CBLS Promotions Guest Post & Review: Double Mocha Heavy On Your Phone Number

When asked about how I come up with ideas, the answer is pretty easy. I don’t. I have come to the conclusion that I can’t write – I just have the most interesting life ever and steal from everything around me!  I recently learned of the term “pantser”. I guess I was one long before it had a name. :)

Double Mocha, Heavy on Your Phone Number came about simply by my husband telling me a story about helping a stranded biker. The next time I started a novel, it was a girl helping a guy and voila! The rest went from there.

I actually used my house as the setting for Ellie’s and envisioned her play house in the forest right off our property. I used to own a cyber café and hubby was the computer geek – this just all fell together too easily. Of course the evil twin and the stalker were a bit of a surprise but hey… gotta have some fiction!

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sorry, Ellie is a wee bit of a beeotch in the beginning. Can’t be helped. That’s me too ;)

Happy Reading!

Double Mocha, Heavy on Your Phone Number by June Kramin Contemporary Romantic Suspense Published by Musa Publishing Released on December 16, 2011 Heat Level: Sensual Word Count: 79,000

Buy Links
Musa Publishing: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=93#.UPBYoOREFsI

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Mocha-Heavy-Number-ebook/dp/B006MWKDM0/

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-doublemochaheavyonyourphonenumber-660731-148.html

B&N: http://www.bookstrand.com/double-mocha-heavy-on-your-phone-number

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=double+mocha

Blurb

Unable to make it home in a snowstorm, Ellie seeks shelter at an old farmhouse. When the owner’s grandson shows up and happens to be the man she had given the brush off to twice, it takes all they have not to kill each other during the snowed-in days that follow.

The last thing Ellie plans on is the relationship outlasting the storm. Bix’s persistence at a relationship and attempts to help her at her job with his computer skills proves to be more than Ellie can continue to push away. She finds herself where she never wanted to be after losing her fiancé a year ago. In love again.

When Ellie’s twin sister shows up and puts all their lives at risk, they must now weather a different kind of storm together.

Excerpt
Bix was surprised to see Ellie standing in the kitchen when he walked in her house the following Monday. He was hoping to surprise her when she got home from work. She must have left a little early.

“You’re home?” He walked over admiring her hair then gave her a kiss as he ran his fingers through her hair. “What made you go dark?”

“I just felt like a change. You like it?”

“I do.” He kissed her again and weaved his fingers through her hair and to the back of her head.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him hard. Getting more aggressive in her kisses, she began pushing him backwards until he was against the wall.

“What got into you, babe?”

“I just missed you.” She kissed his neck then pulled at his shirt, sending buttons flying. Her hands stroked his chest and went down to his belt buckle.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall as she kissed down his chest. She slid his jeans down, but left his boxers on. Kissing her way back up his chest, she placed her hand at his crotch. He was already getting aroused. “Nice,” she said, giving him a squeeze. Kissing him harder, she began rubbing her hips against him.

“Let’s get down to business, stud.”

His eyes sprang open and he held her by the shoulders, then looked into her eyes. They were the same shade of blue. The same deep blue outline. He looked from one to the other, then saw it. A green fleck that was never there before.

“You’re not Ellie.”

“Dammit.” Her hand still stroked his chest. “You’re quicker than Tony was.”

He pushed her back and quickly pulled his jeans up. “Ellie never mentioned being a twin.”

“It’s no wonder. I’d want to keep you to myself, too.” Again she leaned into him and tried to place her hand on his crotch. He grabbed her hand before she was successful.

“Stop it.”

“Come on. What are you? A choir boy?”

He moved away from the wall so she would stop cornering him. “I don’t know what your game is but—” The sound of a car door closing stopped him.

“Dammit. The party pooper is home. We’ll have to finish later.” She looked to Bix again and ran her tongue over her lips.

Bix tried pulling his shirt together the best he could, but it was a useless attempt with his buttons scattered across the floor.

Book Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyH3_5Qkoic



Review:  This is the second book of June's that I've read recently and I have to say that June is now on my must read author's list.

She seems to always write a heroine that has spunk and that's the case here.

You may think this is just another snowstorm romance, but if you did that, you would definitely be wrong. June has a few tricks up her sleeve with this story. She adds some light suspense to this one to really make it worth reading, but not so much that the atmosphere gets too heavy.

I mean with a title like Double Mocha, Heavy On Your Phone Number, you'd not expect a totally suspenseful read.

I read I'll Try To Behave Myself last month and now I look forward to reading some more of June's books!

Rating: 4 flowers

About the Author

Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.

June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” on a hobby farm in a small town in Southern Minnesota.

She enjoys riding her Paint horse, Ringo, around the small ghost town they are playfully reestablishing with the neighbors and playing in Photoshop. Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets.

Being hopelessly addicted to 80′s music is her super power.
Connect with June Kramin
htp://www.junekramin.com/
http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin
http://about.me/june.kramin
http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/
https://twitter.com/junekramin

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http://www.cblspromotions.com/2013/01/vbt-double-mocha-heavy-on-your-phone.html

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CBLS Book Review: Finding A Man For Sylvia

Finding A Man For Sylvia
by Margaret Lesh
Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Chick Lit
Published by Musa Publishing
Released on November 23, 2012
Heat Level: Sweet/Sensual
Word Count: 60,000

Available at:
Amazon | ARe | B&N | BookStrand | Smashwords | Musa Publishing

Blurb:
A well-intentioned but clueless romantic is determined to find love for her lonely neighbor over her exasperated husband’s objections.

Julia Hawthorne-Florez has the best of intentions, and everyone knows what the road to Hell is paved with. Her husband Javier accuses her of playing God with people’s lives, but Julia is simply a fool for love. (Or maybe just a fool?)

When lonely Sylvia moves in across the street, Julia is determined to find her match. Of course, there are obstacles. Javier, for one, who’s forbidden any further matchmaking attempts on his well-intentioned wife’s part. And there’s the little matter of Sylvia being in love with a man who’s taken a vow of celibacy.

Julia schemes; the hamster wheel in her head spins furiously. Handsome Ted is Julia’s first choice. Except shy Ted happens to be interested in Julia’s best friend, certified dominatrix Lisa. And so it goes. Julia spins her web; Javier laughs at her. But Julia always gets the last laugh in this Latin-infused contemporary romantic comedy.

Note: While this title contains elements of BDSM and light bondage as one of the characters is a dominatrix, please note that there are no graphic sex scenes, only comedic references.

Excerpt: Frank went inside to greet Matilda, while Lisa gave me her typical greeting.

“Anyone interesting I should know about?” My body froze for a second; I wanted to kick myself. “Hmm?” she purred in her innocent black widow way.

I realized I’d made the most amateur of all rookie mistakes: I’d provided fresh prey for this cold-blooded huntress. We walked in together as Frank said hello to Ted and Matilda.

“No,” I said emphatically. “There’s no one here for you.”

She stopped in her long-legged tracks when she saw Ted, jabbing me in the side sharply.

Noooooo! My world was beginning to spin out of control.

I grabbed her arm, again insisting, “Don’t even think about it. He’s off-limits.”

She shook me off and was within an inch of Ted in less than a second, she’s that good.

“Hello,” she said with her hand extended, “I’m Lisa.” She practically oozed warm and fuzzy. Black widows can be very deceptive when they wish.

Ted’s cheeks were crimson, and I cursed silently. His blush was just the sort of thing to set Lisa’s predatory heart aflutter. She has a particular fondness for virgins, which I’m guessing Ted was. The hamster wheel in my head began to turn fast as I had the fleeting thought of bashing my evil friend over the head with a frying pan, but it was too late, other guests were arriving. I had to greet them. I couldn’t tell if Ted was afraid or entranced by the she-devil.

Luckily, Matilda grabbed him by the hand, ushering him back to their game.

I had a very bad feeling about things.

Buy: 

MusaPublishing: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=449#.UN5mDG8YuMg

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Man-For-Sylvia-ebook/dp/B00ABUTN2K/

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-findingamanforsylvia-1007771-149.html

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-a-man-for-sylvia-margaret-lesh/1113842587

BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/finding-a-man-for-sylvia

Review: I love when a book can make me laugh, and that is what this book did, almost from the very start.

The cast of characters is fantastic.

Julia is the matchmaker from hell.  No matter who it is. Her husband Javier tries to stop her, with an emphasis on tries, but Julia is determined to make a match for her new neighbor.

That's when hilarity ensues, and it just keeps on. You know it has too, because when Sylvia lets Julia in on who she's crushing on, its a parish priest, albeit a very hot priest, but you know matchmaking for Sylvia is not going to be easy!

The best part about the book is how the people that seemed the most unlikely to hookup with one another are the ones that do, and not really with Julia's help. 

I'm not sure which character I liked the best. Ted was so sweet, Lisa was a badass dominatrix, and Frank, Javier's father, was just crazy and lovable! 

This is one of those must read books because it will leave you feeling so good at the end..and during..and well, it just really is so fun.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author

California girl Margaret Lesh lives with her husband Steve and son Andrew in a quiet suburb near Los Angeles. Co-creator of StoryRhyme.com, she writes middle grade, young adult, and women’s fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about baked goods, especially donuts, far too often. She believes tacos are magic. 

Connect with Margaret Lesh

Website: http://www.margaretlesh.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargaretLesh

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15992104-normalish

Blog: http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog/

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CBLS Book Review: I'll Try To Behave Myself

I'll Try To Behave Myself
by June Kramin
Contemporary Romance
Published by Writers AMuse Me Publishing
Released on November 22, 2012
Heat Level: Sensual
Length: 300 pages
Available at…
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Try-To-Behave-Myself/dp/1927044448
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ill-try-to-behave-myself-june-kramin/1113823812
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256693
Writers AMuse Me: http://www.writersamuseme.com/junekramin.htm#864719203

Blurb
When Char receives the news that she has been promoted to partner, she should be ecstatic. Instead, she is in Puerto Rico, having fled there after finding her husband in bed with another woman, her dreams of starting a family shattered.
v Andy, her boss, unaware of what has happened, tracks her down to bring her back home. Encouraged by the tropical heat, the peaceful surroundings and the unending allure of water, they are soon drawn to each other in a way they had never experienced before. Char knows that her marriage is over. She also knows that an office romance is not what she wants. Her heart and his actions, tell her otherwise.

Char consistently pushes Andy away, trying to keep some semblance of order in her now-crazy life. Getting through one last major account becomes her focus; then she can concentrate on her future and her independence. Her plans are on track, until she discovers an unexpected souvenir from Puerto Rico: she is carrying Andy’s baby.

Excerpt
After the door slammed, Andy dialed Payton’s number.

“It’s about time you answer your phone! Where the hell is my wife?”

“I’m doing great; thanks for asking. How are you, Payton?”

“Cut the crap, Banker. Where’s Charlie?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean ‘you don’t know’? Why the hell haven’t you been answering your phone? You with her?”

“She took off, jackass. I don’t know where she’s at, but I do know she’s okay. At least, she was last time I talked to her.”

“You talked to her?” He sounded desperate to know anything he could.

“A few days ago, yes. My guess is she’s cooling off. Just let her.”

“Don’t tell me how to handle my wife!”

“Fair enough. You want pointers on your tart?”

“I figured she’d bawl to you about that. Look—”

“Suck it, Payton. I’m not getting in a pissing match with you.

I’m not avoiding your calls; I just got my phone replaced and I saw that you called. Letting you know she was okay last I talked to her is as far as I’m going with you and trust me, that’s more than you deserve in my book.” Andy hit end.

“And what do I deserve?” Andy found Char standing at the doorway; she had been listening.

“Not his line of bull.”

“Really? Am I any better than he is? Look at us.” Her lip began to tremble as she walked towards the bed then sat down.

Andy sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her. “It’s not the same, Char.”

“The hell it isn’t.” Harshly, she wiped away a tear.
 “Under any other circumstances, this would not have happened between us. We’ve been away on short trips before. Nothing has ever happened. I didn’t think you could even stand to be around me half the time.” He stood, picked up a box of tissues from the dresser then sat back down. She accepted a few and blew her nose.

She let herself laugh a little. “I couldn’t.”

“See?” he said with another one of his grins.

“So what now?”

“Water skiing,” he replied, matter-of-factly.

Review: This really is different kind of romance. If you love strong women and lots of sex with a hunky hero, this is definitely the book for you.

I liked Char. The book starts out with her having what seems like the perfect marriage. I mean, sex everyday? After 5 years of marriage?

We all knew that was too good to be true.

What took a little bit of getting used to was how Char and Andy got together. I can understand how it happened, but it would have actually made more sense if Andy were a stranger rather than her boss/partner. That made things a bit difficult for me.

I did enjoy how their relationship grew and how Andy essential turned from a Playboy into a Man, as Elvis Costello once wrote in a song. I also liked how the sex stopped playing a role after the first few chapters, though not for want of trying on Andy's part and when they did get busy it wasn't the kind of sex that leaves readers blushing.

I also liked how Char really did a lot of second guessing of herself with her relationship with Andy. I think that's something that most people would do when they are coming out of a relationship with a partner that cheated on them. She has a hard time with trust.

Cute little tidbit, I loved how Char loved 80s music and got all excited when a cover band at a casino played Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me. She's a girl after my own heart! The other thing I loved..parts took place in Jersey! Can't help it! This girl loves Atlantic City!

This was a fun read and June is definitely an author I'll read again.

Rating: 4 flowers

About the Author
Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.

June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” on a hobby farm in a small town in Southern Minnesota.

She enjoys riding her Paint horse, Ringo, around the small ghost town they are playfully reestablishing with the neighbors and playing in Photoshop. Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets.

Being hopelessly addicted to 80′s music is her super power.

Connect with June Kramin http://www.junekramin.com/
http://www.facebook.com/JuneKramin
http://about.me/june.kramin
http://www.beforehappilyeverafter.com/
https://twitter.com/junekramin

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CBLS Book Barrage: Toying With Temptation

Toying with Temptation
by Madison Martin
Published by Chances Press, LLC
Published on November 1, 2011
Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 188 pages
Available at:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Toying-With-Temptation-A-Romance/dp/0981718647/
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toying-with-temptation-madison-martin/1106523063
Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94915
ARe - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-toyingwithtemptationaromance-612066-149.html
Blurb:
Driven, business savvy Hailey Burton, Vice President of Tryton Financial Institute, has been put in charge of running what could be her first ever failure: the company's Christmas Eve toy drive. Toys and Christmas are beyond Hailey's expertise, but when she's offered the chance for the promotion she's been waiting for if she succeeds, her competitive spirit kicks into high gear.

When every company in Los Angeles turns her down, desperation leads her to Quinn Matheson. Ten years ago, Hailey chose a prosperous career over Quinn, but as she falls for him all over again, she can't deny that they make a good team in business...and more. This second time around, is she finally ready to make the leap and become his partner in love?

Excerpt:
“Trust me. I never thought we’d be in this…er, position.” Hailey Burton smoothed her hands over the skirt of her brand new Armani suit to keep her hands from shaking. Quinn Matheson could never see how nervous she was. She wouldn’t let him. It would add further humiliation to her unfortunate circumstance, and she felt humiliated enough.

Quinn, the King of Matheson Toys and the picture of confidence, silently appraised her from behind the huge oak desk in his office.

“I mean, we’ve been in every other posi—” She coughed before she finished a sentence that could get her in big trouble. Whatever “positions” she and Quinn may have found themselves in ten years ago, it was too long ago to matter now. Wasn’t it?

She stiffened her spine and felt herself growing hotter by the second. A trickle of sweat began to run down the small of her back. Why fight it? Her brand new, one-of-a kind suit, bought for a special occasion, was headed straight for the cleaners.

Why did she think this would be easy? Why did she think she’d have the upper hand? And why was Quinn sitting there staring at her, refusing to say anything?

He watched her with calculating dark brown eyes, noticing every time she fidgeted or said something stupid. It was beginning to drive her crazy.

“Are you going to say something?”

He shrugged. “It’s your meeting.”

In her eight years of experience, she’d met with and given presentations to presidents and corporate execs from companies all over the world. She always acted with cool confidence in situations that made tough men sweat, and not one minute of it ever fazed her.

What did faze her was sitting here in front of her ex, begging for tens of thousands of toys for her company’s first Christmas toy drive in five years.

Christmas was beyond the limits of her expertise. In her entire life she’d celebrated maybe one or two. Last year, she’d spent the holiday on a conference call closing a deal with a company in Hong Kong. The year before that, she’d been in New York collecting leads for a new account. Her boss knew Christmas was out of her league, but he also knew she never gave her projects less than a hundred and twenty percent, and he’d saddled her with the toy drive despite her protests.

If the promise of moving up the Tryton Financial Institute corporate ladder weren’t waiting for her at the other end of this, she’d have told her boss to forget it. But as usual, the desire for success was stronger than…well, the desire for anything else.

Stronger, even, than the will to never see the man she’d run out on ten years ago. As much as she never thought she’d have the guts to look him in the face again, that promotion was staring her down…waiting. Begging for her to come and get it.

Review:  Toying with Temptation is a great short holiday-ish novella. It is a romance that will appeal to anyone that loves to dive into a good Harlequin.

Hailey's a little hard to understand. She suffers from the "I don't want to turn into my mother" syndrome, that a lot of heroines have when their creators give them a mother that is less then perfect, but like Scrooge, she makes a turn around and really finds her heart in this story.

Don't get me wrong, she's not really Scrooge-like, but she doesn't feel the holiday spirit because of her mother's bad parenting.

Then there's her ex, Quinn, who she left at the alter 10 years before. Through most of the story, you can't help but wonder WHY! He's everything you could possibly want in a man, smart, successful, rich...gorgeous. And guess what? He still loves her.

The funniest scene in the book involves Quinn, a whale and the ocean. Perhaps not a pleasant thing for Quinn, but when you read it, you'll be laughing just a little.

This was a fun, cute romantic read. Great for the holidays!

Rating:  4 flowers

About the Author:
Madison Martin is also the author of Briefly Yours: An Erotic Romance Novel, Nights on Catalina, The Deep End: Erotic Stories For Women, and The Deep End 2: Wedding Night. To find out more about Madison, visit http://www.madisonmartinbooks.com/.
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CBLS Book Review: Devil's Mountain

Devil's Mountain (Devlin Legacy #1)
by Bernadette Walsh
Published by Lyrical Press
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance (Horror)
Heat Level: Steamy

AVAILABLE AT

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Mountain-Devlin-Legacy-ebook/dp/B008BGICYG

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/devils-mountain-bernadette-walsh/1109558411

iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/devils-mountain/id535770891?mt=11

All Romance eBooks

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-devil039smountain-832980-140.html

Blurb: You will hate Him for all that he's taken, but you will love Him. God help you, you will love Him. Mary Devlin accepted her fate years ago, to serve Slanaitheoir, the mountain spirit who saved her ancestors from the Irish Famine. The hauntingly beautiful woman submitted to His every caress, His every humiliation, but He’s gone too far by threatening her family. Mary’s daughter-in-law is now an unwitting pawn in the fickle spirit’s game. Mary must challenge her fate and that of all future Devlin women, but Slanaitheoir is the most powerful being in the land. And when part of her still yearns for His touch and love, how can she fight him and win?

Review: I've read two of Bernadette Walsh's other books and loved them. However both of them fell into the Women's Fiction category, so I wasn't sure what to make of Devil's Mountain when I saw it was a paranormal.

I'm glad I gave it a shot!

Bernadette does a great job with creating characters that stick with you. Plus it has those great paranormal elements, witches and an evil spirit.

The story in an interweaving of two stories, Bobby and his wife Caroline and his mother Mary and Slanaitheoir a rather randy spirit. The whole story around the Slanaiteoir is really intriguing, and I hope we learn more about this Devil in the books to come.

I like how Bernadette makes you change your perception of Mary from the first time you meet her at the rehearsal dinner til the end of the story. It's Mary's story and back story that I liked the most over Caroline's.

I absolutely loved this story. Bernadette can really write in any genre. My only gripe is that the story was only 119 pages long! I want more!

Rating: 5 flowers

AUTHOR BIO Bernadette Walsh has been writing contemporary and paranormal romance for four years. She has published three novels to date (The House on Prospect (Echelon Press) and Gold Coast Wives (Lyrical Press)) and the first book of her paranormal trilogy, Devil’s Mountain -- Book One of the Devlin Legacy. While Bernadette has hopped around genres, all of her books to date have a common theme: strong women handling what life throws at them the best way they can.  

Website: http://bernadettewalsh.com

Twitter: @BWalshWriter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bernadette-Walsh-Author/196567653686807

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321197.Bernadette_Walsh

 

Interview: 



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Tour Schedule: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/scheduled-vbt-devils-mountain-devlin.html
 
Sept 17: Harlie's Books (Review)
Sept 18: Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More (Review)
Sept 18: Turning The Pages (Review)
Sept 20: The Bunny's Review (Review)
Sept 20: Sandra's Blog
Sept 24: Natalie Nicole Bates
Sept 25: Aspired Writer (Review)
Sept 27: My Reading Obsession (Review)
Sept 27: SnifferWalk (Review)
Sept 28: A Chick Who Reads (Review)

CBLS Book Barrage: My Sister's Boyfriend

Title: My Sister’s Boyfriend

Series: The Trouble with Twins

Author: Sylvia McDaniel

Publisher: Virtual Bookseller

Length: 167 pages/70,000 words

Genres: Contemporary Romance (Comedy)

Heat Level: Sensual

AVAILABLE AT

http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Boyfriend-Trouble-Series-ebook/dp/B008ZU0HFU

BLURB

The trouble with identical twins…

He's back. The one guy she never wanted to see again. Her high school indiscretion, Brent Moulton, has returned to Tyler, Texas. Only Jennifer Riley knows the truth about that night so long ago when she switched places with her twin sister, Julie, and gave her virginity along with her heart, to her sister's boyfriend in the backseat of his father's Mustang.

…they look alike.

Fifteen years later, life has thrown them back together. Will Brent realize he slept with the wrong twin? Will he overcome his commitment issues and realize that Jennifer just might be the right twin for him.

EXCERPT

"Never again," Jennifer Riley vowed as she stepped into the black-paneled wooden coffin outside the entrance to the Hilton Hotel in downtown Tyler, Texas. Traffic whizzed by on Main Street, some cars slowing at the sight of a woman climbing into a coffin.

Jennifer tugged at her filmy black chiffon dress, trying to cover as much of her exposed cleavage as possible. "No matter how busy Julia gets or how much she pleads, I refuse to do this again. I didn't come back to Tyler to dress up as an over-the-hill sex queen."

 Paul, her sister's employee, stood quietly by, holding the lid open. "Ready?"

 Jennifer took a deep breath, dreading the darkness that would engulf her. "Yes, make it quick. I hate lying inside this creepy box."

Jennifer watched the coffin lid come down, shutting out the noise and headlights from the traffic.

"You all right?" Paul asked.

"Hurry!” Her breath sounded harsh in the darkness. She felt the pallbearers lift the coffin onto the cart and roll it along the sidewalk into the hotel.

After tonight, Julia, her twin sister, would have to find someone else to jump out of coffins and sing seductively when she needed help with her business. No ifs, ands, or buts!

As the new Development Director at County General Hospital, Jennifer would be way too busy to fill in at her sister's fledgling singing telegram company. Not to mention that popping out of coffins could be damaging to her career.

The cart jostled along the hallway of the hotel until she heard wolf whistles and loud, boisterous, voices cheering, and she knew they'd arrived at the party.

Paul rapped on the coffin lid. "Are you ready?"

Jennifer cleared her throat and searched for the button that would pop open the door. Whatever happened to women jumping out of cakes? What nut case thought coffins were funny?

The coffin lifted. She gripped the sides, trying to find her balance as the pallbearers slid the casket off the cart until the box stood upright. She landed with a jarring thunk on the floor. Why couldn't you get good pallbearers these days?

Paul tapped on the side of the coffin to let her know it was show time.

"In honor of your birthday, your friends and family have given you a gift from the other side. The other side of the hill, that is," Paul announced as the noise from the crowd swelled.

Music started to play, and Jennifer hit the button on the inside of the wooden box. The lid sprang open and she slinked out, her chiffon dress clinging like a second skin that left little to the imagination.

"Happy Birthday," she sang in her alto voice, her eyes blinded by the lights. She blinked rapidly, hoping her eyesight would adjust to the brightness of the room. When her vision finally cleared, she found herself staring into the face of the one man she'd hoped never to see again.

There before her, wearing a stunned expression on his face and a Marvin the Martian child's birthday hat on his head, sat Brent Moulton.

"Well, I'll be damned," said the captain of her old high school football team, the person voted most handsome and most likely to succeed.

Jennifer's voice cracked as she gazed into the emerald eyes of the boy who'd once been the object of her teenage dreams. A lock of dark hair lay across his high forehead. His full lips smiled as she stumbled over the words to the song she'd sung countless times.

I should never have agreed to do this tonight!

Dancing for a man who, almost fifteen years ago, hadn't known the difference between her and Julia was anything but special, but the show had to go on.

She slinked around him, her heart beating in her throat as she ran her hands along the hard, contoured muscles of his shoulders. Brent must have existed on nothing but Wheaties, because his physique resembled a professional football player's rather than that of a high school kid.

Of course, he would never remember her. She had portrayed Julia that night so long ago when they'd pulled a switch on him. Nevertheless, deep down inside, the foolish young girl Jennifer had been back then had convinced herself that he’d known which twin he was with. Yes, they looked alike, but when someone really knew the two of them, their differences were obvious.

With a coo that she hoped resembled Christina Aguilera’s crooning, she ran her fingers down his cheek as she began the last chorus of the song, the place in the act where she was supposed to lean forward and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. She gazed at his lips, full and inviting, and remembered the feel of them against her own that moonlit night when he believed he was kissing Julia's lips.

She chickened out.

As the song ended, Brent reached up and unexpectedly pulled her onto his lap, wrapping her in his muscular arms. A full-blown explosion of magnetism rushed at Jennifer like a Eurail locomotive as she gazed into his laughing emerald eyes, catching her completely off guard.

Fifteen years had passed since that night, and still he'd tag teamed her libido and brought back all those annoying yearnings she thought she’d buried long ago.

Sprawled across Brent's lap, her bottom rested against his legs, and her head lay against his muscular arm. The memory of his kiss had her heart beating a sharp rhythm against her chest. Hopefully he'd forgotten his date with Julia the night before they left for college.

He ran his hand down her arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps beneath the black chiffon sleeve of her dress. "Hi," he said as his gaze swept down the length of her, his voice deeper, sexier than she remembered.

"Hi," she managed as a shiver ran down her spine and her lungs tightened beneath the unyielding black dress.

“It’s been a long time.” The corner of his lips turned up in a cocky grin. "Shouldn't I get some kind of official birthday kiss?"

Determined to control the situation, she placed her hands on his jaw and brought his face close to her lips. She placed a quick, chaste kiss on his cheek. "Happy birthday!"

AUTHOR BIO

Sylvia McDaniel and her very supportive husband Don, the love of her life, live in Texas with son Shane, Putz the klutzy dachshund and Ashley our shy dachshund. During the day, she works for a small insurance agency from home, helping clients with their commercial insurance coverage. 

The weekends are spent working out in the garden until the temperature climbs above ninety degrees. Recently, with the help of her husband, she learned to make homemade blueberry and blackberry jam. Cooking is not her favorite past-time and she prefers Don’s cooking any day of the week.

Currently, she’s written fourteen novels.  In the last year, she’s been a finalist in six writing contests and was a 1996 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist. Sylvia is very involved with the Dallas Area Romance Authors.

She can be reached by email at Sylvia.McDaniel@verizon.net.

Website: www.sylviamcdaniel.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/sylvia.mcdaniel.71

Twitter: @WriteSylvia




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Tour Schedule: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/scheduled-barrage-my-sisters-boyfriend.html

CBLS Book Tour & Guest Post: Cynthia Ellingsen - The Whole Package

Today we welcome Cynthia Ellingsen to A Chick Who Reads! Welcome Cynthia!

Hi there, A Chick Who Reads! Thanks so much for hosting me.

I just returned from the RWA conference in Anaheim, so love and romance is on my mind. Many readers ask about writing love scenes and love stories, so I wanted to discuss things that I think are critical to include when creating a good love story.

Five Critical Components to Writing a Love Story

1.  The Instant Connection

Call it Cupid’s arrow, pheromones or whatever, but the instant connection is a critical component to any good love story. In Hollywood romantic comedies, there’s always that super cute moment where two characters who are meant to be together meet, right? Well, every good love story should have an equally poignant moment. Because we all remember “that moment” in our real lives, yes?

2.  The “I See You” Moment

Part of the reason we fall in love with somebody is because they show us the world in a way that no one else has. That often means showing us something about who we are that we haven’t quite figured out yet. In a good love story, it’s important for the romantic interest to be the one to point out that key component where the hero still needs to make a change.

3.  The Steamy Hook-Up

Yes! It HAS to happen. Whether in the character’s head, in a shared glance or actually in the bed, the steamy hook-up is a critical part to any love story. Don’t get me wrong - I’m not saying that you HAVE to write a sex scene or anything if it doesn’t serve the story. But you have to create enough attraction/tension/longing that we, as readers, yearn for your character to finally fall into his arms for a kiss.

4.  The Big Misunderstanding or Obstacles

There’s a reason why Romeo and Juliet was one of the greatest love stories ever told. It’s because these poor lovers hit one roadblock after another when they finally gave over to the fact that they’d fallen in love. Create these roadblocks for your lovers! That makes the moment where they finally live happily ever after that much sweeter. (Or super sad, depending on whether or not we’re still talking about Romeo and Juliet, here.)

5.  The Promise of a Future Together

Commitment. When your characters fall in love, we don’t want any glimpse that they might just live together for awhile and have it not work out. No, no. We want wedding bells, all the way. Make sure your story incorporates an ending where we are left feeling like this great love story is going to withstand the test of time.

Alright, there are my five things that every love story should have. Go ahead, add to the list in the comments section below! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Title: The Whole Package
Author: Cynthia Ellingsen
Publisher: Penguin/Berkley
Length: 409 pages
Genres: Contemporary Women's Fiction (Comedy)

Available at:

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | B&N (Nook) | B&N (Paperback) | Penguin (eBook) | Penguin (Paperback)

Blurb:

Life has thrown childhood friends Jackie, Cheryl, and Doris a few curveballs. Widowed and broke, Jackie returns home after an extravagant life in Paris, Doris is reliant on anti-depressants, and Cheryl’s plans for a corporate take-over are replaced with walking papers. But after a drunken night sampling the delights at strip club for women, the ladies stumble upon a genius idea and decide to open up The Whole Package—the world’s first restaurant staffed exclusively by very attractive men. Armed with Jackie’s connections, Doris’ ambition, and Cheryl’s business sense the ladies set out to make their mark in the world.

Excerpt:

French is a sexy language. Except, of course, if you are standing in line at a French café and the French you hear is a nasal, drawn out, “Fat American.“ Unnecessary, especially if you are simply trying to buy a chocolate croissant to dip into the first cappuccino of the day.

Jackie - and yes, it was Jackie and not Jacqueline even though she was closing in on forty instead of the throat of the snickering girl behind her – whirled around.

“Did you just call me fat?”

A French girl stared back at her. The girl had the audacity to cock her head. A yes.

Jackie was stunned. Okay, fine – and a little hurt. Such a judgment was the last thing she expected in this cheerful neighborhood cafe with its brightly painted walls, kitschy produce art and erratically placed wildflowers. Even the French sayings on the wall, written in such careful, scrolling script were meant to inspire good cheer, not snappy little insults.

 “Well, I am not fat!” Jackie said. And this was not in French, because after two years in the country she spoke French perfectly and proving it was no longer important. “I am sexy.”

A mustached host had been writing out specials on a blackboard with squeaking chalk. At this, he paused and took a look. Jackie ran her palms over her curvy hips and considered giving a slight shimmy. The man gave a nod in agreement and went back to the specials.

The French girl sniffed. She was dressed all in black, a total cliché. She was holding a sniveling, trendy dog. Its shaky face was framed by a bejeweled collar and its droopy eyes stared, along with everyone else in the cinnamon scented café.

“Perhaps you should order something to eat,” Jackie said, pointedly eyeing the girl’s bony frame . “You’re probably just suffering from low blood sugar.”

“Casse-toi.”

Jackie’s jaw dropped. Drawing herself up to her full height of 5’3” (5’6” with her three inch pumps), Jackie said, “If you want to live off of cigarettes and red wine and ignore the delicacies your country has to offer, you go right ahead. But I would rather get chased out of Le Bon Marche by a firing squad than strut around in a body that looks like it was stolen from an eight-year-old boy.”

The French girl gasped.

“I am going to embrace my sensuality,” Jackie said. “I am going to improve upon it. And,” she stood a bit taller, “it is gonna happen with a chocolate croissant.”

Reviews:

"The friendship between the women is realistic, the characters funny, and the premise well-executed. Readers will giggle and grin from start to finish, and will surely be eager for Ellingsen's next novel."--PublishersWeekly.com

“The Whole Package is a delightfully frivolous romp. An excellent beach read, this light but enjoyable fare will have you chuckling (and likely blushing!) throughout...”--RT Reviews

About the Author:

Cynthia Ellingsen is a fiction writer and screenwriter. She lives in Lexington, KY with her husband.

Website: www.cynthiaellingsen.com

Email: cynthiaellingsen@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaellingsen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynEllingsen

Complete Tour Schedule: CBLS

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CBLS Book Review: A Little Sumthin, Sumthin W/Giveaway

Author: Imani True
Title: A Little Sumthin' Sumthin'
Publisher: NCM Publishing
Publish Date: Jan 16, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: CBLS Promotions and the author
Book Blurb: Fatimah Briggs is tired of the games, tired of the lies. Tired of her husband. Malcolm has spent his entire marriage getting "a little sumthin sumthin" on the side. Plus, when he's angry, he lashes out at the one person who's always believed in him, even when it tore her heart to pieces.

But after one confrontation too many, Fatimah decides that it's time to face some truths about her life. And herself. That's when dealing with "a little sumthin sumthin" may prove to be more than she can handle.

A Little Sumthin Sumthin is a story about starting over, and finding strength when you thought you had none. It's a tale of karma, truth, and survival because sometimes, what goes around, really does come around.

The trick is staying alive long enough to see it happen.

Review: A Little Sumthin, Sumthin is a story of growth and finding yourself. I absolutely loved Fatimah. She was smart, sassy and totally fun!

The pacing of the book is super fast, if you aren't paying attention you can get lost, but don't let that detract you, this book is worth the read. At times I think this book could have been a five star read if it would have slowed down and stretched itself out some.

It deals with a lot of issues, domestic violence, Alzheimer's, sexuality. Imani writes about it all and she does it in a way that will keep you laughing. Fatimah and Xiomara are both awesome characters. It is easy to see why Fatimah went to a woman after her abusive marriage.

It is really great to watch Fatimah blossom in her new relationship, and who wouldn't Xiomara is a wealthy business owner and GASP, Fatimah's boss! She also deals with the realities of how this relationship affects the other areas of Fatimah's life, including those with her own children, parent's and siblings.

The big deal here is always Malcolm, and he is such a nasty man. You want what he gets in the end. I can't tell you what all transpires, but karma is a beoytch!

This book will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I look forward to reading more by Imani in the future.

Rating: 4 flowers 

Book Excerpt: Chapter-The Truth Don’t Lie

“Ma’am, you may or may not recognize anything about any of the men. If that’s the case, then it’s fine.”

“I never saw his face, Officer.”

“Anything distinct about him? Scars, tattoos? Would you recognize his voice? Did he say anything to you?”

“He did.”

Xiomara pulled the officers to the side and whispered something to them. An officer wrote it down.

“Have each of the men step up to the mike and say: That’s what you get for messing with the wrong man’s wife!

After a few suspects had repeated the statement, Xiomara stopped the lineup.

“That sounds like the voice of the guy who attacked me!”

“Are you sure, Xiomara? Which one?”

“Shhhhh, I wanna’ listen to him! Tell him to say it again!”

“Third from the left -- read the card!”

The man read from the script given to him.

“Officer, officer! That’s him! Number three!”

The cop tapped on the glass. “Send them out -- we’ve got an I.D.! Hold number three, and take him to Interrogation Eight!”

One of the officers grabbed the man and pushed him into a room. “We’re charging you with rape, you scumbag!”

“I don’t know what ya’ll talkin’ about ‘cause I didn’t rape nobody! How many times I gotta’ tell you that?”

“Until we believe it. Now sit your ass down!”

Cops pushed the man back down into the chair.

“Now listen son, even if you didn’t do it, we’re gonna’ prove that you were there when some of those women were raped, and you did nothing to stop it! That makes you as guilty as him. Now stop all the lies, and tell us what you know about these cases.”

“I can’t. That freakin’ dude is crazy, and he’ll kill me!”

“You more afraid of this guy than going to prison?”

“Hell yeah. When I tune people up, it’s all business. But I’ve seen this guy in action, and he enjoys it. I mean really enjoys it. I can’t put myself or my family out there like that.”

“Then you’re going down for this one all by yourself. Unless you lay the whole thing out for us.”

Four hours, two cigarettes, and a bottle of water later, it seems the burglar had cut himself a sweet deal.



About The Author:
Imani (“True”) has been writing her entire life. Early works consisted of poetry and short stories written under the name C. Highsmith-Hooks. Her 2010 collaboration with Ms. Dreama Skye produced Strawberries, Stilettos, and Steam, a collection of erotic stories published by NCM Publishing. That same year, one of Imani’s stories was published in Delphine Publications’ Between the Sheets anthology. Both books won literary awards.

In February 2012, True released A Little Sumthin Sumthin, the story of Fatimah Briggs, a woman trying to start a new life. But when Fatimah packs her bags to leave, she has no idea what secrets, lies, and indiscretions will unfold as she tries to make her own way.

A native New Yorker at heart, True currently resides in Las Vegas, where she works a traditional 9 to 5 until the pen pays her bills. When she’s not writing, she enjoys watching crime thrillers, traveling, and sports. The mother of one grown son, Imani is currently working on several e-books, screenplays, and novels in the genre of erotic crime thrillers.

Website: http://truerotica.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorImaniTrue
Twitter: @AuthorImaniTrue

Tour Schedule

May 14: Black Hippie Chick's Take on Books & the World (Review)
May 15: Bab’s Book Bistro (Guest Post)
May 16: A Chick Who Reads (Review)
May 17: House Millar (Review)
May 18: Coffee Beans & Love Scenes (Guest Post)
May 19: Full Moon Bites (Book Feature)

May 20: BookJunkieMom @ Rainy Day Reviews (Review)
May 21: Always a Book Lover (Review)
May 22: Books Reviewed by Bunny (Interview)
May 23: Harlie's Books (Review)

Giveaway
Imani is giving away one ebook copy to one lucky commenter who leaves their email on this blog.
Winner will be announced on May 21.

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