Saturday, May 27, 2017

Facing an Empty Nest (#pnr #giveaway #newrelease @AuthorHKCarlton)


Autumn's Healing cover

By H K Carlton (Guest Blogger)
Thank you so much for hosting today. Im excited to share a little bit about my new release, Autumns Healing, a paranormal, erotic, romance published by Totally Bound.

This story was one that as a writer, I struggled with. Whether we like it or not, sometimes our own experiences thread into the plot. Not always but from time to time it happens. Often I find it therapeutic. It helps me to either work out the problem or at the very least, see it more clearly. But this one was so raw and personal that I actually had to put it away for a while. I didn’t know if I would be able to finish it.

Our heroine, Mikaylah MacDonough, is dealing with an empty nest for the first time and when I started writing this story, so was I. It was a difficult topic for me to tackle. I found my deepest darkest fears surfacing as I wrote. For anyone who has also experienced this, it is a time of both excitement and anticipation for the next steps in your child’s life but it is also overshadowed with sadness and fear, real and imagined. On one hand you want them to go out into the world and take it, on the other there is still that overwhelming need to keep them safe and protected from that same big scary place.

Being the parents of three Millennials, my husband and I have also experienced what some affectionately call "boomerang kids". And although for a short time, we were empty-nesters, we have also had our kids move back in after attending university, thankfully, at different intervals. At the moment, one of the three, is under our roof. I know some peoplelike my husbandlook forward to the day when we are once again alone, but I am not one of those people. Nothing feels morerightto me, as when I go to bed at night and know that all three of my babies are under this roof. That completes me. If it wasnt for the boomerang effect, Im not certain I would have completed this story. Funnily enough, the back and forth of it, is helping me to let go, bit by excruciating bit.

Blessings and Happy Reading.

Autumn’s Healing - Blurb


Rarely do we get to pick our battles… Often, they choose us.

Single mom Mikaylah MacDonough and her only daughter Autumn have been on their own a long time. So, when Autumn goes off to school, it seems only natural for Kaylah to pull up stakes and follow, though with some clear-cut boundaries, of course. She’s determined to give Autumn space to enjoy the whole college experience but remain close enough for emergencies, meals and laundry. But when the closing date of the current house overlaps with taking possession of the ‘new’ house, along with orientation week, Autumn has to go it alone. From that moment on, Kaylah’s dreams of a new beginning turn into a complete and total nightmare.

When former serviceman Jerusalem Aames drives up to the century-old Cleary house, he sees dollar signs for himself and his all-veteran crew. The rundown, old place would finally put his fledgling construction-renovation firm in the black. But the moment he meets the gorgeous homeowner who had been duped into buying the money-pit, his attraction is swift and instantaneous.

However, there’s something very strange going on in the dilapidated house that has nothing to do with rotting timbers or shoddy wiring. Whatever it is, it’s affecting Kaylah’s state of mind, and Salem finds himself in a battle he’s not sure he can win.

What Reviewers are saying:

From the start, I was intrigued with Kaylah and her old house. The idea of the paranormal good or bad makes the story thrilling. Salem and Kaylah are both survivors and I appreciate how well they are suited for one another. Then comes the shocking truth that Salem uncovers and I was flabbergasted, did not expect the turn in this story. I love it! Autumn's Healing is a highly recommended read!
~ Amy: The TBR Pile

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Add it to your Goodreads TBR list!




Excerpt

They ended up in each other’s arms. Salem’s pulse was already racing from the strange events, but his interest in Kaylah was undeniable. He seized the moment and captured her lips.

At first, she froze, and he thought she might push him away.

A small sound erupted from the back of her throat and she pressed her mouth firmly to his. She fisted her hands into his shirt and pulled herself up against him. She’d be fully aware of his arousal, but that knowledge only seemed to excite her. She hauled him even closer, gripping his shirt so tightly her fingers bit into his abdomen. To his shock, she snaked her other hand downward, palming his hard-on. Unprepared, he choked at the unexpected but welcome grope.

The pressure felt good. He pushed his length into her. She rubbed with the heel of her hand. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. He was afraid if he allowed her to continue, he might embarrass himself over a couple of open-mouthed kisses and a few strokes of his over-eager cock.

To take the heat off him, he skimmed his fingers up under her shirt. She stiffened and gripped his wrist. Then swiftly, she pulled away.

I’m sorry, Kay, I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t mean to make you uncomf— Ahh, fuck!” He raked his hand through his hair.

Neither one of us was thinking,” she murmured as she took a step away.

In a nervous gesture, Salem swiped a hand over the back of his neck. He figured he’d kick himself out before she had the chance. “I’m gonna go,” he said, heading for the door. “But I’ll be back in the morning, and we’ll do a thorough walk-through. I’ll definitely take a better look at the wiring issue.”

Thank you.” Her voice sounded raspy and sexy as all fuck.

He let himself out. The screen door squeaked as it closed behind him. Hazarding a quick look over his shoulder, he could barely make out Kaylah’s silhouette in the entryway.

He’d taken one step off the porch before he heard her soft voice.

Salem… don’t go.”

Salem’s entire body tensed, his cock surged. Swiftly, he did an about-face and, as best he could, he hopped back up the stairs, careful to avoid the broken one. Kaylah pushed open the screen door and welcomed him back inside.

Contest!

Want to win a free copy of Autumn’s Healing? Just leave me a comment, with your email, telling me why! I’ll randomly draw a winner on Friday June 2nd.

About the Author

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and its varied sub-genres and couplings.

Variety is creativity’s playground — It’s where you’ll find me




Friday, May 26, 2017

Vive La France (#france #gourmet #bdsm)

Eiffel Tower

In April of 2013, my husband and I were fortunate enough to enjoy a two and a half week vacation in France. We traveled by train, in a broad circle that took us through much of the country. Starting in Paris, we visited historic Lyons, Annecy in the French Alps, Chamonix, lively Marseille, glorious Avignon, Carcassonne with its Crusader-era fortress, cosmopolitan Bordeaux, and medieval Normandy, before returning to Paris for several days. This incredible journey served as partial inspiration for my erotic romance novel The Ingredients of Bliss.

In this contemporary BDSM ménage, Mei Lee “Emily” Wong, an accomplished cook from Hong Kong, and her boss, the culinary legend Etienne Duvalier, are sent to France by the Toutes Les Saveurs network to shoot a series of shows on location, featuring regional cuisine and tourist highlights. Emily's master, producer Harry Sanborne, is also part of the entourage. Emily, Etienne and Harry retrace my steps, from Paris to Lyons to Marseille. In that gritty seaside melting pot, the story diverges from my itinerary, as a criminal gang kidnaps Harry and Etienne in a case of mistaken identity. (However, I did manage to include some scenes in Nice, which I visited on a previous trip to France.)

My stories always have a strong sense of place, and this one is no exception. Some authors deliberately set their tales in nameless cities – so as not to distract from the unfolding relationships, one friend told me. Of course every writer is different, but for me, the sights, sounds, smells and tastes surrounding my characters are important determinants of their thoughts and moods. Given that both Emily and Etienne are chefs, one can hardly imagine a more appropriate setting. Meanwhile, my recent experiences there made it easy for me to conjure vivid sensual impressions.

Magnificent France forms the backdrop for this tale of love, sex, danger and deliverance. If you enjoy travel tales, that's just one more reason to get yourself a copy of this lusty and transgressive romance.



Excerpt – Rated R

Emily?Harrys voice boomed through the corridors, as if in answer to my thoughts.

In here. In Dantès cell.

Harry had to duck to get through the low doorway.Ah. I should have figured Id find you in a dungeon.He smelled of sunscreen, sweat and musk. Like Pavlovs dog, I started to get wet in response to the familiar stimulus.

I fought my rising need.Hi, Harry. I was just about to head back…”

Before I could stop him, he’d clasped me to his chest. “I missed you, love.” He buried his nose in my wind-tousled hair, breathing deep then nibbled my ear. “You smell delicious.”

I tried to untangle myself from his arms. “I need a shower.” My laugh sounded hollow.

That’s why you smell so good. No, actually that’s not true. You always smell good. One whiff of your magic scent and I’m hard as a rock.”

He wasn’t lying. His erection prodded my belly as he ran his hands over my curves and burrowed into the crook of my neck.

Too bad there aren’t any iron rings or bars. You’d look so fetching, shackled to the dungeon wall.”

Harry, come one. Be serious!Once more I struggled against his embrace, without success. He only held me tighter. He was far stronger than I. My stomach did a dizzy little flip at this realization.Theyre probably waiting for us…”

He left off his nuzzling and gazed into my eyes. In the dim cell, his were full of shadows. “Let them wait. And I am serious, Emily. I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

I couldnt avoid the kiss. Honestly, I didnt want to. His mouth sealed itself to mine and his tongue forced my lips apart, claiming me. Lust roared through me, unleashed by the ferocity of his oral conquest. I tasted the sugary residue of his soft drink, the mint of his toothpaste, residual garlic and herbs from the ratatouille. His assertive male odor surrounded me, the essence of pure sex. I opened to him and let him take me. I had no choice.

He didn’t fondle my breasts or pinch my bottom or insinuate his fingers into my drenched knickers. He did nothing but kiss me, pouring every ounce of feeling into that mouth-to-mouth connection. Without the slightest stimulation, aside from his taste and smell, the firmness of his lips and the probing of his tongue, I found myself trembling on the verge of climax. Irresistible power flowed from him, overwhelming me. Helpless, lost and grateful, I let myself go.

He understood what he was doing to me. He felt my last resistance crumble. My plans, my qualms, my logic all came to nothing when faced with the intensity of his desire. And as I surrendered, the kiss changed.

Now he sipped at my mouth rather than swallowing me whole. His tongue feathered over my lips, coaxing me to let him enter. He breathed into me, warm and sweet, gentle as drifting clouds on a spring day. Holding me close, so close I could feel the heartbeat under his sweat-damp shirt, he bathed me in his devotion.

My sex still tingled and sparked, but now some other sensation swelled in my chest, a rare joy that seemed on the edge of triggering both laughter and tears.

I love you, Emily.His voice was rough velvet, his lips moist against my cheek.More than I can ever say. More than I know what to do with.

Tell him, my rational self whimpered, weaker by the instant. Tell him youre leaving, before its too late.

I raised my face to his and offered him my mouth, and the truth.

I love you, too.”



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