Star Keeper – NEW RELEASE!

Hello and welcome!

Excited to be part of the release day celebrations for one of my fave authors, Kate Reedwood who joined with Chris Heinicke to create the Legacy Hunter series.

BOOK 1

Queen Killer, book 1 was released in July 2017, and is available in ebook and print.

Stardrives.
Powerful, beautiful, bio-­‐mimetic energy in its purest form. A benevolent gift meant to launch humanity into a new age of space travel. They were the hope for the future. The key to the next stage in human discovery. But every gift has its price.

Nearly a thousand years after Earth took its place in the network of galactic commerce, the planet is depleted of resources and on the edge of collapse. Can stardrive technology bring the Earth back to life? Adventurer Axel Ryan is betting his life that it can. But there aren’t any stardrives left to be found on Earth, and ships capable of interstellar travel are hard to come by. His only choice is to enlist the aid of mercenary pirates to steal one. With the stakes high, and the future of Earth on the line, does it matter he’ll have to betray the love of his life?

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer has always been Element Cruz’s motto. And it couldn’t be more true with Axel Ryan. Drugged, abandoned, and her ship stolen, she’s more than ready to let the price on his head kill him. Except Axel holds the key to saving humanity. And if there’s one thing Ellie can’t refuse, it’s the chance to win.

Buy Links

AMAZON US • AMAZON CA • AMAZON UK • AMAZON AU • KOBO • iBOOKS • B&N • CHAPTERS/INDIGO • MONDADORI • ANGUS and ROBERTSON

Here is an excerpt…

What the hell had he done? No ship was worth this.
     “Warning, hull breach imminent.”
     “Escape pod. Now!” he shouted. Built for two, the women would be protected by the automatic defense system on board, while the pod sped them to the safety of the nearby Terran colony on Europa.
     “Oh God,” Rose said, panic clear in her voice as she checked Ellie over. “I think it’s her leg.”
      “I’ll bring her. Just go!” Axel picked up Ellie, ignoring the way she winced and screamed as her left foot banged his thigh, and hurried in the direction of the escape pod.
      Smoke was seeping in around the edges of the main door, making the red light of the emergency system a hazy mist. The sound of stressed metal reverberated throughout the room. As did the resonant hum of blasters being fired.
     “This is all your fault, you bastard!” Rose screamed at him, speaking aloud what Axel already knew to be true. It was his fault. All of it. The betrayal. The hurt. All of it.
     The pod door slid open with the touch of Rose’s hand. Her expression sparked with hatred as she pressed herself into the upright harness of the cylindrical tube and reached for her daughter. Axel helped Ellie into the other tether as he counted the seconds in his mind, willing the main door to hold just a heartbeat longer. One, two, three—
     Boom!
     The stressed metal exploded, breaching the room.
     “Axel!” Ellie screamed. She reached for him, her green eyes wide.
     “Only room for two,” he said and hit the release button.
     The capsule door slammed shut, separating the two women from his view. Then it was gone, disappeared down the launch tube.
     Safe.
     Axel gasped for breath in the thinning atmosphere of the room and raised his hands into the air.
     If there was one thing in life he found impossible to mistake, it was the cold hard steel of a blaster, pressed to the back of his head.

BOOK 2

Star Keeper, the second book in the series, is released today.

Axel Ryan is running for his life. Pursued by bounty hunters with a price on his head, he should disappear into the stars to hide and continue his search for Stardrives. But his soulmate, Element Cruz, has resurfaced and after spending the last six months searching for her with no luck, finding her again is worth gambling his life. She’s putting her own in danger by infiltrating an illegal slave auction where the Star Keeper of Endaria is being sold; a woman with empathic abilities, worth more credits then Axel can legally gather. It should be an easy mission. Crash the auction, save his girl, and fly off into the galaxy to live happily ever after together. But the universe has another destiny in store for Axel, one he’ll need to embrace to save them all, or die trying.

Buy Links

AMAZON US • AMAZON CA • AMAZON UK • AMAZON AU • KOBO • iBOOKS • B&N • CHAPTERS/INDIGO • MONDADORI • ANGUS and ROBERTSON

Here is an excerpt…

 “Ellie!” Axel screamed as he raced through the door on the left of the corridor he was in. Through a meter-­‐wide window, he saw the tired face of Element Cruz. Relief collided with panic and turned to rage. She was still alive, but for how long? And why the frell did she have a fist-­‐sized welt on her cheek? The mark was dark red and stark against her skin, swollen and painful.
     He ran up and touched the window, her face on the other side. “Who the frell hit you?” he yelled, not sure if Ellie could hear. When she stared at him blankly he shook his head and added, “I will get you out of there!” He could dole out justice to whoever had harmed her once he knew she was safe.
     She gestured at her comm where it hung useless and broken from the collar on her suit and put her hand up against the window too. She mouthed the words, “It’s a trap,” clearly enough for Axel to understand the lip movements. “Get out of here!”
     He glanced around the room he was in. Some kind of observation chamber, he guessed. But for what purpose, he had no idea. Shiloh had led a peculiar existence. The room itself was divided, a couch and table on this side with a glass partition separating him from the other where Ellie and Iris and Shiznit were held captive.
     Iris had escaped her own bindings and was working on undoing Shiznit’s restraints with her fingers. Ellie banged her fists against the glass. “Leave!” she screamed.
     Axel ignored her and tried the cell’s door, first with a tug on the handle, then with his blaster, but the laser fire bounced off the glass without doing any discernable damage.
     Axel turned back to Ellie, so close to him but separated by safety glass that would take more fire power than he could muster right now to break. She may as well be on the other side of the galaxy.
     But he refused to give up and let her and the others die. Darius wasn’t going to win.
     The charges. Where were they? A blinking light caught his eye by the edge of the cell window. Rectangular and about the size of his palm, the explosive charge had been attached to the wall. One of several, in fact, he realized.
     He moved to the charges and studied them. He was no expert, but the arrangement seemed simple enough. Square casing. Couple wires. Blinking red light, the flashes increasing in speed. A countdown in progress? Shit.
     The others banged on the window. Axel glanced at them but ignored their frantic expressions and pleas for him to leave. He needed to focus on diffusing the situation.
     “Who am I kidding, I’ve never done this shit,” he said out loud. He did know the red digital display was just that, a display, but that there was some type of timer inside that was counting down to zero. The nearest charge had been placed at his height, and he knew that the first thing he should do was try to pull one of the wires out to disrupt the circuit. But which one? Black or red? And if he picked wrong, would it instantly detonate and set off the others?
      Sweat poured from his brow like a slow dripping tap, and he quickly wiped it with the back of his hand.
      He could stand here and wait, or he could take a chance and act. The others were shrieking frantically, banging on the glass. The right wire would save them. They were dead for certain if he stood here letting time run out. Fifty-­‐fifty chance. Life or death? Red or black? Which future did fortune favor?
     He chose black.
      Pulling with all his strength, he broke the wire free of the charge with a snap. The blinking stopped and became a solid red light, glaring at him with its brightness. A high-­‐pitched whine filled the room.
     “Oh shit.” I’m so sorry, he thought. “Ellie! Get back!”

Dark Horizon, book 3 is scheduled for release on March 29, 2018. Further books in the series are pending.

Check out the series on website, sign up for the newsletter, join the Legacy Hunter Guild Facebook Fan Page.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kate Reedwood, also know as Felicity Kates, is a mild‐mannered manager by day. At night, she trades in her high heels for bunny slippers and lets her imagination run wild. A trained artist and writer, Kate enjoys writing stories that combine humor with strong characters who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go get it. Every story is an emotional journey where the characters must struggle to find their happily ever after. But they do always reach it in the end, no matter the time or place in the universe. She lives off of coffee and dreams and enjoys going for walks along the shores of Lake Ontario, taking pictures of whatever catches her eye. A romantic at heart, she loves to snuggle under a blanket with a good book to warm up the cold Canadian winters. When not dreaming up new worlds and books to write with Australian author Chris Heinicke, she can most often be found enjoying the quiet company of her husband and son.

Although working as a baker for many years, writing has been a passion for Chris Heinicke for some time, starting in high school and reigniting again in 2006, when he first got the inspiration to begin writing ‘The Man In Black.’ After completing that project eight years later, he took part in NaNoWriMo in November 2014, culminating into a project named 5PM. Deciding to self‐publish, 5PM came out in February 2015, and then The Man In Black in August. 2016 saw the release of 7PM, and in that same year, his writing path met with that of Canadian author Kate Reedwood. A mutual respect of each other’s work ignited an interest in working together, creating the Legacy Hunter series, the first of which to come out in July 2017. Apart from writing, Chris enjoys travelling, reading, watching movies and all things geeky. He resides in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia with his wife and three children.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Bday Surprise!

As I trudge down the walkway towards my workplace, I reflect on how this is supposed to be my birthday. No one should have to go to work on the anniversary of the day they were born. It should be declared a national holiday for at least one, right? No such luck. Well, there is no help for it; bills need to be paid, so in I go.

Halfway into the building it begins to sleet and I race the last few steps towards the entrance of the building before I get wet. As I close the door behind me, I lean back against it and give a sigh of relief. I made it before any harm was done. It seems this is not going to be my day. I can only imagine the workload that is waiting for me. It is then that I notice that a puddle of water surrounds the cubicle that I call my office. I want to cry. There is water raining down from the ceiling, onto my chair and the floor that surrounds it. Luckily, that does not include my computer, or the tasks that were piled up beside it for me to do. Those things are safe, which means I will be able to work, but from where?

“Eniko,” my boss’ assistant waves to me from the other end of the building to catch my attention.

I frown, but say nothing, as I have found it is something safer that way. I might be feeling borderline schizoid today, but I am not quite ready to blow quite yet. I walk to where she is standing, and she smiles nervously at me, as she points to the door of an actual office that no one ever uses.

“You will be working in here today because of the water problem over your work area.”

What else can go wrong is the first question I ask myself. Well, maybe out of sight will mean out of mind will play a factor with the staff and I will actually get some work done. I am about to find out. I open the door ever so slightly, poke my head into the room, and do a double take. The room is partially hidden by a screen of flowering vines that strikes a memory in me of another place and time. There is soft music flowing through the air, and the scent of pine mixed with that of the exotic flowers. I grin and wonder if anyone else knows about this. I check, looking from one side to another. No one is watching to see what I am doing, or for a reaction from me. They are more concerned with the leak in the ceiling where I would normally work.

I walk up to the flowers and close my eyes in ecstasy as I take a deep breath in to catch their fragrance. It is heavily mixed with pine, but the sense that I have smelled them before lingers in my mind. Ah yes! Star Flowers! Remember where I smelled them before? Check it out here.

I stand straight, remove my coat and stop short, as someone from behind me covers my eyes with a hand. I gasp loudly, as I am pressed back against a chest that feels like marble. My coat falls from my fingers, as a soft baritone voice flows through my mind, and the touch of breath tickles my ear.

“You must not peek, my lady, or you will ruin your birthday surprise.”

I feel suddenly giddy, as I wonder who could have arranged this so neatly, and for some reason I am not at all frightened. I can tell this person will not hurt me. I smile as he guides me around the wall that hid the rest of the room, and I get the impression we are not alone. We come to a stop, and he once again whispers against my ear. “Brace yourself, it will seem very bright in the room at first. You will take a few moments to get used to the difference. If you feel you need extra support, know I am here for you. All you need to do is say something and I will come to your aid.”

“It may be for the best if you don’t go too far,” I agreed.

The man takes his hands away from my eyes and, he is right, I am momentarily blinded by the sunlight in the room as it shines brightly through the windows. There is only forest out there though; again I can only wonder how that happened. I turn to ask, but the words die on my lips as I take in the scene before me. The walls are a light blue marble, the furniture rich and so comfortable looking. There are potted plants everywhere, looking like they were place indiscriminately around, yet they belonged where they sat. I look further and there is a man reclining on a couch in an alcove, as he watches me. Then he smiles widely as if inviting me closer.

“Welcome Eniko, and Happy Birthday. We were told from a reliable source that this is a very special day for you,” the man on the couch addresses me. Something tells me he isn’t what he appears to be. He has done something to disguise his body, but not by much.

His hair is blond, his eyes a greyish blue, his chest… Oh yes, his chest… it is naked to the eyes, and I feast upon it. He is wearing trousers and a cape that is clamped at his throat with a jewelled catch. His arms are decorated with golden cuffs, decorated in Elven scroll. That is what I am sensing about him, he is an Elf, but his ears are missing their points. I wonder why.

“Come sit with me, my name is Alexyndhe, and I will remove the glamour I placed on my ears, so you know what is real, and what is not.” He spoke.

Within moments the points appear on his ears, and I find myself drawn to him. I sit on the couch beside him and reach out to touch the edges of his ears. “They are real,” I breathe out in awe.

I look at Alexyndhe and his eyes are closed, even as his lips are parted as if in ecstasy. He sighs softly as I remove my hand and his voice rumbles with passion as he makes his objection known. “Don’t stop, your touch is like the softest of silk. It is sweet, and my soul yearns for more of the same.”

The second Elf comes laden with glasses and a carafe filled with wine, and then places it all on a small table before us. His voice is smooth and warm , “My name is Cyran. Is there anything else we can do for you on this day?”

“Anything?” I can hear a slight squeak in my voice, and it has a wobble to it that doesn’t belong to me. Cyran is slightly darker than the first, his eyes are green, and his dark hair flows over his shoulders in silken sheaths. I feel a need to touch it, to feel the texture run over my fingers.

As my hand reaches for him, he steps closer, and my fingers come into contact with the skin on his chest. He feels like he is made of marble, just as I thought Alexyndhe’s chest was when I saw it. I look back at the light Elf and he takes my second hand into his, to place it upon his chest, as he smiles gently and speaks in a quiet manner. “On this day, anything you want can be yours.”

“Anything?” My voice quivers, and it sounds breathless even to me as I repeat the word in a questing manner.

“Anything,” Cyran confirms. “We are at your command, and your wish is our desire.”

Am I glad I went to work today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t ask what happened next, because I don’t kiss and tell. Besides… I know you have good imaginations and you know me 😉

My many thanks to the reliable source, you know me too well XOXO

Can you guess who was the reliable source? Tell me in the comments and you are entered to win a $5 Amazon GC, my gift to you. Sexy Mr. Random will let me know who wins after 3pm EST on Sunday, November 26, 2017.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Michael

Hello and welcome!

Today my guest is somebody I met recently and oh boy did he leave an impression.

Please welcome Michael!

What is your full name?
Michael Zorn. Come to think of it, my parents never gave me a middle name. he chuckles I guess I was destined from the start to appreciate efficiency.

Do you have a nickname?
My younger brothers Eli and Nick have tried to give me certain nicknames over the years.  he clears his throat Most of them have started with the word, “ass.” You know, asshole, asswipe, that sort of thing.
What are brothers for, right? LOL

What is one word best describes you?
Focused. *grins* I like to give all my projects my, um, undivided attention.

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
Pretty much what I wear most days. Faded jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and my favorite Timberland work boots. Does my tool belt count? My girlfriend Emily says it’s the sexiest thing in my wardrobe but I’m still trying to figure that one out.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
Michael frowns I think Ms. Leo spent too much time talking about my muscles. Emily told me that’s the best part of the book. Personally, I think the author should have spent more time talking about our tile installation in Emily’s kitchen. Did you see the placement of the grout? Those lines were pristine. I would have dedicated a whole chapter to that grout.
I can barely hold my grin back I think Ms. Leo did it right, muscles are yum, grout not so much I wink

What makes you laugh out loud?
Two words: Property Brothers. I hate that show.

What is your favourite dessert?
Oh, man. Emily is known for her soups but she’s got a talent with sweets as well. She makes these Nanaimo bars that are so delicious my eyes roll back in my head just thinking of them. he has this dreamy smile… sigh One of these days, I might just ask her to wear that chocolate for me.

What is your favourite drink?
I’m a man of simple tastes. Give me a cold beer on a hot day and I’m happy.

What is your greatest fear?
A shadow crosses Michael’s face Since you read A Good Man, you know about the incident I was involved in last year. It was a bad moment in my life and it’s taken me a long time to deal with my feelings. Luckily, because of Emily, I can now. What happened that day … well, let’s just say my greatest fear would be something like that happening to Em. I don’t think I’d ever recover from that.

What is your favourite colour?
Michael’s eyebrow arches Eniko, do I look like the sort of man who has a favorite color?
I arch my eyebrow at him I have to pick one? Okay, green. Em’s eyes are green.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?
And again, I ask, Eniko, do I look like the sort of man who wears anything to bed? winks
I had to ask, readers want to know this kind of stuff 😀

What is the perfect romantic date?
I’m not much of a fine dining kind of guy. The best day I ever had with Emily was a day she planned at the Toronto Islands. We went on the ferry boat, toured the islands on a tandem bike and ate burgers. It was an awesome day and it ended in the best possible way, with her in my bed.
Oh I haven’t been there in more than 20 years, I should plan a visit with my son next summer.

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
I’m not telling. No, seriously, Eniko. Back up. Put that finger away! Do not tickle me under my arm! Do not. manly giggles as I tickle him Stop, woman. Please, you’re killing me. Oh, my God. Do you want to see a grown man cry?
OK OK I’ll stop, just don’t cry 😛

What’s your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
Emily makes this one soup that is so delicious. It’s her Spicy Thai Soup. She served it to me when we were, um, just starting to flirt with each other. It smelled so good, full of lime and lemongrass. Every time I smell it now, I think of that night and how we almost kissed.

When you look at a woman what catches your interest?
I know it might sound dumb but I think I fell a little bit in love with Em even before I met her. We had been trading emails about her appearance on Handymen. Her enthusiasm and warmth just made me feel so good and so happy. Don’t get me wrong. I love a curvy figure as much as the next guy but if there’s no substance behind it, I lose interest.

I know what it is since I already read the book, but can you elaborate more on Handymen for our readers?
Well, that’s the DIY TV show that I host with my two brothers on the Inspiration Network. We help families realize their home renovation dreams. Emily was one of our guests, her and her douchebag fiancé. Sorry… did I say that out loud? What I meant to say was … never mind. I meant “douchebag.”
You can say it, and yes he was… what an ass…

Do you have somebody in your life now?
Bashful smile I guess I’ve mentioned Emily a lot, huh? She’s awesome. I love her. We’re getting married, you know? She said, “yes.” I’m the luckiest man in the world.
I heard and congrats to both of you!

What is one word that best describes her?
Persistent. I love that about her. She never gave up on me, even when I pushed her away. Oh, and she has the best smile. It lights up a room.  he laughs I guess that’s way more than one word, huh?

Is your book part of a series? What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
You bet! My book, A Good Man, is book 1 of the Handymen series. From what I understand, Ms. Rosanna Leo has been snooping around my brother Eli lately. I hear she has some adventures in store for him. Oh, and you know we can’t leave our youngest brother Nick out of the fun. I can’t wait to see him get what’s coming to him! And I hear there might even be a surprise hero in this series. I guess you’ll all just have to read and follow Ms. Leo for details! I won’t give her secrets away … not even if you tickle me.
No more tickling, crying men are just not something I can handle LOL I am looking forward to reading their stories too and I hope we get news on you two also.

Thank you Michael for taking the time to chat with me, sending hugs to Em!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for joining us today and I hope you enjoyed the chat.

As Michael mentioned, he hails from A Good Man, book 1 of Handymen series by one of my fave authors, Rosanna Leo.

Today is release day! Congrats Ms. Leo!!!

Not only is Michael a star on a successful home improvement show, he’s also seen as a local hero. But no one knows about the demons he carries inside him ever since the day he risked his life to save others. All the accolades and honors only make the memories stronger and the pain unbearable. He would do anything to be able to forget, to put his past behind him and move on. Michael takes on a new home improvement project, convinced it’s the perfect distraction. Little did he know that Emily, the woman who’s supposed to be nothing more than a client, would turn out to be a huge distraction…and engaged. While Emily battles with her own personal problems, Michael is determined to keep his distance. The last thing he needs is woman trouble. But when it becomes clear that the attraction is mutual, he realizes staying away from her is not an option. Now Michael needs to decide if he’s willing to risk exposing his weakness, and his heart…by giving in to temptation.

Here is a taste… and you will see why it was so easy to fall in love with him 😉

“Come with me. I want to show you something.”
“Sounds mysterious.”
“I will admit I was keeping this a secret, but I’ve made an executive decision to break with Handymen tradition.”
“What will Lacey think?”
“Let’s not go there.” He brought her upstairs, to the room that used to be the master bedroom, the one where several crew members stowed their belongings most days. Michael opened the door. At the far end of the empty room sat a large object, covered in a long tarp. “I’ve been working on something for you.”
“You mean other than renovating my house?”
He grinned. “Remember those old family photos Lacey borrowed from you?”
“Yeah. She said they wanted to include a montage of old pictures in the show introduction.”
“That might have been a slight fabrication. I just needed a way to get some photos from you. Anyway, I was saving this for the big reveal, but I think I want to show you now.” He grabbed the edge of the tarp and pulled, revealing the object hidden beneath it.

It was an old wooden ladder, one he’d found months ago at a salvage yard. He’d decided to repurpose it, turning it into a set of frames for the old photos they’d borrowed. Faces now smiled out from the six gaps between the rungs. Nonna Olivia hugging two blond children, Emily and her brother. Nonna Olivia and her husband on their wedding day. Six photos in total, all part of the heritage Emily so treasured. He hoped she’d like the rustic look of the ladder. Rather than sanding and painting it, he’d left it rough and worn, so that it looked as if it might have been sitting in Nonna Olivia’s toolshed, just waiting to be used. All Michael had done was affix the appropriate hooks and backings and had blown all the photos up to sizes that would fit the spaces.
Emily gazed upon her grandmother’s face. Her chest heaved. She blinked once, then twice. All at once, big, fat tears began to roll down her cheeks. “Michael, it’s…”
“I hope you don’t mind I used the photos. I thought it might be nice for you to have mementos of your grandmother in the finished store.”
“Oh.” Her hand covered her mouth but it shook so much she was unsuccessful at covering her open mouth.
“I hope you like it. You’ve had a shitty week and I thought you could use a pick-me-up. I was supposed to keep quiet about it, so maybe you could keep it under your hat until—”
Emily threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around his torso, cutting off his words and his breath. Only when he hugged her back did he realize how hard she was quivering.
She wasn’t just crying about the old photos.
“It’s okay, Em. Let it out, sweetheart.”
The collar of his shirt grew wet but he didn’t care. Wardrobe had tons of shirts. Besides, she felt good in his arms, all soft and warm. He rubbed her shoulders and the back of her waist, exploring and familiarizing himself with her luscious body. He breathed, drinking in her scent. His nasal cavities had never known such bliss. It was like that first clear breath after a long period of congestion. His fingers were pretty happy too, enjoying the give of her womanly body. It was all he could do not to slide them down, cup her sweet ass, and pull her up against him.
Just not while she was crying over another man.
She lingered in his arms and he did nothing to push her away. In fact, it surprised him how badly he wanted to keep her there, so much so that when Emily finally extricated herself, he wanted to pull her back into his embrace. Instead, he wiped her cheeks of the remaining tears.
“The makeup ladies are going to kill me for making you cry.”
It might have been his imagination, but her tears made her eyes appear even greener. In fact, her entire face seemed a riot of tempting color. Each shade called to him. The crushed roses in her cheeks. Her strawberry lips, so plump and moist. Even the doeskin brown of her freckles fascinated him to no end. He wanted to count them, to kiss and mark them all.
Kissing her made a whole lot of sense right now. Kissing her senseless seemed even better.

Emily’s eyes widened. Her lips parted in invitation. Michael paused, knowing it was wrong, even though every raised hair on his arms told him it was right.
As he debated with himself for a split second, she brushed her lips against his. It was quick and soft, hunger masquerading as something platonic. Even though a spectator might have called it a friendly kiss, he knew the truth. As brief as it may have been, he felt her yield to him, even if just a little.
From the startled look in her eye, Emily knew it too.
She took a step back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“You’re right. I should have been the one to do it.” Michael licked his lips. “Your lips really do taste like strawberries.”
“Michael, I can’t.”
“I think you just did.”
“You know what I mean.” She waved her hand between their two torsos. “This. I can’t do this.”
“What? Point at my chest?”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Maybe a little. Listen, Em, I understand. As unexpected as that kiss was, as much as I want to taste your lips again, I know it’s too soon.”
“It’s too much, too soon.”
He reached for her hand. “I get it. It’s okay.”
“Thank you.”
“But that doesn’t mean I won’t be spending all my waking hours waiting for the moment I can make it happen again.”
“Michael.”
“Don’t worry. I’d never force the matter. Besides, I enjoyed having you thrust yourself at me.”
“Are you ever going to let me live it down?”
“Not in this century, sweetheart.”

My review:
5-stars
Heartfelt and realistic, this story is compelling in many ways. It deals with heartbreak, loss, consequences to actions in life, but most of all… HOPE… that it will be ok and also LOVE… a powerful force that can conquer and heal.
It is hard not to fall in love with Michael, strong yet vulnerable, humble and loyal, protective to the core. No wonder Emily falls for him, and she is a strong woman, loyal, warm. Ms. Leo made a perfect match, he helps heal her broken heart, she helps heal his spirit.
I am looking forward to the next stories, especially Eli’s, who caught my attention in this book.

I hope you give this book a chance, I promise, you will enjoy it. I can’t wait to add the paperback to my treasure shelf, check out that cover 😉

Buy links: Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon UK • Amazon AU

Check out Ms. Leo’s other books and keep up to date by clicking on the icons below

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

And if you missed my chat with Ms. Leo or with my book boyfriends from her worlds, check them out by clicking on the links below…

My Chat with Rosanna Leo

My Chat with Anton

My Chat with Patrick

My Chat with Calan and Machar

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Charlie!

Hello and welcome!

OOOOH you are going to looove my guest today!

I met him recently and oh boy he took me on some really naughty adventures.

Please welcome Charlie!

What is your full name?
Charles Edward Handcock

Do you have a nickname?
Charlie

What is one word that best describes you?
Awesome? But that can come across as a little cocky… So how about tenacious?

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
My airline uniform. I know… Boring, but it’s true. Gotta make a living. I’m just about to board a flight to L.A.
A pilot uniform? Boring? I think not YUM

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
For the most part, yes. At times, she may have gone overboard with feelings, especially in the most recent book, which she plans to publish at the end of October or early November. Sure, shit really hit the fan for me, and I reached a new low, but… Whatever. I was a bit out of it. Maybe she wasn’t too far off, but I’m not too pleased with the way she described it all.

What makes you laugh out loud?
Bloopers. I always watch movies all the way to the end of the credits, just in case directors decided to include bloopers. There’s something about top-notch actors messing up, then laughing at themselves.

What is your favourite dessert?
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Whiskey or great sex would be my answer.

What is your favourite drink?
I’m not a picky drinker. I’ll drink what people give me, but if I’m celebrating something important, I’ll have Irish Whiskey, Knappogue Castle if I can find it.

What is your greatest fear?
I can’t say that I have one that rules my life. Like most people, I’m not a big fan of public speaking, and dying isn’t something I’m looking forward to, but I’m not “afraid” of those things. I’ll go with animals that could kill me, like bears or poisonous snakes.

What is your favourite colour?
I’ve never really settled on one. When I was a kid, I loved red. Then I went through a blue phase. Now, I’d have to say the variety of colors in my mysterious stewardess’s eyes. I can’t give it a name, unfortunately, but the color of her irises is my answer.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?
Nothing. I like to sleep naked.

What is the perfect romantic date?
I’m not picky. There’s nothing wrong with dinner and a movie, as long as it’s followed by a long love-making session.

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
Can’t say that I am.

What’s your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
I can think of several smells I really like. One particular woman’s arousal scent comes to mind (the one I met in Spain), but you’re probably asking for something else. Let me think… Apple pie? My late mother used to bake it. Freshly baked apple pie reminds me of her.

When you look at a woman what catches your interest?
Depends on which way she’s facing. I’m an ass guy mostly, but her face is important. Her eyes need to tell a story. I need to see there’s life and something worth discovering behind her expression.

Do you have somebody in your life now?
Yes. I’ve met not one but two incredible women, but we’re still getting to know one another. I want them to become a much more significant part of my life. So much so in fact that I’ve started taking French lessons, and I’ve significantly altered my lifestyle so I can make more time for both of them. The recent self-discoveries I made while in Spain affected me more than I thought possible.

What is one word that best describes her?
As I said, I’ve got two women, and I don’t want to ruin my story if you share this interview with people who haven’t read it yet, so I’ll be a little vague here.

The one I’ve been obsessed with the longest: mesmerizing.

The new one? I can’t just use one word. I have to go with these words: gorgeous and incredibly talented.

Is your book part of a series? What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
Yes, The Stewardess’s Diary is an episodic novel, which contains ten parts, but the story doesn’t end there. At least I hope not! The author is giving me carte blanche, but I recently came across not one but two new diaries. The stuff my special ladies wrote in there… you wouldn’t believe it! Let’s just say that I’m ready to move heaven and earth to create the happy ending my ladies and I deserve.

Thank you so much Charlie for joining me today and looking forward to new adventures. Safe flight and blue skies!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for joining us, hope you enjoyed the chat.

As Charlie mentioned he hails from The Stewardess’s Diary by S. M. Pratt. This is a serial, which usually I avoid getting into, but the story intrigued me when I discovered the second instalment in an Freeboksy email. This are not your usual serial, each story can stand on its own and can be read out of order. Since I like things in order I had to go back and get the 1st one too…

He never expected a lost diary to unlock a world of adventure, mystery… and lust.

Charlie wasn’t prepared for a journey like this. The airline pilot opens his briefcase to find a beautiful leather-bound notebook: a diary. Inside its intricate pages, he discovers a captivating series of erotic encounters that progress from naive to reckless to ravenously sexy.

Charlie reads the diary from cover to cover much more than a few times. His obsession leads to a question: How can he possibly find this incredible stewardess? As Charlie crisscrosses the globe in his search, he finds his own opportunities to expand his sexual experiences. But can he ever find the one woman who sets his appetite on fire?

The Stewardess’s Diary is a steamy novel written in episodes.

… then I found the box set for the first 5 books and the box set for the next 5 books.

To learn about all the books and keep in touch with Ms. Pratt, check out the links below and if you chat with her, say hello from me 😉

Website • Facebook • GoodReads • Twitter • Amazon • iBooks

If you like smoking-hot voyeurism, innovative storytelling, and sensual scenes, you can claim the first three books by clicking on this link which is also a sign up to Ms. Pratt’s Reader Group newsletter. She writes very entertaining newsletters 😀

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Midnight of the Fae, book 2 in Tangere Tales

Hello and welcome!

Today I would like to give you my impressions of the book I just finished today, an adult twist on my fave fairy tale from one of my fave authors, Heather Rainier.

After discovering an odd little canine while exploring a cave, Caresse stumbles into a world where fae magic and shape shifters are commonplace. She even has her very own distractingly handsome faery bodyguard.

On notice that the queen will pick a bride for him if he won’t cooperate with her plans to become a grandmother, Prince Sebastien wants nothing to do with any of the debutantes his mother keeps pushing at him.

Sebastien’s fae cousin Leandre has a bombshell of a secret. Her name is Caresse, he’s her faery bodyguard, and he loves her even though she’s meant for Sebastien.

Caresse is unaware that she hasn’t just stumbled into the mystical Southern Kingdom of Tangere, she’s actually returned home.

A powerful bond develops between the three of them as she comes into her own unique powers, jeopardizing the plans of an old, malevolent enemy.

5 stars

Cinderella is my fave fairy tale I grew up with and this version is my fave so far.
Yes, it is an adult version, even better. I devoured it in one morning and it left me with a feel-good satisfied mood. Ms. Rainier sure knows how to twist a tale and make it fun AND sexy.
Had quite a few giggles at the acronyms both Caresse and Leandre came up for him and her nickname for one of his Tangere forms, Doop-Doop, cracked me up.
Happy that Caresse returned home and found her HEA she deserved and not with one, but two princes. Loved Leandre’s playful manner which complemented Sebastian’s more reserved intense nature.
I liked that the step sisters in this versions were not as bad as in the original fairytale, but the step mother sure was evil. Again Selena makes quite an appearance and she is mischievous in a good way, but dangerous when crossed.
Now I can’t wait for the next story.

Available now at Bookstrand.

And if you missed My Chat with Bestiale and Charmeur check it out. They are the princes in book 1 of the Tangere Tales, Beasts in Winter. Read my 5-star review here.

Looking forward to the next story, Dance of the Dragon Sorceress, coming December 1, 2017.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Phoenix

Hello and welcome!

My guest today is a firecracker I met recently, she is petite, but don’t get on her bad side. She doesn’t take any BS from any overbearing men LOL love her for it.

Welcome! Welcome!

What is your full name?
Phoenix Grace McKay. Ooops, Phoenix Grace Valenti. I forgot I’m married now.

Do you have a nickname?
Yes, Phe.

What is one word best describes you?
Definitely outgoing.

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
My favorite pink Barbie shirt, black skirt, and hot pink heels.
Those are gorgeous, let me take a picture.

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
I think Nicole Garcia did an absolute PHE-nomenal job describing me to a T. She gets me.

What makes you laugh out loud?
My best friends Gio and Josh. Although, most of the laughs are at my poor husband Nico’s expense. But, we’re family so it’s all in good fun.

What is your favourite dessert?
Butter pecan ice cream. Or fresh fruit.

What is your favourite drink?
Orange juice.

What is your greatest fear?
Being alone.

What is your favourite colour?
Pink of course.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?
Nico’s old college t-shirt from like a billion years ago. Don’t tell him I said that.

What is the perfect romantic date?
Nico and I have had many of these. I love when it’s just the two of us snuggling on the couch watching horror movies for hours.

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
I’m very ticklish, everywhere. My stomach, my feet. Nico loves to torture me by holding me down and tickling my neck with his beard.

What’s your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
I love the smell of Nico’s cologne. It doesn’t really remind me of anything, it just makes me tingle all over.

When you look at a man what catches your interest?
His hands. I love a man with big strong hands.
Me too…. soft, limp hands UGH shudder

Do you have somebody in your life now?
Boy, do I ever. My house is always full of people. Besides my amazing husband Nico, I have three beautiful children; Domenico Jr., Bella, and Apollonia Grace. Triplets sure keep you busy. Then there’s Gio, Josh, and my ex- bodyguard Derrick who is also a permanent part of our family.

What is one word best describes him?
What one word describes Nico? I have to say loving. That big grizzly bear of a man may seem hard on the outside, but he’s all soft and gooey on the inside. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know.

Is your book part of a series? What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
Yes! There are going to be four more books in my series and Nicole also tells me there will be a spin-off series as well. Though she won’t tell me who it will be about. Hmm, maybe she knows I have a big mouth and will wind up telling everyone. I’m not a very good secret keeper. Unless I have been sworn to secrecy.

What I can tell you about the Decadent series is we will get to meet Gio and Raven, Raven’s best friend Mercedes, one of Gio’s friends Rafael, and I really hope Derrick will finally give in to Josh’s advances because we all know there is a definite chemistry there.

Oh I am so excited, I was hoping will get to see Gio find his HEA, also Josh gets Derrick. Now that is a yummy picture LOL

Thank you Phe for spending time with me, hugs to the triplets and say hello to the guys.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for joining us and I hope you enjoyed our chat.

Phe is the my book GF from Decadent Dreams by Nicole Garcia. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it, a 5-star story. Read my review here. Great story, a mix of sweet, suspense, LOL moments and hot scenes. Loved the overall feeling this book left me with, content.

Nico

My dreams haunt me. I feel as if I am falling into a pit of impending doom, but even that has not prepared me for the roller-coaster of emotions that flood over me when I’m near Phoenix. I have to keep my distance from her. I need to. It’s the only thing I can do to keep from getting hurt again. Staying away from her proves to be a much harder task than I could have ever imagined. She’s not only my assistant, but she’s half my age. She gets under my skin and irritates the shit out of me, yet one smile, one laugh, and I’m melting into a puddle at her feet. Falling in love with her is a bad idea, a very bad idea, because she just may be the one person who breaks my heart for good this time.

Phoenix

Nico is my boss. He’s demanding, bitter, brooding, and a downright bully at times. But, all that doesn’t deter me from him at all. I can see the kindness and compassion in his eyes. I know the secret he’s keeping from everyone and why he’s so guarded with his heart. I don’t care about his secret, nor do I care that he’s twice my age. What matters is the undeniable attraction we feel for each other. If only he can just let go of the past and see what’s right in front of him.

Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for those under the age of 18.

To learn about all the books and keep in touch with Ms. Garcia, check out the links below and if you chat with her, say hello from me 😉

newsletter • Facebook • Twitter • Amazon • Goodreads

A new release is coming on November 30, 2017 that I am looking forward to called  Delivered Through the Storm. Check it out!

One lucky reader will receive an ebook or audiobook (winner’s choice) of Decadent Dreams, courtesy of Ms. Garcia. Sexy Mr. Random will pick a winner from the comments after 3pm EST on Monday, November 13, 2017. GOOD LUCK!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

To Wolf Lady

I am writing these words with tears in my eyes. The world lost a bright light today, my friend, Fran, who we lovingly called Wolf Lady went to join her loved ones in the Myst. Sending hugs and my deepest sympathy to her family. I know there are no words to lessen the pain, but know that time will help. Celebrate her life and she will live on in your hearts as she will in mine.

Met her on-line close to 8 years ago and became friends fast, we had that connection that we are rarely lucky to feel. We shared a love of books, she embraced new authors as I did and was one of my biggest supporter of this blog, old and current one. I was so happy when Sexy Mr. Random picked her name for the winner or see her happy face when I surprised her with a small packet from time to time, sharing my book signing bounty.

We chatted by email, on-line, on PM and Skype and made me laugh with her unusual way of writing typos, I dubbed ‘Fran-speak’. We shared happy moments and the not-so-happy ones too. We talked about meeting face-to-face and kept saying one day soon, but life got in the way… and now the only choice left is to ‘meet’ one day in the Myst.

I light a candle and remember her bright light. You will be missed Wolf Lady!!

My Chat with Dax

Hello and welcome!

Today I have a delicious man in uniform I met a few weeks ago. Not HAVE-have, I meant here… for a chat… I wish sigh

Please welcome Dax!
Thank you Susan! You are brilliant, but you should have warned a gal you know? He is sooo gorgeous… no wonder Mac was dumbstruck at first sight LOL

AHEM I clear my throat and try to gather my runaway thoughts and I see him smile as if he knows the reaction he caused.

What is your full name?
Daxton Chambers

Do you have a nickname?
Dax

What is one word that best describes you?
Patient

Describe what you are wearing now to our readers.
looks down at self Jeans. Black T-shirt. And if you must know… boxers Mack bought for me with a moose on them.
cheeky isn’t he? 😀

Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
She did a pretty good job, although I love how she nailed Mack’s personality and her tendency to ramble.
Yes, she made me like Mack a lot and laugh too.

What makes you laugh out loud?
Mackenzie. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, or what kind of mood I’m in…my Mackenzie can always make me laugh with her rambling ways.

What is your favourite dessert?
Double chocolate brownies
Oh Brownies are among my faves too… so yummy… I got a friend to make some, because I am hopeless at baking, but love to eat them

source

What is your favourite drink?
Lone Star Beer

What is your greatest fear?
Not being there for Mackenzie. I don’t worry about myself, necessarily, when I’m on duty, but I worry about what it would do to her if something happened to me.

What is your favourite colour?
Brown.

What do you wear when you go to sleep?
he grins Do you really want me to answer that? I think the fact that I’ve got a beautiful sensual woman sleeping next to me every night can tell you what I wear.

What is the perfect romantic date?
he rolls his eyes I’m not romantic. At all. But for Mackenzie I’ve learned to make the effort because she is a die-hard romantic. The other night I bought three dresses for Mackenzie to choose from. Left them on her bed and told her when I’d pick her up. I didn’t tell her where we were going. I wore my Ranger uniform, because she loves me in it, and we went out to a special spot my buddy Conor Paxton told me about. He’s a Game Warden and knows all the good hidey holes. We had a picnic and we danced to the song that was playing on the radio on our first date.
If that isn’t romantic, I don’t know what is… sigh

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
I’m not ticklish, and it drives Mackenzie crazy that I’m not.

What’s your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
he gives me a naughty grin chocolate and whip cream…and I plead the fifth on what it reminds me of.
I am sure we can use our imagination for that… right ladies?

When you look at a woman what catches your interest?
One of the things that attracted me to Mackenzie was her honesty. And the way she says whatever she’s thinking. In my line of work I usually have to dig and dig and dig to get at the truth, but with Mack, I know exactly what she’s thinking at all times. It’s refreshing and I like the fact she doesn’t play games. If she’s mad at me for something, she tells me straight out. It’s refreshing and I couldn’t imagine ever being in love with someone who hides stuff from me. Hell, I couldn’t imagine being in love with anyone other than Mackenzie.

Do you have somebody in your life now?
As I think you probably know by now…yes. Mackenzie.

What is one word best describes her?
his smile is warm Refreshing.

Is your book part of a series? What does the future hold for the readers of the series?
Yes. I was first. You know that saying, “save the best for last?” It’s bullcrap. he laughs Susan wrote the best story first, mine. I heard that she was just going to write about me and my law enforcement friends, but then the firefighters insisted on getting in on the action. So the series will ultimately be fifteen books long. Book number nine will be out in November 2017 and the others will continue after that.

I am looking forward to read your friends’ books. Thank you for your time, Dax. Hugs to Mac.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you enjoy the chat? I hope you did. Thanks for joining us.

Dax is the hero from Justice for Mackenzie, book 1 in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes by Susan Stoker.

Mack blinked, hoping she’d be able to see something…anything, but she remained as blind as she’d been since she’d first woken up. She struggled desperately to hold the scream inside.

A member of the famed Texas Rangers, Daxton Chambers has dealt with more than his share of depravity. But the Lone Star Reaper takes evil to a whole new level, kidnapping and burying women alive. It’s Dax’s job to help keep San Antonio safe, but even with help from friends in various law enforcement agencies, the killer remains two steps ahead. It’s hardly the ideal time for a relationship, but Mackenzie Morgan is too luscious to resist. Dax wants her–which makes her an instant target for his newfound enemy.

When the Reaper gets personal, it will take every ounce of Daxton’s considerable skill and training to keep Mack alive. ​

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Erin Mallon, who is becoming one of my fave voices.

My review:

“I want a Dax ;)”
Overall 5 stars •  Performance 5 stars • Story 5 stars
It was easy to fall in love with Dax. Kind, loyal, strong and with a big heart, no wonder he caught Mack’s heart. She is hilarious, clumsy and talks a lot, but that is what makes her endearing. She made me laugh out loud with her rambles. I loved that the story is about a second chance at HEA for an older couple than the usual 20something. Quite a trip these two have on the way to that though. I cried when he talked to her while watching her last minutes on the monitor, my heart almost stopped but it all ends well. Loved the friendship between Dax and his crew from different divisions and how they have each other’s backs. Looking forward to Cruz’s story.
Ms. Mallon really breathed life into the characters, the various voices distinct and the story flowed easily with the emotions clearly expressed. Very enjoyable listening experience.

To learn about all the books, lots to discover, and keep in touch with Ms. Stoker, check out the links below and if you chat with her, say hello from me.

website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Goodreads • Amazon • iBooks • Kobo • B&N • BookBub • SoundCloud

Join her Stalkers group on FB or check out the store, some neat things to purchase.

One lucky reader will receive a paperback copy of Justice for Mackenzie, courtesy of Ms. Stoker. Sexy Mr. Random will pick a winner from the comments after 3pm EST on Monday, November 6, 2017. GOOD LUCK!

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!