Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Book Spotlight on A Cowboy Christmas Miracle by Carolyn Brown (GIVEAWAY)

Christmas has come early with this entertaining read set in a small town that brings together two warring families with combustible results!  Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of A Cowboy Christmas Miracle by Carolyn Brown, with its tale of opposites attracting, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this fourth installment in the Burnt Boot, Texas series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a copy of the third book in this series too!

It will take a miracle bigger than the state of Texas for these two feuding families to survive the holidays!
Opposites might attract...
The Brennans and the Gallaghers put aside their one-hundred-year feud every Tuesday for their weekly poker game. This week, the stakes are sky-high. Goaded to recklessness, Declan Brennan bets one thousand dollars that he can woo the next woman to walk into the saloon. A minute later, fiery-haired Betsy Gallagher pushes through the doors. If Declan can tame this wild Gallagher, he’ll have earned every penny.
If they don’t kill each other first...
Betsy can outshoot anybody in Burnt Boot and loves ranching more than anything—until she falls for Declan. He’s fallen for her too. But when she discovers what sparked their courtship, Declan will need a Christmas miracle to save his hide—and his heart.

EXCERPT:

Dammit!
Betsy’s green eyes flashed both anger and excitement, and if she’d been any other woman in the whole state of Texas, Declan would have started his mission right then and there to get her into bed. But not a Gallagher! No way was he getting tangled up with Betsy. Declan liked his house, his job, and his place on the ranch too well to screw it up.
Betsy unwound her shapely legs, which were encased in tight denim, and slid down closer to him. With green eyes flashing, she shoved out a hand. “It’s a bet. Do we judge by the number or the value of the items?"
“It would be hard to judge by the value, since we’d argue until the devil turned blue from cold about that, so we’ll go by the number of items.” He wrapped his big hand around her small one and shook it firmly. The shock of her touch was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Chalking it up to the risks they were both taking, he dropped her hand. The tingling sensation was still there when Kyle returned and gave her the key.
Declan was glad that he’d made the offer for her to be in charge of the thing because right then, his hand was so hot that it would have turned the thing into liquid metal.
“Okay, you two. Let’s see if you can bring in what we need for a proper program. When I take stock of it all on the Sunday before Christmas, I’ll decide if we have enough. If not, it will be a start for next year,” he said.
“I’ll see to it that we have enough,” Betsy said.
“I understand there is a tree lighting at the store and the bar this next weekend,” Kyle said. “So those will be celebrations."
“It’s usually a war,” Declan said. “The Gallaghers do something to destroy or mess up our party, so then we’re bound to have to retaliate."
“How are you ever going to work together to make this program happen?” Kyle asked.
“Don’t worry, Preacher. We’ll get it done in spite of each other,” Declan said. “I’m leaving now. Betsy, we’ll meet here next Thursday night to discuss the rules?"
She nodded curtly.
“Okay then. No gathering of items until we talk about it, or the bet is off,” Declan said.
“What bet?” Kyle asked.
“That I can bring in more than he can.” Betsy shoved her arms into her denim duster.
“So this is a competition?"
“Everything between the Gallaghers and Brennans is a competition,” Declan said. “Have a happy Thanksgiving, Preacher. If you don’t have a place for dinner that day, you are welcome at River Bend."
“Or at Wild Horse,” Betsy said.
“Thank you both, but I’m going home to WaurikaOklahoma. My fiancĂ©e and I are having dinner at my folks’ place."
“Then enjoy it,” Betsy said.
Declan crawled into his club cab truck and laughed out loud. He’d win this crazy Christmas war, collect his thousand dollars from Betsy, and give it to Tanner. That would make her even madder at her cousin when she found out what had happened at the poker game. He started the engine and had put the truck in reverse when someone tapped on the window.
Betsy made the motion for him to roll down the window.
He hit the button, and it slid down slowly. “What? Do you want to cancel the bet right now?"
“I just want to know what time we’re going to meet on Thanksgiving night since the can for notes might not be in place until after that."
“How about ten o’clock? Park your truck at the bar. I’ll pick you up there, and we’ll park under the shade trees out back of the church and go inside to set up the rules."
She gave a brief nod and walked away, her cute little butt swaying from side to side and making his mouth go dry.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  BAM

AUTHOR INFO:

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author and RITA Finalist, Carolyn Brown, has published more than seventy books.  These days she is concentrating on her two loves:  women’s fiction and contemporary cowboy romance. She and her husband, a retired English teacher, make their home in southern Oklahoma.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Blurb Blitz for Lyrical Press Contemporary Romances (GIVEAWAY)


Fans of contemporary romances full of conflict, angst, and heartache will find themselves drawn to these two new releases from Lyrical Press.  Keep reading to get a compelling glimpse of Breaking Hearts by Melissa Shirley and its tale of past secrets and second chance romances, along with the sports-themed interracial romance Head Over Heels by Crystal B. Bright, and discover even more about them by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of these two engaging reads make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a digital copy of each book too!

BREAKING HEARTS BY MELISSA SHIRLEY
Can tragedies have a happy ending in Storybook Lake?
Every town has one—a mean girl, hell-bent on taking down everything in her path—and Danielle Ranier played the role to a tee. She broke up Storybook Lake’s most beloved couple and to save herself from a lifetime of lectures on morality, she hopped on the first plane out of town. Six years, one child, and a big secret later, she’s back, fleeing from her abusive husband, who isn’t quite willing to set her free. Now on trial for a murder she didn’t commit, Simon Hunter, the only man she’s ever loved is offering her a lifetime of love and security. If she could only reveal the secrets long-held inside her, a family that never was might finally come together . . .

EXCERPT:

How it all started.
Since the moment I first noticed boys in fifth grade, Simon Hunter was the boy I saw myself growing old with. He had the best smile, the most expressive honey-colored eyes, and a way with people that made an entire town love him. Even when he didn’t know it, he was everything to me. Any minute I could sneak into his presence was a minute I savored and cherished.
When we got around to the business of being adults, our schedules seldom coordinated, but we spent most Fridays together. I’d skipped out on the last three, wanting him to see what it would be like without me. I wanted him to miss me with a desperate passion.
The missing only happened on my end, and I had the phone log to prove it. As it went to voice mail, I glared at my phone and left my tenth message…a pitiful, I-miss-you-please-call-me-and-let-me-know-you’re-okay kind of message. Since high school, he’d been my reason for waking up in the morning, the hero in the dreams I had every night, and the focus of all the moments in between. And damn it. Friday was our day.
After a quick makeup check, I left my apartment, the one we’d planned to share up until a few months ago when he started making all those trips to LA with Gatlin. I kicked the jealousy away with the toe of my shoe against a rock on the sidewalk.
For three full blocks, I took my frustration out on chunks of concrete until I strolled past the bakery. It took every ounce of my will not to press my nose against the window to see if he’d decided to loiter inside while his sister worked, or if he’d just run in to get some free pastries. His car was parked out front, so I leaned against it for a few minutes, waiting…remembering the first time he kissed me…the way his hand cupped the side of my face, the brush of his lips so softly over mine. Had we been sixteen? Seventeen? It was a lifetime ago.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  iBOOKS  |  GOOGLE PLAY  |  KOBO  |  BN

AUTHOR INFO:

As an author, Melissa Shirley believes in fairytales, happily ever after, and destiny. Born and raised in Illinois, and a mother of eight, she lives with her husband and three youngest children in a quiet town in the southern part of the state where she spends her time writing and watching her children grow into the people she has always dreamed.

HEAD OVER HEELS BY CRYSTAL B. BRIGHT
Sometimes it takes hurt to open your heart...
At twenty-two, Thane Wells is the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball—and he owes it all to his adoptive Mama, “Queen” Elizabeth Sommerville, a wise, beautiful, entrepreneurial African-American woman who always encouraged him and his two white brothers to reach for the stars…the woman Thane still talks to daily. He never dreamed their most recent conversation would be their last. With his beloved supporter suddenly gone, Thane is grief-stricken, shaken, and vulnerable—especially to a woman like Kari Meyers.
Kari’s had her eye on Thane for a while, but strictly for business. As a junior sports agent, she’s hungry to sign him, especially when she hears his current agent will be retiring soon. When she finally locates Thane, she’s shocked to discover he’s attending his mother’s funeral—and he’s shocked to find Kari in his hotel room. Assuming she’s an escort is just the beginning of their misunderstandings. But one thing that’s clear is their mutual attraction. As a single mom with an NBA ex, Kari has a rule against dating athletes. Yet as circumstances bring the two closer together, they just might find they’re on the same team, heart and soul…

EXCERPT:

"Hey!"
She turned, hoping to see Thane calling for her. Instead, she saw the other businessman who had been sitting with Alec Fogel. Out of curiosity, she waited as he walked up to her.
“Do I know you?” Kari asked as she held on to the strap of her purse.
“No. And I don’t know you, but I’d like to.” The statuesque older man ran his hand over his silver hair. “My name is Frank Milliner. I’m the owner of the Winning Edge Agency. I heard what you said in there to Thane Wells. What agency do you work at now?"
Kari regarded him for a moment before speaking. “I don’t. I was hoping to sign him up as my client."
“Wait. You don’t work at an agency? How did you even know about him?"
Great. Another man who probably underestimated her passion for sports and her drive for a career. She would have to correct that perception right now.
“I could use someone like you in my company. I’m assuming you’ve finished school.” Frank crossed his arms over his chest as he studied her.
“Just graduated."
He laughed and shook his head. “Yes, you are exactly what I need for my business. We should talk.” He tried to guide her back into the hotel.
Kari stayed cemented to the cracked walkway. “I’m not exactly welcome back in there. Can we meet somewhere else?"
Frank smiled. “Of course."
Although she’d missed one opportunity, she hoped this one would turn out to be a winner. That didn’t mean she would be giving up on Thane Wells. He wouldn’t be the one who got away.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  iBOOKS  |  GOOGLE PLAY  |  KOBO  |  BN

AUTHOR INFO:

Crystal Bright graduated with a B.A. from Old Dominion University with a major in Creative Writing, a minor in Communications, and an emphasis on Public Relations. She earned her M.A. from Seton Hill University in Writing Popular Fiction. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Chesapeake Romance Writers.


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Monday, August 29, 2016

Book Release Blast for Watch Me by Ada Frost (Review & GIVEAWAY)


We're bringing a bit of steam to your Monday with the release of this erotically-charged romance with its sensual tug of war between two very intriguing characters.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of Watch Me by Ada Frost, along with my impressions of it, then learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this book make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!

This is my world, my kingdom. I sit on the throne and control the empire I created.
My skill? Providing illicit pleasure to thousands. If there is a fantasy to fulfil, my company will provide it.
I am the Porn Prince.
The cold hearted producer at Stone Industries who creates the hottest porn in the business.
But every ruler has an Achilles heel, and mine is chaos.
Abigail Warner is chaos.
From the moment she entered my office my world was turned upside down. She is my passion, my fantasy and everything I never wanted in life. The chaotic infuriating mess of a woman is everything I hate and avoid.
So why can’t I stop watching her.
Why do I crave her?
One taste and I know she will destroy me.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY AT AMAZON here.


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

With a storyline set in the world of porn readers are taken on an erotic journey as two strong-willed individuals with very different outlooks on life become engaged in an entertaining tug of war.  As they grow closer together emotions become entangled and the decadent delights increase in a combustible connection that held me captive from the very first page.

Abby's one of those unforgettable heroines who says the kind of things you wish you could.  She's strong-willed and outspoken and her snarkiness had me chuckling with each turn of the page.  Though she's had a few hardships growing up each one has only made her stronger.  In a desperate attempt to hold on to her deceased mother's home she finds herself working for the King of Porn, a cold-hearted control freak, which changes her life irrevocably.  She soon finds herself immersed in a highly sexualized world, caught between two men who see her very differently.  While Sam sees their time together as a game, the controlling Lawson sees her as a reward in his lifetime of loneliness. Throughout Lawson's hot and cold interactions with her Abby remains forgiving while standing up for herself.  Once Lawson decides that he can no longer share her, Abby still makes him work at deserving her.  She's a fiery heroine who enjoys poking at the quiet and controlled Lawson as she enjoys getting a rise out of him...and oh what a rise it is!  Theirs is a scorching connection with numerous erotic encounters arising out of their witty and snarky banter.  Abby may be a bit naive when it comes to sex play at the start of the story, but with Sam and Lawson as her guides she soon becomes a willing participant in their erotic games...with Lawson the eventual winner of her heart.

Lawson's childhood was steeped in sexuality, drugs, and parents who cared nothing about parenting.  It was a lonely childhood as no child was allowed to be the friend of a child of porn.  The only bright spots were his nanny who showered him with love and acceptance, and who he still sees as a mother figure, and gaining a friend and protector in Sam.  He and Sam are like brothers but also share similar kinks as they enjoy sharing their partners with each other. Until now Lawson was quite comfortable with sharing, but Abby brings out his jealous side which has him thinking things he's never thought before when he has her in his arms.  Theirs is a scorching connection made more difficult because of his issues regarding love.  While he's always tried to keep order in his life Abby brings chaos that he can't help but embrace and it makes for an entertaining journey to HEA.  Lawson's a compelling hero, cold and calculating when readers first meet him, but being with Abby brings out a more fun-loving side to his personality.  He and Sam have a complex connection too, one that's sensual yet brotherly in their unwavering support of one another and I enjoyed every scene they shared.  Ultimately, Lawson's a bruised and emotionally hurt man at the start of the story but Abby shows him the true power of love which brings out a charming side to this larger than life leading man.

Along with a commanding main couple whose interactions crackle with sexual intensity comes a memorable cast of secondary characters that I long to see more of.  Abby's friend Lacey has always been her support when she's needed help but until getting a job at Stone Industries she never knew Lacey's deep dark secret.  Lacey's a delightful character and just as playful and outspoken as Abby with a romance seeped in doubt and fears of judgment that added a sweet and sexy subtext to the overall story.  The other highlight of this story is Sam and his sexy and playful outlook on life.  He and Lawson are a bit more than just friends, indulging in their mutual kinks, and it added a bit of sizzle to their interactions.  He too enjoys goading Lawson but deep down wants nothing more than his happiness, a happiness he sees only Abby capable of giving him.  From the moment he enters the picture Sam's entertaining and supportive and I immediately added him to my list of book boyfriends.  I'm now counting down the days dreaming of him and his own steamy journey to HEA.  Fans of erotic reads will find much to like in this scorching tale set in the porn world.  It's a highly sexualized story with lots of style and substance as it brought together two very different people.  It's a story that I definitely recommend as it held me captive in a sensual haze from the first page to the last!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

So a little bit about myself. I love to read, and create stories for others to enjoy. I've always been told I have a vivid imagination, I just lacked the confidence to pursue putting it onto the written page. But finally I embarked on making a single dream come true.
I love to read, and write. I only read romance, any in that genre really. But it has to have a beautiful happy ending, I know reality isn't like that, but I read to excape real life not re-live it. Reality is too broken and jaded without having to live through the trauma and angst in a book for it to end unhappily.
I live in Yorkshire, England with my family, and many pets. When I'm not writing I am a very busy mummy and wife. My family is my world, my purpose and I am proud to be a part of their lives.

WEBSITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE

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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Book Tour for Bad Judgment by Meghan March (REVIEW)


Readers who love sexy and snarky playboys will be drawn to Ryker Grant and his combustible connection to the strong-willed Justine Porter as their battle of the sexes heats up.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of Bad Judgment by Meghan March, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf!

He’s so arrogant.
She’s so self-righteous.
I can’t stand him.
I want her.
He’s a distraction I don’t need.
She’ll say yes eventually because I’m not giving up.
Justine Porter is stuck between a rock and a stripper pole. She lost her law school scholarship, which means she has two choices to keep her life on track: strip for her tuition or tutor the most distractingly sexy guy in her class—the one she’s been turning down for two years straight. It should be an easy choice, but tutoring Ryker Grant could derail her plans to graduate with honors faster than two-for-one night at the DĂ©jĂ  Vu. Then again, topless has never really been her color.
She could take the easy road, just this once . . . but the deal has enough loopholes to trip anyone up.
Who knew they taught bad judgment in law school?

EXCERPT:

"Ive got some things I need to say to you, and youre going to let me."
Her brown eyes snap up to mine, surprise clear in them. Why should I?"
Because youre nothing if not curious, and you want to know what I have to say."
She steps backward, and I let my fingertips trail across her skin before they drop away. Justine adjusts the straps of her backpack on her shoulders and tucks Chewbacca into a side pocket.
You know you want to hear the rare sound of me apologizing, dont you?"
Justine purses her lips, and all I can think about is the dreams I had all weekend of her staring down at me from a stage while she danced and stripped. My own private show. Im not going to admit how many times I jacked off to the mental picture. I need the real thing, and I wont have another shot if she wont even give me a chance to talk to her.
I dont know what changes her mind, but she relaxes her posture and relents. Fine. Youve got five minutes. This better be good."
Its not much, but Ill take it. I lead the way out of the classroom, slipping out the side door I used to make my unobtrusive entrance. Or at least, it was unobtrusive until I decided to share my strike-out history with the entire class at Professor Turners invitation.
Glancing behind me, Im marginally surprised to see Justine actually following. I head for the third-floor doors to the library, where the private rooms are. This conversation isnt for public consumption.
The first private room on the right is empty, so I push the door open. Justine trails me inside, and I shrug off my backpack and drop it on one of the four chairs.
She closes the door behind her and leans against it, her arms crossed over her chest. Im guessing she wouldnt stand that way if she realized how it draws attention to her chest. I force my eyes back to her face. Im not about to fuck this up.
Wow, you must really plan on groveling if you need privacy, she says, an eyebrow raised in challenge.
Maybe I just wanted to get you alone."
She rolls her eyes. And Im already getting bored."
You love to bust my balls, dont you?"
I dont really like to think about your balls, if you want to know the truth."
I try on my charming smile, the one that has dropped panties for years. Im calling bullshit on that. Youve thought about me at least once."
She pushes off the door and turns halfway to reach for the handle. And if thats all you wanted to say, then I think were done here."
Wait."
Im shocked when she listens.
Justine rubs her hands over her face, her every move revealing her frustration. You ask me out for two years, practically blackmail me into a kiss, then you blow me off completely, and now youre all up in my business again. What the hell do you want from me?"
Her confusion punches me in the gut, making me wish I could tell her why I wasnt there the morning I promised to help her move. It wasnt for any reason she thinks.
I stride toward her, pressing one palm against the door beside her head. Im not blowing you off, and I havent stopped thinking about that night."
Then why--"
I cant give her the explanation she wants, so I try something different.
Lowering my head, I catch the next words out of her mouth on my lips. Theyre just as soft as I remember, and I drop my other hand to her hip, drawing her against me. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my T-shirt, almost reluctantly, but shes not pushing me away.
I take her mouth, my tongue diving between her lips to taste her again—finally, but the pulsing of my dick against the zipper of my jeans forces me to back off. If I dont, Ill be laying her out on the table behind us, and thats not what this is about. At least, not all of what this is about.
With her face flushed and her hair messy from my fingers, Justine shutters her expression. Shes rebuilding her walls brick by brick.
Thats not going to work for me.
Whats it going to take, Justine? I remember asking her the same question at the bar.
Her dark eyes fill with confusion. “Whats what going to take? The words come out defensively.
With you. To get a second chance. I fucked up once, but doesnt everyone deserve another shot?


FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  iBOOKS  |  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  BN  |  KOBO  |  GOOGLE PLAY


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

When it comes to romances it's all about the banter between the main characters that fuels my enjoyment of the story and this one has banter that kept a smile on my face from beginning to end.  Set amidst the cutthroat world of law school it's a battle of the sexes between the sexy and snarky Ryker who's feeling a bit lost about his academic future and the strong-willed Justine who's path is quite clear.  Theirs is a combustible connection that goes from enemies to lovers after fate throws them together but as their burgeoning relationship evolves a vindictive ex forces certain truths into the open that might end their HEA before it's barely begun.

Ryker's a carefree guy who's going to law school as his father desires but he's feeling frustrated with events in his life starting to spiral out of control.  The only certainty he feels is his connection to Justine, who he's been lusting after for two years with no luck.  When fate gives him the chance to spend countless hours with her he realizes he wants so much more than a casual fling but a melodramatic series of events pulls them apart and it will take a lot of talking to set things right.  Ryker's a sexy and charming guy who comes from a prominent family that hides a serious issue with his mom behind a facade.  He's lost but being with Justine gives him a sense of stability.  With her tutoring him he gets to see past her studious side to a caring and loving side that has him thinking of the future.  Others might see him as uncaring but he does many sweet things to show he cares with each word and deed endearing him to me.  Ryker's also a master of dirty talk and I enjoyed the heat this added to his encounters with her that helped her let loose.  On a whole Ryker was the highlight of this story and I've now added him to my list of book boyfriends.

Justine had a rough childhood as the daughter of con artists, feeling used and unloved.  From that moment on she became focused on a career in the law, devoting herself to studying and hiding from life and the pain of opening her heart to possible rejection.  She's a smart girl but feels unworthy of love which is part of her reasoning in pushing Ryker away.  When her scholarship is terminated though she makes a deal with his dad that saves her education but dooms her heart and soul as she soon falls head over heels for Ryker.  Hiding her agreement with his dad soon puts a wedge between them that leads to a series of overly dramatic events that dimmed my enjoyment a bit with all the over-the-top melodrama.  Justine doesn't like accepting help from others and despite getting knocked down repeatedly she always rises above it as she's more than capable of taking care of herself which adds a fiery element to her and Ryker's banter.  With everything that befalls her towards the end of the story though Justine finally has to deal with her past as it's keeping her from making a future with Ryker.  It's a heartbreaking time for her, one that has her and Ryker both revealing unsavory truths, but it's a time which will ultimately bring them closer than ever.

This was an entertaining story with rapid-fire dialogue between Ryker and Justine teeming with sexual tension.  Their relationship evolves slowly which allows them to get to know each other beyond their obvious physical attraction and eventually leads to scorching erotic encounters that has Justine finally living life.  There's a bit of angst early on but it's the end of the story when events become a bit far-fetched and melodramatic, but by then this couple had already completely charmed me which had me looking past a few of these unnecessary plot twists.  Along with this compelling main couple comes an engaging cast of secondary characters that I'd love to see more of in the future.  From the cocky but loyal Ian and Brandon to the sassy and supportive Merica these are friends to die for who deserve their own HEAs as they were there for Ryker and Justine every step of the way.  On a whole this was another winner from Ms. March, despite things becoming a bit chaotic at the end, as the core of this story is the sweet and sexy relationship between Ryker and Justine that held me captive from the first page to the last!

My rating for this is a B.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at.

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Saturday, August 27, 2016

Book Spotlight on Between You and I by Beth D. Carter


Readers who enjoy romances with an older woman and younger man will find themselves drawn to this erotic tale and its compelling characters.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Between You and I by Beth D. Carter, along with a quick Q&A with Ms. Carter, then add it to your bookshelf!

Thank you so much for having me here today!  I’ve often had people ask why do I write erotica romance? Do I really have to use those words? Well, yes. Yes, I do. And I’ve had it all.  The raised eyebrows, the nose in the air, even the rolled eyes. Everything that screams disapproval.  All because I say I write erotica romance.  People can’t seem to get past the ‘erotica’ part of that statement.
But I can’t NOT write.  I might explode if I’m not at my laptop trying to find a synonym for the words ‘gazed into his eyes’.  And why erotica romance?  Because it’s real. The sex is graphic because the love is intense.  My stories are not about people like the Cleavers, or the Brady Bunch.  My stories are about people with problems…about an ex-soldier fighting PTSD, women kidnapped for a human trafficking ring, a man who was inappropriately touched as a child, a woman who has survived alone in a wasteland for years.  These characters are raw.  Their emotions are encased in ice.  These people are helpless, hopeless…until love finds them.
In my latest book, Between You and I, the heroine, Madeline, is scared about feeling again after the man she loves walks away from her.  She hides behind a plethora of interesting friends, keeping herself busy so she’s not lonely.  Or at least, she tries to convince herself she isn’t lonely.  When she meets Hunter, who is a little younger than her, she suddenly is confronted by the prospect of the numbness she’s wound herself in melting away.
I’m not sure what other writers do, but I often use my writing as a way of dealing with my issues.  It’s very cathartic.  I’m very proud to have written about a woman who has gone through the same emotional turmoil I went through.  I hope Madeline’s story helps others who might be struggling with the same type of uncertainties...
What inspired you to write Between You and I?
This book was inspired by my own battle with endometriosis.  I was diagnosed in my twenties and suffered with pain, depression, and insomnia for over twenty years. It’s still a medical condition most people don’t know anything about.  I finally made the decision to have a hysterectomy last year and while lying in the hospital bed, I came up with Madeline. For a few years I’d been toying with the idea of a book, but it was that moment, right after surgery, that Madeline became a real person to me.
Tell us about the heroine, Madeline, in Between You and I:
Externally, she’s tough.  She covers up her pain with a “no worries” attitude.  But internally, she’s lonely.  She wishes for someone to hold her and take care of her for a moment.  In that respect, she’s a personification of what I went through.  Writing, for me, is a very cathartic way of dealing with issues.
Was there as specific part of the story that you absolutely loved writing as well as not enjoyed writing?
I loved finding her balance with the hero, Hunter.  He’s younger than her so having her get past her mental block on that was fun exploring.  My least favorite part in writing this story was figuring out the ending.  The one that the book ended up with was my second ending. It was hard figuring out the believable way to write their happy ever after.
Please tell a little about Between You and I without giving too much of a spoiler away.
This book was inspired by my own battle with endometriosis.  For a few years I’d been toying with the idea of a book about a heroine who had it, but it was the moment right after my hysterectomy surgery, that Madeline became a real person to me.  The hero, Hunter, had to be a right balance of understanding, hunky, and confused, otherwise, he’s too one dimensional.  I think I hit that balance, and I consider this book one of my best.
Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
Mostly my characters develop as I write them, but in this case, Madeline was planned out extensively, mainly because a lot of her is me.  I used my own struggle with endometriosis as her emotional platform to find love with a younger man.
What is your favorite line in Between You and I?  Why?
“Tell me, right now, what’s standing between you and I that makes you scared of that word,” he demanded. “Why are you so afraid of love?"
I love that line!  It was the first line I thought of when I began to think of Madeline’s story and it’s where I got the title.  I know it’s not grammatically correct but it sounds more dramatic than “between you and me”.

A broken engagement left Madeline Shawl feeling like a shattered woman.  When she meets Hunter Caligari, he seems to be the perfect man for some friends-with-benefits action.  But when the easy affair turns into something more, it threatens her comfortable grief.
The passion of the younger man nearly infects her until Hunter tries to articulate it with the three words she refuses to hear. When she pushes him away, wounding his heart, she finds her own broken all over again.
Still, Madeline struggles to leave the past and accept that when Hunter said, "I love you," he wasn't just speaking for himself.

EXCERPT:

“Where do you live?” she asked once they reached her sedan.
“Off Silverado,” he said. “The Mustang Apartments."
Madeline nodded and a few minutes later she was driving out of the parking garage, easing into traffic to head toward his home. The entire time she was acutely aware of his presence in her car, the warmth that his body generated inside the small confines. Or maybe she was simply hot and bothered.
All too soon she pulled in front of the gate that sealed off his apartment complex, and then slipped into an empty slot designated for future residents. She put the car in park and turned off the engine. For a moment neither one moved. She simply sat there, with her hands on the steering wheel, her heart pounding, and every nerve ending standing at attention. Waiting. Anticipating. He shifted and she felt his gaze on her, so slowly she turned.  The overhead parking lights illuminated his face through the front window, highlighting his chiseled good looks. Suddenly the small confines of her car seemed hot. A bit overwhelming.
“I had a great time,” Hunter murmured.
Madeline wet her dry lips with her tongue. His head moved fractionally closer.
“Me…” She had to clear her throat from the huskiness coming through. “Me too."
He smiled and their gazes met. Locked. She had this sense of free falling, just plunging head first into an unknown abyss. Had she ever felt like this with Kevin? With him everything had been easy. Simplistic. Nothing like what she was feeling now, with Hunter. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, and she leaned into it, absorbing his heat. His eyelids narrowed a bit and his attention shifted to her mouth. All sorts of delicious tingles spread through her body because she knew he was going to kiss her. God! She wanted to kiss him back so much it was an ache deep in her gut. His head descended and her eyes fluttered shut just as the first touch of his mouth on hers brushed her lips. So gentle, like the dewy wisp of butterfly wings, and she wondered if he had kissed her at all.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  ARe  |  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING

AUTHOR INFO:

I like writing about the very ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, so my heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate highrollers.  I try to write characters who aren't cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box.  I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes and heroines who find redemption through love.
I’ve been pretty fortunate in life to experience some amazing things.  I’ve lived in France, travelled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand.  I am a mom to an amazing little boy.  I’ve walked a red carpet event and visited the USS Voyager. I hate washing dishes but I love cooking. I hate washing clothes but I love wearing them. Writing my bio is difficult because I never know what to say so I hope you like this one.  My favorite color is red but I look best in black (it’s slimming).  I hate people who don't pick up their dog's crap in public places, people who don’t use turn signals, and I really hate people who are rude and condescending. I especially hate discrimination in all and every form.  And although I love holding a book in my hand, I absolutely adore my ereader, whom I’ve named Ruby.  I love to hear from readers so I’ve made it really easy to find me on the web.