Read 2 Review Easter Treasure Hunt

To participate in all the drawings follow this link!

http://read2review.com/events-reading-group/current-events/easter-egg-treasure-hunt/

I'm giving away a copy of my Loose Id Book HIT ME...to two lucky commentors.

So you're looking for my letter, right? The letter is A

Tell me what's your favorite thing about Easter?

Welcome ER Pierce

Fractured Moon is over 325 pages, (82,300) First book in the Steel Series


Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romantic Suspense {It had a little identity crisis, and doesn't fit into just one category :snickers:}

Blurb:

Aurelia Fridell will always be a freak. Born to werewolf parents, her twin brother Ville can shift forms, but she can't. Twenty-five years searching for answers yields nothing.

As her thirtieth birthday approaches, isolation creeps in, and worry settles in her gut. She accepted her existence long ago, and yet lately, she's felt off-kilter. Eyes follow her, prickling her senses. Her headaches are getting worse.

Is she paranoid, or is there really someone, or something, stalking her? Watching. Waiting. Drumming fingers to a sinister beat she can't hear.

Time will tell.

Ceithin Starkley isn't looking for a mate. Especially now. In fact, he doesn't believe in true-matings at all. While he is being recruited for a new job, a scent on the wind stuns him, and he finds himself fighting an inner battle he never wanted, yet can't ignore.

Sparks fly, as Ceithin and Aurelia fight fate and race against a clock neither knows is ticking.

Will he claim Aurelia before he loses her for good?

Warning: This book is sexy. Contains a drool-worthy Alpha male wearing Beta clothing. A sassy and sweet heroine with brains and brothers you'll adore. A best friend every girl would love to hate. I mean have, and an impossible road no one will see coming.



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Excerpt:

Maneuvering my way amongst the hoard of sweaty people was easy; finding a man to dance with proved more difficult. I sashayed my way to the middle of the crowded floor and began to dance. The music pulsed with eroticism, and I moved to the sensuous beat. My skirt made it difficult to dance, so, on a tenuous note; I stopped, grabbed the hem and tore five inches off the bottom. I noticed I'd ripped slits up the side when I kicked that bitch in the head, but I shrugged. I'd be a Lady of the Night versus horny librarian, tonight. My garters played peek-a-boo with the crowd as I rolled my hips and soon, a crowd of men surrounded me.

Astrid sidled up on my right and we began to dance in earnest. I channeled all my rage and devastation into a sultry mix; I rotated my hips, dipped my trunk, and shook my tail feather. I had a good sweat going and my brain finally turned off. I didn't think. I was feeling. The hair on the back of my neck prickled, but I ignored it.

Ceithin could eat pond scum. Ok, so, I know I'm not being fair. I mean, really? What was he supposed to do, dump his longtime girlfriend like a bad habit just because he may have found his wolf mate? Would I have liked him nearly as much if he had?

Tough questions. Maybe someday I'll have the answers.

Maybe I'd find another mate. Who says there is only one per person? Who knows, weird shit happens. Ville and I are proof of that.

His eyes caressed me from across the room. Watching me move, the way my body twisted and turned to the cacophony of sounds and beats. So I turned towards the hallway entrance and there he leaned casually against the wall, looking hot and unattainable. God he was potent. The air around him reeked of danger. I stared back into his eyes, but he made no move to come to me.

I didn't dance for him. I danced for me. I was in a place where hurt couldn't roam free.

Turning my back on him, I beckoned to the blonde Adonis who danced near me, alone, with heat in his eyes. I gave him the 'come hither' eye fuck and held out my hand. He sauntered closer and placed his left hand on my hip, bringing me in tight against him, while putting his right hand on my left shoulder, pressing his pelvis in close. His slow grind left me breathless. He rotated his hips, and I followed him as the beat turned Latin, and the erotic dancing began.

I closed my eyes and gave into the intoxicating way the dance held me in its grip. It was a release of sorts, a way to beat back the anger and frustration traveling within my body. Turmoil needed escape, and so I gave it one. With every grind, every hip roll, every step, I relaxed. My body became pliant. This was what I needed. The blonde wound my hair around his fist and pulled my head back. His lips and tongue traced paths up my neck to my ear as we moved in time to the rhythm.

He released me, then spun me around so my ass cosseted his erection. My hips rotated in a simulation of sex filled sheets and endless nights. He had one arm locked around my waist and the other curved around my breast. I rested the back of my head on his delectable chest. I opened my eyes and locked gazes with Ceithin, who'd plastered himself against the wall, but raptly watched us on the floor. He stepped forward; hands clenched, eyes radiating menace, but caught him-self. He stopped and shuddered, retreating back to the safety of the wall.

Coward.

I shrugged. His loss. I stretched my arm up and snaked it around the Adonis's neck as he continued to fondle my breast lightly while nudging me with his growing erection. A pleasurable pinch made me gasp as he rolled my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. I shivered as my emotions turned into something darker. Need roared through me.

Bodies pressed closer as the crowd settled on the floor, and I lost sight of Astrid. I knew her well enough to know she'd be fine, but still, worry punched me in the gut. There were so many scents on the floor it was difficult to distinguish one from the other. Sweat, sex, and alcohol all cloyed for dominance.

As the song came to an end, I turned around to face my dance partner. It was time to go before I did something I'd regret later. I wanted to thank him for a fun time on the floor and leave on a high note. A fine sheen of sweat coated my body, and my eyes felt fever bright.



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Buy Links:
Amazon:
All Romance (ARe)

Please Welcome Randi Alexander

New Release, Contest, and Book Giveaway!


Thank you, Amber, for interviewing me today. I love your questions! They really got me thinking about how much fun I have doing my job. I'm Randi Alexander and I write cowboy erotic romance. I'm published with The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line. My second Cowboy Kink, Her Cowboy Stud, was released March 23.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Since I'm writing about cowboys, I would love to spend a month seeing Texas. I'd rent a convertible and start smack in the middle of the state and travel a spiral through as many little towns and big cities as I could find. I'd talk with the locals, the cowboys and cowgirls, get a real feel for the variety that is Texas.

Tell us about your current release.

Her Cowboy Stud started out as a short story that I gave away with my last blog tour. Readers liked it so much, but asked for a longer story, that I rewrote it and sent it in to my editor at The Wild Rose Press. She sent it back and said, "Add some BDSM and more adventurous love scenes and we'll put it in Cowboy Kink." So, I rewrote, making Trace a Dom, Macy a sub, and I gave her a naughty occupation that worked very well in a couple of the bedroom scenes. ;-) That's a little teaser…

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

I'm lucky to be a full-time writer. I usually get the family out the door on weekday mornings then spend some time on social networking. It can get addictive, chatting on Facebook and reading authors' blogs. So when the coffee pot in the kitchen beeps to tell me it's turning itself off, I know it's time for me to log off the internet and write. (Wow, that was quite a detour from the question, wasn't it?) I usually write from 10 AM to 3 PM. Sometimes I go longer, usually I find time on the weekend to write, too. My longest writing session was 16 hours straight. Lots of words that day!

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Definitely coming up with a plot. I have friends with whom I love to sit and plot stories, and I do much better with the synergy of a group than I can ever do alone. I heard a speaker recently say that authors should throw out their first three plot ideas because they're probably too cliché and dull, and they should go for the fourth idea. I'm going to try that!

Where do you research for your books?

My research is so much fun! I have a friend who's an ex pro-bullrider, and I talk with him about story ideas, and I send him parts of my stories for authentication. I also chat with cowboys and cowgirls as often as I can just to hear their stories.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I have a great critique partner who is e-published in erotic romance also, and a CP who is pre-published. She's very interested in traditional publishing – a big New York publishing house, mass-market paperbacks, etc. She's very close to making it, too. The two of them look at my books with very different eyes, which is amazingly helpful. I also have a wonderful beta reader who catches the smallest little things. I'm always astonished at how much I learn from her.

Do you hear from your readers?

I do hear from readers, and I truly enjoy it. If a reader ever thinks that an author is too busy, and doesn't want to hear from them, it's just the opposite. We LOVE to hear from readers. I enjoy chatting on Facebook, getting e-mails, responding to comments on my blog. I've even received gifts from readers, which I truly cherish, I've been invited to attend a rodeo in a reader's town this summer (and I'm going!) and one rancher is going to name one of her spring calves after me! Randi The Cow. I love it!

Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with it?

I do use a pen name because my real name is rather dull and difficult to spell. I wanted to go with a quirky name like Brandy Alexander, but I didn't want to compete with the cocktail. A guy friend suggested Randi Alexander. He said it was like Brandy Alexander, but kinkier. That's how I introduce myself, now. (LOL)

What book are you reading now?

I always have three books going. On the Kindle app on my phone, I'm reading Hidden Talents by Emma Holly (fascinating book!) In paperback, I've just started In Good Hands, a Harlequin Blaze by Kathy Lyons (super sexy!) On my iPod, I'm listening to The Player's Club: Lincoln, another Harlequin Blaze by Cathy Yardley (I listen when I take my daily walk.)

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

I do. I mentor writers, and am working with three right now. A paranormal romance author whose first book was just published (Yeay!), my ex pro-bullrider friend who is fictionalizing the story of his rodeo days, and a romantic mystery writer who is just starting out. My suggestion is to find someone to mentor you, to walk you through everything from which how-to books to read, to making your book video trailer. Having someone to guide you is priceless. For romance writers, joining RWA (Romance Writers of America) and attending the local meeting is a fabulous resource for finding people to mentor you.

Thanks for letting me tell my life's story ;-) If you have any questions for me, please post a comment, and I'll be happy to answer them. I'm attaching my book's blurb and a romantic excerpt for you. And check below for today's giveaway and my big contest that I'd love for you to enter.

Trace McGonagall’s quiet life on his Houston stud ranch is shaken up when gorgeous Macy Veralta arrives to claim an inheritance left to her in his uncle’s will. Trace sees her as just another gold digger, but he also can’t resist her curvy body. When she hints at being the perfect submissive to his Dom, he has to have her.

Macy wouldn’t have been three months late to claim her inheritance if she’d known Trace was sin in jeans. The cowboy’s dominant bearing and the smoldering glint in his eyes send shivers to her toes and stirs images of being bound in his bed and disciplined at his hand. But could Trace’s perfect seduction be part of his plan to reclaim her inheritance?

EXCERPT: Over 18 only please.

Pulling Macy on top of him, Trace grinned. “You won the bet. Anything you want is yours. You just need to ask.” His heart gradually slowed to normal while his body tingled with a major afterglow.

She kissed his shoulder. “Anything?” Her voice purred.

He pulled a pillow under his head to look down at her, combed his fingers through her soft hair. He would give her anything. His house, his horse, his heart. “Name it.”

“Would you feed me?”

His brow lifted. “Are we talkin’ food here, or is this sexual?”

She laughed. “This time it’s food. All the sudden I’m starving.”

His stomach growled at the thought of whatever JaniceLynn left in the oven for them, which smelled pretty damn good when he was in the kitchen before. He bent to kiss her. “I’m your servant, ma’am.”

He picked up his briefs and made a quick run to the bathroom. When he emerged, she stood and he handed her his shirt.

She slid into it, smiling. Nothing in his closet had ever looked so good. No one had ever felt so good in his arms, or been as perfect in his bed. He still didn’t know what Macy was thinking. Was this his one night with her, or would there be more?

*********

To celebrate the release of Her Cowboy Stud, I'm giving away, to one lucky *commenter, an e-copy of my first erotic romance, Chase and Seduction. Just leave a comment today and we'll choose a winner tomorrow. *Commenter must be 18 years of age or older to win.

I'm also giving away a custom-made messenger bag and a $50 gift certificate to Pureromance to one subscriber to my newsletter. For more details, and to sign up for this contest, please go to my website, RandiAlexander.com And while you're there, you can read the first chapter of Her Cowboy Stud.

Good luck, and thank you!

Randi

"Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied"

http://www.randialexander.com/

WildAndWickedCowboysBlog

Her Cowboy Stud available at The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses

Kindle version is available at Amazon.com

Welcome to Tara Lain!

Where to start?


Thank you so much to Amber for inviting me to the blog. One of the most important decisions a writer has to make is where to start the story. Start too soon and it gets boring waiting for important events. Start too late and you have to go back and explain too much in backstory. Like Goldilocks we have to find the spot that's juuuust right.

Usually, that spot is just before a huge life-changing event for the protagonist. In both my new books -- Spell Cat and Sinders and Ash-- the action begins just before the central point of view character meets the man who will rock his world. In Spell Cat, my hero, Killian Barth, is teaching a course on the history of witchcraft which is appropriate since he is a witch! But his students don’t know that, of course. Right after his lecture, he meets Dr. Blaine Genneau, a human professor of quantum physics and the two set off their own big bang.

In Sinders and Ash, my hero, Mark Sintorella, is cleaning fireplaces in the resort where he works while the whole resort is waiting anxiously for the arrival of Ashton Armitage, the son of the fifth richest man in America. Ash is looking for a wife to save his inheritance and every mother and stepmother in the US has brought her daughters to meet him. Of course, Ash blows Mark’s sox off. Which potential bride will win the crown?

Once you know where to start, there's the issue of the first line. Will it grab the reader? Maybe go down in history like "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times," or "Who is John Galt?" That might be too much to hope for in every book, but authors still try to grab their reader's attention in the first paragraph. I love to start with dialogue. I think it plunges the reader into action and connection with a character. It suggests that the book will be more about people than description.

Both of my new books have dramatic dialogue as a first line. In Spell Cat, Killian pronounces, “Witches burned at the stake!” And in Sinders and Ash? Mark tries to brush off soot as he complains, “Damn the ashes.” I never considered how those lines might go together! LOL. What is your favorite first line?

And now for a CONTEST. Enter the Magic at Midnight Blog Tour Contest celebrating the release of Spell Cat on March 20th and Tara’s new contemporary fantasy, Sinders and Ash, on April 1.

• Leave a comment here with your EMAIL and you’ll be entered to win a $10. GCs in a drawing on April 9th.

• Want to win a poster of the gorgeous Spell Cat cover? Want to win a Volley Balls T-Shirt? Or other fun prizes? Go over to Beautiful Boys Books and enter the contest. There are lots of questions to answer and lots of fun prizes like drawstring backpacks, notepads, mirror compacts. We’ll have a bunch of winners so you have a good chance of getting a prize!

Excerpt: Spell Cat by Tara Lain; MM Paranormal Erotic Romance


Available from Loose Id and Amazon and ARe

When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But sadly, Killian walks away because he doesn’t do physics professors. In fact, he doesn’t do humans; Killian is the most powerful male witch in 10 generations and, though gay, he’s expected to save his declining race by reproducing. Sex with humans depletes his power – or so he’s been taught. Then why can young human, Jimmy Janx, dissolve spoons with a thought? Somebody’s a lying witch. With his powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.

He looked at the feline, whose head was curved around and practically tucked under his chin. “What the hell. Okay, Al, let’s go.” Since the cat wasn’t budging from around his neck, Killian got up, hugged his mother, and pulled on his jacket against the early spring chill, all with a fur necklace. He grabbed the carrier, heard a soft growl by his ear, and set it down. Okay… Cat three, Killian nothing. “Thank you, Mother. I’m sure I’ll find him very, uh, useful.”

Evangeline trailed him to the foyer of the house where a maid waited to open the door, looking slightly startled at his new accessory. He kissed his mother on the cheek. “So I guess I’ll see you Saturday.”

“No guessing about it, young witch. It will be a grand occasion. I’m already discussing details of the wedding with Nicholas Karonoff.”

He sighed. Better not to argue. Wrapping his jacket and fur cat a bit tighter around him, he stepped out into the early spring chill and headed for the car. His mother’s house -- his house actually -- sat on a grand street in New York. He preferred the bohemian flavor of the neighborhoods near the college, but still, all these trees coming into leaf, shimmering in the streetlights, made the place look like fairyland.

He glanced down at Al, whose head rested on the shoulder of his jacket. “Good thing I brought the car, cat, or you’d be demonstrating your flying skills on the back of my motorcycle.” He opened the door of the electric sports car and slid in. The cat didn’t slip an inch. “Don’t think this car is an indication of my lifestyle. I just happen to be a fool for the occasional technological toy. You’ll find the rest of my accoutrements pretty sparse.”

“Merwaow.”

Killian wasn’t sure what that meant, but he didn’t comment. “So, what do you eat? Shall I stop and get you some kitty kibbles?”

Hisss.

Oookay, that meaning was pretty clear. “I’ve got some canned salmon. Will that do?”

He swore the damned cat smiled.

Driving into SoHo, where his apartment was, even the hum of the little car couldn’t keep his mind from the sorry state of his life. The stupid cat purred in his ear. “Glad you’ve got something to purr about.” Powers that be, the whole universe was closing in. He wanted a life. Every cell ached to be loved. He yearned for someone like… No. He just wanted someone to love him. And he was signing away that chance on a marriage license. It would be great to be noble, but -- face it -- he wasn’t. He was no Witch Master. Why couldn’t he have been born human? What kind of prankster gods gave him more power than any other witch? He felt like the lead performer in a giant cosmic joke.

He pulled into the very expensive parking garage -- his other indulgence -- got out, and locked the car in its stall beside the motorcycle. He walked the block to the old brownstone, the top floor of which he called home. The mail was boring. Okay, cat, check out your new digs. He opened the apartment door.

Aloysius leaped off his shoulder, hit the floor with a soft thud, and began exploring. Make yourself at home. He closed the door. “I know. I told you, it’s not much.” Of course, it was perfectly decorated, though in flea market finds and amusing hand-me-downs from friends. So what? It interested him to see what he could do, living without any of the resources to which he had title. No one understood it. Maybe he didn’t either.

He walked into the small bedroom and took off his coat and shoes, stripped off the semigood clothes he’d worn to his mother’s, and pulled on a pair of drawstring sweatpants and a comfy sweater. The cat followed on his heels into the kitchen. “Okay, I know I promised.” Aloysius watched carefully as Killian opened a can of salmon and dumped it in a dish. He started to put the dish on the floor and got one paw crossed over the other and a patient stare. “Oh hell.” He set the dish on the counter. Al hopped up and dug in.

Killian sat on the little chair by the breakfast table. He’d remodeled this kitchen with his own hands, scrounging used subway tile and pieces of granite. He’d only used magic when he couldn’t lift an object or make two pieces fit. And he’d spent a bit extra on the appliances. “So what do you think?” The cat kept eating.

Killian leaned his head against the wall. “What am I going to do, Al? Everyone expects me to do this marriage. I guess it really could mean a lot to my people. My people… Well, you know what I mean. But gods, producing kids with a woman! I don’t swing that way.” He got up and walked down the short hall back into his bedroom. When he looked down, Al was right there.

Killian sat on the edge of the bed. “If you’re supposed to be my familiar, I guess you better know that your witch is a fag. And not a very good one. Can’t really do the job for witchery, but I’m no better at doing the job for myself.” He fell back on the blue bedcover, a bedcover that had hardly seen anyone on it but Killian since he’d gotten it. The cat jumped up and looked at him as if he understood. Okay, he was losing it. But he had to talk to somebody.

“I haven’t ever had a serious relationship. When I was young, my mother managed to scare off any boyfriends I could find, and she wouldn’t let me anywhere near human boys. I guess she was just protecting me, but still, no boyfriends for me. And now, I just get users who think I’m some kind of road to the top of witchery. I hate it so much.” Damn. His eyes blurred. “You’re going to think I’m some kind of witchy wuss.”

The cat walked over and licked his hand. The sandpaper surface tickled his thumb. That did it. When had he last felt even a tiny lick done with true affection? His mother loved him in her way, but she was a Master Witch and cared far more for power and scheming than she ever had for love. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t value the same things. She had carefully selected his father for his good breeding potential, and she’d sent him on his way as soon as she’d shown signs of being pregnant. She’d gotten just what she wanted. The most powerful witch in the world, or at least one of them. Well, no. He guessed she hadn’t wanted a flaming gay witch who would give his last spell to be held by a lover who truly cared for him.

Tears began to drip from his eyes. Hell, what’s the use? He might as well cry. A moan escaped him, and he rolled into a fetal ball. “Oh, Al, I’m so lonely. So very, very lonely.” He cried until he slept from exhaustion.

Aloysius stared at the lean body and the long dark gold hair. He slipped under the man’s arm so he could lie close to his chest and hear his heartbeat.

E-mail: tara@taralain.com

Website: http://www.taralain.com/

Author blog: http://taralain.blogspot.com/

Book blog: http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Savvy Authors: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/member.php?2398-Tara-Lain

Twitter: http://twitter.com/taralain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Tara-Lain/100001514105686

FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Lain/205042046209804
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Lain/e/B004U1W5QC/

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Tara-Lain?keyword=Tara+Lain&store=book

ARe http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Tara+Lain

Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perseverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote published in January of 2011. Then she capped off the year by being voted Best Author of 2011 in the LRC Awards and had her Genetic Attraction Series named runner-up for Best Series of 2011! A very good year. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas, she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes”.

We Did It!

We managed to see everyone on our list – except my son. It was very disappointing. His work schedule wouldn’t allow and his boss didn’t care that he had family from out of town. Oh well. I’ll get over it. It was nice to see my friend Michelle. It was way too long. We promised to get together in May when we go back.


Baby T and I managed to come home with a cold, but I got sleep last night and I’m feeling rested.

I’m hoping to share some exciting news in the next day or two. I know, I know…keep you in suspense. I hate when people do that to me. LOL

Tomorrow I’m hosting fellow Loose Id author Tara Lain. She’ll be sharing her newest bestseller. Please drop by and say hello.

Off to write…edit and finished two article queries.

Here's our peanut!

Happy Monday.

How many people can Amber squeeze into one weekend?

We’ll find out soon. The DH and I are heading to NY, with the little one in tow. We’re going to visit my family. We have so many plans for 48 hours. Tonight we’ll visit with family – cousins, aunts and others. Tomorrow we’ll visit my dad and then dinner with an old friend who I haven’t seen since our wedding five years ago. Sunday we’ll spend time with my son who moved there a year ago.


By the time we get home on Sunday evening I’ll be exhausted I’m sure. The older daughter’s will stay home and care for the three dogs. Speaking of dogs they’re getting pissy already. The suitcase came out and they know we’re leaving. Three boys who are not happy!

Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy your weekend.

New Cover Art

I just finished uploading another one of my former AMP titles - One Tasty Night. This is the sequel to Unwrapped, formerly Mistletoe Studs. Here is the cover. A special thanks to Dar at Wicked Smart Designs!!!!