Virtual Blog Tour ~ Clare Austin ~ HOT FLASH

Thank you for having me on your blog site today. I’m thrilled to be here and chat a bit about my new release, Hot Flash.
This has been an exciting year for my writing journey. I’ve had three books released since last August. Butterfly and Angel’s Share, the first two novels in my Fadό Trilogy, have been well received and I’m looking forward to finishing the last in that series soon.
Hot Flash, written before the Fadό Trilogy, was the first book I sent to publishers and agents. I felt it filled a need in a market rarely targeted…baby-boomers. To me, facing “boomerdom” myself, it felt like time. We have time to read, our children, if not grown, are independent enough to allow us a modicum of freedom and we have maturity and sophistication that only experience in life can teach. Why not a heroine turning fifty years old?
Publishers in general did not agree with my theory. So, I put Hot Flash away, wrote Butterfly and sold it almost as soon as I finished it. Angel’s Share came out just a few months later and my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, asked if I had any other stories. I submitted and sold Hot Flash.
Hot Flash is about starting over, learning to trust again and believing in one’s own value.
When this story started to form in my mind I was, literally, working out in an all women’s gym. There we were, sweating away as Cher belted out a song on the CD player, a room full of smart, beautiful, mature women. Sure, we might have a wrinkle here or there and a little cellulite on our thighs, but we know the value of relationship and never discount the virtue in good color and highlights! Though we live in a culture obsessed with youth, it is not true that it is more likely for a woman over forty to be abducted by aliens from outer space than she is to attract the hot guy. Not if we believe in ourselves.
Hot Flash is, I think, tender, full of physical and emotional challenges, but not forgetting the humor and joy that are the necessary comic relief in fiction as well as real life.
Recently I received a wonderful note from a woman in her eighties who has read all my novels. She said these are the first “romance” novels she has ever read and loves them. That kind of encouragement is precious to me. But, Hot Flash is not a book limited to any particular age group.
If you enjoy an in-depth story of relationships and the challenges of blending families, and a sizzling hot romance set in the exciting world of equestrian sport, this novel will capture your imagination and, hopefully, your heart.
I wrote Hot Flash for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Clare

My novels are available from most online booksellers in trade paperback and digital formats.
If you would like an autographed copy of any of my books, please go to my website buy link www.clareaustin.com/books.html and you may order there using PayPal or by contacting me at Authorclare@gmail.com. You can go to www.clareaustin.wordpress.com for updates, ideas, and my random musings.

“Sexy but sensitive, powerful but poignant---Hot Flash is not your daughter’s romance! This is a story for real women. Savor every word.”
---Award winning author---Deb Stover







Back cover blub…

Kate Aiello has spent her entire life trying to please others—her three brothers, her Italian mamma and her husband of twenty-five years. It isn’t insult enough she is turning fifty, and left at the side of life’s road by her philandering husband. Now she has to contend with her body’s betrayal…hot flashes!
The plain truth hits her with each thermostatic aberration—she has never been first in anyone’s life, including her own.
Brandon Sullivan has been on a downward spiral since the death of his beloved wife. Now he is a man desperate to save himself from impending financial ruin, loss of his farm and his life’s dream. He needs to get into the winner’s circle by spring or he’ll be just another poor, landless Irishmen downing his pints and bragging about the good ol’ days.
Sparks fly when Italian attitude meets Irish temper. Add two big crazy families, a barn full of horses and one woman’s menopausal hot flashes and the probability for combustion increases exponentially.
What will Kate and Brandon risk for a second chance at love?


Excerpt from Hot Flash
“So, Katie, tell me…why riding lessons?”
“It’s Kate.” She corrected him.
“What?” He looked genuinely confused.
“Kate…my name…it’s Kate, not Katie.” She wasn’t sure why it bothered her he liked to call her that. Maybe it felt a little too personal. Jeffrey had never called her anything but Catherine.
“Ah and why not? Katie suits you well, a good name for a beautiful woman.”
Nervous laughter welled up in her. “You have that ‘charming Irishman’ thing down to a fine science don’t you? Go ahead, call me anything you want.” Obviously, the man had his own opinions. It was most likely fruitless to try and correct him. She should have resented it, but his arrogance fit him like those breeches he wore. From another man, his attitude would have felt patronizing, but coming from him it was...well…titillating.
He said nothing, just looked directly into her eyes and smiled a slow, lazy grin that made Kate shiver deep in her bones.

Leave a comment for Clare and you could be the lucky person drawn to win a Hot Flash mug or t-shirt! The more you comment on the tour, the more chances you have to win. Clare Austin's Tour Dates

Good luck!

Virtual Blog Tour~ Beyond Eden ~ Kele Moon

Why Ellora’s Cave was right for me!
By Guest Blogger Kele Moon



Beyond Eden, my first novel, just released from Ellora’s Cave September 8th. Laced with symbolism and the beauty of true love, three life long friends come together in this erotic Garden of Eden themed romance. Darker than your average erotic romance, certainly unconventional, Ellora’s Cave was my top choice for a home for it. Aside from Ellora’s Cave being the obvious choice as the largest publisher of erotic romance, they were also a big part of the reason why I wrote it in the first place and thus the publisher I crossed my fingers and toes hoping to grab the attention of.

In 2009 I attended the Romantic Times convention as an unpublished author. One of the deliberate reasons I attended was to keep my ear to the ground and find a career direction. Throughout the convention, I was struck not just with the strong presence of Ellora’s Cave, but with their authors who seemed to be having the most fun and were optimistic and positive in all the panels and events. Others complained of the difficulties in publishing, specifically the romance market, aside from this group of erotica writers who were so enthusiastic and upbeat about their careers. The difference was noticeable, at least to me.

I attended the conference looking for a genre to write in mainstream romance and left a determined erotica writer—that’s how strong of an impression Ellora’s Cave made on me at that conference and I’m so glad they did. I started writing Beyond Eden with the deliberate intent to create a steamy ménage romance and I ended up creating a beautiful story of true love between three people that is all the more potent for the dark, sexual themes erotic romance gave me the freedom to explore.

And my experience with Ellora’s Cave has been incredible. I can see where the enthusiasm and positivity came from. Everyone I’ve worked with and met with at Ellora’s Cave has made my journey all the more exciting. My editor, Grace Bradley, is the only person I can imagine having trusted with Beyond Eden. She made it the best it could possibly be and I love her for it! If I hadn’t already been in determined to get a book published with Ellora’s, Grace would have totally been a reason to go for it!

Visit Ellora’s Cave to read another excerpt from Kele Moon’s breakout novel Beyond Eden:

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8612-beyond-eden.aspx

Kele Moon’s website:
http://www.kelemoon.com





Blurb for “Beyond Eden”
Three lifelong friends find themselves tangled in a web of love, pain and dangerous secrets in this erotic Garden of Eden tale.

Tall, dark and handsome Danny Carlow has always gotten whatever he wants except for the two he wants more than anything—his best friends, lovers Paul and Eve. Determined, he waits like a snake in the grass, poised for the right moment to offer them a temptation too delicious to resist.

Artist Eve Everton makes the painful decision to leave behind her true love Paul for the Siren’s call of New York City. Ten years later with her life in shambles, she returns home. When Paul’s waiting arms aren’t available, Eve falls for Danny’s charm and finds herself a willing accomplice in the dangerous games Danny plays.

Former college football star, Paul Mattling is now a successful attorney with a bright future ahead of him. But behind those brilliant blue eyes are secret desires for a taste of the forbidden. Will he play it safe or will he give into Danny and Eve and bite the apple?

Excerpt“You’re gorgeous, Danny Boy.”
“So are you,” Danny whispered, his gaze running over her in a hot, possessive sweep that made her feel as if he was touching her with a look. He stepped closer and Eve was so desperate she arched into him before he touched her. “I’ve wanted you forever—you’re the only woman I ever really wanted, Evie Girl. This feels too good to be true.”
She felt herself get weak, tilting her head to stare at him in disbelief. “Is that true?”
Danny leaned into her, one hand resting against the table, trapping her against the wood. He bent down, capturing her lips again as he pushed her palm against him, forcing her to feel the long, hard outline of his cock through the rough material of his jeans.
Eve could taste his pain then, the longing that came from a lifetime of waiting. She would never figure out how he managed to convey that much love and agony in a simple kiss, but he did. That was all it took for a love she had never expected to burst to life inside her heart, resting beside the blossom that had never wilted for his best friend. Eve was too far gone to ponder the ramifications of what he had done by dividing her heart in two because her body responded to the feel of his cock against the palm of her hand, making her throb for more than what he was giving her.
For the first time in her life, a kiss made her weak in the knees. She would have fallen if Danny’s arm hadn’t wrapped around her, anchoring her to him as his tongue pushed deeper into her mouth, as if knowing it was suddenly his to plunder.
The two of them lacked grace as they fell heavily to their knees on the hardwood floor. Their lips parted when Danny wrenched her shirt over her head. He tossed it aside and then tugged at her unhooked bra, pulling it off easily. Despite her body that was pulsing in need and Danny’s declarations, Eve still felt her nakedness self-consciously, being very aware of how beautiful Danny was and remembering the pristine girls he had dated in high school.
“If you’d been mine, I never would’ve let you go to New York without me,” Danny said in a raspy whisper. “I would have followed you.”
Eve closed her eyes, her heart jolting for a different reason. “Don’t talk about him. Not now, not like this.”
“You still love him,” Danny said knowingly, the pain evident in his voice.
It wasn’t in Eve to deny that, so she leaned into him instead, gripping at his shoulders and dipping her head down to lick at the curve of his neck. She savored the low groan of defeat from Danny as he ran his fingers through her long hair.
“Come here,” Danny said in a silken voice, using his grip on her hair to tilt her head back. Eve found herself looking into dark eyes swirling with lust and something darker, a wild possessiveness that had Eve suddenly thankful she hadn’t admitted she was still hopelessly in love with Paul. She leaned in closer to him impatiently and a smile tugged at his lips in response, making him look almost evil. “Love me or not, I’m going to make you mine.”
Eve shuddered, her eyes drifting closed. “If you say so,” she whispered and then parted her lips in a silent plea for more.

~ Leave Kele a comment for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes and Noble! The more you comment on the tour, the more chances you have to win!
Tour Dates for Kele Moon

~GOOD LUCK!

Virtual Blog Tour: Sex and Subterfuge by Isabel Roman (Leave a Comment for a chance to win Prizes)

Alisha: Please welcome Lucien Harrington, Earl of Granville, Viscount Harrington to my blog today!

Lucien: Sensual Paranormal Romances? My dear Alisha, what a surprise and pleasure to meet you. Thank you for having me here today.

Alisha: You're so very welcome. What’s it like to smuggle fellow magickers to safety?

Lucien: Rewarding. When I was young, we didn’t have this problem, magickers lived as they always have for centuries, discreetly. And then Corwin made his grab for power, using old superstitions and fears to revive the Witch Hunters. Complete with their ridiculous color coded uniforms. We had to move quickly, to get as many out of England as we could.

My friend, Preston, and I smuggling them on our steamships, and I know there are other captains sympathetic to the cause. Where there’s money to be made, there’s someone to take the risk. However, it was never about the money for me, I have plenty of my own. It was about the risk and about doing the right thing for my people.

I have to give it to Preston, though he left England to replenish his family’s fortunes, it wasn’t about the money for him, either. He’s no magicker himself, but he is a great man, one I’m proud to call friend.

Alisha: Most interesting. What did you feel the very first time you met Morgana Blackthorne?

Lucien: Since it’s your blog, Alisha, I’ll tell the uncensored version. The first time I saw her, I wanted her. It was more than simply her striking beauty and her sharp tongue. There was a recognition between us. A knowing twinkle in her eye, the sensual touch of a hand.

Alisha: *Shiver* Do tell. How different is your Druid society from normal British society?

Lucien: That’s a good question. I guess I never really thought about it before. It’s hard to separate the two. I am British and I have been brought up to live within the English society. But the Druidic society, our secret society, can never be brought to the light of day, we can never live openly amongst the world as we once did.

Truly it isn’t all that different. We have rules we abide by and our own cultural understandings. Where it does differ, is that we cherish the opinions of all in our society. We are much more open with our sexuality and our desires for one another before we commit to one. We take marriage very seriously, but until those vows are spoken, we are free to enjoy whom we please.

Alisha: Wow. Give me your honest opinion on Sir John Corwin.

Lucien: He’s a bastard who deserves to die. He’s taken an old superstition and turned it for his own power. He’s not interested in ‘saving’ England, but in becoming the next Prime Minister. Or possibly King-emperor of the world through terror and fear.

I want to remove Sir John Corwin, Head Witch Hunter, from this earth. Not kill him, if it was that simple I’d do it today. No, I fear he’ll become a martyr for his cause if murdered, but I want him disgraced, embarrassed, plucked from this world as if he never existed.

Alisha: I can tell you don't like him very much. Morgana is magickally stronger than you, any thoughts on that?

Lucien: It’s extremely enticing. I’ll leave it at that, I am a gentleman after all.
Thank you, dear Alisha, for having me today. It’s been lovely being here. I do hope to see you again.

Alisha: It has been a pleasure to have you. Come back anytime! :)



Read Lucien’s story in Dark Desires of the Druids: Sex & Subterfuge available now in bookstores! And be sure to check out Isabel’s free Dark Desires of the Druids: Choose Your Own Adventure story!

Blurb:
A master magicker, Morgana Blackthorne has a tenuous hold on her following. When a strange Englishman arrives on her doorstep with news of other druidic magickers, and magicker problems, she’s intrigued but suspicious. There hasn’t been contact between the American and European druids in over a hundred years. Plus she has her own worries and doesn’t need the handsome earl adding to them.
Lucien, Earl of Granville, left England to seek out the Blackthorne Druid line and discover what they’ve been up to since contact was lost. Once he and Morgana meet, their mutual attraction distracts him from his purpose. Embroiled in her problems, he finds himself more concerned with her welfare than is practical for a passing affair.

When I invited you into my bed, it never occurred to me I wouldn’t want you to leave.

There are darker forces at work and the hunger of a weak magicker desperate for power. Will Lucien convince Morgana of his true feelings before things spiral out of control? Or will the surrounding subterfuge tear them apart?

Sexcerpt:

“Lucien Harrington,” Jacobs, her butler, intoned, “the Earl of Granville.”
Smiling, Morgana swept out of the circle, stepping into the foyer, and greeted her guest. His timing was off, but as the magicker she knew him to be, not suspect.
“Welcome, Lord Granville,” she said, offering a slight curtsy.
He was tall, with dark blond hair, dark blue eyes, and a sharp nose over which he looked down at her. Her eyes traveled over his face, down his body, clothed in immaculately tailored Savile Row, back to his face. Arousal pooled hot in her belly.
She’d never wanted any man. Yet Morgana wanted Lord Granville. Her skin prickled at his nearness, her womb clenched with want.
Forcing her mind off his body, she studied his face. Briefly, want flashed in his eyes and she smiled a truly wicked smile at him. It was gone as fast as it’d shone and she returned to studying him. There was grief hidden deep in his eyes, along with suspicion and weariness. Tilting her head, she wondered what caused those emotions. Suspicion she could easily understand. It’d been more than a hundred and thirty years since their families had any contact. Though, since he’d sought her out, she should be more suspicious of him.
“Mistress Blackthorne,” he bowed over her offered hand. Flicking a glance behind her, he said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Morgana smiled. She could all but feel David’s displeasure. Suppressing a giddy smile, she took Lord Granville’s arm and led him into the parlor. “We’re about to begin the New Moon Ritual. Do you still practice it in England?”
Looking up at him with guileless eyes, she waited for his confusion, gratified when it sparked briefly in those bottomless depths. Damn them all. She could be as gracious as she liked, but in the end, resentment bubbled to the surface. They’d abandoned her ancestors to indentured servitude and hadn’t bothered to contact any of them since.
“I’m afraid we lost that custom when we lost the valuable Blackthorne line.”
Morgana raised her eyebrow at him as they entered the parlor. Wasn’t he the diplomat?
“Would you care to join the ritual, Lord Granville?”
He bowed again and smiled. “It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Blackthorne.”

Alisha: Since I know you’re begging for more, here’s another teaser.

Sexcerpt 2:[After Lucien and Morgana return from intimidating a French smuggler into handing over a case of dangerous and illegal venom used in making potions.]

“I need to speak with him,” Morgana said. “I’ll send him along later.”
James’s eyes narrowed at her, but he nodded. Even in company he barely tolerated, he’d never question her. Especially in company he barely tolerated.
Lucien watched her with a quizzical expression and she smiled. The parlor door closed silently behind her. They wouldn’t be interrupted by servants. Now was the time.
“Since we met,” she said confidently and closed the distance between them. “I’ve been attracted to you.”
He nodded, caressing her cheek with the knuckles of one hand. “I’ve felt the same way.”
“Good,” she whispered, voice husky, lips a breath from his. “Come upstairs with me.”
Lucien tried to recall a time when a woman was bold enough to seduce him, and could not. Morgana was different from his previous lovers and far, far more daring. His entire being was focused on her, on her body. Thoughts of their night, the venom, and André’s mysterious buyer swept from his head the instant she kissed him.
Now, both half naked, his lips trailed down her thigh, over her knee, to her delicate ankle. Up the other leg, over the delicate swell of her hip. He looked at her in the dimness of the room. And in the shifting shadows, her eyes were a deep recess that drew Lucien in and captured him. In those interminable minutes before their lips touched again, he felt himself drowning in her; her taste, her scent, her very essence.
Their lips touched softly, gently at first.
Flesh on flesh. Then she opened her mouth under his and drew him in. He watched her eyes flutter shut as she gave herself over and he pulled her closer, determined to have all of her this night.
Tiny, invisible tendrils wound around them, drawing them to each other, into each other and together they crossed that final barrier. He felt her hands move up his sides, over his shoulders to caress his neck, only to wind themselves around and pull him even closer, molding her body to his – perfectly.
Lucien thought he knew what it was to give into lust. To know that rush, and revel in it for as long as it lasted. Thought he’d experienced everything there was to experience when it came to matters of the flesh. As her hands tugged off his shirt, slowly roaming the bare flesh underneath, he discovered he was wrong.
Morgana sighed his name. “Lucien.”

Alisha: Leave a comment and you increase your chances of winning prizes on the blog tour. The tour dates can be found here: GODDESS FISH PROMOTIONS

Happy Reading!
~Alisha