OMG, it’s Friday! Thank you! We had more snow yesterday. 7 plus inches of the white stuff and I am so done with it. I need warmth and sun and the beach! I’ve missed it all winter long since it’s just been either too cold or too snowy to go for a stroll along the boardwalk. I really need those to balance myself.
Since I can’t have one of those walks right now, how about a sexy book set along the Jersey Shore? ONE NIGHT OF PLEASURE, my March 15 release and #5 in the Take a Chance series, is set in the southern part of the Jersey Shore, namely Atlantic City and Margate.
So what’s the giveaway on Freebie Friday? Be one of the first 30 people who leave the comment I WANT ONE on this post and I’ll send you an ARC of ONE NIGHT OF PLEASURE. If you can, please leave a review and indicate that you received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review!
She wasn’t the kind of woman who wore fancy dresses or did one night
stands. . .
Bridget Sullivan preferred her Army uniform and work boots to elegant evening gowns. Getting all done up for some fancy Memorial Day gala wasn’t in her plans, but it’s hard to resist the thought of seeing handsome retired Navy Captain Mark Smith again. It also means spending time with the cadre of ex-military friends who have made her return to civilian life a little easier to handle. But when Mark presses for more, will she break her rigid rules for one sexy night?
The only thing he likes better than a woman in uniform is seeing her out of it . . .
Especially if it’s sexy Staff Sergeant Bridget Sullivan. Since meeting Bridget a month earlier, Mark Smith has been attracted to the gorgeous woman who seems intent on hiding her beauty and her courage. Bridget’s determination to make it in a usually male world, from her choice of the Army to her current construction job, intrigues Mark. When Bridget sheds her muddy jeans and sneakers for sexy high heels and a slit-to-there dress, Mark is more than willing to help her explore her new feminine side. But can one night of pleasure lead to more?
Man Candy Mark
Here is how I kind of pictured retired Navy Captain Mark Smith, the hero in the book.
Happy Thursday! With all the snow and cold, I need a pick-me-up and besides the flowers, there is nothing better than spending a little time with my best friend, my daughter Samantha. This is a picture of us at the One Direction concert at MetLife Stadium this summer.
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.
Dangerous Passions eBook box set is available TODAY! Yeah, it’s our Book Birthday! Thanks to all of you who pre-ordered the book! We really appreciate your support.
You can get the Dangerous Passions Box Set at the following e-tailers!
Welcome back readers for the final part of our multi-stage mission to uncover the secrets of the Dangerous Passions box set! It’s little ol’ me going under the microscope with a little mad science to craft the perfect alpha in “Stronger than Sinâ€.
She can rebuild him, make him stronger than ever… but at what cost? @CaridadPineiro‘s “Stronger than Sin” Dangerous Passions http://bit.ly/DPAmzUS #DPBoxSet
Blurb
Dr. Liliana Carrera almost lost her life to Wardwell scientists gone wild…
She doesn’t want to have any part of another science experiment involving human guinea pigs, but she also can’t ignore innocent victims, like her new patient Jesse Bradford. A former NFL superstar, Jesse was forced to undergo Wardwell’s experimental treatments when a genetic bone disease cuts short his promising football career. Now Jesse’s amazing body is like nothing Liliana has ever seen before, but the cure Jesse wanted has come at a very high price. His body is almost no longer human and the genes implanted by Wardwell create incredible strength, but also frightening rage. As a survivor of violence, that rage scares Liliana more than she wants to admit, especially when she finds herself attracted to Jesse.
Jesse Bradford would trade almost anything to return to the game he loves . . .
Anything except his family. When a black ops group threatens his family, Jesse has no choice but to go along with their plans and keep his secrets from Liliana. But it’s tough for Jesse to ignore her kindness and the way her gentle healing touch rocks him to his core. As passion awakens between them, the secrets Jesse is keeping will become ever more dangerous. Is the love growing between them strong enough to fight evil men intent on changing the face of humanity? Or will lies and mistrust break the fragile bonds and bring the risk of death?
Dangerous Passions eBook box set releases March 3rd for the special price of $0.99! Preorder today!!
Jesse wasn’t in his bed when she walked into the room.
Closing the door and locking it behind her, she glanced around the large suite and noticed that he was out on the balcony that faced the beachfront.
Striding toward him, she stopped to put down the bag of take-out she had brought on a low coffee table in a sitting area near the windows and French doors leading to the balcony. She had dropped by her parents’ place again, received another helping of her mother’s soup and other goodies intended to help Jesse feel better.
While she wasn’t sure that there was any medical basis for thinking the food might assist, she knew that mentally it did her a world of good. It reminded her of her roots and the love her family had for her. Something Jesse seemed to have lacked, which saddened her.
Jesse, she thought, staring at his back as he stood facing the ocean. A strong wind was blowing westward, ruffling the shorter strands of his hair.
She hadn’t had a chance to tell him that she liked the change – the shorter hair and clean shaven face.
She wondered if had done it for her which caused a skitter in her midsection along with warmth farther below that he had cared enough to do it.
She had come to discover that about him. Despite all the tabloid gossip and bad boy antics, he cared about others. His sister. Mother. Possibly even the father that denied his existence.
Maybe even her.
She laid her hand over her fluttering midsection and walked to the French door. He seemed distant, a solitary figure looking almost lost against the vastness of the ocean before him.
Not wanting to intrude without welcome, she rapped on the glass door and waited for his reception.
He turned, his face grim and set in sharply chiseled lines. They relaxed somewhat as he saw her, grabbed the handle of the door and slid it open.
She stepped out onto the balcony and he closed the door behind them.
The wind increased the chill of a day that was quickly fading to night. Intense reds and purples painted the sky and the ocean had darkened to slate grey with the arrival of night.
“Cold,†she said and wrapped her arms around herself. Even though she still had on her winter jacket, the wind seeped beneath the wool, which made her wonder how he stood there in nothing but fleece sweats braving the wind. Once again staring out at the ocean. The white of the bandage at his temple a glaring contrast to his skin in the dim dusk.
“Aren’t you cold?†she asked and patted her arms to try and generate some heat.
He hunched his shoulders, shot her a half glance. “I wasn’t sure you’d come back.â€
“I said I would. I needed to see how you’re doing.â€
He gave another shrug, seemingly indifferent except she sensed undercurrents beneath. Dangerous ones.
“I’m here. I’m alive. Consider your obligation fulfilled.â€
A self-defense mechanism? she wondered. Push her away –push what he was feeling away – in order to keep from being hurt?
Only as she had discovered after pouring her heart out to Carmen, it was no easy thing to keep him at bay. Somehow he had touched her. Infiltrated those areas she had thought safe.
Trying to shore up her defenses, she beckoned toward the bag of food on the table within. “I brought food. I thought you might be hungry.â€
Some emotion finally cracked the stern lines of his face. A hint of a smile and glitter in eyes that had gone to slate grey. He took a long stride toward her, until barely inches separated them. Laying a hand at her waist, he bracketed her side with it, sending her insides quivering.
Jesse glanced down at her, sensing the tremor in her body.
She was as aware of him as he was of her. At his touch, her gaze had gone wide, revealing eyes that were nearly black with desire. When she moistened her lips, the last of his restraint disappeared.
He bent his head, whispered against her lips. “I’m hungry, but not for food.â€
Then he closed the distance and kissed her.
Today we’ve got not one, but two video trailers for you!
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!
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.
OMG, it’s Friday! Thank you! We had more snow yesterday. 7 plus inches of the white stuff and I am so done with it. I need warmth and sun and the beach! I’ve missed it all winter long since it’s just been either too cold or too snowy to go for a stroll along the boardwalk. I really need those to balance myself.
