Blitz: An Executive Decision by Grace Marshall

New Release: An Executive Decision by Grace Marshall

A hot romance novel - first in a series of three.

Overworked CEO Ellison Thorne has no time for sex, let alone romance. The only answer, at least where his retiring business partner Beverly is concerned, is a no-strings sex clause in her replacement’s contract, designed to make Ellis’ busy life easier – and hotter. But she’s joking, right?

When Dee Henning takes over Beverly’s job, sparks fly between her and Ellis, but work takes priority in driven Dee’s life too. Can one night of passion in a Paris hotel room prove Beverly’s Sex Clause is their secret to success in the boardroom and the bedroom, and what will happen if that private clause becomes public knowledge?

Amazon UK

Amazon

Excerpt here

Grace Marshall lives in South England with her husband and the growing gang of hooligan birds who frequent their feeders. When Grace isn’t busy writing something sexy and romantic, she’s busy digging in her ever-expanding veg garden or walking across the British countryside. She finds inspiration outdoors in nature, and most of her best story ideas come to her while she’s walking or gardening.

Grace is the author of the fast paced, quirky Executive Decisions Trilogy published by Xcite Romance. An Executive Decision, the first novel in the trilogy, will be available soon at all your favourite book sellers with lots more romance served hot to follow in the near future.

Grace Marshall’s alter-ego, K D Grace, writes critically acclaimed, best-selling erotic romance. Whether it’s sexy romance or romantic sex, between The Graces, there’s a story for you.

Find Grace here:

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Why writer's conferences matter

This past weekend, the New Jersey Romance Writers had their annual writer's conference. This is a 2 day event with socializing, food, goodies. (I found this awesome squeezy brain in hot pink with the author's information printed on top. If you're wondering what a squeezy brain is, it's one of those stress-reliever squeezy things...in the shape of a brain!)

It's also a place where writers talk, meet other writers, and learn. I know what you're thinking, writer's conferences are for writers, hello! I'm a reader what do I care? Here are a couple reasons why these conferences are great for writers and readers alike.

• When writer's learn about things like plotting, pacing the plot for maximum impact, and writing in a certain point of view, we write better.
• When writer's write better you have a story to read and better enjoyment for your money.
• When you better enjoy the book you've just read, you let people know about it, thereby introducing a potentially new reader to this author's work and helping them enjoy it as well.
• Now this can also create new friendships, since you and this potential new reader can then compare books read, TBR, or TBB.

Imagine the possibilities! And all because a writer went to a conference, learned something new about writing her latest story, added it into her work to make it that much better.

Friday Recipe: Chocolate filled Crescent Rolls

I recently bought mini-chocolate chips for mummy cupcakes (I'll try and remember to post pictures when I make them for next week's party), but they happened to be on sale so I bought 2 bags. Really, what can I do with 2 bags of mini-chocolate chips? Very hard to make cookies, I prefer lots and lots of chips in my cookies. But then I stumbled across this delicious recipe. Because it's true: Chocolate makes everything better. (Unless it goes better with cheese in which case, cheese makes everything better!)

Chocolate Chip Crescent Rolls

Ingredients:


1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated
crescent dinner rolls 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Powdered sugar, if desired
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F Separate dough into 8 triangles.
2. Place tablespoon of chocolate chips on wide end of each triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side of triangle, rolling to opposite point. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powered sugar.

Blitz: Dare by Kacey Hammell

Legal secretary, Olivia Warner enjoys being single and, aside from her closest gal pals, usually keeps to herself. But the night of her thirty-fourth birthday, she and her friends spend a fun-filled evening at a local bar where her friends dare her to approach a man, and spend the night with him. Olivia's not one to turn down a dare, especially from her old college pals. She only hopes the man in question is in for some good conversation, because that's all she'll give him.

Darren “Dare” Shalvis has given up on women. He's tired of being chased for his money, good looks, and prowess in bed. He prefers to meet a woman who, for once, wants nothing more from him than mere conversation. If only the woman asking him to spend the night with her wasn’t his favorite legal secretary.

Accepting a dare has never been so tempting…

Available from:
Evernight Publishing
Amazon UK
Amazon
All Romance
Omnilit
Bookstrand

Excerpt:

She gave a small laugh and lifted the glass for a drink.

Dare watched her lips as she drank. He wondered what they’d taste like. It was something he’d considered many times lately.

He was drawn to her, but unsure he’d ever act on it.

Her whole demeanor said ‘hands off.’ And he wasn’t sure he was ready for the challenge.

“Tell me about it.”

“I’ll cut right to the chase.” As he turned on the stool, their knees brushed. Neither moved.

He thought he saw her eyes lit up. Perhaps Ms. Warner wasn’t as immune as he thought.

“My friends brought me here tonight for my birthday.”

“Happy birthday.”

She smiled. “Thank you. The jury’s still out whether it’s happy or not. My friends decided that as a present they’d get me a man.” She blushed and reached for her drink.

“Go on.” Intriguing.

She set down her glass and continued, “They dared me. Dared me to find myself a man and spend the night with him.”

Women…who understood them? He’d only ever participated in dares when he was younger. He didn’t think anyone took them seriously anymore.

“And you need my help, how?” Dare’s heart rate accelerated. She wasn’t asking him to…

She stared up at him, her gaze steady. “I need you to spend the night with me.”

If he hadn’t heard it with his own ears, he wouldn’t have believed it. This night was the strangest he’d had in a long time. It was as if he’d been offered a million dollars on a silver platter.

Of course, he wanted to spend the night with her. He’d fantasized about it many times. He just wasn’t clear on what exactly she was asking. He didn’t want any misunderstandings. “Are you asking me to spend the night with you to…” Dare cleared his throat. “…be with you?”

“Oh! No, yes, I mean no. Dammit, I’ve screwed this up.”

“Relax.” He put a hand on her knee. “It’s okay. Let’s try this—do you want me to have sex with you?”

Olivia groaned. Dare love that sound, and heat filled his groin.

“No. Not to have sex. God, this is mortifying.” Olivia placed her hand over his where it still rested on her knee. “Just to spend the night together—a movie, hang out, whatever—until eight a.m., when the dare is over.”

Dare laughed. She talked so fast he could hardly keep up. He’d never seen her so animated before. He liked her flustered and breathless…a lot. He wondered if she looked and sounded like that during sex.

He couldn’t go that route. Not now.

“Okay, so let me get this straight. You want us to spend the night together—with no sex—until morning? All because of a dare? Why didn’t you just say no?”

“I can’t. In college, the five of us made a pact—in blood, for God’s sake—that we’d always be friends and never back down from a dare. Trust me, right now, I wish I’d never made it.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I can imagine how you feel.”

“I’m so tired after the day we had. This was the last thing I needed tonight.”

“Yeah, when I stopped by the office today you seemed a bit irritated.”

She sighed and ran her fingers over his hand. Dare was surprised how comfortable it felt to have their knees and hands touch. He didn’t think Olivia was even aware she caressed his hands…or wreaked havoc on his libido. If her innocent touches could send him into overdrive, he wondered what would happen if she put all she had into it.

“It was the day from hell. I just wanted to meet the girls for a few drinks, then head home to soak the day away.”

Dare grit his teeth and tried not to think of Olivia in a bathtub—water floating around her body, relaxed, languid. The image could send him over the edge.

“Well, you’re in luck. I’m your man for the night.”

Olivia smiled and her eyes danced. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. The last thing I wanted to do was have to pick up some random guy. I’m so glad you were here.”

Pleased he could help her, Dare grinned. He realized he wanted to anything to put that carefree smile on her face.

“So.” He took a sip of his beer. “What do you want to do?”

She scowled. “Well, we could go back to my place. I have a spare room that you can crash in if you want.”

Surprised, Dare took in her flushed face. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah. We don’t exactly have to stay up all night. It’s still spending the night together, right?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, in a manner of speaking. Your friends weren’t specific.”

A smug smile crossed Olivia’s face. “No they weren’t. Which is a testament to how much they thought this through. I would have made a list of do’s and don’ts.”

They both laughed. Olivia had a naughty streak and he liked it. Liked it—and her—very much. A night with Olivia Warner wasn’t what he’d expected.

Sure, he’d thought of her in his bed often, writhing and moaning with passion, but he never thought fantasy would become a reality. He couldn’t let the opportunity go.

His buddies didn’t call him Dare for no reason. He could never resist a challenge.

He placed both hands on her shoulders, drew her gaze from her glass, and put his cards on the table.

“What if we have an agreement?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“For us to spend the night together, we should have some ground rules.”

“Ground rules?”

“I will spend the night with you. More than eager to do so, except one thing.”

“What’s that?” she whispered. He barely heard her but saw her lips move.

He wanted to taste them, desperately.

“I don’t want to sleep in any spare room.”

“You don’t?” She gawked at him.

Her expression was comical but Dare didn’t feel like laughing.

“No. I want to spend the night in your room.” Dare had her full attention. She stared at him, eyes wide. “In your bed.”


About the Kacey:
The writer: Kacey is a multi-published erotic romance author who was encouraged to write by her beloved husband and quickly found herself writing fast and furiously. Not that she’ll ever tell him those three dreadful words that he longs to hear…”You were right.” Kacey is a true romantic at heart.


The Wife and Mom: Born, raised and still living in her hometown in Ontario, Canada, Kacey found true love with her husband. As a Mom of three, Kacey has made certain that each of her children know the value of the written word and the adventures they could escape on by becoming book-a-holics in their own right.

Readers can learn more about Kacey's books and contact her via …
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads

Wednesday Regency: Music

Today in 1813 Verdi was born. You might not know the name, but he's the composer who did Aida (and Falstaff but though that's a favorite of mine, not many know of it). Very influential during the 19th century, Verdi's works were also quite political:

Unlike most of the visual arts, opera was commercially profitable, accessible to most classes of society, and thus an effective means of reaching the 19th-century public. Verdi used musical theater to contrast noble ideals with the corrosive effects of power, love of country with the inevitable call for sacrifice and death, and the lure of passion with the need for social order.

And then we have Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia who died on the same day in 1806 at the Battle of Saalfeld. A soldier, he was also a musician though under-appreciated. Ludwig van Beethoven dedicated his Third Piano Concerto to him, a sign of high esteem for his piano playing.

Sexy Marines and Lila Munro

BLURB:

Piper McGee can smell a set up a mile away. She can smell a Marine even further. Born to a dual-enlisted couple who divorced before she was old enough to remember a single family holiday together and proceeded to redefine the very definition of family through several marriages and even more step-siblings, Piper has made it her life’s promise to herself to never become involved with one of the few and the proud. They’re among the most irresponsible people she knows, leaving destruction in their wake and broken hearts paving the way to their next duty station. And in her opinion, Alec Douglas is just another example, until he pries her heart open along with other parts of her, making her question everything she's ever let herself believe about honor, courage, and commitment.

What does a man do with six month’s down time and no warm body to share his bed? For Sergeant Alec Douglas, contemplating that question led him to fall prey to his two best friend’s plan to find him that very thing. They know Alec has yet to stay with any one person for more than a few dates. They also know a tragedy from his past created the problem and while that haunts him, making it nearly impossible for Alec to trust his heart to anyone, they also know he’s a sucker for a challenge. Will the enticement of a few thousand dollars riding on him breaking his own rule be just the thing to disrupt his cycle? Taking their bet might be profitable, but is winning the money they’ve dangled under Alec’s nose worth losing himself to the girl they’ve picked out for him?

In his quest to get her to say yes to his crazy proposal, he tracks her all over town only to discover the beautiful, long-legged blond isn’t the studious book worm he mistook her for. In fact, she's one of Jacksonville’s finest in the form of Orchid, exotic dancer. Her rejection only spurs him to make sure her dancing days are over and she only performs her private pirouette for him, and only him, for the rest of their lives if he has his way.

Excerpt:

Marines! Piper couldn’t wait to graduate and get the hell out of Jacksonville on the first train to anywhere. Anywhere where men had more on their minds than a quick roll before hopping on the bird for the next trip to the sandbox, or where ever the action currently was. Anywhere there were men that weren’t careless with what they’d been entrusted with, people’s affections and lives. Why couldn’t she just for once get hit on by someone worthwhile? Someone who knew the difference between an adjective and an adverb? Someone who wanted more out of life than to fight other people’s wars? Someone who wasn’t the type to start a family then abandon it?

The one good thing she could say about the latest government robot to try to drag her off to bed was he was extremely good looking. He was taller than she was, which wasn’t common, by at least four inches. He was tanned to golden perfection, which made his brown hair look darker than it probably was, and he had the most unusual eyes she’d ever seen. They were some strange light brown straying to a golden color. When he’d reached around her, she could plainly see he was ripped. His forearm was a corded mesh of muscle and taut skin. The smell of sunshine, fall leaves and the whiskey he’d been drinking drifted off him. Her heart had raced and her palms got clammy. Damn it. If she hadn’t been reminded of his status in life by his cropped hair and the big eagle, globe, and anchor etched on his bulging bicep, she might have been tempted to actually go out with him.

About Lila:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, the Identity series, and most recently the Toy Box Tales in conjunction with BethAnn Buehler. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.

Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at Realmantic Moments Facebook Pinterest Goodreads Twitter You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com and you can find all her works at: Amazon Nook ARe Bookstrand

Friday Recipe: Chicken Kabobs

I was browsing for something else and came across this instead. Mind you, I haven't tried it but man, it sounds delicious! Plus I have to say, I like how All Recipes remade their site. More streamlined. Grilled Chipotle Chorizo Chicken Sausage & Shrimp Kabobs

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 6

Ingredients:

For the skewers 1 (12 ounce) package al fresco® Chipotle Chorizo Chicken Sausage, sliced on the bias 1/2 inch thick 1 pound shrimp, deveined 1 cup pineapple, fresh, 1-inch chunks 1/2 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks 1/2 large red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 large orange pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 small zucchini, cut 1/2 diameter slices 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lime rind grated - & reserved for final garnish   Lime Marinade 2 limes, fresh, juice both, grate one

1 jalapeno pepper, fresh, seeded and cut into chunks 5 cloves garlic, fresh 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar   Saffron Couscous 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 12 ounces Israeli couscous 1/2 cup white onion, diced 1/4 inch 1 teaspoon saffron 1/2 cup white wine 3 1/4 cups boiling water

Directions:

1.	Lime Marinade: Combine all ingredients in food processor. Puree until fine. Set aside.
2.	Saffron Couscous: Coat a medium sauce pan with olive oil and saute the Israeli couscous and white onion over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the Saffron, saute for an additional 2 minutes. Lower the heat and add the white wine. Slowly add the boiling water. Cover and cook for 12 minutes or until couscous is light and fluffy.
3.	Combine olive oil, green, red, & orange peppers. Coat vegetables well and pre-grill for 5-7 minutes.
4.	Assemble skewers; slide one piece al fresco Chipotle Chorizo Chicken Sausage onto skewer, followed by pineapple, green pepper, shrimp, orange pepper, zucchini, and red pepper. Repeat pattern until skewer is full. Marinate in lime marinade, refrigerated for 1 hour.
5.	Grill over a medium high flame, use a pastry brush to baste skewers with any free lime marinade. Grill 5 - 7 minutes per side or until shrimp turn opaque in color.

#NewRelease Seduction of my Proper Wife

This is the first in my 6 book series of ménage stories set during the Parisian Exposition of 1889. The stories are only connected through the Exposition, so there's no need to read them in any kind of order.

Seduction of my Proper Wife: A Victorian Ménage at the Parisian Exposition

Philip Thornton only wanted to help his frigid wife enjoy their marriage bed.

Lillian agreed, but once freed from her past, hadn't expected such a fierce transformation.

Aria was paid to educate and entice, but what she found was more than she ever dreamed possible.

The Parisian Exposition of 1889...the world is changing and the three of them are caught in its whirl. Philip and Lillian went to Paris to save their marriage and to help Lillian overcome her fears. Aria danced and seduced Lillian, but before Lillian left, Aria found herself seduced, in turn, by the beautiful Englishwoman.

When Philip and Lillian break all the rules and escort Aria around Paris for a week, will it be the beginning of their future? Or will this seductive interlude be nothing more than a dream?
Excerpt

Where to buy:
All Romance

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Wednesday Regency: Automatons!

I spent this last weekend in Philadelphia. In addition to all the historical sites, I also visited the Franklin Institute for the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit. (Yes the scrolls were actually there, yes they were translated *G* and yes I highly recommend seeing them.)

BUT...there was a new addition to the Machine Room: Maillardet's Automaton. What you ask? And what does an automation have to do with Regency Wednesday? This one was created by a Swiss clockmaker in 1810! There were no trains, no steam-powered ships, nothing of the sort!

It has to be seen, but I can honestly tell you that this reconstructed machine was the coolest thing I've seen in ages. (Did it top the Dead Sea Scrolls? Apples and oranges my friends.) Here's a picture of the back of the automaton, which looks a lot like the inside of a musical box.

In November of 1928, a truck pulled up to The Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia and unloaded the pieces of an interesting, complex, but totally ruined brass machine. Donated by the estate of John Penn Brock, a wealthy Philadelphian, the machine was studied and the museum began to realize the treasure it had been given.

This Automaton, known as the "Draughtsman-Writer" was built by Henri Maillardet, a Swiss mechanician of the 18th century who worked in London producing clocks and other mechanisms. It is believed that Maillardet built this extraordinary Automaton around 1800 and it has the largest "memory" of any such machine ever constructed—four drawings and three poems (two in French and one in English).

Automata, such as Maillardet's Automaton, demonstrated mankind's efforts to imitate life by mechanical means—and are fascinating examples of the intersection of art and science.

The first video (left) below is a quick demonstration of the Maillardet Automaton, set into motion for the camera in 2007 by Charles Penniman of Philadelphia, a long-time volunteer researcher, caretaker, and operator of the machine.

The second video (right) is just over seven minutes long and was recorded on November 4, 2007, when Brian Selznick visited The Franklin Institute for a signing of his book, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." The Franklin Institute's Maillardet Automaton was a principal inspiration for Selznick's book. Andy Baron operates the machine in the second video clip. Baron, by trade, is an expert in engineering paper pop-up books and was chiefly responsible for the Automaton's restoration in April, 2007.

Monday Madness and cover reveal

As in I'm crazy. I'm perfectly happy writing my Victorian menage series and all of a sudden decide I need to write a contemporary Halloween story. I decided this on Thursday, 3 days before the end of September. The month before October when Halloween falls.

I'm now a good portion into this story and enjoying the change. A little paranormal, modern-day, a bit o' history all in one Cursed Love. Like the cover?