.@GoddessFish presents Deal Breakers from @LauraLeeBooks

DEAL BREAKERS

by Laura Lee

How were they supposed to know that one night would change everything?

Devyn has life all mapped out. She just needs to accomplish one more thing before graduating college and becoming a full-fledged adult—lose her virginity. And who better to assist her than her best friend, Riley?

Riley is the self-proclaimed king of fling. His college years have been filled with meaningless hookups until the one night that ruined him for all other women. The one night he spends with his best friend, Devyn. Right before he screws it all up.

Balls to the wall, baby!

Now five years later, Riley is determined to atone for his mistakes and prove that he can be the man that Devyn deserves. Little does he know that Devyn’s been keeping a secret from him all these years. A big secret. Now he has to figure out how to win back the only girl he’s ever loved while navigating the pitfalls of her unexpected revelation.

Deal Breakers is filled with lots of laughs, a sexy romance, and an overflowing swear jar.

Excerpt:

“My God, woman.”

“Too much?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “I wanted something that made me feel sexy. It’s stupid and trashy, isn’t it?”

Uncrossing her arms and nodding towards her body I say, “That could never be considered stupid or trashy. I’m pretty sure it’s the best damn idea you’ve ever had.”

She laughs. “Really?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Uh huh, definitely. Best. Idea. Ever.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Laura Lee is the author of the bestselling Karli Lane series as well as the upcoming Dealing With Love series. She is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America focusing on paranormal, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance.

Laura's passion has always been storytelling. She spent most of her life with her nose in a book thinking of alternate endings or continuations to the story. She won her first writing contest at the ripe old age of nine, earning a trip to the state capital to showcase her manuscript. Thankfully for her, those early works will never see the light of day again!

Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and three of the most poorly behaved cats in existence. She likes her fruit smoothies filled with rum, her cupboards stocked with Cadbury's chocolate, and her music turned up loud. When she's not writing or watching HGTV, she's reading anything she can get her hands on. She's a sucker for spicy romances, especially those involving vampires or cowboys!

For more information, please visit her at: 

Website * Amazon Author Page * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Blog * Instagram * Email

GIVEAWAY 

Laura Lee will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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FREE best-sellers for a limited time, sex and danger... #RomFantasy

A highly trained military operative, Prince Charming, and a vampire with a taste for decadence and sexual dominance... and this week they're all available for free - three of my best-sellers on Amazon and ARe, in whatever format your reader needs... check them out!!

Heart of Stone

by Denyse Bridger

- Romance>Contemporary

Randall Stone is the stuff of heroes, a mercenary given a discharge from the army he has served with his life. But the government is still interested in using the skills they've taught Major Rand Stone, and he continues to work with his hand-picked team. Into his shadowy world a light has come, and in her love, Stone discovers unhoped for joy, and, perhaps, unbearable sorrow?

GET IT HERE

Glass Slippers & Jeweled Masques

(Twisted Fairytales)

by Denyse Bridger

- Romance>Fantasy

Cindi Lancourte is the illegitimate daughter of a powerful businessman and a lovely woman who worked for him. Acknowledged when his wife died, she was quickly relegated to the role of servant by his new wife and step-daughters, but an invitation to a Masquerade gives this Cinderella a new shot at happiness with a handsome Prince Charming.

GET IT HERE

Hunters' Game

by Denyse Bridger

- Romance>Vampires

In modern Toronto, two vampires stalk the night, their hunting a game that is seductive and deadly. In a darkly compelling Goth Club, they find the prey they seek for their pleasures, and the night runs crimson with blood and unquenchable thirsts....

GET IT HERE

.@GoddessFish and @Celeste_Prater present Three Divisions: Leo #bookblast #erotica

THREE DIVISIONS: LEO

by Celeste Prater

A reverent touch to a set of suede-covered cuffs, and Jillian Dosh unwittingly takes the first step into a world that she never knew existed. Busted while she’s making a stealthy visit to Three Divisions Lifestyle Emporium, Jillian can’t believe she’s face-to-face with her fantasy lover. Much more potent up front and personal, Leo Straton’s commanding presence intrigues and scares her at the same time. Can fantasy become reality?

Recognizing the voluptuous Jillian as the perfect submissive for him, Leo begins a journey to pull her into his world of D/s. She’s innocent, imaginative, strong-willed, and dangerous to his heart. She’s his butterfly—stuck in the chrysalis of the vanilla world and ready to spread her wings. Overcoming her initial hesitancy, Jillian begins to blossom under his tutelage. But an innocent deception may bring this new love to a crashing halt.

Three Divisions, Book 1 ignites the senses, fires up your libido, and makes you crave to be owned by this Dom.

EXCERPT:

Hurrying along the walkway, eyes glued to the window, Jillian finally discovered a ten-inch gap between advertisement posters. Cupping her hands against the surprisingly clean glass, she peered inside, stood on tiptoe to see past the shelving, and immediately spotted two men. A quick assessment told her that the one with the gray hair and wrinkled business suit wasn’t a local. The brown leather suitcase leaning innocently against his right leg still carried the airline terminal tag.

Jillian couldn’t help but snort when she glanced to the other one. He was a little younger, wore a wedding ring, and still clung to his glory days as life pulled him kicking and screaming into his forties. The severely faded and tattered USC College T-shirt had seen better days. She wondered how many times his wife had thrown it in the garbage, only to find it among the laundry items the very next day. That could very well explain the small Band-Aid on his left ear. She darted out of sight when the men’s profiles made an appearance.

Glancing down the relatively deserted street, Jillian was surprised to find that the fading sun had finally decided to hide itself, instantly bringing deep shadows to stretch ominously between each dim streetlight—a clear warning sign for the smart people to get their butts home. Only a few businesses across the roadway had yet to turn their exterior lights on, making the surroundings even spookier. She knew she needed to get this over with before the night dwellers burst out from wherever they hid during the harshness of the day and began filling the walkways.

Pushing quickly inside her targeted establishment, Jillian cringed upon hearing the tinkling of bells over the doorway. She reached up and silenced them before they could finish waking up the dead. Crap! Didn’t see that coming.

Dodging to the side of a tall, metal structure, Jillian chanced a quick peek past the edge to see if she’d been discovered or if any other bodies were milling about the interior. Satisfied she only had the two oblivious browsers to contend with, Jillian slithered around several displays and two more short cabinets before she was ensconced behind a thick bookshelf with ample space between shelves to peek out.

Bravado growing by the second, she moved on silent feet along the narrow aisle, eyes locked onto the two men continuing to keep a respectable distance from one another. She quirked a brow. You both might as well have a bulls-eye tattooed on your backs. Not once had they made eye contact, much less taken the time to glance over their shoulders to spot her lurking close at their rear.

Jillian couldn’t help but shake her head as she slid her hand out of her purse, cupped it with the other, and rested her grip on the smooth wood to steady her arms. Maneuvering the red laser dot from one skull base to the next, she considered her targets the proverbial “innocent bystanders” mentioned in every news article about the increasing murder rate in this crazy town. They were oblivious to their surroundings, content in the false knowledge that nothing bad would ever happen to them. Things like that only occurred to other people—a typical last thought of hapless victims.

Oh, well. Reality time.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Celeste was born and raised in a small town between Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin. Wanting to see more than her small Texas town, she joined the Marines, which satisfied her craving to see more of the U.S. and her drive to see if she could be one of the few and the proud. A firm believer in educating the mind, Celeste has achieved several advanced degrees, the latest being a master’s of science.

Her true love is writing erotic romance about men who know how to treat their women right. Celeste is also the author of the award winning FUELED BY LUST series. All currently released books in the series have made it into the Top 5 Bestseller Lists at Bookstrand.com within days of release as well as making it into the Top 10 Hottest New Releases in Erotic Science Fiction on Amazon.

Celeste would also like to give a shout out to the scrumptiously delicious Dustin Sherer, the cover model for Book 1 of this new series. You can find him on Facebook at Dustin Sherer: Fitness Model and Athlete.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest * YouTube * Google+ * Tumblr

Releasing 08/26/2015 exclusively at www.bookstrand.com/celeste-prater and 6-8 weeks later at major retailers

Bookstrand * Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * iTunes

GIVEAWAY

Celeste Prater will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $20 Amazon/BN GC.

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.@Shades_of_Rose and @Tamaria_Soana present Romantic Short Stories (Giveaway!)

Romantic Short Stories Boxed Set

by Tamaria Soana

Genre: Romance

Four sexy heroes, four strong heroines, four stories of love and romance in one box set.

Tropical Cougar: Twenty-six-year-old Seth Reynolds finds his fresh start as a bartender at an exclusive resort in Jamaica. One night he meets the very sexy and much older, Sylvia Radcliff.

When Seth sets out to seduce the most enchanting woman he’s ever met, he never expects an island romance to change his life completely. 

Vows: Addison Klein’s marriage is falling apart. She’s contemplating whether she should fight to keep her family together or walk away. After the sudden death of her best friend, Peyton, and a vicious fight with her husband, Tyler, Addison knows she needs to decide what the future will holds.

Just when Addison feels she’s alone in making this life altering decision, she gets a little guidance from her guardian angel and rediscovers herself

With a new outlook on life Addison sets a plan in motion to seduce her husband.

Justice Jackson P.I.: Sultry waitress Andrea Bloome serves cocktails at The Lounge, the hottest jazz club in Chicago. When her life is in danger, she turns to charismatic P.I. Justice Jackson for help.

Can he save her from the people who are meant to protect her? Or will he be blinded by the overwhelming attraction between them?

Set in the 1940’s. 

The Calm Before the Storm: The last two years of Erica Bloom’s life have been spent looking over her shoulder. Sawyer Marsh promised the day she filed for divorce and left him, that if he couldn’t have her no one would. The news of Sawyer’s engagement allows Erica to finally let her guard down and enjoy her new life and budding relationship with Brock Maxwell.

While away relaxing at Brock’s vacation home on the Willow Lake, the past comes back to haunt her. Were the past few years just the calm before the storm?

Warning: Contains Domestic Violence

Warning: Adult language and explicit sexual situations

FREE

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooks * Kobo

~About the Author~ 

Tamaria Soana writes contemporary romance stories with a high heat level that always end with a 'happily ever after'. Growing up, she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry. It wasn't until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story.

She's married and a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful young girls. They reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.

Author Links:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * YouTube

~Giveaway~

Tamaria is giving away a 3 piece Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods (golden sugar scrub, triple moisture body cram and a shower puff) set during the tour. US ONLY

For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.

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.@PumpUpYourBook and @TickleWriter present Let’s Talk About Tickling #kindle #ebook #RomFantasy

Veronica Frances is the author of the gutsy, no-holds-barred novel, Tickling Daphne H. Her new non-fiction book Let’s Talk About Tickling sheds a refreshing new light on the subject. She is known as the TickleWriter in some circles.

Veronica also writes under her real name, Stacey Handler. Stacey is the author of The Body Burden; Living In The Shadow Of Barbie. Her book was featured in Jump Magazine, Australian Women’s Weekly, The National Enquirer, and several other publications, radio shows and cable TV shows.

Stacey excels at public speaking, singing, composing, and writing. She is a singer-songwriter, poet, and has written in many different styles. She has an album and several singles available, including her two popular anthems, Ain’t No Skinny Little Thing and Soap Opera Diva.

She lives in New York City, where she continues to write erotica, fiction, poetry and non-fiction.

For More Information

• Visit Veronica Frances’ website.
• Connect with Veronica on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Veronica at Goodreads.
• Visit Veronica’s blog.
• More books by Veronica Frances.
• Contact Veronica.

About the Book:

Title: Let’s Talk About Tickling

Author: Veronica Frances

Publisher: Blue Note Books

Pages: 240

Genre: Non-fiction/Erotic Literature/Self Improvement

Format: Kindle

Let’s Talk About Tickling is an honest, straightforward discussion about tickling. Discover the many different aspects of tickling—the fantasies, the realities, the many paradoxes of the tickling fetish and how to come to terms with ones own sensuality.

A refreshing and very welcome find, Let’s Talk About Tickling is for anyone who wishes to expand their awareness of tickling and other related fetishes. This book will be of great interest to anyone who wants to get in touch with their sensual self, whether they have a tickling fetish or not.

Author Veronica Frances offers her readers the chance to improve their relationships in and out of the bedroom by shining a light on the powerful significance of tickling. She reminds us that tickling is not merely the whisper of a feather on the flesh. It is an echo that calls us from deep within, beckoning us to listen and respond.

For More Information

• Let’s Talk About Tickling is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Pick up your copy at iApple Bookstore.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
• Visit the book’s Facebook page.
• Read excerpt here.

Thank you for this interview, Veronica. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

I have been writing ever since childhood. I published my first book fifteen years ago and have grown very much as a writer since then. I realized I wanted to write erotic fiction as well as erotic non-fiction. I was always writing poems and erotic stories in high school, but I dreamed of writing a non-fiction erotic book that would help people in some way and I have finally accomplished that with my new book, Let’s Talk About Tickling. 

Can you tell us more about Stacey Handler?

Sure. Stacey Handler is the other name that I write under and is my real name. Veronica Frances sort of just came to me one day as an idea for a pseudonym I could use for all of my erotic tickling writing.

Under my real name, I have written and published a book on body image that includes poetry and prose. I also write all kinds of other poetry. I am also a singer-songwriter and have worked as a professional clairvoyant, empath and clairaudient.

You mentioned you wrote a book on body image under your real name. Can you explain how that relates to an interesting tidbit about your family?

Yes. My grandmother Ruth Handler created the Barbie Doll. The Ken doll was named after my father and the Barbie Doll after my aunt. The Stacey doll was named after yours truly.

As you can imagine, growing up having Barbie as a plastic family member made my own body-image issues a rather formidable challenge at times.

My book is called The Body Burden; Living In the Shadow of Barbie. It helped a lot of women find the road to self-acceptance and I did quite a bit of public speaking on the subject. I do feel that I have grown a lot as a writer since then, so I don’t talk about my first book all that much anymore. I prefer to focus on what inspires me to write as the woman that I am today.

Do you continue to speak out about the importance of having a positive body image?

Yes. My original song, Ain’t No Skinny Little Thing encourages women to feel empowered and beautiful, no matter what body negativity society continues to throw at them. Ain’t No Skinny Little Thing is available on iTunes.

Can you tell us briefly what your new book, Let’s Talk About Tickling, is about?

Let’s Talk About Tickling talks about the many different aspects of tickling. It deals with the psychological, the physical and the emotional aspects of the tickling fetish, as well as giving tons of useful advice about how to bring more sensuality and laughter into your relationships and your life in general. 

It is not simply a book about tickling. It is a book about discovering your true sensual self and sharing that information with your partner. It emphasizes the importance of communicating your fantasies and desires, so that your relationship does not become stale. While tickling is the main fetish my book deals with, it also discusses other related fetishes and many other informative tips on keeping your sensual-self alive, as well as your personal relationships. 

Would you consider your latest book, let’s talk about tickling, to be a one of a kind? How so?

Yes. There are several books surfacing about tickling, most of them fiction, but I haven’t really found any that delve quite as deeply into the psychological aspects of the tickling fetish as let’s talk about tickling does. 

What makes my book unique is how it taps into the emotional and spiritual parts of tickling and how tickling and laughter can actually better our lives. 

What questions do people ask you when you tell them about this book?

People are extremely curious as to how I can write an entire book on the subject of tickling. My answer would be that tickling is not only the gateway to sex, but the gateway to tons of discussion about sensuality, laughter, foreplay, flirtation, the inner child, fun and of course, BDSM and role-play. 

People want to know if my book is a book about BDSM. Tickle-play can be anything you want it to be and it can lead us down the adventurous pathways of BDSM. However, tickling can be just as much fun without BDSM. So, my book is not primarily a BDSM book, but I do talk about the subject whenever I feel it applies to a certain chapter or activity.

What was your greatest challenge writing this book?

This was a very challenging book for me because there were so many subjects to cover. It was very difficult figuring out the right order for the chapters. There are 68 chapters in Let’s Talk About Tickling. I was constantly moving the chapters around and for a while it felt like I was playing musical chapters and it was very frustrating. I wanted the chapters to flow and it took a while to get them just right, to where I was happy with them.

What’s one fun fact about your book people should know?

Tickling is the gateway to sex.

Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?

You can contact me and check out my blog via my website: http://www.ticklewriter.com

You can also follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TickleWriter

Dorothy Thompson

Owner & Founding Mother at PUMP UP YOUR BOOK 

Visit us at www.PumpUpYourBook.com

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Bloggers! Sign up to host your favorite authors HERE!

.@Shades_of_Rose and @LaceyWolfe present Virgin Cowboy

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Virgin Cowboy by Lacey Wolfe

Carver Ranch Series, Book 3

This cowboy lands the girl of his dreams, but he's got one little secret…

Courtney Johnson, single mom and bar owner, hasn't had much luck in the dating department. That all changes one evening when Braden Carver asks her out, and she decides to take a chance with him, even though she's ten years older than him.

Braden's always felt like he lived in the shadows of his two older brothers, never really being noticed. Before he knows it, he's on the dance floor with the girl he's liked for years, calling her 'sweetheart'. Finally, life is looking up for him. However, his mother isn't pleased when she finds out he's seeing Courtney.

As their relationship heats up, one thing still lingers—Braden's a virgin. How will Courtney react when she learns of his innocence? Will it be enough to make her walk away, especially with his disapproving mother?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sexual situations

~Excerpt~

Braden was quiet as he closed her door then went around to the driver's side. He ran his hands along his thighs, and Courtney suspected his palms were as moist as hers. Thinking back to what Dana had said about him not dating much, she thought this was probably harder for him than her. Together they would do this.

"What's the plan for tonight?" she asked as he backed out of the driveway.

"Well, I hope you don't find it corny, but I knew we'd have limited time. So, I…uh, packed a picnic and loaded a movie on my tablet. I figured we'd park someone on the ranch, eat, and watch a movie in the truck bed."

She chuckled, and regretted it when he blushed. "I think it's a cute idea."

"You do?" He glanced at her.

"I do. Much better than sitting in a theater. At least we can talk and get to know each other better."

A grin crossed his sexy face, but he was still quiet on the short ride to Carver Ranch. He turned down a private dirt road that was wooded with tall pine trees. A few minutes later, he parked his truck in a clearing where little lights of sun shone through.

"It's pretty here." She opened her door and climbed out.

"There are a few special places on the property."

"How many girls have you brought here?" She cocked her head as he pulled a comforter from the truck and placed it on the bed of the vehicle.

"None, to be honest."

"I find that hard to believe."

He rolled the blanket out. "I haven't dated much."

She sauntered up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. There was something so innocent about him that excited her, but also raised a red flag. She had no idea what to do with a sensitive man who wore his feelings on his sleeve. Now that she was alone with Braden, something stirred inside her. A need to find out more about him and why he was the way he was.

Maybe a sweet boy was what she needed. The complete opposite of her father, who never let any emotion show on his face.

He froze as she moved her hand up his neck and pulled him to her. The effect she had on him flattered her. Licking her lips, she lifted up on her toes and placed her mouth just inches from his as she stared into his eyes.

"Courtney," he whispered.

"Yes."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to kiss you."

With their gazes locked on each others, he asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

She brought her mouth to his, needing to see if the charge that seemed to pull between them would ignite the way she thought it would when they kissed. It did. Something rushed through her, giving her a primal need for more.

She thrust herself against him, holding both sides of his face. Braden groaned and wrapped his arms around her waist, snuggling her into him.

Oh my, if she'd know kissing him was going to be like this—so earth-shattering, world-stopping good—she wouldn't have resisted for so long. She had no idea the quiet cowboy would have this much effect on her.

She pulled back, breaking the connection. Braden's blue eyes were dark with need.

Clearing her throat, she said, "Sorry, I just wanted to get that out of the way."

Buy Links: Beachwalk Press

~About the Author~

Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.

Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

Author Links: Site        Twitter        Facebook

~Giveaway~

Lacey is giving away 3 eCopies of Counting Cowboys during her tour.

For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.

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.@Shades_of_Rose and @MarieMasonWrite presents He's So Fine

Genre: contemporary romance

Cage knew he was bad. Bad to the bone. A cheesy description, but one that fit the underground fighter perfectly. He loved to fight, he loved to f***. Despite his reputation, he tried to stay away from trouble. He usually succeeded. Until the day, trouble found him in the form of a curvy stepsister.

Abigail Snow was a good girl. Straight A student, attending college on a scholarship and… a virgin. When her stepbrother is invited to the Hamptons for a true family vacation, Abby knew she was in for a summer of heartache. He was big and strong with a cocky attitude… he was so fine.

But could he ever be hers?

~Excerpt~

I pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. My body was still hot, my thoughts still churning. Don’t ever believe that girls don’t think about sex as often as boys do. Or that we don’t like it as much. We’re just not as overt about it. Well, some girls were. Like Tiffany and Barbara Ann. They flaunted their bodies like lollipops—offering themselves up for a good lick.

Mean, I know, but true. And who’s not to say I might not act exactly like them if I had their rocking bodies. No, I don’t swing that way, but I was honest enough to acknowledge they were beautiful. On the outside at least. Despite the urban legends, not all girls experiment in college. I certainly had no intention. No, my fantasies revolved around a man like Cage.

My hand slipped down and I touched myself. I wasn’t surprised to find myself slick with need. I immediately zeroed in on my clit. Pressing my fingers inside my pussy didn’t do it for me. I think I was one of those women who couldn’t orgasm without some clitty stimulation. Preferably, with a man’s tongue. I’d never had a boy go down on me. But I wanted to. Oh, yeah, I wanted to I thought as I imagined Cage between my legs. I bet he knew exactly what to do. I could almost feel the broad stroke of his rough tongue as he licked me.

My breathing accelerated as my fingers rubbed harder. I didn’t even need to imagine Cage without his clothes to get off. In seconds, I was groaning low in my throat as my pussy spasmed. Withdrawing my hand from my pajama bottoms, I didn’t know how an orgasm with a man could be any better than that.

But, heaven help me, I wanted to find out.

Preferably with my stepbrother who was sleeping down the hall.

I buried my face in my pillow and thought about what a bad, bad girl I really was.

Buy Link: Amazon 

~About the Author~

Marie Mason has always known, somewhere deep in her soul, that being a writer was what she was born to be. Thanks to the new and exciting world of self-publishing, Marie was finally able to make her dream come true. Part two of the dream is to be a full-time writer, spending the wee hours of morning creating new and exciting characters for her readers. That part might take a little longer. If you’d like to contact her with a comment or suggestion, her email is mariemasonwriter@yahoo.com or you can find her on Facebook.

Author Links:  Facebook    Twitter   Goodreads    Amazon Author Page 

~Giveaway~

Marie is giving away a $15.00 Amazon GC during her tour. For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Return to a fairytale gone wrong: Favola #RB4U #MFRWauthor #RomFantasy

Favola (Fairytale)

New from Eirelander Publishing

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

In the town of Favola, a prince and a lovely girl imprisoned by her mother's jealousy find passion and love... but will it be enough to outsmart the machinations and fury that their devotion inspires in the beautiful Bella Venezia? An Italian fairytale is re-told for an adult audience....

Short Excerpt:

“Her name is Capricia,” someone informed him, and he turned to see an old man working next to him, arranging steaming pies and fresh fruit into appealing displays. He was smiling with affection and appreciation. Francesco turned away just in time to see the girl vanish into the throng of people.

“Where can I find her?” He was craning his neck, trying to catch sight of her again. Francesco grabbed the man’s arm and shook him. “Where?”

The old man laughed. “La Locanda di Pericoli Nascosti,” he replied with a knowing wink at the baker, who was watching the exchange. “She is the daughter of the woman who owns the place.”

“And where might I find this Inn of Hidden Dangers, old one?” Francesco’s question was curt, he was eager now to seek out the girl and see if she could be charmed into being his companion for the night. The old man’s gaze was shrewd, the heat of embarrassment warmed Francesco’s face, the other man had all but read his intentions.

“Be careful of her mother, boy,” was all the old man said. “End of the road there,” he added, crooked finger aimed in the general direction where the girl had disappeared. “It’s easily found.”

Puzzling over the old man’s vague warning, Francesco turned in the direction he’d been shown and continued. It took only minutes to discover the busy inn. He tied his horse to a rail, and went inside.

The common room was filled with travelers and local people. As he approached the counter, he saw the lovely woman who ran the place and stopped to listen as she spoke with a newly arrived patron.

“Tell me, signore,” she all but purred, leaning forward so the stranger could see the lush swells of her breasts, “have you seen a more beautiful woman than me?”

The man shook his head and swore he had never set eyes on anyone more beautiful than her, Bella Venezia. Satisfied, she told him he could have his room that night for half the usual price.

Francesco stepped forward, and once again she turned on her charm.

“Are you here for a room, signore, or merely to enjoy my company?”

Francesco smiled. She was a fine-looking woman, and it would have been very easy to be swept away by her ample charms, but another face haunted his heart now, and stirred his desires as no other woman had. Francesco had escaped his family for a time, tired of the endless parade of potential brides being brought before him. None had appealed to him, yet this stranger had captured his heart, and his imagination. He’d return home with the bride of his choosing, once he found her again.

“Your charm and beauty is undeniable, signora,” he replied smoothly. “But my heart has been stolen by one so fair I cannot live without her. Your own daughter, Capricia.”

When Bella’s eyes narrowed and she glared at him, Francesco knew he had made a grave error in allowing his heart to speak before he could think. He had been foolish enough to believe a mother would be pleased to have her daughter admired.

“Then you may pay twice the price for the privilege of admiring her, signore,” she informed him.

“Then I have still been granted a bargain, signora,” he assured her, resisting laughter at the anger seething in the woman’s eyes. Her striking face set into hard lines of resentment, and her eyes were glacial. He paid her and she told him what room was his for the night.

Francesco went to settle in and wait for nightfall. He did not plan on spending his time alone, not when the girl of his heart’s dreams was only a short distance away.

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