Spotlight: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy's "The Sin Eater's Redemption"

The Sin Eater's Redemption

by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Rebel Ink Press

Release Date: April 17, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 72,825

Available at:

Amazon | ARe | B&N

Description:

Death brings would-be country singer Tessa Owens home from Nashville to her native Ozarks. But she’s not planning to stay. She turned her back on the old ways of life in the modern world long ago. But she didn’t expect to meet her first love, Lucas Rowlands, at the visitation. Seven years wasn’t long enough to forget him and sparks ignite when they meet again. Even worse, Tessa learns Lucas isn’t the simple country farmer she left behind but the sin eater, an ancient position handed down to him from his grandfather. She still plans to make tracks back to Music City USA but when Lucas falls ill, Tessa can’t bear to leave. As she struggles to understand Lucas’ life and role as a sin eater, Tessa admits she loves him and there’s no doubt what he feels for her. But even if she’ll give up her country music dreams, there’s no way Tessa can become the sin eater’s wife, especially not when Lucas knows he won’t make old bones. The devil wants Lucas’ sin-heavy soul and if they don’t come up with something, Lucas is hell bound on an express ticket. If there’s any chance at a future, it’s up to Tessa.

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:

“Hello, Lucas.” Her voice came out hushed, like school kids whispering in a library. “It’s been a long time.”

Lucas Rowlands grinned with a naughty smile she remembered very well.  He looked the same, overlong brown hair lit with blonde highlights, dark blue eyes and a lean build. “I hear you’ve been living up to Nashville all this time,” he said.

“I have,” Tessa replied. “I live there now.”

His eyes locked on her face and she couldn’t look away, mesmerized by his steady gaze.

“Guess you ain’t famous just yet.”

Face to face, toe to toe, she remembered more than she wanted. His presence, his physical proximity exuded power, so much so the fine hairs on her arms came to attention. “No,” she said, her voice husky. “I’m not. What are you doing these days, Lucas?”

“I do as little as possible,” he said with a sassy grin.  “I raise cattle and more than a little hell at my granddad’s old place.  I live in the old house and mostly do what I want.”

That sounded like Lucas, she thought. “Are you married?”

 “Nope and I don’t plan to get that way.  What about you, darlin’? Do you have a husband and kiddies in a little house over there on the Cumberland River?”

He stood close, heat radiating from his skin as it moved over her in waves.  Tessa grew too hot, overheating so much she thought she might faint. His questions irked her, though she couldn’t say why.

“No,” Tessa said. If she didn’t get some fresh air now, she would pass out.  She stepped forward, prepared to head for the back door. Luke took her hand instead and kept her in place.

“Where are you going? We haven’t had time to catch up or talk about old times.”

His voice affected her like cheap strawberry wine with a giddy rush powerful enough to tilt her off balance.

“I need some air,” she whispered. “I’ve got to go outside.”

 Lucas put his arm around her. “Let’s go then.”

 He pressed through the crowd with a fake grin plastered on his face, exchanging a few nods and howdys. She allowed him to take her through her aunt’s kitchen, aware the women putting out food stared as they passed.  In the backyard, Tessa staggered over to a plastic lawn chair and sat.  Cool breezes flowed down the hills behind and she inhaled deeply. After a few minutes, she sighed.

“Better?” Lucas sprawled in a chair across from hers and watched with a frown she might’ve once believed came out of concern.

“Yes, thanks.”

“What the hell happened in there? You didn’t use to be such a wimp.”

“No.”  Funny she could sing on any stage, hobnob with some of the remaining greats of country music, talk with today’s chart toppers, handle the meanest drunk in any bar and attend any event and never lose her cool.  But come back to the hills and she lost it in her aunt’s house, among her own folks, thanks to Lucas Rowlands.  “I’m okay now, though.”

He offered a hand so she could rise and Tessa accepted it.   Before she had time to think, Lucas drew her into his arms like a spider catching a fly and put his mouth down over hers.   She struggled, protested until his heat fired her and ignited all her old passions. Tessa kissed him back with the same unholy fire.  Sweet little charges of electricity ran over her sensitive skin and when his tongue entered her mouth, she would’ve squealed aloud except she couldn’t, there wasn’t space to make a sound.

Pleasure from his mouth expanded lower and spread heat through her in waves.  A dim sense Tessa should protest, should push him away hovered at the edge of her consciousness but everything felt too damn good to stop.  His lips evoked the past, stolen kisses and heady delights she recalled much too well.   If someone, she never could be sure who it was, had not thrust their head out of the back door and called, “Lucas, it’s time.”

Tessa might’ve let him do more than kiss her there, in the backyard, with her kinfolk and most of the rural community steps away.   The reality check jarred her back to consciousness as he released her.

“I’ll see you later,” he said with a playful swat at her rear as he vanished into the house.

Tessa watched him go, divided between longing for more kisses and anger that she’d let her guard down so easily.  Lucas was the last person she expected to see and before she could ponder why he’d come to Uncle Cal’s private family visitation, the back door swung open.

“There you are! You need to come in now, we’re about to get started.”

“Start what, Aunt Vernie?”

Her aunt ducked her head. “I had the sin eater come.  You know what a wicked man Calvin could be, how mean he was. I just hated to think he might spend all eternity in hell so I decided to do it the way folks did back a few years.  Truth is they do it more now than you’d think now that we got us a sin eater again.”

“You’re joking,” Tess said. This sounded insane.  Clearly she’d left the real world behind in Tennessee and ended up here on the set of The Twilight Zone.

 Aunt Verna folded her arms across her chest like fresh laundry. “I’m not, Tessa.  You’ve been away too long. That’s why I had them bring Cal back out here from the funeral home.  Today’s for the sin eater, the family, and close friends.  It’s visitation, too, but this is the most important.”

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHwh9xVPAy4

About the Author:

Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy writes romance about everyday people often caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Her titles range from contemporary to historical to time travel and sometimes stray into the paranormal. She is a native of the historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri, a jumping off spot for countless wagon trains in the days of the old west and where outlaw Jesse James met his death. She now lives in a small Ozark town in what passes for the suburbs. As a member of Romance Writers of America, Missouri Writers Guild, and the Ozark Writers League, Lee Ann pens a weekly column for the local newspaper. She has served on the local library board and arts council. As a member of the Rebel Elite team, her upcoming releases will shift to exclusive Rebel in 2013. Lee Ann is also one of the short list of Rebel authors named Best of 2012. She was also among the Best of 2011. She’s married with three children and one spoiled Jack Russell terrier.

Connect with Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Email | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook Profile | Facebook Author Page | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

Spotlight: Surrender To Me by Ella jade

What happens when a Dominant falls for his not-so-submissive attorney?

Martin Abrams, owner of Master M’s BDSM club, has become unfulfilled with his lifestyle. Ever since his sub, Gracie, left to marry her true love, Martin has lost his way. Living the life of the head Dominant in his circle isn’t as appealing as it once was. Something seems to be missing.

Sassy lawyer Arianna Covington relocates to New York City after a humiliating divorce. She’s looking for a fresh start when she agrees to become Martin’s exclusive attorney. She’s intrigued by his domineering personality and wants to know why women kneel at his feet.

Their attraction is undeniable despite Ari’s initial beliefs that she will never submit to Martin’s desires. But Martin is up for the challenge. Arianna is more than he ever imagined in a woman. He vows to claim her heart, with or without the games. Who will surrender first?

Featuring Cade and Gracie from Make Me Stay.

Content Warning: contains explicit language and graphic sexual content

Excerpt:

"Do all the subs act that way around you?" Arianna asked.

"It's the only way they know. It's what's expected of them."

"I don't understand how any woman would bow down like that. It's not normal."

"Maybe not for you." Martin understood Arianna's position. Most who didn't participate in a Dominant and submissive relationship didn't get it.

"It's degrading. She can't use the phone. She's a grown woman."

"Arianna, this is a lifestyle you can't possibly comprehend because you know nothing about it. A submissive gets just as much as he or she gives. The arrangement they enter into with a Dom is consensual. Roxy is not forced into being here. Her Dom respects and cares for her. She has a very good life."

"He punishes her."

"When she disobeys. It's in her contract."

"A contract that can't possibly be enforced in court."

"Spoken like a true lawyer." He finished his scotch. "The contract is to protect them both. It lists what is expected of a sub and what the Dominant's responsibilities are. They outline hard and soft limits. We create a safe, sane, and consensual environment, and that contract maintains trust between the two parties. As long as it is upheld between the parties involved that's all that matters."

"To each his own, I suppose." She shrugged. "I'm your real estate attorney. What you do here is none of my business."

Then why are you here, kitten?

"I'm very open, Arianna. If you have questions, I'll be happy to answer them. People should be educated in my lifestyle. It isn't as uncommon or bizarre as you may think." He reached for her hand. "I hope you won't judge me without getting to know me."

"Um, no." She looked down at their joined hands. He liked the way her cheeks turned colors when he flustered her. "Of course not. This whole environment is different. It's going to take some getting used to."

"I understand." He ran his thumb over the soft skin of her hand. "If you'd prefer not to meet here anymore—"

"It's not a problem."

"Very well." He smiled because as he suspected she wanted to be there. "Will you join me for dinner?"

Martin couldn't remember the last time he'd asked a woman to have dinner with him. He usually just summoned a sub when he was in the mood for company. Gracie was the last woman he'd spent any time with at all. Perhaps it was time to explore his options. Obviously, Arianna would be different than the women he dealt with, but he liked the change. When Gracie left him for Cade everything changed. He hadn't been interested in another sub. As a matter of fact, he hadn't been interested in another woman until now.

"I'd love to join you for dinner, Mr. Abrams."

"I'd like you to call me Martin." Allowing people to use his name wasn't a privilege he granted often, but everything was different with her. He stood from the bar and picked up her briefcase. "I hope you like Italian. I ordered enough for six people. I wasn't sure what you would want."

"Italian is fine." She took his extended hand and walked to the back of the club with him. "Why didn't you just wait and ask what I would want?"

"I'm not used to asking." He motioned for her to take a seat in the huge u-shaped booth that overlooked the Manhattan skyline.

"Oh, Martin." She giggled. He liked the way his name tumbled off her lips. "You have a lot to learn about non-submissive women."

Buy Links:    Beachwalk Press Amazon Barnes & Noble

Watch the Trailer:

Meet Martin in Make Me Stay

Can the sub teach the Dom to play?

Natural submissive Gracie Miller thought she had found her other half in Cade Jameson. Not only did he help her through a difficult time in her life, in the bedroom he brought her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined. They seemed perfect for each other. 

Cade knew what he wanted in the bedroom. Gracie brought out his domineering side and ignited his passion. But he feared he was too dominant for this beautiful, naïve girl, who was so young and impressionable, so he ended their relationship.

Two and a half years later, Gracie returns to town a new woman. She had moved to the city and found a "Master" who showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she's back and wants to show Cade exactly what kind of submissive she could be for him.

But after hearing all that she's experienced, Cade now wonders if he's dominant enough to satisfy her. Can he be the man Gracie needs him to be?

Content Warning: graphic sex, BDSM themes

Buy Links:    Beachwalk Press        Amazon      Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped. Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.

Connect with the Author:       Site     Facebook Author Page      Twitter

~Giveaway~

Ella is giving away two e-copies of Make Me Stay during her Tour.

For a chance to win please fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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Spotlight: The Blood Bride by Imogene Nix

The Blood Bride (Blood Secrets #1)

by Imogene Nix

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Categories: Mystery/Thriller

Publisher: Total-e-Bound

Release Date: June 21, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 78,900

Available at:

Amazon | Total-e-Bound

Description:

Hope just wants to be an ordinary nestling. She went to college and escaped, but now she’s back and there’s a secret everyone is keeping from her.

Xavier is the new master of the nest, ready to welcome home the daughter of the house who he has never met. He’s unprepared for the woman who steals his breath and enchants him.

Now Hope and Xavier must fight for lives and those of the innocents. After all, it is only by overcoming the rogues that they will have a chance of a timeless future together. But will it be in time?

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:

Copyright © Imogene Nix, 2013

All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-E-Bound.

Hope hauled the last heavy box up the stairs of the manor house, occasionally catching glimpses of the way her midnight black hair shone in the sunlight, when she passed the window in the living room of her apartment. "Thank heavens this is the last one," she muttered to herself, sliding the box down to rest on the floor, before straightening and rubbing the nagging ache in her back. She could have had help, all she needed to do was ask, but now that she was an adult she needed to stand on her own two feet, she reminded herself.

Straightening up, she looked around at the mass of boxes waiting for her to delve into. "Well, gone away and back again. Where do I start first?"

The phone trilled and she started for an instant, before extending her hand to the receiver on the shelf beside her. "Hope."

"Miss Hope, do you require any help? Lisi is wondering if you require her assistance." The muffled voice of one of her guardians flowed out of the earpiece. She had forgotten that living at the manor meant the goldfish bowl lifestyle she had tried her best to escape at college. Not that she’d had much opportunity to live a free lifestyle. She’d been lodged with a guardian family within the college grounds. Even then, her personal team of five guards had shadowed her every move—to classes, shopping and even to the hairdresser’s.

They hadn’t escaped her notice, the looks some of her classmates had thrown her way. Longing for the lifestyle they’d thought she enjoyed. Little did they know, Hope would happily have swapped, a lot of the time. Downtime had existed within a carefully vetted group of companions, each from houses of similar status. The cloying atmosphere she hated, but, nonetheless, she had submitted to her parents’ will. Only a few times had she sought to do activities that they would have deemed inappropriate, but her conscience had always kicked in, and she had derived no enjoyment from the guilty feelings that had overcome her.

"No thanks, Jeffrey. I have all the boxes up here and I am going to take my time going through everything." How could she explain that she needed a freedom that had been denied? That this small and almost insignificant rebellion was one she embraced? But she couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to Jeffrey to share that.

"Fine, Miss Hope. Oh, and I am supposed to remind you, the new Master has requested your presence in his library after sundown."

She nodded, knowing it was expected that she would take her oath of fealty. "Oh. Right. I’ll be down for sunset." She laid down the receiver. It’s one thing to owe your continued safety to a vampire nest Master, but quite another to be at his beck and call all the time, just as her parents had been. Her temper spiked momentarily. The emotion coiled through her then she shuddered, pushing away the negative thought, while absently reaching for the boxes she needed to stack, store or unpack. The rough exterior of some of them brushed against her hands. For now, she had time. Lots of time.

Ripping the tape off the first box, she then started to root through it, unwrapping reminders of her slightly more free college life, formulating arguments to put to her parents, knowing that the dice were stacked against her. Her life had been mapped out since her birth, but perhaps she could find a way around some of the roadblocks. At least she hoped so. With that thought, she set to work.

* * * *

He stretched in the bed, feeling the cool sheets around his body, savouring the experience of knowing he could rise when he wanted to. Luxuriating as he came to full awareness of his surroundings. His bed. His home. His nest. A feeling of exultation swept through him. One he had experienced several times in the last six months since he had become Master.

Xavier had only recently been transferred to this nest, after Cyrus had been called to ascend to a seat on the Council with his predecessor Cressida, the most senior of the vampires on the Council.

A new Master had been required for the nest, a situation arising from the ascension of Cressida who had saved the child Hope from the rogues. The death of another of the Council meant that Cyrus had answered a call to accept a seat. It was an almost unheard of event for a nest to have two new Masters in under a hundred years, but Xavier had accepted his unexpected promotion. Not that he would take it for granted—no, he worked beside his vampires as required, so they knew he would ensure their safety while they ensured his.

The household he had taken over was well run, and he had no fears for the financial status, even though they had lost the manor and many assets during the dark days of clearing the rogues who had attacked the house. Indeed, he had been with Cyrus the night he had ascended and had seen the great strides Cyrus had made during his Mastership.

He swiped a hand over his stubbled face and a voice to his left said quietly, "Master, refreshments for you." A crystal goblet appeared in a white hand at the edge of his vision. He accepted it with a grunt, the ruby red liquid inside calling to him on a primal level. Blood wine. Sustenance that would ease the clawing hunger he always felt on awakening.

His teeth extended and his mouth opened. The first drop touched his tongue and a frisson moved through him, the ecstasy of drinking flowing into his body. He took his time, savouring the flavours.

Young.

Full bodied.

Tart aftertaste. The wine, the only human sustenance he could now enjoy. Food was relegated to a memory of things long past.

He closed his eyes as the last drop flowed, and breathed deep. Yes, a Master could very quickly become accustomed to this lifestyle, but not now and not today. He needed to meet this Hope, the one who had turned their entire world upside down. James had told him little about his daughter, save that she would need to remain within the house, protected from the world. That someday she would assume the mantle of leading the house from within, while her brother oversaw the legal and financial affairs of the nest.

He pushed the bed covers away, unconcerned about nudity as he padded to the bathroom. He might be a vampire, but he still bathed and shaved, a thought that made him chuckle. Even after all these years, when vampires had made their entry into the human world, humans outside nests thought vampires had no need for those daily rituals.

He moved through his ablutions. She would be waiting for him, but he would present himself to her in his most urbane incarnation. She would take her oath of fealty, then he would meet with his advisers, James and David leading the human contingent.

About the Author:

A mother of two, compulsive reader and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, 2 daughters, dog, cats and prize winning chooks. She has a particular fondness for Vampires, Star Ship Captains and things that go bump in the night.

She is also a firm believer in writing what you enjoy… something she strictly adheres to!

Connect with Imogene Nix

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Day Seven – REDNECK ROMEO RELEASE PARTY

Lorelei James is celebrating the release of REDNECK ROMEO with a SEVEN day party.  SEVEN great giveaways, SEVEN different posts.  Stop by all the amazing blogs participating in the party to increase your chances to win!!! Each blog will post a special REDNECK ROMEO post all seven days 

Blurb: 

The last McKay standing is knocked to his knees…

Three years ago, Dalton McKay looked across the altar and saw the woman he knew he’d love for the rest of his life…only it wasn’t his bride. That’s when he took the McKays’ love-’em-and-leave-’em reputation to new heights—fleeing the ceremony and Wyoming.

 Now a family issue has brought Dalton back to Sundance, giving him a chance to prove to everyone—especially the woman he thought he lost—that he’s a changed man.

Aurora “Rory” Wetzler has fallen for cowboy hottie Dalton’s smooth-talkin’ ways too many times. So he’s determined to convince her he’s playing for keeps this go around? Fine. She’ll call that bluff—she can’t ignore their intense chemistry or resist smokin’ hot sex, but she’s not willing to gamble her heart again.

 Dalton has plenty of fences to mend with the McKays, but his biggest fear is that Rory doesn’t believe they have a future. He’ll have to pull out all the stops to show her they belong together for the long haul.

Warning: Contains a sexy cowboy who tames his sassy lady love with his romantic and his kinky side. In explicit detail.

Buy Links

   

The Future of the ROUGH RIDERS

Slick from Guilty Pleasures:  Since I just finished reading Redneck Romeo about the last McKay man standing, Dalton, I have to ask who will be the focus of book 16 and is that truly the end?  Because I have to tell you having Ky driving and into girls is going to open up a whole can of worms about when the kid's stories are going to be told. 

No fun, I know, but no comment on Rough Riders book 16 yet...I'll clue you all in a bit further down the road. I get a bajillion questions about why I'm ending the Rough Riders series at book 16. And yes, I could probably write a second generation of McKays (Love Love Love my readers but you guys are driving me insane with the "When will you write Boone and Sierra's book?! Crazy rabid fans, I keep threatening that if you keep nagging me it'll be...never -- ha ha, yet I'd never do that because I want to know what happens too!) but I've always considered this series a western saga that DOES have an end. I've been fortunate that I've been allowed to write the books how I want, at the pace I want, with the subject matter I want--all with 100% publisher support. That is rare. Since the books have such a great following, there is that mindset to continue to "cash in" on the popularity of the series and characters. But I won't do that because at what point do the new books just become a rehash of the older books? I'd much rather end the series on a high note, at the height of popularity than wait until the series might be considered "tired" and I start to lose readers. Plus, I have lots of ideas, situations, characters and areas to explore in other fictional worlds. I hope readers come along for the ride.

Giveaway:

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