tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44388315587275946662024-03-05T00:08:41.903-04:00Eden ConnorErotic novelistEden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-36647336832782355442016-01-16T13:26:00.002-04:002016-01-23T01:29:53.968-04:00Pedal to the Metal <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6iPKx3FV9HnyaCOEDbHStAIBJwkpwJvhJM-HjvGijIFovUAHBQjIXtfuY_IWdhy5IlS53Aj7_FkEucm_axM1mlzM4_PUVAHZHPt0lVVPpCYB_-AZTJTOwlzbL48LRcJ1X89_etyYW2g/s1600/Cuda+Confessions+advert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6iPKx3FV9HnyaCOEDbHStAIBJwkpwJvhJM-HjvGijIFovUAHBQjIXtfuY_IWdhy5IlS53Aj7_FkEucm_axM1mlzM4_PUVAHZHPt0lVVPpCYB_-AZTJTOwlzbL48LRcJ1X89_etyYW2g/s400/Cuda+Confessions+advert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Today, January 16th, 2016, I'm so glad to announce that Pedal to the Metal L-I-V-E!<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1n9PgPK" target="_blank">Amazon US </a>| <a href="http://goo.gl/tZLV87" target="_blank">Amazon UK </a>| <a href="http://goo.gl/KjDvqG" target="_blank">Amazon DE</a> | <a href="http://goo.gl/09ulFT" target="_blank">Amazon AU </a>| <a href="http://goo.gl/0fPoFp" target="_blank">Amazon CA</a><br />
<br />
Thank you for your patience.<br />
Thank you for your impatience.<br />
Both the messages of support and the toe-tapping side-eyes helped me push through this painful project.<br />
<br />
Why painful?<br />
<br />
I had to kick over a lot of rocks to write it. Most were long-buried and buried for a reason.<br />
Every woman has those rocks. What we do with them varies, but we all carry the weight. We can't bury them outside of ourselves--not without a psychotic break. We can put them on our shoulders and play the victim. We can turn them into altars, and make the rock our reason to be. We can shove them in the corner and try not to stub our toe on them in the dark. We can stand on top of them and not let them sink us.<br />
<br />
Those rocks are our earliest sexual experiences. The ill-chosen ones and the ones we didn't choose. The ones we pretend didn't happen. The ones that a thousand generous lovers cannot wipe from our minds.<br />
<br />
We show them to our closest girlfriends in order to try and make sense of them. But, since they're rocks, they can become weapons used against us. <br />
<br />
That's the mindset I've lived in for the last six months. In order to put the pain of growing up on the page, I had to re-live it. Seriously, I wouldn't be that age again for anything. <br />
<br />
This series is not utterly erotica, it's damn sure not traditional romance. In fact, it is, was, and remains, erotic coming-of-age fiction. The problem with putting this story into a box labeled 'romance' is that leaves no room for the other people who touch, and shake, our girl Shelby.<br />
<br />
Therefore, she had to struggle with more than falling for just one man. She had to find her posse. Those ride-or-die girlfriends who get us all through our lives as women. She had to deal with the fallout of loving two or three, men and women, when society allows you but one. 'Tis a curse to feel everything so damn deep.<br />
<br />
This version isn't what you'd have read if I'd released in September. It's not the version I had on paper in November, nor even the one I'd started to format for release at the end of December.<br />
<br />
But, it's the story I wanted to write.<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-58734889146046414042015-10-30T02:04:00.002-03:002015-10-30T03:30:26.808-03:00Got my Ranty Pants On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY6LZhTTM1CEqYMSzoaHbvM_xXMI5zWQuoUSyUURDdk1m-pv8xI0xUsXXipvlwM9VSCjtprewLAyn2m3y_KdkfPcZyHw3RWiXIh-6jds5jQqe_t6hHbDZMK3X5XwY4qm-xjMmZxRkVl4/s1600/author+drama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY6LZhTTM1CEqYMSzoaHbvM_xXMI5zWQuoUSyUURDdk1m-pv8xI0xUsXXipvlwM9VSCjtprewLAyn2m3y_KdkfPcZyHw3RWiXIh-6jds5jQqe_t6hHbDZMK3X5XwY4qm-xjMmZxRkVl4/s320/author+drama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I should change the name of this blog to "Eden Rants" because that seems to be the only time I blow the dust off this joint and invite y'all over for a cup of coffee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWMqahQHCd4aQClWJIpsUA5WSssq8e2dvjqG935NE4YbCC4HtELLjPpaHWT0JQfvWEr-fhrHURVv7y_TJ9H3h4X_ivZeZxVsZ7YzjK8G33I7RQzxCn0LxPyxGBASyNT01EsKiHdASOAc/s1600/coffee-919027_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWMqahQHCd4aQClWJIpsUA5WSssq8e2dvjqG935NE4YbCC4HtELLjPpaHWT0JQfvWEr-fhrHURVv7y_TJ9H3h4X_ivZeZxVsZ7YzjK8G33I7RQzxCn0LxPyxGBASyNT01EsKiHdASOAc/s320/coffee-919027_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And ranting is exactly what I'm doing, so if you ain't in the mood for me at my bluntest, pass this one up. If you dare, then pull up your big girl panties and let this old southern broad serve up a helping of truth.<br />
<br />
I started Gas or Ass off with a rant. And today, I'm ranting again, and for the same goddamn reason. Author drama.<br />
<br />
Now, let me say right up front, that when I use the term, it's not necessarily pejorative.<br />
<br />
But....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3295137/Gay-romance-writer-caught-plagiarizing-best-selling-straight-romance-novelist-verbatim-admits-mistakes.html" target="_blank">The romance community is astir again, this time about plagiarism</a>. <a href="http://jennytrout.com/?p=9685" target="_blank">A prolific author has been caught re-writing (that's the kind term) a male/female romance into a male/male romance. </a><br />
<br />
And guess what happened next?<br />
<br />
Yep. My Facebook feed lit up like bottle rockets in July.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f6eVSFRMRH5j6xO3aCf6Q2WFyqKc8PJ-KQ3TuGE3m7mY4W5EYpRr1jcZCQ8sBJh_njY3ejb3Iqtjk3CM1RkL1kCjs1KGBbhUkwhchFQ6kPsrxh4l6nF596nfUhu7hexP5AyHa_C4IMI/s1600/sparkler-677774_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f6eVSFRMRH5j6xO3aCf6Q2WFyqKc8PJ-KQ3TuGE3m7mY4W5EYpRr1jcZCQ8sBJh_njY3ejb3Iqtjk3CM1RkL1kCjs1KGBbhUkwhchFQ6kPsrxh4l6nF596nfUhu7hexP5AyHa_C4IMI/s320/sparkler-677774_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Post after indignant post about this heinous act has wallpapered my feed in the last week. (That's true, if the author being accused did the deed, it is heinous.) I have over 1000 writers in my personal FB feed, so when I say 'wallpapered' I mean, enough words to cover the Biltmore House, and have enough left over to paper the servants shed, have been written on the topic.<br />
<br />
And, it's not the first time this has happened, but it could be the last.<br />
<br />
Why do I say that? Well, consequences. See, fourteen months ago, a similar thing came to my attention. An author I do not know, nor do I have have any social media contact with, had her Christian romance stolen by a woman who turned Rachel's sweet romance into ....drum roll, please...an erotic romance.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://johndopp.com/plagiarism-sam-taylor-mullens-busted/" target="_blank">Rachel Nunes went through some shit </a>in order to figure out who had stolen her work. That hideous person actually tortured her via social media and made outright threats.<br />
<br />
But, Rachel decided to fight. She started a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/StandingAgainstPlagiarism" target="_blank">GoFundMe campaign.</a> The original theft, as well as subsequent threats made by her plagiarist, designed to intimidate this author, is all laid out in Rachel's GFM campaign.<br />
<br />
Today, she's raised about half of the money needed to take her fight to court. Her case is in the discovery phase. In practical terms, that means the amount she has raised is G-O-N-E. Used up to pay her lawyer to get to this point. <br />
<br />
I donated then, and continue to donate whenever I can. But, why is she going begging? I mean, her win can only benefit every other author.<br />
<br />
So, I watched all the posts go by last week about the NEW incident, but....dammit, money talks and bullshit walks. I've started to feel that the romance writing community would rather talk than DO.<br />
<br />
So, here's the ranty part. If you know there's a GFM in the works, and you believe in the issue--as evidenced by the blizzard of posts on the matter in my feed--then, at what point do your posts stop being about raising awareness and start being just a twisted form of self-promotion? <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/StandingAgainstPlagiarism" target="_blank">And..if you weren't aware of Rachel's GFM, here is is. Now, ignorance is no longer your excuse. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7VoNlMNWZfLocEua1VxjqW3ltZzZg248jm0bmv8V4RQYV4L5V3UaieZPdZ6Qf7vTIQRmBCaXEewTZn0G3Fw66Fp58ZlwFgjBGXpPzqu1k9K70WpZUT1489ppBuoQEwLl4jQ2U7NzI-k/s1600/couple-677585_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7VoNlMNWZfLocEua1VxjqW3ltZzZg248jm0bmv8V4RQYV4L5V3UaieZPdZ6Qf7vTIQRmBCaXEewTZn0G3Fw66Fp58ZlwFgjBGXpPzqu1k9K70WpZUT1489ppBuoQEwLl4jQ2U7NzI-k/s320/couple-677585_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
See, I still believe the thing I said at the beginning of Gas or Ass. We, as women, and particularly as women writers, can say, "Take my hand, I'll help you. I'll support you. I'll fight for you." And this can be done for the mere price of a goddamn dollar, or five, or twenty. Or, you can share her campaign. Because, we we well know from all the posts in our feeds doing giveaways, sharing is valuable, too.<br />
<br />
We, as a community, can help end the plague of plagiarism by helping fund say, the next five GFM's by authors who have had their work stolen. I dwell on the magic of crowd funding, because I don't know many authors who can write a check for 25K to defend their stolen works. Ergo, we MUST stand united, or fall one by one.<br />
<br />
Donating to Rachel's GFM is the cheapest goddamn insurance you will ever buy against having your work stolen. Much cheaper than that $35 copyright protection, that frankly, ain't worth the paper it's written on unless you ALSO have the 25K to back that shit up in court. Because, contrary to what some idealists in my feed seem to believe, that copyright protection ain't gonna speak for itself. Waving it at your thief won't slow their roll. You gotta hire an attorney to assert those rights given you by that piece of paper. <br />
<br />
And he's gonna want more than most of us earn in five or ten years.<br />
<br />
So, we can write blog posts. We can rant and bleed for our friends who've had their work stolen, and hope it never happens to us. Frankly, I think that's just noise pollution--which, incidentally, is why I rarely blog. I figure most any topic I think up has already been done, so I just decide I'll put those words on my work in progress and call it a day.<br />
<br />
But what we cannot do is hope like hell that it's a NYT bestselling author who's work is stolen next, and not one of us indies who barely earn enough to eat ramen noodles four times a week. We cannot hope and pray that the kind of person who'd stoop to steal another's words is also stupid enough to pick a fight with someone who can afford to kick their ass in court.<br />
<br />
But, we can help this author out with some hard cash or helpful publicity, and when she prevails in court, and is awarded ...cha ching! COMPENSATORY DAMAGES that cost her thief everything they could ever hope to earn...then the next asshat who decides to take a shortcut will think twice. In this day and age, you can run but you cannot hide. Plagiarists have to leave a money trail, else, why steal?<br />
<br />
We can swarm the next, say five GFM campaigns to fight plagiarism, fund them in a red-hot hurry--remember, we'd individually be out of pocket, say, $25 bucks, if we gave Rachel AND the next four authors suffering this plague a $5.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n1oYDGKsf-U0Ge4Jlh5UiFta_N0udhw-9X1Db0MWAwE6gjEGQEW86yXjvXVQclEykeAHemZ7MX2u9IX-5cPDSHefKQKPfHjT6wYBiiNukng4a9h8vk_rnNUJ722zyLVgo5dttRqXp_s/s1600/money-256314_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n1oYDGKsf-U0Ge4Jlh5UiFta_N0udhw-9X1Db0MWAwE6gjEGQEW86yXjvXVQclEykeAHemZ7MX2u9IX-5cPDSHefKQKPfHjT6wYBiiNukng4a9h8vk_rnNUJ722zyLVgo5dttRqXp_s/s320/money-256314_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
But the cumulative benefit to each and every one of us is massive.We can put the fear of our community in the heart of the next would-be thief, by sticking together. By giving that five bucks or making a dedicated, ongoing publicity effort on those authors' behalf.<br />
<br />
Anyone recall the blogger <a href="http://www.contentfac.com/copyright-infringement-penalties-are-scary/" target="_blank">who was sued by a photographer</a> because he found his copyrighted image on Google and he sued the blogger for damages--and won? Yeah. what happened next was a blizzard of posts about why bloggers needed to respect copyrights.<br />
<br />
And... bloggers and authors stampeded to sign up at stock image sites. Or we found awesome free sites like <a href="https://pixabay.com/" target="_blank">Pixabay, </a>where I got the images I used in this post. <br />
<br />
Most of us didn't realize that what this blogger did was wrong. but we damn sure understood the 8K it cost that blogger to learn the hard way.<br />
<br />
And any compensatory damages Rachel wins would far outstrip that 8K for using a single image without permission...because...ta da! There is the little matter of intent. Book plagiarists INTEND to profit. Rachel's suit is asking for, I believe, $150,000 in compensatory damages.<br />
<br />
And honey, 150K will give the next thief pause. Believe it.<br />
<br />
We, as romance writers can either intend to help, or intend to benefit by means of the self-promotion garnered by toothless rants about plagiarism in general. Really, people already know it's wrong. Whatever you happen to write off the cuff on Facebook ain't eloquent enough to stop the next thief, much as it pains me to say so.<br />
.<br />
Because, this is one of those deals where, if you ain't part of the solution, you just might be part of the fucking problem. When we post so many heartfelt things, but never act, well, that, my friends, is all it takes for evil to triumph. <a href="http://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/12/04/good-men-do/" target="_blank">(paraphrasing Edmund Burke)</a><br />
<br />
Rant ovah. As you were.<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-52590543399714513122015-09-17T21:39:00.002-03:002015-09-17T21:39:43.188-03:00Pedal to the Metal's release delayed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_G10z13o8aJKjcOtGZbWzCpLsKmrDXlaQmWyKLpZhZ3ePqfhfV_7_QcZhlHNuJ5OVm7_aO6a-n3_i-FzQOl1boYgJ4DgbwcJLmifpmSpN3-ycA2Gh_mZzQEzgT2_wjq64KD8fAnY-RI/s1600/11987038_10204272177874004_1305606836502449457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_G10z13o8aJKjcOtGZbWzCpLsKmrDXlaQmWyKLpZhZ3ePqfhfV_7_QcZhlHNuJ5OVm7_aO6a-n3_i-FzQOl1boYgJ4DgbwcJLmifpmSpN3-ycA2Gh_mZzQEzgT2_wjq64KD8fAnY-RI/s320/11987038_10204272177874004_1305606836502449457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Grin).<br /> You're never bugging me by asking. Don't think that's the problem. The problem is, the story's just not ready for public consumption. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pedal to the Metal's release
is delayed yet again. </span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
I hear your groans. That's been my problem all along. I know you want the end
of the story. We all want Shelby to find her HEA, me most of all. This is like
being pregnant for the eleventh month. The doctor--who'd be my editor in this
example--is saying the baby will come in its own time, but all I can think
is that my family's giving me the side-eye for holding back on them.<br />
<br />
I even fooled with the idea of adding another book to the series, so that I
could end the tale where I am (on another cliffhanger) and release
*something* today... but face it, nobody wants half a damn baby, me least of
all.<br />
<br />
And so, Pedal to the Metal will be born in its own time, after I sit back
and figure out what the merry hell I'm missing. I have to identify what's
causing the damn thing to run to over 108K words and yet, the conclusion, the scene
that is so real and so perfect, you read it five times before you close the
file, is eluding me.<br />
<br />
That problem is never found at the end of a story, but somewhere in the middle,
meaning I have to weigh each scene and figure out what stays and what goes, and
then, re-write from that point. <br />
<br />
Not a thing I can do under pressure. Such is the pain and joy of being indie.
No one has to be pleased but me. Because if I'm happy with it, you'll be happy
with it, long after you forget your annoyance because you rushed to the
hospital with flowers and balloons, only to find the expectant mother
has been sent home to wait.<br />
<br />
I won't set another release date until I have typed 'The End' and feel good
about it. Once I do that, the file will go to Nomi, my editor. She
has a life too, so my inability to hit the deadline she and I agreed on will
affect how fast she can get to it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be sure you’re notified of the new release
date, don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list” <a href="http://eepurl.com/bnHapH">http://eepurl.com/bnHapH</a><br /></span></b></div>
<br /><img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-21128634808200503722015-09-04T00:00:00.000-03:002015-09-08T20:52:14.868-03:00Labor Day Blog Hop ~ Over 90 Participating Authors! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2VlV2y1keLQ-qf9NqlY3AEckWHMwZXg7elsPrJgtNRbenIRcwV_6wojRV_YMIGUueh5gsPuxuBDb7IPdKoMpzOJcqZAZKldEF940YcCZIhJHieXZ-6FLc8RNvqiZqXIrU5LPqf3mVUs/s1600/hop+picture+for+labor+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2VlV2y1keLQ-qf9NqlY3AEckWHMwZXg7elsPrJgtNRbenIRcwV_6wojRV_YMIGUueh5gsPuxuBDb7IPdKoMpzOJcqZAZKldEF940YcCZIhJHieXZ-6FLc8RNvqiZqXIrU5LPqf3mVUs/s320/hop+picture+for+labor+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
***CONGRATULATIONS, BARBARA STOKER! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
PLEASE MESSAGE ME WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!***</div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
#LaborDayHOP #AuthorBlogHOP #Giveaway</h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<br />Celebrate the Labor Day weekend and enter some amazing giveaways from some awesome blogs & authors. There are 90 authors participating so make sure you enter them all for more chances to win!</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">I'm giving away winner's choice of my erotic stepbrother romance trilogy, The 'Cuda Confessions, a series that's pure sex, speed, adrenaline and gasoline. </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1POFmLk" target="_blank">Check out the rave reviews here: </a></span></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQi7MFRcTYkfQVgSiglviMnd4LNXu9bB8P0RizVAJT4UqfB7ifrfAfJRU7pzO_nNBMIrCiE80D-KM5BF78C3QLzB6Haygrk6gis8yffvrHF1XzSL7ghOtaDvncnyCKWDJfozi8Bn1vr4/s1600/2x3_GAS+OR+ASS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQi7MFRcTYkfQVgSiglviMnd4LNXu9bB8P0RizVAJT4UqfB7ifrfAfJRU7pzO_nNBMIrCiE80D-KM5BF78C3QLzB6Haygrk6gis8yffvrHF1XzSL7ghOtaDvncnyCKWDJfozi8Bn1vr4/s1600/2x3_GAS+OR+ASS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find out why readers rave," I couldn't put this high-octane thrill ride down!" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqk3mRAQrO87WcbAIbRqdwzDDmQ8TD-Dcoy6jIaaomwd7gF_xH5zSeuCS0BLxXGtlkSSnxl5AOb_zcLxChFlM587LMu4UaO7hMGtw4gaxHlVwoJzTNRjIJZ1HwKSMkQaj6fm1AzCs1jk/s1600/2x3_TURN+%2526+BURN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqk3mRAQrO87WcbAIbRqdwzDDmQ8TD-Dcoy6jIaaomwd7gF_xH5zSeuCS0BLxXGtlkSSnxl5AOb_zcLxChFlM587LMu4UaO7hMGtw4gaxHlVwoJzTNRjIJZ1HwKSMkQaj6fm1AzCs1jk/s1600/2x3_TURN+%2526+BURN.jpg" /></a></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Comment below to win</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #222222;"> an ecopy of </span><span style="color: red;">Gas or Ass </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #222222;">OR</span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #222222;">the sequel, </span><span style="color: red;">Turn & Burn </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">OR </span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the upcoming, spine-tingling finale,<span style="color: red;"> Pedal to the Metal, </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">releasing Sept. 15th<span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #222222;">(winner's choice).</span></span></span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynAKC0VCeYl0kqdp_YNHFs1HcyBWabKysmvOLzVdSovMTaaQh7w-4ab4FcrlULsh-QmG8nmCvU9T68jpqeTklHVA3NBElsBCFB7fVS_YHmhZjRPq0NKbvG73D_TTWo5lYOy74eLPJTJ0/s1600/2x3_PTTM6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynAKC0VCeYl0kqdp_YNHFs1HcyBWabKysmvOLzVdSovMTaaQh7w-4ab4FcrlULsh-QmG8nmCvU9T68jpqeTklHVA3NBElsBCFB7fVS_YHmhZjRPq0NKbvG73D_TTWo5lYOy74eLPJTJ0/s1600/2x3_PTTM6.jpg" /></a></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me your dream muscle car (make and model) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Don't forget to join my mailing list. There's a massive, multi-author freebie promotion coming up later this month. Sign up today, so you don't miss your invitation to the exclusive reader event.</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: black;">Then, follow this link to enter the next giveaway! </span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-8557f6d6-95d1-2067-06ed-d742698c43b4" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romance Divas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RomanceDivas" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/RomanceDivas</a>
</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Master HOP LIST here:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/K8WAMY" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">https://goo.gl/K8WAMY</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></h2>
<img src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px; text-align: left;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-33033133076691014482015-08-30T04:36:00.001-03:002015-08-30T04:36:28.148-03:00New Release Date Set for Pedal to the Metal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybQbYs5SuBwRMrAVKw-TddrMT4i7wuTHZ2HXwKCn_AxOdh748U3J2NgzO2ZJjmPI2QCGPTG6FYRN1b3Ipk0HzMIftqr8Z01wU6ioRx7L6uQkylXnnlNj5LJ42hLlnsOGqFyj4OHHI0dE/s1600/Promo+PTTM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybQbYs5SuBwRMrAVKw-TddrMT4i7wuTHZ2HXwKCn_AxOdh748U3J2NgzO2ZJjmPI2QCGPTG6FYRN1b3Ipk0HzMIftqr8Z01wU6ioRx7L6uQkylXnnlNj5LJ42hLlnsOGqFyj4OHHI0dE/s320/Promo+PTTM3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The release date of Pedal to the Metal has been pushed back to September 15th. The end just isn't where it needs to be, and we can't have that. </h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqOvZNqiHE4G_tJaybdf1bTDitw1DrRq_PuoHeH0rH42J5g5kLlUQKkGVZ6GTRZyMBEF-u6olXBAXQQD5kbm1nbMHA0ic4fBmjDw_nJE1hukqbjFgG51OAAjD4_kmeJgg-AsMVqQndrA/s1600/Bad+news+promo+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqOvZNqiHE4G_tJaybdf1bTDitw1DrRq_PuoHeH0rH42J5g5kLlUQKkGVZ6GTRZyMBEF-u6olXBAXQQD5kbm1nbMHA0ic4fBmjDw_nJE1hukqbjFgG51OAAjD4_kmeJgg-AsMVqQndrA/s320/Bad+news+promo+image.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this is why Nomi's my editor.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
If anyone needs me, I'll be in my writing cave...so, try not to need me. <grin></h2>
<br />
<br /><img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-73661209979509555492015-08-20T00:00:00.000-03:002015-08-20T00:00:00.116-03:00Gas or Ass Key Chain/Bottle Opener Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFJu5a0-1KrgY8vQFx-lPU4OUe-J4w7gvcu2jVukxvW31gp5dohaMpkM2ra1Hs1Kp-pKNwzLxzrh44KqWn1BhC0WiuEodMOHD9xyqxfllFHNoOhHM1ICan0krLEpJIV6gXrI2BnxX7Ys/s1600/FBbannerPTTM_Romance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFJu5a0-1KrgY8vQFx-lPU4OUe-J4w7gvcu2jVukxvW31gp5dohaMpkM2ra1Hs1Kp-pKNwzLxzrh44KqWn1BhC0WiuEodMOHD9xyqxfllFHNoOhHM1ICan0krLEpJIV6gXrI2BnxX7Ys/s400/FBbannerPTTM_Romance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Almost fainted when I found this key chain on Etsy. And the best part? <br />The seller is from Matthews, N.C. </b></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AbcXD855EldbEWJwNRdk1YKP-xdbh1679AImhsbuMqnriWqZ2YxXWv-2THgrZpi4gQO2GOP6fPDJ7r1gdviw4Bp-vzPbq2XBLCswbhomcBTaKt3WNNSbdqJAQu66cdbDFE6sgdUguk8/s1600/il_570xN.548332792_tvmt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AbcXD855EldbEWJwNRdk1YKP-xdbh1679AImhsbuMqnriWqZ2YxXWv-2THgrZpi4gQO2GOP6fPDJ7r1gdviw4Bp-vzPbq2XBLCswbhomcBTaKt3WNNSbdqJAQu66cdbDFE6sgdUguk8/s320/il_570xN.548332792_tvmt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ain't it purdy?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Of course I grabbed one to give away, to celebrate the release of Pedal to the Metal, as well as to say thank you for loving Shelby and the Hannah brothers.</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I made this mock up, and don't have the exact font that will be used. The actual item will have thinner lettering, exactly like NC vehicle tags and the vendor will ship to the winner directly. <br />Sorry, international readers, he'll ship to US addresses only.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="12c9bf2c4" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/12c9bf2c4/" id="rcwidget_pmvukzd0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-16248754761400961292015-08-18T16:23:00.000-03:002015-08-18T16:23:03.354-03:00Release Date and Cover Reveal for Pedal to the Metal<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM_RjJVZyPqTwxGBMp1fmNvJC3dlBAUI1MxSs8ORP7CG17aQUNd0ciYsAKUHp4-A4XjTYnvwdyb1CFRtyK8aEx-CFsEhfjfo6KoieUgwM0VA-mkON6yDw2h7voeob-i-kqm6wZSViJqY/s1600/PTTM6__mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM_RjJVZyPqTwxGBMp1fmNvJC3dlBAUI1MxSs8ORP7CG17aQUNd0ciYsAKUHp4-A4XjTYnvwdyb1CFRtyK8aEx-CFsEhfjfo6KoieUgwM0VA-mkON6yDw2h7voeob-i-kqm6wZSViJqY/s320/PTTM6__mini.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Coming August 31, 2015</div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
It’s complicated.</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: left;">
Once, I’d have scorned anyone who’d describe their relationship that way.<br />
Now, I’d say, “You have no idea.”<br />
I walked away from my stepbro<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">thers again, this time to make my mother happy.<br />
To make my best friend Caroline happy.<br />
And what did those bad boys do?<br />
They grabbed Caroline and came after me.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; text-align: left;">
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
When you can’t please everyone,</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
One more race, one more wicked night was all they asked, because even Colt and Caine accepted one more was all we could risk before someone got hurt.<br />
Then we’d do the right thing—or at least stop doing the wrong thing.<br />
But fate had other ideas.</div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
You got to please yourself.</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
When life shoved me into the wall, I realized that everything I believed about myself, everything I could ever hope to be, I’d learned from a racin’ man.<br />
And it was by God time to put the pedal to the metal, so I went hammer down and hell bent, for love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
And, if what I've done bothers anyone, they can kiss my red-headed, NASCAR-man lovin', college-educated, country girl ass.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, it's a romance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-23224574745476489672015-08-02T19:44:00.002-03:002015-08-03T00:17:56.072-03:00Pedal to the Metal, The 'Cuda Confessions #3<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you getting excited for the release of Pedal to the Metal?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Want an Advance Review Copy? <a href="https://goo.gl/d021ZJ">Sign up here,</a> if you can<a href="https://askleo.com/how-do-i-get-a-mobi-ebook-onto-my-kindle/"> receive a document on your Kindle </a>and are willing to write a review and post it to Amazon (and Goodreads, if you use it) within the first two weeks after release. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Only 19 spots left before reservations close.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think (hope!) it'll be about three weeks before ARCs go out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The story's really rolling now :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0myZM4idU_U34JNd1Ng6MuxZdDdlYLu9H5zSjY9BO28lVXDBQEduGg7IlJaZSRKZg-k1QpTdPj6l4TlFfQY6jzvHa4YzGQpeoTC1brQHXwNajEMeq9pNzkCfXjRjgPTrtlUKcPqAgyk/s1600/Jigsaw+cover+reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0myZM4idU_U34JNd1Ng6MuxZdDdlYLu9H5zSjY9BO28lVXDBQEduGg7IlJaZSRKZg-k1QpTdPj6l4TlFfQY6jzvHa4YzGQpeoTC1brQHXwNajEMeq9pNzkCfXjRjgPTrtlUKcPqAgyk/s320/Jigsaw+cover+reveal.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Author.EdenConnor">Come by my Facebook author page </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and follow the fun as I remove one puzzle piece a day until the cover of PTTM is completely revealed on August 13th. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell me if you're #TeamColt, #TeamCaine, or #TeamRobert while you're there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Join the page and don't forget to click to recieve updates, since I'm planning an exciting giveaway to celebrate completing the series.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The opening chapters won't be posted here until the 20th of August, <a href="http://eepurl.com/bnHapH">so join my newsletter mailing list </a>for the earliest possible peek at the first four chapters of the thrilling conclusion to Shelby's odyssey from virginity to full-blown womanhood.</span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-65666854670268556622015-07-08T11:16:00.002-03:002015-07-08T11:16:35.863-03:00Another Stuff Your Kindle Event! .99 deals galore<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXwR7EQmCPDmj8zxWsIhWO2fAtN6fcWBcoAL55et9DDkiGKyuE5qE8CrrrTesovIx__vAT7ZbW7LQifnyb0n2i91EQafg4gOJLL6e8HSLyDA1wyBFM30Bh97kwDPW4LSEz0KAr0CCNPg/s1600/11709459_1608527456031495_5869297170466259787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXwR7EQmCPDmj8zxWsIhWO2fAtN6fcWBcoAL55et9DDkiGKyuE5qE8CrrrTesovIx__vAT7ZbW7LQifnyb0n2i91EQafg4gOJLL6e8HSLyDA1wyBFM30Bh97kwDPW4LSEz0KAr0CCNPg/s320/11709459_1608527456031495_5869297170466259787_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
Looking for romance steals? THREE DAYS ONLY! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
July 8-10, more than fifty books are marked down to just 99 cents! Check it out:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://omgreads.com/summer-deals/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://omgreads.com/summer-deals/</a></div>
<br /><img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-10574823564155807562015-07-05T15:03:00.000-03:002015-07-05T15:28:16.338-03:00One Love ~ Bring Your Kindle and get 2 free books! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP74KSVx1RfNmlX1uQOMw9V02a-FDRv3L1E82-k5_YO3hJQliJuXWHDEPZYPTO08HpC6z6uiONXcaOtkved_APqh0MXoernNpWQe2wnQVyjXKZmsNo-mG9rn5LOy3vLavFaNXx7a2wDNU/s1600/one+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP74KSVx1RfNmlX1uQOMw9V02a-FDRv3L1E82-k5_YO3hJQliJuXWHDEPZYPTO08HpC6z6uiONXcaOtkved_APqh0MXoernNpWQe2wnQVyjXKZmsNo-mG9rn5LOy3vLavFaNXx7a2wDNU/s320/one+love.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;"><br /><br />After a year that has brought us from Ferguson to Baltimore to Charleston, I've wracked my brain to figure out a way to foster tolerance, understanding, and acceptance. This is what I've come up with. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;">One Love. An online event for readers and writers of romance. We're gonna mingle, chat, and get to know each other. And every attendee will leave the event with 2 shiny new ebooks. You CANNOT walk out the door with just one. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;">The event has a simple premise. We have gotta get together. We have to find common ground, and as a romance author, I thought, what simpler way to start than to read a book with a heroine from a different culture than yours? </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;">I write both Interracial and non-interracial titles. I know man</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;">y authors who write one or the other...and many readers who read one or the other, but few who write or read both.<br /><br />How could we change the world if we read books for their content and didn't segregate our Kindles?<br /><br />As an author, you're committing to gift one book, via Kindle docs or as an Amazon gift, to any attendee who asks, no matter how many or how few that might be. (ARCs are fine)<br /><br />As a reader, take time to browse the collections offered by the authors in attendance, mingle with all the authors who participate, and at the end, choose TWO titles, which you will receive as a gift from the authors. You MUST CHOOSE one IR (interracial) title and one non-IR title. Furthermore, you agree to READ both. Reviews are optional, but I know most of us would appreciate them.<br /><br />Authors, post the link to your Amazon pages, starting now. Show off your cover art, blurbs, and anything else that helps us know who you are as a person, as well as an author. Add anyone and everyone you know who will agree to gift their work, or read two free books, in the spirit of changing the world.<br /><br />Words matter. Diversity matters. Because there's just one love, let the change start with us, the readers and writers of romance. I don't trust politicians, but I trust a romance author to show us how to love.<br /><br />So, invite your friends, browse the posts and let's open ourselves to change, then we can tackle the world.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.7600002288818px;"><br /></span>
Join the event here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/976113445744861/976140095742196/">https://www.facebook.com/events/976113445744861/976140095742196/</a> Be sure to invite your friends!<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-64238998649096068852015-06-23T11:37:00.004-03:002015-06-23T14:58:25.928-03:00Moved to Tears... and Moving! <div class="MsoNormal">
In the last week, I’ve been heartbroken, outraged, stunned, and thrilled.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s a lot of emotion in a short span.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
South Carolina is my home. It’s not the place where I was born, but I’ve lived here longer than I think it’s mathematically possible for me to live anywhere else. It’s where I went to college, got married, birthed my babies, and buried my husband.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As events in Charleston unfolded this week, I’ve seen something that’s unique, and it reminded me of why I fell in love with this state in the first place.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People here are gracious.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart overflowed as I watched several thousand people hold hands across the Cooper River to honor the slain Emmanuel Nine.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those unfamiliar with the beautiful city we call the Holy City, the Cooper River is the same river that slave ships sailed to bring their kidnapped cargo to shore. It’s the cradle of African slavery in the New World. And now, the same spot has led the charge for change. I believe we will take down the Confederate flag. I believe we will open our eyes and we will change.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And by God, if we can change, anyone can change. All across this nation, we can all change.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, it is with mixed emotions that I announce I’m moving to Georgia with my daughter. Today.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More changes in a life full of them. Change is good, but a bittersweet moment, indeed.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new cable company can’t install our equipment until July 6<sup>th</sup>.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ouch.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, by the time we talk again, I should have a(nother) serious chunk of Pedal to the Metal written. I’ll definitely have had time to perfect Turn & Burn, and will post the updated file as soon as I have internet access.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first few weeks of a book’s life are the most critical. It’s the time I need to be on hand to nurture her, to push her into the world.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t be able to do that this time, so I beg of you, if you love Shelby’s unfolding saga, please, leave a review.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, maybe even whisper to alike-minded reader to give those nasty Hannah boys a read.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the way you’ve embraced these characters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~E</div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In case you’d like to throw one of my teasers on those enticing threads that float by in your feed, here they are: (universal buy link) <a href="http://mybook.to/Turn">http://mybook.to/Turn</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXPUeMBFtyaCshOWhyPYueW8y0BVQMZnzJvwux83vJce4mxcl4albofWeeIYthcXA3LIFAoOMX4x2seigReUyhWo4r4RsV5pjCrkE_-KAo1Dvr00XD7eKXNCS3Uajk3c1Uj5bNyXN4XI/s1600/4x6_TURN+%2526+BURN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXPUeMBFtyaCshOWhyPYueW8y0BVQMZnzJvwux83vJce4mxcl4albofWeeIYthcXA3LIFAoOMX4x2seigReUyhWo4r4RsV5pjCrkE_-KAo1Dvr00XD7eKXNCS3Uajk3c1Uj5bNyXN4XI/s1600/4x6_TURN+%2526+BURN.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3-Fp2ou9ZNLVFK5Zgrk1_1D1G3CK6MuxOueTDOyNolqOfkwdoIGaDXxntFDL8EHUy1PXBa0Wj5OLS0IOfvg3Pc_gmzZrf3OpyHIUxkUSZy6LUpWRZ8cBiQCchjrZBjFvfAuIHKP_jIM/s1600/TandBPromo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3-Fp2ou9ZNLVFK5Zgrk1_1D1G3CK6MuxOueTDOyNolqOfkwdoIGaDXxntFDL8EHUy1PXBa0Wj5OLS0IOfvg3Pc_gmzZrf3OpyHIUxkUSZy6LUpWRZ8cBiQCchjrZBjFvfAuIHKP_jIM/s320/TandBPromo1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0UYWu4swiHBCvamYh9G4csWoJg-YEU3SwmUusTMzwKyVJYENnQ4uCyhrkyCCVmaOJhdAwNbfK9Y6ca0GzF1xkcGIocHcLojbmt30khHB5nAznCONiMV-c3gkQCvjQAiMMsl1IRqU-t8/s1600/Turn%2526Burnpromo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0UYWu4swiHBCvamYh9G4csWoJg-YEU3SwmUusTMzwKyVJYENnQ4uCyhrkyCCVmaOJhdAwNbfK9Y6ca0GzF1xkcGIocHcLojbmt30khHB5nAznCONiMV-c3gkQCvjQAiMMsl1IRqU-t8/s320/Turn%2526Burnpromo4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmX78Zlbe-NMKr7pgG0JDoqmlplN15gDN8G5kvH-6Zf69T3tJWxV0Te8P3J6hUG3rbF98PVbAW2115gwHay0Ov-DmnvfJHktNPidK_eoA7OAa8jkAfAPImrS2CdYfrn5u9P_4xnxSljDA/s1600/TurnandBurnPromo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmX78Zlbe-NMKr7pgG0JDoqmlplN15gDN8G5kvH-6Zf69T3tJWxV0Te8P3J6hUG3rbF98PVbAW2115gwHay0Ov-DmnvfJHktNPidK_eoA7OAa8jkAfAPImrS2CdYfrn5u9P_4xnxSljDA/s1600/TurnandBurnPromo2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
See y'all soon from The Peach state (which, if you've read the De Marco series, you'd know just ain't so, but at least I'm a Braves fan.( <grin> <br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-50377871551969964522015-06-22T15:37:00.000-03:002015-06-22T17:08:36.777-03:00New Harper Miller release ~ Renewed<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-Blog-Tour-Banner.jpg"><img alt="Renewed Blog Tour Banner" class="aligncenter wp-image-19935" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-Blog-Tour-Banner-1024x445.jpg" height="232" width="534" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/blog-tour.jpg"><img alt="blog tour" class=" size-large wp-image-16112 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/blog-tour-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-Cover.jpg"><img alt="Renewed Cover" class="alignnone wp-image-19843" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-Cover.jpg" height="635" width="423" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Book Title:</strong> Renewed (The Kinky Connect Chronicles Book 2)<br />
<strong>Author: </strong>Harper Miller<br />
<strong>Genre:</strong> Erotic Romance/Erotica and Interracial/Multicultural Romance<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> June 22, 2015<br />
<strong>Hosted by:</strong> Book Enthusiast Promotions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25620567-renewed" target="_blank"><img alt="Goodreads Button with Shadow" class="size-full wp-image-9360 aligncenter" src="http://thebookenthusiast.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Goodreads-Button-with-Shadow.png" height="45" width="134" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Book-Blurb.jpg"><img alt="Book Blurb" class=" size-large wp-image-16119 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Book-Blurb-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
<em>I was hurt. I was heartbroken. I felt abandoned and emotionally drained.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Sometimes heartache can open new doors.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Of course, names have been changed to protect all parties involved, but this is my story.</em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>*Disclaimer*</em></strong><em> This is a novelette. Not a short story, novella, or novel. Content is intended for a mature audience, 18+.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Renewed is the second installment in The Kinky Connect Chronicles. The Kinky Connect Chronicles are short erotic stories/novelettes all wrapped up in neat little bows. These stories are standalones. No cliffhangers in the lot!</em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/excerpt.jpg"><img alt="excerpt" class=" size-large wp-image-16130 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/excerpt-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
© Harper Miller 2015<br />
<br />
<strong>brwngrltrvler:</strong> I’m not in NYC at the moment. I’m overseas, for work.<br />
<br />
JapKenDoll: Nice! Your passport is getting a workout. That’s right, you did say it was late where you are. Where’d your travels take you?<br />
<br />
<strong>brwngrltrvler: </strong>Why are you asking? You plan on flying all the way from New York, Superman? I’m in London.<br />
<br />
There’s a long pause.<br />
<br />
<strong>JapKenDoll: </strong>Good thing I just got my cape back from the dry cleaners. :) Tanya, I kid you not, I’m in Paris for work. It’s Fashion Week, which is a pretty big deal in my industry. I realize this is going to sound crazy, and you’ll probably say no, but I’d like to meet you. I fly out of De Gaulle with a layover at Heathrow for about an hour tomorrow. We can grab a cup of coffee as friends.<br />
<br />
Well, that explains him checking into a hotel. Friends. Hmm, friends. Well, Kenji said he was transparent, but he doesn’t want to be just friends; I am sure of it. We were chatting via a kink-centric website. This is where people went for hookups. I’m sure he wanted something, something I most likely couldn’t give him.<br />
<br />
<strong>brwngrltrvler: </strong>That’s a bad idea, Kenji.<br />
<br />
<strong>JapKenDoll: </strong>Better to meet in London than New York, right? Afterward, you go off in your direction, I go in mine, and we never have to see each other again. Humor me. Have coffee with a man you’ll never see again. :)<br />
<br />
I know it’s a bad idea, everything in my being is screaming it’s a bad idea. I’m emotional, I’m raw, I’m . . . stupid.<br />
<br />
<strong>brwngrltrvler: </strong>What time?<br />
<br />
Yes, incredibly stupid.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Teasers.jpg"><img alt="Teasers" class=" size-large wp-image-16162 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Teasers-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-promo1.jpg"><img alt="Renewed-promo1" class=" wp-image-19844 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-promo1.jpg" height="497" width="332" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-promo2-.jpg"><img alt="Renewed-promo2" class=" wp-image-19845 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-promo2-.jpg" height="485" width="323" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Meet-the-Author.jpg"><img alt="Meet the Author" class=" size-large wp-image-16141 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Meet-the-Author-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
Harper Miller is a thirty-something native New Yorker. She’s traveled the world and lived in a variety of places but always finds her way back to the Big Apple.<br />
<br />
A lackluster love life leaves time to explore new interests, for Harper it is writing. The Sweetest Taboo: An Unconventional Romance is her debut novel. In her mind the perfect Alpha male possesses intellect, humor, and a kinky streak that rivals the size of California.<br />
<br />
When she isn’t writing, Harper utilizes her graduate degree in the field of medical research. She enjoys fitness-related activities, drinking copious amounts of wine, and going on bad dates.<br />
<br />
She loves hearing from readers. Feel free to reach out!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Social-Media.jpg"><img alt="Social Media" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-16157" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Social-Media-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/authorharpmill" target="_blank"><img alt="twitter" class="alignnone wp-image-15843" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/twitter-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorharpermiller" target="_blank"><img alt="Facebook" class="alignnone wp-image-15829" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Facebook-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/107660491411434903751/about" target="_blank"><img alt="Google" class="alignnone wp-image-15832" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Google-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/authorharpmill" target="_blank"><img alt="Goodreads" class="alignnone wp-image-15830" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Goodreads-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Buy-the-Book.jpg"><img alt="Buy the Book" class=" size-large wp-image-16124 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Buy-the-Book-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-Cover.jpg"><img alt="Renewed Cover" class="alignnone wp-image-19843" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Renewed-Cover.jpg" height="369" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/1egLqzO" target="_blank"><img alt="amazon us" class="alignnone wp-image-15823" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/amazon-us-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YQCQZTS" target="_blank"><img alt="amazon UK" class="alignnone wp-image-15822" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/amazon-UK-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/harper-miller" target="_blank"><img alt="B&N" class="alignnone wp-image-15825" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BN-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://ow.ly/O4zxP" target="_blank"><img alt="kobo" class="alignnone wp-image-15835" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/kobo-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://ow.ly/OfJMk" target="_blank"><img alt="ARe" class="alignnone wp-image-15824" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ARe-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Other-Books-in-the-Series.jpg"><img alt="Other Books in the Series" class="alignnone wp-image-16146" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Other-Books-in-the-Series.jpg" height="120" width="463" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image1.jpg"><img alt="image1" class=" wp-image-19846 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image1.jpg" height="407" width="271" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/1ShPHl1" target="_blank"><img alt="amazon us" class="alignnone wp-image-15823" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/amazon-us-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ironic-Kinky-Connect-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B00WW38ZL4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img alt="amazon UK" class="alignnone wp-image-15822" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/amazon-UK-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ironic-harper-miller/1121839224?ean=2940151587389" target="_blank"><img alt="B&N" class="alignnone wp-image-15825" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BN-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/ironic-3" target="_blank"><img alt="kobo" class="alignnone wp-image-15835" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/kobo-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ironic-1792740-354.html" target="_blank"><img alt="ARe" class="alignnone wp-image-15824" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ARe-150x150.jpg" height="75" width="75" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Giveaway.jpg"><img alt="Giveaway" class=" size-large wp-image-16136 aligncenter" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Giveaway-1024x265.jpg" height="119" width="460" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="eef4ee4b960" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/eef4ee4b960/" id="rcwidget_aq1byzxj" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-Blog-Tour-Button.jpg"><img alt="Renewed Blog Tour Button" class="aligncenter wp-image-19936" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Renewed-Blog-Tour-Button.jpg" height="300" width="299" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BEPRectangle.jpg"><img alt="BEPRectangle" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16342" src="http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BEPRectangle.jpg" height="225" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-37932933530991558462015-06-20T03:27:00.003-03:002015-06-20T13:56:48.425-03:00Are You Ready for the Burn? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF2i7y07Mn0YljTPucxFs3dFE0tVCfSDTeZWF6nULPLIAVP4f7lxZw4mbvCmdbhxGyx3nQOFUwcOGyz8xL40Bbt3d6QT5mCzP34idwe0UKEhCFn3NtmRgw9e6fVy7lfZrgErHDRu2jSM/s1600/T%2526BFBBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF2i7y07Mn0YljTPucxFs3dFE0tVCfSDTeZWF6nULPLIAVP4f7lxZw4mbvCmdbhxGyx3nQOFUwcOGyz8xL40Bbt3d6QT5mCzP34idwe0UKEhCFn3NtmRgw9e6fVy7lfZrgErHDRu2jSM/s320/T%2526BFBBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The wait is over.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0100V6A6G?tag=edecon-20"> Turn and Burn is live.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"People say love hurts. I'm going to prove them right."<br />
<br />
After four years of hiding away at college, Shelby's determined to pay the Hannah brothers back for humiliating her, then get the hell out of town and never look back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
But things take an unexpected turn when Dale bets his prized '71 'Cuda Hemi that Shelby can beat Ridenhour's hot new driver in a drag race.<br />
Throwing the race will give her the revenge she's longed for.<br />
And cost her everything she's ever wanted.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
When she finds herself once again on the country road where Colt Hannah ruined her life, it doesn't take long for the passion between her and her stepbrothers to reignite.<br />
<br />
When you play with fire, you might get burned.<br />
When you play with love, all bets are off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWMrwCu1je6LTSh06PUrWF32vLx6I2tCj6ZoU11EWEJEzWLunMKFaDr8YVk7DsHPNS9CAovBW2gw5mQYDer9QRieh9NWhwtzGnD8OKTtTEZaE2g57EwSXV8eCU3NyOJjVnIlpnsWSTNQ/s1600/TandBPromo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWMrwCu1je6LTSh06PUrWF32vLx6I2tCj6ZoU11EWEJEzWLunMKFaDr8YVk7DsHPNS9CAovBW2gw5mQYDer9QRieh9NWhwtzGnD8OKTtTEZaE2g57EwSXV8eCU3NyOJjVnIlpnsWSTNQ/s320/TandBPromo1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkt5JEWHRi9mK1k50RYLI63Sn59Ws3ZLS7GKzI0SHjyA3qHVBzGSQFVHhkHLRcpLpDwJK89HvENRw97ofAlQdzo6WuD5v5Y24dJqS_W2amQrIb9rQwHFQhwM-fyfk7gQTcquYOpYCP0M/s1600/TurnandBurnPromo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkt5JEWHRi9mK1k50RYLI63Sn59Ws3ZLS7GKzI0SHjyA3qHVBzGSQFVHhkHLRcpLpDwJK89HvENRw97ofAlQdzo6WuD5v5Y24dJqS_W2amQrIb9rQwHFQhwM-fyfk7gQTcquYOpYCP0M/s320/TurnandBurnPromo2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0100V6A6G?tag=edecon-20">Get your copy today! </a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBZnkRNSzIVrXl6ZdBx-HKdAydrKXRK58CDadAhbljXX1oAx9-ZwVIb_gn8u6T9sa8jPl0hU44ccW0a6P2ejIn7fpljHESWjH6-Bg27JLKo03Q5xQ02ZXe81sL79oiUwT6S499aezLzQ/s1600/GoAfreebie+promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBZnkRNSzIVrXl6ZdBx-HKdAydrKXRK58CDadAhbljXX1oAx9-ZwVIb_gn8u6T9sa8jPl0hU44ccW0a6P2ejIn7fpljHESWjH6-Bg27JLKo03Q5xQ02ZXe81sL79oiUwT6S499aezLzQ/s320/GoAfreebie+promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_574910863"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Download or share!<br /><a href="http://mybook.to/Gas">http://mybook.to/Gas</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I was finishing this story, nine innocent people were murdered in Charleston, S.C.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm still devastated, reeling from this viscous act of hatred. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love South Carolina. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure, I enjoy taking my shots at the conservative mindset, but at the end of the day, this is where I raised my children and buried my husband; this is my home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, dammit, we're out of excuses for our lack of tolerance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know how to change the world. I can only change myself.<br />
If there's a message to be wrung from The 'Cuda Confessions, it's </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be tolerant. We're all going through some shit.<br />
Keep us in your thoughts as we struggle to heal.<br />
<br />
~E</div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-55499872716540722122015-06-03T00:00:00.000-03:002015-06-03T00:00:10.282-03:00Kaia Bennett ~ Mind Over Matter ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway!<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MindOverMatter1.png"><img alt="MindOverMatter1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8084" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MindOverMatter1.png" height="315" width="815" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong>Mind Over Matter</strong><br />
<strong>by</strong> <strong><i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/authors/kaia-bennett/">Kaia Bennett</a></i></strong><br />
<i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/series/loose-ends/">Loose Ends #3</a></i><br />
<strong>Publication Date:</strong> July 28, 2015<br />
<strong>Also in this series:</strong> <a href="http://indiesage.com/beta-request-1-crush-by-kaia-bennett/">#1 Crush</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/cover-reveal-closer-by-kaia-bennett/">Closer</a><br />
<strong>Genres:</strong> <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/contemporary/">Contemporary</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/erotic/">Erotic</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/interracial/">Interracial</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/romance/">Romance</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MindOverMatterEbook.jpg"><img alt="MindOverMatterEbook" class=" wp-image-8085 aligncenter" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MindOverMatterEbook.jpg" height="750" width="500" /></a><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Pre-order: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Matter-Loose-Ends-ebook/dp/B00YLLHNHW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433110297&sr=8-1&keywords=mind+over+matter+kaia+bennett">Amazon</a></h3>
<strong>Synopsis: </strong>They said they would try. They said they would give their love a chance.<br />
<br />
But when the mistakes of Gabriel's past clashed with Nicole's hopes for the future, they realized love wasn't enough. They tied up the loose ends of their broken hearts and walked away.<br />
<br />
Now, Gabriel's career is on a meteoric rise and he is back to his bachelor ways. He told Nicole he couldn't promise forever and did his best to let her go, but these days he wonders if he spoke too soon.<br />
<br />
Nicole has a new life, a new man, and she refuses to look back. To everyone around her though, not looking back looks an awful lot like running scared from the past.<br />
<br />
With Jackie and Ian's wedding approaching, a reunion between the best man and the maid of honor is to be expected. What they don't expect is for the olive branch of friendship to catch fire with a love and need that is stronger than even their best intentions.<br />
<br />
They called it quits. But is it really over? They still love each other. But does that even matter when they've made up their minds that there's no going back?<br />
<br />
<strong>*NOTE*</strong> <strong>Mind Over Matter</strong><em> is the third and final book in the </em>Loose Ends<em> series.</em><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25198643-mind-over-matter"><img alt="Add to Goodreads" class="aligncenter" src="http://aliteraryperusal.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/dad13-add-to-goodreads-button3.png" /></a><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Also in the <em>Loose Ends</em> series....</h2>
<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Closer-cover.jpg"><img alt="Closer cover" class=" wp-image-8088 aligncenter" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Closer-cover.jpg" height="650" width="433" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span class="il">Closer</span></strong><br />
<strong>by:</strong> <strong><i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/authors/kaia-bennett/" target="_blank">Kaia Bennett</a></i></strong><br />
<i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/series/loose-ends/" target="_blank">Loose Ends #2</a></i><br />
<strong>Publication Date:</strong> March 31, 2015<br />
<strong>Genres:</strong> <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/contemporary/" target="_blank">Contemporary</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/erotic/" target="_blank">Erotic</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/interracial/" target="_blank"><wbr></wbr>Interracial</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/romance/" target="_blank">Romance</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Closer-Loose-Ends-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00UIJEI1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426188455&sr=1-1&keywords=closer+kaia+bennett" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121579784?ean=2940151832472" target="_blank">Nook</a> - <a href="http://bit.ly/1CsGv6a" target="_blank">Kobo</a>- <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/closer-loose-ends-book-2/id979627377?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> -<wbr></wbr> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/526564" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
<strong>Synopsis: </strong>After a whirlwind week of hot sex and growing affection, Nicole and Gabriel were forced to part ways and to return to real life. For a while they danced around each other, meeting up when they could, the distance between them rivaled only by their desire to be together again.<br />
<br />
Now these lovers are no longer star-crossed. They’re in the same city at the same time and can finally indulge their insatiable passion. At least until Gabriel’s increasingly popular band goes on tour.<br />
<br />
But the ticking clock of his budding music career isn’t the only obstacle to contend with. A blast from Gabriel’s wild past, a guy that kept Nicole warm in Gabriel’s absence, and fear of what the future holds all converge just as they’ve begun to realize this might be love…<br />
<br />
<strong>Author's Note:</strong> <em>This book contains strong language and sexual content with dark elements, some of which readers may find uncomfortable.</em><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24781534-closer" target="_blank"><img alt="Add to Goodreads" class="CToWUd aligncenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiVe2-nK6iX9YBmHR1IQoVFy1CjCKR32Qi_FFYrYB5L3HDxj9NGMkAb5JEyUf58Xq5JKmlj7QySz2jpbGxTpa0GkXos9YFqM6qvkDiMZxbepSYxEtL-RylBVqYVCYRk1QOJc-xvCrRcJnCcZQcOmIL4Fr55ldG1i4YVGXgBDuizEUsKGazpFy1tOnyeh5Qg4iRtV3WTbh8=s0-d-e1-ft" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1-Crush-Cover.jpg"><img alt="#1 Crush Cover" class=" wp-image-8089 aligncenter" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1-Crush-Cover.jpg" height="650" width="433" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>#1 Crush</strong><br />
<strong>by:</strong> <strong><i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/authors/kaia-bennett/" target="_blank">Kaia Bennett</a></i></strong><br />
<i><a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/series/loose-ends/" target="_blank">Loose Ends #1</a></i><br />
<strong>Publication Date:</strong> December 1, 2014<br />
<strong>Genres:</strong> <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/contemporary/" target="_blank">Contemporary</a>, <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/erotica/" target="_blank">Erotica</a>,<wbr></wbr> <a href="http://indiesage.com/reviews/genres/romance/" target="_blank">Romance</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crush-Loose-Ends-Book-ebook/dp/B00P1YESBW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1415501618" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1-crush-kaia-bennett/1120687455?ean=2940046384239" target="_blank">Nook</a> - <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/1-crush-loose-ends-book-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/1-crush-loose-ends-book-1/id936868737?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <wbr></wbr>- <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/489757" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
<strong>Synopsis: </strong>Nicole Langley’s #1 Crush has always been Gabriel Roberts, but settling for being a friendly acquaintance has had to be enough.<br />
<br />
Gabriel has always seen Nicole as his good friend’s very pretty, but extremely off limits baby sister.<br />
<br />
Then a hot summer day and an even hotter discovery pushes them over the lines of friendship, over the lines of unrequited desire, and into each other's arms.<br />
<br />
Will they indulge and move on? Or will this crush turn into something more, something deeper? Something that leaves loose ends begging to be tied…<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1IbOshp" target="_blank"><img alt="Add to Goodreads" class="CToWUd aligncenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiVe2-nK6iX9YBmHR1IQoVFy1CjCKR32Qi_FFYrYB5L3HDxj9NGMkAb5JEyUf58Xq5JKmlj7QySz2jpbGxTpa0GkXos9YFqM6qvkDiMZxbepSYxEtL-RylBVqYVCYRk1QOJc-xvCrRcJnCcZQcOmIL4Fr55ldG1i4YVGXgBDuizEUsKGazpFy1tOnyeh5Qg4iRtV3WTbh8=s0-d-e1-ft" /></a><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
About Kaia Bennett</h2>
<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Kaia-Bennett1.jpg"><img alt="Kaia Bennett" class=" wp-image-8090 aligncenter" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Kaia-Bennett1.jpg" height="401" width="401" /></a><br />
<br />
Kaia Bennett is a native of New Jersey, a college graduate and U.S. Army veteran who loves music, movies, astrology, tattoos, martial arts, animals and, of course, the written word. She heard the siren call of the writer as a teenage girl, but took her sweet time answering it until she had lived and loved enough to share her work with the masses.<br />
<br />
She is an erotic author who loves to write stories with diversity, depth, realism and viscerally hot encounters that flirt shamelessly with the taboo. A lover of all genres and a voracious reader, she aims to write stories that are transformative for her characters and readers alike.<br />
<div class="author-links" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kaiabennett.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> • <a href="http://kaiabennett.com/blog/" target="_blank">Blog</a> • <a href="http://www.twitter.com/KaiaBennett" target="_blank">Twitter</a> • <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaia.bennett" target="_blank">Facebook</a> • <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2777674.Kaia_Bennett" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="author-links" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mind-Over-Matter-Giveaway-Graphic.png"><img alt="Mind Over Matter Giveaway Graphic" class="alignnone wp-image-8092" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mind-Over-Matter-Giveaway-Graphic.png" height="457" width="500" /></a><br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="5440a354419" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354419/" id="rcwidget_qdwzx9x4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://indiesage.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="IndieSage PR" src="http://indiesage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TourHost.png" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-90651493005345422012015-05-26T02:48:00.002-03:002015-05-26T02:55:18.634-03:00Release Date Set for Turn & Burn! (And some early reading)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Q5Z1rVT7SbQ8ejlR0DdWkyl2fQwQ5XM4oAiAWCyM2d863F5Ap8ZgNDk1j0-r67z5Mvzz5AS-9MnkRvKCuDw70TZHm02mdFuCPJJf6esiF0T6_tbp7dgKdTzDPKH9WFJ6xn6aSByNwA/s1600/T%2526BFBBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_Q5Z1rVT7SbQ8ejlR0DdWkyl2fQwQ5XM4oAiAWCyM2d863F5Ap8ZgNDk1j0-r67z5Mvzz5AS-9MnkRvKCuDw70TZHm02mdFuCPJJf6esiF0T6_tbp7dgKdTzDPKH9WFJ6xn6aSByNwA/s320/T%2526BFBBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
I'm blown away by the response to Gas or Ass.<br />
<br />
Just. Blown. Away.<br />
<br />
I never expected the reception for this story to be so overwhelmingly positive. I want you to know how much that's meant to me, especially now, at a very uncertain time in my life. And a huge, heartfelt thank you to those who've left reviews. I cannot overstate how much they've meant, personally, as well as professionally.<br />
<br />
And the question on everyone's lips is, "When is Turn & Burn coming out?"<br />
<br />
June 19th.<br />
<br />
Come Hell or high water. June 19th.<br />
<br />
I've decided not to put up a pre-order link. Amazon expects me to upload the final file two weeks ahead of release if I do that, so I can't see the point in us all twiddling our thumbs for fourteen days in order to have a buy link now, because of some whim on the part of the 'Zon.<br />
<br />
So, buckle up and get ready for another wild ride with Shelby and the Hannah brothers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://edenconnorwrites.blogspot.com/p/turn-and-burn-thecuda-confessions-book.html">And while you wait, enjoy the first three (unedited) chapters of Turn & Burn.</a><br />
<br />
Thank you so much. Have a great week. I'm moving into an office! A place where I can shut the door and write without being constantly interrupted. (party) So, by Wednesday, I'll be hard at work in a tiny little room filed with a desk, a chair and a ton of determination. There's not room for anything else. I think it'll be like going back to college, minus the lackluster cafeteria food. :D<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-65242233043305919202015-04-29T23:41:00.000-03:002015-04-30T03:32:11.785-03:00Sneak Peek at Turn and Burn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvRr_69w98n8eaMksVsCnUqDOs2PHJ8jfLPtWXPEnP1_OZ5paK_lW7sntX6NYFAFlgopyxFfSf5sobxQWt6C22bUifiiN4tGFmAXZoghPN9BG45OgDbOOV4Jid89eCr6vMYsGoL4x134/s1600/TURN+&+BURN_2mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvRr_69w98n8eaMksVsCnUqDOs2PHJ8jfLPtWXPEnP1_OZ5paK_lW7sntX6NYFAFlgopyxFfSf5sobxQWt6C22bUifiiN4tGFmAXZoghPN9BG45OgDbOOV4Jid89eCr6vMYsGoL4x134/s1600/TURN+&+BURN_2mini.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Now a college senior, Shelby has little choice but to attend the annual Christmas party at Ridenhour Motorsports when her stepfather's boss asks her to be the keynote speaker to honor Dale's twenty-fifth year with the team. She takes an instant dislike to the team's young superstar, Kolby Barnes, due to negative comments the guy has directed toward Dale in the press. After she tells the arrogant NASCAR driver off, things take a bad turn when Dale casually offers to bet his '71 Barracuda Hemi agasint the new Audi Kolby drives if he can beat Shelby in a drag race.</b> <b>Thanks to her big mouth and hot temper--along with some unjustified faith in her racing skills from her stepfather--Shelby finds herself where she swore to never be again, drag racing on the lonely country lane where Colt Hannah ruined her life. </b><br />
<br />
(excerpt)<br />
I set the emergency brake again and hit the gas. The rubber was hot now, so the car didn’t slip before the tread grabbed the asphalt.<br />
<br />
“Better.” Jonny grinned and patted my knee. “Take her ass down. So fucking tired of seeing these folks who can’t drive with these high dollar cars.”<br />
<br />
I managed not to smile. Maybe I could entice him to race her next. It would do my heart good to see him have to go to his knees and—<br />
<br />
<i>Uh, no. Not going there. What the fuck am I thinking?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I took a deep breath and slid my hands to the two o’clock and ten o’clock positions on the unfamiliar wheel. My anxiety faded into concentration. I narrowed my focus to the two white lines bracketing the deserted lane and the guy on the yellow line in between our front fenders.<br />
<br />
“Ready!” The brown-haired dude raised the colorful necktie again. Really, who was he? Even his voice stirred a memory, but I couldn’t place him. Had he paid Colt to fuck me? Or paid Brandon to fuck Caroline?<br />
<br />
My concentration faded as the questions brought my anxiety roaring back. I just wanted to get out of here. I let the clutch out about halfway and just stomped the pedal to the floor, letting the handbrake do all the work.<br />
<br />
“That ain’t gonna work. You burn out that brake and you’re screwed. Doubt there’s any place open to get a new part. So quit doggin’ it, Shelby.” I ignored Jonny’s ill-tempered bark.<br />
<br />
Drop the flag and let’s rock. In my head, I pictured Caroline’s taillights. There was no way I could beat her.<br />
<br />
“Set!”<br />
<br />
“Go!” The tie began to fall. I let the clutch out. The rear tires made a gratifying grab. The front tires lifted off the asphalt, by design, so the rear tires would grip, but the Mustang just kept getting air under the front tires. My heart knocked against my ribs but I kept my foot on the gas. What goes up, must come down.<br />
<br />
The front end kept rising, until I could see wet asphalt through the spaces in the engine compartment.<br />
<i>It’s gonna flip. </i>I yanked my foot off the gas pedal. Relief sent a hot flush across my skin when the tires dropped to the pavement. Pressing the gas again, I yelled, “No!” when the chassis began to slide sideways, toward the woods. I spun the wheel in the direction of the skid and jerked my foot to the brake.<br />
<br />
Caroline’s taillights flashed—a quarter mile ahead. I twisted in my seat to look out the back. The guy on the start line gave the Mustang’s rear deck a pat.<br />
<br />
“Asshole.”<br />
<br />
“Fucking amateur hour.” Jonny scowled. “Jesus, Shelby, you gave up three quarters of a second before you even got off the line. Then you lost control of the goddamn car.”<br />
<br />
“Well, I know all that!” Puffing my cheeks, I blew out a breath. “I just don’t know why it happened.”<br />
His almond-shaped eyes widened. He unhooked his safety harness and made a grab for his phone.<br />
<br />
“See if you can get her backed up. Think you can handle that?” He jabbed a number and put the device to his ear. “Yo, Caine. Seriously, what’s Plan B?”<br />
<br />
I reversed so hard, he snapped forward, but to my annoyance, he slammed a hand to the dash so I didn’t get to see him bleed. When I had the car lined up, I turned off the engine and rolled out. Slamming the door, I stalked from one end of the car to the other, watching Caroline’s smooth reverse through narrowed eyes.<br />
<br />
She hung out of the window. “What happened?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know what the hell Colt’s done to this damn thing. It’s… it’s possessed.” I threw my hands out. Jonny let out a loud groan and slid down in his seat. Slapping a hand to the side of his face, he spoke into the phone, but I was too pissed to listen while he tattled.<br />
<br />
“C’mon, Shelby. Let’s give it another go,” Caroline urged. “You just gotta get used to the car, is all. You can’t quit. We just got started.” She giggled. “And I still got gas in the tank. Fire it up, girlfriend. Let’s go before my babysitter calls to say I need to come home.”<br />
<br />
Easy to say sitting on sixty grand worth of ‘my daddy don’t have time for me but he can write a damn check’. And why, oh, why, did she mention that baby? How could Colt ask her to do this? What if something happened? If the car continued to malfunction, I might hit her car. If she got hurt, how would she work? I’d never be able to forgive myself if I made it impossible for her to look after her child.<br />
<br />
“I’m telling you, it’s that… that,”—stabbing a finger at the monstrosity sprouting from the engine, I spluttered—“whatever the fuck that is. It’s not set right or something.” I crossed my arms over my chest and bent my knees, stooping to glare through the window until Jonny slung his door open and got out.<br />
<br />
Scanning the engine compartment, he gave me what I guessed passed for a wide-eyed look. “Huh. Hang on, I see the problem.” He reached in to wiggle a belt on the chrome plated phallic symbol the guys called a breather. “Oh, okay.” He straightened with a smile. “You were right. All good now. Let’s go.”<br />
<br />
“Do you think I was born yesterday? How many damn hours have I spent watching Caine and Colt play around in this engine? You didn’t fix a goddamn thing.”<br />
<br />
“Because there’s nothing to fix.” His reasonable tone only set me off. “Let’s try again.”<br />
<br />
“Grrr!” I yanked the door open and flopped into the seat. Feeling for the lever, I tried to adjust the seat forward. The seat slid forward the extra inch I needed, but there didn’t seem to be a catch at the right spot.<br />
<br />
“We didn’t make any adjustments to the upholstery. You need to worry about some shit that might help.” He made a noise I took as derogatory.<br />
<br />
“I will slap you.”<br />
<br />
He ducked his head to study the side mirror before he cut hard eyes to mine. “Do I need to explain what would happen next?”<br />
<br />
His hot and cold act reminded me too much of Colt. “Look, Jonny, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I left you standing in that parking lot yesterday because I don’t want what you have to offer.”<br />
<br />
He raked his hands through his hair, as if it wasn’t already a hot mess. “Thank God you did. I need to play nice with the Hannah family. Giving their little sister a much needed spanking would’ve blown up in my face.”<br />
<br />
Before I could figure out how to respond to that, the crunch of tires made me glance into the rear view mirror. Caine skidded to a halt off the side of the lonely lane and got out of Dale’s truck. Waving to Caroline, he strode to the GT500’s engine compartment and peered at the blower. To my relief, he began to nod after a moment’s perusal.<br />
<br />
“What’s the matter with it, Caine?” Caroline called.<br />
<br />
“Lubrication issue. You might wanna suck face with your buddy while I handle it.” Caine straightened and stalked to my door. Yanking it open, he barked, “Get out, Shelby.”<br />
<br />
I slid out of the car, but didn’t get why Caroline started clapping. “Oh, this is the best Christmas gift ever,” she squealed.<br />
<br />
Looking from her to Caine, I tried to catch up. “So, you brought what you need to fix it?”<br />
<br />
Caine curled a hand around my arm. “The car doesn’t need lubricating. You do. Spread your legs.”<br />
<br />
I jerked from his grasp, alarmed by the hard thump his commanding tone sent to my girlie bits. “No! I’m not some young kid who just does whatever you say anymore, you bastard.” I had plenty more to say, but Jonny’s presence saved Caine from hearing it.<br />
<br />
He took the wide stance I was learning to hate and crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, just hear me out. After Jonny called, I got to thinkin’. When I taught you to drive, I mixed racin’ up with sex in your head. I think that’s your problem, because all that big blower’s doin’ is gettin’ more air to the fuel mix so you can fly.”<br />
<br />
I wanted to scream, but kept my voice low. “You’ve been here all of one minute, Caine. You don’t know what my problem is.” His grin told me I’d misspoken. I hurried to say, “What the car’s problem is, I mean.”<br />
<br />
The way his eyes narrowed made me wish I wasn’t backed up against the Mustang’s door.<br />
<br />
He lifted those damn broad shoulders. “You can fight your nerves, or whatever’s holding you up from making a clean start. You can keep swearing it’s a mechanical problem, when we all know it ain’t. Or, you can ask me to wipe everything out of your head except the thought of how good Caroline’s little tongue is gonna feel when you kick her ass.”<br />
<br />
Caroline’s cry rang through the silent woods. “Oh, in her dreams. I’ve been waitin’ on this for a long time. Hope you ate some rich girl pussy at college, Shelby. I ain’t got time for no amateur head.”<br />
<br />
I wrenched around to stare over the top of the car, but I was too damn short and her new car sat too low for me to see her, so I just yelled. “Do you get head from many women, Caroline?”<br />
<br />
“No, baby.” She giggled. “I been savin’ my girl-on-girl cherry for you all this time. Can’t wait to feel those dainty fingers slidin’ in and out of my pussy. And as soon as you get me off, Russ is gonna bang my fucking brains out, ‘cause watching is gonna make him feel like Superman, even though I doubt you can make me scream. But still, if he asks ‘em real nice, maybe Caine and this hot little number you brought along will dive right in for seconds. But all you’re gonna get is my cream on your chin.”<br />
<br />
“I grew up in the wrong goddamn town,” Jonny blurted. “Fuck me, are y’all serious?”<br />
<br />
Caroline’s teasing tone evaporated. “Get her ass behind the wheel and find out.” She gunned the Viper’s engine, then let the motor idle. “If she can get that bitch off the start line, that is.”<br />
<br />
I tried to think of a way to back out of this, but all I could think about was all the nights spent out here that culminated in the best sex of my life. And how close Caine stood. I realized I stared at the growing bulge in his Wranglers and jerked my gaze to his face.<br />
<br />
Caine grinned like he’d learned how from the devil himself. “The Shelby I used to know would be christening Caroline’s hood in… oh, maybe fifteen seconds from now. If you let me and Jonny help, you can make her use her tongue for somethin’ besides talkin’ smack. Or… not.”<br />
<br />
Heat flashed over my skin, leaving a fine film of perspiration. The hard thump in my clit made me squeeze my thighs together. Caine’s grin said he knew that, too.<br />
<br />
The promise of explosive orgasms that shook me to the core was something I should resist, but four years of lackluster sex danced in my brain. Blood rushed to my folds and I was already wet. I’d taken enough Psychology courses to know that Caine might have a point about the operant conditioning that made my brain connect sex with racing. Every time I’d raced in the past, I’d been aroused out of my mind. All I wanted was to hit that finish line and collect my trophy fuck.<br />
<br />
Why not? It wasn’t very likely Caroline had found two boyfriends in a row who secretly pimped her out. I’d almost fucked Jonny the day before—and still wanted to. I’d do whatever it took to beat Kolby. Fucking Caine might be the best way—the only way—to get his help to screw Colt, metaphorically speaking.<br />
<br />
“You better know how this is done, Caroline.” Spinning, I yanked open the door and gripped the top edge of the door frame, butting my ass against Caine’s groin.<br />
<br />
His chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. Or maybe it was due to the way he gripped my hips. “Nice try, but you ain’t in charge. Pull those pants all the way down, Shelby, and then spread those legs wide. Then ask Jonny real nice if he’d please put his fingers in your pussy. My palm’s itchin’ to get reacquainted with your ass.”<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-53082646358287647422015-04-10T03:57:00.001-03:002015-04-10T03:57:24.650-03:0099 Cent E-book Blast 4/10-4/12 Over 175 Titles to Choose From<center>
<a href="http://wwww.99centbookblast.com/"><img alt="99tc" src="http://www.rainyofthedark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/99tc.jpg" height="279" size-full="" width="600" wp-image-9878="" /></a></center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over 175 ebooks from over 150 authors--including USA Today Bestsellers--are on sale for 99 cents.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This promo will last only April 10th, 11th, and 12th. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find paranormal, fantasy, romance, and much more. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't forget to tell your friends so they can one-click too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.99centbookblast.com/">Visit the 99 Cent Book Blast</a>.</div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-7773294416870092872015-04-04T16:20:00.002-03:002015-04-04T17:04:57.850-03:00Oh, noes! Stepbrother porn? Really, Eden? <br />
Is there a line authors shouldn't cross? Are some topics just too taboo?<br />
Is monster porn okay because we can see that's pure fantasy, yet pseudo-incest is just yucky because... it could happen?<br />
<br />
I've seen the debate. It takes place in my Facebook feed a great deal. One author will reveal she wrote a monster porn story, and sure enough, three days later, she's posting indignant statuses seeking validation because some other author wagged a finger in her face and said "Tsk, tsk. That's just beneath you." Or, "That crap gives us all a bad name." Or, "Yes, my characters have sex, but I'd never go THERE." (implying that no one else should, either.)<br />
<br />
After absorbing several similar posts, I got pissed off. Sex fantasies are just that--fantasies. Mine aren't 'better' than yours because the idea of sleeping with someone who's strictly off limits isn't what floats my boat. To be honest, my deep, dark fantasy is a three-way with Charlie Hunnam and Taylor Kitsch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_fLn5KRYUYAlN1rGoHJshz1qbr5UHmeFGVN2lDWWFkOJtQDkiPJf4WXRg6DmdfIlBu4SkBXWxhA65YkCZwqeUIuT4ErvaxVXqY4ipIR85gcoof1dqV4X-Q_8sYFdFx9d-WUNLQqQkLQ/s1600/charlie-hunnam-Christian-Grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_fLn5KRYUYAlN1rGoHJshz1qbr5UHmeFGVN2lDWWFkOJtQDkiPJf4WXRg6DmdfIlBu4SkBXWxhA65YkCZwqeUIuT4ErvaxVXqY4ipIR85gcoof1dqV4X-Q_8sYFdFx9d-WUNLQqQkLQ/s1600/charlie-hunnam-Christian-Grey.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lXaUWh8xWvfOZOVmHTF4c8APAhZoZ-Z7JEkfVS41sPT5R_7a_-NEDghGbXsCBnnrxdE9BoQDFLYktglhLZwALX9dCQEWm5VmZCIWSCF8fGCdVlxVw-CJg8gK-ElmyAk67dP-_eLwFeQ/s1600/taylor-kitsch-best-photos-07092012-17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lXaUWh8xWvfOZOVmHTF4c8APAhZoZ-Z7JEkfVS41sPT5R_7a_-NEDghGbXsCBnnrxdE9BoQDFLYktglhLZwALX9dCQEWm5VmZCIWSCF8fGCdVlxVw-CJg8gK-ElmyAk67dP-_eLwFeQ/s1600/taylor-kitsch-best-photos-07092012-17.jpeg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Let's all stop and imagine that, shall we?)</div>
<br />
<br />
It's no secret that I have a thing for blue collar bad boys, and this pair have played some roles that tickle that spot very well.<br />
<br />
So, what if they were brothers? I'd still do 'em in my head so hard their bones would rattle.<br />
<br />
How hard is to to take that next step and imagine they were my stepbrothers? Would I turn off that part of my brain that acknowledges they're hotter than hell, just because of one label?<br />
<br />
Hmm, maybe not. C'mere, you two and let's find out.<br />
<br />
That is called blurring the line. To move from a fantasy that once worked to one that's new and more forbidden is normal. And our fantasies are nothing to be ashamed of. If we write about some fictional character shagging the hell out of some fictional stepbrothers, it's not an idea that's going to sweep the nation and have kids bunking with their blended families.<br />
<br />
I mean, do you see a bunch of young kids quitting school to go be billionaire BDSM Masters? Really, do you? Because I don't. (Well, maybe two or three, but they had to give up on their quest to become sparkly vampires first.)<br />
<br />
Any more than these young minds I reckon some authors are trying to save are gonna grab their stepsister and drag her into a closet--or vice versa. And these shaming authors have to be fighting to keep young minds pure, because, frankly, dammit, it's too late for the rest of us. And they know it. So, surely they aren't saying to their PEERS, for God's sake, that they need to stop writing that crap because they KNOW some readers can' t separate fact from fiction.<br />
<br />
But that's precisely what's being said. So, after I put some thought into the issue, I realized that what I was muttering was "Oh, get over yourselves already." And the next step was pretty clear. If I truly believed that, then I had to get over myself too, publicly as well as privately. <br />
<br />
So, I wrote a book. It's not my 'normal' fare of erotic romance that ends with a HFN.<br />
<br />
It's....wait for it...stepbrother porn--and I wish you could see my face, because I'm grinning like a mule eating briars. I decided, what the hell? Let's throw down the gauntlet. Could I write a story that had a riveting plot, plenty of taboo sex, and still come out the other side of the rabbit hole with something more than 'nasty stepbrother porn'?<br />
<br />
You tell me. I think I nailed it. Beta readers have been consistent, with the most frequent comment being "I couldn't put it down." Your mileage may vary.<br />
<br />
I'll defend a reader's right to hold to a hard limit any day. My rant is directed toward authors. If pseudo-incest is a line you can't cross as either a reader or a writer, no hard feelings. Just don't wag that finger in my face.<br />
<br />
If, however, you're tempted to cross over to the dark side, yeah, that's my elbow you feel in your ribs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAwcA6nmTUyBkn6aiggGXqsuhddtnzjOIu_0UE6O5X8t1OJC52FChcGQx5GdsVOa52pV0ZAi95zJwOOUiZvufZ_OrCCrwkH6hRdccui8SOBuDZdIUMZ5dbaPhmbwhNYDCouelN-ZCIn0/s1600/GAS+OR+ASS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAwcA6nmTUyBkn6aiggGXqsuhddtnzjOIu_0UE6O5X8t1OJC52FChcGQx5GdsVOa52pV0ZAi95zJwOOUiZvufZ_OrCCrwkH6hRdccui8SOBuDZdIUMZ5dbaPhmbwhNYDCouelN-ZCIn0/s1600/GAS+OR+ASS.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mybook.to/Gas" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Gas and Ass</a><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">...coming April 17th. Available now for pre-order.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ2GtYNFwQkhDs8WAuOyALdEW7Axzu2Bwdei_9AzjszdngpQIyvKRaUnA-grqwVw4ZWaIV3FBGyJ0iZ1lzzlTIVL3rO7VEYhO_pXKtB9HjthKSjeBf1iZnn5R0XKDWbbo1GmbjQR1cbQ/s1600/Gas+or+Ass+promo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ2GtYNFwQkhDs8WAuOyALdEW7Axzu2Bwdei_9AzjszdngpQIyvKRaUnA-grqwVw4ZWaIV3FBGyJ0iZ1lzzlTIVL3rO7VEYhO_pXKtB9HjthKSjeBf1iZnn5R0XKDWbbo1GmbjQR1cbQ/s1600/Gas+or+Ass+promo1.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-72659809861944342172015-01-27T16:42:00.007-04:002015-02-08T03:47:37.054-04:00First Look at The Love Gov <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Author's Note</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The only thing people in S.C. argue about more than football is politics. I've long wanted to write a story set against a political backdrop. After all, dirty politics and dirty sex just go together. When I went to vote this past November, Ben Collins, homegrown Spartanburg boy and self-made man, popped into my head. I knew Ben wanted to run the state in the black and with a clean conscience, but I had no hook. I did have a long history of S.C. governors who've had their sexual peccadilloes made public, from Strom Thurmond to Mark Sanford. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>With those two in mind, I sat down to binge on <i>Scandal</i> on Netflix. Somewhere in the middle of Season 2, I wondered who'd have to get their hands dirty in order for Ben to keep his so clean.<br /><br />And I had my hook. </b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzGboWxDTlMlB1kBoWnm7GZixdChpUpJEetB5V95jkDsRRJj-jBoBt0g4Fa5tuP9YojC2lLYw-VQPfdPBQ7ESO0ttYAWiuncR8f0O5R0J-l_VFmj8mIPu9lHeD8MGNv8az10En7DprLQ/s1600/LoveGov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzGboWxDTlMlB1kBoWnm7GZixdChpUpJEetB5V95jkDsRRJj-jBoBt0g4Fa5tuP9YojC2lLYw-VQPfdPBQ7ESO0ttYAWiuncR8f0O5R0J-l_VFmj8mIPu9lHeD8MGNv8az10En7DprLQ/s1600/LoveGov.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>There's nothing partisan about this candidate's sex life....</b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b>But now, Ben Collins is running for governor of South Carolina. </b><b style="text-indent: 0in;">He's determined to manage the state with a clean conscience and a balance sheet in the black, but his </b><b style="text-indent: 0in;">ulterior motive has little to do with politics and everything to do with love. He’s going after the one who got away—Evony Millwood, the woman who just got engaged to his opponent. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>Evony's running, too--from Ben. All the mud Ben's opponents are about to sling is dirt Evony buried with her own hands. Can she keep a lid on her misdeeds or will the brewing storm sweep her into the arms of the man she's loved from afar for years?</b></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 32px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">•1•<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtAPuMMJOeROx3-9tkUL2tBVwvoEH6iwHZW9DRDoSSN1dHhBUtWr2m2okN3KwRbNOqxxrTOTtGIlWslhu-V-PlMGRzGpGv5TZT3W_cPk33RTKT5CMaGV3L044jRiBJ4NBtvpRC58kEPI/s1600/LOVE1BEN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtAPuMMJOeROx3-9tkUL2tBVwvoEH6iwHZW9DRDoSSN1dHhBUtWr2m2okN3KwRbNOqxxrTOTtGIlWslhu-V-PlMGRzGpGv5TZT3W_cPk33RTKT5CMaGV3L044jRiBJ4NBtvpRC58kEPI/s1600/LOVE1BEN.png" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i>June, 2030<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Cigarette smoke made a blue haze throughout the exclusive Columbia men’s club. At the back of the dim room, a man got to his feet. Maybe five-seven, his red hair gleamed despite the lack of light. When I approached, the political advisor’s smile slid across his face like an oil slick. His hazel eyes lost the look that made me want to put my fist through his face, but I left my hand clenched, in case I changed my mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Mr. Collins. So nice to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you for taking the meeting, Mr. Gaines.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The man didn’t respond, but that might have been due to the fact he was busy kicking me in the ankles under the pretense of settling down to talk. <i>Fucking Napoleon complexes.</i> <i>This is a waste of time.</i> This man was my third choice for a manager, but by the time I’d made up my mind to run, the first two had already signed on with other people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“What are y’all drinkin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Bourbon,” I snapped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Gaines lifted a hand. A waitress scurried to his side. The asshole stared at her thighs, not her face. “Darlin’, we need two fingers of bourbon in two glasses.” He raised his eyes long enough to wink at the poor woman. Something told me he was a bad tipper. Like the fact the twenty-something server barely smiled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s get right down to business. I want to run for governor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“On the Democratic ticket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I despise being interrupted, but fought to keep my tone smooth. “Yes. And I need a campaign manager. When I asked around, your name came up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Of course. Gaines men have put governors in office in this state since the first settlers landed at Charles Town. But it’s been a minute since a Democrat sat in the governor’s seat.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>Oh, right. Rub your blue blood in my face. </i>I nearly asked what fault in his family DNA led them to strive for second place, but the waitress’s return stopped me. The way the young woman flinched suggested Gaines ran his hand down the back of her leg. Disgust burned my throat far more than my big gulp of liquor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“The Tea Party has ruined the GOP. People are fed up with this ultra-conservative bullshit. I have the backing of some powerful men. I just need someone experienced to guide this campaign.” Ultra-conservatives called this land home, but the winds of change were blowing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Gaines swirled the amber liquid in his glass. “Let me be blunt, Mr. Collins. You’ve done a helluva job raising your public profile. I mean, restoring the governor’s mansion with your own funds? Getting PBS to film a documentary while you did it? Talking the producers into letting your movie-star ex-husband narrate? Brilliant. But that’s hardly enough to overcome the fact that you were, indeed, married to Jericho James. If you’ll pardon my French, no one in this state will vote for a man who’s sucked a dick.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>You mean no straight man.</i> I clenched my glass so hard, the cut crystal bit into my fingers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“You’re overlooking one thing, Mr. Gaines. There’s a significant gay constituency here, whether men like you want to admit it or not. They’ll vote for me. When George Millwood’s candidate gets beat in the primary, the black vote will swing to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
He kept his eyes on me and smirked. “That’s not going to happen. The black ministers will fall over themselves to condemn an un-Christian lifestyle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>Don’t throw the glass. My lawyer might not show up to bail me out of jail.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Besides, I don’t think you can beat Keelan Bonner in the primary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Bonner started out as an investigator for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and worked his way into to the top job after a huge scandal a few years back. He stood for law and order in a state that believed in that above all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
And if I didn’t beat anyone else, I’d spend whatever it cost to take down Bonner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I slid out of the booth. “Sorry to have wasted your time, Mr. Gaines. Thanks for the drink.” Blood pounded in my ears, but I forced a smile. “For the record, a man who’s unemployed might want to hide his shortcomings the next time someone offers him big bucks to do a job.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I recounted the meeting to my driver on the way home. “Your restraint was remarkable, Ben. I can’t believe I’m not down at the Columbia jail, coughing up bail money. What a jackass.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I stared out the window at the downtown buildings, wishing I had the guts to order him to head for Melrose Heights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Listen to me, Ben. You will be governor of this state. You’re not giving up. Find someone else to run your campaign. You deserve to sit in the governor’s chair.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Nicholas was a sweet kid. “What about Bonner? Why wouldn’t you vote for him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“It doesn’t matter how many people vote for Bonner. He can’t win because he won’t pull a single white majority district. And Ben, thanks to centuries of gerrymandering, they’re all white majority districts.” Nick struck the wheel with a closed fist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Bonner would become the first African-American on the ballot for governor of South Carolina. An historic moment, to be sure. I could hardly wait to wreck it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
A few miles flashed by.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“We headed home, boss man?” Nicholas asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I growled. “Stop for cigarettes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Nick tut-tutted, but he got me a pack of Marlboro Reds and a lighter. “You know, they say smoking will be eradicated in another generation. Think about your lungs, chief.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I ripped the cellophane off the pack and made a mental note to look for a reason to let him go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncSoS3BsN2FSgjP7a-yldP2MuUV8eMUBXnTUWi3H0DpaPwC_9AR6lJQQ9TFExY-UmAVb2107y8CO1F0I33f2zk9N1L9yF397scTvfci298UM4BZuxn3mmYp3CMcLDOAIIG6tDKfMryA0/s1600/LOVE1Evony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncSoS3BsN2FSgjP7a-yldP2MuUV8eMUBXnTUWi3H0DpaPwC_9AR6lJQQ9TFExY-UmAVb2107y8CO1F0I33f2zk9N1L9yF397scTvfci298UM4BZuxn3mmYp3CMcLDOAIIG6tDKfMryA0/s1600/LOVE1Evony.png" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
•2•<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Dessert, darling?” Keelan patted his lips with the linen napkin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I shook my head. “No. I want a piece of cheesecake in the worst way, but it’s not worth the added miles on my morning jog.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Your father called. He’s going to join us for coffee, if that’s all right with you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t drink coffee this time of night. Keelan knew that, but I nodded. I’d have to endure more endless campaign talk, but with any luck, Kee would break things off at a decent hour. I had an early class the next day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Keelan stood when my father wound his way toward us through the close-set restaurant tables. “George, so nice of you to join us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Honored to be asked, Keelan.” Dad bent to kiss my cheek before the men shook hands. “Evony. You’re looking beautiful tonight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Because Kee had made it sound like Dad asked to come, and not the other way around, my bullshit meter revved into high gear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Dad took a seat, but to my surprise, he didn’t lead with his favorite topic, Keelan’s campaign for governor. In fact, he didn’t say a word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Keelan cleared his throat. “You know I’m an old-fashioned man, Evony.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Was he looking to win a prize for understatement of the year? I loved the man, but… <i>Gotta put my tough week aside. He’s really trying.</i> The campaign had already put stress on our relationship. I worked long hours, hoping for tenure at the University of South Carolina. We just couldn’t seem to make time for each other. This dinner was the first time I’d seen the man in days. <i>We aren’t kids. Time spent apart isn’t going to kill us.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Keelan reached into his jacket. Dad folded his hands on top of the linen tablecloth, leaning forward slightly. My gut clenched as I looked from one man to the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Mr. Millwood, you’ve been my closest friend and advisor for years. I respect you more than any man I know. So, I’m sweating bullets here, but I’d like your permission to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>For fuck’s sake. I’m nearly forty-two. There’s old fashioned and then there’s archaic.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
My father beamed. “Took you long enough, son. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather see Evony settle down with, Keelan.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Kee pulled his hand free. I stared at the box, admiring the robin’s egg blue. The crisp black logo sent my pulse racing. “Evony, I love you, darling. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He placed the box in my shaking hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Aware that conversation had ceased at the tables around us, I managed to lift the lid and pry the black velvet ring box free. Lifting the lid, I gasped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
The oval-cut solitaire threw off rainbows from the candle in the table center. I tugged the white metal setting free, unable to resist a peek at the inside of the band. The bold ‘950’ stamped beside the elegant Tiffany maker’s mark told me the lacy fretwork around the stone was platinum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
I raised my eyes to Keelan’s. <i>He’ll make a good husband. He’s solid. Dependable. He loves me. </i>“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Polite clapping broke out. My father’s laugh seemed a bit too loud. Keelan took the diamond from the box. I extended my left hand. He slid the ring on my finger, holding onto my hand. Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to my lips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Pulling back, he stared into my eyes. “I’m going to put you in the governor’s mansion as First Lady, Evony, if it’s the last thing I ever do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
“Hrmph.” My father only cleared his throat before he delivered bad news. I wanted to admire my diamond, but turned my attention to him. “Ben Collins asked Perry Gaines to handle his election campaign. He’s planning to run against you for the Democratic nomination.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>Oh, shit. He can’t do that. The press will go digging. Daddy will go digging. Ben has no idea what he's walking into.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
<i>Thanks to me.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><a href="http://edenconnorwrites.blogspot.com/p/the-love-gov-opening-chapters.html#.VMf2J2jF9HU">Want more? Click here</a></b></div>
<i><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></i>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-41994690641448885012015-01-14T00:17:00.000-04:002015-01-14T00:38:03.815-04:00My Panties...They are a' Bunchin'<br />
If you can handle the dust in here, grab a chair, because I'm about to rant.<br />
<br />
About an hour ago, I was perusing my Facebook feed, searching for the post from my local news channel about the prediction of freezing rain. (Don't judge, I'm Southern.We don't DO ice.) I spied a post by a fellow author about reviews. My friend didn't write it, she shared another's blog post. So...I clicked, hoping to find the post I reckon I'm gonna have to write. Because this one was more of the same.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/how_authors_would_wish_their_books_to_be_reviewed/">I'll link the blog post here</a>, but I'm also going to post a screen shot of this author's "Wish List" for reviewers. Because...edits, they happen. <grin><br />
<br />
After some preliminary words, she gets right down to it: "Don't knock my work! I'm a new author, go pick on someone who's been doing this a while."<br />
<br />
Oh, no. Not again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VAQiJphDu5OuFqF33u57-rEr3wXMR11A1LPSW3Umj78uc-x_WG8yhF4SzaDKrrCzItdrSsuxGTet4SsKmObm2QVQrtRjMjSYzcJVj0BsESupCZ2bL2t4HDQUY4HFf0lVTLhRo8p1l-8/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VAQiJphDu5OuFqF33u57-rEr3wXMR11A1LPSW3Umj78uc-x_WG8yhF4SzaDKrrCzItdrSsuxGTet4SsKmObm2QVQrtRjMjSYzcJVj0BsESupCZ2bL2t4HDQUY4HFf0lVTLhRo8p1l-8/s1600/Capture.PNG" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Let's take them one by one, shall we? Because I sure as hell don't want anyone thinking this author speaks for me.<br />
<br />
1. If you think my work deserves a 3-star review, by all means, write and post it. That's your opinion and you're entitled to it. As a writer, I'm a big fan of a little thing we Americans like to call the First Amendment. If there's a kernel of validity in your remarks, I assure you I will find it and hug it to my heart, because I understand that a calm sea never did a strong sailor make. If I didn't move the Earth for you, let me know. (pun intended) Tell other readers. I lack motivation anyway. (That's not sarcasm, that's a fact, Jack.) Don't 'discuss it with me first'. Unless you want to. Then, I'll be glad to talk about anything you like. Because YOUR OPINIONS MATTER TO ME. I'm grateful that, out of the bajillion titles that went up online this year, you took the time to read mine.<br />
<br />
2. If you want to review a book I wrote that you didn't finish, by all means, do it! Again, not sarcasm. Because I will work my ass off to figure out where I lost you, so I NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. I write to be read. I write for the money. Believe me, I know the market's glutted, particularly in contemporary erotic romance. My work has to shine to gather a readership. Every time you quit I get motivated. But I gotta know you quit, so for God's sake, leave that review on a DNF title I wrote. Please. I treasure those, because I'm a professional writer. I have crit partners and beta readers and editors and sometimes, I still come up short. It's not your job to help me improve, but your unvarnished opinion does help me.<br />
<br />
3. I guess since the Author (sic) writes, we can overlook the fact that she can't count from one to six, consecutively. Artists. We don't always get teh maths. But I won't stoop to make fun of her. She was clearly.. <strike>in a snit </strike>rushing to publish and failed to proofread. Typos happen.<br />
<br />
4. (This is my personal fave, and the one that fired me up enough to blow the dust off my blog.) Did she just say she sits back and makes herself feel better by criticizing the grammar and punctuation and general typing skill of a non-writing professional?<br />
<br />
I think she did. I think the remark is petty, for openers. A reviewer doesn't have to turn in the perfect piece to give an opinion. It's a situation not unlike the one former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart found himself in when he had to resort to describing pornography as "I know it when I see it." Many many readers know bad writing when they see it, but (WARNING: Pro Tip Ahead), baby they ain't the one purporting to be a professional writer.<br />
<br />
Please, please, never hold back from writing a review of one of my titles because you fear snark or rebuttal from me. It will not be forthcoming. I have never, and will never, ask my fans, friends, or fellow writers to vote down a bad review. I promise to put my big girl panties on and dig for the gem of wisdom you offer when you knock my story. I honor all opinions. If I didn't get you on board this time, you bet your ass, I'll, bring my damn A-game next time...if you let me know I missed the mark.<br />
<br />
5. Wanna give my titles 1-stars 'just because you can'? Do it. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wildly-Inappropriate-Those-Devilish-Marco-ebook/dp/B00CDBM444/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">several,</a> and wouldn't dare presume they'll be my last. Take a second to look over those 1-star reviews I linked you to. Please, see that those reviews have not been replied to by me or by anyone I asked to respond, (and I ain't got time for no sock-puppet bullsh*t), or voted down. Because I accept that the forum is for readers. Customers. If I want unconditional love, I'll buy a Golden retriever. I'd rather have your respect and I accept that in order to get that, I need to give it.<br />
<br />
In fact....<br />
<br />
I ONLY read one-and-two-star reviews these days. It's funny how those reviews give me confidence that all of the reviews for a title didn't come from a street team or some dude with an ad on Fiverr. Yeah, we're all jaded now. So those dings? Honey, they're what I like to call street creds. You've been bloodied in the pursuit of your craft. Now, shut up the whining and get back on the horse or get out of the way. It's a crowded playing field. I'd rather spend my limited time and money on a book that has well-rounded reviews, those that run the gamut, because, hey, guess what? I'm a reader first, and I'm intelligent to boot, so I'll figure out if they were deserved or not, just by reading them. To suggest I can't..well, let us just say, this isn't the first time I felt insulted by your little wish list.<br />
<br />
6. (sigh) I grow weary of repeating myself. <b>Reviews are for the reader by the reader</b>. Anything personally gain from your review to help me in the pursuit of my craft is all gravy, baby. Write on. Don't you dare let one more entitled whiner make you think twice before you leave a review. Whatever you want to address, go for it.<br />
<br />
We need more truth in reviews, not less. But I guess I must address the 'trolls'. I believe those who leave retaliatory 1-star reviews say a helluva lot more about themselves than they ever could about my work. If I earned that 1-star, in your mind, feel free to tell others in your review. Your opinion is respected, wanted, and I'll be grateful. No matter how many stars you dazzle it up with.<br />
<br />
I would much, much rather hear what I did wrong than lukewarm praise because you think you owe me some certain number of stars, since you recognize that it "takes guts just to write a book." That's crap. You know what it takes to write a book? A gadget that throws letters on a page and a way to upload the result to Amazon.<br />
<br />
Where the guts come in is in learning to take criticism, to be a professional in public at all times, to not bully reviewers who review for the pure love of reading and sharing with other readers, and to not act like an entitled little diva because you managed to get from "Once upon a time" to "The End."<br />
<br />
Because that ain't all the job requires. It takes poise and the ability to accept that once you put yourself out there as a public figure, you give up the right to whine.<br />
<br />
Wanna quit? Do it. I'd rather a hundred of writers who whine about their reviews would quit, than watch one more talented author give up because she couldn't find readers willing to leave her reviews, good, bad, or indifferent BECAUSE OF ALL THE BLOG POSTS AND DRAMA AROUND LESS-THAN-PERFECT REVIEWS ON THE PART OF AUTHORS. Those are the folks my heart hurts for. They might find it hard to keep asking, which is so not the same as "I'm ungrateful and entitled and.... and...I'm new so cut me a break," which is what I got from this piece.<br /><br />As for book bloggers, you're the sugar in my tea, ladies. Don't think for one second that we're all like this chick. I know you get hammered by requests. If you pick my title to review and you want me to name my next-born after you, just ask. You got it. Write your review any way you like. I'll be grateful.<br />
<br />
To the author of the original post, never let anyone tell you your writing doesn't move people. I mean, you moved me to write my first blog post in months. So that's something.<br />
<br />
<br />
/end rant/<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-24991073998991279272015-01-12T00:00:00.000-04:002015-01-12T00:00:00.589-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszfC4ATd510PLUPzNcv6xDht8z70MutVirX1hG9i0WTyVAtW5H1J1zSudI7Ev2zwpVtlDC-l1TSjWjilwQ4aHqQWkD3TDRavRlUEHRehfNOp-_sX5sqwOtnzvMR3RHkpeQmF8enKqJ0-8/s1600/banbooktour2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszfC4ATd510PLUPzNcv6xDht8z70MutVirX1hG9i0WTyVAtW5H1J1zSudI7Ev2zwpVtlDC-l1TSjWjilwQ4aHqQWkD3TDRavRlUEHRehfNOp-_sX5sqwOtnzvMR3RHkpeQmF8enKqJ0-8/s1600/banbooktour2.jpg" height="243" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Title:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Flawed and Damaged</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Emily Krat</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genre:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> New Adult/Contemporary Romance</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-23f8749d-7fad-0767-dbec-8dcf4d61c053"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Release Date:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 22 July, 2014</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPKV7EmIWAiG1bEpmLzHl1q437sGjDyI078NbTXDl9vYOWKT_PSg6aAdtBCxQFmf-4SDYL_IMXmMdFaxrAOp4SWQ-PTy0Aq6sieVWDnHoSoEDfD0F2NXCEliFeK6dciWjmJ7XnoIlf_ZL/s1600/FAD-Cover-Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPKV7EmIWAiG1bEpmLzHl1q437sGjDyI078NbTXDl9vYOWKT_PSg6aAdtBCxQFmf-4SDYL_IMXmMdFaxrAOp4SWQ-PTy0Aq6sieVWDnHoSoEDfD0F2NXCEliFeK6dciWjmJ7XnoIlf_ZL/s1600/FAD-Cover-Web.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6i8TOrM9Xyt3lWhl2vCCD7BOBU5nIOMXAwI7qYew0a6yfg4YFhhwDB3biE6_5M6kNYodbc7YEyIAFmjSgCfRu6PqLtsicwaleOxQXBqmUtd1qc13aijJL-uhcXDW7tlM5OHYqQfZZoH-/s1600/but1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6i8TOrM9Xyt3lWhl2vCCD7BOBU5nIOMXAwI7qYew0a6yfg4YFhhwDB3biE6_5M6kNYodbc7YEyIAFmjSgCfRu6PqLtsicwaleOxQXBqmUtd1qc13aijJL-uhcXDW7tlM5OHYqQfZZoH-/s1600/but1.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Two people haunted by their past…</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The collision of two damaged hearts…</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet Elizabeth Williams. She is at the airport on an important work assignment. If everything goes smoothly, after three years of hard work, she’ll get a promotion and a much-needed raise. Elizabeth is putting her life back on track after it was ripped out from under her feet four years ago when she lost her parents along with all her dreams. Standing here, she believes her life is going to change for the better any moment now. Nothing can go wrong, right?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet Ryan Price. He came to Moscow on business. Right now, Ryan is standing at the airport looking at a ‘present’ from his brother, judging by the sign a beautiful young woman is holding. Damn his brother for not cancelling this arrangement as Ryan asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miscommunications and misunderstandings and a love story begins.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There will be a scary flight, lovely breakfasts, long evening conversations, sharing a secret or two, discovering one another, a lot of laughter, tender moments and some tears, a fight and, of course, the I-am-ready-for-the-end-of-the-world kiss.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somewhere along the way, they won’t be able to fight their feelings any longer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the first time in his life, Ryan will experience a different shade of lust. And for the first time in her life, Elizabeth will have to trust despite all of the times she has been hurt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-2c54c59f-3e99-ac84-19da-2e28ce9c5dbd"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will these two wounded lost souls find love, peace and comfort in each other or will they just break each other more? Is it a train wreck of a love story or a happily ever after?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22590946-flawed-and-damaged" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LHHn6H5f-1LPNiYBNyc_hG0b5vEBBtQozei8sV8uGpva9KZo3T5-2WpYinCHj36_kRldJ1OSMKfO9WrJnJJn1NLYxqKGNXPu5faA5df8wuLU_CyfQW3zK8HBjP06E3uMvl11pt76NYlQ/s1600/add-to-goodreads-button.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQr-Aqa4jr5rQtUaA65sR94DSK8DHWC2wdKqE4_KAczL-CHFQSZHoJ_vV56ZQZlSqdQMJJs04g4VSzG_LhZeKpJnGUyfSinHDOrVNTuLn80R_08LFqABa0N40EUasUcoRlkYwF3sCuGwQ/s1600/but3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQr-Aqa4jr5rQtUaA65sR94DSK8DHWC2wdKqE4_KAczL-CHFQSZHoJ_vV56ZQZlSqdQMJJs04g4VSzG_LhZeKpJnGUyfSinHDOrVNTuLn80R_08LFqABa0N40EUasUcoRlkYwF3sCuGwQ/s1600/but3.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Ryan, I love you.” He looks confused, but relief is evident in his eyes, so I continue. “It was wrong of me to tell you about my feelings like I did yesterday. I was being a coward. I’m glad you shared all this with me. I won’t run, Ryan.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But, I don’t understand. How can you love <i>me</i>? Even after I told you about what I’ve done … How can you love someone so … horrible?” he says bitterly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You are not horrible, Ryan. I know it. I feel it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“How?” The desperation in his voice squeezes my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stare into the deep green pools that are his eyes and wonder how I can show him what I see.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“In here,” I point to my heart, “I believe my heart. And from what you told me, I can tell that you had no family except Mark. You were a kid at thirteen who didn’t want to lose his brother, you were a young man who sacrificed his own freedom for someone he loved the most. Now you are a big business mogul who may be harsh toward his employees, but puts them first even when seeking revenge. It’s an honor for me to love someone as devoted as you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Liz, I’ve lied – ” I interrupt him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We are people, Ryan. We all make mistakes. You think I’m so pure? I wanted to use David to stay in Seattle. I agreed to marry someone for my own selfish reasons. Then I came to Russia and spent more than six months making my Granny’s life a living hell. She lost her only daughter. I never once thought about her feelings. She was old, she needed my care, and all I did was sulk for my old life. Even with you, how do you know I’m not using you? Maybe I just like this sense of fulfillment I feel with you that overwhelms the loneliness I've felt for so long. I am not a saint, Ryan. I also did awful things.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ryan contemplates my words for several minutes. Then says quietly, “I lied to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sigh. Now I don’t like the direction this conversation is taking. “You already told me that you didn’t need an assistant. There’s more?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I read your journal.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blood drains from my face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You what?” My voice trembles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“When we were in Nice – the night you got drunk with Mark – I saw your notebook and I read it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I … I …” No words come out of my mouth because I don’t have any. I can’t believe he did it. I wrote my sacred thoughts there, poured some raw feelings on those pages. They were never meant for anyone’s eyes other than mine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m sorry I did it. I was at a loss, I couldn’t understand what I was feeling for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So you read my journal to understand yourself? Ryan, it’s private. I poured my soul there. How could you do this?” I may be screaming now, but I don’t care. Some boundaries can’t be crossed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“That’s who I am, Elizabeth. I don’t care about people’s privacy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m so mad at you right now. I don’t even know what to say. Is that all?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Tell me.” He almost looks scared. That’s when I know there are so many more lies he doesn’t want to tell me about. “Now, Ryan. You are going to tell me every damn thing. You owe me this.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PU3ayV9XIrIxn8OYago2T3-ShggwubeakES9TBNlV8BAWpg6k-9lq6bOgOYIk3uad1iQyQ4RJzWujv_rImNhZO0c5rxeJw47W8Jb0CEgL8OG7RFNI47YZ1QanQ8dFkRg_-uHYKMb9DDP/s1600/but6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PU3ayV9XIrIxn8OYago2T3-ShggwubeakES9TBNlV8BAWpg6k-9lq6bOgOYIk3uad1iQyQ4RJzWujv_rImNhZO0c5rxeJw47W8Jb0CEgL8OG7RFNI47YZ1QanQ8dFkRg_-uHYKMb9DDP/s1600/but6.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1VKkngxCafCAsqoodXlBM-L085yxp84No68wp6u4JSD4SIrNFFwRR9_7poOZi0sTWfChaPPUARYeTHRUBFHqRMHWPmj73yZxwWNjKGw2Rr-d3JNVtWLcCxx721coCbAPwieYC9i6gnzl/s1600/FADTeaser10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1VKkngxCafCAsqoodXlBM-L085yxp84No68wp6u4JSD4SIrNFFwRR9_7poOZi0sTWfChaPPUARYeTHRUBFHqRMHWPmj73yZxwWNjKGw2Rr-d3JNVtWLcCxx721coCbAPwieYC9i6gnzl/s1600/FADTeaser10.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm_aNb7lYShEZOBZw9BKR_GSKjH0X0l_Hntol1FKb57UvBmS8BnC4WfwsppjoX2FfSj6PI02UcXS_WLTbju3jnIGq-7J2uCcZQ5q0vX2cWH8mJY043ccItGLQGFjUrveB6mbmFqiSxHDI/s1600/FADTeaser71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm_aNb7lYShEZOBZw9BKR_GSKjH0X0l_Hntol1FKb57UvBmS8BnC4WfwsppjoX2FfSj6PI02UcXS_WLTbju3jnIGq-7J2uCcZQ5q0vX2cWH8mJY043ccItGLQGFjUrveB6mbmFqiSxHDI/s1600/FADTeaser71.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ61q4YosvZgHolzlhWhVlgP_EzAYngqaCE-iTP9Nknabj0CR3zx4TZdO1_i-tt9lKA7y-vdWN-_skUeLc3SjgGXZjn0wrSlFHXLP3Ezwwvnxbhnh0HIsCmFvnhDSAyxizBRS-MJ3BOIk/s1600/FADTeaser8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ61q4YosvZgHolzlhWhVlgP_EzAYngqaCE-iTP9Nknabj0CR3zx4TZdO1_i-tt9lKA7y-vdWN-_skUeLc3SjgGXZjn0wrSlFHXLP3Ezwwvnxbhnh0HIsCmFvnhDSAyxizBRS-MJ3BOIk/s1600/FADTeaser8.jpg" height="603" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY57HA_BzMWXmwJ61yLgN2P7cHbUh2QkW1RJECccsujYRudkIMNKbrQAo20pCKIoj90R5_KGrZt-5X_zuJTikmWvPsx4UEP5xLwTCJauZZWoFIUrjQbj6GZCxMK-HPLZClubAdHSLC5nGp/s1600/but7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY57HA_BzMWXmwJ61yLgN2P7cHbUh2QkW1RJECccsujYRudkIMNKbrQAo20pCKIoj90R5_KGrZt-5X_zuJTikmWvPsx4UEP5xLwTCJauZZWoFIUrjQbj6GZCxMK-HPLZClubAdHSLC5nGp/s1600/but7.jpg" height="82" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M29GRK4" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M29GRK4" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00M29GRK4" target="_blank">Amazon CA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00M29GRK4" target="_blank">Amazon AU</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUHZi8iLhMyrUakTSyW8dWu6X16V1yBv7hmMaX3WM7ld0SwL4hEcfNkh9w70EMt0PhJ32IBZEOkpWVoXCdJZlKgiX43kwGVWi-22I1BkNyXHa7cHkrRUfIPxGeucJQm2EV2NqVOaqm8Od/s1600/but9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUHZi8iLhMyrUakTSyW8dWu6X16V1yBv7hmMaX3WM7ld0SwL4hEcfNkh9w70EMt0PhJ32IBZEOkpWVoXCdJZlKgiX43kwGVWi-22I1BkNyXHa7cHkrRUfIPxGeucJQm2EV2NqVOaqm8Od/s1600/but9.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Always an avid reader who consumes whole books in a single day, Emily Krat is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page. For her writing stories and developing ideas for novels is a true passion and a dream come true. </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Emily is a chocolate junkie, “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, and admirer of good music. She loves summer rains, warm blankets on cold winter nights, as well as traveling, sleeping in late, watching TV shows, cooking, and baking. When she’s not writing or rewriting, she loves spending time with family and friends.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Find Emily at:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://www.emilykratauthor.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Site </a>| <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emilykratauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyKrat" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8311853.Emily_Krat" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/emilykrat" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/emilykrat/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.tsu.co/EmilyKrat" target="_blank">TSU</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuGEOcrEZMAnW-HThhkL9_ij55BRnI2-kEOxctJ9jdsGX95vSezYrUe3StGIRU5go14KRUB0nR0Sr0gf_a952jWXCT7i9axVKQbKSGQEy-Y0Rm8xZmMf43gYZ8MYMXWPihdNprQL_LtdS/s1600/Untitled+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuGEOcrEZMAnW-HThhkL9_ij55BRnI2-kEOxctJ9jdsGX95vSezYrUe3StGIRU5go14KRUB0nR0Sr0gf_a952jWXCT7i9axVKQbKSGQEy-Y0Rm8xZmMf43gYZ8MYMXWPihdNprQL_LtdS/s1600/Untitled+(2).jpg" height="417" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLe8abxjYq11OjlqL-Jh2y3g5BRiIG0OCnlYy-3PkL0fw6lnZ6twl_daptcDXrbzgk50gnh3FfMvI-LSJHEyU5XRKswLWpMgbPM9A7tyCFaZe_-LFv2cvEJVRAlO6p7bZxlaikL2_FWEd/s1600/BUT10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLe8abxjYq11OjlqL-Jh2y3g5BRiIG0OCnlYy-3PkL0fw6lnZ6twl_daptcDXrbzgk50gnh3FfMvI-LSJHEyU5XRKswLWpMgbPM9A7tyCFaZe_-LFv2cvEJVRAlO6p7bZxlaikL2_FWEd/s1600/BUT10.jpg" height="83" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d6c9e3092" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">$20 Amazon Gift Card Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hosted by</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrzncqBkuv_AVVW3fdwosip2OKHL51LV_T37JeeCGoIklRZ3DmAlrBiKu3fUyecS_Ci1o6s5sPzo68HK9UIGtJ73dITgEqcBlh2oK9u9FxrooVe2hEQ3lJ2jczxrbn_Y2vIie2r7C-EIj/s1600/2014-06-05+06.22.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrzncqBkuv_AVVW3fdwosip2OKHL51LV_T37JeeCGoIklRZ3DmAlrBiKu3fUyecS_Ci1o6s5sPzo68HK9UIGtJ73dITgEqcBlh2oK9u9FxrooVe2hEQ3lJ2jczxrbn_Y2vIie2r7C-EIj/s1600/2014-06-05+06.22.40.jpg" height="88" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-27981929879831242862014-12-22T19:17:00.000-04:002014-12-22T19:18:09.043-04:00New Release from Jennifer Simpkins ~ Headfirst into Home (Guess who helped pick the title?)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv7b1Fw2XfO4JNdkeaZ9dJRmQbjQe8nyjjKmSJtmT0QwraHU9yjlD7zL16i9Su7MMcrKZiGfJCMkw-0gWabwS3t26rAsdwCeRT5YBthDFYEgC4-C-GRL_2crmF3QZyeReGcrG9u3GC5s/s1600/js-headfirstintohome+-+lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv7b1Fw2XfO4JNdkeaZ9dJRmQbjQe8nyjjKmSJtmT0QwraHU9yjlD7zL16i9Su7MMcrKZiGfJCMkw-0gWabwS3t26rAsdwCeRT5YBthDFYEgC4-C-GRL_2crmF3QZyeReGcrG9u3GC5s/s1600/js-headfirstintohome+-+lg.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who helped pick the title? Yes, me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Headfirst into Home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">By: Jennifer Simpkins</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Coming off of a divorce, Rachel Young’s focus is on moving
forward and making a life for her and her daughter. When ex-baseball hottie, Ty
Robinson, waltzes back into her life, tempting her with his kisses, forming a
bond with her daughter, and making promises for their future, she willingly
gives him her heart.<br />
<br />
Ty has harbored a deep desire for small town beauty, Rachel, for the past ten
years. Fate dropped her in his path when they were teenagers, leading to one
magical night. Following an injury, he has come home, determined to prove to
Rachel he is home for good.<br />
<br />
After a life changing phone call, Ty is faced with taking another opportunity
at playing the game he’s always loved and the woman and child that have stolen
his heart. In the end, is he capable of giving Rachel what she needs—a sense of
home and most importantly, honesty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all the laughter and cracking of
the billiard balls, Rachel was amazed she’d even heard the bell ding above the
entrance door, either announcing or saying good-bye to a customer. People were
coming in, while others were making it an early night and heading home. This
was one of those rare nights where she didn’t have to be home at a certain
time. Her mom responsibilities were put on hold for the next twelve hours. Her
daughter was safe and happy, and Rachel was set on having a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She saw him first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If she was smart she would’ve sank down
in the booth, trying to make herself unnoticeable or give him the hint she
still wasn’t interested in talking. It was the same way she treated him
after…well, after the night that changed her life. She was still on the fence
as to if that change was a good thing…or a very bad thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turns out she wasn’t smart. At least not
when sinfully, sexy Ty Robinson stood just feet away from where she sat. Smart
and Ty never had gone hand in hand with her. He clouded her judgment—always
had. She sat up straight, almost announcing herself to him, begging him to
waltz in her direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His warm gaze locked on her instantly.
Was he surprised to see her? She couldn’t tell. But from what she could tell by
his wide grin, flashing pearly whites, he didn’t look unpleasant at the sight
of her. That was a good sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mmm…” God, did she just sigh out loud.
No, it wasn’t fair he still could turn her brain to mush. How was that even
possible?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s that?” Morgan asked, her eyes
narrowed. “What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No, it wasn’t a ghost, not by a long
shot. She would have been a lot safer if the man standing just feet away from
her, looking like the hottest thing ever to grace The Eight Ball, was
paranormal. A fitted gray T-shirt stretched over a formed chest, revealing
muscular—but not overwhelming—tanned arms. Was it possible he’d grown taller
since the last time she’d seen him? He had to be at least six feet plus inches.
Long legs filled the luckiest faded pair of blue jeans. And here she thought
seeing him on television, under the blazing sun, perspiration forming above his
brow, and with an intense expression as he sized up his opponent in the
batter’s box was enough to get her juices flowing. Watching his baseball games
were entertaining, but didn’t come close to seeing him up close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rachel couldn’t will herself to look
away. “I can’t believe he’s back. Why is he here?” Ty’s sister, Stacey, one of
her best friends, never said anything about her twin brother coming back to
town. At least not to Rachel, she didn’t. Could it have been Stacey didn’t even
know? “I wonder if Stacey has seen him yet.” Another thought came to mind. It
was enough to turn her attention back on Morgan. “How do I look?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look like you always do. Why is who
back? And what does it have to do with Stacey? I’m sorry, Rach, but you’re not
making a lick of sense.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rachel fiddled with the paper napkin
under her glass of wine, too afraid to look up again. “Ty. Ty Robinson just
walked in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before Rachel could tell her friend not
to make it obvious they were talking about him by whipping her head around,
Morgan was already turned completely around in the booth, eyes fixated on Ty.
“Oh. My. God. It’s really him, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Isn’t that what she had just said?
“Morgan,” Rachel said through clenched teeth. “He’s looking right at us. Can
you please turn your ass back around? Geez!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you think this means?” Morgan
asked, once again facing forward. “I think he retired the end of last season. I
think I heard it was some kind of arm injury. Do you think he’s back for good?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Opening Day, something she only knew
because it was considered a holiday in Lincoln Springs, was a little over three
weeks ago. And since he was in Lincoln Springs and not playing under the big
lights, it was safe to say the rumors of Ty retiring after only playing six
years in the Major Leagues was true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not sure what it all means.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, it’s not like he hasn’t been back
in the past ten years. He used to visit once a year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This time felt different. In the past
ten years Rachel had only seen glimpses of Ty around town when he would come to
visit his family. She had stayed away, never even offering a hello to him,
because of her marriage to James. As far as she knew he hadn’t been in town in
the last three years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The already loud bar got even louder as
everyone figured out the biggest thing to come out of Lincoln Springs had
returned. A lot of hellos were given, a lot more slaps on the back…and of
course women appeared out of every corner like cockroaches, swarming around
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rachel casually sipped her wine, peeking
over the rim of the glass to catch another eyeful of an all grown-up Ty
Robinson. In the past couple years she’d caught a few of his games. Because he
played on the West Coast, the games were always on late. Sometimes after she’d
put Brooklyn to bed and had a few minutes to sit back and relax, she would turn
on a California Wolverines game. She wasn’t always sure what exactly was
happening on the ball field, but…God, the things that man could do to her. She
didn’t have to understand all the ins and outs of baseball to appreciate the
sight of him in a pair of uniform pants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leisurely walking through the crowd of
people, shaking hands with guys he’d grown up with, smiling at all the pretty
girls who fluttered their eyelashes at him, Rachel watched him make his way
toward the booth she and Morgan shared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t look,” Rachel said. She felt it
was important to remind Morgan of that right off the bat. <i>What was up with her and baseball terms tonight?</i> “He’s coming over
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buy link: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/headfirst-into-home">BookStrand</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jennifer has always been an avid reader, but
it </span><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">wasn't</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> until
she became a stay-at-home mom did she start to read romance. Her passion of
reading romance turned into another passion she had as a child—writing. One
late night of writing about sexy heroes and strong-willed heroines turned into
two nights, until seven months later she had written her first novel.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She lives in a small, North Carolina town with
her supportive husband (whose dream is to be on the cover of one of her books),
a beautiful daughter, and two dogs who can’t seem to get along. If she's not
writing you can find her reading, hanging out with her family, or cheering on
the New York Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other Books by Jennifer:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Moving
On<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trusting
Patience (Patience #3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Loving
Patience (Patience #2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Forgiving
Patience (Patience #1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Connect with Jennifer:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.jennifersimpkins.net/">Website</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Simpkins/405402276183401">Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/jsimpkins91">Twitter</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.tsu.co/jsimpkins91">tsu</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-30124110708866922602014-11-24T00:06:00.002-04:002014-11-24T00:06:26.769-04:00Pre-Release Blitz ~ The Sweetest Taboo (IR/erotic/BDSM)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xADHL-ygMFo/VHKcqSzCZ-I/AAAAAAAAFFg/MeU1hRWot3A/s1600/Pre-Release%2BBlitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xADHL-ygMFo/VHKcqSzCZ-I/AAAAAAAAFFg/MeU1hRWot3A/s1600/Pre-Release%2BBlitz.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All About Harper Miller</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Harper Miller is a thirty-something native New Yorker. She’s traveled the world and lived in a variety of places but always finds her way back to the Big Apple.</span></span><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">A lackluster love life leaves time to explore new interests, for Harper it is writing. The Sweetest Taboo is her debut novel. In her mind the perfect Alpha male possesses intellect, humor, and a kinky streak that rivals the size of California.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">When she isn’t writing, Harper utilizes her graduate degree in the field of medical research. She enjoys fitness-related activities, drinking copious amounts of wine, and going on bad dates.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">I write because book boyfriends are </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">AWESOME!</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"> #singleindieauthorproblems</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">You can also send me a friend request on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorharpermiller" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">. I love befriending fans! </span></span><br /><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XZIJ5wRSro/VHKcpjzbELI/AAAAAAAAFFM/Wt2JFoePjMU/s1600/HarperMillerCoverImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XZIJ5wRSro/VHKcpjzbELI/AAAAAAAAFFM/Wt2JFoePjMU/s1600/HarperMillerCoverImage.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Synopsis</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">New York City, Late Summer 2009<br /> <br /><br />
Like many single women who reside in the city that never sleeps, Micah <br />
Foster has had numerous encounters with undesirable men that make her <br />
want to r<span class="text_exposed_show">enounce love. Just when she’s <br />
on the verge of calling it quits in her quest to find love and a <br />
sustainable relationship with a Dominant man, her friend Kisa requests <br />
her company for a girl’s night out at Spanxxx, a local fetish club. Both<br />
Kisa and Micah are seasoned submissive players in the BDSM lifestyle. <br />
Micah has been involved in the scene since her early twenties, but she <br />
has yet to meet a Dominant she meshes with and takes seriously. Now, at <br />
age thirty, she continues to search for a connection that repeatedly <br />
eludes her. Under duress, she crosses paths with Dominant Rick Thomas. <br />
Unusual and dire circumstances bring the pair together, and he’s exactly<br />
what Micah has been searching for.<br /> <br /> The Sweetest Taboo is aptly<br />
titled. It’s an unconventional erotic love story that provides a <br />
different perspective of a relationship involving D/s and BDSM. The <br />
reader will follow Micah and Rick’s journey from beginning to end. <br />
You’ll laugh, you'll be turned on, and most of all, you’ll find yourself<br />
cheering for their love.<br /> <br /> *Disclaimer* If rough sex, an <br />
interracial pairing (Black woman/White man), D/s, and BDSM are of no <br />
interest to you, you should bypass this story. Intended for a mature and<br />
kinky audience. Recommended for adults 18+.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lkcdmsZlJs/VHKcomwmMTI/AAAAAAAAFFI/Ps0FIWIjwxE/s1600/Harper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lkcdmsZlJs/VHKcomwmMTI/AAAAAAAAFFI/Ps0FIWIjwxE/s1600/Harper2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"> </span>Random fun facts about Harper</span></div><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <br /> 1. I enjoy porn. *bow chica wow wow*<br /> 2. I was a professional Dominatrix for a spell. They say write what you know! <br /><br />
3. I'm a pop culture junkie! You'll see a few pop culture references in<br />
my novel. I'm full of useless pop culture information and was once a <br />
semi-finalist on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.<br /> 4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite show of all time! <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teamangel">#teamAngel</a><br /> 5. My favorite movies are: Purple Rain, Desperately Seeking Susan, A Fish Called Wanda, and The Crow <br /> 6. I still watch cartoons. Jem and the Holograms is my favorite. It's truly, truly, truly outrageous. <br /><br />
7. I wrote The Sweetest Taboo because I wanted to see an Alpha hero <br />
that wasn't a douche! A lot of tales involving BDSM tend to make the <br />
hero hard nosed and unlikeable. Rick Thomas completely tosses that <br />
ideology aside. He's physically attractive, sensitive, direct, and he's <br />
looking for the perfect sub. <br /> 8. I went to Catholic school most of my life hehe. The bad girl was always waiting to come out.<br /> 9. I hate rollercoasters.<br /><br />
10. I loveeeee to read and I've missed reading these past few months. <br />
My favorite authors are Zadie Smith, Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, Tess<br />
Gerritsen, and Nicci French.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgLTJCbmatc/VHKcpXxl8QI/AAAAAAAAFFU/A5P8heUP5HY/s1600/Harper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgLTJCbmatc/VHKcpXxl8QI/AAAAAAAAFFU/A5P8heUP5HY/s1600/Harper3.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt:</span> </span></span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Afternoon.” I shoved My <br />
hands down into the pockets of My lab coat before I did something <br />
unprofessional. “Are you all ready to go?”</span></span></div><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">she nodded. “Yes, Dr. Thomas. The nurse brought my discharge papers a <br />
few hours ago. i was just packing my stuff before heading out, but i’m <br />
glad You stopped by. i wanted to thank You for Your help.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“i <br />
can’t tell You how humbled i am by Your act of kindness. You saved my <br />
life, and i will be forever grateful,” she said as her eyes darted <br />
around the room, looking everywhere but at Me. she shoved a sweater into<br />
her bag with less care than she took with her other clothing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">her words were sincere, but for whatever reason, I must have made her <br />
nervous, although I wasn’t sure why. she gathered the plastic bag and <br />
her purse before quickly brushing past Me and exiting the room.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was not how I envisioned things going. I increased My pace and <br />
caught up with micah at the nurse’s station. It was all or nothing; I <br />
only had a few moments to make an impression.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“ms. foster? micah?” I called out. I composed Myself as I approached her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">she slowed her pace, bid farewell to the nurses, then turned in My <br />
direction. I jumped at the opportunity, unable to wait a moment longer. <br />
“ms. foster, I was hoping to speak with you before you left. Once you <br />
signed the discharge papers, the doctor-patient relationship ended. That<br />
means I’m no longer your treating physician and you’re no longer My <br />
patient. With that said, I have a question I’d like to ask. Please hear <br />
Me out. Don’t take this the wrong way . . .”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">her facial expression was unreadable, so I continued.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“I’m not trying to be a creep, but I would regret letting you leave <br />
today without at least giving this a fair shot. I sincerely apologize if<br />
you feel this is inappropriate or too forward, but ms. foster, I’d love<br />
your company for a drink or dinner . . . whichever you’d prefer. Will <br />
you allow Me to take you out?”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Waiting for her answer seemed to<br />
take an eternity. she didn't look at My face; instead her gaze landed <br />
somewhere around the name embroidered on the left breast pocket of My <br />
lab coat. her lower lip found its way between her teeth as she stared, <br />
apparently deep in thought. In what seemed to be a delayed reaction, she<br />
gawked up at My face, clearly surprised by My question.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Was <br />
she put off by the entire idea or just caught off guard by My request? <br />
Either way, her answer would let Me know which way she was leaning. I <br />
just hoped to God she wasn’t leaning toward no.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">she finally provided Me a small reprieve. “You want to take me out?”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“Yes.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“Like on a date?”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“Yes,” I replied again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">“i’m sorry, Dr. Thomas, but i don’t date,” she said, dismissing Me as she continued toward the elevators.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, she was going to make this interesting. her flippant attitude <br />
bothered the hell out of Me, but I was going to see this through. I <br />
quickly followed in an attempt to catch her before the elevator doors <br />
opened and she walked out of My life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Coming to select e-book retailers on 11/27 Thanksgiving Day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bio:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Harper Miller is a thirty-something native New Yorker. She’s traveled <br />
the world and lived in a variety of places but always finds her way back<br />
to the Big Apple.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A lackluster love life leaves time to <br />
explore new interests, for Harper it is writing. The Sweetest Taboo is <br />
her debut novel. In her mind the perfect Alpha male possesses intellect,<br />
humor, and a kinky streak that rivals the size of California.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When she isn’t writing, Harper utilizes her graduate degree in the field<br />
of medical research. She enjoys fitness-related activities, drinking <br />
copious amounts of wine, and going on bad dates.</div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejXvxQNKgM/VHKcovS853I/AAAAAAAAFFA/P2zO3dy20Q4/s1600/Harper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejXvxQNKgM/VHKcovS853I/AAAAAAAAFFA/P2zO3dy20Q4/s1600/Harper1.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Where to find Harper </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorharpermiller" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/authorharpermiller</a></div><span class="userContent"></span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="userContent">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/authorharpmill" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.twitter.com/authorharpmill</a></span></div><span class="userContent"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Goodreads author profile: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/authorharpmill" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/authorharpmill</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Goodreads page for The Sweetest Taboo: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23203331-the-sweetest-taboo" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23203331-the-sweetest-taboo</a></div></span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-Order Sweetest Taboo Today!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PSEO3XS" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PSEO3XS</a></div><span class="userContent"></span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="userContent">Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Harper_Miller_The_Sweetest_Taboo_An_Unconventional?id=ZlWLBQAAQBAJ&hl=en" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Harper_Miller_The_Sweetest_Taboo_An_Unconventional?id=ZlWLBQAAQBAJ&hl=en</a></span></div><span class="userContent"><br />
</span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuME4MDK0ww/U7nL6ZQh_ZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/0YqWTLmXakE/s1600/2014-06-05%2B06.22.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuME4MDK0ww/U7nL6ZQh_ZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/0YqWTLmXakE/s1600/2014-06-05%2B06.22.40.jpg" height="142" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-85619788776760706772014-11-21T23:41:00.001-04:002014-11-22T11:31:23.063-04:00$5 Amazon Gift Card & 43 other prizes! Cranberries n' Spice Blog Hop <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCRyX_nJRPSyL_dySF_7BYLrH9X3Lb_NROH76xgmqht_9e4v6JWwW5KQ-jWOzCBEgjPehZ1yEWSOVvQZfp07SZjvLyTS0ZgXxPwcplur4bP2wcZLGsVOCoFs0FlblVr7OxNqzK0ViRX8/s1600/CranberriesSpiceA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCRyX_nJRPSyL_dySF_7BYLrH9X3Lb_NROH76xgmqht_9e4v6JWwW5KQ-jWOzCBEgjPehZ1yEWSOVvQZfp07SZjvLyTS0ZgXxPwcplur4bP2wcZLGsVOCoFs0FlblVr7OxNqzK0ViRX8/s1600/CranberriesSpiceA.png" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Sometimes, you have to lose something to appreciate what you have. That's the situation my heroine finds herself in in my recent release, TuDawgs. Melody "Nicey" Alexander has lost everything, thanks to her affair with the lieutenant governor, but she's about to find out that what she has left is more than enough. The story is an erotic romp through a carnival, a tale about a bad girl and a carnie, and how to find your way back home. </b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">I'm giving away a $5 Amazon gift card and (1) ebook copy of TuDawgs. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="12c9bf2c2" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/12c9bf2c2/" id="rcwidget_4bjl9mgy" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<br />
(excerpt)</div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We soon reached the double-length booth. Cheap glassware glittered under hot lights. Glasses, baking dishes, clear plates, coffee cups, and ash trays were stacked so the easy-to-land tosses would net something small or garish. The more desirable items perched on rotating platforms. Squinting, I studied the wares. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The booth attendant approached. I handed over eight quarters and got back twenty-five dimes. “Uh, you miscounted.” I handed five coins back, raising my voice to be heard over the guy calling bingo in the next tent. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Nah, you’re good,” the young man assured me, darting a look at Carnie from under raised brows. He curled my fingers over the coins. “Keep ‘em. Call it a customer loyalty bonus.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Carnie snorted and glared at the teenager. “Yeah, right.” Was he jealous? The kid couldn’t be twenty. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I spied a red casserole dish with a clear glass lid. There were several more scattered throughout the display, in various sizes. I pointed to one about three inches square, atop of one of the rotating stands. The small ones would be the hardest to win, since it’d be easier for the dime to slide off the miniscule surface. The dishes were perfect to hold leftovers when my mother cooked for one—after I found a way to move out.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Aim for those.” I pointed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Carnie huffed. “You say that like </span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">my</span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> mama doesn’t need new drinking glasses.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His aggrieved look made me burst out laughing. He was easy to be around. God, did I ever need someone easy to be around.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Okay, but if I stick this dime, you’re kissing me.” He waved the coin under my nose.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“And if you miss?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I kiss you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I threw my dime. “You must know a lot of dumb women.” The coin skidded across the bottom of the upended dish and fell off the other side. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The attendant yelled, “Winner! Winner!” He reached into the display and turned, sitting a striped tea glass in front of me. I slid the tumbler in front of Carnie.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Looks like you’re not going home to mama empty-handed after all.” I took aim again, breathing deep and trying to calm down, so I could take a little off my throw. The dime struck the same spot as before and began to skid. I grabbed Carnie’s arm, jumping up and down. “Stop. C’mon, stop!” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The leading edge hung over the side, but the coin stayed on the dish.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“We got us another winner!” the young carnival worker cried. He lifted the tablecloth and grabbed an identical dish from a big box underneath. After popping the lid on top, he placed my prize on the railing in front of me. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I think you’re a ringer,” Carnie said, poking me in the rib. “Tell the truth. You throw dimes for a living.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“No, but I used to rake them in.” He raised a brow and I regretted bring up the topic. <i>No sense getting depressed.</i> “I’m two for two… and you?” I faked a grin, overwhelmed by a surge of longing for my former position as fundraising director for a children’s charity.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He dragged his dime along the side of his jaw. </span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>Think about that nice, square jaw. Not Deuce Tattersall or the job he cost me. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“For the record, I prefer intelligent women.” Carnie’s coin struck the side of the dish I’d hit. He laughed when the dime bounced off and landed on the white table covering. “Looks like you get a kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why not?</span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I lifted my chin as he moved close. His body blocked out the hustle and bustle around us. The rock and roll rhythm blaring from the nearby rides pounded through me. He moved one hand to the small of my back, pulling me against him. But he took his sweet time lowering his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There’s a place between being manhandled and being handled by a man that turns my will to water. Carnie made himself at home in that spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He didn’t try to take more than I offered. No tongue forced itself into my mouth. His lips were firm, yet soft. I enjoyed the way his hands felt on my body. His warmth was welcome in the crisp, evening air. </span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>This is nice. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">When Carnie raised his head, he stared into my eyes for a long moment, then leaned in again. This time, he brushed his lips back and forth over mine. The soft friction generated a tingle that lingered on my lips long after he pulled away and sailed his dime through the air. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Very nice.</span></i></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I couldn’t keep staring, so I looked for an easier dish to aim for.</span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His coin struck the side of the dish but ricocheted onto the ground. “Oh, look. You get another kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He turned toward me. My heart skipped a beat when his lips touched mine. I expected another chaste kiss, but he teased his way inside my mouth. I forgot about the stupid dishes. I forgot my vow to give up bad boys. I forgot I was only with him to piss Molly off. All I could think was how good he tasted and how damn well he kissed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Stroke for stroke, I responded eagerly, exploring him and letting him explore me. I slid my hands underneath the denim jacket, enjoying the way his muscles felt against my palms. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Hey, Brass. You gonna pitch a dime or pitch a tent?” The young attendant snickered. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What kind of name is Brass? </span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Insider joke, no doubt about his balls</span></i></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Nobody named their kid Brass.</span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I decided to stick with Carnie. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Carnie broke away with a growl. Wordlessly, he tossed his entire handful of dimes over his shoulder and put his hand at the small of my back again, pulling me closer. Pressed to his chest, my nipples began to throb. The sensation echoed between my thighs. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Damn, brother. You trying to break me?” Glass clinked behind us when the attendant moved his winnings to the wide rail at Carnie’s back. Paper rattled, but I was lost in the man. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Hey, lady. Isn’t this you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I broke away and stared in horror at the crumpled newspaper the young man held up. My face stared back,</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> schooled into the mask I wore walking into the Columbia FBI office with my hands locked into steel cuffs.<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="ParaAttribute6" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The bold headline screamed. </span></span><span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>Lt. Governor’s Mistress Set Free in Children’s Charity Scam Case</i></span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<span class="CharAttribute5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: KO;">Set free</span></span><span class="CharAttribute10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: KO;">. Not “exonerated,” but set free, like little elves worked some magical spell to conceal my guilt. No one conceals guilt from the FBI. Those bastards ripped my life apart until they knew which brand of tampons I prefer. No, their investigation was more intense than that. They knew which coupons I’d clipped for those tampons were expired. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --> ~*~*~*~</div>
<div class="InLinkzContainer" id="458058">
Be sure to visit the other authors' giveaways and thanks for dropping by! <br />
: <a href="http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=458058" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a></div>
<script src="//static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js?v=116" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<!-- end InLinkz script --><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u443/Edenconnor/fef33280cbdbb1e15403c876ae33d660.png" style="border: 0;" />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438831558727594666.post-63375239137420213532014-11-03T10:48:00.000-04:002014-11-03T10:48:27.032-04:00Cover Reveal! Deeper by Allyn Lesley<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jGprzBRK_nza1n6GqBccoOavS7nG9tlsNFaJY0B-AehlytxOytP5XaWj-L1KWQyfr5TCSzCNT-b89fIIGTeOoVggfQCEqxcghdIMqv2dHsKDhPHqgVjslzJo3ovjINmIAzpRt8CM61NB/s1600/Banner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jGprzBRK_nza1n6GqBccoOavS7nG9tlsNFaJY0B-AehlytxOytP5XaWj-L1KWQyfr5TCSzCNT-b89fIIGTeOoVggfQCEqxcghdIMqv2dHsKDhPHqgVjslzJo3ovjINmIAzpRt8CM61NB/s1600/Banner+2.jpg" height="249" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Cover Reveal hosted by Obsessive Pimpettes Promotions</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqanQR_sy9xaw_Iwcu7XyCMkliyfgdUhcO6i_l1R1TBXQW41305aVOu3M9yiISdLqMv3IhnpEGHgG1TT0WiymU1YDsowNT0zR5D1WwMz6QkJUYWqziK1j-7BMuvpedveonMVQZhEe5y5V/s1600/Deeper+Cover+Allyn+Lesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqanQR_sy9xaw_Iwcu7XyCMkliyfgdUhcO6i_l1R1TBXQW41305aVOu3M9yiISdLqMv3IhnpEGHgG1TT0WiymU1YDsowNT0zR5D1WwMz6QkJUYWqziK1j-7BMuvpedveonMVQZhEe5y5V/s1600/Deeper+Cover+Allyn+Lesley.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZsKk0Di1l2CK_Qeacoq8r9ldZ97r549LqufCynZofg2pXC2uAviHv__3HGVDBtqqYNvv4pArIpA_4HrW1BAaiJHaFx5S_5k4Q2FB9FkBp5-l3OfCvHdKVO7p61lCO0iyt-mnU6OzxFJ9/s1600/Blurb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZsKk0Di1l2CK_Qeacoq8r9ldZ97r549LqufCynZofg2pXC2uAviHv__3HGVDBtqqYNvv4pArIpA_4HrW1BAaiJHaFx5S_5k4Q2FB9FkBp5-l3OfCvHdKVO7p61lCO0iyt-mnU6OzxFJ9/s1600/Blurb.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Everything Avianna Linton thought she knew was shattered in one traffic stop. With her life turned upside down, she flees to the bright lights of New York City hoping for anonymity and a new life.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Rising from nothing, Noah Adams holds onto his power and control with a bone-crushing grip. No one dared challenge his authority until her...</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Avi’s disdain for Noah is barely contained, and Noah does everything he can to restrain himself—a concept he has little experience with.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">There’s more between the two than either of them realize. A force looms near, hovering with deadly precision and motivated solely by revenge.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Avi wonders who her new friends truly are and if she’s already in too deep. Noah, accustomed to getting what he wants, will do whatever it takes to draw Avi's in deeper.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /><br /><i><span style="background: white;">Deeper</span></i><span style="background: white;"> is an interracial romantic suspense novel by new author Allyn Lesley.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Uszw7teobCg_VrcpGMTY4wusVU-Iho_6RtYObDsWZGlw-XeZ2WA8irJ_n-diauln2NAbwQHi8Ch8YQYnoGwqYH2jWVBhj6MxNFaIIXKQ3JPMM_Ac7KC0vbAx5n7YzgRTDc7g6YH-jfy-/s1600/Teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Uszw7teobCg_VrcpGMTY4wusVU-Iho_6RtYObDsWZGlw-XeZ2WA8irJ_n-diauln2NAbwQHi8Ch8YQYnoGwqYH2jWVBhj6MxNFaIIXKQ3JPMM_Ac7KC0vbAx5n7YzgRTDc7g6YH-jfy-/s1600/Teaser.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\SIXDEG~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"></v:imagedata></span></u></b><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\SIXDEG~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg"></v:imagedata></span></u></b><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiRKFy1g1fVG0II3_z-zZTmdmTovYizRhhP4cP3uhmDv9myrA8Pqa47Sr1JzWNSsleBEGC6KbpDaPANJo6LdBNbBk38h59e8cHwWUExn4_BvppcJ9iGGANl8-WBYJoc9ZfRCV72VRbvtH/s1600/noahposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiRKFy1g1fVG0II3_z-zZTmdmTovYizRhhP4cP3uhmDv9myrA8Pqa47Sr1JzWNSsleBEGC6KbpDaPANJo6LdBNbBk38h59e8cHwWUExn4_BvppcJ9iGGANl8-WBYJoc9ZfRCV72VRbvtH/s1600/noahposter.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0RMpBppEnRdcWnyFYzj77YI0zWsQyySQ3fqychXbNbhOO9JKE1VRQVEme4dy84bOwFALyND0NWuAplSIoFHN2Qpeuz5K64281wld15ije4CLiu3K_ZU-dRndQLZlQEiAxxVJd_xnBFOY/s1600/shoeposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0RMpBppEnRdcWnyFYzj77YI0zWsQyySQ3fqychXbNbhOO9JKE1VRQVEme4dy84bOwFALyND0NWuAplSIoFHN2Qpeuz5K64281wld15ije4CLiu3K_ZU-dRndQLZlQEiAxxVJd_xnBFOY/s1600/shoeposter.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIJ00OwyFRkshfjpbRZiNSA_V2qltz1VeoJ8FhxgsyrX4LBvDCvxoLNF1Ou-I7KjPoqOySSwYFGuOfTYINPw6ZEXfCLq-xiQ1uuRooJXjxO6EYm9lgo4TPikdRIKFzHwvB5IDywSaNDFF/s1600/Excerpt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIJ00OwyFRkshfjpbRZiNSA_V2qltz1VeoJ8FhxgsyrX4LBvDCvxoLNF1Ou-I7KjPoqOySSwYFGuOfTYINPw6ZEXfCLq-xiQ1uuRooJXjxO6EYm9lgo4TPikdRIKFzHwvB5IDywSaNDFF/s1600/Excerpt.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Allyn Lesley © 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noah shoved his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t touch her without permission. “What’s your name?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She straightened her posture, meeting his stare while folding her arms over her chest. “What’s yours?” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noah laughed out loud. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">look</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at this. She has the balls to question me to my face?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stepped closer to the woman who piqued his interest. “I like that you don’t scare easily. But I asked you first.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damn, she’s short.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Her head just reached his shoulder. His gaze lowered to her open-toe gold shoes that showed off the cutest digits he’d ever seen. He appreciated that even in heels he towered over her. Her glare greeted him when he returned his attention back to her face.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And I asked you second,” she countered with a hand on her hip. “We could play this all night, Mister.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noah’s gaze deliberately dropped from her tasty-looking lips down to her green dress with the cutout that flirted with her thick thighs. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noah slowly retraced his path up her body and conveyed his intent. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh yeah, I’m so fucking you tonight</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the time their eyes connected again, Noah’s grin had split his face, revealing a set of deep dimples and gleaming white teeth. She failed miserably at making her small smile into a scowl. His grin disappeared when she took a step backward.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0460a624-6945-76e3-7c13-18356101adb4"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Noah Adams.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The name you’ll be screaming later. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stretched his right hand out, hoping she’d be polite enough to shake. The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">feel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of her hand would have to hold him until he got to the rest in his bed later.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">**<i>Deeper</i> will be released January 2015**</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nAQ9TN3NzLQ" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4VL5fQxzJss1GHTNiz3LQb0prWRC07fuhGGZ_p5C01fCgGfSUvvRRhKWzUtkBxqRpUKHZsM_j-A90u3oOLfA52su8o_icU_0hoM4WsFq_iiYGOA7vQIX4oRvMhVq3W6debcMbSWoscUp/s1600/Author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4VL5fQxzJss1GHTNiz3LQb0prWRC07fuhGGZ_p5C01fCgGfSUvvRRhKWzUtkBxqRpUKHZsM_j-A90u3oOLfA52su8o_icU_0hoM4WsFq_iiYGOA7vQIX4oRvMhVq3W6debcMbSWoscUp/s1600/Author.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Biography</span></u></i></b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Allyn Lesley writes real stories about real people.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">As a teen, Allyn lost herself in the pages of some of Romance’s heavyweights, trusting that a happy ever after was just around the corner. In Allyn’s own writing journey, as in life, she’s learned that people don’t always experience recovery and restoration after a fall. Her stories speak to the gritty side of life where the right choice isn't always easily identified and happiness not quickly gained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qtbvXjJy5OeryRugEddeh_0yi7u4XqrkC5mM1JJRXotVWcPw1vUY3xzrOEUyd_U7vHne9KWc6EOl6lexpFvtQxjGHwuOBpVbszq56cM9JRPULrlrD0C6yIa8o24EMugtzJw96NFRTgQ_/s1600/Social+Links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qtbvXjJy5OeryRugEddeh_0yi7u4XqrkC5mM1JJRXotVWcPw1vUY3xzrOEUyd_U7vHne9KWc6EOl6lexpFvtQxjGHwuOBpVbszq56cM9JRPULrlrD0C6yIa8o24EMugtzJw96NFRTgQ_/s1600/Social+Links.jpg" height="75" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://allynlesley.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> – <a href="mailto:authorallynlesley@gmail.com">Email</a> – <a href="mailto:authorallynlesley@gmail.com">Facebook page</a><br />
– <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8386493.Allyn_Lesley">Goodreads’<br />
author page</a> – <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22724688-deeper">Goodreads’<br />
novel page </a>– <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AllynLesley">Google+</a> – <a href="https://instagram.com/AuthorAllynLesley">Instagram</a> -<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/allynlesley">Pinterest</a> – <a href="https://twitter.com/AllynLesley">Twitter</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Giveaway</span></u></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The giveaway begins at 12 AM on November 3, 2014 and ends at 12 AM on November 8, 2014.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a2529223/" id="rc-1a2529223" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine1hqpMGKC_VayN66kLK05tredvZ7UrOlGgQB-Ecr9m5okCnjtwqdAiKP3pMsTRKlbITEuhQU5V0gs3CntcyorUgcbRlDUEfKJpNHRHQqWhK8gRqPv1TtQ_NekyHjTtRV5U-r_vlGmIwB/s1600/10628163_1526099107633102_7228318588154522358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine1hqpMGKC_VayN66kLK05tredvZ7UrOlGgQB-Ecr9m5okCnjtwqdAiKP3pMsTRKlbITEuhQU5V0gs3CntcyorUgcbRlDUEfKJpNHRHQqWhK8gRqPv1TtQ_NekyHjTtRV5U-r_vlGmIwB/s1600/10628163_1526099107633102_7228318588154522358_n.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Eden Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190711362614433784noreply@blogger.com1