Review Stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for SHATTERED by Cynthia Eden with #excerpt + #giveaway

Welcome to my review stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for SHATTERED, book three in the LOST series by Cynthia Eden. I was so eager for this one because we met Jax Fontaine in book two, TWISTED, and I was very excited that he was so interested in Sarah…I was not disappointed…I think this one might claim the best honors for the series…so far anyway. After my review, check out an excerpt and giveaway!

***eARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for SHATTERED:

In New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden's latest novel featuring the Last Option Search Team (LOST), one agent is forced to face her past as she uncovers secrets about the man who may be the key to her future.

Criminal psychologist Dr. Sarah Jacobs is all too familiar with the kind of bad boys who belong behind bars. But the dark, dangerous man she meets in the New Orleans underworld is a new kind of ruthless, and all too irresistible.

Jax Fontaine doesn't claim to be a good guy, but he's loyal to his own code and brutally honest about what he wants. He and Sarah may be worlds apart, but when they're skin to skin, nothing matters but the heat between them.And when a deranged killer targets Sarah, Jax will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

My Review:

Jax Fontaine is danger personified and Sarah knows it but can’t resist the handsome and dangerous man who seems to have connections everywhere across the city of New Orleans. When danger follows her putting her in grave danger as well those around her, it’s Jax who becomes her self-appointed protector. Someone is killing in a way reminiscent of her father’s serial killings and luring her in to find him. When the truth is revealed it’s more than Sarah’s life that’s on the line…its Jax’s too.

SHATTERED, book three in the LOST series by Cynthia Eden is action-packed, suspense filled, thrilling, sexy steamy, and edge of the seat amazing. From the first page to the last, this romantic suspense is everything I could want from this genre. Cynthia creates such diverse and real characters that we can’t help but like them when they are the good guys and despise them intensely when they aren’t. She pulls us from one story to the next with ease and eagerness. I’m already anticipating the next one and wondering what will happen next to the LOST team.

Jax and Sarah’s relationship is everything we don’t expect in a romance. It’s built on lust at first but soon these two opposites discover similarities that pull them closer until no one else matters more. I love these two together…their story was worth waiting for and more.

I highly recommend SHATTERED by Cynthia Eden to anyone who loves the best in romantic suspense...this entire series meets that but this one is an absolute must read. 

Happy Reading Everyone!

Excerpt:

“No judgment,” he murmured. “There’s no anger in your eyes, no rage or disgust at me for being a cold bastard. No pity for the kid I was who got beaten in a dirty alley and left to die.”

“Don’t be too sure you understand what I feel.”

“Why not? I actually think I understand you very, very well.”

Sarah backed up a step.

A faint smile curved his lips. “It was there from the first time I saw you. That instant connection. Doesn’t happen often. Actually, it’s never happened to me before. I looked up, saw you, and thought—”

Sarah pretty much ran for the door.

But he caught her. His hands wrapped around her and Jax pulled her back against his body. His hold wasn’t hard or rough. Oddly, it was infinitely tender.

“Do you know what I saw when I looked in your eyes?” he whispered into her ear.

Sarah shook her head.

“You were hurting. Trying to hide your pain, but I could still see it. I looked at you and thought—I never want her to hurt again.”

Tears stung her eyes. “You don’t know me. Or what I’ve done.” Jax thought his past was bad? It was nothing compared to hers. She still had nightmares that had her waking in the night, choking for breath, and begging for help.

Help that hadn’t come. Not in time.

“Tell me why you came to see me tonight, Sarah.”

She sucked in a quick breath and decided to go with the truth. “Because I didn’t want to lie in bed and be afraid. Because I didn’t want to think about the past or the future.” Because she’d felt that insane connection between them, too.

The first time she’d seen him, she’d looked into his eyes and thought—

He can handle all my darkness. He won’t ever be afraid of what I tell him.

Because his gaze had told her that he’d already looked into hell … and hadn’t given a damn about the demons there.

He turned her in his arms. She made herself look up and into his eyes. He was so warm and strong against her. And he made her … want. Yearn for things that she’d denied herself for so very long.

Because she hadn’t wanted anyone to get close. She hadn’t trusted anyone with all her secrets.

She didn’t trust him, either. She’d be a fool to do that. But—she did want him. And every instinct Sarah possessed screamed at her that Jax Fontaine could give her the sensual oblivion she craved.

A few hours to forget. A few hours to just pretend that I’m not the freak in the room. The monster that everyone else fears.

“What do you want from me?” Jax asked her.

Just a night. She’d be leaving New Orleans soon, flying out on a plane and heading back to her little house in the suburbs of Atlanta. They wouldn’t see each other again. So no one else would know about what happened tonight. Just her.

Just him.

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About the Author:

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a three-time finalist for the prestigious RITA® award. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over fifty novels and novellas.

Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.

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Re-Release Cover Reveals for The Governess Brides Series by Christina Dodd

The Governess Brides Series

by Christina Dodd

Rules Of Surrender

Rules Of Engagement

Rules Of Attraction

Read the Rules now!

Christina Dodd on her Governess Brides series:

I have a confession. In a former life, I was a poor but proud Victorian governess. That's the only obvious explanation for my obsession with governess stories.

I've read and re-read Jane Eyre and always fiercely wanted to be like Jane — proud, independent, clever and the winner of a noble (and rich) man’s heart.

I've seen “The Sound of Music” innumerable times and each time I'm swept up in the magnificent scenery, the thrilling music and the story of the poor but feisty governess who captures the noble (and rich) man’s heart.

For me, there’s something eternally enticing about the tale of a woman who endures personal hardship, tames unruly children, and at the same time finds, to her surprise, that she is irresistible to the master of the house.

These women are seldom beautiful, not necessarily well born, and actively resist love's allure. Yet love in the shape of a tall, dark and autocratic gentleman finds them, captures them, and by the end of the story they are wed to that nobleman and enjoying all the advantages of wealth, privilege and the best sex in the world.

The Governess Brides series begins when Distinguished Academy of Governesses opens its doors to train young women for respectable occupations:

Unfortunately, in RULES OF SURRENDER, Miss Charlotte Dalrumple discovers her first position is to teach Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad, to take his proper place in society. Hint: it doesn't go well.

In RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, because of his unrepentantly disreputable ways, the Earl of Kerrich is in trouble with the queen. His solution: hire a governess and obtain an orphan to raise. That will make him appear respectable. Trouble: the kid is charming, he's falling in love with the unattractive governess…but other than that, what could go wrong? –Oh, so much.

In RULES OF ATTRACTION, Miss Hannah Setterington travels far into the lonely English countryside to take a new position and hears rumors that the master killed his beautiful young wife. Could any situation be worse? Yes, it could, for she knows the rumors are not true … because she is his runaway wife. 

With eleven full-length books and one novella, the Governess Brides is my longest-running and most-popular historical series (six of the titles are on the Goodreads List of Best Governess Romances.) So when Avon Books announced they would repackage the books to introduce them to a new audience, and showed me the concepts, those compelling heroes with their direct gazes drew me at once into the stories. 

I promptly sat down with the Rules books to reacquaint myself with the characters and stories and — guess what? I ended up reading them from beginning to end and living, laughing and falling in love along with my governess heroines. I've always said I write the books I want to read. I hope you read and enjoy the Governess Brides, too!

RULES OF SURRENDER

The Rules of Employment for The Distinguished Academy of Governesses: Always remember your station. Be sure to maintain a disciplined schoolroom. And never, ever become too familiar with the master of the house...

Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as England’s most proper governess, a woman who has never taken a misstep socially--or romantically. On the surface, she seems perfectly suited to accept the challenge of reforming Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad.

But Wynter has no desire to be taught manners. He glimpsed an uninhibited beauty hiding beneath Charlotte’s prim exterior, and he’d much rather spend his days--and nights--instructing her in the pleasures of the body and the passions of the heart. But before they can love both must also master the Rules of Surrender.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Lord Kerrich's position in Queen Victoria's court is imperiled by his rakish reputation, so he attempts a desperate ruse. He hires Miss Pamela Lockhart to find him an orphan to adopt and give the patina of respectability. However, he quickly finds himself loving the irrepressible child---and seducing her beautiful, wary governess.

 Just a Tease of RULES OF ATTRACTION...oh what a tease! 

RULES OF ATTRACTION

Hannah Setterington has decided to retire from governessing and become a paid companion to an elderly lady in the country. After all, she's looking for a more restful life. She sees years of calm restfulness ahead.

But when she arrives at the country manse at midnight, the place seems awfully gloomy. And all the servants are most improperly whispering about the master. His strange moodiness... his coldness... and the rumor that he killed his wife.

Back straight, our heroine walks straight into the baron's den, and as she looks at his strong shoulders from behind she instantly knows that he has not killed his wife even though the hairs on her own neck are prickling. He's totally innocent. How does she know? She is his wife.

And the sparks will be flying. . .

  

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd builds worlds filled with suspense, romance and adventure and creates the most distinctive characters in fiction today. Her fifty+ novels — suspense, paranormals, and historicals — have been translated into twenty-five languages, won Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart and RITA Awards and been called the year’s best by Booklist. Dodd herself has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle — her mother was totally impressed. With more than twenty-five million of her books in print and eBook, her legions of fans always know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they’ve found, “an absolute thrill ride of a book!”

Enter Christina’s worlds at ChristinaDodd.com and join her free mailing list for book news and sales.

Unwrapping a Review of MASQUERADE, an Andalucian Nights novel by Hannah Fielding

If there is one thing I can say for the writing style of Hannah Fielding, it is that she can use words to create a setting better than anyone in the romance genre. MASQUERADE is her most recent release and the second book in her Andalucian Nights series. I have not read the first but I might just have to indulge in that just to experience more of this amazing ability of hers to transport the reader to the past.

***ecopy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for MASQUERADE:

A young writer becomes entangled in an illicit gypsy love affair, pulling her into a world of secrets, deception and dark desire. Summer, 1976. Luz de Rueda returns to her beloved Spain and takes a job as the biographer of a famous artist. On her first day back in Cádiz, she encounters a bewitching, passionate young gypsy, Leandro, who immediately captures her heart, even though relationships with his kind are taboo. Haunted by this forbidden love, she meets her new employer, the sophisticated Andrés de Calderón. Reserved yet darkly compelling, he is totally different to Leandro – but almost the gypsy’s double. Both men stir unfamiliar and exciting feelings in Luz, although mystery and danger surround them in ways she has still to discover.

~*~            ~*~            ~*~            ~*~             ~*~

Open the doors or pages in this case, and be transported to the summer of 1976. Luz de Rueda has returned home to Cadiz, Spain after spending years in England. A freelance writer who works as a biographer, she enjoys her work because it allows her to be herself, free to do as she pleases. Having always considered herself a free spirit, she discovers her life is nothing as free as that of a gypsy – one in particular. The young, handsome, and very sexy Leandro is not easily forgotten, not even when she meets her new employer, Andres de Calderon who is practically his double. But the two men are complete opposites yet both inspire her deepest desires. The question that needs to be answered is…which will her heart choose?

As usual, Hannah Fielding has painted an extraordinary picture of Cadiz. Her settings always take center stage in her romances. As much as I love this quality about her writing, I wish she could extend it just a bit more toward her characters. Whereas the city is one of the characters in the story, and although I enjoyed the premise, the mystery, and found it intriguing, I wish the characters had a bit more life to them. I wanted to feel more of what Luz was feeling and there were times when I wished I could have put some words in Leandro’s mouth. Andres was probably the most alive character in this story. The love triangle is a good one…I think I lean more toward Andres being the better man although, I’m not sure I totally trust him but Leandro needs to grow up. I should warn that it does end in a cliffhanger and so if you’re not prepared to read the next book, you might be a tad disappointed…I’d like to know what happens.

MASQUERADE by Hannah Fielding is a beautiful journey back in time to a beautiful city to experience a story filled with passion, heartbreak, revenge, betrayal, and love…the only question is with whom does our heroine find herself finally falling in love…the sexy gypsy or the sophisticated and refined gentleman?

If you’re a fan of beautiful settings, fabulous imagery, and descriptions that make you feel, smell, and sense the place then definitely read MASQUERADE, book two in the Andalucian Nights series by Hannah Fielding. If she ever packs as much wallop into her character building as she does her settings, there will be no stopping her.

Happy Reading Everyone!

MASQUERADE, an Andalucian Nights novel by Hannah Fielding, London Wall Publishing, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

   

Review Stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for BLUE BLOODED by Shelly Bell with #excerpt + #giveaway

Welcome to my Review/Excerpt stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for BLUE BLOODED, book 3 in the Benediction series by Shelly Bell. This is my first experience with a Benediction book and I was not disappointed, in fact, I am now hooked. I need to catch up. Stay tuned for an excerpt after my thoughts, and a giveaway.

This one releases tomorrow! A must read!

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for BLUE BLOODED:

In the next sexy and suspenseful Benediction novel, an investigative reporter and an ex-soldier witness a murder outside of an exclusive sex club and while on the run, uncover a deadly conspiracy that begins with mobsters and corrupt FBI agents... and ends on Capitol Hill.

A woman who refuses to be tied down...

Investigative reporter Rachel Dawson is always looking for her next big story. While working on a feature about BDSM, she lands a one-night, no-holds-barred pass into the exclusive sex club, Benediction. Rachel doesn't have a deviant bone in her body—or so she thought—until the infuriating, ex-soldier Logan Bradford convinces her to try rope bondage under his capable hands. But a steamy night turns deadly when Rachel and Logan witness a gruesome murder.

A Dom who's determined to bind her to him...

Framed for a crime they didn't commit and hunted by corrupt FBI agents, they flee. As Rachel and Logan search for evidence to clear their names, the attraction they've been fighting ignites into fiery passion. Love is the last thing Rachel wants, but night by night, as Logan binds her body, he unravels the knots around her heart. And when they uncover a shocking political conspiracy, Rachel will stop at nothing to reveal the truth…and it just might kill her.

My Review:

Wow, Wow, and WOW! I was hooked from page one and had I the time, I have no doubt I would have read this in one sitting. BLUE BLOODED by Shelly Bell is fast-paced, action-packed, sensual, sexy, and downright excitement filled with every turn, twist, and white-knuckle page turn. Shelly has packed in everything that could make a story grand, exciting, sexually adventurous, romance driven, and character exceptional. I don’t know if the first two books are this good but I surely plan to find out.

Rachel and Logan burn up the pages with the sexual tension that exists between them from the start but as you start to see the control shift and wobble between them, you feel the attraction grow and become more. Logan is all about control but when he thinks he can no longer maintain it, he surprises you. Rachel is also all about control but when she gives it over to Logan, she realizes that there is more to control than who is pushing the buttons. It’s about give and take, and control becomes more about allowing someone to do what he, or she, needs to do rather than doing it for them.

BLUE BLOODED, book 3 in the Benediction series by Shelly Bell is most definitely erotic romance. It takes you into the world of BDSM, its light, its darkness, its smells, sounds, pain, and pleasure. However, it doesn’t saturate the pages with it, but rather turns the sexual adventures into yet another in-depth and living character in the story. Whereas it might not be for everyone, I highly recommend it…you can always skip the erotic sex scenes…for the story, the emotional relationships, the surrendering of one strong dominating personality to another and vice versa. BLUE BLOODED is a thrill ride, not only for the erotic sexual scenes but also for the imaginative and terrifying plot line which could so easily happen in today’s world…truth always is more strange, and more often, terrifying than fiction. I am absolutely so eager to experience more of the world of Benediction.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Excerpt:

Puffing on his Cuban cigar, the Senator reclined in his chair, a tumbler of scotch on the rocks in front of him. He stared down the two men sitting on the other side of his desk, daring them to repeat the words that had just been uttered.

Sweating profusely, FBI Agent Seymour Fink tugged on his tie, his Adam’s apple bobbing above the buttoned collar of his shirt.

For a moment, the Senator considered retrieving his gun from his desk drawer and shooting the agent in the head, but he couldn’t risk getting blood or splatters of brain matter on his tuxedo. After all, he had an important dinner to attend in an hour and didn’t want to disappoint his wife.

He downed the rest of his drink and then shook the ice in the glass the way he’d like to shake the mobster who was fucking with him. “Tell me what you’re going to do to fix the problem,” he said calmly, unwilling to allow this minor bump in the road to waylay his plans.

There were only a few problems in the world money couldn’t solve, and this was not one of them. His men were loyal to him because he paid them to be loyal. They believed in his cause because he paid them to believe in his cause. The whole goddamned US of A was manipulated by money, making it possible for great men like him to become even wealthier.

But he was different because unlike most men, he cared more for this country than he did money.

“Do, sir?” Using the sleeve of his suit jacket, Agent Fink wiped the sweat from his brow, cigar smoke circling around his head like a boa constrictor. “I’m not certain we should do—”

“You listen to me, you little prick. There is nothing that will stand in my way.” The Senator hurled his tumbler against the wall above the fireplace, shattering the glass into a million tiny pieces. “Do you understand me? I’ve got your balls in a vise underneath my blade, so let’s try this again. What are you going to do to fix the problem?”

These agents had been instrumental in helping him to get the charges against Anthony Rinaldi dropped in exchange for the mobster’s valuable foreign contacts. A few months ago, the FBI had arrested Rinaldi for the extortion and kidnapping of Danielle Walker and, in the process, had discovered the bodies of thirteen young women buried on his property. But thanks to Agent Richard Evans and Fink, vital evidence had disappeared from the FBI’s possession, helping the judge in the case, a man all too easy to blackmail due to his expensive cocaine habit, to render his decision in dropping the charges. In exchange, Rinaldi had brokered a deal with a Congo mafia leader, and an item found exclusively in the Congo region was about to arrive in the United States. Now that the ship had sailed and all the components were successfully in place, Rinaldi’s usefulness had come to an end.

Seymour swallowed convulsively. “No one was supposed to get hurt.”

“Don’t pull that bullshit now. You knew when I approached you that lives would be lost for the greater good,” the Senator said. He handed off his cigar and nodded to the other agent, a bruiser of a man whom he’d chosen not only for his twenty years of service to this country but for his lack of empathy. Agent Richard Evans understood the risks involved in his job, the three bullets he’d taken in the chest a testament to that fact.

Evans pinched the fat cigar between his fingers and, in a flash, locked his partner’s head under his arm, pinning Fink’s hands to the table and singeing the top of one with the foot of the cigar. Fink screamed, his smaller body thrashing wildly as he fruitlessly tried to escape from his partner and the pain he was inflicting.

The acrid scent of burnt flesh overpowered the cigar’s sweet one, a smell he would forever more attribute to power.

By the time Evans released him, Fink’s skin had turned pasty white, his shirt completely drenched from his sweat. He breathed heavily, nodding. “Consider the problem solved, sir. By this time tomorrow night, Rinaldi will be dead.”

The Senator leaned back in his chair and smiled.

God bless the USA. 

About the Author:

A sucker for a happy ending, Shelly Bell writes sensual romance often with a bit of kink and action-filled erotic thrillers with high-emotional stakes for her alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines.

She began writing upon the insistence of her husband who dragged her to the store and bought her a laptop. When she’s not working her day job, taking care of her family, or writing, you’ll find her reading the latest smutty romance.

She currently writes for Avon Red Impulse, Loose Id, and Soul Mate Publishing. 

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Cover Reveal for WRAPPED IN LACE by Prescott Lane

WRAPPED IN LACE

by Prescott Lane

A Holiday Contemporary Romance Coming November 2, 2015

When I was a little boy, the best thing about the holiday season was unwrapping presents on Christmas morning—tearing off the paper and tossing it on the floor. Now that I’m a man, I like to unwrap slowly, deliberately, taking my time to savor what lies before me. I still like to throw the wrapping on the floor, but now I know the best gifts come wrapped in lace.

And unlike when I was a kid, I won’t get sick of this present by New Year’s. I’ll definitely be playing with this girl day after day after day.

After six years avoiding my hometown, the last thing I expected when I returned was a wannabe bad girl to unwrap my heart and rip open my soul. But that’s exactly what happened. Now if I can just get the hell out of my own way, maybe I’ll finally get the best gift of all—her!

Come get unwrapped by Drew this holiday.

Excerpt:

I sat back and studied the canvas. I’d finally gotten it right—the way his lips turn up in that smile that makes both my heart and panties melt. It had taken me over a dozen tries to get it just perfect, but I finally had. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel any better. I thought if I could capture Drew’s smile on my canvas, my pain would somehow lessen. Because I’d always have his image, that his leaving me wouldn’t hurt so bad. It hadn’t worked. The pain in my heart was just as sharp, just as overwhelming as it was yesterday and the day before. I knew I’d never get over him. I knew it like I knew the deep blue color of his eyes, the rough spots on his hands. I knew it like I knew the way his lips tasted, the feel of his thick brown hair.

About the Author:

Prescott Lane is the author of FIRST POSITION, PERFECTLY BROKEN, and her newest release, QUIET ANGEL. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Centenary College with a degree in sociology. She went on to receive her MSW from Tulane University, after which she worked with developmentally delayed and disabled children. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren't enough happily ever afters in real life.

Happily Ever Afters Guaranteed.

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Other works by Prescott Lane:

Perfectly Broken | First Position | Quiet Angel 

Cover Reveal for RYDER, book 5 in the Men of Clifton, Montana series by Susan Fisher-Davis with #excerpt

RYDER

A Men of Clifton, Montana novel #5

by Susan Fisher-Davis

Ryder Wolfe is a solitary man. Happy, living alone with his horses and the mountains as company until the man, who rescued him from the streets as a lost teen, sends him a beautiful woman in need of protection. He takes her in even as it goes against his very character. Now he’s fighting his desire to have her for his own with all he has. But his job is to protect her, not seduce her. 

Kelsey Sullivan hasn’t had the best luck with men but then one of them decides to stalk her, and make her life miserable. A family friend sends her to Clifton, Montana. To the one man trusted to protect her. But what if the man protecting her is the man she wants more than any other, only he insists on protecting her, even from himself?

Can Ryder accept her love and trust in the man she believes he is?

Excerpt:

She was preparing a pot of coffee in the kitchen when the back door opened. She turned to see Ryder enter with the dogs following behind. She could feel and smell the cold coming off them. The dogs greeted her with pants and wagging tails. Without a word, they sat down in front of her. She smiled and reached down to pet them. They put their paws up for her to shake. She laughed and looked at Ryder, who busied himself taking his hat and coat off. He hung his hat on a peg by the door, then walked into the laundry room and hung up his coat.

She watched as he walked back into the kitchen, rolling up the sleeves on his blue and black checkered flannel shirt. She could see he had a T-shirt on under it. His forearms were large and tanned. Dark hair covered his arms. She'd always thought that was sexy but when she took notice of his mussed hair as well, it only added to the sexiness that was Ryder Wolfe.

“I’m making coffee. Would you like some?” she asked watching him.

Ryder nodded his head as he washed his hands at the sink. As he reached for a paper towel, she noticed a small crescent shaped scar by his right eye. His eyes were even greener than she’d first thought. His lashes were long and thick. His hair so black that the ceiling lights made it appear to have a blue sheen. His eyebrows were thick and black. The man was, without a doubt, drop dead gorgeous, and sexier than sin.

Kelsey turned away from him and wanted to fan herself. Suddenly, the room seemed as if it was on fire. It was so hot! She was so into her own thoughts, she didn’t realize he’d spoken until she saw him staring at her. She blushed and glanced away from him.

“Are you all right?” Ryder asked her.

She nodded. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I’m sorry. What did you ask me?”

“I didn't ask you anything. I said I didn’t know if you even liked coffee when I made the pot, so I didn’t make any extra. I will tomorrow morning.”

“What are the dogs’ names?” She blushed. What a lame question! Oh well, she was curious.

“Badger and Buttons,” he said while pointing to each dog. “I didn’t name them. They had those names when I adopted them from the shelter.”

Wonderful! A gorgeous man who also saves animals. Did he have any flaws? Dipping her eyes down to the fly of his jeans again, she had her answer. Nope. No flaws.

****

Ryder pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. He watched her fuss over the coffee and saw her nod again. Was she nervous? Was she afraid of him? He mentally shook his head. No, she wasn’t afraid, nervous perhaps, but she knew and trusted Frank. If Frank trusted him enough to watch over her and protect her, then she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t trust him. He moved his gaze over her as she poured a second cup of coffee. The night before, the bar had been dark and although he had appreciated her beauty, he hadn't wanted anything to do with her. Then she told him Frank sent her. He clenched his jaw at remembering. Damn it! He didn’t need any of this. Frank knew that he didn’t have time for this shit.

He sneaked a look back at Kelsey and allowed his eyes to peruse the view of her backside. He almost groaned. Jesus, those jeans hugged her ass like a second skin.

His dick twitched in appreciation so he leaned back in the chair, crossed his arms, and looked everywhere but at her. When she walked into his line of sight and set his coffee down in front of him, he caught a whiff of her perfume again. Just like last night, subtle, but not too strong. Still, enough to make him want to hold her close and breathe it in. He tried not to watch her as she sat down in the chair across from him. She spooned sugar into her cup but kept her eyes down as if she was determined not to look at him.

Ryder lifted his cup and took a sip of coffee thankfully, it was not scalding hot anymore, or he would have burned his mouth since he couldn't keep his gaze from going back to her. Her skin was flawless and his notice of freckles across her nose told him she wore no makeup. He liked that. Most women would put makeup on regardless of the situation, and especially around a man, they didn't know. For what reason that was, he had no idea. He preferred a natural looking woman.

He took a deep breath. He knew he had to let her stay. He'd do it for Frank because he'd do just about anything Frank asked him to do. He let his breath out slowly and stood up, moving to the sink without glancing at her. After rinsing his cup, he set it aside, walked to the laundry room where he’d left his coat. Returning, he didn’t look in her direction but put on his hat, gave an abrupt nod, and headed out the door.

About the Author:

From Susan Fisher-Davis—

I've been writing for years but I never thought my stories were good enough to get published. I had actually given up writing for a year when I decided to give it another try. Through Facebook, I met Amy Valentini, an editor. (Thanks for the plug, Sue!) We became friends and once I completed my book, I sent it to her for editing. I believe that without her, I wouldn't have gotten a contract. I submitted my manuscript to five publishing houses and three wanted it. After a few days, I decided to go with Secret Cravings Publishing. Now I am publishing on my own and loving it. I hope you’ll continue reading my series…The Men of Clifton, Montana and The Bad Boys of Dry River. Cowboys and bad boys...what more could a woman want? I hope you enjoy my books. I'm so pleased with the reviews that all my books are getting. If you read any of my books, please leave a review on the site where you purchased the book. Have a wonderful day!

If you’d like to learn more about Susan and her fab books, please visit her website, and feel free to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

A note from Amy:
I am so excited to tell you that not only am I Susan’s primary editor/blurb writer now, but I also created this amazing cover for RYDER as well. It was my first attempt at cover design but I’d love to know what you all think of it. I am considering adding cover design to my services at Romancing Editorially.

Do you think I should?

RYDER by Susan Fisher-Davis will be available soon!

Happy Reading Everyone!