it. She had left her candle in the hallway, but she’d built the fire well and it still burned. She jumped at a gentle tap on the door behind her.

Dorian’s voice through the thick wood loosened the tears that had not come downstairs. “Eleanor,” he said, “please open the door. Let me explain.”

“No, go away.”

“He’s just drunk. It’s just talk among men. He didn’t mean any of it.”

“So where were you all? You weren’t out pitching lawn bolls!”

“I don’t deny it, or defend it. But Gregory loves you. He never meant to hurt you. ”

She leaned her head against the door. There was no way she could open it. “I don’t know what to believe,” she said. And then, louder, “Please go away, Dorian. Please.”

“As you wish.”

She sensed him standing on the other side, and then his footsteps moved down the hallway."

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Stephanie Alexander grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, the oldest of three children. Drawing, writing stories, and harassing her parents for a pony consumed much of her childhood. After graduating from high school in 1995 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the College of Charleston, South Carolina. She returned to Washington, DC, where she followed a long-time fascination with sociopolitical structures and women’s issues to a Master of Arts in Sociology from the American University. She spent several years as a Policy Associate at the International Center for Research on Women, a think-tank focused on women’s health and economic advancement.

Stephanie embraced full-time motherhood after the birth of the first of her three children in 2003. After six wonderful years buried in diapers and picture books she returned to her childhood passion and wrote her own fairytale. Her family put down permanent southern roots in Charleston in 2011. Stephanie is an adjunct professor of Sociology at the College of Charleston.

Website

Blog

Facebook

twitter: @crackedslipper

http://www.amazon.com/The-Cracked-Slipper-Series-ebook/dp/B007FLG8KS/

I’m off on holiday for a couple of weeks. Hubby needs the break since he’s been working long hours. I’m going along to keep him company.

When we hit Sydney, we’re going to see The Munsters at the Capitol Theatre. I can almost hear the theme song now. A theatre visit is a real treat, and I’m looking forward to the show.

While I’m away, I have lots of books that I’m spotlighting. They’ve all appealed to me for one reason or another – the cover, the premise or the characters. I hope you’ll check them out. Some of them have giveaways. And speaking of giveaways, I’m currently doing a contest at Goodreads for a print copy of Tea For Two. Make sure you enter because I’d love to send the prize to one of my regular visitors.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Tea for Two

by Shelley Munro

Giveaway ends June 06, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

My spotlight book today is a contemporary romance featuring a runaway bride. It’s the cover of The Wanted Bride that drew me, but I’m a sucker for a runaway bride story. A double draw card. Read on to learn more!

The Wanted Bride
Sylvia McDaniel

Genre: Short Contemporary

ISBN: 978-1484122204

Number of pages: 232 pages

Word Count: 60,000

Cover Artist: Kat Baldwin

Amazon BN

Book Description:

She’s a Runaway Bride

Valerie Burrows is running from a wedding, her attorney fiancé and the law. Pampered Valerie takes a bus to nowheresville, where she learns her cash and credit cards have been stolen. Left with only her designer clothes and luggage she takes on a new identity and must learn to be self-reliant. She swears off men, especially attorneys, only to find the one man who refuses a one night stand and wants a relationship.

He’s Looking For A Wife

Matt Jordan, the Colorado Crusher, is the most successful liability lawyer in the state. After the death of his brother-in-law, he realizes he’s ready to settle down with a family of his own. His only requirements are intelligent, great-looking, wants more than a hook-up and doesn’t lie. After witnessing the lies his father told his mother, he demands complete honesty. Yet Valerie Brown shows him sometimes in order to find yourself, you must become someone else. Even if that means lying.

About the Author:

Sylvia McDaniel and her very supportive husband Don, the love of her life, live in Texas with son Shane, Putz the klutzy dachshund and Ashley our shy dachshund. During the day, she works for a small insurance agency, helping clients with their commercial insurance coverage. The weekends are spent working out in the garden until the temperature climbs above ninety degrees. Currently, she’s written fourteen novels. Her novel, A Hero’s Heart, was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Sylvia is the President Elect of Dallas Area Romance Authors.

www.amazon.com/author/sylviamcdaniel

www.sylviamcdaniel.com

@WriterSylvia

http://sylviamcdaniela.blogspot.com/

http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SylviaMcDanielAuthor

Let’s do the hop! Check out new books to make your reading pile soar and maybe win a prize while adventuring through the hop participant’s websites. This hop is sponsored by Under the Covers and Guilty Pleasures

A few weeks ago I read an article about ways men can make their women swoon and feel special. Here are a selection:

1. Ask her to dance.

2. Put your arm around her when you introduce her to your friends and family.

3. Kiss her eyelids.

4. When she’s walking down the street, across the room or up stairs to meet you, walk toward her as soon as you see her.

5. Grasp her hand when a sexy woman walks by.

6. Mention your upcoming anniversary before she does.

7. Call her just before you get on a plane.

8. Order her coffee and make sure it’s exactly how she likes it.

9. Worship her breasts.

10. Draw her a warm bath.

11. In the middle of a conversation, tell her you love her.

12. Kiss her hand in front of your friends.

13. Notice when she’s wearing something new.

14. Make love to her and focus entirely on her needs.

Source: Men’s Health.com

Charlotte Dixon, the heroine from my recent release One Night of Misbehavior is charmed by Ashley Marlborough. He’s definitely swoon worthy. He’s rich, talented and possesses charisma by the bucket load. On top of that he’s kind. He brings her coffee and he focuses on her until she feels very special, even if she fights him every inch of the way.

He wears his scars on the outside. She keeps hers safe inside.

Charlotte Dixon ignores her stepmother’s edict and, in an act of disobedience, attends one of the social events of the year—a masquerade costume ball. Charlotte’s naughtiness escalates when she dances and smooches with a sexy mystery man. The night of anonymous passion that follows makes her yearn for a different life, but the next day she’s back to her dull routine of household management.

Advertising tycoon, Ash Marlborough is about to set a private investigator on the trail of his nameless princess when she waltzes right into his place of work. Charlotte is shocked to meet her masked man in the flesh, and even more perturbed when he asks her out on a date. Despite craving another night of sexy loving, she doesn’t have time for a man, not when she wants to reinvent herself and grasp a new, improved life with both hands. But Ash knows what he wants, and he’s determined to win the heart of his princess. Let the dance of seduction commence.

Warning: Contains a conniving stepmother, selfish stepsisters, a grandmother with fairy godmother tendencies and a sexy masked man who is willing to face them all for the love of a good woman.

Order ebook at: Smashwords| Amazon Kindle| All Romance ebooks| Barnes & Noble| Kobo|

CONTEST: Do you have a swoon worthy addition to my list? Complete the rafflecopter for a chance to win an Amazon Gift certificate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more chances to win prizes, check out the other participating blogs!

Welcome to Sneak Peek Sunday. The rules are simple.

1. Post 6 paragraphs (no more, no less) from either a WIP or a published work.
2. Open to both un-published and published authors.
3. Post the link back to Sneak Peek Sunday so that others can hop along.
4. HAVE FUN!!

My sneak peek today comes from one of my earlier Ellora’s Cave releases—Summer in the City of Sails.

A little setup – Summer is staying at her Uncle Henry’s place alone. It’s the middle of the night and two men have broken into the house. Summer does the only thing she can – she jumps out of her window and goes to the neighbor’s place for help.

Something tackled her, sending her flying. Summer landed on her back in the middle of a mattress. The air hissed from her lungs as someone pinned her in place.

“Don’t move,” a harsh voice said next to her ear. A hand moved down her arm and across her chest, freezing when it came into contact with her breast. This time, the succinct Anglo-Saxon curse didn’t raise so much as an eyebrow. The body pressing her into the bed moved, but not enough for her to draw a good lungful of air. A bedside lamp switched on. She blinked at the surge of bright light.

“You.” Nikolai glared down at her. “What the devil are you doing in my bedroom?”

Summer swallowed. His hand was warm, and she felt her nipple hardening under his touch. Humiliation at her body’s betrayal made her tense even as she savored the spike of sensation.

“Um…would you mind taking your hand off my breast?” The way her nipple was cozying into his palm—talk about a newsflash. Being this close to the man was unnerving, especially since he was the enemy. She refused to think about how good it would feel if he rearranged their bodies a fraction. Nope. She wasn’t going there.

The furrow between his brows deepened. “Isn’t that what you’re here for?”

Summer in the City of Sails is available in both e-book and print formats. Follow up books featuring Nikolai’s friends are Soldier of Fortune and Biding His Thyme

Order at: Ellora’s Cave (eBook) | Ellora’s Cave | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Amazon Kindle | All Romance ebooks

To read more sneak peeks follow this Sneak Peek link. Sneak Peek Sunday is sponsored by Sara Walter Ellwood.

A lot of writers love music and use it as an inspirational source while working or fleshing out their characters. They develop playlists for their stories and listen to them in order to get into a specific mood.

Not me.

When I get into the writing groove I don’t hear anything except the characters and what they’re telling me. The truth is music is wasted on me while I’m in the writing mode.

Today I’m visiting Susan at West of Mars. I’ll be at her Meet & Greet and talking about the song I think of in conjunction with One Night of Misbehavior. Pop over and say hello.

Do you listen to music while writing or reading? Do you do playlists for your books?

Welcome to Sneak Peek Sunday. The rules are simple.

1. Post 6 paragraphs (no more, no less) from either a WIP or a published work.
2. Open to both un-published and published authors.
3. Post the link back to Sneak Peek Sunday so that others can hop along.
4. HAVE FUN!!

My sneak peek today comes from Tea For Two, a contemporary romance published by Samhain Publishing.

“Hello, darling,” he said and he lifted her off the chair, hauling her into his arms. Before she had a chance to react, he lowered his head and kissed her. To anyone else, to the three women stalking him, it would appear like a quick peck between friends, but with this woman, something changed. Shock roared through him and he froze. He pulled back enough so he could stare down at her, trying to fathom the sense of possessiveness that had blindsided him without warning. Yes, her eyes were beautiful. Stunning. The freckles across the bridge of her nose were cute. She smelled of wildflowers, a light, natural scent that didn’t make his eyes water or bring on a sneeze.

This woman was…

No way. No how! Not possible. He wasn’t going to act on the instinct screaming through him. He’d traveled that road before. No, all he intended to do was chat, maybe dance and reassure himself that this love at first sight stuff really was a load of crap. And of course, avoid the three stooges stalking him at the same time.

He released the woman and offered her a grin, the charming type his mother and sisters accused him of using whenever he wanted something.

“Hello, I’m Sam. You don’t know it yet, but you’ve just saved my life. I can’t thank you enough.”

“If you wanted an original pickup line, you’ve found it,” she said dryly, cocking her head slightly to the side to look up at him. Her voice was low and throaty. Seductive. And her mouth. Oh, yeah. Her bottom lip glistened, the plump pink curve highlighted with a gloss of some kind. Sam wanted to touch, but curled his hands to fists to halt the impulse.

Blurb:

Lies and secrets have a way of returning to bite a girl in the butt…

Hayley Williams thought she was past the screwing-up stage of her life.
These days, she wears her good girl persona well—except when she moonlights as a gypsy tea leaf reader in order to earn money to buy her own home. There’s something about Sam Norville, though, that prods her inner imp back to life. A chance meeting, a margarita…okay, two…a stolen kiss, and suddenly she’s back in hot water.

Sam, a successful businessman, doesn’t believe in love at first sight. Not anymore. For him, involvement with any woman means risking a run-in with the tabloid press. But his mysterious gypsy lover keeps him coming back, keeps him prodding her for more…like the truth. Of course it’s not love. No, sir. Sam only does lust.

Hayley knows she shouldn’t want Sam, especially since she lied to him. The right thing to do? Shove that naughty imp off her shoulder and come clean. But that pesky imp just won’t budge…

Available in print and e-book

Samhain Publishing e-book | Samhain Publishing print | Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print

To read more sneak peeks follow this Sneak Peek link. Sneak Peek Sunday is sponsored by Sara Walter Ellwood.

This is a shot of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, taken from the air. I remember the flight well because some of our group looked a bit green after they climbed out of the plane. I loved the flight because the views were incredible.

I’m visiting Harlie’s Books today and talking about romances with a reunited theme. There’s also a giveaway.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~ Grab your current read

~ Open to a random page

~ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

~ BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

~ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser today comes from True, a new adult story by Erin McCarthy. I really enjoyed this one, and my review is below.

Let her go, Grant. Now.

He did, and I fell to the ground, gasping, scrambling backward, my floral rain boots giving me traction to butt-scoot out of his reach.

Location 114, True.

Awkward girl meets scorching-hot boy…

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

Due out May 7 – Preorder at Amazon

REVIEW:

Rory Macintosh is smart and an excellent student, but a little inept when it comes to socializing. She’s also a virgin, and her two roommates Jessica and Kylie decide to help her out by paying one of their guy friends to take care of the problem.

Tyler Mann comes from a broken family. His mother is a druggie, and he’s struggling to make a family for his two younger brothers while studying to become an EMT.

The two hit it off, despite Rory learning of the arrangement to help her get rid of her virginity. The trouble is that they come from different backgrounds and soon it doesn’t look as if all the love in the world can help keep them together.

This is a new adult story told from Rory’s point of view. I liked Rory. In fact she reminded me of a couple of people I know—smart but not comfortable when it comes to socializing. I liked that she didn’t flinch from the hard stuff. She didn’t stick her head in the sand.

Tyler was a real hero throughout the story from the moment he saved Rory from getting raped. He watched out for his two younger brothers, taking crap from his mother while trying to improve his situation by getting a qualification. Tyler was a great character, and I thought he and Rory were perfect together.

The plot was organic and came from the characters’ situations, culminating in the climax.

My only quibble with this story was the way things were tied up so quickly at the end. To be truthful, I wasn’t convinced that all would be well as they went into the future together. That said, this was an enjoyable read, and I recommend it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.