Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Laws of Seduction by Gwen Jones - Spotlight



Chapter One
Alpha Nailed
Center City District Police Headquarters
Philadelphia
Monday, September 29
11:35 p.m.

In her fifteen years as an attorney Charlotte had never let anyone throw her off her game, and she wasn’t about to let it happen now.

So why was she shaking in her Louboutins?

“Put your briefcase and purse on the belt, keys in the tray, and step through,” the officer said, waving her into the metal detector.

She complied, cold washing through her as the gate behind her clanged shut. She glanced over her shoulder, thinking how much better she liked it when her interpretation of bar remained singular.

“Name . . . ?” asked the other cop at the desk.

“Charlotte Andreko.”

He ran down the list, checking her off, then held out his hand, waggling it. “Photo ID and attorney card.”

She grabbed her purse from the other side of the metal detector and dug into it, producing both. After the officer examined them he sat back with a smirk. “So you’re here for that Frenchie dude, huh? What’s he—some kinda big deal?”

She eyed him coolly, hefting her briefcase from the belt. “They’re all just clients to me.”

“That so.” He dropped his gaze, fingering her IDs. “How come he don’t have to sit in a cell? Why’d he get a private room?”

Why are you scoping my legs, you big douche? “It’s your jail. Why’d you give him one?”
He cocked a brow. “You’re pretty sassy, ain’t you?”

“And you’re wasting my time,” she said, swiping back her IDs. God, times like these I really hate men. “Are you going to let me through or what?”

He didn’t answer. He just leered at her with that simpering grin as he handed her a visitor’s badge, reaching back to open the next gate. “Thank you.” She clipped it on, following the other cop to one more door at the other side of a vestibule.

“It’s late,” the officer said, pressing a code into a keypad, “so we can’t give you much time.”
 “I won’t need much.” After all, how long would it take to say, No fucking way.

“Then just ring the buzzer by the door when you’re ready to leave.” When he opened it and she stepped in, her breath immediately caught at the sight of the man behind it. She clutched her briefcase, so tightly she could feel the blood rushing from her fingers.

Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Andreko,” Rex Renaud said.

Even with his large body cramped behind a metal table, the Mercier Shipping COO never looked more imposing, and in spite of his circumstances, never more elegant. The last time they met it’d been in Boston, negotiating the separation terms of his company’s lone female captain, Dani Lloyd, who had recently become Marcel Mercier’s wife. But with his cashmere Kiton bespoke now replaced by Gucci black tie, he struck an odd contrast in that concrete room, yet still exuding a coiled and barely contained strength. He folded his arms across his chest as his black eyes fixed on hers, 

Charlotte getting the distinct impression he more or less regarded her as cornered prey.

All at once the door behind her slammed shut and her heart beat so violently she nearly called the officer back. Instead she planted her heels and forced herself to focus, staring the Frenchman down. “All right, I’m here,” she said en français. “Not that I know why.”

J’ai oublié que tu avez parlé ma langue,” he said. “But we’ll keep to English so there’s no mistaking my meaning.” His immaculate patent-leather shoe nudged the chair opposite. “Have a seat, s’il vous plaît.” He tsked. “I mean—please,” he added, smiling brilliantly.

If there was anything she remembered about Rex Renaud—which was nearly everything because he wasn’t easy to forget—it was how lethally he wielded his physicality. How he worked those inky eyes, jet-black hair, and Greek-statue handsomeness into a kind of immobilizing presence, leaving her weak in the knees every time his gaze locked on hers. Which meant she needed to work twice as hard to keep her wits sharp enough to match his, as no way would she allow him the upper hand. Yet even though he was in jail, even with him jammed behind that metal table, and herself looming over him, it was still a battle. Because with every advantage on her side he still dominated the room, the situation, the very airspace between them, so much so that Charlotte had to curl her hand around the back of the chair to steady herself.

Too much coffee today, she reasoned. That’s all it is. Even though she knew that didn’t even figure.
He nudged the chair again, his collar opened where his bow tie had been, his only concession to the situation. “Please sit. You heard the flic. We haven’t much time.”

“We haven’t any time at all.” She steeled herself. “It’s not like we have anything to discuss.”
Non?” His gaze offered her a challenge. “Then why did you come?”

She smiled, with delicious, malicious intent. She waited a long time to wound him—and all men like him who dismissed women so easily—and as swiftly and as deeply as she could. “Maybe for the pleasure of seeing you behind bars.”

“Really,” he said, his eyes darkening as he drew closer.  “Though the idea of pleasuring you does hold a certain appeal.”

Heat streaked through her as she slammed her briefcase atop the table. “Then take a good look, because my watching you rot in here is about as close as you’ll ever be to getting me off.”

He sat back, amused. “The lady finds her bliss in the strangest places. Though if watching people in pain is your thing, I am acquainted with a few gentlemen who’d pay you a nice piece of change to put all that aggression to use.” He cast her a glance that near stripped the clothes from her body. “I believe all you’ll need is a good deal of leather and some rather kinky boots.”

Her jaw dropped. “Are you—you—”

She waved her hand in front of her.

“Me? Why non. I do like a bit of spark in my women, but I always prefer it on top.” His eyes hooded. “Metaphorically speaking, that is.”

“You bastard piece of shit,” she uttered, pressing her knuckles to the worn steel. “I had to be out of my mind to come here when it’s clear you’re guilty of everything you’re accused of.”

“And what’s that?” he said, rising. “I’d love to hear it out of your mouth.”

“Of sexual assault,” she spit out. “Of everything vile and sick and violent that men and their disgusting appetites are capable.”

“Oh, how right you are, mon amie. How truly loathsome we are. Repulsive animals.” He leaned in, so closely she could feel his breath on her cheek, his eyes malevolent and cold. “Men are indeed beasts, always stooping to the lowest common denominator. Using brutality to get what they want, pugnacious and vicious to the end. Unlike women, who’ve crawled out of the swamp and up the evolutionary ladder to become so much more ruthlessly efficient. Who needs fists when you have feminine wiles?” He leaned in even closer. “Why shed blood when you can suck out a man’s soul.”
“What do you want from me?” she said, backing away. “Why would you ask me to defend you, knowing what I think of men like you?”

“Because I believe you’ll want to,” he said, his eyes bleeding candor and reason and some indefinable quality she found, God help her, unable to resist. “After you hear what I have to say.”


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
About the Book

When Rex Renaud, the COO of Mercier Shipping, is arrested for a crime he didn't commit, he knows he'll need a miracle to clear his name … and sassy lawyer Charlotte Andreko is the perfect woman for the job. Charlotte has built her career defending pro bono clients against womanizers like Rex Renaud, and she'd much rather let him sweat it out in a jail cell than defend him in court. Yet Rex swears he's been set up, and when he offers her a shocking sum of money in exchange for her legal counsel, the financial security is too tempting to resist. The court dubs Rex a serious flight risk—how many people have their own jet?—and he's released on one condition: Charlotte's his new jailer, and he's stuck with her until his arraignment. But when a bomb threat sends Rex and Charlotte on the run, neither is prepared for the explosive chemistry and red-hot passion that flare between them as they hunt for the truth about his arrest. - See more at: http://www.avonromance.com/book/gwen-jones-the-laws-of-seduction#sthash.DMeJRhWU.dpuf

About the Author

Gwen Jones is a mentor and instructor in Western Connecticut State University’s Master in Creative and Professional Writing program, and an Assistant Professor of English at Mercer County College, in West Windsor, NJ. Her work has appeared in Writer’s Digest, The Kelsey Review, and The Connecticut River Review, and she is the author of the HarperCollins Avon FRENCH KISS series, Wanted: Wife, Kiss Me, Captain, and The Laws of Seduction. A writer of women’s fiction and romance, she lives with her husband, Frank, near Trenton, New Jersey.
Visit my website – Gwen Jones Writes
Like me on Facebook - gwenjoneswrites
Follow me on Twitter – gwenjones25
Buy my books!  - See all titles

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Nights With Him by Lauren Blakely - Spotlight/Giveaway

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We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for NIGHTS WITH HIM by Lauren Blakely! NIGHTS WITH HIM is the fourth full-length novel from her first Erotic Romance Series, The Seductive Nights Series! A full-length, standalone erotic romance novel that follows the love affair of a new couple, Jack and Michelle, NIGHTS WITH HIM does not have a cliffhanger. It’s ONLY $3.99 during the preorder period and release day, but this price will go up to $4.99 during release week. And as a special treat Lauren has released a FREE prequel novella, ONE NIGHT WITH HER!!

Nights With Him
 

Amazon **iBooks ** Kobo

Lauren Blakely is well known for writing sexy, heartfelt and humorous contemporary romance as well as deeply emotional new adult stories --one commonality in all her books is the scorching hot sexy times. And these new books are absolutely no different! Jack Sullivan and Michelle Milo's story is told in 2 books – the free prequel novella ONE NIGHT WITH HER and the novel NIGHTS WITH HIM. However, the prequel novella is included in the copy of NIGHTS WITH HIM to make it easier for the reader.

Message from Lauren: The Seductive Nights erotic romance series continues with a new installment starring a new couple! While the first four books in the series followed Julia and Clay, the next two will be about Michelle and Jack, and can be read without having read the earlier books. (Though, why wouldn't you want to read about Clay and Julia?!) I can't wait to introduce readers to Jack Sullivan. He's sexy, broody, witty, smart, and a little bit damaged and he's also my favorite kind of hero - the kind who wears a suit! Jack Sullivan is a sex toy mogul and is the CEO of a high-end line of pleasure products - he'll bring all that experience to the bedroom as he sweeps Michelle Milo off her feet - expect many steamy encounters between these two! Michelle needs some good loving after all - readers know her already as Clay's friend from Night After Night who loved him unrequitedly from afar. Now it's finally her turn in the romance arena, and Jack will make sure she gets it good!!
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ABOUT NIGHTS WITH HIM: A sensual, sexy, standalone romance novel in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Seductive Nights Series by Lauren Blakely... Jack Sullivan is a Sex Toy Mogul. An extremely eligible bachelor in New York, he’s the full package,right down to his full package. Hell, this man could be the model forone of the toys his company, Joy Delivered, peddles. Instead, he’s thepowerful and successful CEO and he’s got commitment issues a mile-longafter the tragic way his relationship with his fiancée ended. He’s looking for a way to erase the pain and that arrives in the formof Michelle Milo. From her pencil skirts to her high heels, she’s hisperfect fantasy, especially since she has no idea who he is the nightthey meet at a hotel bar. He doesn’t have a clue either that she’s thebrilliant psychologist his sister has arranged for him to see to helphim get over his past. She’s simply the stunning woman he takes to bedthat night and delivers many Os of joy too. His touch helps her forget that other man. When he shows up at her office door the next day, there’s no way inhell she’s going to treat him after they’ve slept together. Jack isn’twilling to let go of the first woman he’s felt anything for in yearsso he proposes a deal – share her nights with him for thirty days. Atthe end of one month of exquisite pleasure, they walk away, havinghelped each other move on from their haunted pasts. But soon, all those nights threaten to turn into days as the linesbetween lust and matters of the heart start to blur. Can two people soterribly afraid of love truly fall head over heels? **NIGHTS WITH HIM is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling SEDUCTIVE NIGHTS series following the love affair of a new couple.**

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 Lauren Blakely does it again and brings readers more smoldering, sexy nights in her Seductive Nights Series with her newest novel, NIGHTS WITH HIM. In Lauren Blakely’s newest Seductive Nights novel, Jack Sullivan convinces Michelle Milo that he can “show her worlds of pleasure.” And judging from the number of Os he gives her, the man delivers on that promise! Lauren wants to deliver with worlds of pleasure for her readers too -- so she’s offering an extra special giveaway with this novel! Have you ever wanted to spend the night at a Ritz Carlton Hotel? Then you’ll want to take the Be Seduced quiz to enter to win a night at a Ritz Carlton and discover worlds of pleasure on your own! To celebrate the launch of the book, Lauren is giving away a $500 gift card for a stay at the Ritz nearest you!* Readers can access the quiz in the eBook version of NIGHTS WITH HIM, and will have until November 15th to enter the quiz. To be clear, the back of the NIGHTS WITH HIM eBook is the ONLY location with the link to the quiz. The grand prize winner will also receive a $100 gift card for Lelo, makers of premium sex toys, just like the one Jack uses on Michelle in this scene. * If there is no Ritz Carlton near the winner, the winner may opt to receive a $500 gift card to any Marriott property, or Marriott-owned hotel.  

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And don’t miss the FREE prequel novella, ONE NIGHT WITH HER, available now!

One Night with Her

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Google Play

Author Photo About Lauren Blakely: Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in her novel, Far Too Tempting, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. She loves hearing from readers! Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He's Mine, Playing With Her Heart, Trophy Husband, Far Too Tempting, The Thrill of It, Every Second With You, Burn For Me, Melt for Him, Night After Night, After This Night and One More Night. She recently released Stars In Their Eyes, the first book in her new adult series Wrapped Up in Love, spun off from the bestselling Caught Up in Love series. In November she'll release Nights With Him, a standalone novel in her New York Times Bestselling Seductive Nights series. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.    

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** NIGHTS WITH HIMGoodreads ** Lauren Blakely Goodreads

 
 


Sunday, November 9, 2014

Her Purrfect Match by Milly Taiden - Review



Alyssa Moran is tired of being the old cat lady with no man. She has very specific needs and goes to visit Mrs. Wilder at the Paranormal Dating Agency. Shockingly enough, she is promised a man who likes cats, wants kids, likes curves and will be wild in bed.

Grayson Green needs a mate. Fast. But he refuses to be pushed into anything. That is, until a curvy funny woman shows up in his territory saying she’s there for him. Who is he to argue with someone as delectable as Alyssa decides she wants to give herself to him?

Of course, not all is at it seems and some people want Alyssa gone and Gray dead. If Gray mates, the future of his pride will be sealed and no one can argue his place as leader. Unless it can be stopped before they ever get a chance to make some cubs. He will have to work hard at convincing a human she’s the only one for him or lose his pride and his mate.




Alyssa Moran wants a man who isn’t out to use her and loves cats, so it’s very amusing to see her paired with a cat shifter who really wants to breed, and is ok with her independence, only problem? He doesn’t believe in love. He does want a family, but wants one without that pesky emotion.

Alyssa is willing to settle at first, until she realizes that’s just another form of using her. Then things really get interesting, especially since someone wants her dead, to stop Grayson from staying the ruler of his pride.

Alyssa is a strong heroine with a horrible record with men, and Grayson is a bit of a typical loner, but together they work. They complement and build each other up, well once they actually talk things out.


Overall I really liked this book, it’s a strong addition to a series that I’m quickly calling a favorite. There was the same amount of sexy hero and heroine that I’ve come to expect from Ms. Taiden. I look forward to the next book. 




I received a copy for review. I was not compensated for my review.