Soulful Alliance

Weekenders Romance Watch

New Bayou Love Romances Release

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Price: $0.99 - Last day for introductory price is September 16, 2018

Blurb:

Hounded by a childhood tragedy most of her adult life, Marcy Rayburn tucks tail and hides out in Bayou Country, forsaking a high-profile singing career and all chances of any meaningful relationships. No matter how long she’s been out of the limelight, the reclusive entertainer finds that she’s still fodder for the gossip news. Will the appearance of Jack, an unannounced interloper, cast her back into the spotlight and her heart into a tailspin?

Unceremoniously dumped by his fiancée, Jack Connolly has spent the last few years living in an alternate reality. Going down South to repair and retrieve the company’s helicopter is a pain in his rear. That pain soon has a name, and ultimately, a grip on his walled-off heart. Is he willing to revisit his old world and sacrifice his freedom to give Marcy what she needs?

Two hearts ache. But, will a soulful alliance remedy the pain or only mask the hurt?

Soulful Alliance is a sweetly sensual, relationship-based love story.



Enchanting Excerpt:
Burped, fed, and ready to play, she placed Mya on a pallet spread out in the Great Room. Marcy sat cross-legged beside her. The laptop screen stared at her like a big-eyed specter waiting to steal her thoughts. “This is hopeless.”

Writer’s block was an inevitable outcome to the looming deadline for her latest manuscript. Too many distractions pulled her in too many directions. Her lids fluttered rapidly, eyes magnetized to the cursor’s hypnotizing blink. Marcy’s descent into oblivion was a few seconds in length. However, she jerked awake in a terrorized state, relieved to see Mya napping. “Jack.” She launched upward and rocketed outside.

“Jack!” her terrified shriek rent the air. She bolted blindly, kicking herself for leaving him unattended too long. “Come, Jack!”

“Son-of-a-bitch!” A man’s voice thundered. “What?”

His yell startled Marcy. He sprinted in her direction from the other side of the helicopter. Her antennae skyrocketed. All she saw was danger blitzing her way. She cut short and made a beeline for the house.

Marcy looked over her shoulder at him. He gained on her, his head down like a sprinter off the blocks. A baseball cap obscured most of his features. However, the bush of hair around his mouth flared red—an admonition for her to beware.

Her heart pounded loud enough to rupture her eardrums. The harder she pushed, the farther away her refuge seemed to get. She tamed the hair from her eyes for another quick glance. Foreboding knotted in the pit of her stomach. He was swifter than she. That unfortunate truth bore out. A vise squeezed her upper arm.

Marcy hollered and fought for her life.

“Stop hitting me!” he commanded, flinging the arm out that held her captive.

The move bandied her about like a rag-doll. His cap hit the ground as he turned his head toward the house in the distance. His distraction was her chance.

She wanted her freedom. Nothing else would do. So, she attacked with everything she had: biting his hand, elbowing, stomping. All of her efforts failed when his arm snaked around her body, constricting her intake of breath. The more she struggled, the tighter he compressed. Her feeble attempts at extrication turned her thoughts to Mya—all alone.

“The baby’s in the house.” She cursed the fragility in her tone.

“I’m not going to hurt you, lady,” he stormed.

“But, you are.” She heaved, unable to control the panting while bent over the crook of his arm, her body gouged into his.

“I just want you to stop kicking my ass, that’s all.”

For Mya’s sake, she had no choice but to make a deal with the devil. She went limp.

“I’m going to release you to turn around. Can you do that without a fight?”

“Yes.”

He did as committed. “Turn around.”

She turned all right and took off again. Marcy zigzagged across the field to throw him off. He jetted right behind her, practically breathing down her neck. Then, the fingers he slipped through her hair grazed her scalp. His grasp thwarted her escape. He transferred his grip to her arm, spinning her around so fast her eyes locked on his white-knuckled hold.




Jack races toward love. Marcy's heart is the finish line.


Website: http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady

Templet's Tasty Tails

Weekenders Romance Watch

My brand new release is available now!

 

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Web Designer Erika Washington's contract with her childhood best friend covers all possibilities about her pregnancy. But, one unpredictable event redirects her future. As a donor-surrogate, what does one do when fate changes the plan and claims the lives of the intended parents? If you're selfless, strong-willed Erika Washington, you mount a defense to keep your baby.

Entrepreneur Booker Templet, owner of Templet's Tasty Tails, secretly agrees to help his first cousin. However, unfortunate circumstances change the course of his life. After he learns the identity of the other donor, Booker plans to be a part of his child's life. No matter what.

Will Erika and Booker battle over custody of the baby? Will their horrible loss help them find consolation in each other's arms? Or will fate intervene yet again?


Enchanting Excerpt:
"Listen to me." He caught up to her in the back yard. "Maybe I have no right to feel this way. But I feel like a lion, ferocious and protective of you."

She paced under the moss-draped shade tree. On her turnaround, Booker caressed her shoulders. When she refused to look at him, he used his thumb to lift her chin.

"You have wheedled your way into my blood, Erika." He touched his forehead to hers. "All without your knowledge."

"We've been through this, Booker." Erika resisted the pull of his male magnetism. "To you, I'm the means to an end. You want this baby."

"I do. I've already admitted that. What I've begun to dream is"—he palmed her cheeks—"you'll let me work on making this a package deal."

"That's insulting." Erika clamped her mouth shut.

Booker closed in as he made what she defined as lust to her with his eyes. The kiss started up from her chin. The moment he touched his lips to hers, incredible images sprang into Erika's mind. A blazing fire erupted within.

"We're in public." She moaned against his mouth.

"There should be no mistaking my intentions, Erika." Booker breathed the words. "I'm so into you. No pun intended."

Check out the "make believe" cast of Templet's Tasty Tails on my Pinterest board. What do you think?

Website: http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog/posts
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mickiesherwood/templets-tasty-tails-storyboard/

Life and Love in Vivid Color

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Rhonda Jackson Joseph
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon



Blurb:
Enjoy these colorful characters as they experience life and love, in vivid color. Walk with Rosalind Davis as she realizes love later in life is a relief. Come with Eva Grant while she and Santos help one another heal. Laugh at Melanie Durst pretending her way into everlasting love. Root for Daria and Maurice James as their loving marriage takes a hit from tragedy. Wish for Tisha Randall to get what she wants from Brian, when he comes into her store. Urge Aliyah and Andre to build happy ever after from their childhood friendship. Warm in the sunshine that Jasmine brings for Lemond when she smiles.


Enchanting Excerpt:
Bad idea. Terrible. Rosalind Davis kicked herself inside for attending the speed dating event that called itself "Mature Mingles". She'd had no idea when she'd signed up that "mature" actually meant "looking for a caregiver with benefits or a spouse who would become a caregiver".

She should have known that trying to make a romantic connection at her age would be difficult. Rosalind had only just decided she even wanted companionship and there she was, in a huge mess.

Her lips were exhausted from the effort she had to put into the tight, polite smile. Ring, buzzer. I'm ready to go.

She sighed in relief and closed her eyes. Only one more to go. She should have indicated that she was interested in meeting females, too. That way she might have at least gotten a good tennis partner out of the deal.

"I'm not trying to get married." The words tumbled from her mouth before the last man could take the seat across from her.

He sat down and held her gaze. "That's a relief. I don't usually propose until the first real date."

Rosalind flicked her gaze over the ID tag the man wore.

"Sorry."

"No apology necessary. I'm Darren."

"Rosalind."

"I'm glad this is the last stop tonight." He continued to look directly at her.

She felt the heat rise in her face at his intense gaze. "Me, too."

"I'm glad for your beautiful mouth."

"Excuse me?" Rosalind straightened in her chair and glared. She would get a bold pervert for the last contact of the night.

"I only meant that if you had to paste that little fake smile on one more time, your lips might crack and fall off."

The indignant anger leapt out of her and Rosalind laughed, the first genuine chuckle she'd emitted that evening.

"In that case, thank you. You're right."

He shrugged. "It would be such a shame to lose it. You might need your mouth later on. To eat or laugh or something."

She confirmed his observation with another giggle. He joined in, and she noticed how he laughed from his depths, and his smile completely reached his eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Darren."

"The pleasure is all mine." Darren held his hand across the table and Rosalind grabbed it. He firmly shook and then released her.

A part of her wanted him to hold onto her a bit longer.


Twitter: https://twitter.com/rjacksonjoseph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-Jackson-Joseph-WriterEditor/113607275401945
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077543.Rhonda_Jackson_Joseph

Jack and Diane

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

             Jack and Diane

Author: Lena Hampton
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

No cars had passed by her. She frequently checked that the hazard lights were on; they were. Finally, after over an hour of waiting a vehicle pulled up behind her. It was a big black truck with the spotlights on the top. Was that a gun rack? Yep. That was also a confederate vanity plate. They say you should not look a gift horse in the mouth, but she was debating which was worse, dying of hypothermia or dying from some torture at the hands of a racist hick.

“Hi. Ma’am? Did you need some help?”

Jack and Diane

Lena Hampton

When Diane's car breaks down during a snowstorm on an empty highway, she's fearful of the driver of the pickup truck with the confederate flag vanity plate who stops to help.

From the moment that Jack sees her warm brown eyes, he knows that his prayers have been answered. Now he just has to convince the beautiful damsel in distress of that too.

Diane Clark is an African-American law student with dreams of big city corporate takeovers. Jack Sloan is a generational farmer with a love of country music and the simple life. Can they overcome their differences and her bad impression of their first meeting to find love?

 Jack and Diane

The Cold Warriors Universe Book Two- Ice and Peace

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt
The Cold Warriors Universe Book  Two - Ice and Peace

Author: Clare Dargin
Genre: Mainstream/Military Romance
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

Caitlin was a sight for sore eyes. She was beautiful. Her petite frame was perfectly accented by the curves of her figure. And her brown eyes and coffee-brown skin was smooth, creamy.

Standing at attention, she did not meet his gaze. Though it was customary not to do as a sign of military courtesy, he could tell she was not doing it for that reason. Her gaze was different. Circling her, he tried to see if he could catch her watching him out of the corner of her eye. In fact, she appeared to be staring blankly ahead.

Peering directly at her, he spoke in a soft tone. “At ease.”

The Cold Warriors Universe Book Two- Ice and Peace

A New Threat?

The second book in my romantic and exciting series Cold Warriors is now available.  Here's a quick look!

Clare Dargin

A New Threat? After a long and vicious war, peace is on the horizon for Earth and its allies. However, a series of mysterious attacks on several secret military installations causes hostilities to rise once again.

Redemption. Having left under a cloud of disgrace, retired Marine Colonel Medoro Keegan is called back to duty.

Bound. His wife Caitlin, the only surviving member of her team, chooses to embrace life, albeit grudgingly, as a cryo soldier. Seen as sub-human, she is forced to serve a planet that denies her rights as a person.

Driven. Guided by their sense of duty and belief that some things are bigger than them, they are determined to risk it all.

Hope. The cost of war is high. Can their love and marriage survive? Or will it be killed off by the very same mission that brought them together?

The Cold Warriors Universe Book Two- Ice and Peace

Mickie Sherwood's Men and the Hair of the Women They Love

It's a hair thang!

Men in a moment of weakness.

(View covers in sidebars.)

LSSM

       Chance kept his eyes on hers as he lowered his head for a kiss. "You make loving you so easy. And it feels so good."

"I'll bump my hair and let you have the bathroom." Chance let her go with a look that said he had no idea what she meant. "Want to watch?"

"Hmmm," he moaned suggestively.

The Doctor and the War Widow

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

 

        The Doctor and the War Widow

Author: Viola Russell
Genre: Mainstream/Contemporary Romance
Buy: Red Rose Publishing

Excerpt:

“I can’t believe you’re a Republican.” Harley said the words without rancor and gaped, mouth open. She’d seen Abisi through most of June. They were sitting on the couch in her living room on Fourth of July weekend, sipping wine. Nico lay at Harley’s feet, snoring. He occasionally flicked at a fly that buzzed around him with his bushy tail. Harley had opened her windows so they could appreciate the breeze blowing even on a balmy New Orleans night.

“It’s political.” Abisi drew her closer and took a sip of wine.

“How so?” Harley followed his gaze as he took her in. She could sense his desire, and she’d dressed to encourage it. Spaghetti strap flowered blouse, diaphanous wraparound skirt, and white sandals. She’d seen her stylist the day before and had added the auburn tints that drew stares. His arms were strong as he clasped her shoulders.

Cold Warriors

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Cold Warriors

Author: Clare Dargin
Genre: Mainstream/Science Fiction Romance
Buy: Decadent Publishing

Excerpt:

Caitlin spun around, showing a face that lacked the sweet innocence he once knew. To him, she still looked just as beautiful to him as the day she left, even more so now. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her until that moment.

“Sir, please, we are not to associate with one another,” she stated evenly and made her way toward the door.

Sir? Before, he could barely get the word “Colonel” out of her, now she was calling him “sir?” Keegan stepped in her path. His chest tightened and inner strength started to waiver. All the hope and dreams he held of this woman wavered on the edge. Had time dispelled the emotions he’d been sure he’d seen from her—felt from her?

“Why won’t you talk to me?” He placed his hand on her shoulder.

Jordan's Wings

The Alerians – Dark Progeny

Dariel Raye

Jordan Taylor is a feisty, take charge, Rubinesque beauty with a tough façade, but after a string of lackluster relationships, her dream of a man who truly loves and appreciates her strength seems impossible…Until she meets Canaan, the man her fiancé claims is his best friend! Instinctively, she knows her neat, if lackluster life is about to change.

Born more than 200 years ago, Canaan looks like an angel but he’s far from it. In his world, the ratio of men to women is 500 to 1, and although he’s a superior being, he’s willing to break the most sacred law of his brothers, even drink human blood, to have one meant for him alone.When he meets Jordan, he knows she’s the one he’s been searching for.  To claim her, Canaan will have to betray his friend, humble himself enough to win her love, and risk his very life.

Jordan's Wings

Cold Warriors

Clare Dargin

Left in cryogenic stasis for nearly a century, Caitlin Driskoll is awakened and drafted into war she knows nothing about. Expected to defend a world where her kind is despised and expendable, she discovers love and respect from the one man who can't be associated with her. Lt. Colonel Medoro Keegan has spent a lifetime in the Marines. With no family to speak of, the Corps and his ship, the USS Blanchard, are all the loved ones he needs. Caitlin sparks a fire within that threatens to consume him if he doesn't walk away. Will he choose a life of certainty in the only world he knows or give it all to Caitlin and run the risk of losing someone, yet again.

Cold Warriors

Ghosts in the Night

Jennifer Mueller
Andrew Townsend survived the trenches only to come home to find most of his family had died in their relative safety. When the last uncle dies and leaves him a plantation in far off Ceylon, he drops his life in London and sets out for a new life. Only he finds out the past doesn’t let him go so easily. With a lay about friend tagging along, and not to mention a case of shell shock that brings to mind the war at every turn, he’s more ghost than man. But the woman across the way, as much a ghost as he, is able to help the visions of war as everything he knows is falling apart. Digging up long dead secrets is the only option and it’s enough to get them killed.

Ghosts in the Night

The Doctor and the War Widow

Viola Russell

Harley Michel is mourning the recent death of her mother and the long-ago death of her husband. On a dare, she ventures onto an Internet dating site and finds unexpected romance with a handsome Egyptian doctor.

Harley thinks she may have found happiness again until her memories of her late soldier husband and the doctor's former flame threaten their peace.

What happens when doctor's former flame threatens their peace? 



  

The Doctor and the War Widow