A Great Day to Stand Up & Care

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Carlene Love

Good Morning & Hello May!

I’m sitting here at my desk, feeling so blessed to get to do what I do but even more so, for the family and friends in my life, new and old. It’s the first day of May, and in the spirit of finding ways to stand up and say thank you, or how can I help, or you’re not alone, I am sharing two causes very close to my heart that happen to be kicking off today. So what do you say? Want to help me give them a boost? Great!

Starting today and going until May 15, my wonderful publisher, Evernight, is donating 25% of ALL Evernight website proceeds to support breast cancer awareness. This comes at a wonderful time whether you read on an e-reader or prefer a good paperback as there are several hot new releases available in both formats. So stock up on your Springtime/Summer Romance reading supplies and support this worthy cause!

It’s also the first day of the Brenda Novak Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research which goes until May 31st. Let me tell you, the items up for bid at this auction blow me away every year! There are special sections for Readers and outstanding opportunities for Writers. There’s even cool rocker stuff like a meet ‘n’ greet with Bret Michaels!

I want to take a quick second to share my personal experience with this auction. Last year, I bid on and won a critique from one of my favorite authors, the incomparable Megan Hart. She reviewed the first three chapters of Sidewalk Flower. I’d been polishing, tweaking and submitting that baby for over a year. I can’t say for sure whether it was Megan’s critique that finally helped me submit a publisher-worthy piece of work, but I do know without a doubt that her expert, thoughtful, witty, and often hilarious comments are a part of the journey and something I’ll always be grateful for. Her comment alone, that my hero (Lucky Mason) was YUMMY sent me to the moon. Yep, Megan makes me smile like a giddy little fan girl!

So what I’m saying is, go check out this awesome auction to support diabetes research. Who knows? You may walk away with a life-changing experience of your own.

And on that note, I shall slip back into romance novel writer mode so that my next book, hopefully, touches someone the way I’ve been touched. Thank you all for your beautiful support. I’ve said it before, but truly there never lived a luckier girl.

Always love,

Carlene Love♥

WELCOME AUTHOR MICHAELA RHUA: TRUTH OR DARE

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Carlene Love

I am very excited and pleased to be hosting fellow Evernight author, Michaela Rhua here today! Her cover is gorgeous, kudos to the Sour Cherry Design team once again, and her story of pushing the boundaries of friendship sounds very intriguing. Thank you so much for being here, Michaela. Now I’ll hand the mic over to you…♥

May I just start by saying thank you for letting me visit your blog.
I am really excited and nervous with this release. It is my first solo book with Evernight Publishing and my first Alternative Erotic story. It is called Truth or Dare and centres on two friends who one day step beyond friendship but all is not roses the next day.

Here is the blurb for you all to give you a flavour…

Leah and Jess have been friends for years, and having set up business together, they are even more aware of the need to keep things strictly professional. However all that changes after one drunken dare leads them to discover unbelievable passion. Who knew when friends become lovers the result would be so explosive and life altering, even if things seem different in the cold light of day. Can two friends face the truth and find happiness or was it a dare too far?

Adults Only, Ready for a little taste?…

Leah sat shocked as Jess threw herself into an impromptu sexy routine. She began with seductive hip swinging. She threw her head down in front of Leah, and then quickly back so her golden locks fell messily around her face. Oh hell, she looked so hot.

Next came a slow unbuttoning of her shirt and Jess took her time in revealing a purple lace bra holding those full breasts in place.

Leah took a gulp of wine not believing her eyes.

Jess grabbed her breasts and squeezed them together as the song continued with its sensual lyrics.

Leah licked her lips, wanting to lick those fulsome breasts.

Jess took hold of the chair nearest to Leah. Standing on it, she began to unbuckle her belt, which she threw dramatically across the bar.

Leah’s mouth went dry at the vision of pure sex on legs in front of her. Moisture leaked from her pussy, wetting her panties. She leaned forward in her chair. The movement created friction against her pussy. The vision before her combined with the spinning light, sensual music, and the friction of the chair was driving her to the brink of orgasm.

Jess grabbed her crotch and rubbed the area, biting her lip and closing her eyes. She began to unzip her jeans slowly, not taking her eyes off Leah.

That eye-to-eye contact sent shivers of arousal through Leah, but the combination of actions caused the sexy blonde bombshell to lose her balance. Suddenly Leah saw Jess tumble. She shot out of her seat, but she was too late to catch Jess, who hit the floor.

“Oh my God. Are you okay, Jess?” Leah looked down at her friend, who lay with eyes closed and body motionless. Panic rising inside her, she looked round to see where her phone was to call an ambulance.

Suddenly the other woman erupted into a fit of giggles, much to Leah’s relief.

“Seriously, Jess, I thought you hit your head or something!” Leah moaned, letting relief wash over her now that she realized her friend wasn’t hurt. Her heartbeat was just returning to normal.

Jess held out her hand to Leah. Their fingers meshed together and Jess pull her down to the floor.

As blue eyes held her own, Leah knew her breathing had become uneven. Was this the dream she had longed to come true for so long? The club was silent. The track had finished. The disco lights spun, a shower of multi-colored lights creating a magical space around them.

Leah lowered her head down. It was a now or never moment. She looked at her friend with her halo of golden hair spread around her. She looked like an angel on the midnight floor.

Jess’ eyes softened the closer she got. Leah’s lips hovered over hers. She licked them slowly before kissing Jess passionately. She felt Jess’ hands in her hair, holding their lips together. She wants this as much as I do. Leah stroked Jess’ hair while her other hand went to her breast, squeezing and massaging.

Jess spread her legs under Leah and wrapped them around her, drawing her closer.

Leah ground her hips into Jess, enjoying the friction. She pinched a nipple, eliciting a groan from the woman beneath her. She moved from her lips to her neck, licking and biting the delicate skin down to her breasts. She sucked the hardened nipple though the lace and Jess’ moans became louder, her hands holding the back of Leah’s head to her breast.

Leah took her time enjoying the body she had longed to make love to. Her pussy was wet, but she wanted to focus on Jess’ needs not her own. She went from one nipple to the other before pulling the bra up to reveal full breasts with pink, wet nipples. She squeezed the breasts together, drawing both nipples into the center, then licked a trail from one to another.

Jess squirmed under her, gasping with each lick.

Leah kissed down her flat stomach to her hips. Her zipper was halfway down so Leah unzipped it completely, revealing matching lace undies. She pulled at the jeans.

Jess sat up a little to help ease them off, removing her shirt and bra at the same time.

She lay down and Leah drank in the sight of her creamy skin, pink in places where she had sucked or gently bitten. She buried her head between Jess’ legs, and she found the lace was wet with the other woman’s juices. Leah sucked her clit through the lace, enjoying the taste of her.

Here are the BUY links:…

Evernight Publishing

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/truth-or-dare-by-michaela-rhua/

All Romance Ebooks

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-truthordare-1090968-149.html

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dare-Romance-Go-ebook/dp/B00BKQMOVG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361814770&sr=8-3&keywords=michaela+rhua

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-Dare-Romance-Go-ebook/dp/B00BKQMOVG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361814976&sr=8-3

Author Bio:Michaela Rhua …

Michaela Rhua always dreamed of writing but this never happened until she met the lovely group of ladies known as UCW. Their passion for writing and encouragement inspired her to see if she could do it too. Now she loves writing!

She has teenage children and a husband, who also keep her busy. However, it is whilst travelling into work that she has time to create her characters and imagine other places in which they exist as her world skims by the window. Conversations overheard often lead to the birth of new ideas that she scribbles down in her trusty notebook.

Michaela is a multi-published author with Breathless Press, Evernight Publishing and a self-published anthology with authors from The Nuthouse Scribblers.

Find her here:…

Website: http://michaelarhuaauthor.weebly.com/

Blog: http://www.michaelarhuaauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelaRhua

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/michaelarhua/

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

Thank you so much for being my guest today Michaela. I wish you all the best with your tempting new release, Truth or Dare!

Always love,

Carlene Love ♥

Evernight’s Valentine Snippets Blog Hop Is Here!

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Carlene Love

My giveaway is Open Internationally with instructions following the Snippet ♥ Enjoy ♥

♥Sidewalk Flower Snippet:

Her two insistent hands pressed against the back of his neck like she was forcing him to do this. It was cute. Yeah, she was dead wrong. He’d wanted to kiss her since he’d first seen her, hopping down out of that girly silver Jeep. But he knew better. Earning something you wanted took more than a few hours. And if he’d gathered anything from her hot and cold responses so far, it was that Jaxon’s vague but deliberate warning that he take good care of her hadn’t been just puffed up, ego talk.

This girl was in trouble.

He should have stepped away for both their sakes. He knew he didn’t deserve this kind of kiss, not yet. But California was glued to him on full speed and didn’t appear to have a pause, let alone a rewind button. On second thought, he’d let her get this out of her system and then they’d start over.

Her hand had to be killing her, so he managed to pull it down and keep it tucked at her side. But the other one was petting those hairs at the back of his neck, leaving him seconds away from coming undone. If he clenched his jaw any tighter, those painful yet ticklish sensations shooting throughout his upper body would without a doubt get him into trouble down below. Heck, if he squeezed her in his arms like he wanted to, she’d feel how aroused he’d let himself get. He worked his jaw to ease away from the pain, wishing he could let go entirely and enjoy her touch. Yep, their fresh start was gonna have to wait until she was done proving her point. Cute girl though.

* * *

His lips were soft and salty like he’d worked up a sweat at some point during the day. Crap, again she cursed his damn tempting bloodline. This would only complicate their pending trip even more. So naturally, when he smartly pulled her one hand away, she found a sweet spot of baby hairs with the other and went for more. Her rules—that was the only way to play with the boys and stay safe.

Lucky’s hands eventually cupped the sides of her face, which was fine because she had made her point.

“Are we okay?” he asked.

Well, hell if she knew. “Yes,” she said. They could figure the truth out later. There would be an endless amount of open road ahead of them come Sunday to think. Tonight was desperate Friday. “We’re good.” But she hesitated because he looked for a moment like he may have regretted things. When he coughed and cleared his throat, she was sure of it.

“Come on, Miss ‘We’re Good’,” he said, as he urged her the rest of the way to the back door. “I’d like to keep that promise I made Jaxon. You could go a little easier on me from here on out.”

The inside of her mouth remained warm from their kiss as she swallowed a cool breath of air. The contrasting temperatures left her with a chill and a memory—the taste of the last kiss she’d had. Cigarettes and beer. No hand holding. No talking. No first, second or third date. As badly as her sour heart warned her to throw Lucky in with that lot, she just couldn’t do it. He’d already taken more care of her than any other guy she’d known.

“You shouldn’t take things so personally.” At his wince, she splintered and added, “I know you didn’t sign up for this; I’ll try to be…better.” No promises though.

“Okay.” He hesitated, and shifted on the steps. “Ready to go inside?”

“No, you should go in though. I need to be alone.” A tingle traveled around her wounded hand and she made the mistake of squeezing it into a fist.

Lucky dipped his head then and ran his hand up along the back of his neck, rubbing it in his obvious confusion. “Trista. I’m kind of at a loss here. You’re obviously in pain. Just come inside and let me help you.”

She tried to warn him, hoping he’d listen. “Lucky, you’re a nice guy. Okay, I get it. You want to help, but I didn’t ask for that and you have no idea what you’d be signing up for anyway. Assholes can barely handle my world; a good guy like you doesn’t stand a chance. Jaxon had no right doing this.”

“Hmmm.” He scratched at his sideburn. “You don’t know what I can and can’t handle.” He looked down but she had caught his every word.

The ♥Hop Question:

Day 1, 2/10: What does Lucky call Trista as he’s urging her the rest of the way to her back door?

Day 2 & 3, 2/11 & 2/12: What two words does Trista use to describe Lucky’s lips?

Day 4, 2/13: What does Lucky think of Trista’s silver Jeep? It’s manly, pretty, girly or bangin’

Day 5, 2/14: Hey y’all. Ladies. So Carlene asked me to come up with today’s question and I knew right away what I was gonna ask. It’s really nothing for a guy to want to kiss a girl the second he sees her. But I always tried to be better than that for Tris. So my question for y’all is, how long should it take to earn something you really want? For me, it’s gotta be more than just a few hours. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours. Take care y’all.

♥To enter my drawing for the $10 Lush gift card and $10 Evernight Publishing gift card, all you have to do is answer The Day’s Hop Question correctly. Leave your answer, your name, and your email in the comment section of this post. On the14th at midnight ET, I will put all the names in a hat and draw one. Check back then to see if you got Lucky ♥ Don’t forget to “Like” the Evernight Facebook Page…I like it a lot And check out the rest of the fabulous Evernight Authors’ Blogs & their prizes participating in this Hop!

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Click here to view the full list of authors in this blog hop…

Good luck to all…Happy Hopping ♥

Always love,

Carlene Love ♥

EVERNIGHT’S VALENTINE’S BLOG HOP IS ALMOST HERE!

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Carlene Love

Evernight Publishing’s Valentine’s Blog Hop is only a few days away & I can’t wait for it to start! It will be super easy. On Feb.10th, I will post a snippet from Sidewalk Flower and a following question related to the snippet. To enter the drawing for the prize, all you have to do is answer correctly. Post your answer, your name, and your email to the comments section of my blog. On the14th at midnight ET, I will put all the names in a hat and draw one. The winner will be announced on my blog and will receive an email with the certificate the following day

Good luck to all, I hope to have many entries!!!

Wanna know what you’re hopping for?

A $10 Gift Certificate to Lush (Because this is where Trista’s favorite bathtime treat, Rock Star Soap, comes from!) and a $10 Gift Certificate to Evernight Publishing!

Always love,

Carlene Love

WELCOME AUTHOR TINA POLLICK AND HER DEBUT NOVEL, GABRIEL!

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Carlene Love

It is my absolute pleasure to be spotlighting fellow Evernight author, Tina Pollick, and her debut novel, Gabriel, today. I’m reading this now and doing my best not to fly through it! It’s one of those you can’t wait to finish but wish you could spend more time with. Without further ado, I give you Gabriel. (Is that a GORGEOUS cover or what?)

When demons sunder ancient bonds, a love-match between a valiant archangel and a selfless nurse brings humanity’s last hope — but demon-taint may destroy them both.

The prison the archangels have guarded, housed deep within the earth is destroyed, releasing Kematians (demons) to feed upon humanity. The angels are losing the battle again as the Kematians ability to regenerate hampers the angel’s ability to destroy them. Gabriel is stabbed by an Angel Killing Sword; he’s accepted his fate that he will die; only to be revived by Calla’s ability to heal.

Calla Stevens, RN, tries to find who or what is killing the victims that are coming into the ER, only to be infected herself when she comes face-to-face with the Kematians. Calla has saved Gabriel once, is she willing to trade her life for his this time?

Archangel Gabriel struggles with new emotions as he discovers Calla is his soul mate. He strives to defend humanity, with the assistance of his brother Archangel Michael and new human friends. Gabriel will have to choose whether he will live or die when his future with Calla is destroyed.

CONTENT WARNING: Spicy sex.

Book can be purchased here:

Evernight ,Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, All Romance e-Books, Sony, Apple, Chapters-Indigo/KOBO, Coffee Time Romance and Rainbow Ebooks.

About the Author:

When Tina Pollick isn’t writing paranormal romance about Heavenly hunks, and smart, sassy women, this RN enjoys a quiet home life with her husband, children, two horses, two dogs, cat, chickens, guineas, well sort of quiet.

Tina has just finished her first Urban Fantasy novel, GABRIEL, A Kematian Hunter Series and is working on the first book of another Urban Fantasy series, SOUL BROKER.

You can find Tina Pollick on Facebook and Twitter. Stop by and say hello.

Excerpt:

“Are you kidding me? You weigh maybe a hundred pounds soaking wet. What do you think you’re doing walking alone at night?” She noticed Eric looking down at all five feet three inches of her, scowling. “Let me give you a ride home.”

Eric’s radio went off. “Shit. I have to go, Calla, another attack. Call a cab, please.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He hurried away. Calla walked in the opposite direction, towards her house. She took this path three to four days a week on her way home from work. There wasn’t any way she was going to call a cab.

She heard footsteps closing in behind her. Alarmed, she wrapped her hand around the can of mace in her pocket and picked up her pace.

The footsteps were gone. Had she imagined them? Calla turned her head to look but she was alone. “Get it together, chicken. You’re scaring yourself now.”

She rounded the corner nearing an alley. A trickle of red blood flowed from it, creeping onto the sidewalk. Calla stopped in front of a pathway as uneasiness washed over her. Fear and ethics battled within her. Ethics won, but her legs felt like lead, and they weren’t moving. She forced herself to take a few steps and spotted a mound lying next to the wall.

After several tense seconds, she tightened her grip on the can of mace and slowly made her way towards the heap on the ground.

This is exactly how all the stupid girls are killed in the movies. They go walking right into danger, and boom, they’re dead.

Approaching the mound, she trembled. As she moved closer she saw a tanned foot sticking out from the trench coat. Calla bent down, her chest heaving, hands shaking as she reached the foot and gave it a quick shake, but nothing happened. Relax, before you hyperventilate and end up on the ground, too. Breathe, Calla, breathe.

She stood, crept forward, and reached for what she hoped was the head. She knelt down and pulled back the thick trench coat. His head turned to the side, face badly beaten, eyes cracked to reveal a glimmer of the brightest green she had ever seen.

“Holy shit!” She jumped back, startled.

The man didn’t move. She bent down again this time reaching for his neck. The pulse was weak. She had already used her gifts twice this evening, and her body still ached from the two previous failures. “Focus. You can do this.” She struggled to turn the man onto his back. When she finally rolled him over there was a knife, with a green hue as if the metal was oxidized, protruding out of his chest.

“Of course there’s a knife,” Calla murmured to herself.

“I’m going to try to help you,” she whispered in his ear. She knew she might not be able to save him, but she had to try. If she could pull the knife out in a quick motion she could heal him. She placed her hands around the hilt of the knife and pulled. Nothing happened. “Maybe if I get some leverage.”

Calla straddled the man, planting one tennis shoe on each side of his limp body. She bent down and wrapped both hands around the hilt and pulled with everything she had. The knife began to move—barely—but it was moving. It felt like pulling a rubber boot stuck in thick mud. After a few more attempts the suction released, and the knife was freed.

She collapsed on his chest and sat up, placing both palms on the bleeding wound. “Please, oh please let this work.” Calla focused on the wound, gathering energy. Then her hands began to glow. Sweat dripped matting blonde hair to her forehead, and her vision began to dim. “I won’t let you die,” she promised.

Then darkness embraced her.

Thank you for sharing Gabriel with us, Tina, and for being my guest today!

Always love,

Carlene Love

On Tour!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Carlene Love

Road Tripping to a Blog near you in the month of January! Here’s the remaining Sidewalk Flower blog tour schedule. There are a few giveaway days including the one at Sorensen Shorts that’s open for entries until tonight (1/16) at 11pm ET. Check it out. Hope to see you out on the virtual highway of love!

1/15 Interview & Giveaway by Laurie Sorensen at Sorensen Shorts Blog

1/16 Interview by Erin M. Leaf at Wicked Wednesdays

1/17 Featured by London Saint James at London’s Scribbles

1/18 Interview by Alethea Kontis at Waterworld Mermaids

1/22 Featured by R. Brennan at Bex Book Nook

1/23 Featured by Michaela Rhua at Michaela Rhua

1/24 Interview & Giveaway by Shannan Albright at Romance you can sink your fangs into

1/25 Interview by Angelina Rain at Angelina Rain

1/27 Guest Post & Giveaway at The Rockville 8

1/28 Guest Post at Evernight Publishing Blog

1/29 Featured by Marie Medina at Shadows of the Night

Always love,

Carlene Love