RomFest ReCap: Book To Read

This past week, I took a road trip to Gatlinburg, TN to attend RomFest. I met some readers and many new-to-me authors. I talked with cover artists and the amazingly hot (and nice) model on Roz's cover below. I met my SCP publisher for the first time live and in person. And I also got to visit with some author friends I admire. Oh, and I got to spend time with some members of my street team. It was fun but exhausting for this quiet introvert.

Today, I'm back at my desk *writing* but wanted to share some books that you might want to check out. I can't possibly list them all but here's a few I wanted to highlight...

ROZ LEE writes a baseball series you have to read. The best part is that you can start the series for FREE by downloading the prequel HERE.

Free Agent by Roz Lee
The stress of opening her own specialty bakery has kept Brooke tied up in knots, just not the kind she would prefer. When she spies the hunk of a Dom across the crowded bar, she’s intrigued, but his wristband indicates he’s off limits. That doesn’t stop her from doing the most daring thing she’s ever done to snag a man’s attention, but when things escalate beyond even her wildest imaginings, she can’t get out of there fast enough.

His contract with the Mustangs is set to expire at the end of the season, and third baseman, Todd Stevens is holding out for a longer, more lucrative deal as a free agent. Convinced more money and a new city will cure what ails him, he isn’t looking for a long-term relationship, much less a one-time hookup with a sub who doesn’t know her place. Unfortunately, the little minx eyeing him from across the room might just be the one to make him change his mind.

I had a fan girl moment when I met and spoke with Jayne Rylon. She co-authors one of my favorite contemporary series, The Compass Brothers. It's so damn hot, your fingers burn just holding her books and... squee! she has a spin-off series that's just come out. I'll be reading it!

Winter's Compass by Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr

*Compass Girls, Book 1*

Sienna Compton has it all figured out. Her life’s goals are set and it is all systems go. At least, it was. Until her long-time boyfriend Josh threw a ringer into the master plan, requesting a “break” from their relationship. Now she’s left alone during the long, cold Wyoming winter, questioning what her heart has always believed to be true love.

Daniel Lennon is facing an uncertain future. When a tragic accident leaves him unable to pursue his career as a professional bull rider, he finds himself at Compass Ranch, working to help Sienna’s father, Seth, build his horse breeding business. One look at Sienna has Daniel envisioning things he never imagined wanting—a permanent home, love, marriage—and he’s willing to use all the red-hot tricks in his sexual arsenal to melt the ice surrounding Sienna’s broken heart.

When lust turns to genuine emotion, can Daniel convince Sienna to take a chance on something different and unexpected? Can he persuade her to consider a new path, one that will lead her directly to his arms…forever?

Warning: Roping and riding, past and future, cold winter and fiery desire, lust and love all come together in this new Compass series. Saddle up and hang on. 

The Comptons are back!

Looking for a fun Young Adult read? Here's an author you have to read! If her books are as much fun as she is, you won't be disappointed.

Investigating The Hottie by Juli Alexander

*Golden Heart Finalist in the YA Category*

Peterson. Amanda Peterson. When my life suddenly turns into the Princess Diaries meets Mission Impossible, can I do in a week what I haven’t managed to do in all my fifteen years—reel in a hottie?

When Amanda spends a week with her aunt, Christie, she learns that her aunt is a spy. Christie admits that Amanda has security clearance and has already started her training. When her aunt asks her to investigate a teenage hacker, Amanda thinks that spending time with a nerd should be doable despite her social ineptitude. 

Unfortunately for Amanda, the hacker is a hottie.

I met Jennifer Estep years ago. My entire book club loves her Urban Fantasy series. If you haven't started it yet, you're missing some great stories.

Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me— Gin Blanco, aka the Spider—it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’s priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

Going in a total different direction, you can't go wrong with Shannon West if you like m/m romance. She has a ton of books but her newest completely caught my attention.

Taken in Hand by Shannon West

Adam and Chad are eight months into their relationship, and while things are mostly good, Chad still has trouble with submission to his very dominant partner. Adam decides to take the handsome, conflicted Chad to a private, very exclusive resort in Florida, dedicated to the D/s lifestyle. Once there, they become embroiled in a mystery plaguing the resort's owners--freak accidents injuring and even killing subs are happening with increasing frequency, and the tragedies are threatening to ruin the business. The owners ask Chad and Adam to look into it, even though Chad has no jurisdiction in the state. Soon they find that not only their relationship but their lives are at risk, and if they don't solve the mystery soon, they might not find their way back to each other.

Okay. And then I have to mention an author I can't get enough of... Joey Hill. She's the master of BDSM romance, as far as I'm concerned. I won a limited edition copy of character vignettes titled Erotic Dreams and I wanted to squeal! If you haven't read her, here's the book I'd start with...

The Vampire Queen's Servant by Joey W. Hill

Lady Elyssa Yamato Amaterasu Wentworth is a centuries-old vampire who's been given a new servant-Jacob, a total alpha male unaccustomed to submitting to any woman's wishes. What really binds Jacob to her are not her sensual midnight hungers, but something far more provocative. It stirs her blood, renews her life, and awakens her soul like only true love can. The passion between Elyssa and Jacob yields something else unexpected-a shared history that reaches back through the centuries and is fated to challenge their destiny like nothing ever will again.

Of course, it'd be wrong not to mention the keynote speaker, Jacquelyn Frank. I read her first series and now I'll be diving into her newest series (with the free book I received at the conference!) You should definitely read her if you love paranormal worlds because it's one of my favorites.

Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

 

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

 

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

I offered a conference coupon code to purchase Hold My Hand at a discount on Smashwords this summer. If you're reading this post, surprise! You get to enjoy the coupon too! Simply FOLLOW THIS LINK to Smashwords, put in this code to purchase, download whichever format works for your e-reader and enjoy! It's my gift to you... Coupon Code: JW47M.

Hold My Hand by Paloma Beck

A Love Story about Aubrey, a young woman filled with hurt, and William, a man who can't walk away. They're navigating through a relationship that may have too many hurdles... or perhaps not, as long as she can hold his hand. Aubrey has been hurt in the past, discouraged and degraded by a heartless father. Still, William sees something in her that won't allow him to walk away. Instantly drawn to her but intuitive enough to take it slowly, he courts her. Then he bargains, persuades and seduces until Aubrey becomes ensnared by his commanding nature. Despite the fight she puts up in accepting William's lifestyle, the bonds he places on Aubrey give her a freedom she desperately needs. Together, they heal old wounds and find their perfect love. Nobody has to find their way alone. 

This is a Contemporary BDSM-lite Romance that contains consensual adult Spanking.

What are you waiting for?? Go grab a book and get reading!