AN ANGEL FOR AVERY, BOOK 1 FROM THE SERIES ANGELS AMONG US! COMING OUT FEBRUARY 2014 .... AUTHOR CIARA LAKE

Coming out in February 2014. Such a gorgeous cover and a great story. The first in a series of Angels Among Us!

SEPTEMBER'S BUSY ROAD!

September is full of change.  Leaves change, time changes, days grow shorter, school starts, vacations end, the harvest is ready!  It's a great time to read a good book and cook a delicious family meal.  I love fall, the colors, the smells, the sky, the perfect nights, the way the wind blows my hair.  I love every part of it. 
Grab a great book and a cup of coffee and enjoy the colorful road with me! 

STOLEN MOMENTS BY TARA MILLS

 

Ella knew what Neil wanted when he called, what they both wanted. Did she dare? Was an hour of passion worth the lies, broken commitments, and the risk of getting caught?  Yes.

Excerpt:
Acutely aware she was the only woman in the place, she felt every set of eyes track her walk through the bar. Leaving several stools between herself and the next patron, she hung her purse off the back and used the rung under the chair to hop up onto the elevated seat. The bartender sauntered her way and Ella made her hushed request, “White wine, please.”
He had to uncork a new bottle but she was relieved to see it was a decent California label.
Now she waited, sipping her wine. The negligible amount of calm she’d possessed when she walked in here faded with a self-conscious whimper. She glanced at the door then at her phone once again, checking the time and warring with herself about calling him. The more uncomfortable she got, the more she kicked her toe against the foot rail. Unfortunately, the sound drew the attention of a couple of patrons as well as the bartender. She hooked her heel over the stool support below. It was the only way to keep from fidgeting.
Ella felt exposed and out of her element sitting in a place like this, nice as it was, at two o’clock on a weekday afternoon. She wanted to fold herself up small enough to hide out in her purse, but that wasn’t going to happen. The minutes stretched on and her anxiety over being approached by one of these men increased. She sent out a silent mental message to those in the room. Just leave me alone. Ignore me. I’m not here.
A subtle brush, very faint across her back, made her turn. The warm body and even warmer smile on the handsome face gazing down on her caused Ella’s heart to start beating in double time. She breathed a big sigh of relief.
Neil looked too good for words.
He casually drew his hand over the back of her chair, his finger teasing her as it skimmed across her shoulder blades. His smile deepened when she let out a soft, involuntary moan.
“I hoped you’d come. You look beautiful, Ella.” He slid onto the stool next to her.
She felt the heat of her blush, the pounding of her heart. “You know I can’t stay long. I shouldn’t have come in the first place. Neither should you. What are we doing? If anyone sees me I don’t how I could possibly explain this.”
“I understand your fear.” He covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll be careful. You need to trust me. Try to relax.”
“I’m trying. I am. It’s just … the more we do this, the more chances we take that someone is going to find out.”
She looked down at Neil’s hand, conscious of the weight, the strength in it resting over her own. Oh god, she was going to waver. She knew she would. She always did—but only for him. All he had to do was ask.
Then it came, his low, seductive invitation. “Stay with me, please? Give me an hour.”
$0.99
5,000 word erotic teaser

11 MONTH INN BY MAC ROME

 

Lost on the Appalachian Trail, Carl Baker finds a hidden cabin called the 11 Month Inn. Inside he meets beautiful women ranging from small to towering, and finds his feelings growing fast for petite, sexy and lonely Rue.
But as he learns more about the inn’s residents and their mystical secret, Carl faces a difficult choice. Does he leave without Rue to return to the life he’s known, or stay with her and leave his world behind?
Excerpt:
Carl came to the edge of a clearing. Before him was a log cabin – a huge log cabin. It was two stories tall. There were three windows across the top floor and two on either side of the door at the center of the front. There also was a large, wrap-around porch with a roof. The timber, while weathered, appeared to be from native trees.
Carl quickly realized why the light he’d seen appeared to be from a campfire. It was firelight, but from various sources. Inside he could see candles through three windows and a kerosene lantern through a fourth. Fireplaces could be seen in the remaining two windows.
As he approached, Carl spotted a small sign to the right of the door, made of the same wood as the cabin. It read, “11 Month Inn.”
Although he hadn’t planned to stay at any kind of hostel or motel, this was too appealing to Carl. He walked onto the porch.
Then he spotted her. She was peering through a ground-floor window at him. She had a heart-shaped face and beautiful red hair. Her complexion was pale, and her eyes ice-blue. Those big eyes were staring at Carl, looking amazed. He could tell she was tiny. Even so, the window was so low she was forced to lean over, the scoop neck of her blouse revealed ample breasts for her size.
Carl stopped and waved. He wanted to appear friendly to whoever was here – and especially to this petite beauty.
She stood up straight, showing off a tiny waist and a butt just round enough to be magnificent. Her left hand to her chest, she waved with her right. Then she ran backward into the room.
After a few seconds, Carl heard the groan of old hinges in front of him. The tiny woman had opened the door. She beamed up at him. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Carl replied. “I saw your sign. Do you have any rooms?”
The woman shifted her weight onto one foot, looking up at Carl. She nodded. “There’s always a room here. Come on in.”
Carl entered. “I’m sorry I don’t have a reservation.”
“That’s okay,” the woman answered. “No one has a reservation except those of us who live here.”
Carl grinned. “I’m Carl Baker.”
The woman held out her hand. “I’m Rue.”
$0.99
5,000 words Teaser

THREE DAYS AT THE LAKE

THE DRAGONS OF WINTER

MAC ROME'S EVE OF THIEVES!

BLACK BARONESS

ENCHANTED WAVES THE FORSAKEN SEREIS BOOK 6

Enchanted Waves by Ciara Lake

Tabitha Lock’s mundane life changes when her future walks out of the sea into her arms.

 

Attorney Tabitha Lock has put her career before everything, including her love life. Exhausted from too many late nights, early mornings, and endless days spent in court, Tabitha is at the end of her rope. Add to that the sensual dreams and voices that haunt her sleep, and she’s driven to the edge of her sanity. 

Jax Aquila, Mer prince and son of Poseidon, is ordered to locate a mortal female in the twenty-first century. Although this woman is unaware of it, she has vampire heritage, but her immortality was forsaken to her due to the sins of her ancestor. Old hatred and prejudice toward vampires push Jax toward pursing his own agenda and avoiding his assigned task.

 

When Jax meets Tabitha, he has no idea this enticing woman is the one he was sent to find. The magic of their attraction drives him to pursue the beautiful woman. When he discovers the truth, can he accept Tabitha for what she is? And can Tabitha accept herself? As they struggle with the issues at hand, an ancient evil stirs, waiting in the darkness to reclaim their lost position among the immortals. When the evil ones make their move and Tabitha’s life hangs in the balance can Jax find her in time, or will she be lost to him forever?

Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence

 

Genre(s): Erotic Paranormal Romance

 

Zerlina Valinski's Covers to her upcoming books!

 

 

 

The Legacy of the RedCape Women by Zerlina Valinski

The Legacy of the RedCape Women by Zerlina Valinski

When Tasia discovers her ancestry is tied to the mountains of North Carolina, she's shocked but elated. Finally, she thinks she may have found what she's missed all her life...family. Reaching her ancestral home however, leads her into the path of an Alpha shifter...and secrets some never want revealed.

Conal is the Alpha wolf, and the local law, still more than his interest is peaked when he sees the bedraggled woman sitting in his spot. He feels torn over leading her to her grandmother's home...is this the beginning of their story? Or will the past destroy their future?


Excerpt:

The door swung open and in stepped the biggest man Taisa had ever seen. The plaid button down shirt he wore clung to his broad shoulders.  He raked the wet hair back from his forehead, his clothes soaked.  His dark gaze swept the room before landing on her.   

“Who’s he?” Tasia gulped down her water. Her unease was swiftly back. 

“He’s our Al…Sheriff.  He eats here every night and you’re in his spot.” 

“Oh. Should I move?”

“Don't let him bluster you too bad, he's a nice guy. I’ll be back with your dinner.”  Julia was out of the booth before the Sheriff reached them.  Tasia was sure Julia was escaping something, but she just couldn't figure out what.  

“You’re sitting in my spot.” The bear of a man towered over her.  His voice was so deep it vibrated through her.  “Who the hell are you anyway?  Is your car parked out front?  In my spot, I might add.”

“Well, one of the cars is mine, not sure where your spot is though.” 

“The one with a hungry dog in the back seat.”

“I’ll take care of her when I’m done eating.  You don’t need to worry.  She’s well loved.”

“I guess, I can smell the dog all over you.”  He made a sniffing sound then glared at her.

“Right.  Listen, I’ll move as soon as I eat my meal.  But, you’re welcome to sit across from me.  If you can stand the dog smell.” She grinned up at him.  Tasia felt challenged, she did not like it.  She was never one to cower when her ire was up.   Foster care had taught her to be tough, resilient.  Although, this man made her feel dwarfed, but her instinct told her not to flinch.  When you flinch, you’re vulnerable.   I’m an idiot.  I should get out of his way.  She leaned her neck back to look up at him.  “Go ahead, have a seat.” She motioned to the other side of the booth.  “We can share.  I don’t bite.  And if I smell like a dog.  I have been traveling all day with Bella, a she’s a German shepherd.  She can’t help how she smells.” 

 “You don’t bite?”  He chuckled, the brusque manner fading.  “To bad.” He scooted into the bench across from her with the lithe grace of a wolf.

Crimson Frost Books Link                 Cover Art by Suzie's Designs

I am Zerlina Valinski. I am weaver of tales of sensual erotic romance. My stories will take you to places you have never been. You will see fantastic places and people. I will tantalize you with stories of Weres, Shape shifters, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Imps, pagan gods and goddesses and more mystical creatures. I will invite you into their sensual worlds where they don't shy away from the carnal as humans do. They indulge their passion and they love without mortal confines of the human mind.

I invite you to partake in these sensual adventures. They will keep your interest.

The world is old and there are many beings here. Human's ignorance doesn't eliminate this reality. Humans are frozen in their ways, their beliefs. But not the creatures of old, they're fully aware of the hidden world around us. Come with me to meet them and see their domains. To live with them and to love with them. 

Author Links:  Site     Facebook    Twitter

Mystique Rogue by Diane Taylor

Genre: Paranormal/Romance

Scarred and cynical, Carmen Marshall and her security team are hired to protect master Illusionist The Rogue, and his white tiger. What should be a simple case of protecting a client is made even harder by the mysteries surrounding him, and the very real danger of someone wanting him dead.

With both The Rogue and his tiger proving to be more then they seem, an unknown enemy, and a powerful desire haunting her, Carmen's job is proving more of a challenge than she'd ever imagined. Will the flames of passion burn to ashes, or will they consume all involved.

Excerpt:

 

"Innocent, my ass. Miss Marshall you're the least innocent woman I know." Daria shuffled her papers on the desk, then looked up at the video camera. "What do you know of The Rogue?"

Carmen shrugged. "He's a master of illusion. No one knows what he looks like underneath his mask, which makes him somewhat of a forbidden fruit to the female persuasion. Those who have tried to come on to him have gone away either pissed off or in tears.  Those who have claimed to have slept with him aren't believed. The ones which are rebuffed proceed to slander and smear his name, which is really useless because he never responds to bullshit like that unless it really gets messy, then the person responsible gets a talking to." She made quotation marks in the air with her fingers. "Rumors run thick and fast about what's underneath the mask. They run the entire range of being horribly disfigured to just an affectation so he can go out into public with it off and not be recognized." She smiled slightly at Daria, "The rest of the rumors are just too outrageous to think about."

"Anything else, Oh Great Abundance of Wisdom?" Her boss grinned.

She smiled and took another drink of her coffee before responding. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Daria Randall. As a matter of fact, the tabloids and the internet have commented that his crew and stage hands are very tight lipped. Even his manager won't spill the beans about the props or how his illusions are done, no matter how much money is offered. More than a few people have attempted some of his more dangerous stunts, trying to duplicate and or improve on them."

Carmen arched an eyebrow and looked meaningfully at her boss. "With very fatal results. At the beginning of each performance, everyone is warned not to try these stunts. They make the statement which basically says anyone attempting them is doing so under the full knowledge they were warned ahead of time."

Daria nodded, "Well, according to his manager, someone's trying to sabotage his performances and possibly turn him into an illusion, permanently. From what I've read in the report I have on my desk, all the mistakes have been caught before the actual stunt was performed. But the manager wants to find out what in hell is going on and put a stop to these incidents before something really does go wrong. He's paid double the usual fee, wanting to ensure you and your team will personally handle the assignment. He said The Rogue has specifically asked for you, saying he wishes a face to face meeting before he signs any agreement."

Carmen's eyes widened. "You know my rule on that, Daria. It's held true and every client has agreed to it. If he wants a video conference, we can arrange a time and place.  But I do not meet face to face."

"Oh come on, you can do it just this once." Daria's eyes widened and became pleading on the video screen. "If he doesn't meet you in person, he won't sign the contract. When I mentioned your rule, he said, and I quote, 'If this woman is afraid of me, then perhaps you should fire her and hire more men. At least they aren't afraid to meet face to face.'"

Crimson Frost Books Link       Cover Art by Nekkid Designs

Spanish Flame by Patricia Bates

Spanish Flame by Patricia Bates

Genre: Romance

Can an ex-con and a Spanish noblewoman find love?

Ex-convict, Adam Butler, is a man hardened by betrayal and violence. When he lands in Spain, his only intention is to find a paying job so he can buy his way further west, far away from the memories of his past.

Wealthy and beautiful Evangelina Ortega yearns for the ability to marry for love even as her father is forcing her to wed a man she's never met. When she arrives at her betrothed's estate, she meets Adam Butler, a man with secrets and a checkered past.

Can the Spanish lady and the ex-con find happiness or will their love be destroyed by her father's determination to regain the family honor?

Note: This book was previously published under the title In the Hands of a Stranger, but it has been substantially revised.


Excerpt: 

Adam glanced behind him at the sound of hooves on stone and watched the elegant carriage roll to a halt in front of the main house. Black, trimmed with gold, the exterior of the coach gleamed in the rapidly sinking sun. The doors were covered in intricately gilded patterns of silver and gold, and pale curtains fluttered in the breeze.

The team that pulled it matched the rig—six midnight black horses pranced in their harness as the doorman climbed down and set a step by the door to allow the passengers to disembark. Adam watched as the door opened and a young man of maybe thirteen hopped out, followed by a young woman a couple of years older. She was dressed in gray traveling garb, and her long, full skirts dusted the ground as she walked. Around her head white lace crested and fluttered with each movement of her head.

Adam felt his breath catch when a dark-haired beauty stepped out of the carriage. The long, intricate lace veil she wore covered her elaborately styled hair but did little to hide the ebony strands. Rounded with delicate cheekbones, and a high upturned nose, her face was flawless, beautiful—unlike any other woman's he'd ever seen. Her olive complexion was so different from the aboriginal women his father had employed.

He shivered as her eyes lifted away from her older companion and met his. With the force of a kangaroo kick, attraction slammed into him. He inhaled, frozen, unable or unwilling to break eye contact. Her eyes widened a degree, and he saw her plump lips part in a soundless gasp before she ducked her head, a wave of pink staining her cheeks.

He glanced away as he walked toward the team. He wasn't the son of an affluent man here; there was no room for anything between them, not now. As Adam strode forward to hold the horses, he caught the look of disparagement, the lack of emotion in the depths of the older gentleman's eyes. Adam stared at the wealthy, distinguished man for a moment then began to unhitch the wheeler.

"You will do well," the man said, venom lacing his words, "to keep your distance. A criado has no place near royalty." The well-dressed gentleman stared down at him, condescension in his eyes.

Adam lifted his head to glare at the self-important man. "Señor, welcome to Los Santiago Hacienda."



Buy Link:  Beachwalk Press

Reading has been such a large part of my life. I cut my literary teeth on such authors as Louis L'Amour, Nora Roberts and Janet Dailey. For me it wasn't such a jump from reading the wonderful tales these authors spun to imagining my own.

Soon I was writing poetry, short stories and by junior high I'd written my first full length romance novel. Since then I've taken my love of history and my passion for writing and combined them into what I hope will continue to prove a successful career.

With six books contracted, four of which are currently available in print. All are available in electronic format with the last two ebooks due for a release in May and the other in the summer. I'm currently working on three projects, an erotic paranormal romance featuring a witch who loves Christmas, another Ancient Ireland novel, rich in the history of the Irish Celtic peoples, and plotting out a Cowboy Series tentatively titled "The James Gang".

Of course I've got a lot more on the go. I'm developing and growing my editing company with some amazing authors, working on polishing my concepts and plans for upcoming books within the paranormal genres, and keeping up on my writing and being a full time mom, working outside of the house…it's amazing what one can manage in a 16 hour day.

Author Links:  Site     Twitter    Facebook