Toy Boy a new #romance @lily_harlem #RLFblog

Toy Boy 

This quick interview includes info about the author, and introduces the story.

About the Author

Lily Harlem lives in the UK and is an award-winning, multi-published author of contemporary erotic romance. She writes for publishers on both sides of the Atlantic including HarperCollins, Totally Bound, Xcite and Sweetmeats Press. Her Hot Ice series regularly receives high praise and industry nominations.

Before turning her hand to writing Lily Harlem worked as a trauma nurse and her latest HarperCollins release, Confessions of a Naughty Night Nurse, draws on her many experiences while nursing in London. Lily also self-publishes and The Silk Tie, The Glass Knot, In Expert Hands and Scored have been blessed with many 5* reviews since their release.

Lily writes MF, MM and ménage a trois, her books regularly hit the #1 spot on Amazon Best Seller lists and Breathe You In was named a USA Today Reviewer's Recommended Read of 2014.

Lily also co-authors with Natalie Dae and publishes under the name Harlem Dae - check out the Sexy as Hell Box Set available exclusively on Amazon - The Novice, The Player and The Vixen - and That Filthy Book which has been hailed as a novel 'every woman should read'.

One thing you can be sure of, whatever book you pick up by Ms Harlem, is it will be wildly romantic and down-and-dirty sexy. Enjoy!

Interview with Lily Harlem

Why did you write this book?

I traveled to Greece a few years ago. I had an amazing time, my husband and I hired a sail boat and we explored the Ionian Islands. Finding deserted coves, dropping anchor, swimming with dolphins then cracking open a bottle of wine and feasting on bread and cheese was amazing. We really did feel like we'd landed in paradise. I'd been looking forward to writing a story in this setting ever since so when the idea of an older woman/younger man novel came to me I decided to send my characters on the holiday of a lifetime to Cephalonia.

What is your favorite genre to read?

I read lots, but if I had to pick a favourite probably contemporary male/female. I like menage a trois too, to read and to write.

Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

Oh Mr Darcy!!!!! I adore his brooding, sexy ways and his clipped dialogue that's loaded with meaning.

What are you working on at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?

I've just finished a short BDSM story that will feature in Totally Bound's Over the Knee anthology in the autumn. It's about the Victorian kink of 'ginger-figging' - Google it! I'm also working on a menage novel that includes some hot military men who are into each other as well as a very lucky lady.

Please tell us about your latest book.

Getting something unexpected can be a shock, but it can also be a wonderful treat, if you allow yourself to indulge that is!

Kay is bubbling with excitement. She's booked a sailing holiday of a lifetime in Greece with a man she's fallen for hook, line and sinker. They met on the Internet— She's from Oxford, he's from Washington State. She's a business lecturer, he runs his own successful business.

They're perfect for each other, and she can't wait to meet him and spend time in and out of his bed allowing him to seduce her for real and not just with softly spoken words over the telephone.

But when she arrives in the idyllic port of Fiscardo she's in for a shock. There's a reason Sullivan's photographs were grainy and it's not because he's sporting a pot belly or balding as she'd suspected, it's because he's over a decade younger than her and could rival any Greek god in the looks department. What's more his sex appeal and lust for her is off the scale.

Should Kay take what she can with her 'toy boy' and have some fun in the sun or hop on the first plane back to England? It's a tricky decision for a woman who believed she couldn't be surprised by life any more.

About the Book

Title Toy Boy

Genre Contemporary MF - Older Woman/Younger Man

Buy This Book

Publisher Totally Bound https://www.totallybound.com/toy-boy

Author Social Media

Website http://www.lilyharlem.com/

Blog http://www.lilyharlem.blogspot.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/lily_harlem

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lily.harlem

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/lilyharlem/

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4070110.Lily_Harlem

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Harlem/e/B004MHRTQK

Read Her Hotness, Feel the Heat @sabrina_york #RLFblog #erotic

Heartbreak on a Stick 

Meet Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet and snarky to scorching romance. Connect with her on twitter Facebook or Pinterest. Check out Sabrina's books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don't forget to enter to win the royal tiara!

Author Social Media

Bookshelf http://sabrinayork.com/books/

Newsletter and tiara contest: http://sabrinayork.com/sabrinas-contest-and-newsletter/

Website: http://sabrinayork.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/sabrina_york

Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SabrinaYorkChatAndContests/permalink/684147071695223/

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York

Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/SabrinaYork

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork

Heartbreak on a Stick

When A-List movie star Jason Sherwood returns to the hometown that once rejected him, he has one goal in mind: Getting revenge on the woman who broke his heart so many years ago. But when he discovers his assumptions about her were wrong, he only wants to win her back. Hopefully, it's not too late.

Gina Fox has always pined for her high school lover…and now he has returned, turning her world upside down. But life isn't as simple now as it was then. And she can't get over the fact that Jason walked away from her without a word. When he launches a sultry seduction, she tries, with everything in her, to resist…because at his core, Jason is nothing but heartbreak on a stick.

Buy Heartbreak on a Stick

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heartbreak-Stick-Sabrina-York-ebook/dp/B00TA5FWQS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Stone Hard SEALS: A Duet of Steamy SEAL romance

Book One: Ryder

Stone Hard SEALs 

A hostage rescue mission turns Ryder "Stone" Maddox's world on its ear when he comes face-to-face with his greatest fear: A woman he cannot resist. But he has to resist Lily Wilson. He's vowed never to fall in love. Besides, as the daughter of a senator, she is definitely off-limits. Lily sees things differently. Irresistibly drawn to this hot, hard SEAL, she is determined to prove they belong together…and that her man does not have a heart of stone. (Originally published in the NYT and USA Today Bestselling Hot Alpha SEALs collection)

Book Two: Drake

Drake Ronan is all man—a rock hard SEAL who doesn't need help from anyone. Doesn't need anyone. But when he's shot during a dangerous rescue mission, and has to rely on a beautiful nurse to survive, he realizes he has to rethink his resolution. Suddenly he can't imagine his life without Brandy in it. It's a damn shame she has a secret that could ruin everything.

Buy Stone Hard SEALS

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Hard-SEALs-Sabrina-York-ebook/dp/B00V7JWF4C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Vicious Carousel by @TymberDalton #RLFblog #Erotic #Romance

Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author. Today's featured book is Vicious Carousel by Tymber Dalton.

About the Book

Title Vicious Carousel

Genre Erotic Menage Consensual BDSM

Author Tymber Dalton

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

     Betsy has nothing left to lose but her life when she manages to escape the vicious carousel of abuse she’s suffered at the hands of her Dom. When her Suncoast Society friends rush to her rescue, Nolan and Kenny volunteer to take Betsy in and protect her, with their friends’ blessings.

     Nolan and Kenny are no strangers to having a third, but there’s something different about Betsy. They know she must heal and overcome her physical and mental wounds before they can fully earn her trust. She’s got a lot of help from June, Tilly, Eliza, and others. Still, the men hope that when Betsy’s ready, she might want them as more than just friends.

     One thing Betsy knows for sure as she traverses her rocky road to recovery—she wants Nolan and Kenny to be a permanent part of her life. But as her ex’s trial approaches and revenge threatens, will her happy ending with them be ripped away?

Buy This Book

Publisher http://www.bookstrand.com/vicious-carousel

Author Social Media

Website http://tymberdalton.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/TymberDalton

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tymberdalton

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/tymberdalton/

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Tymber-Dalton/e/B002KYNA5G/

Embrace the Fire by @Felicestevens1 #RLFblog #MMromance

Today's featured book is Embrace the Fire by Felice Stevens.

About the Book

Title Embrace the Fire

Genre Male Male Romance

Author Felice Stevens

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

Brandon Gilbert has spent years in hiding, but finally he’s accomplished his dream of working as a public school teacher. When offered the chance to help bullied children, there was no way he could say no. Not to mention that meeting Dr. Tash Weber, the psychiatrist who helps them, a sad yet sexy older man, ignited a spark inside Brandon he’d never had before.

Though five years have passed since the death of his lover, Dr. Sebastian "Tash" Weber has no interest in relationships or love. But young, enigmatic Brandon awakens his heart and his desire. Despite Tash’s best efforts to push him away, Brandon unlocks the passion for life Tash thought he’d lost forever.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan for either Brandon or Tash, but neither family disapproval nor self-doubts can stop them from embracing the fire that burns between them. And when Brandon returns home to fight for a future he never imagined possible, he and Tash discover that the one thing worth fighting for has been with them all along.

Buy This Book

Publisher http://www.loose-id.com/through-hell-and-back-3-embrace-the-fire.html

Amazon http://amzn.to/1HL7Kv8 

About the Author

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

Author Social Media

Website http://felicestevens.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/felicestevens1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/felice.stevens.1

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/felicestevens/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8432880.Felice_Stevens

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Felice-Stevens/e/B00MVNEDB6

Philippa Marlowmellow from Mallow Mayhem by @Lisa_Haman #RLFblog #parody

Interview with Philippa Marlowmellow

This interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell readers about himself or herself.

Tell us about yourself, please.

Well…I'm Philippa Marlowmellow. I'm a private detective. I live in Mallowtown. I work and live in the Pink.

What is the Pink? Did you grow up there?

Oh no. I didn't grow up in the Pink. The Pink is the seedier side of Mallowtown. It's a dangerous place to be. No one really chooses to live in the Pink. You just kind of end up there.

How did you end up in the Pink?

I had a great time growing up. I lived in the burbs, went to the right schools. Had the right friends. When I was in college, my roommate and best friend disappeared. They found her body in the Pink. She was…she was…well, anyway, I changed my major from education to criminal justice, but I couldn't leave her murder alone. I had to find out what happened. And I did. I quit school and got my detective's license. I live in the Pink because that's where most of the mallows need help.

Authors call what you want but cannot have "the conflict" -- what is yours?

Hmmm…that's a hard question. Sometimes I want to go back to my other life and unsee the things I've seen. I have a love/hate relationship with the Pink. Sometimes I want to go back to the suburbs, live in a nice graham cracker house with a white sugar picket fence, marry a successful mallow and have 2.5 chicks, but then there are the mallows that need my help. Those who don't have anyone to look out for them; it's hard.

What can you not do (but need to do) during this story?

I think I did everything I could do during this story. It's hard not to be a bunny when trying to get into stripper joints, since chicks don't make good strippers. I don't think we're limber enough.

What inner doubt causes you the most difficulty?

That I will miss something in an investigation and some mallow gets hurt.

In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.

That I will lose my sense of self. I don't want to be that jaded chick who thinks the world is an awful place. I've seen some pretty bad things, but the world is still a beautiful place.

Tell us about your significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.

Right now I don't have one…although there is this chick at the MBI who is really cute.

What would that person say about you?

Right now this mallow would say I'm crazy and likes to get into trouble.

What is your family like?

I have a great family. My dad is a banker and my mom is a stay-at-home mom. We were pretty boring. We were that typical suburban family. I have a sister, which is good. My parents worry and they can dote on her, the normal one. (she laughs.). She had a temper, and when she blew…oh my. My dad used her craft scissors to cut up some licorice rope. You don't mess with my mom's craft scissors. I thought the roof was going to come off the house. It was short lived and they made up. My parents never stayed mad at each other. They encouraged us to be our best. They may not like what I do, but they support me the best they can.

What special skills do you rely on?

My mallow senses. They tingle and I know something's not right. They've kept me out of trouble and help when I need to investigate something further.

If someone from your past showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?

I don't want to be a cliché and say Big Bunny, because he's nothing to me. I don't think I have anyone that I wouldn't want to show up. Like I said, I grew up in a pretty boring suburban setting.

Why are you happy (or not happy) with the way your story ended?

Why wouldn't I be happy with the way my story ended? I love the way it all came together. I was the heroine, along with Jenny. The bad mallows went to jail, Easter Bunny was saved and all is well with the world…at the moment.

About the Writer

Lisa Haman lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and two cats, O.C. and Koko. Koko loves to help her to write on occasion by sitting on the keyboard of her laptop. Lisa plays electric bass, aka Kitty Blue, with the praise band at her church. Although she doesn’t design her own patterns, Lisa creates beautiful pictures with counted cross stitch, which more often than not go to family and friends. Lisa’s interest in the paranormal fuels her imagination. She likes to scare herself silly with reality ghost series on television. She likes to write wherever her imagination takes her, but focuses on young adult fiction. She also is working on her first paranormal series for young adults yet to be titled. Her first novella, Fat Farm, is a work of speculative fiction, takes us on a journey where beauty is important and being overweight sends you off to a fat farm, where you may or may not return. Lisa’s favorite quote is from Robert Frost. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Lisa takes the road less travelled in her stories.

What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?

I originally wrote this as a writing exercise that got away from me. The story contained all the original candy names. I learned I couldn’t use those names because of trademark issues, so coming up with other names for the candy was tough.

Why did you choose this character for the interview today?

I think Philippa is a neat character. I watch a lot of shows like NCIS, Elementary, and I like how they solve crimes. I like to know what is going on. I'm kind of nosy and unfortunately my sense of right and wrong won't let me get into people's business, so I let Philippa do it for me.

Are any sequels planned for this book?

Yes. She's a fun character and I want to find out more about her.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

During Christmas I will watch every version of the movie of A Christmas Carol I can find. It could be the good ones with Alastair Sim and Patrick Stewart, to the cheesy ones, and the really bad ones. The funny thing is I've never read the book. It's on my to-read list.

Why should readers who haven't picked up one of your books before give this one a try?

It's fun. It's total escapism. It's a fun detective story that is off the wall and cool.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers?

I'm glad you are out there. I'm a reader and have loved books all my life. My goal as a writer is to tell a good story and have people enjoy them. I hope you enjoy mine.

About the Book

Title Philippa Marlowmellow in Mallow Mayhem

Genre Detective Noir

Author Lisa Haman

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13

Philippa Marlowmellow, a private chick working the seedy underbelly of Mallowtown known as the Pink, takes on a missing mallow case of one Jenny Bunny. With her mallow senses tingling, Philippa finds more than the missing mallow. To save her city and rescue Jenny, Philippa must take on the mobster, Big Bunny, and solve the most notorious case in Mallowtown history.
You can't trust anyone in The Pink.

Buy This Book

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Philippa-Marlowmellow-Mallow-Mayhem-Haman-ebook/dp/B00TZ8TV26/

Author Social Media

Website    http://LisaHaman.com

Blog          http://thestorybehndthestory.blogspot.com/

Twitter      http://twitter.com/Lisa_Haman

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Haman-Author/522681927846776

Pinterest   https://www.pinterest.com/dexterexter/

Goodreads www.goodreads.com/LisaHama

Amazon Author Page  http://amazon.com/author/lisahaman

A Fading Amaranth by @Shauna_A_Knight #RLFblog #PNR

Shauna Aura Knight author of A Fading Amaranth answers five easy questions to help readers get to know her better.

Author Bio

Shauna Aura Knight
An artist, author, and presenter, Shauna’s work is inspired by magic and awakening mythic imagination. She’s a fantasy artist and author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy including Werewolves in the Kitchen, Werewolves with Chocolate, A Winter Knight’s Vigil, and The Truth Upon Her Lips. Her mythic artwork and designs are used for magazine covers, book covers, and illustrations.

She travels nationally offering workshops on the transformative arts of community leadership, facilitation, dreamwork, and personal transformation, and is the author of numerous articles and books on those subjects.  http://www.shaunaauraknight.com

What is your go-to meal when you dine out?

Barbecue. I discovered that I have a number of food intolerances that lead to brain fog, exhaustion, and depression, and I need my brain at 100% to write and paint. Thus, pasta, pizza, and ice cream are all off the menu. But barbecue…oh barbecue. Particularly brisket. I also like a good ribeye. And fresh-squeezed orange juice is kind of like my ice cream these days.

Tell us about your favorite toy as a child.

Star Wars toys, particularly Luke Skywalker. I used to build elaborate rebel bases out of mud and sticks. Probably won’t surprise you that I also liked Legos a lot too! When I was thirteen, I started my own small crafting business to save up money for a sword. It wasn’t quite a lightsaber, but it was close enough.

What are your hobbies?

The word “hobby” and the word “work” definitely overlap for me. I’m an artist and an author, and writing and painting are both things that I do for enjoyment as well as professionally. One of the things I used to do for fun is build replica Star Wars scenery for parties. I met up with a bunch of Star Wars fans years ago and we started throwing parties at sci-fi conventions; I was in charge of decorating the suite. Each year we’d get more elaborate. Hoth, Dagobah Swamp, the Emperor’s Throne Room, the Trash Compactor, Jabba’s Palace, and Cloud City and the Carbonite Chamber. For a while I had a life-size replica of Jabba the Hutt living in my apartment. If anyone wants pictures, just contact me, I have them on my portfolio.

When you read for pleasure, what kind of books do you choose?

Definitely paranormal romance, particularly my go-to authors like Emma Holly, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Karen Marie Moning. I’m also fond of a good epic fantasy series. An old favorite of mine is the Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey.

What kinds of things do you read when you're researching a new book?

I love the internet. There was one day where I was researching what I should call underwear in the 1940’s, how long it takes a hunter to butcher a deer, and researching certain landmarks in New York City. In fact, Google maps even allowed me to get both birds-eye and on-the-ground views of Central Park, which allowed me to plan out a fight scene. I have another vampire romance where the characters are questing for the Grail, so I have a stack of books on Grail lore, but I was also online researching different types of meteorites since some legends hold that the Grail is an emerald that fell from the sky. In other words, I’m a big time geek when I’m doing research for a new book!

About the Book

Title: A Fading Amaranth

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Author: Shauna Aura Knight

Book heat level: R

Nathaniel’s been a vampire long enough to grow weary of glamoured seduction, and he’s lost his poetic muse. He meets reclusive artist Alexandra—her telepathy has overwhelmed her for years, and she can bear no one’s touch. However, she can’t hear Nathaniel’s thoughts, and she’s immune to his vampire glamour. During scorching nights together, they rediscover their passion for life.

When a Faerie creature stalks Alexandra, the lovers find themselves snared in a paranormal battle alongside Chicago’s mage guardians. Worse, Nathan’s rising bloodlust places Alexandra in danger. Will she master her abilities before going insane? What will they risk to be together?

Buy This Book

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WIRD6ZY

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121792895

Are https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-afadingamaranth-1789730-143.html

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-fading-amaranth

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id988533893

CreateSpace https://www.createspace.com/5434029

Draft2Digital https://draft2digital.com/book/91550

Author Social Media

Website http://www.shaunaauraknight.com

Blog https://shaunaknightauthorartist.wordpress.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/Shauna_A_Knight

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ShaunaKnightAuthorArtist

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/shaunaaura/

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

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/shaunaaknight

Google +https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ShaunaAuraKnight

Tumblr http://shaunaauraknight.tumblr.com

Shades Of Desire by @ShadesBundle #RLFblog #romance

Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author. Today's featured book is Shades Of Desire by J.A. Coffey, Wendy Ely, Dorothy Callahan, Diane Escalera, Lena Hart, Chanta Rand, Emma Leigh Reed, Cindy Stark, Valerie Twombly and Kristina Knight.

About the Book

Title Shades of Desire: 10 Sweet & Spicy Romances

Genre Contemporary Paranormal Romance

Author J.A. Coffey, Wendy Ely, Dorothy Callahan, Diane Escalera, Lena Hart, Chanta Rand, Emma Leigh Reed, Cindy Stark, Valerie Twombly and Kristina Knight.

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

Ten titillating tales from USA Today, bestselling and award-winning authors. Step into the world of some of the freshest voices in romance. From spicy secrets to sweet second chances. Come find your perfect shade of desire.

J.A. Coffey - LIAR, LIAR

Wendy Ely - DANGEROUS FLAMES

Dorothy Callahan - A DECADE FOR DARIUS

Diane Escalera - STILL HOT FOR YOU

Lena Hart - HIS BEDPOST QUEEN

Chanta Rand - RESISTING DESTINY

Emma Leigh Reed - TRUSTING LOVE

Cindy Stark - WOUNDED

Valerie Twombly - SPANISH NIGHTS

Kristina Knight - MR. RIGHT NOW

Buy This Book

Publisher Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00VQYVU1M

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shades-of-desire/id983263845?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/shades-of-desire-2

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadesofdesire-1777727-166.html

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121700462?ean=2940152217230

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/J_A_Coffey_Shades_Of_Desire?id=parkBwAAQBAJ&hl=en

About the Author

J.A. Coffey's books are lush, sensual and romantic. She writes both sizzling and heartwarming contemporary romance and lush, gritty historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Chanta Jefferson Rand is an Emma Award winning Debut Author of the Year, a multi-published, best-selling author of sizzling-hot romance, and the former host of The Chanta Rand Show.

Dorothy Callahan has been writing since she was a young girl. She is an animal lover, and animals (both real and imaginary) always have some sort of role in her stories.

Lena Hart is the author of sensual romances with alpha heroes and smart, sexy heroines. She published her first book in 2012 and have been publishing happily ever afters since. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in New York City with her spoiled calico cat, Duchess. When Lena's not writing, she's reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.

Wendy Ely is a USA Today bestselling author who writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero, three teenagers, and two crazy cats. When she isn't busy writing new stories, she enjoys time outdoors by taking trips to the hot desert or swimming at the lake.

Cindy Stark lives with her family and an adorable Border Collie in a small town shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. She loves to pen emotional romantic suspense, sexy contemporary romance, and sizzling paranormal stories.

Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer's capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Kristina writes contemporary romance with a smattering of sass, sex and (of course) drama.

Born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Diane Escalera makes her home in coastal North Carolina. The sultry surroundings are a steady source of inspiration for her hot love stories. Diane is married, has two children and a super cute dachshund she can't get enough of. She writes contemporary romance.

Emma Leigh Reed has lived in New Hampshire all her life. She has fond memories of the Maine coastline and incorporates the ocean into all her books. She lives in a small town with her three children, although now it is mostly her and her Springer Spaniel to keep her company as empty-nesting has started. Her life has been touched and changed by her son's autism - she views life through a very different lens than before he was born. Growing up as an avid reader, it was only natural for Emma Leigh to turn to creating the stories for others to enjoy.

Award winning and best selling author Valerie Twombly grew up watching Dark Shadows over her mother's shoulder, and from there her love of the fanged creatures blossomed. Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

Author Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadesofdesirebook  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shadesbundle   

Hashtag: #shadesofdesire

The Hot Summer Reads #anthology @freya_lange #RLFblog #Erotic

This quick interview includes info about the author, and introduces the story.

About the Author

Freya Lange is a writer in her early 30s who lives in the Midwest. She has been writing plays, poems and short stories for years, but started writing romance and erotica in early 2014. She’s very excited to be able to reach new readers through her latest book, Hot Summer Reads, an anthology where she not only contributed her own story, she served as managing editor.

Interview with Freya Lange

Why did you write this book?

For me, spring is the time to say “yes” to new things; I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do more this spring than write with my friends. We started with a basic theme of “summer” so we could all write to our own strengths and interests while still putting out a fun anthology for new readers. For many of the authors who contributed, they had no experience publishing a story as an eBook. I saw it as a good way to for some of my friends, who are all amazing storytellers, to not only reach a new audience for their writing but also to dip their toes into publishing on Amazon.

When I pitched the idea of this anthology to the authors involved, I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelmingly enthusiastic reaction. When I step back to see it in context, though, it make perfect sense. Like kids writing home from summer camp, we’re straining at the seams to contain all the things we want to tell you about what we’re learning and getting to do, about all our wonderful new friends and their amazing talents.

What is your favorite genre to read?

I read a wide variety of books and short stories, but historical fiction is probably my favorite.

Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

In Hot Summer Reads, it is, without a doubt, Jesse from “Keys To the Sun,” by Shea Mara. If you’re not in love with Jesse halfway through that story, something is broken inside of you and rattling around like a quarter in an empty washing machine.

In other books, I never get tired of reading about John Childermass from Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I love his combination of practical and mysterious.

What are you working on at the moment, and will see from you in coming months?

Look for almost all of the authors who contributed to Hot Summer Reads to have new stories up on Amazon in May and June. If you really love a story and want more from the author, please, let them know! We’re all very responsive to our fans.

From me, personally, readers can catch a new story from me every Monday. I call them Little Black Dresses because they’re short, hot, and perfect for the right occasion. Every month I pick a different theme to write about so I can keep my imagination fresh and respond to what readers tell me they want to see. I’m also working on some longer books for readers who like their paranormal heroines to be more in charge of their own destinies - look for the first book of the Alphas’ Omega series later this month.   

Please tell us about your latest book.

The Hot Summer Reads Anthology is eleven stories by eleven different authors with something for everyone, no matter what you like in erotic romance stories. You may even find something new. These stories are:

• 100% original, never before published stories
• all eleven stories are 8k-10k words long
• by four female authors and seven male authors
• by authors who identify as straight and gay, bisexual, or queer
• by authors aged early-thirties to mid-sixties
• mostly romantic but also features historical, sci-fi, and erotic horror stories
• inclusive of straight, gay, and lesbian couple scenes and menage scenes
• not a collection of first chapters and cliffhangers

What’s the best thing about the Anthology? It’s free all Memorial Day Weekend!

About the Book

Title: Hot Summer Reads

Genre: Erotic Story Anthology

Author: J. Kendall Dane, Bucky Duckman, Freya Lange, Patient Lee, Shea Mara, TT Tales, M.S. Tarot, D.E. Vice, Ella Wilding, J.C. Winchester, Steve Williams

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

Buy This Book

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Summer-Reads-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00XDSA4NY

Author Social Media

Website www.freyalange.com ; www.tttales.com; www.patientlee.com; ellielovesemails.wix.com/ellawilding http://jcwinchester.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/freya_lange  http://twitter.com/patient_lee http://twitter.com/txtalltales http://twitter.com/jagfarlane

Facebook www.facebook.com/MSTarotwriter; www.facebook.com/jkendall.dane

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/J.-Kendall-Dane/e/B00XJ5IZVY/

http://www.amazon.com/J.C.-Winchester/e/B00R1H6XFQ  http://www.amazon.com/Patient-Lee/e/B00XFU42WE/

http://www.amazon.com/TT-Tales/e/B00XM189F2

http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Tarot/e/B00XHD3BQ2

Matt Brashiers Love Me Forever @arithatcher #RLFblog #contemporary

About the Book

Title Love Me Forever (Part of the Summer Lovin’ Anthology)

Genre contemporary romance

Author Ari Thatcher

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

He said he'd call, but that's probably the standard line after a vacation romance. Still, she'd thought they'd had something more. When the call never came, she packed away the memories of that amazing summer, and tried to forget about Matt Brashiers.

Years later, rather than watch the ink dry on her divorce papers, Jennifer Pearson escapes to that Maui resort where she'd met her first love. When Matt walks out of the waves like a golden sun god she isn't sure whether she should approach him or flee.
Matt thinks of Jenn as the one who got away, and he's not about to let it happen again.

The connection between them is still palpable, but is it enough to rekindle what they had between them ten years ago? He's got one week to prove to her he's the man she needs to spend her life with.

The Bucket List of Matt Brashiers

Name: Matt Brashiers

Age: 31

Gender: Male

Birthplace: Oakland, CA

Profession: resort owner/hotelier

Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Your author introduced you. Now we'd like to get to know you better. Please tell us about yourself.

I’m a former day trader who traded‑so to speak‑that frantic lifestyle in to work in the hospitality services area. Having spent a few summers in college working at a resort on Maui, I sold off most of my stuff, left New York and moved to Maui. I love the ocean, any form of water, really. Surfing, jet skis, swimming, love ‘em all!

Never married, although I came close once. I think I compared them all to Jen, who I met one summer in Maui. I admit it, I worked too many hours trading stocks to be a good romantic partner, so it’s not surprising none of those relationships worked.

When someone dies, we say they "kicked the bucket." Therefore, a list of things that a person wants to accomplish, places to go, situations to experience, and so on have become known as a "Bucket List." We'd like to know yours, please. If you haven't made one before, perhaps now would be a good time. Who knows? It might inspire another book. While you're at it, how about telling us about some of your other favorite things? Here are the questions.

What are two places you would like to visit before you die, and why?

Karangmadjat Island, Indonesia is said to have some of the best waves in the world. I hope to try one of the left-hander beaches one day.

I also want to surf Bundoran Beach in Ireland. Yeah, it’s cold, and it’s a matter of luck being there when the waves are better than average, but man, it’s Ireland! I’d have to do an island-wide pub crawl while I was there.

Where is a place you would never like to return, and why?

Trona, California. I broke down outside town once on a Sunday in July. It was 109F, hardly any traffic and the cars that passed me didn’t stop. No cell reception. Just a place I’d rather forget.

Who is someone you would like to meet, and why?

Bono. Just because. No, seriously. U2 started out at a time when the thing to do as a rock band was party, take drugs and basically be crazy. When other bands were on the road to a revolving door at rehab, they were doing Live Aid and all this philanthropic stuff. My dad was their biggest fan, so I guess growing up seeing all the good Bono did for the world was a big influence on me.

Who is someone you would like to avoid, and why?

Politicians as a breed. I’m always being schmoozed by someone wanting my money to back something. Even if I believed in what the politician claimed to be for, I know too much about what actually happens in Congress to believe in the smooth promises they banter about.

If you could time travel to any date, what would it be, and what would you do there?

Early 1776. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of the talks that led to the Declaration of Independence. What did they really hope for? What did they expect to happen, really, when they broke away from England?

I know everybody says they’d go back and change something, but if that were possible, you’d have the ripple effect so the end result you aimed for would be unlikely to happen. You’d end up with a paradox like you never being born, so you never could have gone back to fix things, and all that. Great for books and movies, but not practical in the play out.

What is your birth order?

First and last! I think my parents were afraid to try again.

Tell us about your favorite toy as a child.

My Gameboy! I used to wash the neighbors’ cars to buy more games.

Describe your favorite food and how it's prepared.

Pahole salad, a Hawaiian dish. It’s basically cooked, cooled pahole fern shoots diced and tossed with tomatoes, corm taro, and onion in a soy/red pepper sauce.

Tell us about your best friend.

Leo Keller and I met at UC Berkeley as business majors and shared a place in NYC after graduation. He’s still there, a VP for a major investment company. He’s like the stock whisperer, or something, always knowing a trend before it happens. In karaoke he does a better Trace Adkins than Trace Adkins. He knows where the bodies are buried, so to speak. I’m godfather to his son. We can go months without talking or texting and pick up again like we left off mid-sentence. Can’t ask for a better friend than Leo. 

Buy This Book

Publisher  Indiewrites

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BBCSLKindle
iTunes: http://indi.uno/1DgZbre
Kobo: http://indi.uno/1NS3rPq
Google: http://indi.uno/1GlC7tG

Author Bio

USA Today Bestselling author Ari Thatcher is the naughty side of sweet romance author Aileen Fish. Ari has always loved sexy romance where love takes the leading role. Reviews have called her work “captivating” and “compelling”, and her characters “intelligent, intriguing and realistic.”

Author Social Media

Website  http://arithatcher.com

Blog  http://arithatcher.com/wordpress/

Twitter https://twitter.com/AriThatcher

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ari-Thatcher-Fans/160213747331441

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/arithatcher/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3318509.Ari_Thatcher

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Ari-Thatcher/e/B003BKCI3I/

Texas Wishes by Kristina Knight @AuthorKristina #RLFblog #contemporary

Texas Wishes 

Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author. Today's featured book is Texas Wishes by Kristina Knight.

About the Book

Title - Texas Wishes

Genre - Contemporary

Author - Kristina Knight

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13

Knight turns up the heat under the Texas sun with three cowboys ready to rope your heart and the feisty ladies who wrangle them. Enjoy a boot-stomping good time with these captivating couples:

What a Texas Girl Wants: The last thing Jackson Taylor wants in his life is a down-to-earth girl like Kathleen Witte, so why did he just wake up next to her on a Mexican beach with a ring on his finger? Once they're back in Texas though, this all-business marriage might just turn into an all-consuming love.

What a Texas Girl Needs: Matias Barnes knows all about society women like Vanessa Witte. It's part of the reason he left his wealthy family behind and took a job on a ranch. But while Mat knows she's so not right for him, can he resist her charms long enough to really let her go?

What a Texas Girl Dreams: They are opposites in so many ways, but the more veterinarian Trickett Samuels gets to know footloose and fancy free Monica Witte, the more he wonders if he can convince this Texas girl that having roots will only help her soar higher.

Buy This Book

Publisher - Crimson Romance

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Wishes-Complete-Kristina-Knight-ebook/dp/B00TIY323G

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texas-wishes-kristina-knight/1121217983?ean=9781440590009

ARe - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-texaswishesthecompleteseries-1748103-149.html

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/texas-wishes

About the Author

Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer's capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she's living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. 

Author Social Media

Website http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com

Blog http://www.kristiknight.blogspot.com

Twitter  http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kristinaknightromanceauthor

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5827833.Kristina_Knight

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Kristina-Knight/e/B0081LO6DM/

Tame the Wind by @RegansReview #RLFBlog #Historical

To Tame the Wind 

Cover Love includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author. Today's featured book is To Tame the Wind by Regan Walker.

About the Book

Title: To Tame the Wind

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Regan Walker

Book heat level: PG13

Paris 1782…An Innocent Is Taken

All Claire Donet knew was the world inside the convent walls in Saint-Denis. She had no idea her beloved papa was a pirate. But when he seized Simon Powell's schooner, the English privateer decided to take the one thing his enemy held most dear... her.

A Battle Is Joined


The waters between France and England roil with the clashes of Claire's father and her captor as the last year of the American Revolution rages on the sea, spies lurk in Paris and Claire's passion for the English captain rises.

Buy This Book

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tame-Wind-Agents-Crown-Book-ebook/dp/B00VO4DZYE

About the Author

Bestselling author Regan Walker loved to write stories as a child, particularly those about adventure-loving girls, but by the time she got to college more serious pursuits were encouraged. One of her professors suggested a career in law, and she took that path. Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government gave her a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the "Crown." Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding sovereign who taps his subjects for "special assignments." Each of her novels features real history and real historic figures. And, of course, adventure and love.

Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, who she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses. 

Author Social Media

Website: http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Blog: http://reganromancereview.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RegansReview

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/regan.walker.104

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/reganwalker123/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6450403.Regan_Walker

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Regan-Walker/e/B008OUWC5Y

Kory from Crossed Hearts by @kimbervale #RLFblog #MMRomance

K. Vale shares details about the creation of Kory Vansant in the book Crossed Hearts.

About the Book

Title Crossed Hearts

Genre Contemporary MM Romance

Author K. Vale

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

One heart’s been broken. The other is secondhand.

Kory Vansant doesn’t deserve to be alive.

As time sucks him dry of energy, sapping the final ounces of strength from his congenitally enlarged heart, he's forced to end his career as Kory Kent, porn star. Staring down death, he questions his life choices and prays for a miracle. For another chance at life, he vows to change who he is at his core.

His prayers are answered. A perfect heart now beats in his chest, but it comes at a heavy price. The donor is an innocent young man cut down far too prematurely.

Kory's blemished history and his donor's spotless past are far from ideal matches.

As his debts skyrocket, Kory can’t help but think his resolve to walk the high road is being tested. After he meets the adorable Will Squire at the gravesite they both visit, he’s doubly damned because there’s no way he can keep up his end of the bargain. What happens when a man breaks a deal with a higher power?

Will often prefers the company of the dead to that of the living. Following a bad breakup, he pours himself into his two jobs—funeral director at his uncle’s mortuary and part-time paramedic. He’s drawn ever closer to Kory, as if fate sticks her fickle hand in and pushes them together like two unlikely puzzle pieces. But sometimes history can’t be buried, and maybe divine intervention isn’t always right. Will discovers everyone is imperfect, no matter how pretty the outer package, and opening one’s heart is never easy, but can be oh, so worth the pain.

Introducing Kory Vansant

Name: Kory Vansant

Age: 30

Gender: Male

Birthplace: Samara, Russia. Raised in Seattle, WA after adoption.

Profession: Retired porn star, artist, and art instructor at Livingston Community College

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Describe his body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: 6’2”, 200 pounds, extremely muscular before his heart condition took its toll, now less toned, but still big, fair skinned with brown hair, including ample facial hair, and brown eyes. He has a large scar down the center of his chest from his heart transplant surgery.

Who is the significant other in your character's life?

Will Squire

Tell us about him, please.

Will is a part-time paramedic and full-time funeral director for Rolling Hills Funeral Home. He was hesitant to fall for Kory following a bad breakup, but after getting to know him, he couldn’t help himself.

How does your hero dress?

Kory dresses Salvation-Army-chic. His ripped-up jeans are frequently paint-spattered from his art.

How educated is this character?

He has a Masters in Art History

Does he scrape by, live comfortably, live extravagantly?

Kory definitely scrapes by. He’s in a tremendous amount of debt related to his heart transplant and medications.

Does your character care about what others assume about him?

Kory doesn’t want his past as a porn star to dog him now that he’s resolved to start over after the transplant. He’s upset when a fan assumes he’s for hire because of his past sex work. Of course, he still relies on some of the money that trickles in from his old career, and has a hard time completely letting his porn persona go when he’s desperate for funds. It’s a tough situation for him.

If someone from your character's past showed up, who would he most want it to be, and why?

He’d definitely want it to be his buddy, Mando. Mando and his boyfriend, Jake, were Kory’s best friends from his years doing porn. When Kory was in financial straits and awaiting a donor heart, Mando and Jake took him in. Luckily, Kory will probably see his friends again in a subsequent book in my Hearts and Scars series.

What is your character's biggest need at the beginning of the story?

The first time we see Kory in Crossed Hearts, he’s post-surgical and just waking up after his heart transplant. Until that point, he’d been in limbo, not knowing if he was going to live or die. He’d made deals in his head about changing his life as a porn star and walking the straight and narrow path if he was saved. His greatest need at the beginning of Crossed Hearts, then, is to figure out where his new heart, and new life, leaves him. It’s almost a question of who he is now, which is an interesting place to start, I think.

About Your Writer

Why do you think your writer chose to write about you?

I think she loved the idea of a bunch of lives intersecting because of one incident. Brandon’s death was tragic, but it was my salvation in a number of ways. It gave me my life, and it gave me Will, so I can’t help but see it as a miracle. I also got the gift of meeting the Diazes, who have become like a second family to me, so despite how sad it is that Brandon isn’t here, it’s also a tremendous blessing.

What do you wish your writer had not told others about you?

Nothing. I had been trying to put my past behind me, but I realized that it’s impossible. Her telling my story—from start to finish—was pretty cathartic for me, in a way. I was able to eventually own it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and that’s really the only way to start over and be true to yourself and the people you love.

What other character from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?

Definitely Matt. My donor heart came from Matt’s boyfriend, Brandon, and Matt was pretty much wrecked after Brandon died. I ache for him. I really do. Matt and I have become friends, I think, and I really want him to get to a happy place because right now, he’s still very lost and badly scarred.

Why do you think your writer loves to write?

I think she’s a romantic and a dreamer, and when the two get together, sometimes they birth stories that have to be told.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your writer?

Thanks for dreaming me up and helping me find my perfect partner!

Buy This Book

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Crossed-Hearts-Scars-Novel-ebook/dp/B00W0IJW1I/ref=la_B006HMAY06_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431392053&sr=1-12  

ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-crossedhearts-1795672-149.html

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/538603

Author Bio

K. Vale writes erotic romance of all stripes, from hot hetero to mouthwatering manlove. Find her MF work published under Kimber Vale. Come for the sex. Stay for the story. Stalk Kimber on Facebook and Twitter @KimberVale, and check her site for updates, new releases, and freebies at http://www.authorkimbervale.com.

Author Social Media

Website http://authorkimbervale.com

Blog http://kimbervale.me

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimberVale

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kimber.vale

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/kimbervale/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5343495.Kimber_Vale

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Kimber-Vale/e/B006HMAY06/  

Marcus from Liberty by @KimHeadlee #RLFblog #historical

Kim Iverson Headlee shares details about the creation of Marcus Calpurnius Aquila in the book Liberty.

About the Book

Title Liberty

Genre historical romance

Author Kim Iverson Headlee

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

They hailed her "Liberty," but she was free only to obey--or die.

Betrayed by her father and sold as payment of a Roman tax debt to fight in Londinium's arena, gladiatrix-slave Rhyddes feels like a wild beast in a gilded cage. Celtic warrior blood flows in her veins, but Roman masters own her body. She clings to her vow that no man shall claim her soul, though Marcus Calpurnius Aquila, son of the Roman governor, makes her yearn for a love she believes impossible.

Groomed to follow in his father's footsteps and trapped in a politically advantageous betrothal, Aquila prefers the purity of combat on the amphitheater sands to the sinister intrigues of imperial politics, and the raw power and athletic grace of the flame-haired Libertas to the adoring deference of Rome's noblewomen.

When a plot to overthrow Caesar ensnares them as pawns in the dark design, Aquila must choose between the Celtic slave who has won his heart and the empire to which they both owe allegiance. Trusting no man and knowing the opposite of obedience is death, the only liberty offered to any slave, Rhyddes must embrace her arena name--and the love of a man willing to sacrifice everything to forge a future with her.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/VVtiNrBAC-0

Introducing Marcus Calpurnius Aquila

Name: Marcus Calpurnius Aquila

Age: mid-20s

Gender: male

Birthplace: Rome, Italia

Profession: politician in training

Ethnicity/Species (if not human):

Describe his/her body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: Marcus has the body of a football quarterback: muscular but not overly bulky. In present-day terms he tops 6' in height, 220 pounds, and has a fading tan from having spent the past two years living under the paler northern sun of Britannia Province. He has some minor scars from his arena bouts, but nothing specifically mentioned in the book as being an issue for him.

Who is the significant other in your character's life?

The woman who empowers his soul is Rhyddes, a gladiatrix-slave whom he knows by her arena name "Libertas."

Tell us about this character, please.

Libertas is the first woman Marcus has ever known who does not swoon over his wealth, charms, or looks. She sees him for who he is: a man struggling to free himself from the bonds of duty, and he comes to appreciate that very much. He recognizes in her a kindred spirit in that regard, for she is oath-bound to obey her masters too. Although her beauty attracts him to her, it is her unconquerable spirit that ultimately leads him to want to sacrifice everything to win her love.

How does your hero dress?

In a toga on the Senate floor, and in scanty armor on the arena floor. He prefers the scanty armor, and so do his legions of female admirers.

Is the character book-smart, self-taught, widely-experienced?

Marcus has had all the educational privileges offered to Rome's aristocratic citizens, so in that regard he possesses a fair degree of "book smarts," but he is also widely experienced because of his arena exploits… and the epic after parties.

What is your character's viewpoint on wealth?

Unlike most Roman aristocrats, Marcus believes that his wealth and status should be used to help people rather than to control and exploit them.

On what special skills does your character rely?

Although his being an aristocrat exempts him from fights to the death, he is a highly skilled swordsman in his own right--and he would never have believed that this skill would save his life and the life of the woman he loves.

Are any of his skills a source of pride or embarrassment, and if so, which ones and why?

His predilection for arena combat is an extreme source of embarrassment for his family, particularly his father, Governor Agricola. In fact, it becomes a major point of contention between them, and Marcus's desire to consort with Libertas further widens the rift.

Is he close to family?

Marcus enjoys a very close relationship with his mother, Lady Loreia, who in the way of all mothers understands him better than he understands himself at times.

Can your hero keep a secret (why or why not)?

Marcus must keep his budding relationship with Libertas a secret, for to do otherwise would cause him to be banned from polite Roman society. He doesn't care about that so much, but he knows it would stain his family too, and he has no wish to inflict that pain upon them.

What is your character's biggest need at the beginning of the story?

Marcus needs his father to accept him for who he is, not for how he can enhance Agricola's political career.

If your character could make any one thing happen, what would it be?

Once he decides that Libertas is the woman with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life, he will stop at nothing--even sacrificing all of his wealth and power--to make marriage with her possible.

About Your Writer

To honor the person who chose to share your story, please answer the following questions.

Why do you think your writer chose to write about you?

She chose to write about Libertas--Rhyddes. I am merely a facet of Rhyddes's story.

What do you wish your writer had not told others about you?

I wish that she had not gone into such detail about my strained relationship with my father; that is a highly personal matter for me, and one I do not readily share with anyone.

What other character from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?

I would like to know more about Rhyddes's brother Owen. Of all her brothers, Owen is the closest to her in age and spirit, and I imagine his story is a fine one too.

Why do you think your writer loves to write?

Who can say? But if I were to venture a guess, it would be that she must love to entertain people with her words, much in the same way that I love to entertain people with my swordplay.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your writer?

Thank you, Kim Iverson Headlee, for accepting the daunting challenge of presenting the story of Rhyddes's life in such a faithful and poignant manner.

Buy This Book

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQCXLUE

Amazon paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/0990505545

Barnes and Noble Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberty-kim-iverson-headlee/1120850556?ean=2940149873050

Barnes and Noble paperback http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberty-kim-iverson-headlee/1120850556?ean=9780990505549

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/liberty-38

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/liberty/id947768951

Scribd https://www.scribd.com/book/249011006/Liberty

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/498417

Author Bio

Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins--the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-twentieth century--seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim is a Seattle native and a direct descendent of twentieth-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim's novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband's ancestor, the seventh-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia.

For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, and other novels under her imprint, Pendragon Cove Press.

Author Social Media

Website http://kimheadlee.com

Blog http://kimiversonheadlee.blogspot.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimHeadlee

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimIversonHeadlee

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LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimheadlee/

Triberr Profile http://triberr.com/KimHeadlee

Arthurverse Triberr Tribe http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=61110

Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/gyanhumara

YouTube video interview http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROk