Tuesday, October 27, 2015

#IABBAddict: Black by Catherine Winters

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Book Spotlight

Author: Catherine Winters

Title: Black

Pages: 246

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror

Date published: July 28, 2014

Synopsis:
Thirty-year-old redhead Josephine Berendt has everything under control. She’s finally over her ex, Max Spencer; her third novel is about to hit the shelves; and she’s living happily alone in a quiet Denver suburb. So what if her life is missing a little action? She gets all she needs by writing about vampires – and at least her furniture won’t run away to Paris just to prove how much it doesn’t love her.

600-year-old businessman Grant Black thinks he’s just doing a favor for an old friend by keeping an eye on Josephine and her dangerously accurate storytelling. Keeping out of her life is no trouble at all – until Max shows up on her doorstep with a case of fangs and Grant is forced to meet Josephine in the fearless, foul-mouthed flesh.

Soon Josephine finds herself at the center of an undead incident of international proportions. Now every day is a test of how long she can balance her need for independence with her growing affection for a killer, and stay alive – or, at least, not dead.

Featuring some of the most famous and ruthless vampires from history and literature, BLACK interweaves traditional vampire canons with an entirely new race of vampires with its own laws and mores. Told in Josephine’s thoroughly modern voice, the book is a witty, allusive tour of the vampire world’s upper echelons and hubs of power.


Excerpt

I was warned; I'll admit that.
I'd been in Denver – and he'd been in Paris – for nearly three years when the letter showed up in the box, no postmark, no stamp. My name in that familiar, cramped hand, the address that he shouldn't have known. I laid it on the kitchen counter with the junk, unopened, intending to throw it out. I had nothing to say to Max Spencer, nothing that hadn't been said before he fled the country to prove how much he didn't love me.
Trash day came and went, and I passed that letter every time I went for a glass of water. I didn't want to open it – it may as well have been round and labeled "WORMS" – but I couldn't bear to get rid of it. It felt too much like throwing him away.
Part of me knew who it was when the bell rang that night. The house was cold; March hadn't come in like a lion so much as like another snowstorm, and colder air rushed in as I opened the door. I don't know what I expected after ten on a weeknight, but I didn't expect him to look so unchanged and yet so utterly different. He was the same body, ostensibly the same man who'd left me three years ago, but it seemed my bitterness had made him less than that in my head. I stared at him, hale, healthy, beautiful, and not in Paris, and promptly dropped my water glass.
"Max." I stared down at my feet; a dozen shallow cuts welled blood in scattered beads. I didn't feel them, and started to move. He touched my arm.
"Don't – you'll make it worse. I'll fix it." He eased past me in the entryway, and bent to pick up the glass around my white little feet. "You're bleeding," and he touched the cuts so gently before he went after the broom he knew I'd keep in the kitchen.
"Why are you here?"
"Didn't you get my letter? I told you I would be."
"I didn't read it." He started to sweep; I leapt for the area rug so he wouldn't touch me again.
"Any of it?"
I shook my head. He sighed as he walked around the corner to the kitchen and tipped the dustpan into the bin. "It would have been easier if you had. I'd counted on your curiosity."
"To do what?" I closed the door.
"Prepare you for me." He settled onto my sofa, adjusting the crease in his pants.
"I rather thought if I didn't answer, you'd stay away."
He was silent for a moment, his pale eyes so like mine, closed, cold. Impossible, even for one who knew him well, to guess what he might be thinking. "Unfortunately, I felt I must impose upon your hospitality. I have – stories to tell, and you're the only audience for them."

     

About the Author




Catherine Winters has honed her signature snark in print and in real life since she was ten. Her love of pop culture, bad television, and worse music coupled with the collection of a lifetime’s worth of useless trivia make her novels modern and witty.

In addition to writing, Ms. Winters is the Social Media Director for the Gatsby Theatre Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is employed as the principal mezzo-soprano for the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.

She lives in Denver with with her husband, daughter, and one demanding cat.


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<br />
<div class="paragraph" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 0px;">
<b>Author</b>: Catherine Winters<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Black<br />
<br />
<b>Pages</b>: 246<br />
<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Urban Fantasy/Horror<br />
<br />
<b>Date published</b>: July 28, 2014<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1439945623l/23261463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: center; color: #464760; float: left; font-family: Lilly !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1439945623l/23261463.jpg" width="212" /></a><b>Synopsis</b>: <br />
Thirty-year-old redhead Josephine Berendt has everything under control. She’s finally over her ex, Max Spencer; her third novel is about to hit the shelves; and she’s living happily alone in a quiet Denver suburb. So what if her life is missing a little action? She gets all she needs by writing about vampires – and at least her furniture won’t run away to Paris just to prove how much it doesn’t love her. <br />
<br />
600-year-old businessman Grant Black thinks he’s just doing a favor for an old friend by keeping an eye on Josephine and her dangerously accurate storytelling. Keeping out of her life is no trouble at all – until Max shows up on her doorstep with a case of fangs and Grant is forced to meet Josephine in the fearless, foul-mouthed flesh. <br />
<br />
Soon Josephine finds herself at the center of an undead incident of international proportions. Now every day is a test of how long she can balance her need for independence with her growing affection for a killer, and stay alive – or, at least, not dead. <br />
<br />
Featuring some of the most famous and ruthless vampires from history and literature, BLACK interweaves traditional vampire canons with an entirely new race of vampires with its own laws and mores. Told in Josephine’s thoroughly modern voice, the book is a witty, allusive tour of the vampire world’s upper echelons and hubs of power.</div>
<div class="paragraph" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1WgZE7I" target="_blank">AMAZON</a>&nbsp;// <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23261463-black" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a></span></div>
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<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I was warned; I'll admit that.<br />
I'd been in Denver – and he'd been in Paris – for  nearly three years when the letter showed up in the box, no postmark, no stamp. My name in that familiar, cramped hand, the address that he shouldn't have known. I laid it on the kitchen counter with the junk, unopened, intending to throw it out. I had nothing to say to Max Spencer, nothing that hadn't been said before he fled the country to prove how much he didn't love me.<br />
Trash day came and went, and I passed that letter every time I went for a glass of water. I didn't want to open it – it may as well have been round and labeled "WORMS" – but I couldn't bear to get rid of it. It felt too much like throwing him away.<br />
Part of me knew who it was when the bell rang that night. The house was cold; March hadn't come in like a lion so much as like another snowstorm, and colder air rushed in as I opened the door. I don't know what I expected after ten on a weeknight, but I didn't expect him to look so unchanged and yet so utterly different. He was the same body, ostensibly the same man who'd left me three years ago, but it seemed my bitterness had made him less than that in my head. I stared at him, hale, healthy, beautiful, and not in Paris, and promptly dropped my water glass.<br />
"Max." I stared down at my feet; a dozen shallow cuts welled blood in scattered beads. I didn't feel them, and started to move. He touched my arm.<br />
"Don't – you'll make it worse. I'll fix it." He eased past me in the entryway, and bent to pick up the glass around my white little feet. "You're bleeding," and he touched the cuts so gently before he went after the broom he knew I'd keep in the kitchen.<br />
"Why are you here?"<br />
"Didn't you get my letter? I told you I would be."<br />
"I didn't read it." He started to sweep; I leapt for the area rug so he wouldn't touch me again.<br />
"Any of it?"<br />
I shook my head. He sighed as he walked around the corner to the kitchen and tipped the dustpan into the bin. "It would have been easier if you had. I'd counted on your curiosity."<br />
"To do what?" I closed the door.<br />
"Prepare you for me." He settled onto my sofa, adjusting the crease in his pants.<br />
"I rather thought if I didn't answer, you'd stay away."<br />
He was silent for a moment, his pale eyes so like mine, closed, cold. Impossible, even for one who knew him well, to guess what he might be thinking. "Unfortunately, I felt I must impose upon your hospitality. I have – stories to tell, and you're the only audience for them."</blockquote>
<b><b></b></b><br />
<div style="font-size: xx-large;">
<b><b>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b>
<br />
<div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;">
<b><b>About the Author</b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<b><b>
</b></b>
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<b><b>
</b></b>
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<div>
<span style="text-align: left;">Catherine Winters has honed her signature snark in print and in real life since she was ten. Her love of pop culture, bad television, and worse music coupled with the collection of a lifetime’s worth of useless trivia make her novels modern and witty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In addition to writing, Ms. Winters is the Social Media Director for the Gatsby Theatre Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is employed as the principal mezzo-soprano for the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She lives in Denver with with her husband, daughter, and one demanding cat.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1ifZWZS" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/writingwinters" target="_blank">TWITTER</a> // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/writingwinters" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> // <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6537315.Catherine_Winters" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a></span></div>
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Monday, October 26, 2015

Need a gift idea for Christmas? Look no further!

While some people may complain about it (few and far between, mind you), we here at IABB pride ourselves with providing relatable content for our followers.  It doesn't matter if you're a reader, writer, or blogger--we've got something for everyone.

To help you keep up with it all and to make your shopping experience easier, I have created this blog post with all of our designs and all the links you need to get them.

Please note:  If you intend on purchasing one of our designs as a gift for someone I strongly recommend purchasing on or before November 30th to ensure delivery in time for Christmas.

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Writer Humor - $20.99 (+$2 for plus sizes)
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Monday, October 19, 2015

#IABBAddict:Bound by the Summer Prince by Mistral Dawn


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Book Spotlight

Author: Mistral Dawn

Title: Bound by the Summer Prince

Pages: 286

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Date published: February 25, 2015

Synopsis: 
The Summer Court is in an uproar. The king has just been executed for unpardonable crimes, and the queen is prostrate with grief over his loss. This leaves the Summer kingdom bereft of true leadership; a problem which is compounded by the fact that the laws of Fairie require balance to be maintained by having a male and a female ruler for both Season Courts at all times. Uaine, the Summer prince, is the only one who can put things right, but he is without a mate. Knowing that he must take a bride quickly, for the sake of his people, even though he is struggling with his own feelings of pain and anger over his father's treachery, he goes for a walk in a forest near the palace to try to clear his head and determine how best to choose a female to rule beside him. 

While walking Uaine discovers a human female running loose in Fairie, which is against the most basic tenets of Fae law. Furious at one more problem he must deal with, he takes her prisoner and locks her in the dungeon; only to discover later that she is his soul-mate. The magical bond between them means they are meant to be together forever, but humans can't feel the magic of Fairie. Will Uaine be able to win her heart and convince her that she can trust him to keep her safe from all the dangers of Fairie...including himself? 

Roni is a human con woman and petty thief. Having run afoul of the local crime syndicate in the city where she is staying, she finds herself running for her life. Trouble is no stranger to her, but when she falls through a hole in a wall and finds herself in a world with carnivorous trees and rocks that eat people she realizes she may have found more of it than she can deal with. Rescued/arrested by the prince of the Summer Court, it doesn't take long for her to formulate a plan to use him to get herself home. Unfortunately for her, she soon finds that her heart, which she had thought long ago turned to stone, has begun to feel the love she has been playing at. Will she be able to overcome a lifetime of caution and allow herself to follow her heart? Can a criminal love a cop? 

Please be aware that this book contains explicit sexual scenes, depictions of BDSM, and anal play. If these things disturb you, then this may not be the book for you.



Excerpt
He opened his eyes just as Roni leaned back to rest on her arms and re-crossed her legs in the other direction.  Again, he found he could not unglue his eyes from her body.
Roni crossed and re-crossed her legs, wishing she had worn a skirt instead of the jeans.  Still, her actions seemed to be having the desired effect. "Was there anything else?"
Uaine cleared his throat. "Yes! Yes, you will likely find that some members of the Court are not yet ready to accept you.  You must be very careful to guard your words, no matter what they may say to you, because it is almost certain there are those who will try to provoke you."
"And why is that?"
"Because they had hoped to occupy the position which now belongs to you," said Uaine distractedly.  He still found himself unable to remove his gaze from his Anamchara's legs.  If only she would cease moving them against each other so sensually! It was maddening to see, when all he wanted was to slide his hands, and other things, between them.
Roni waved her hand over her legs and then moved it up to her face, making sure to cover all of the area in between, and snapped her fingers. "Yo! I'm up here, dude!"
Uaine looked up, confused. "Dude?"
Roni slowly slid from the bed, making sure to undulate her body to its maximum potential, and slinked across the floor to stand in front of the prince.  She put her hands on her hips and looked up at him. "I'll make a bet with you."
Uaine swallowed against a suddenly dry throat. "A bet?"
"Yes, I'll bet you that if I make it through the dinner without saying or doing anything embarrassing then you'll take me on a tour around the area outside the castle grounds.  Jillian told me I can't go without guards, and the guards don't know me well enough to listen to me yet, so you'll arrange for a tour, with or without guards.  Agreed?"
Looking down into the determined expression on his Anamchara's face, he gulped. "It would be better if you delayed such an outing until you are more familiar with our ways."
"Nevertheless, if I win you'll take me out. Agreed?" she purred, leaning closer to him.
"And what do I get if I get if I 'win'?" he rasped.
She took one hand off of her hip and reached up to crook a finger at him, motioning him towards her.  When he leaned down, she wrapped both arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.  Putting a hand behind his head and pulling his ear down next to her lips, she breathed against his neck, "You'll get what you've been fantasizing about during this whole conversation."

About the Author
Mistral Dawn is a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US but somehow never in the middle. She currently resides in the Southeast US with her kitty cats (please spay or neuter! :-)) where she works as a hospital drudge and attends graduate school. Taken By The Huntsman is her first effort at writing fiction and if it is well received she has ideas for several more novels and short-stories in this series.



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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426583318l/25027872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426583318l/25027872.jpg" width="212" /></a><b>Author</b>: Mistral Dawn<br />
<br />
<b>Title:&nbsp;</b>Bound by the Summer Prince<br />
<br />
<b>Pages:</b>&nbsp;<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">286</span><br />
<br />
<b>Genre:</b>&nbsp;<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fantasy Romance</span><br />
<br />
<b>Date published:</b>&nbsp;<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">February 25, 2015</span><br />
<br />
<b>Synopsis:&nbsp;</b><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;">The Summer Court is in an uproar. The king has just been executed for unpardonable crimes, and the queen is prostrate with grief over his loss. This leaves the Summer kingdom bereft of true leadership; a problem which is compounded by the fact that the laws of Fairie require balance to be maintained by having a male and a female ruler for both Season Courts at all times. Uaine, the Summer prince, is the only one who can put things right, but he is without a mate. Knowing that he must take a bride quickly, for the sake of his people, even though he is struggling with his own feelings of pain and anger over his father's treachery, he goes for a walk in a forest near the palace to try to clear his head and determine how best to choose a female to rule beside him.&nbsp;</span><br />
<br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;" />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;">While walking Uaine discovers a human female running loose in Fairie, which is against the most basic tenets of Fae law. Furious at one more problem he must deal with, he takes her prisoner and locks her in the dungeon; only to discover later that she is his soul-mate. The magical bond between them means they are meant to be together forever, but humans can't feel the magic of Fairie. Will Uaine be able to win her heart and convince her that she can trust him to keep her safe from all the dangers of Fairie...including himself?&nbsp;</span><br />
<br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;" />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;">Roni is a human con woman and petty thief. Having run afoul of the local crime syndicate in the city where she is staying, she finds herself running for her life. Trouble is no stranger to her, but when she falls through a hole in a wall and finds herself in a world with carnivorous trees and rocks that eat people she realizes she may have found more of it than she can deal with. Rescued/arrested by the prince of the Summer Court, it doesn't take long for her to formulate a plan to use him to get herself home. Unfortunately for her, she soon finds that her heart, which she had thought long ago turned to stone, has begun to feel the love she has been playing at. Will she be able to overcome a lifetime of caution and allow herself to follow her heart? Can a criminal love a cop?&nbsp;</span><br />
<br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;" />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 17.5636px;">Please be aware that this book contains explicit sexual scenes, depictions of BDSM, and anal play. If these things disturb you, then this may not be the book for you.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 33.6px;">Excerpt</b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">He opened his eyes just as Roni leaned back to rest on her arms and re-crossed her legs in the other direction. &nbsp;Again, he found he could not unglue his eyes from her body.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Roni crossed and re-crossed her legs, wishing she had worn a skirt instead of the jeans. &nbsp;Still, her actions seemed to be having the desired effect. "Was there anything else?"</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Uaine cleared his throat. "Yes! Yes, you will likely find that some members of the Court are not yet ready to accept you. &nbsp;You must be very careful to guard your words, no matter what they may say to you, because it is almost certain there are those who will try to provoke you."</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">"And why is that?"</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">"Because they had hoped to occupy the position which now belongs to you," said Uaine distractedly. &nbsp;He still found himself unable to remove his gaze from his Anamchara's legs. &nbsp;If only she would cease moving them against each other so sensually! It was maddening to see, when all he wanted was to slide his hands, and other things, between them.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Roni waved her hand over her legs and then moved it up to her face, making sure to cover all of the area in between, and snapped her fingers. "Yo! I'm up here, dude!"</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Uaine looked up, confused. "Dude?"</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Roni slowly slid from the bed, making sure to undulate her body to its maximum potential, and slinked across the floor to stand in front of the prince. &nbsp;She put her hands on her hips and looked up at him. "I'll make a bet with you."</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Uaine swallowed against a suddenly dry throat. "A bet?"</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">"Yes, I'll bet you that if I make it through the dinner without saying or doing anything embarrassing then you'll take me on a tour around the area outside the castle grounds. &nbsp;Jillian told me I can't go without guards, and the guards don't know me well enough to listen to me yet, so you'll arrange for a tour, with or without guards. &nbsp;Agreed?"</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Looking down into the determined expression on his Anamchara's face, he gulped. "It would be better if you delayed such an outing until you are more familiar with our ways."</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">"Nevertheless, if I win you'll take me out. Agreed?" she purred, leaning closer to him.</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">"And what do I get if I get if I 'win'?" he rasped.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">She took one hand off of her hip and reached up to crook a finger at him, motioning him towards her. &nbsp;When he leaned down, she wrapped both arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. &nbsp;Putting a hand behind his head and pulling his ear down next to her lips, she breathed against his neck, "You'll get what you've been fantasizing about during this whole conversation."</span></span></blockquote>
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Mistral Dawn is a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US but somehow never in the middle. She currently resides in the Southeast US with her kitty cats (please spay or neuter! :-)) where she works as a hospital drudge and attends graduate school. Taken By The Huntsman is her first effort at writing fiction and if it is well received she has ideas for several more novels and short-stories in this series.<br />
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

#IABBAddict: The Bo(d)y Next Door by Denise Malone

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Book Spotlight

Author: Denise Malone

Title: The Bo(d)y Next Door

Pages: 265

Genre: Romantic Mystery

Date published: February 15, 2014

Synopsis: 
All single girl Alison Brown really needs is to spend a week on the beach with her best friend, Frankie. But instead of margaritas and sunscreen, she gets a murder next door and death threats. Now, she's involved in a police investigation while trying to save her own neck and get the heck out of Dodge. And to top it all off, the hot new neighbor, Poindexter "Dex" Jones, is determined to keep her safe and maybe get her into bed. The question is, what's more dangerous: the killer or Dex trying to steal her heart?



Excerpt
It was a Friday night, but it was no ordinary Friday night. I was turning in my invoice for the week, early, because Frankie and I were preparing for our annual May vacation the following week. I am a work-from-home medical transcriptionist, and Frankie, my best friend, owns a salon. The last few weeks have been crazy busy for Frankie because it’s prom season. The last of the proms for the local schools was scheduled for Saturday night, and then Frankie and I were headed for the coast of Texas for a few well-deserved days on the beach before wedding season started up in June. But before we started thinking about bikinis, sunscreen, and margaritas, she had to pamper the last of this year’s juniors and seniors for prom.
The first few weeks of May every year are always stressful for Frankie, doing manicures, pedicures, and amazing hairstyles for these girls every Friday and Saturday afternoon and into the early evening to make sure they all looked perfect for their proms. In addition to the busy Fridays and Saturdays, Frankie had to do payroll, keep the place clean and well-stocked, and keep her regular appointments. It’s been exhausting for her, so I’ve spent the last few Sundays helping Frankie get everything restocked and ready for her Tuesday morning appointments so she could take Mondays off to rest.
As I hit send on my email to turn in my invoice, my phone rang. It was 8:00, and Frankie was calling.
“What’s up?” I answered. “Are you exhausted again?”
“Of course,” she replied. “I’ll be over in 10 to have a beer and some pizza. I’ll bring a movie, too. Cool?”
“Cool. See ya in a few,” I said.
I’ve always loved it when Frankie and I just enjoyed a night in, drinking beer and eating pizza. We live in an apartment complex that caters to single professionals. Most of the people who live here are young because children aren’t allowed, but there are a few older singles that live here, too. She lives two doors down from me, and we met when I first moved in two years ago. At the time, I was coming off a breakup with Dr. Grant Bishop, a resident physician who’d decided that I should follow him to Africa where he was going to work for Doctors Without Borders. I wasn’t interested, so he broke our engagement. Still depressed, I decided to move to the singles apartment complex and try to get back into the dating scene.
I was shutting down the computer when I heard the doorbell ring downstairs. Frankie was a little early.
“Door’s open,” I yelled down the stairs as I headed to my bathroom. When I heard the front door open, I said, “Brownies are on the counter if you want one. Down in a minute, gotta pee.”
“Um…thanks?” a male voice came back up the stairs. That was definitely not Frankie. Who the hell did I just invite into my apartment?

About the Author
Denise Malone lives in Texas with her husband, children, and a demented Doberman. Besides being an avid reader, she enjoys crocheting and watching college football. Her first book, The Bo(d)y Next Door, was released February 16, 2014.

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<b style="line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Book Spotlight</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.platypire.com/uploads/2/5/6/4/25642156/114286204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.platypire.com/uploads/2/5/6/4/25642156/114286204.jpg" /></a><b>Author</b>: Denise Malone<br />
<br />
<b>Title:&nbsp;</b>The Bo(d)y Next Door<br />
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<b>Pages:</b>&nbsp;265<br />
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<b>Genre:</b>&nbsp;<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romantic Mystery</span><br />
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<b>Date published:</b>&nbsp;<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">February 15, 2014</span><br />
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<b>Synopsis:&nbsp;</b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">All single girl Alison Brown really needs is to spend a week on the beach with her best friend, Frankie.

But instead of margaritas and sunscreen, she gets a murder next door and death threats.

Now, she's involved in a police investigation while trying to save her own neck and get the heck out of Dodge. And to top it all off, the hot new neighbor, Poindexter "Dex" Jones, is determined to keep her safe and maybe get her into bed.

The question is, what's more dangerous: the killer or Dex trying to steal her heart?</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://amzn.to/1Ra4FYU" style="color: #b5653b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">AMAZON&nbsp;</a>//&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21394846-the-bo-d-y-next-door" style="color: #b5653b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 33.6px;">Excerpt</b></div>
<blockquote>
It was a Friday night, but it was no ordinary Friday night.  I was turning in my invoice for the week, early, because Frankie and I were preparing for our annual May vacation the following week.  I am a work-from-home medical transcriptionist, and Frankie, my best friend, owns a salon.  The last few weeks have been crazy busy for Frankie because it’s prom season.  The last of the proms for the local schools was scheduled for Saturday night, and then Frankie and I were headed for the coast of Texas for a few well-deserved days on the beach before wedding season started up in June.  But before we started thinking about bikinis, sunscreen, and margaritas, she had to pamper the last of this year’s juniors and seniors for prom.<br />
The first few weeks of May every year are always stressful for Frankie, doing manicures, pedicures, and amazing hairstyles for these girls every Friday and Saturday afternoon and into the early evening to make sure they all looked perfect for their proms.  In addition to the busy Fridays and Saturdays, Frankie had to do payroll, keep the place clean and well-stocked, and keep her regular appointments.  It’s been exhausting for her, so I’ve spent the last few Sundays helping Frankie get everything restocked and ready for her Tuesday morning appointments so she could take Mondays off to rest.<br />
As I hit send on my email to turn in my invoice, my phone rang.  It was 8:00, and Frankie was calling.<br />
“What’s up?” I answered.  “Are you exhausted again?”<br />
“Of course,” she replied.  “I’ll be over in 10 to have a beer and some pizza.  I’ll bring a movie, too.  Cool?”<br />
“Cool.  See ya in a few,” I said.<br />
I’ve always loved it when Frankie and I just enjoyed a night in, drinking beer and eating pizza.  We live in an apartment complex that caters to single professionals.  Most of the people who live here are young because children aren’t allowed, but there are a few older singles that live here, too.  She lives two doors down from me, and we met when I first moved in two years ago.  At the time, I was coming off a breakup with Dr. Grant Bishop, a resident physician who’d decided that I should follow him to Africa where he was going to work for Doctors Without Borders.  I wasn’t interested, so he broke our engagement.  Still depressed, I decided to move to the singles apartment complex and try to get back into the dating scene.<br />
I was shutting down the computer when I heard the doorbell ring downstairs.  Frankie was a little early.<br />
“Door’s open,” I yelled down the stairs as I headed to my bathroom.  When I heard the front door open, I said, “Brownies are on the counter if you want one.  Down in a minute, gotta pee.”<br />
“Um…thanks?” a male voice came back up the stairs.  That was definitely not Frankie.  Who the hell did I just invite into my apartment?</blockquote>
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<b style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 33.6px; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Author</b></div>
Denise Malone lives in Texas with her husband, children, and a demented Doberman. Besides being an avid reader, she enjoys crocheting and watching college football. Her first book, The Bo(d)y Next Door, was released February 16, 2014.<br />
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

#IABBAddict: Canvas of the Heart by Melissa Taggart


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Book Spotlight

Author: Melissa Taggart

Title: Canvas of the Heart

Pages: 201

Genre: Sweet Romance

Date published: July 15, 2014

Synopsis: 
Canvas of the Heart is romantic novel about a young woman with cerebral palsy, and how she rises above the term disability through her relationship with friends, family, and above all, the man who becomes her husband.
Funny, sexy and inspirational, the book focuses on Lindsey’s insights, struggles and triumphs, teaching us that those with disabilities can also lead rich, full lives.



Excerpt
Sitting in my room reading a science fiction book I’d just bought from the local bookstore, I was excited by the job offer I had received from the store manager who wanted to replace an assistant who had just quit that morning. He had spotted me browsing the shelves, and as I was practically a daily visitor, he’d approached me. It was perfect timing, since I’d recently graduated from high school and was looking for a way to pass the time. I was eager to tell my best friend and neighbor, Becky, about the job. She came over almost every day to hang out with me after work. Her family had moved in next door a few months ago, but while I saw her frequently, it took me a while to warm up to her. I’d always been a shy and awkward person, which was the main reason I had no close friends. Too often, experience had taught me that getting close to people never ended well, and I’d spent enough time getting hurt. Becky seemed to accept me as I was and saw me as person rather than a person with a disability. We started chatting more and more often. Gradually I came to trust her, and we’d known each other for more than two months before she asked why I was in a wheelchair. I told her that I had a disability called cerebral palsy, but a less severe version, which was a mix between spastic and ataxic forms. In my case, the part of the brain that controlled the ability to walk wasn’t functioning. A knock at the door distracted me. “Come in,” I said. “Hey,” Becky said, sending me a smile as she poked her head through the door. “Hi,” I said, closing my book. Becky was a cute redhead with creamy skin and a dusting of freckles across her nose. She had an outgoing personality and a warm smile. I was always comfortable in her presence. “How did it go today?” she asked, sitting on the bed beside me. “Great!” I grinned broadly. “I got a job.” “Let me guess,” she said. “The bookstore?” “I start tomorrow.” “That’s great!” Becky hugged me. “I’m so happy for you. You love books, so you’ll be perfect for the job.” “Well, the pay isn’t much, but it will at least give me some pocket money.” “Hey, it’s a start,” Becky said. “How was your day?” I asked. Becky’s job at a music store was always a source of entertaining stories. “Same old,” she said. “I just wanted to come over and check up on you before I get going. I have a date tonight with Jason, that hot guy I told you about.” “Have a good time,” I said as she gave me a quick hug and left. “Let me know what happens,” I called after her.



About the Author
Georgia native Melissa Taggart is a believer in tackling challenges. Diagnosed with CP at the age of three months, as a child she discovered that writing offered her a way to deal with a speech impediment. It not only paved the way for better communication, but she transformed a challenge into the voice of a writer eager to teach the world that people with disabilities are people with the same lives, loves and longings as anyone else.
Through Melissa’s amusing, insightful and touching stories, she addresses issues and common misconceptions in a way that will open the eyes and hearts of readers everywhere. Her goal is to deliver her special message with humor and candidness, as well as bring greater awareness about the real world of the disabled.
When Melissa is not busy creating the universe of Lindsey, Jason and Max, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also volunteers part-time in a first grade classroom helping the kids with worksheets and games and other activities..


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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Book Spotlight</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405461602l/22730270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405461602l/22730270.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>Author</b>: Melissa Taggart<br />
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<b>Title: </b>Canvas of the Heart<br />
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<b>Pages:</b> 201<br />
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<b>Genre:</b> Sweet Romance<br />
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<b>Date published:</b> July 15, 2014<br />
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<b>Synopsis:&nbsp;</b><br />
Canvas of the Heart is romantic novel about a young woman with cerebral palsy, and how she rises above the term disability through her relationship with friends, family, and above all, the man who becomes her husband.<br />
Funny, sexy and inspirational, the book focuses on Lindsey’s insights, struggles and triumphs, teaching us that those with disabilities can also lead rich, full lives.</div>
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<b><a href="http://amzn.to/1Z8YOJa" target="_blank">AMAZON </a>// <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22730270-canvas-of-the-heart" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sitting in my room reading a science fiction book I’d just bought from the local bookstore, I was excited by the job offer I had received from the store manager who wanted to replace an assistant who had just quit that morning. He had spotted me browsing the shelves, and as I was practically a daily visitor, he’d approached me. It was perfect timing, since I’d recently graduated from high school and was looking for a way to pass the time.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">    I was eager to tell my best friend and neighbor, Becky, about the job. She came over almost every day to hang out with me after work. Her family had moved in next door a few months ago, but while I saw her frequently, it took me a while to warm up to her. I’d always been a shy and awkward person, which was the main reason I had no close friends. Too often, experience had taught me that getting close to people never ended well, and I’d spent enough time getting hurt.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     Becky seemed to accept me as I was and saw me as person rather than a person with a disability. We started chatting more and more often. Gradually I came to trust her, and we’d known each other for more than two months before she asked why I was in a wheelchair. I told her that I had a disability called cerebral palsy, but a less severe version, which was a mix between spastic and ataxic forms. In my case, the part of the brain that controlled the ability to walk wasn’t functioning.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     A knock at the door distracted me. “Come in,” I said.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Hey,” Becky said, sending me a smile as she poked her head through the door.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Hi,” I said, closing my book. Becky was a cute redhead with creamy skin and a dusting of freckles across her nose. She had an outgoing personality and a warm smile. I was always comfortable in her presence.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “How did it go today?” she asked, sitting on the bed beside me.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Great!” I grinned broadly. “I got a job.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Let me guess,” she said. “The bookstore?”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “I start tomorrow.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “That’s great!” Becky hugged me. “I’m so happy for you. You love books, so you’ll be perfect for the job.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Well, the pay isn’t much, but it will at least give me some pocket money.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Hey, it’s a start,” Becky said.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “How was your day?” I asked. Becky’s job at a music store was always a source of entertaining stories.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Same old,” she said. “I just wanted to come over and check up on you before I get going. I have a date tonight with Jason, that hot guy I told you about.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">     “Have a good time,” I said as she gave me a quick hug and left. “Let me know what happens,” I called after her.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>About the Author</b></span></span></div>
Georgia native Melissa Taggart is a believer in tackling challenges. Diagnosed with CP at the age of three months, as a child she discovered that writing offered her a way to deal with a speech impediment. It not only paved the way for better communication, but she transformed a challenge into the voice of a writer eager to teach the world that people with disabilities are people with the same lives, loves and longings as anyone else. <br />
Through Melissa’s amusing, insightful and touching stories, she addresses issues and common misconceptions in a way that will open the eyes and hearts of readers everywhere. Her goal is to deliver her special message with humor and candidness, as well as bring greater awareness about the real world of the disabled.<br />
When Melissa is not busy creating the universe of Lindsey, Jason and Max, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also volunteers part-time in a first grade classroom helping the kids with worksheets and games and other activities..<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1hpq9os" target="_blank">AMAZON</a>&nbsp;// <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8388378.Melissa_Taggart" target="_blank">GOODREADS</a> // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canvas-of-the-Heart-501435103299498" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/taggartmelissa" target="_blank">TWITTER</a></div>