Book Tour for The Realtors Series by Liz Crowe (Guest Post & GIVEAWAY)

The world of realty has never been so sexy.  But thanks to Liz Crowe's new series I'll never think of House Hunters the same way again.  Courtesy of Goddess Fish Promotions Liz is here today letting us know about her new sexy series and also letting me offer you the chance to win some great goodies.  So join me while we delve into this steamy world.

I have varying opinions on series. I have written several myself.  The Realtors is something a little different than the current trend of taking secondary characters from a first (or 2nd book) and spinning off with their stories.  I've done that already and am still enjoying it with the Turkish Delights series from Decadent Publishing.

The Realtors, though, is more of an "epic novel" that spans 3 books and about 12 years in the lives of Jack Gordon and Sara Thornton and the people they love.  It started life as a REALLY LONG novel with a sequel.  After a few critique partner sessions and one very eye opening and (at the time) discouraging editing session, I put it aside for a while as I developed other projects. Then, a new and very dynamic publisher approached me. We had some conversations about my works in progress and I pulled Jack, Sara, Craig and the gang out of mothballs and revived their story in a big way!

Keeping it alive and interesting to my mind is a function of crafting characters so dynamic, so real, that readers keep coming back for more.  It's how JR Ward does it. She created a group of impossibly amazing super alpha vampires (not usually my thing, mind you) with back stories, families, foibles, vices and a whole slew of reasons to keep us all coming back for more...and more.  It's a fine art really.

All series get to the "jump the shark" moment too. I like to think that I have a couple of side stories that readers will want as offshoots once Jack and Sara's story concludes (more or less in my typical "HFN" style). Her brother Blake and his lover Rob have some fairly compelling scenes in Sweat Equity and their HEA with the addition of a lady friend is hinted at so...and all you Craig fans out there, I will be telling HIS whole story, eventually.  But for now, The Realtors is less "series" and more "epic tale." And one that's already garnering rave reviews!

The Realtors:  Life in the House Lane

Love is an easy word to use, a hard one to demonstrate, and sometimes impossible to trust.

     The Realtors is a sweeping epic, encompassing over ten years in the lives of two people who know how to love with their bodies, how to please and get pleasure, to control and be controlled.  When it comes to the deeper meaning of the one word they both need however, their strong personalities get in the way. While their physical connection sizzles they continue to disappoint one another emotionally.

     Jack Gordon has it all--money, success, a string of women—but sustains a deep longing for something more. When he thinks he finds it with Sara Jane Thornton, his world is never the same again.  Sara releases his natural Dom, a side of him he'd thought buried out of frustration and unhappiness. Sara learns a true submissive must trust implicitly, something she cannot associate with him, no matter how many times she tries, and he fails.

     With a rich cast of secondary characters, including a young man who presents a near-perfect foil to Jack's intensity, and who falls hard for Sara; The Realtors series is a romantic saga with an emphasis on contemporary life and love, with a healthy dose of white-hot eroticism. Modern, busy, driven characters living lives of purpose and real-time stress, seek the ever-elusive and highly coveted combination --a friend, lover and trusted advisor who will be there for the long haul.

FLOOR TIME by Liz Crowe

Jack Gordon is Ann Arbor's most delectable bachelor.  At age thirty-five, he's made millions as a top-selling Ann Arbor real estate broker and has the right connections to close a deal by any means necessary. With his rugged good looks and compelling personality, he has a virtual black book most men would kill for and he uses it often, never settling for one woman for very long.

While his D/s past remains buried, exactly where he wants it, an undercurrent of boredom and dissatisfaction runs through his life now.  A disastrous experience years earlier made him swear off the whole scene, but the more Jack suppresses his natural Dom, the more his frustration grows.  

Sara Thornton, a rookie in the real estate game, has fast-tracked herself to the top of the Ann Arbor market. Her life reflects a disciplined and focused routine, exactly the way she wants it.  However, as her career takes off, the fulfillment she seeks remains inexplicably out of reach.  The one thing she knows for sure, she will not join the Jack Gordon groupies in her company, no matter how tempting that might seem.

A chance encounter, then a difficult transaction, throw Jack and Sara together and the sparks fly high and hot and often. Forced to confront the compulsions that gain momentum with each sizzling encounter, their relationship seems to spiral out of control until Jack finally admits what he needs, and shows Sara what she's been missing.

SWEAT EQUITY by Liz Crowe

Jack Gordon thought he’d finally made it.  He had a wildly successful career, money in the bank and even returned to his life as Dom, putting an end to a string of unfulfilling sexual encounters. Now that he's made the ultimate commitment to Sara Thornton, he believes all is right in their world. However, a series of misunderstandings and a dose of self-fulfilling prophesy bring his perfectly crafted house of cards tumbling down around him, forcing him to confront lingering misgivings about marriage and trust.  Could those be the only two things he can never achieve?

Sara struggles with her intense need for Jack and her desire for less volatility in her busy life, two goals which appear to be mutually exclusive. Although willing to put in the time and emotional effort to make their relationship work, she finds it futile and frustrating, littered with clashes thanks to near-identical personalities and temperaments. Given Sara’s history, easing back into the comfortable status quo becomes easier than fighting a war with the one person who should be her safe haven. But will the easier choice satisfy her the way only Jack can? Is her "war" one that comes from without or within?

Buffeted by circumstance, temptation and distraction, Jack and Sara’s tenuous relationship crumbles, sparking a continuous quest for the ever elusive: trust, love and acceptance. By the time they rebuild a foundation for renewal, fate has other plans. Which leaves them both reeling, once again questioning their destiny.

CLOSING COSTS by Liz Crowe

Love conquers all? Not likely, according to Sara Thornton. She’s spent eight years coming to terms with the new parameters of her life while resigning herself to the idea that “happily ever afters” are best left to fairytales. Sales manager for her successful real estate office and juggling an added element of responsibility she never thought she’d face, Sara continues to struggle with the men in her life. Love, for her, has only meant hurt, broken trust and anger; all of which she’s completely banished from her life, so she claims.

Jack Gordon has come a long way since his earlier days of obsession with Sara. As general manager of Stewart Realty, his own level of responsibility for others’ well-being has ramped up. He’s even honed his caretaking skills, now that he has someone who loves him unconditionally.

Continuing to try and rebuild their relationship, they grow close as friends. But, the ultimate question remains unanswered; the one he keeps asking, no matter how many times she says no. Sara isn’t prepared for the keen focus of his need–to have her back, once and for all. And her stubborn resistance nearly rips both lives apart

The epic conclusion to The Realtors series, Closing Costs brings Jack and Sara truly full circle. Proving that the heat of lust and obsession; the need for control and to be mastered in many areas of life can lead to love —surprising you when you least expect it – if you will only allow it.

EXCERPT FROM FLOOR TIME:

Intent on her mission to the fax machine and the email on her phone, Sara didn’t even look up as she rounded the corner of the front sales desk.  A sure grip on her arms kept her from plowing straight into a firm wall of strong, blue-suited torso planted smack in the middle of her front office. When she lifted her eyes they met Jack’s. The look he shot her—a little curious, a little cautious, a lot intense—brought tingles to her scalp. To her knowledge, he’d never even darkened the doorstep of her building. What in the hell was he doing here now?

 Could he sense she was having sex dreams about him? Did he read her like a damn book even though they weren’t that close, merely fellow realtors at the same company?  He had used his amazing charisma and stark, Black-Irish good looks to their full effect through the years. He was a millionaire twice over thanks to them, but had never entered into her -small orbit until now. His reputation preceded him and Sara’s mind reeled with tales of female conquests in real estate offices, empty houses and various semi-public places.

“Whoa, hang on, don’t go so fast, you’re gonna hurt somebody,” he laughed. Sparks flew from his touch straight to her core. His eyes widened; then narrowed, as if sensing her reaction. She made a show of jerking her arm out of his clutches.

“Hey, sell that Lansdowne house yet, big boy?” She threw over her shoulder, eager to get some distance between them before she embarrassed herself. Summoning every ounce of willpower at her disposal, she endeavored not to stare at him, open-mouthed, as he leaned against the counter in his dark blue suit, French-cuffed shirt and perfectly matched tie. Her brain did its little song and dance routine again reminding her that he was bad – very bad – and her own apparent, unfounded obsession with him had to stop.

“Hell no, and you know it.”

“So why are you here, if not to aggravate me?” She pretended to fight with the fax machine. Anything but meet his eyes again.

The sales secretary appeared at her side in a flash, irritating her beyond belief. 

“Hey Jack.” 

Somehow, Sara knew he had fucked her. The girl was practically lying on the counter to get his attention. Of course, he was a sight worth seeing, in his summer-weight suit and windblown, thick hair that begged for her fingers.

“What?” He dragged his eyes from Sara. “Oh, hey babe, how are ya?”

Incredible.  He doesn’t even remember her name. Sara, avoid this guy like the plague. 

Sara’s sales manager chose that moment to emerge from her office. “Jack, to what do we owe this distinct and, no doubt, well-planned honor?” Pam crossed her arms in front of her ample chest, looking over at Sara pointedly then back at him.

“Pamela, good to see you too,” Jack faced her, one elbow still leaning on the counter. “I was just down the street in a meeting with architects. We’re doing that kick-ass renovation over on Washington—mixed-use – retail and condos. Should be done in about a year or so.” He trailed off and looked straight back at Sara who lowered her eyes.

Sara couldn’t concentrate—which pissed her off. She was not about to fall into the guy’s trap. Her brother Blake had filled her ear with warnings about Jack’s bad-news reputation. She had neither excuse nor reason to be infatuated with him. Anyway, she needed to focus on Adam’s closing and the recent hitch in their whirlwind relationship. 

Screw Jack.

Oh yeah. Bad choice of words.

She breezed by him heading back to her desk.

 “Bye,” he hollered at her retreating form.  “Tell Adam I said ‘hey.”

That last comment made her turn to look at him. He had one eyebrow raised, still leaning on the counter—a damn advertisement for manly perfection – absolutely the worst possible thing for her. Sara ground her teeth, turned back around and raised her hand in a mock salute good-bye.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Microbrewery owner, multi-published author, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz brings years of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse PLUS making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry) to her life as erotic romance author.  When she isn't sweating inventory and sales figures for the brewery, she can be found writing, editing or sweating promotional efforts for her latest publications.

Otherwise, look for her doing pounds of laundry for her athletic children, watching La Liga on the Fox Soccer Channel, or trying to figure out what to order in for dinner. Liz loves her Foo Fighters Pandora station, and watching reruns of Deadwood, when there isn't any decent sports on the telly (like during “golf season”).  Her beer blog a2beerwench.com is nationally recognized for its insider yet outsider views on the craft beer industry. Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high powered real estate offices.  Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury.

Publishers include:
Tri Destiny
Ellora’s Cave
Decadent Publishing
Rebel Ink Press
Breathless Press

www.brewingpassion.com
www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor
www.twitter.com/beerwencha2
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-floortime-675855-144.html  (FLOOR TIME buy link)

**********GIVEAWAY**********

One random commenter at each stop will win either one of five $10 Amazon gift cards, one of three winner's choice of a book from Liz's backlist, or one of two $20 Zingerman's gift certificates.

-Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE!
-To be entered just leave a comment along with your email addy.
-One commenter will be chosen randomly from all comments made at each tour stop, so the more tour stops you make a comment on the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 3/30.