Today’s Write Wednesday inspiration is a sneak peek at the heroes of the Dangerous Passions Box set. They’re alpha and in command. Ready to take on the fight and find love along the way!
Dangerous Passions eBook box set is now available and you can get the Dangerous Passions Box Set at the following e-tailers!
And now for something kinder and gentler! LOL! I mentioned I was going to the Philadelphia Flower Show yesterday and we had a blast. The theme was Hollywood and in particular, movies from Disney, Pixar and their related companies. The show was lovely this year and here are some photos for you. You can click here if you cannot see the Philadelphia Flower Show photos below.
Welcome back once again readers! We’ve been running/dashing/diving/walking-away-from-explosions through the Dangerous Passions box set and I’m wounded to admit that we’re almost through the list. Today we’ll be following J. M. Madden in her Lost ‘N’ Found brand investigation in “Embattled Heartsâ€!
A former marine takes on his love’s stalker in Dangerous Passions’ “Embattled Hearts†by @authorjmmadden! Dangerous Passions http://bit.ly/DPAmzUS #DPBoxSet
Blurb
For the first time in years, former Marine John Palmer has met a woman that makes him feel like the man he used to be, before his catastrophic injury.
John Palmer hasn’t felt like a real man since he was injured during combat in Iraq. Though not content with his new life, he is mostly adapting, just like the other vets at the Lost ‘N’ Found Investigative Service. When Shannon Murphy is hired on as the new office manager, life suddenly gets a lot more interesting. Before long, John finds himself wondering if he could ever be the kind of man Shannon needs.
Shannon Murphy wasn’t really looking for love when she hired on at LNF, but finds herself hopelessly attracted to the sex-on-wheels former Marine, John Palmer. The man is grumpy and nearly impossible to work with, but his brand of masculinity appeals to her on a basic level. Soon Shannon is wondering just what it would take for John to want her the way she wants him.
When an old enemy tries to settle a vendetta against Shannon, John insists on protecting her. He moves into her house, fanning the spark of attraction into a blaze. But the danger continues to escalate. Will the connection that they’ve found survive when they’re thrust into a fight for their lives?
Dangerous Passions eBook box set releases March 3rd for the special price of $0.99! Preorder today!!
The business was doing great, but he couldn’t help but be resentful that he was not part of the detectives out on the street. Looking down at his worthless legs, he was once again swamped with anger. As a Marine, it had been standard practice to run for five or ten miles a day. Now he was lucky if he could get his thigh to twitch on command. It was historic if he could get a hard-on.
Although, he thought with a slight smile, it was happening more and more often when Shannon was in the room.
The first time he’d met her, more than six months ago now, she and Mrs. Harrison had been kneeling on the floor going through files. Shannon had straightened and arched her back to work out the kinks. She’d been wearing a cute little pink outfit thing that clung to her lush curves, but she’d kicked off her high heels. The lust that had fired through his veins caught him totally off guard. For the first time in six years, he’d gotten excited looking at woman’s ass. Her legs were bare beneath the skirt. He sat stunned, soaking up her subtle beauty and the exhilaration of being turned on.
The women hadn’t seen him yet, so he cataloged everything he could about Shannon Murphy. Mrs. Harrison had said Shannon was extremely intelligent and would be a wonderful office manager, but she had not told them how exceedingly beautiful Shannon was, with her petite little shape and curly, dark chocolate-colored hair laying gently on her shoulders. Shannon was a good bit smaller than the older woman beside her, but curvy, and had a husky laugh that gave him chills. His own lips curled up in shared humor, even though he had no idea what she laughed at. Without conscious thought, he pushed his chair forward to get their attention.
Mrs. Harrison noticed him first, and pushed herself to her feet, then urged Shannon to join her. John barely heard the introduction as his eyes took in the details of her face. In honest fact, she was not classically beautiful. Actually, “cute†would more likely be applied to her mobile features and wide-set hazel eyes. Her broad smile started with up-tilted lips on one side, then spread to encompass her whole mouth.
He held out his hand and was entranced as she pumped energetically. Without blinking, he watched for any hint that the chair or his disability bothered her, but she seemed almost oblivious to the fact that he could not stand up to shake her hand. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he had met a person that not by word or deed made him feel like less than a man.
Today we take a look at one of the more sinister stories in the dangerous passions box set. Kylie Brant takes tells us the story of a woman who escaped from the clutches of a wicked villain and to take him down once and for all. Her name was… “11â€.
Mia Deleon escaped against the odds only to discover that no one would believe her-11 by .@kyliebrant Dangerous Passions http://bit.ly/DPAmzUS #DPBoxSet
Blurb
Eleven. For three long years that’s what she was called by The Collector, the sexual sadist who enslaved her.
Five years after escaping from The Collector Mia Deleon stops hiding and teams up with security expert Jude Bishop to track her former captor. Jude’s efforts to help Mia are complicated by the growing attraction between them. Because their race to trail the sexual sadist brings Mia ever closer to the man determined to see his collection finally complete….
A spec ops transporter for STORM Corps takes on drones, bad guys, and car chases on the coast of Italy—and falls for a beautiful scientist whose curves are far more dangerous than the road!
Dangerous Passions eBook box set releases March 3rd for the special price of $0.99! Preorder today!!
“Mia?†He pushed open the door, took a step inside the small space. The flimsy shower stall’s curtain was closed. His hand rose midway in the air to open it. Then he heard a slight sound behind him and immediately realized his mistake. Cool steel kissed the side of his throat.
“I had a little time to think while you were gone. And I decided that you owe me some answers.â€
“Not bad.†Jude’s tone, damn him, held a tinge of amusement. “I wouldn’t have guessed you were that fast. You opened the window, and hid inside it, right? Behind the shade?â€
“I’m the one with the questions, remember?†Mia increased the pressure against his throat. He wasn’t taking her seriously, but he should. There had been a few others in recent years that had underestimated her, to their regret. Right now she was half convinced he’d sold her information to Four and the demon that had enslaved them both. Paranoia was running high, warring with reason.
“I’m not fond of knives.†The humor had vanished from his voice. “Normal enough reaction, after someone tried to peel my face off with one.†With the speed of a striking snake his hand came up to clamp her wrist, while he pivoted toward her. Anticipating his move she pulled away, kicking his half bent knee while he was turning and danced out of reach.
“Nice move.†The compliment was delivered with almost clinical detachment. “You shouldn’t attempt to use a knife in close proximity with someone so much taller. It’s too easy to be overpowered, and you’re limited by your shorter reach.â€
“Am I?†Her tone was derisive, her gazed fixed on his. “And yet here I am, still armed.â€
“Only because I’m more interested in eating than in hurting you.†He started for the door. Stopped when she deliberately stepped in his way.
“As I said, you have some explaining to do.â€
He spread his arms. “You want to slice me up? Go ahead. Aim for a major artery. Any other place and you risk the chance that I just take it away and use it on you.†A moment ticked by. She didn’t move. “No? Then I’m going back into the hall to get the food I left out there. We can eat while we talk.â€
She let him go because she didn’t doubt that he’d return. Either because he didn’t take her seriously, or because he was that confident of his own defensive abilities. Probably both. Still wary, Mia lowered the knife to her side but didn’t put it away. She wasn’t without defensive moves of her own.
He reentered the room, stopping to relock it before striding to the bed, paper bags in his hands. She watched as he removed boxes from the bags, spreading them across the bed before he rummaged for plates, chopsticks, napkins and plastic silverware. He knelt in front of the bed and nonchalantly filled a plate, as if used to having an armed woman standing near him, only degrees away from doing him harm. Given his personality, maybe it was a common occurrence.
“There’s no way Four found me without help.†Her stomach growled, a reminder that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. But she made no move toward the food. “I was too careful.â€
Jude sat on his haunches, plate balanced in one hand while he expertly wielded chopsticks with the other. “You must have screwed up. Left a trail.â€
The accusation had her fingers curling more tightly around the hilt of the knife. “Or you sold my information to her.â€
He paused, the chopsticks midway to his lips. “Why would I do that?â€
Mia jerked a shoulder. “The same reason people do anything. Money. Greed. Sex. Power. Pick one.â€
“None of the above.†He continued eating, working around the different dishes he’d served on the plate. “You got complacent. It happens when people are on the run for too long. You must have let something slip to the wrong person. Made a phone call that could be traced. Left a cyber trail.”
She could have told him that complacency and carelessness set in only when people began feeling safe. Mia doubted she’d ever experience that particular emotion again. “Seems a lot of work when all she’d have to do is go to you. If you didn’t sell the information outright—and I’m not convinced you didn’t—maybe she hacked your computer files.â€
He laughed at that, seeming genuinely amused. “Not a chance. And if she had she wouldn’t have found the information she was looking for there. You think I leave evidence that I provide services that some narrowly focused on the law might consider illegal?â€
He had a way of setting her teeth on edge. “You’ll forgive me if that, coupled with your professed skepticism about my past doesn’t fill me with confidence.â€
“I didn’t say I didn’t believe you. Exactly. I’m reserving judgment for the time being. Forget about that. All that matters right now is that I’ve found a fisherman who has agreed to get us to the Philippines. With any luck we can be back in the States in a few days.” He finished eating, then disposed of the garbage before stretching out on the sagging bed. “We have hours before we meet the boat. Don’t forget to close and lock the window.â€
Mia gaped at him, vaguely insulted. He was sleeping? With an armed pissed off suspicious woman in the room? “You do appear to enjoy living dangerously.â€
“If you were going to use that knife on me, you’d have done it already.†He didn’t bother opening his eyes. “And whatever doubts you might have, I’m your best chance of getting out of the country.â€
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of the knife, but doubt filtered through her. Mia didn’t trust any man, but she distrusted Jude less than most. He didn’t have to like her. Or believe her. She just needed him to get her out of the country alive.
Welcome back! Today, we’ll be dancing in the shadows with Gennita Low’s award-winning sexy spy thriller, “Into Dangerâ€.
Track down the world’s most glamorous assassin in @Gennita’s “Into Dangerâ€! Dangerous Passions http://bit.ly/DPAmzUS #DPBoxSet
Every intelligence operative in Washington D.C. knows her name … but little else.
A tough Navy Seal with a reputation for efficiency, Steve McMillan has heard all the stories about the “world’s most glamorous assassin.” But nothing prepared him for the goddess in tight black leather who now stands before him. Marlena is his new assignment — his superiors in the shadow world of secret missions want him to get information and then turn her over. McMillan is the consummate professional, but dealing with this beautiful enigma is playing with fire. To trust her would be crazy — as crazy as following his burning desire for her to its passionate conclusion.
Because there’s something beyond the yearning in her eyes and the inviting softness of her lips. Dark clouds are circling around Marlena Maxwell, drawing Steve along with her into a lethal game of deception and betrayal. And perhaps the deadliest mistake they could both make would be to fall in love …
Into Danger is the winner of RT Book Reviews’ Best Romantic Intrigue.
Dangerous Passions eBook box set releases March 3rd for the special price of $0.99! Preorder today!!
Which was not what he should be thinking about right now. He looked across the room at his target. She was a lot taller than he’d expected; dressed in black leather, she made a striking figure standing against the bar, calmly sipping a drink. She didn’t look like she was waiting for someone. Her stance was relaxed, her smile a little bored. One or two men had approached with interested smiles, but she had sent them away with a few words.
In the dark corner of the bar, he’d been watching her for almost an hour now, and her patience seemed endless, because she hadn’t glanced once at her watch or looked around at the patrons. She didn’t fidget with her dark auburn hair. She didn’t make small conversation. She didn’t smoke. Once in a while she would turn around and lean back on her elbows to watch the baseball game in progress on a giant TV screen above the bar.
At exactly an hour later, she finished her drink, picked up the small suitcase by the bar stool, and walked off. She didn’t look back, so she missed the appreciative glances admiring her long, leather-encased, shapely legs. Steve stood up and followed. It was dark and cool outside. He pulled on his jean jacket as he looked around for the woman. She was nowhere to be seen. He turned the corner, keeping to the shadows.
He was a trained operative. He knew not to show his training. So he allowed her to have the advantage for now.
Movement. Speed.
He was pinned hard against the wall, and a husky voice, whiskey-laced, drawled in his ear, “It’s been an hour, sweetheart. If you plan to make a move, you mustn’t make a lady wait.â€
Steve angled his head sideways, and the light out of the windows was just enough for him to make out her face. Her eyes gleamed back, no fear in them. Her lips were temptingly close and perfectly shaped.
There were kisses that stole. And there were kisses that gave away secrets. Steve wondered which kind would persuade a hired assassin to reveal who her target was.
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Her strength didn’t surprise him. After all, everything he had profiled about Marlena Maxwell showed a woman who knew how to take care of herself. What caught him by surprise was how his body responded to her. From his table watching her, he had appreciated her tall, sultry beauty, but up close and personal, the appreciation became a growing private interest.
“What’s the matter?†she asked, when he didn’t say a word. “Don’t you like it when a woman comes after you?â€
“It depends on what she’s after,†Steve answered.
“Oh? Like what?â€
“I don’t mind a lady after my body,†Steve said dryly, “but I do draw the line if it’s my dead body.â€
She pushed an elbow hard against his lower back, forcing him to buckle against the wall. “Let’s not bicker over details. It would save me time if you introduce yourself,†she said, still in that husky drawl, “and I hope you don’t mind. I have to make sure you aren’t armed, sweetheart.â€
Damn, but the woman’s elbow was sharp. The hard stucco of the building cut into the side of his face. “No problem,†Steve assured her. “Look all you want.â€
She slid a hand into his jean jacket, checking for secret pockets. Then her hand glided down his chest to his jeans, obviously knowledgeable about the places a man could hide a weapon.
“Lower,†Steve suggested, reckless desire spurring him now, “and you might find something loaded.â€
There was a pause. Her eyes looked into his for a moment, then she took up his challenge. And went lower.
It’s Man Candy Monday and I have not only some Man Candy for you, but an amazing teaser from one of my Dangerous Passions friends, Karen Fenech! In fact, all this week I’ll be having friends from that box set who will be sharing teasers and more Man Candy!
We’ve actually been at this for a week now and we’ve seen so many awesome alphas- and guess what? There’s no more. Just some wrinkled old man… JUST KIDDING! We’ve got another action-packed story for you today, here’s “Imposterâ€, bestselling author Karen Fenech’s CIA Thriller! If you want to catch up on last week’s sexy alpha heroes, you can visit our Facebook page or Opal Carew’s blog!
Who framed Dr. Eve Collins? Find out in @karenfenech’s CIA thriller, “Imposterâ€! Dangerous Passions box set http://bit.ly/DPAmzUS#DPBoxSet
Blurb
Burke must find the assassin — or die trying.
Chemist Dr. Eve Collins, wrongly accused by the CIA of developing a chemical weapon, learns someone has set her up as a scapegoat. That “someone†wants her dead. To save her life, she must join forces with CIA Operative John Burke—the man who doesn’t believe her claim of innocence and the man she’s falling in love with.
CIA Operative John Burke doesn’t believe her claim of innocence. When an attempt is made on her life, he believes her accomplice has turned on her. But something doesn’t add up about Eve and her role in this crime she’s accused of. Burke has too many questions, including — has his judgment been compromised by his fierce attraction to her?
Dangerous Passions eBook box set releases March 3rd for the special price of $0.99! Preorder today!!
Eve left the Porsche and stumbled out onto the asphalt. She was still holding her phone and dropped it onto the pavement as she ran to the sedan.
She reached it and seized the lid just as the dark-haired man was about to slam it.
“You can’t move Richard’s body. Drive back to the nearest city and send the police.â€
What was the name of the last place they drove through? She shook her head in frustration. She couldn’t recall it. She eyed the two men. “There’s a city about a forty minute drive east of here. Since you were on this road, you would have passed it as well. There’s bound to be a police station there.â€
The man slammed the trunk and turned to his companion. “You’d better get going. I’ll be in touch.â€
“Will do.â€
The men acted as if she hadn’t spoken. Eve reached out and seized the dark-haired man’s forearm. Beneath the conservative gray suit was hard muscle. Instead of digging into skin, her nails bent. She bit down hard on her back teeth “Did you hear what I said?â€
He met her gaze. “Every word. I’m afraid, however, that we will be removing the body.â€
She could see the promise in his eyes, and her anger spiked another notch.
“Listen to me— â€
“Dr. Collins—â€
“You know me?†She searched her memory, but could not recall ever meeting him. He obviously knew her though, and though he had yet to harm her, that fact unsettled her, reminded her that this man and his companion had been following Richard.
Who were these men? Eve’s stomach went as tight as a fist. Her body went cold with apprehension but she knew better than to show it. She crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze on the dark-haired man who appeared to be leading the other man. “I asked you a question.â€
“We’ve never met. I’m John Burke.†Burke indicated the man beside him. “This is Michael Lanski. We work for a division of the Central Intelligence Agency.†Burke withdrew a small folder from inside his suit jacket and opened it for her inspection. It was his picture ID. He replaced it, then repeated to Lanski, “Get going.â€
Lanski got behind the wheel of the sedan, and Eve’s heart thumped. “Where is he going?†she asked Burke. “Why were you following Richard? What does the CIA want with Richard’s body?â€
“We’ll talk on the drive to Rowland,†Burke said. “Let’s go, Dr. Collins.â€
Eve narrowed her eyes on Burke. “You know where Richard and I were going?â€
Burke gave her a level look. “Oh, yeah. We know a lot of things about you and Richard.â€
Eve arched her eyebrows at the cryptic statement. “What is that supposed to mean?â€
Before Burke could respond—if he’d intended to—Eve’s attention was drawn by the sedan. Lanski spun the car in a U-turn then, tires squealing, sped down the road.
Dust swirled in the air where the car had been an instant earlier, and Richard was gone.
Again, Eve felt tears burn. She forced them back and confronted Burke. “I asked you what the CIA wants with Richard’s body.â€
“And I told you we would talk on the way to Rowland,†Burke said.
The sun had lowered and dusk had descended. In the interval between day and night, there was a stillness, a quiet time. In the silence, Eve became aware of the hum of the Porsche’s engine. She’d thought the car was disabled by the accident, but Burke or Lanski had started it. Obviously, Burke intended that they leave there in Richard’s vehicle.
Eve crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Mr. Burke.â€
He braced his hands low on his hips. “Are you thinking to wait out here, hoping another car will come along?â€
“Oh, no. I am leaving. You’re not. I’m taking the car. You should have gone with Lanski.†Eve’s cheeks warmed. “This isn’t over. If you won’t tell me what I want to know, I’ll get my answers from your office. I will get Richard’s body released. I will find out why the CIA even knows my name.â€
Eve moved past him toward the car.
“You aren’t going anywhere without me.â€
She glanced back at Burke. He hadn’t moved, but his eyes had hardened and she knew he meant what he said. He outweighed her by at least seventy pounds and topped her by a good eight inches. Did he intend to use physical force to detain her? When she’d been on the job, she’d taken down men of his size before. Still, he would need a reason to insist that she accompany him. He was an officer of the law, after all, not a thug.
She raised an eyebrow. “If you want to stop me, you’re going to have to place me under arrest.â€
Burke reached into a back pocket and held up a pair of handcuffs.
Eve’s lips tensed briefly. “You have to be out of your mind, Burke. I’m a chemist not a criminal.â€
“You set the terms, Doctor. We are going to talk. If I have to arrest you to do that, I will.â€
“This is ridiculous. You can’t arrest me without cause.â€
“Oh, I have cause.†He leaned in close to her, and his voice lowered to a near whisper. “You’ve been named in a terrorist plot, Doctor. The charge for committing an offence against your country is treason.â€
And now for our Man Candy!
I hope you enjoyed that teaser from Karen Fenech! Here’s a little Man Candy for you as well as a little video trailer for Karen’s contribution to the box set!
It’s Freebie Friday and I’ve rounded up some free erotic romance reads for you! With the chill in the Northeast and elsewhere, I think we all need a little something to generate some heat. I’ll be checking out some of these myself. Warning – these were free when posted, but please check the price when ordering.
Plus, don’t forget the specially priced BE MINE set at only 99 cents. The price will be going up on March 1, so please think about getting it before then!
A couple of years back I was asked to appear on one of the CNN shows to discuss romance novels and their popularity. It was very exciting to be on the show and to be able to sit next to Alexis Bledl and America Ferrera in the make-up room. Both are lovely young women and so beautiful!
There was a lot of prep involved for about a segment that couldn’t have lasted more than 5 minutes, if that. Still, quite an honor to be able to be on the show. Here’s a photo of me waiting to be interviewed on the show.
Here is another one of me at the interview table. I didn’t see the hosts live since they were at another location.
