Thank you!

A huge THANK YOU to author Lisa Renee Jones, for featuring Rambling Reads on her blog today! It's authors like her that make me love being a part of the romance community. :) Also, don't forget to visit her blog to find some new bloggers in the community and comment for chances to WIN different prizes each day!

Update

Unfortunately, things have not eased up yet...but seriously, I know things have to slow down eventually!!! I really have to take time to focus on family and work right now, not having much spare time to blog or review. :( Sadly, we had an unexpected death on Monday (not my FIL, who has been very ill) and other things have come up.

The picture on the right, that's my oldest boy, who GRADUATES in less than two weeks! Where in the heck did the last seventeen years go?  We are hosting an open house in July and are trying to get the house ready...as seen in my previous post.  On a good note, all the broken spindles on my porch have been replaced and the lattice work has been removed. Now, we need to power-wash said porch and my deck and repaint everything! If only it would stop raining enough to let me get to it. I do have some gorgeous hanging baskets of petunias hanging up around the porch, as soon as we get it painted, I'll take a picture to share with. :)

With everything going on I haven't even had much time to read. I did read Zoe Archer's upcoming release, Sweet Revenge, Book 1 in her new Nemesis, Unlimited series, and really enjoyed it.  It's an action-packed romance taking place in Victorian England. I was introduced to Eva and Jack and a whole cast of awesome characters that make up Nemesis, a group of justice fighters, out to make sure that the bad guys don't get away with their crimes as they skirt the law. Eva and Jack aren't your usual lord and lady that are found so frequently in historical romances, beyond being ass-kickin' crime fighters, they aren't titled nor wealthy.  Eva is the daughter of missionaries and Jack is an escaped convict that grew up in London's slums. 

 This has definitely earned a 5 Rambling Hearts rating.

Uncontrollable life!

These last few weeks things have been rather crazy for me and I apologize to anyone I've let down! 😔

My FIL had a major health scare. My oldest graduates this year-YIKES, that's in 3 WEEKS! Both of my boys play baseball-oldest is on the high school Varsity team, youngest is in Little League. Work has been extremely busy, and people have been on vacation. And we are doing home improvements for my son's open-house, thankfully that's not scheduled until 4th of July weekend (all of our family lives far away from us so I tried to accommodate them with a long weekend and mini-vacation at my place!) My porch is a wreck now, as we are in the middle of replacing spindles in the railing, lattice work, and repainting, then we need to fix and paint the deck...and some landscaping is in order.

Fortunately, I know that things are going to ease up in a bit... 

Aren't the flowers pretty? 

Guest Blogger Donna Grant and Summer Beach Reads

On the beach...


I love hearing the beach reading topic. I also love to see what everyone is reading while I'm on the beach.  It's become a bit harder with all the ereaders since you can't see covers as readily as before, but beach reading has (generally) always been a big topic 

I'd love to tell you every book I'll read while on vacation this year, but since I'll be in Scotland, I'm going to be doing tons of research.  I will get some reading done from my TBR pile that continues to grow higher and higher. 

It won't be just reading and research I'll be doing while in Scotland.  I'm going to take the chance and do a bit of writing while there.  We've rented a house on a pretty large piece of land with a waterfall not far so the kiddos have plenty of exploring to do.  It's also a prime place for my hubby to get in some training for the triathlons he loves to do.  

While the family is off doing their thing, I'm going to be relaxing and letting my characters take me on a journey.

What is on your list of Beach Read this summer?

 

 

 

 

 

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Midnight’s Captive

ENSLAVED BY DESIRE

Laura Black knows her boss is a man of many secrets—haunted by some unknowable force, driven by some unspeakable destiny—and yet it makes her crave the devilishly handsome, roguishly charming Charon all the more.  When she uncovers a betrayal that will send her into a world of magic, she turns to the only one she trusts – Charon.  Even when she’s in jeopardy of losing her heart…

UNLEASHED IN FURY

Charon Bruce endures a relentless yearning to have Laura for his own, an ache he knows will never be fulfilled.  After the town he has protected for centuries is targeted by a ruthless Druid, he has no choice but to reveal his secret to Laura.  He must fight the deadliest foe he’s ever known if he’s to keep her safe.  But when Laura is captured by his nemesis, he must choose between winning the battle of good verses evil – or losing the woman he loves…

 

 

ISBN-10: 1250017262

ISBN-13: 978-1250017260

Mass Market Paperback

Dark Warriors #5

June 4, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midnight’s Kiss

Dr. Veronica Reid is a world-renowned archeologist whose Druid abilities help her to unearth ancient magical items. The arrival of the all-too-attractive and charismatic Arran MacCarrick puts her on the defensive when he begins to question how she really finds her artifacts…until an unknown foe attacks and Ronnie discovers that Arran has a secret as great as her own. Together, they unleash an all-consuming passion that won’t be denied…

Immortal Warrior Arran is on a mission to find the spell to bind the god within him. But one look at the impossibly beautiful Ronnie and he knows there is more to her than meets the eye. With danger lurking around every corner and an undeniable hunger that grows with every kiss, Arran must reveal who he is to keep Ronnie from his nemesis. Now he is left with no choice but to fight—or fall—for the woman he loves…

 

 

Midnight’s Temptation
Dark Warriors #7
October 1, 2013

 

   

 

 

Win an ARC of MIDNIGHT’S CAPTIVE

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Midnight’s Captive

by Donna Grant

Giveaway ends June 10, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/49579

 

Biography

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels and novellas spanning multiple genres of romance.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Her childhood dream was to become a professional ballet dancer and study under the amazing Mikhail Baryshnikov. Though she never got to meet Baryshnikov, she did make it to New York City and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Later, Donna’s love of the romance genre and the constant stories running through her head prompted her to sit down and write her first book. Once that book was completed, there was no turning back.

Donna sold her first book in November 2005 while displaced from Hurricane Rita, a storm that destroyed portions of the Texas Gulf Coast. Since then, Donna has sold novels and novellas to both electronic and print publishers. Her books include several complete series such as Druids Glen, The Shields, Royal Chronicles, Sisters of Magic, Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, and her new series, Dark Kings.

Despite the deadlines and her voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two young children, four cats, three fish, and one long haired Chihuahua. She’s blessed with a proud, supportive husband who loves to read and travel as much as she does.

 

 

Connect with Donna online!! 

 

https://twitter.com/donna_grant

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1141209.Donna_Grant?auto_login_attempted=true

http://www.darkdeadlyanddivine.com/

 

 

COVER REVEAL!!! J. C. Daniel's BROKEN BLADE

J.C. Daniels

Book 3 in J. C. Daniels Kit Colbana series comes out in January 2014, here's a little teaser:

Blurb…

Kit Colbana: assassin, thief, investigator extraordinaire. Now broken. 

She always expected her past to catch up with her but never like this. Haunted by nightmares and stripped of her identity, she’s retreated to Wolf Haven, the no-man’s land where she found refuge years before. But while she might want to hide away from the rest of the world, the rest of the world isn’t taking the hint.

Dragged kicking and screaming back into life, Kit is thrust head-first into an investigation surrounding the theft of an ancient relic…one that she wants nothing to do with. Her instincts tell her it’s a bad idea to just leave the relic lying about, but finding it might be just as bad.

Forced to face her nightmares, she uncovers hidden strength and comes face to face with one of the world’s original monsters.
If she survives the job, she won’t be the same…and neither will those closest to her.

Excerpt:

I knew the weight of a weapon in my hand.

Even at sixteen, broken, battered and bloodied. I knew what it was to hold a weapon and realize that I had to fight or be destroyed.

Those last moments were nothing but a blur, but it was a blur of silver and blade and blood.

I left the guards dead in the snow, taking their packs and fleeing into the night, certain my grandmother would seek me out. And all the while as I ran, the blade had whispered to me. I am here now. I am here…

Reaching out, I touched her hilt and drew her from the sheath and stared at the gleaming, liquid length of silver.

"You're not here now."

If ever there had been a time when I needed her, it had been when I was trapped up on that mountain. Broken, desperate.

But she hadn't answered my call.

And she couldn't come to my hand now, either.

Stroking my fingers down the blade, I closed my eyes…and wished.

Then I turned back to my weapons trunk and went about getting myself ready.

Just what did you take to the party when you were dealing with some ancient, psychotic evil who unleashed holy hell just for the fun of it?

 

Blog Barrage: THE TURNCOAT'S TEMPTRESS (Legends & Lovers #3) by Allison Merritt

Historical Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Categories: Action/Adventure, Steampunk

 

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00C0ULRCS

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-turncoats-temptress-allison-merritt/1114917064

Blurb

Basil Tinwhistle's life changed when he was nine years old and he revealed that he had a proclivity for finding the paranormal. Taken from his family and raised by a special order of men dedicated to memorizing legend and hunting monsters, he's risked life and limb to keep the United States safe from terror in the night. More than that, he left behind the only woman who ever held his heart.

Foreseer Nora Frost's parents abandoned her in favor of pursuing sideshow careers in a circus. Her grandmother raised her with a strict hand to prevent history from repeating itself. Nora has never felt comfortable with herself, except for the brief summer Basil spent at her grandmother's antebellum mansion. When Basil vanished without a word, he broke her heart and she vowed never to fall in love again.

Years later, on one of Nora's worst days, Basil suddenly reappears. The attraction between them is as strong as it was that long ago summer, but Basil is about to reveal a danger Nora never imagined—one that might tear them apart before they can repair the past.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

EXCERPT:

"For once consider doing something for yourself. You hated working for them. This,” she gestured at the prosthesis, “and killing that goblin. It hurt you somehow, Baz, sapped your strength when you killed it. Nothing about the Guardians is good for you.”

“What is?” His voice was quiet, difficult to hear over the pounding of her heart.

“What?”

Dark eyes sought hers. “What do I have to look forward to without the Guardians?”

She blinked. “There's an entire world out there you've missed by being chained like a dog to your superiors.”

“Even though I've left the service, I still see the monsters that haunt the darkness. Am I supposed to ignore them now? They aren't all bad. Some of them are trying to get by like the rest of us, but there are plenty more who want to rid the world of humans.” His gaze didn't waver. He took his time replacing the sock, grabbed his prosthesis, put it to his stump and pushed it on. A whole man again. The only thing that seemed to be missing was his heart. “It's my duty.”

“Oh, so you'll form a rogue band of Guardians to protect common folk?” The last thing either of them needed was the complication of trying to renew their love. But it didn't mean she didn't want to try. “You'll continue to sacrifice everything until your life is the last thing you have to give.”

“A special brand of monster to take down other monsters.” His voice held a quiet edge.

“You never showed a monstrous side of yourself to me. The Basil I knew was funny, gentle, and clever. I believe in him.”

More than a table stood between them. The wall she'd been fighting to keep in place for years kept her from saying what was really on her mind. But why? What good did it do for her heart to remain unmoved by him when her body wanted to be pressed to his? He'd hurt her by leaving, but he hadn't gone away without leaving scars on his heart as well. It didn't matter if they were trapped on the edge of a dreary swamp or inside a magnificent mansion. She wanted to be beside Basil.

“That . . . boy had to die to accomplish what the Guardians wanted. There's no good, no happiness, no love left here.”

No hope either, judging from the way his eyes went flat. Nora moved around the table, kneeling beside the chair. His hand lay on his thigh and she covered it with her own.

“I don't believe that.”

“You should.” His hand clenched under hers.

“I can't. And I know you don't either. The young man who took me to get a tintype Grandmama didn't know about grew into the man who holds it even now. How often did you look at it over the years?” She lifted his hand to her face, pressing his fingers to her cheek.

Basil swallowed, causing his Adam's apple to bob. “More often than I should have. It was comforting, knowing you were out there. I tried to tell myself that I'd done the right thing because who would protect innocent lives like yours if I didn't?”

“I can't believe you kept it.”

Basil took his hand away from her face and reached inside his coat. He pulled out the tintype, bent, worn, a little faded, and set it on the table.

A younger Nora smiled up at them. Her mind pulled her back to the day the image was taken. When she thought she'd known what the world was about and love was the only thing that mattered. Basil had stood behind the photographer, making silly faces, trying to get her to laugh. She'd mastered her emotions and arranged her face in what she'd hoped was a seductive pose. After the flash of powder, she'd blinked away the light and found Basil looking at her with unmasked passion.

The heat of that look stayed with her. She still felt it, curling at her like flames over paper. It was different than the look he gave her now, but the old spark was there.

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About the Author

A life-long love of reading turned Allison Merritt into an indie author who writes historical, paranormal and fantasy romances, often combining the sub-genres. She lives in a small town in the Ozark Mountains with her husband and dogs. When she's not writing or reading, she hikes in national parks and conservation areas.

Allison graduated from College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri with a B.A. in mass communications that's gathering dust after it was determined that she's better at writing fluff than hard news.

Connect with Allison Merritt

Blog: http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/allisonmwrites

Twitter: http://twitter.com/allison_merritt

Google+: http://gplus.to/AllisonMerritt

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AllisonMWrites

Medusa's Birthday Bash Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter the contest below and visit the other blogs in Medusa's Birthday Bash found here for a chance to win some great "Birthday" prizes, such as: 

• Autographed copy of “Medusa, A Love Story (Loves of Olympus Series, Bk #1)”
• Autographed copy of “For the Love of Hades (Loves of Olympus Series, Bk #2)”
• Thea (owl) Necklace
• “Medusa” car charm
• Series Swag

 

 

Blurb:

It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster...

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.

Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.

Excerpt:

The water shifted, carrying Poseidon quickly to the sand before Ariston. “I will fight you, then, Ariston of Rhodes.”

Ariston nodded, clenching his hands.

“But this fight cannot give you what you seek. Tell me, do you rage against me for using your wife? Or because she hides from you, even knowing you search for her?” Poseidon paused, watching his face closely.

“She is dead…”

“So say the Gorgons. Mayhap she wants nothing of you now.”

Ariston’s arm whipped forward, meeting the cold flesh of Poseidon’s stomach with uninhibited fury. He savored the warm burn of his knuckles, sending his other fist into his Poseidon’s side with a roar.

He drew his arm back and released his fist, crazed with bloodlust. He struck Poseidon’s haughty chin squarely, a gratifying smack filling the air.

Poseidon reacted then, throwing his elbow into Ariston’s chest and robbing him of breath.

Ariston threw his fist forward, hitting the God in the neck and swiping his leg. Poseidon fell onto the sand, lying at his feet.

He offered his hand to Poseidon. “I am not so easily satisfied.”

Poseidon stared at his hand, then stood.

Ariston stooped and rammed into Poseidon, his shoulder smashing into Poseidon’s stomach and lifting him before letting him fall to the sand again.

Poseidon stood once more, his his face no longer distant and haughty.

Ariston laughed. “Come at me then.”

And he did, forcing Ariston back against one of the large boulders that dotted the beach. His hands closed about Ariston’s throat, his intent obvious. Still Ariston managed to break free, knocking the God off guard by kneeing him forcefully in the groin.

Poseidon crumpled on the beach, kneeling as he fought to regain his breath.

Ariston stood over him, wanting this over.

“Is my suffering akin to yours? When you learned…that I had her. Were you crippled so?” Poseidon’s words were muttered in choking breaths.

“Your suffering cannot be compared to mine,” Ariston assured him. “I would put an end to it for you.”

Poseidon rose quickly, Ariston’s sword clasped in his hand. “No, Ariston, I think not.” He lifted the blade, pressing it against Ariston’s neck.

Ariston smiled again, lifting his chin and exposing his neck. Was it wrong that he wanted this?

Poseidon’s brow rose. “You doubt my intent? You have no fear of death?”

“None.” He meant it. “Kill me.” End my pain.

Poseidon’s face twisted. “You seek death?”

“It is better than what waits for me now.” He cursed himself, cursed his words and the desperation that filled them.

“For a woman? All for a woman?” Poseidon tossed the sword aside. “You are no man to let a woman rule you so. No woman alive is worth…”

“But she is not alive. She is dead!” Ariston’s words ripped from him with such anguish that even he was surprised.

Poseidon shook his head wearily. “If you are so eager for death, let me help you on your way. Your lady wife lives, hiding amongst the caves off Crete.”

Ariston froze, stunned by Poseidon’s statement, but Poseidon only watched him.

“You lie,” he raged, moving to strike Poseidon again, but the God grabbed his fist.

“I have nothing to gain, Ariston of Rhodes. I am done with…this. I would help you on your way, if this is truly what you want?”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Sasha is part gypsy. Born June 9, 1974, stories have always played an important role in her life. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

What I'm Reading....

I just received an ARC of Zoe Archer's Sweet Revenge, book 1 in her new Nemesis, Unlimited series, which I couldn't wait to delve into or share! So much so that I'm writing this blog post from my phone. :)

Click here to find out more. :)

Jack Dalton has been hardened after spending the last five years in Dunmoor Prison, now he's escaped to exact revenge on Lord Rockley, the man who murdered his sister.

Eva Warrick, as an agent for Nemesis, Unlimited, she's not easily intimidated and can hold her own in any situation. Her associates and her need Jack to get to Rockley. What she doesn't count on is sizzling desire she feels for Jack.

A quest for vengeance, scorching passion between two strong characters and this reader is in heaven!  I'm lovin' Jack and Eva and will be posting a review as soon as I'm finished reading it!