Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Writing Virgin and Alpha Male Romance

Let's face it.  In a world where holding on to your virginity past senior year in high school is almost taboo, the virgin/alpha male scenario in or after college is almost obsolete in reality.  Maybe that's why I choose to write books that follow along this format.  That could definitely be it, but I also grew up reading Harlequin Romances.  You know those box sets you used to get four of in the mail every month?  Or am I showing my age?  I remember vividly as a young girl growing up, that excitement when my grandmother got her set in the mail.  I would wait until she was asleep and sneak one into my room, reading through the night.  Yes, I was a sneaky book reading child!

I fell in love with Cowboys, Sheiks, Prince's and Pirates!  They all swept their girl off her feet and rode off into the sunset, and all of those girls were virgins!  The reality of that happening may have been as unusual in the 80's as it is today, but boy did my heart beat a little faster reading about the scenarios.  I'll even admit to playing out sweet romance scenarios with my Barbie's.  I'm telling you that Barbie chick had a heck of a lot of first time experiences!

When I decided to turn to writing as a career, there was no doubt what type of books I planned on writing.  The female HAD to be a virgin, and the male?  No way he was anything other than Alpha!  These are the types of books I love to read (yes I'll review books with a romance topic that has a virgin and alpha male in them) so it made sense that this is what I'd write.  Those years of new adult college age days have long since passed me by, BUT by writing those scenarios I get to live through my young adult days forever.  Kind of hard to argue with that scenario. I like to say it keeps me young at heart.

I've tried to write books that move away from that scenario, but they don't fill my heart with enough passion to make it through to the end.  So what kind of books do you like to read?  I'm always curious what draws readers to their type of book.  I'd love to hear from you!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Authors! Shoutlines Design is having an Amazing Sale!



I usually don't do promotional posts for businesses on my site, but this was one I felt needed to be shared. My favorite cover artist (and now manuscript formatting) is having a huge summer sale, and I can personally testify to the quality of her work.  To take advantage of this opportunity, or to look at more of her work, visit:  shoutlinesdesign.com

This is a limited time offer like the ad above states, and lasts from July 24th until July 31st.  1/2 Price for the image on your cover that will help sell your book!  Seriously,  it's a deal you don't want to pass up!  Here are the covers Shoutline has done for me!





Carter - Brie Paisley


BLOG TOUR

Carter by Brie Paisley 
The Harlow Brothers 
Book #1



Photograph by Christopher Correia from CJC Photography
Cover model: BT Urruela
Cover model: Jessie Reis
Cover designer: Rebecca Pau from The Final Wrap



Carter
She was the one for me.
The one that I knew would be mine forever until I made the biggest mistake. I pushed her away and I’ve regretted that decision ever since. I’ve tried to move on, tried to put the memory of her behind me, but she’s always consuming my thoughts. Now, she’s back in our hometown, trying to rebuild a new life. I know she’s keeping secrets. She tries to hide them from me, and I will do whatever it takes to prove that I’m the one she needs. Because Shelby Ross is the other part of me that I can’t live without and I refuse to let her go again.

Shelby
He broke my heart.
I never thought I would be able to pick of the pieces he left behind. When he let me go, I ran away from it all, thinking it was the easiest thing to do. But, running has a price and I’ve paid it in full for years. Now, I’m back where it all began, back to putting my life together and starting over. It should’ve been easy, but Carter Harlow is reawakening long buried emotions that I thought were gone. He wants to make me his again. I can’t let that happen. He ruined me, broke me, and I’m afraid I’ll never survive it a second time around.


            









I don’t know what to say, so I just stare up at him. He smiles back at me, and slowly takes his hand off my face. I want to cry out at the loss of his warmth, but I know he needed to move away from me. I watch him as he walks back around the kitchen island, and swallow hard as he refuses to take his eyes off me. His gaze is intense, and I can’t stop the warm sensations that form in my stomach. I go to grab my necklace, but stop midway. Carter frowns then asks, “What is it?” I debate on whether, or not to tell him I still have his gift. Then again, maybe if he sees I’ve kept it all this time, he’ll know I never forgot what we had. I reach into my shirt and pull out my keepsake. I hold it in my hand for a moment, and stare at it before letting it drop. Carter sucks in a breath when he sees it. I watch him closely as a variety of emotions cross his face. Shock, disbelief, and when he looks in my eyes again, he looks at me adoringly. As if he’s seeing me again for the very first time, with such love in his eyes. “I know we didn’t end things on a good note, but I couldn’t bear to part with it. Every time I needed strength or a reminder of what I left behind, I would look at it, and just knowing I had a piece of you made things easier.” I’m surprised by my admission, but at the same time, it feels good to open up to someone again. It’s been so long since I felt like I could trust someone with how I really feel.
“I can’t believe you kept it after all this time.” He grins, shakes his head, and his eyes light up. “Do you remember what I said when I gave it to you?”
Of course I remember. It’s committed to my memory, and it’s one that I used to think of often. “I do. Instead of me giving you a graduation present, you gave me this.” I glance down at my necklace, thinking back to that day. It was a happy day, and I was so proud of Carter for graduating, and getting accepted into Harvard Law. I wasn’t expecting a gift from him, but I remember being excited when he showed me what he bought. I blink, coming back to the present as I say, “As you put the necklace on me, you said it was to remind me how much you loved me. That no matter how far apart we were, it wouldn’t matter because our love for each other was strong.” I glance away from him, as I repeat his sweet words from a lifetime ago. “I remember you saying, that my necklace was your way of giving me your heart and that we’d always be able to find one another.”
I look back at Carter, noticing he’s rubbing his chest. I want to ask him if he’s alright. But I don’t. I know that day meant so much to the both of us. I could see and feel how much he cared about me back then. Which made when he broke my heart that much more painful. He clears his throat before saying, “I’m glad you kept it, and it’s brought you good memories when you needed them.”
I suddenly feel shy, and a bit out of place. The emotions running through me scare the shit out of me, and the room feels as though it’s closing in. Reliving the past then the emotions running through me now … it’s too intense. I look away from him and place my necklace back in my shirt. I get off the stool and say, “I think I should head back to Annie and William’s. I’m sure they’re worried where I am.” I don’t look at Carter. I don’t want to see the hurt in his eyes because he’ll know what I’m doing. I hate that I can’t seem to stay around him, but the wave of all the past emotions and the present ones colliding is overwhelming. I have to get away from it.
“Yeah, okay. I can drive you there since it’s on my way.” I nod and head back to his room to grab my shoes. I remind myself to breathe and stop over thinking everything. It’s stupid of me to act this way, but going for so long without feeling any of this … it’s frightening.







Brie Paisley is a small town gal from Mississippi. She always wanted to write at a young age and was always filling journals with her thoughts and short stories. Brie started with the idea of Worshipped a year ago and with the encouragement of her husband and sister in law, she was able to write her first book. When she is not writing, you can find her reading a good book, painting, scrapbooking, or watching a good movie with her husband and her boxer.



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Monday, July 18, 2016

Blog Tour Sign Up For 1/2 Cocked - Michelle Hughes

Twenty-One-Year-Old College Student Becca Stewart has lived her life by the rules and never stepped over any lines.  For once in her life she wants to be the bad girl and enjoy what she’s missing out on.  She’s had a crush on the star quarterback at her university and decides to tell him how she feels.  He’s all in for a night of wild sex until she confesses to being a virgin.  Telling her he’d love to give her what she wants if she wasn’t innocent, she decides to fight for him.

Hiring a gigolo isn’t something Becca ever thought she’d do, but having Bryce is worth it.  Taking the small nest egg her grandmother left her she hires Colton Dillard and flies out to Las Vegas to get the experience she needs.  Colton owns a company that pleasures women for profit, but he’s not exactly who he claims to be!  Six foot four inches of pure sensuality, he’s every woman’s dream and just the man to teach her the ways of unadulterated sex.

One trip to Sin City will change Becca’s life forever.  Being seduced by a stranger paid to give her all the pleasure she’s ever craved might do more than wake up her hidden passion.  It’s one whirlwind ride of ecstasy, temptation, and discovering that sometimes you don’t know what you really want until it sweeps you off your feet!

Coming To Your Bookshelf September 1, 2016
Add it to Goodreads today:  http://bit.ly/Goodreadscocked

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Monday, July 11, 2016

Prince Hunter - Xavier Neal


It's LIVE!



Members only.
A simple rule but a valuable one.

The Castle is the most exclusive and illusive male strip club in the country. As dancers we're treasured like royalty and as clients, you're treated like it.
I'm the sweet, southern, brown eyed rope lover whose performance leaves women's hearts in knots.
Every man that walks out onto the stage is loved like a prince.
I'm Hunter and this is my story.
-This is the SECOND book is a series of STANDALONES-







(Insert Your Review Here. Delete if not Reviewing)



Xavier Neal is an up and coming Author and Blogger. She lives in Texas where she spends her time getting lost in writing and reading. She loves Tex-mex, fandoms, and laughing. Feel free to spend her a message any time! 


 





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