Valentine Hop- Blog Style

Congratulations to the following winners! 
Debbie B.
PaParanormal Fan
Shannon Leigh 
Nancy
SMG
Leeannwriter


Again- I am emailing everyone who won, and ht efirst people to respond will get the first choice of prizes. 


Thanks to everyone who commented, 
check back here next weekend for a chance to win my upcoming release, Loving Eden. 

Welcome Readers, To the With Love Valentines Day Blog Hop! 

I don't want to bore you...

I know why you're all here...

And its not to read while I babble..

Okay- so - that blog button over there? It reminded me of something...

actually, someone...

Sean Connery

sigh...lovely man...distinguished, sexy, hmmm...

Enough with the drooling- on to the contest... 

I have the following to give away:

3 e-copies of Truth or Dare book 4, Taking the Dare

Morgan Hawke is happy with the status of his relationship with Dan Blake. After three years though, Dan's ready to move their relationship to the next level.

Having seen his brothers find love and settle into family life, Dan Blake has realized he's ready for change. The only problem with that is that his lover prefers to maintain the status quo. Dan's up for the challenge of changing Morgan's mind. He's got plans, and he's used to working behind the scenes to get his way.

Morgan can't understand the changes he sees in Dan. They've come a long way from the office of the bar where they met, but he's not sure he's ready to move their relationship from the shadows to the front pages. Publicity is okay for Dan, he's got the weight of the Blakes behind him, but the Morgan isn't sure he's ready to let go of the past he's been clinging to.

Can Dan manipuate a happy ending for this script?

See More at : http://www.breathlesspress.com/taking-dare

2 e-Copies of The Librarian

Valentine Michaels has just taken a vow of celibacy. Adrian Grey intends to take full advantage of that vow to recreate his relationship with Val.

Val is at a crossroads in his life. A college dropout, he’s gone as far as he can in his career as a cosmetologist, owning his own style salon. He no longer finds satisfaction in it though he's put years into proving to his bigoted parents that a college degree and the veneer of straightness aren't the only roads to success. They'd turned their backs on him, and he proved he didn't need them to make it.

His love life is no better than his working life. His relationships always start with a bang and fizzle into boredom, or worse, anger.

Adrian has his own agenda for helping Val: he’s been in love with Val since they were freshmen. The intervening years of listening to Val’s gossip about his lovers and relationships have taught Adrian just what it was he did wrong all those years ago, and he thinks this time around he now knows exactly how to get, and keep, his man.

See More at http://www.breathlesspress.com/librarian

1 e-copy of Word Play- The Story Orgy's latest anthology 

 Five Fantastic stories, including my own: 

The Park At Sunrise by Lee Brazil

"I see you're dressed for the weather as always, Morgan." Jason's voice was husky, hesitant.

A pair of black knit gloves landing in my lap tipped me over that edge from making a snide remark to throwing an uncalled-for hissy fit.

My jaw clenched tightly. Screw breathing deeply. I yanked the cap from my head, pulling long strands of black hair from the band at my neck, and winced at the tiny pain. I flung the cap to the ground in front of us and looked up the black denim-clad legs to the black pea coat and beyond. My mouth opened to swear, but no sound came out. The hissy fit drained away to something else entirely. My pulse still raced, but for an entirely different reason.

How fair was that? How fucking fair was it that after ten years apart, my hair showed silvery streaks and my face showed my age, but Jason was still the slender, boyish youth of years gone by? Yeah, he'd shaved the dirty blond dreadlocks. Those wire-rim glasses were new, but he appeared as youthful and vibrant, untouched by life, alive as he had when we'd all parted years ago to make those sunrise dreams reality. His black jeans had the telltale smudges of paint, and I'd be willing to bet that underneath those leather driving gloves lurked more paint.

This wasn't the reunion we planned then. It was nine years too late, for one thing. We were one man short, for another.

The bench creaked as he perched next to me on the top slat, and instinctively I grabbed his knee to anchor both of us so we wouldn't topple backward. His hand covered mine before I could jerk it away, and he refused to relinquish it when I tugged. I gave in with ill grace. Jason’s touch stirred physical responses that I’d rather not experience.

See More at http://www.breathlesspress.com/word-play


Okay- tie it all together- if you like what you see and you want to win a copy of one of these fabulous books, then I'm asking you to leave me the name of your favorite romantic male lead.  


Winners are going to be drawn by random number and notified by email. So, if you don't leave an email address of some kind, you won't be eligible to win.  Beyond that, the first person to respond to notification that they have been selected as a winner gets first choice of the prizes, and so on.  If you do not respond within 7 days, then your prize will be forfeited. 

And then- after you've commented here, head on over to the other participants to see what they're offering! 

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

New Cover Art: Loving Eden

Fantastic new Cover Art from Victoria Miller for 

Loving Eden

due March 2, 2012 

from Breathless Press

Crawl in Bed With Tom from A Bear on Books

Crawling Into Bed With

Tom Webb ( A Bear)

And a Good Book

*crawls across bed to the pillows* Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?  

Cotton.  I like that soft feeling Egyptian cotton gives without worrying about sliding off the bed in the middle of something.

Well, these are certainly soft. I have to agree that sliding off in the middle of something would not be good. What are you wearing? 

A smile, to quote Marilyn.

*fans self* Whoo...What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight? 

Mmm, with you, Lee, some nice asiago and crackers, and a shiraz.  I know, I won’t kick you out for eating crackers in my bed…

Mmm.  I have a sure fire method of making sure there aren't any crumbs...If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?  

Oh crap.  You had to ask.  Let’s see…doggie treats for my babies, ummm. Leather restraints, lube and…Lee, are you blushing?

*shakes head* Oh, no...that's not a blush...it's more of a um...flush. Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?  

Kick ‘em off.  I’m hot blooded.

Well, then, it's a perfect match. Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?  

You can put anything you want on me.

*reaches for crackers and cheese* So, what are we reading?   Well, tonight we are reading Candy G by Carol Zampa.  It’s the hot and sexy love story about a young man who falls for the former lawyer of a crime lord, and the danger they both are in.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2204

 EXCERPT

THE moment I crossed the threshold into the office, Carlos strained against the handcuffs, clanging them on the chair.

“What the fuck are you doing here? How did you…?” His words faded, his mind clearly calculating, and he closed his eyes tight. “He called you, didn’t he?”

So he didn’t know Flores had called me.

Before I could reply, the honeyed voice of Teirso Flores, the voice I’d hoped never to hear again, the voice that sent ice up my spine, cooed from the corner of the office, “Candelario knew not to turn down my special invitation, a very lovely….” He paused, then purred, “Expensive diamond earring. He’s a smart man, Carlos.”

From behind an elegant desk, conspicuously out of place in the small, bare area, Flores sank deep into the palm of the chair and rested his chin on his fist. A glint of wicked contentment danced in his black eyes, and the caramel leather sighed as he rocked slowly back and forth.

I crossed the office, ignoring Flores, and sank to my haunches in front of Carlos. “Are you all right, Carlos?”

I took a quick inventory of his condition. Dried blood formed a path from his earlobe to down his neck, apparently when the earring had been yanked from his ear.

“I’m okay.” The corner of his lip turned up. “That explains the earring. I thought he just did it for pain.” A sad frown softened his spirited brown eyes. “You shouldn’t have come.”

My fingers caressed the dark stubble of his cheek. “You’d have done the same thing, chico.”

Nodding, he pressed into my palm.

“I think I’m going to cry,” Flores sang, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes. “Watching the two lovebirds. Better than a Julia Roberts movie.”

My former client was not a good-looking man, but he was beautiful in a primitive, feral way. Short, sleek black hair, slightly receding, and a smooth, open face contrasted sharply with intense onyx eyes and a thick, full mustache. His charming demeanor belied a rapacious, soulless predator.

Jesse stood in the doorway.

Flores waved a finger, and the ruby in his pinkie ring sparkled in the stark lighting. “Just your jefe, Jesse. Close the door.”

Jesse bristled and advanced a step, ready to defy the order, but I threw him a warning glance and he retreated, closing the door.

I rose and faced Flores.

He pointed to a vacant chair. “Sit, Candelario.”

“No, thank you.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I moved to the door and leaned against it. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Sí.” He shrugged, his full lips pursing. “Let’s take care of our business.” Sitting forward in the chair, he clasped his hands and placed them on the ink blotter. “And what, since you’re in such a hurry, would you like to tell me?” Thumbing toward Carlos, he added, “For your lovely amante to hear?”

I felt my soul dying as the answer surfaced to my lips, and my insides trembled riotously. How difficult it was to sell my soul to the devil while Carlos watched. “You know.”

Flores’s eyes narrowed to slits. “But I want to hear it, mi corazón.”

At the seductive tone of Flores’s endearment, I sensed Carlos’s stare fixed on me.

“Say it,” Flores growled. His gaze, fiery and savage, consumed me.

I pushed away from the door and bent over the desk. My palms on the glossy mahogany surface, I surrendered the words that would banish the only man I’d ever loved from my life. “I’ll come back to work for you.”

You all can get to know Tom better by checking him out at  A Bear on Books.  

That's at www.tom-webb.blogspot.com – visit me and check out my thoughts on books, including Lee’s new one, The Librarian.

Welcome Guest: Karina Buchanan

Beyond Prejudice and Stereotypes – Karina Buchanan

In today's ever-changing world I think romance novels play a big part in breaking down social barriers, especially with the advancement of the e-book industry. No longer are these stories forced to adhere to the one woman, one man and a happy-ever-after concept, though I admit I'm still partial to these. But these days, we have such a variety of books to choose from that accurately reflect the diversity of our society.

Inter-racial or gay relationships are no longer taboo stories that we can't get our hand on and instead of concentrating on the stereotypes often portrayed in the media, they focus on the bare bones of the story – people meeting and exploring a relationship with each other. That's not to say authors of these books don't face discrimination from mainstream writing organisations, but with the growing popularity of these books I hope someday they will get the recognition they deserve.

To some extent my novel, Daring to Love, was my attempt at dissolving stereotypes. Yes, it's a contemporary m/f romance but it's set in Belfast. What's wrong with that? Well, Northern Ireland has acquired something of a reputation over the years. The only thing many people associated us with was terrorism and bombs during the religious conflict here. And of course there are those who think the Irish sit in their thatched cottages with leprechauns dancing a jig by their turf fires! I hate to disappoint anyone but we're just normal peoples and in fact, Belfast has become a very vibrant city. They even held the EMAs here only a few months ago. (Okay so we had a farmer throw Rihanna out of his field for being too scantily glad when she was filming her video but we've all got some prehistoric throwbacks)

Any romance I ever read which was set in this country was usually about a Catholic and a Protestant who fell in love and had to overcome the troubles associated with that religious conflict. To many of the new generation, though, religion isn't an issue and that's the way it should be. So, while Belfast is the backdrop for my story, there is no mention of religion at all. Gasp! Horror!

Daring to Love is just an old fashioned love story, with a bit of humour, a bit of spice and a bit of the Northern Irish countryside just to remind people what a beautiful place this is.

I'll leave you with a little taster…

Daring to Love – Blurb

Andrea Macleave is determined to lose her 'Miss Stuffy Knickers' nickname with a rappel down Ireland's famous Europa Hotel, for the hospital where she works. Risk taking goes against everything she believes in and it takes a kiss from her hunky instructor to send her on her way. With her wild side let loose, a one night stand with the action man seems the perfect antidote to her staid life.

                                                                                                   

Part-time charity volunteer, Matt King, hopes to put the disastrous hook-up behind him. That's easier said than done when he meets the woman in question at his workplace. There's clearly a powerful attraction between them but he's fighting his past demons by living life on the edge.

With each of them determined to let their past ruin their chance for happiness, how can an adrenaline junkie and a control freak ever make it work?

Excerpt

"I should have known you couldn't handle your drink." With the devil in him, Matt pushed the buttons guaranteed to re-activate his Andie.

                                                 

A frown, a purse of full pink lips and she took the bait. "I'll have a whiskey if you're buying." The determination to prove him wrong blinded her to the goggled looks she garnered and the sudden quiet at the table.

He couldn't help his smile getting wider, the more irritated she became. "One whiskey, coming up. Jimmy give me a hand getting these in, will you?"

"I've a good mind to get you fired!" Matt hadn't noticed Andrea following him over to the bar. At the sound of her sexy, pissed-off voice, he slowly turned his head.

She stood, ram-rod straight, giving him clear appreciation of long, lean legs. They seemed to go on forever in those spiky black heels she had swapped for her trainers, even if she still had to look up at his six foot four frame. The figure-hugging jeans would bring a grown man to his knees but he would prefer to see her in something to better show off those pins.

The rose tint in her cheeks gave away her embarrassment at being so openly admired and coming across as a letch was not how he wished to be perceived. Nevertheless, he did enjoy throwing her off guard.

"You should be thanking me really." He wound her up and let her go.

"Thanking you?" She crossed her arms across her chest, drawing the V of her top down to give a tantalizing peek at her cleavage. "I should have you arrested for the way you behaved, never mind getting you fired."

"It got you over the edge, didn't it? You were so caught up, being ticked off at me that you didn't have time to think about what you were doing."

"In that case, turn around."       

"Why?"

"So I can slap the gold star on your backside for a job well done! Do you seriously think that's a good enough reason for your behavior? Is that the way you carry on with all your clients?"

"Only the pretty, obstinate ones. As for having me fired, well," he backed his elbows onto the bar, "I do the charity rappels voluntarily. It's difficult to replace a trained instructor willing to work for free but if I caused you so much offense, do what you must."

Her delicious mouth opened and closed and he was assaulted with memories of tasting her. And how good it would be to do it again.

"Since it's for charity and all, I suppose I'll let the matter drop. Forget it happened." The defensive arms slackened and fell to her sides. With the thaw setting in, Matt impulsively stepped forward, to invade her personal space.

"Are you sure that's what you want, Andie?" If he could forget his rules for one night, she could stop pretending she didn't want him.

Instead of seeing the look of longing staring back at him, her pupils narrowed. "Where do you get off calling me 'Andie', anyway? My name is Andrea." She lifted the tumbler of the finest whiskey from the bar, knocked it back and stalked back to her friends.

Matt King never was one to back away from a challenge.

Daring to Love is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Daring-to-Love-ebook/dp/B006UITZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328627930&sr=8-1

You can find Karina on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002715462350

Her Blog http://karina-buchanan.blogspot.com/

Or Twitter @karinabuchanan1

Truth or Dare #4- Taking the Dare, now AVAILABLE

Get ready for the next installment in theTruth or Dare Series, Taking The Dare, now available at Breathless Press.     Taking The Dare  by Lee Brazil Truth or Dare Book 4 Gay (M/M), Contemporary, Romance Available at   Breathless Press     Amazon All Romance eBooks Bookstrand Morgan Hawke is happy with the status of his relationship with Dan Blake. After three years, though, Dan's ready to move their relationship to the next level.   Having seen his brothers find love and settle into family life, Dan Blake has realized he's ready for change. The only problem with that is that his lover prefers to maintain the status quo. Dan's up for the challenge of changing Morgan's mind. He's got plans, and he's used to working behind the scenes to get his way.   Morgan can't understand the changes he sees in Dan. They've come a long way from the office of the bar where they met, but he's not sure he's ready to move their relationship from the shadows to the front pages. Publicity is okay for Dan—he's got the weight of the Blakes behind him—but Morgan isn't sure he's ready to let go of the past he's been clinging to.   Can Dan manipulate a happy ending for this script?   Excerpt:   "Hey, baby." Dan's call from several feet away sent a dash of cold water in Morgan's face. He shivered.   "Hey." His weak, hollow voice surprised Morgan. Earlier, in their room, hearing Dan call him "baby" had excited him. Now, his stomach churned a bit, and the bitter, strong coffee Dan preferred sat like lead. At a loss, Morgan nervously shredded the buttery croissant on the table in front of him. He'd often wondered if Dan intentionally confused him, flipping from hot to cold, sweet to acid. But even for Dan this weekend's behavior was different. At first he'd attributed Dan's strange attitude to his long absence, worried that Dan was through with him, maybe searching for a way to let him down easily. The weekend had put those doubts to rest, but now Dan's open attitude made him nervous.   To his shock, Dan leaned over to kiss his cheek lightly in greeting before sliding into the chair opposite him. He panicked over that while Dan sipped his coffee and grimaced. Morgan shook his head, trying to make sense of the other man's lack of discretion and became aware that Dan smiled at him peculiarly.   "What?" Something itched at the back of Morgan's mind. Inconceivable as it seemed, Dan was acting, putting on a show, playing a role for Morgan. Why?   "You're white. What's wrong, baby?"   Morgan floundered for an answer. Dan knew bloody fucking well what was wrong. He was playing with Morgan, toying with him for some unknown reason, and Morgan was off balance.   Fuck. The waiter approached to refill their cups, and surely he'd heard Dan’s endearment? The young man remained expressionless as he topped up their coffee, and then silently indicated Morgan's shredded breakfast. Morgan nodded. His mouth was dry, and he doubted he could swallow anything anyway. The waiter scooped up the plate and left without speaking.   "Dan, someone will to hear you." He managed in feeble protest. Sometimes being Dan Blake's lover was awesome. When he was the sole focus of those intent green eyes, the object of Dan's attention, it was fucking glorious. But then, Dan was also a selfish bastard and an unmitigated prick at times. Like that nasty comment the other day about Morgan running when Dan called. Truth be told, he probably did run when Dan called, but mostly because he wanted very much to see Dan.   "Do you care if they do?"   He glared at Dan, grateful for the shades that hid his emotions, the flare of anger. Dan didn't have to care. The Blakes had it all. Studio, money, acceptance in society, it was all theirs by virtue of being born Blakes. They didn't have to worry about ever working, courting the right kind of publicity, and appeasing the fickle public. They didn't have to worry about hurting someone they cared about. Above all else, the Blakes stood together, united against public scrutiny. They stared down adverse publicity, weathered scandal, together. He didn't have that.   **~~**   Other books in the Truth or Dare Series are...     Book 1: Keeping House Book 2: Telling the Truth Book 3: Giving Up   Find all three e-books in one print volume in...