Introducing: Love, Laughter, and Merrily Ever Afters: a box set of romantic holiday novellas!

TEN fun, romantic holiday novellas by ten New York Times & USA Today bestselling authors

An all-star gathering of some of today's most popular NYT and USA Today bestselling romance authors in a fun-filled collection...holiday style! With the overwhelming response to the chart-topping summer boxed set, we've brought together even MORE of your favorite authors for a winter compilation, and this time, we've giftwrapped TEN stories for you all. From the funny & sweet, to the STEAMY & heartfelt, each novella is packed with a whole lot of romance, and hand-picked to infuse perfectly-portioned holiday cheer into your busy days this season...along with hot bursts of holiday steam for those winter nights.

And at just ***99 CENTS USD*** that's a huge savings of over 95% off retail for the individual books sold separately! This is an extremely limited edition bundle available for just 5 weeks so get your copy today!

THE BOXED SET INCLUDES: 

IF I RETURN -- by USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett
WILD IRISH CHRISTMAS -- by New York Times bestselling author Mari Carr
SEDUCING SANTA -- by New York Times bestselling author Janelle Denison (aka Erika Wilde)
DECKING DREW -- by New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke
FAIRIES & WISHES -- by USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy)
TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS -- by New York Times bestselling author Jessie Evans (aka J. Evans)
HOLIDAY SPIRIT -- by New York Times bestselling author Cathryn Fox
UNWRAPPED -- by New York Times bestselling author Melody Grace
A CHRISTMAS HEAT WAVE -- by New York Times bestselling author Alannah Lynne
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH -- by New York Times bestselling author Marquita Valentine

Goodreads

Buy now from Amazon, B&N or iBooks!

IF I RETURN by Sawyer Bennett 
Hope Camden is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy, and in complete need of a walk on the wilder side. At least, that's what her sister tells her when she drags her off on an impromptu Christmas getaway in the mountains, where Hope meets gorgeous, enigmatic Army helicopter pilot Jack Freeman...who's headed off to war in a week. 



SEDUCING SANTA by Janelle Denison (aka Erika Wilde) 
All Faith Roberts wants for Christmas is one sexy night with Matthew Carlton, the hot, gorgeous pediatric surgeon posing as Santa for a visit to the children's ward where she volunteers. While Matthew is more than willing to fulfill her naughty wishes, he's determined to show Faith that he's the kind of gift that keeps on giving. 



TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS by Jessie Evans (aka J. Evans) 
When Lula Jo refused Carter's proposal one dark December night--unwilling to abandon her hometown to live the dangerous life of a treasure hunter's wife--the holiday lights went out in her heart. She vowed to keep her distance from dangerous men and untamed cowboys. But now Carter is back and hoping for a holiday miracle to reunite him with his first and only love. 



DECKING DREW by Violet Duke 
If anyone can make Drew Lawson believe in the magic of Christmas, of course the universe would pick the addictively sweet, mind-wreckingly beautiful Skylar Sullivan to try. She's only the girl-next-door of his dreams he'd classified as completely off-limits two years ago...the same one now standing on his doorstep on Christmas eve. 



FAIRIES & WISHES by Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy) 
Lily the holiday fairy is given a new assignment this Christmas season--teach a lonely doctor how to love again. But all Lily knows how to do is gently coerce people into embracing the Christmas spirit; she doesn't have a clue what love really is. So imagine her surprise when she falls madly in love--and lust--with the good doctor in the process. 



WILD IRISH CHRISTMAS by Mari Carr 
It's Christmas Eve, and all seven of the Collins siblings have gathered together to give their father Patrick a precious gift. Gather 'round the tree and join the Collins family as they pass a bottle of Jameson, and Patrick shares the story of how he won the heart of Sunday, his true love, his soul mate...and the mother of his seven Wild Irish. 



UNWRAPPED by Melody Grace 
Lacey James is wild, spontaneous, and up for anything. Daniel Sullivan is careful, sensible, and mending his broken heart. When the unlikely pair get stranded together on the way home for the holidays, Lacey finds her long-term crush impossible to ignore. And as a game of truth or dare spins out of control, Daniel discovers the one girl he truly wants is the last person he expected. 



HIS CHRISTMAS WISH by Marquita Valentine 
War hero Joaquin Morales is back in Holland Springs for the first time in years. His mission? To convince his wife that they have a future together. But falling in love with her husband for the second time is not a part of Sage Caswell's plans this holiday Season. With the help of a little Christmas magic (and a well-timed snowstorm), can Joaquin and Sage's dreams come true? 



HOLIDAY SPIRIT by Cathryn Fox 
What's a girl to do when she finds herself held captive in a bedroom--with the man she's been lusting after for months--by a voyeuristic spirit on Christmas Eve? Give it what it wants, of course. If a holiday romp with her sexy co-worker is what it'll take for Elly Watson to solve her latest Paranormal Task Force case, she's up for the challenge...over and over again if need be. 



A CHRISTMAS HEAT WAVE by Alannah Lynne 
All Samantha Mazze wants for Christmas is to create the perfect Christmas Eve celebration for her friends and family. The house is decorated, the meal has been prepared, the guests are arriving...what could possibly go wrong? Come spend the holidays with your friends from the Heat Wave series, and meet a few new additions.

Enter now for your chance to win 1 Kindle Fire HD 6 Tablet AND 1 $100 Gift Card!

Giveaway time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Introducing: The Token 8: Kiki, by Marata Eros

One Promise.

Kandace “Kiki” King lives a dream life. Rising above the ashes of a neglected childhood, she’s graduated from a prestigious Seattle university to obtain her pre-law degree. Her best friend, Faren, has overcome tragedy and found her happily ever after.

Kiki’s not looking for love.

The Lie.

Love has other plans. After Thorn’s revelation about the ties of their past, Kiki feels as though she’s been set adrift. When Mick McKenna’s billionaire friend shows interest, she dismisses him. Her exotic dancing paid for her lifestyle. What does Chet Sinclair know about sacrifice and hard work?

A Truth.

Until they discover a similar appetite. For the first time in her life, Kiki feels helpless against the pull of a sexuality she doesn’t understand, couldn’t anticipate, yet hungers for. Will she allow herself to succumb to what Chet Sinclair offers?

Or is the oath she made to herself in danger of being broken?

Goodreads / Buy now!

Enter now for your chance to win a signed copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Marata Eros (a pen name for Tamara Rose Blodgett), is the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of A Terrible Love. Marata has more than thirty-five titles in multiple genres including Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance as well as her highly successful Dark Erotica series.

Marata lives in South Dakota with her husband, children and fur kids. She is an ardent reader of many genres. Tamara enjoys interacting with her readers via Twitter, blog and newsletter as often as possible. Please stop by and say hi :)

Website: http://marataeroseroticaauthor.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @MarataEros

FaceBook: http://tinyurl.com/MarataErosFB

Excerpt

“I like this Chet.” My finger touches the tip of his nose.

His expression freezes.

“What Chet?” he asks neutrally.

“This one,” I say softly, touching his arm lightly as he stands.

He doesn't respond, quickly drying himself.

I blush at his flaccid penis. That his tube of love did those things to me... seems inconceivable, but Chet has the moves. Boy, does he.

He strides around my small condo, picking up trousers, socks, underwear, and the cufflinks he'd left behind.

 “Ah,” he says when he plucks them off the entrance table. “I wondered where they'd gone off to.” He lifts them with his fingers then loosely closes his fist around them.

“You put them there when we were christening the wall,” I say, my voice as droll as they come.

My cell dings between us on the kitchen table. I don't move to answer, but Chet does.

I go to intercept, but I’m too late.

Chet scoops it up, frowning at whatever he sees on the screen.

Shit.

But why should I feel bad? I mean, he's got Chloe for shit's sake. And Ax and I—we're nothing.

Though it could be something.

I bite my lip, and Chet's eyes zero in on my mauling of the soft flesh. I let it plop out.

“Who is Ax?”

I lift a naked shoulder, my boob jiggling a little from the motion. Chet's eyes flick to my breast then back to my eyes.

“A guy.”

His eyebrow cocks. “Clearly.”

The silence has words.

“He's a guy I was friends with in the projects,” I say.

Chet pulls a face. “Projects?”

Right, rich boy doesn't know the term. “Yʼknow, slums.” I sound a little more harsh than I mean to. Try as I might, I can't wash the dirt off the word.

“I see.” Chet's gaze doesn't hold the condemnation I think it will. It's neutral.

I try not to be defensive about my past. I can't help my birthing circumstance, my old hood, my stripping to pay for school at Udub—none of it. It's my past. But knowing all that shit doesn't make me feel any less self-conscious.

I inhale deeply, poised to speak, but Chet holds up a hand. “I'm not interested in an explanation of your background.”

I see red, literally. He gets a load of my pissed off expression, no doubt.

Chet rakes his longish hair back from his forehead. “What I mean is that I do want to know you, were you come from. However, I don't want you to feel you're lesser for it.”

I don't cry, but my throat feels as if a fist is crammed inside it. Something tells me I've misunderstood Chet....

Introducing: Moonlight in Winter Park by Samantha Chase

“Moonlight in Winter Park” – A modern-day Beauty and the Beast style Christmas.

All Hope Cooper needed this year was to have the kind of Christmas her family always cherished. But with her parents gone and her only brother having to work, it doesn’t look like it’s going to work out for her. There’s nothing she can do about her parents, but she most certainly can voice her annoyance at her brother’s boss for making him work out of town all through the holidays.

Beckett James hates the holidays and everything that goes with them. They were important at one time, but now the only thing that mattered was his company and it’s continued growth and anyone who worked for him better feel the same way. If not, then they could find employment elsewhere and good riddance. With a major expansion deal on the line, Beckett needs to focus. What he doesn’t need is Hope to come barging into his mountain retreat demanding that her brother come home immediately due to an emergency.

Suddenly it’s two alone in a snowstorm. Two alone for Christmas. And two alone to fight an attraction that had been there all along. Hope soon begins to realize she may have misjudged Beckett while he comes to see that there really is something special and magical about Christmas. But once they leave their private winter wonderland and return to their normal lives, will the magic still be there?

Goodreads / Buy now!

Enter for your chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well. 

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Author links:

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Excerpt

He stood there in front of her, looking all kinds of handsome.  His dark hair slightly mussed, a gray wool scarf around his neck and a black wool jacket covering his muscular build.  It wasn’t fair that he could look so good all the damn time – so calm and completely in control – when her life was spinning in the complete opposite direction. 

“I…I really need to go,” she said finally and then forced herself to look up and meet his eyes.  Damn.  They were so dark, so intense and it would be so easy to just look into them forever.  A sigh escaped before she could stop it.  “Merry Christmas, Beckett,” she said with a bit of a forced smile. 

“You too, Hope.”

“And I guess a Happy New Year, too,” she added and turned to climb into her car when his hand on her arm stopped her again.  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what he wanted, but suddenly his lips were on hers and Hope had to remember how to breathe.

His lips were gentle at first but once she seemed to overcome her shock and relax, Beckett’s hands came up and cupped her face, caressed her cheeks.  Hope sighed as her own hands crept up and clutched the front of his coat. It was so unexpected, such a complete surprise to her that Hope needed to keep herself anchored to something or her knees would surely give out and she’d be in a puddle on the ground.

After Beckett seemed satisfied with introducing himself to her through his kiss, he deepened it.  His hand traveled up and into the riotous curls on her head as he moved closer to her.  The feel of his lean body pressed up against hers sent Hope’s own body into overdrive.  Over and over he slanted his lips over hers, his tongue teased hers, his breath mingled with hers.  It was glorious and all-consuming and yet all she could do was purr against him.

Long moments later when Beckett finally lifted his head from hers, he stared down into her face.  “Happy New Year, Hope,” he said, his voice slightly rough and gravelly.  His hand trailed down her cheek to her chin before he let her go and stepped back.

And walked away.

Just FYI

I'll be back to daily blogging soon. I've been ill, and now I'm cracking on with work, so I've not had much to blog about.

BTW, that thing I said a while ago about not writing M/F? Um...

Cover Reveal: Tryst by Alexa Rosa

Published by: Intermix (Penguin)
Publication date: March 17th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

In this sensational New Adult debut by Alex Rosa, boyfriends are too much trouble. So what’s the harm in a little fun?

With an abusive relationship behind her, Skyler moves out of her Orange County apartment, changes her phone number, cuts ties with her friends, and moves in with her brother Josh, a talent agent with a spare room in his incredible house in Hollywood.

Josh is happy to take Skyler under his wing, but he has one rule: she can’t sleep with his roommate, Blake. That’s fine by Skyler. She doesn’t want a man in her life right now—and certainly not cocky Blake who’s with a different girl every night. But his all-American boy charm and his ripped model physique are difficult to refuse. Josh will never know if no one ever tells him. And a little secret now and then never hurt anyone…

Pre-Order now!

Penguin / Amazon / iBooks / B&N / Books A Million

Read the First Three Chapters Online:

Book Country / Wattpad

About the Author

When Alex Rosa isn’t scouring city parks or cafes to write, she is most likely trying to convince her friends to join her on her next adventure. A sufferer of wanderlust, she is always looking for a new mountain to climb, a canyon to hike, or a plane to board. Her résumé consists of coroner, zoo worker, and most recently executive assistant, but she finds her home amongst words, whether it is in books or in film. Her obsessions are on the brink of bizarre, but that’s just the way she likes it. 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Instagram

Excerpt

I realize I’m parched. The large living room opens into the kitchen, where a dark granite island and counters greet me. The kitchen is spotless, with minimal kitchenware—a toaster, coffeemaker, and of course, a stainless steel fridge. I wonder if this place is clean only because they knew I would be arriving. That would be something Josh would do.

I open cabinets, searching for a glass, and on the second attempt, a voice startles me.

“Cups are on the right, near the fridge.”

I turn around, and my breath catches in my throat at the sight. A barely dressed boy—er, man?—stands there, idly watching me.

“Um, thank you.” I grab a glass and fill it with water.

He gives me this all-American-boy grin, seeming to enjoy my obvious discomfort. “No problem. Skyler, isn’t it?”

I take a sip and respond. “Yes. Roommate, I presume?” Getting those words out wasn’t so hard. As I wait for his response, my eyes drag down his tan, toned physique, and I linger a little too long at the V at the edge of his navy blue boxer briefs.

His voice brings me back to his stark forest-colored eyes that complement his dark brown hair. Those eyes are distracting.

“I’ve got a name. Blake. Blake Everett. Nice to meet you.”

Was that a hint of attitude? Without a second thought and no shame, he leans his half-naked body over and raises his hand to shake mine. I can tell he is enjoying this, and it only makes me more uneasy.

I shake his hand as confidently as possible, and my imbedded manners kick in. “Nice to meet you too, Blake. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

He smirks, and I notice him giving me the once-over. I suddenly wish I wore nicer jeans, rather than this torn-up pair. I don’t like the feeling of being under his judgmental eyes because I nowhere near compare to this Greek god. I run my hands through my curly black hair, and wish I’d brushed it before leaving this morning. He’s so pretty it hurts.

I am aching to hear some sort of response, but I’m not sure he has one because of the delay. I worry that I’m not welcome, but as he opens his mouth to respond, a voice from a bedroom down the hall interrupts. It’s high pitched and squeaky.

“Blaaaaaaake, I’m thirsty. Come love me now!”

I flush crimson, realizing the implications of the whiney girl voice and his attire. If I am not mistaken, he flushes too, but the arrogant smirk remains. Why are his lips so distracting?

He laughs, no doubt over my shocked expression, and then shrugs as if that explains everything.

“You mind if I take this?” he asks. He snatches the glass of water out of my hand, takes a quick sip, and winks at me. With that, he turns on his heels to walk back toward his bedroom, and I hear his door shut.

It has me fuming. What an asshole is the only thought I can muster. That water was mine, not for some floozy he’s bedding. I take a deep breath, annoyed with my body’s hormones and myself.

I hear Josh coming in through the front door, and I try to gather my equilibrium. He appears in the kitchen and utters the same statement that Blake had moments before. “Cups are on the far right next to the fridge.”

I scowl. “I’m aware. Thanks.”

Introducing: VIP by Riley Edgewood

Buy now! Amazon / iTunes / B&N / Kobo

VIP is the first act of Rock & Release, Riley Edgewood's three-part new adult romance serial!

When Cassidy Evans scores VIP tickets to a concert, she decides to use them for one carefree night before beginning a summer internship at her father’s Fortune 500 company. But one carefree night turns into a few too many martinis—with two unexpected twists: A steamy encounter with Gage Logan, sexy singer and guitarist, and a tempting job offer from Gage's boss to work at the concert venue she now knows quite intimately.

She definitely can't take the job. Her internship is an opportunity any business major would kill for. But the thought of working with her father, a man furious with grief over a family tragedy that struck six months ago, fills her with dread.

Then there's Gage. Working with him all summer could be hot. Cassidy can't stop flashing back to their night together. Molten kisses. His hands smoothing across the skin of her belly. The weight of his body above her own…

And suddenly the decision about how to spend her summer is much, much harder to make.

About the Author

Riley lives in the DC area and spends most of her time with her characters, playing with her toddler and husband, and pretending she knows how to be an adult. Former dancer. Current writer. Lifelong lover of accessories, books, and the beach. And cats. Can't forget the kitties. Of which she has two.

Sign up for Riley's newsletter and never miss out on new book releases and other fun things: http://eepurl.com/5iSKn

You can also find her online:
rileyedgewood.com
twitter.com/rileyedgewood
facebook.com/rileyedgewoodauthor

Excerpt

I wonder if he's going to kiss me.

I hope he's going to kiss me.

I try to convey the message with my eyes, but he's a little blurred around the edges and I'm not sure I'm even focusing exactly where I should be, much less able to send any sort of meaning through a glance.

He keeps talking, talking, talking. Something about bands. Something about where he's from. Something, something, something, but I keep forgetting his words the moment they breeze through his mouth.

He's asking me questions. I'm giving him answers, though I can't be certain of their accuracy. We're laughing a lot, so I must be keeping him entertained. Or maybe it's the other way around.

It's quiet for a beat too long—he's waiting for me to say something else, to answer a question, but I've lost track of all our words again.

And he's meeting my eyes and then gazing lower toward my mouth. I realize I'm biting my lip, but it's got his attention so I keep it between my teeth, tugging a little.

"There you go distracting me again." His mouth parts into a wolfish grin. "But this time you're doing it on purpose, aren't you?"

Maybe, I almost tell him, but Demi Jade's first chords strike through the air, interrupting the word before it has a chance to come out.

"So much for making the concert," I say instead.

"So much for it," he agrees.

We stare at each other for a moment that yawns out into eons. One second we're listening to Demi Jade sing about her lost lover and the next the world goes silent around me. There's an electric pause—like that moment after a violent thunderclap, when everything else is sucked away—and then my mouth is on his, or his is on mine, and he's teasing my lips with his tongue. I let him in, and he tastes like beer and like salt and like mint.

Jesus, he's talented with his tongue.

His hands wrap around my waist and he yanks me toward him and my hands are in his hair and I want to eat his fucking mouth, he tastes so good.

Introducing: Don't Let Me Fall by Briana Pacheco

A New Adult romance stand-alone novel.

I don’t want to be here.

When you lose the one person that was your whole life, you’ll understand. For me, it was my best friend, Alice. We spent every second of every day together. We planned a life. I was actually living. I was happy.

Now, it’s just gone.

And I’m still here. Lonely. A tatted up body with an empty soul.

Getting inside of my head won’t be pretty. I’m warning you now that you won’t like me. I hate people besides my family. I hate everything around me. I just want to be alone. And I HATE how Logan Mercer doesn’t understand that. He’s everywhere; getting inside of my head, kissing me when he shouldn’t be, messing everything up, and trying to get me to open up. He’s making me crazier than I already am. Why do I need to talk about my life? Why does he even care?

Why doesn’t anyone understand that I don’t want to get attached to people? I don’t want to get fixed.

I want to be alone.

I want to be free.

I want to fly.

My name is Rebeckah Lennox and this is my story…of how I fell.

WARNING: Due to heavy subject matter, strong language, possible triggering descriptions of self-harm and some sexual situations this book is not recommended for anyone under the age of 17.

Check it out here on Amazon

About the Author

Briana Pacheco hates referring to herself in third person so let’s start off with I’m the author of the Enough Trilogy, Don’t Let Me Fall, and many more books to come in the future. I’m from Boston and a wannabe explorer so one day I’ll travel the world. So far, that’s only happening when I write but I’m not giving up just yet. I love coffee, music and books, and I have an obsession with tattoos and accents. Sadly, I have neither so I make my characters have them instead. I’m an avid reader and if I’m not writing, you’ll find me with a book (or Kindle) in my hands. I love hearing from readers about anything so please don’t be shy and stalk me.

Author links:

Facebook

Twitter

Tumblr

Pinterest

Goodreads

Excerpt

He held out his hand again and I took it.

Logan sat down on the stool and pulled the handle.

The reels started rotating. And I started biting my nails. God, what is happening to me? I don’t bite my nails.

Jackpot. Jackpot. Cherry.

“Told you.” I said, my old mood making a comeback when I realized that bear is not coming home with me.

“Two jackpots,” Bozo said. “You get another go. Remember, man, this is the last one.” He glanced at me and smirked. “I think you’re going home empty-handed.”

“I’d say you’re reading your own future, buddy,” Logan said. “The girls are loving the bozo wig.” He deadpanned. I couldn’t help but laugh and so did the crowd a couple feet behind us.

Bozo rolled his eyes and waved us the all clear.

“I need more luck.” Logan said, his eyes glowed bluer than I’ve ever seen them. What could I possibly do for more luck?

“What? Should I blow you right now?” I joked.

His jaw twitched as his eyes fell to my mouth. God, I’m tempted to do it now. I don’t care that there are people watching. I should have kept my mouth shut.

Logan leaned into me, his lips touching mine.

“You have to believe it,” he whispered. I can’t think about anything besides his lips on mine. Fuck. He’s really distracting.

He can win the bear. I though. Please win the bear.

He pressed his lips into mine as his free hand pulled the handle again. When he let it go, he slipped his hand out of mine and placed both on my hips, deepening the kiss.

Win the fucking bear!

Win the fucking bear!

I’m so lost right now. Logan is breaking down my walls by crashing through. He’s making me want something. He’s making me want him. And I don’t know how I should feel about it.

“Feeling lucky?” Logan asked finding my eyes. I just nodded. My words are trapped in my throat waiting for his tongue to take them.

We turned and stared at the reels rotating.

Jackpot. Jackpot…

Enter here for your chance to win a signed copy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Introducing: Nowhere to Run by Jeanne Bannon (plus a giveaway!)

What’s a girl to do when she falls in love with the man whose mission it is to bring her down?

With the murder of her only sister, Sara, just a few months past, Lily Valier—a woman of beauty and substance—tops the sheriff’s list of suspects in small town Maine, and for a very good reason. Dear old Dad had willed his fortune to Sara and only Sara, leaving Lily to fend for herself. However, with no murder weapon or witnesses, the evidence against Lily is only circumstantial.

Enter P.I. Aiden O’Rourke, black-haired and blue-eyed, charged with gaining Lily’s trust and learning her secrets, all to finally get the goods on her. Things move fast and feelings run deep, yet when Lily discovers the truth about Aiden, everything begins to come apart.

Aiden’s torn. Despite his feelings for her, Lily is the most logical suspect, with a great big fat motive. Except something’s not quite right. Aiden trusts his instincts and they’re screaming at him to have a look at a former suspect with far more to hide than first appeared. With little left to lose, Lily decides to stand her ground, and staying put has its consequences when the murder weapon finally turns up—and it’s Lily’s gun.

What happens to love, when trust is betrayed?

Available at Amazon

About the Author

Jeanne Bannon has worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years, first as a freelance journalist, then as an in-house editor for LexisNexis Canada. She currently works as a freelance editor and writer and is represented by Karen Thomas of the Serendipity Literary Agency.

Jeanne’s debut novel, Invisible, is a young adult paranormal romance, published by Solstice Publishing and has recently been optioned for film. Invisible is an Amazon bestseller both domestically and internationally and continues to receive wonderful reviews.

On October 3rd, 2014, Nowhere to Run, Jeanne’s latest novel, is set to be released by Etopia Press. Nowhere to Run tells the story of Lily Valier, a woman of substance and beauty, and her dilemma when she falls in love with a man whose mission it is to bring her down.

Currently, Jeanne is finishing up work on her third novel, Dark Angel, a paranormal thriller.

When not reading or writing, Jeanne enjoys spending time with her daughters, Nina and Sara and her husband, David. She’s also the proud mother of two fur babies, a cuddly and affectionate Boston Terrier named Lila and Spencer, a rambunctious tabby, who can be a very bad boy.

Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads / Website

Scroll down for an excerpt from Nowhere to Run. But first, a giveaway! How would you like to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card?

Enter here for your chance to win!

Nowhere to Run

Excerpt

The ghosts of those we love never leave us. They live on in our hearts but break them too, Lily thought as she flipped the sign on the door of the Higgstown Diner from “Open” to “Closed.” Then she sank wearily onto a stool at the counter, finally at the end of the workday. Now she could let loose the heaviness weighing her down. Hot tears stung her eyes and she let them. It was OK. There was no one around to witness her breakdown. She rested her head in her hands and heaved with sobs.

“Sara, please talk to me. Give me a sign you’re still around,” Lily said to the air. “I miss you so much.” More tears washed down her cheeks. It had been three months since her sister’s death, and there was still no escaping Sara’s ghost. Even the chipped Arborite counter where she now sat, with the wonky red upholstered stool that swiveled just a little too much to the right, brought back memories. Lily could see her older sister as plainly as if she were standing in front of her now, black hair piled high in a bun and that blue eye shadow she was so fond of. Lily smiled through her tears.

Sara had been a whiz at the grill, whipping up orders faster than Lily ever could. God, how long had the diner been a part of their lives? More than twenty-five years, she guessed. They were just kids when their mother, Nancy, bought the place—Lily, seven, and Sara, twelve.

A creak came from the back of the diner. Lily lifted her head to listen. Another small groan of the floorboards. Could Sara be giving her a sign?

“Sara?” Lily slid off the stool.

A tall, dark figure loomed in the doorway.

Lily froze, her heart near exploding. “What do you want?” she choked out in a thin voice.

He stepped nearer. “Open the register.” His voice was a deep whisper.

A balaclava hid his face; the seams of a dark gray coat strained over a thickly muscled physique. He aimed the gun in his right hand at her chest.

Her feet seemed rooted to the floor.

“I said, open the register.”

The man moved close enough for Lily to catch his scent—a mix of sweat and cheap aftershave. He shoved her forward, snapping her from her stupor, and followed as she made her way behind the counter to the cash register.

A glowing red light caught her attention. She hadn’t turned off the coffee maker! In one quick movement, Lily grabbed the pot’s plastic handle and launched the scorching brew at the woolen knit of the intruder’s balaclava. The gun landed with a thud between his booted feet as he clawed at the steaming mask plastered to his face.

Now was her chance. Lily shouldered past him to the front door. Her fingers, thick and clumsy with panic, fumbled as she tried in vain to turn the two deadbolt locks. She ordered herself to calm down. Take a breath. C’mon, you can do this, she told herself, but her heart jackhammered in her chest, and her ears pulsed with the rush of blood behind them.

Suddenly, a face appeared on the other side of the glass front door of the diner, sending Lily backward, nearly tripping over her own feet.

The stranger on the other side of the door took her in. A look of confusion flickered across his face. Then, as if coming back to himself, he yelled, “Hurry. Unlock the door!” The cold night air whipped his dark hair wildly around his face. His pale blue eyes locked on hers.

Panic had hijacked her brain. She didn’t know what to do. He could be an accomplice.

Surprise complete serial!

This one wasn't supposed to be a Lola Carson title, which is why you've not heard me mention it before. It was intended as a "retirement" title for a pen name I no longer plan to use. But I've been disconnected from that pen name for about four years now, so it didn't make much sense to drag it up again just to say goodbye with a final story. Let it sleep, I say.

So I've released it under Lola Carson. Complete!

Part One available here

Part Two available here

Part Three available here

Noah’s getting married after a whirlwind romance to a charming Irishman he met one night in a gay bar. But then he meets his fiancé’s oldest friend and best man—Patrick Walsh. The spark Noah shares with Patrick is impossible to ignore, but he refuses to break his fiancé’s heart…even though it’s looking more like he’ll have to break his own in order to say “I do” and make his vows.

Available Now: Study Session

Available at Amazon

On the evening before Isaac is due to start his new job at the local college, he goes to the bar to drown his sorrows. Because spending every day dealing with a bunch of obnoxious college kids is not where he saw his life going.

But drowning his sorrows will have to wait, because there's a party going on at the bar, and there's a stripper—one who not only catches Isaac's eye, but also stirs to life the kind of desire he's not felt in a long time. And when Craig the stripper returns the interest, it doesn't take them long to hook up.

Only this hook-up is different. Isaac's not left with the immediate urge to say goodbye. In fact, he's eager to continue the connection they've made, see where it goes—a sentiment Craig passionately shares.

It couldn't be any more of a perfect start to something special, except for one problem: turns out, Craig's one of Isaac's students. And Isaac can't risk losing his job, even if it means breaking his own heart.

No M/F... yet

So, as some of you know, I have an M/F novel coming out next month, and also an M/F serial launching this week. Or at least I did.

My novel is 95% done and my serial has about half of the episodes ready, but... I just can't. Every time I read over any M/F I've written, I'm left cold. There's no passion in my storytelling, there's no vibrancy, and everything feels stiff. While I know that what I've written is technically fine, it doesn't feel like me -- and, to be frank, it's a bit boring. And I am at a total loss as to how to change it. I love M/F, and I've always wanted to write it, but I'm forcing it right now. And it shows.

M/M comes naturally to me. Whether I'm any good at it is for someone else to judge, but while the act of writing itself can often feel like a chore (you know those days), writing M/M specifically is not difficult for me. Once I get over any laziness or lack of energy or the fuzzy head of doom, I can usually tell an M/M story without too much bother. With M/F, there's no such ease.

So I'm not saying never to M/F. I'm saying not right now. After all, I have all these words already written that I'd like to do *something* with at some point. I'm considering transforming my Jameson Hotel series into M/M, as I adore the premise and the story -- I would just need to re-imagine the characters. But that's a project for another day. For now, I'll be pulling the novel from pre-order, and I apologise to anyone who'd ordered it and was looking forward to the release. I hope I can make it up to you with all the M/M I have coming up!

Because my release schedule for the next six months is insane. Lots of serials and shorts and novellas and erotica titles. I think I'm making the best decision here, narrowing my focus. Especially while I'm just finding my feet. We'll see how it works out.