People Interview with Country Music Superstar Seth Kendall

If there’s one country star we, in entertainment news, can count on being in the headlines, it’s three–time CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year and two-time Grammy winner, Seth Kendall. Besides his second place finish in Forbes Magazine’s list of the richest country music entertainers. Six months ago, he was on the cover of People with up-and-coming movie star, Olivia Blackwell. Before then, he was making a splash with his on-again/off-again girlfriend, pop sensation Amanda Lang. Then just this week after a scary incident in which he nearly lost his life, he made the announcement that rocked Music City and broke the hearts of every female country fan out there between the ages of ten and a hundred and ten.

He’s settling down!

And he has a teenage daughter!

Well, after a double whammy like that, I had to get this heartthrob in the hot seat. However, as any of us in entertainment news can attest, Seth Kendall is harder to pin down for an interview than his superstar drinking buddies Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith. Fortunately, I was able to sweet-talk this soon-to-be unavailable hunk to sit down for a candid discussion.

Me: Seth, thank you so much for letting me come into your beautiful home and talk to you about what’s been going on with you lately. The last time we had talked, you commented that you had no desire of ever coming back to Texas, yet here you are. What’s changed?

Seth: (He laughs.) Everything. First, I knew my father’s death would have a major impact on my aunt. They were twins and had always been close. Second, and most importantly, I realized how empty my life was becoming. All I had was my music and I knew I had much more here in Texas. All I had to do was reach out and grab it.

Me: Why now? You’ve admitted to knowing about your daughter since before her birth, yet you were never part of her life. Why not?

Seth: I’ve beat myself up over this since her birth. I made a major mistake in letting Abby’s ex-husband talk me into believing I had no place in her life. I’m not going into all the personal details, but let me say, he messed with my mind, knowing exactly which buttons to push to keep me away.

Me: That brings me to the women in your life these days. Want to tell us about them?

Seth: I’m honestly not sure how I got through my life as well as I have without Abby. She’s always been the love of my life. When your life’s as hard as ours was as kids, it binds you together tighter than anything else can. And then there’s my daughter Emily. She amazes me every day with everything she does.

Me: We’ve known since you competed in the talent show America’s Rising Star that your father and you were estranged, but rumor has it that he was also abusive. Is this true?

Seth: When my mother committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills when I was only a little kid, it changed him. He never wanted me to be a singer. He saw it as me following in my mother’s footsteps and end up just like her—a drug addict and dead. But I knew I had to get away. I had to make it in the music business or I would end up like her. So, that became my life’s goal, which he hated, to the point of trying to beat it out of me.

Me: What about Abby? She’s Native American, correct?

Seth: Yes, she’s Native American, though her father was white. Her life was riddled with prejudice, not just for her nationality, but also for what her parents did for a living when they met. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

Me: We know Abby was married to a man who had once been your best friend and that he raised your daughter as his own—even though, you knew all along she was your daughter. Wow. That had to have hurt. What happened?

Seth: Abby and I were kids when she got pregnant. She was seventeen. I was eighteen.  We were each other’s first. I’d just won a place on one of the biggest televised talent shows in the country. What else is there to say? We did some stupid things that we’ll regret until our dying days.

Me: Word has it that you’re producing a record for Emily. Is this true?

Seth: My daughter has amazing talent. I won’t let her to get into this business without some strong direction. The last thing I want is for her to turn into another Miley Cyrus or Brittney Spears.

Me: Okay, some fun questions every fan girl wants to know.

Seth: (He laughs.) This is exactly why I don’t do interviews.

Me: Come on, you’re off the bachelor market. We deserve to be left with something to fantasize about.

Seth: Okay, but I get the option to refuse to answer.

Me: Fair enough. Now that you’re living on a ranch, are you really a cowboy?

Seth: You better believe it. I don’t expect my ranch hands to do all the work. I also won a rodeo or two in my much younger days.

Me: Wow. I think that’s something no one ever knew. What event?

Seth: Roping. I won the silver buckle I wear when I’m performing my senior year of high school when I competed in a major local rodeo and won. My father wanted me to either focus on rodeo or football. I was the quarterback during high school and could have gotten a scholarship if I’d tried harder. I had more than one scout come out to watch me my senior year.

Me: How long do we have to convince you not to get married?

Seth: Not gonna happen.

Me: Bummer. So, when’s the wedding day?

Seth: New Year’s Eve. Abby and I are getting married quietly at my St. Thomas beach house with the sun setting over the beach.

Me: That sounds absolutely beautiful.

Seth: It will be. I can’t wait.

Me: Any babies in the future? You and Abby are still young.

Seth: I always considered myself young, until my teenager makes me feel ancient. But yes, we’re talking about having another child. Possibly as early as next year.

Me: That’s fantastic. Seth, we all wish you all the best for you and your family.

Seth: Thank you. Hope all of your readers love our story. I’m told if it were written in a book it would really pull at the heartstrings.

Blurb:

He’s determined to set things right, no matter the cost.

The last person Abby Crawford wants to face down is country music superstar Seth Kendall. Last time she did, she flat-out lied so he’d go to Nashville without her. She’s never understood why their mutual best friend proposed, but she went with it so her baby wouldn’t be fatherless. Now she’s a divorced mother of a teenager, and secretly Seth’s biggest fan.

Seth is home in McAllister, Texas for his father’s funeral…and a chance to meet the daughter he’s never known. He’s willing to face the music of his own making and admit he’s known about his little girl all along. For fifteen years he’s kept his distance because Abby told him to follow his dreams without her, insisting she didn’t love him. But now he won’t leave until he knows his daughter and she knows him, even if it means facing the woman who broke his heart for good.

Confessing she’s lied about her daughter’s paternity all these years won’t be easy for Abby, especially with her ex blackmailing her to keep the secret. And Seth doesn’t know the hardest truth of all: Every love song he plays on his guitar still plucks her heartstrings.

CONTENT WARNING: Spicy sex.

Excerpt:

Seth leaned in. His lips were close enough to kiss, and his scent of sandalwood and something exotic enveloped her, taking her back to that night on the beach. His eyes flashed with the dangerous fire of his temper. It was similar to the flame of the passion she’d once seen in the green depths. Abby didn’t expect or want the heat curling in her belly, and shivered with a sudden and fierce desire.

“I’m her father, Abigail. I wanted to be her father after she was born. It was you and Mike who insisted I had no business messing things up.”

“I never said any such thing. You never tried. You just left.”

He pounded a fist on the counter top so hard she jumped. “Yes, I left! I wasn’t welcome at home. Dad ran me off with a shotgun. Mike wouldn’t even let me see my daughter. He made it quite clear you and he were happily married, and I had no place in your life. I was under contract to be in Nashville to start recording my first album.”

What did he mean, Mike wouldn’t let him see Emily?

Before she had a chance to voice her question, his eyes darkened as the pupils dilated, obscuring the stormy green. “But I’m no longer nineteen and scared shitless. I could make things very rough for you and this fantasy you’ve got working.”

A cold lump quickly replaced the tangle of heat in her belly. “What-what do you mean?”

He backed off and tapped the countertop. “I’m talking a custody battle. I could have a judge order a paternity test. I think we both know the media hoopla the results would cause.”

Her heart slammed into her chest wall. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Try me. Now that I’ve met Emily, I want to get to know her.” He walked over to look out the kitchen window. The hard line of his jaw melted, and he swallowed so hard his throat moved up and down. “I was a fool when I let Mike talk me out of being in her life after she was born.”

“What do you mean?”

He glanced at her. “Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

The strings of guitar music provided a soft counterpoint to the hard tension in the kitchen. Emily was outside on the patio playing around with her guitar, waiting for them to finish with the dishes she and Seth had insisted on doing.

“All I want is to have some time with my daughter. That’s all I’m asking for.” When he looked over his shoulder at her, sadness replaced the anger in his eyes. “I’ll keep your little secret. I’ll just be her favorite singer. The family friend who made it big in Nashville. I don’t want to hurt her. As much as it galls the hell out of me, I see what Mike means to her.”

He moved toward her and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Besides, I don’t want to hurt Carolann or Frank any more than you do.” He glanced outside again, his voice husky as he spoke. “But I’ll sue you if I have to.”

A part of her wanted to give in to him, but a larger part wanted to punish him. Let him take her to court; she’d make sure the world knew what kind of jerk Seth Kendall really was.

She gritted her teeth and fisted her hands by her sides. “I’ll let you have tonight, Seth. But don’t ask for more.”

She turned away and strode through the French doors.

Bio:

Sara Walter Ellwood is an award winning author whose novel Gambling On A Secret was named by bestselling author Carolyn Brown in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today as one of her favorite romances of 2012. Although Sara has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her stories. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for nearly 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.

She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.

Trailer:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wGmgAkdsyM

Buy Links:

Lyrical Press: http://lyricalpress.com/heartstrings/

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heartstrings-ebook/dp/B00C2UXA26/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364522227&sr=8-2&keywords=sara+walter+ellwood

Barns and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heartstrings-sara-walter-ellwood/1114954308?ean=2940016571454

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/heartstrings/id595340436?mt=11

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Heartstrings/book-OiMkWimCl0WeGGmGuVVs1A/page1.html?s=Ut_zW4l8y0Wlupo7V9q-3A&r=1

Author Links:

Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com

Blog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood

Giveaway:

***Please leave your email address to be eligible*** 

~~I will be giving away two ebook copies of Heartstrings at the end of each week of the tour, so make sure you leave your email address.

~Tour Grand Prize is a swag pack full of goodies! A signed copy of Carolyn Brown’s Just a Cowboy and His Baby, an ebook copy of my last release Gambling On A Secret, a notebook, a pen, custom jewelry set, $5 Starbuck’s gift card—all tucked into a keepsake box. (Sorry, only US residents are eligible. Comparable International Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card.) *Swag pack(gift card) is for the entire two-month tour. Winner will be announced on June 1, 2013

Featuring Bryce Gage from the Razor Trilogy

Mmm, waking up between two women any day of the week is something most people can only imagine. But for me, this has become an ordinary, albeit extraordinary experience. I'm sure you're wondering how I got so lucky. My wife, Amy, got me on this path, and Raine makes me walk the straight and narrow.

Wife?

Yes. My wife, Amy, is quite the kinky minx. About two years ago, she decided it would be helpful to have her best friend, Raine, mentor me as a switch. You can imagine the cartwheels my ego went through. I barely knew Raine. The girls always hung out without me. I really wondered what the hell I'd been doing wrong in bed. My initial reaction was "absolutely not." But Amy kept bringing up the subject. Finally, the three of us made an agreement about what was allowed and what wasn't.

My libido thundered like a freight train on the tracks the first time I was alone with Raine. I was pretty damn sure I'd be able to make her putty in my hands. At the time, FemDom meant little to me. I resisted her demands, wanted to leave, expected to trip her up and make her cave to my desires. That didn't happen. She brought me to the most exquisite orgasm I think I'd ever had. I was shaken by the experience, felt guilty about enjoying what had happened, and I was hooked.

It sounds like this was an easy thing for me to do, but it wasn't, especially since I'm crazy about my wife and we have a very active sex life. I was content with the way things were between us. Eventually I decided I wanted to make Amy happy. That meant working hard to change my thinking. I now call myself the man in the middle. I walk a balancing act to keep Amy and Raine happy and satisfied, keep my marriage strong and loving, and not go crazy in the meantime.

Sometimes it's hard for me to figure out Raine. She's so different from my wife. She's exotic in every sense – from her Asian heritage to her Dominant proclivities. I don't always understand the way her mind works when her body is obviously hungry for me, and still she'll refuse me if I'm not respectful. Withholding my orgasm longer than a few minutes isn't something I enjoy. And when that happens, Amy isn't allowed to pick up where Raine didn't. Some of her Lifestyle pleasures turn me off. Some of them are fan-fucking-tastic. Amy's world has really grown, too, especially when the three of us are making love together. In retrospect, I see that my lovely wife had quite a thing for Raine from the beginning. We didn't know it at the time, but bringing the three of us together intimately allowed all of us to grow emotionally in so many ways.

The shit hit the proverbial fan when our secret became, well, less-secret. I felt horrible and very worried about the reactions we got. I had to let people I admired and respected my entire life walk out the door, not because I was at a loss for words to explain my relationship, on the contrary, I did it to defend our triad, our family. I hope that those who love us will come around to understanding a polyamorous family is all about love. It's not about cheating on my wife or trying to fix a broken marriage. We all know what's going on. When people hear about how we live, we can only hope that eventually they'll come to see we're really, truly happy together. We've really just embarked on our new future together, but damn, if it's not exciting every single day. And the nights are pretty spectacular, too.



Bryce Gage is from the Razor trilogy, which I co-authored with K.B. Cutter. The first book is Desire's Edge and the second is Love's Storm. Both are a 5 heat rating with ménage love scenes, bi-sexual love scenes, and a heavy dose of BDSM. We call the trilogy a polyamorous love story for 21st century romance readers. Are you one?

Buy Desire's Edge and Love's Storm on Amazon and Barns & Noble. http://www.amazon.com/Margie-Church/e/B008H7HO4I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/margie-church

Print copies are only available on Amazon.

More about Margie: www.RomanceWithSASS.com

More about K.B. Cutter: www.KBCutter.com

GIVEAWAY!

As part of the recent release of Love's Storm, we're holding the Razor Romances Booty give-away. This is the link to learn how to participate and what you can win. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NWUwNDZkNjczYWY1MTUyNjI5ZGZmNTcxNjVkYmEwOjE=/ It's easy and fun, and the prizes aren't typical either. Scan the QR code with your smartphone and learn about the series on our Facebook page. You must be logged into Facebook first.

Meet Johnathan McCombs from the Upcoming Novel, Night Therapy, by Lorraine Pearl

Look, before I even get started, I think you all should know I’m not really a people person. My author, Lorraine Pearl, asked me to come here and do this fu— Uh, I mean, she asked me to come do this hero post. Huh, as if I qualify. Did I mention I’m here against my better judgment? And she had the nerve to make me promise to tone my attitude down. Well fu—

Okay. Sorry. I guess she might have a point. Anyway, my name is Johnathan McCombs. Lorraine said I should tell you a little something about myself, so here goes.

I’m a vampire. Have been for over six hundred years. I’m a loner; happy when it’s just me and my motorcycle. Unfortunately, a few years back I let my sire, Alex, talk me into joining his Enforcer Team to go after rogues who break our laws. Keep it in the family or some shit like that was what he told me.

Sorry again. Like I said, I’m not good at this social thing. Hope you don’t mind the language.

No. That’s a lie. I really don’t give two shits.

Man, Lorraine laughs when I say that since vampires don’t need to use the bathroom.

Now where was I? Oh, yeah. Telling you about myself. Well, I guess I could sum it up by saying I’m effed up. No, really. The shit that happened before and after I was turned did a number on my head—and apparently on my personality, too.

Alex has been on my ass to talk about it all these years, but it wasn’t until recently that I found the balls to do it.

So now I have this sexy psychotherapist, Stephanie Taylor, who I’ve got the hots for. I’m sure she’d never admit it, but she’s into me, too.

And don’t go getting all pissy like Lorraine does. I’m a vampire. Of course I’m going to use my powers to feel people out. Can I help it if Stephanie’s lust for me is palpable at times? Okay, I actually can turn off my abilities, but when I catch her stealing glances below the belt, how am I supposed to resist?

In any case, none of that matters. She’s human, I’m not. And she’s my therapist—you know, some crazy shit about keeping professional boundaries and it being unethical for her to get involved with a client. Not that she’s said this out loud, but she’s thought it.

Yes, I read her mind. So sue me.

I wouldn’t want anything serious with her, though. Not really my style. But Lorraine has this crazy idea that if I go in there and pour out my soul to Stephanie then we’ll magically fall in love.

Huh. Like I’d ever fall in love.

But I see through all this romance crap. For starters, the chances of me opening up that much are slim to none. Not to mention the fact I know exactly how these romance novels work. Lorraine will put me and Stephanie through all sorts of hell before we can earn our happily ever after.

No. Lorraine is crazy if she thinks any of that will happen. And that’s not even accounting for Stephanie’s resistance to something like that. She’s a good woman and would never compromise her ethical beliefs.

Even if there was a way to break down her walls, there would still be things standing in our way. My issues, her issues—although I am intrigued to find out what pain she’s hiding—and that tiny problem of me being immortal and her mortal.

But the biggest issue would be the fact vampires have just been put on the endangered species list. Not because our numbers have dwindled, but because the Hunters have apparently come up with a plan to take us all out for good. Problem is we can’t get the details on their plan so we can attempt to stop them.

It really sucks—and yeah, I know that was a bad pun. But seriously, just when I decide to start getting my shit together it looks like my life might be cut short. I guess that’s about how it always goes, doesn’t it?

Before I leave, I wanted to tell you a little more about Stephanie. She’s been my therapist for a few months now, and she is the most compassionate woman I’ve ever met. I haven’t hit her with my secret yet, but I plan to tell her I’m a vampire in our next session. I know she’ll be shocked, but I also know I can trust her.

I’ve felt it in her. And I’ve listened to her thoughts a few times to be certain. Don’t get pissy about it like Lorraine does. Vampires have to do these things before we can bring someone into our world. That’s just how it works.

My point is she won’t judge me for my past. She’ll help me deal with it. I’m sure the extent of all I’ve done will put her empathy to the test, but I have no doubt she’ll come through for me. Even though she has deep pain and loneliness inside her—similar to what’s inside me—she’s strong. I can tell she’s survived some type of trauma but can’t quite reach into her mind far enough to find out exactly what.

She’s beautiful outside and in. If things were different, I would love to ease her pain and treat her like a queen. I’d do whatever I could to be her therapy, too. I’d make her forget her past. But something tells me my wonderful personality would fu— Sorry. You get the picture.

Maybe there’s a part of me that hopes Lorraine’s scheme to get us together will work, but I still can’t imagine it will.

There’s a lot more to me and my story, but like I said, I’m not really a people person, and my skin is crawling as I sit here telling you all this. So if you don’t mind, I want to go hop on my V Star and get the hell out of here. You can read the rest of my story when my book, Night Therapy, comes out in a few months.

Oh, there’s one more thing I promised Lorraine I’d tell you. If you want to read about that idiot, Bastian Evanko, you can grab the first books in the series. Even though I have no use for Bastian, I can sort of feel for him because of all the shit he’s gone through.

I only hope Lorraine doesn’t torture me anywhere near as much as she did him.

I’d say thanks for having me here, but it certainly was not my pleasure. Apparently the torture has already begun.

Night Therapy

Vampire Johnathan McCombs has spent the last century isolating from humanity whenever possible, trying to come to terms with a past that haunts him. When he finally realizes he needs help dealing with his issues, he seeks out a mortal psychologist, hoping her ethical boundaries of confidentiality will allow him to reveal his secrets. He tries to ignore his growing attraction for his therapist, but when circumstances throw them together outside the professional setting of her office, will he be able to contain his passion?

Psychologist Stephanie Taylor connects with her clients because personal experience has made her understand what heartache and trauma do to a person. But when her hot new client drops the bomb on her that he is a vampire, she has no idea what to do or how to react. Now she must look at her life in a whole new light. She has inadvertently put her life in danger and become part of a dark world she thought was only pretend.

In one night, everything changes. Old rivals pull Stephanie into their fight, and Johnathan must make a life or death decision. But can Stephanie forgive him for the irreversible choice he makes with her life? Can the couple find peace with their individual problems to have a chance at a lasting relationship? And how will the brewing war between vampires and Hunters affect them?

____________________

This is the fourth book in The Nocturnal Surrender Series and the first full novel of the series. Since this is still a work in progress, there are no excerpts at this time except for one steamy, unedited teaser you can find on Lorraine’s blog:

 http://authorlorrainedpearl.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/wip-erotic-excerpt-teaser-night-therapy/

Praise for the Series

“The chemistry between Bastian and Nicole is off the charts HAWT! WOW!! The world building is interesting and the plot is very intriguing. I love the author’s writing style and the editing was spot on. If you are a fan of Erotic PNR, you are going to love this series. It’s kind of like Laura Wright meets Lora Leigh with a pinch of JR Ward thrown in the mix.” Danie - Amazon Kindle reviewer.

"I am digging this Novella series by Lorraine Pearl. I finished Nocturnal Surrender & immediately purchase the next book in the series, Midnight Confessions. Great back story, character & story development. Oh, and let's not skip over the hot and I mean incredibly hot sex between Bastian & Nicole that makes you weak in the knees & tingly all over." Sharon - Amazon Kindle reviewer.

For more information and for purchase links, please visit the series site:

http://nocturnalsurrenderseries.weebly.com/

About the Author

Lorraine Pearl writes erotic paranormal romance books. She is currently working on The Nocturnal Surrender Series and is developing four other series. Her main interest is in writing vampire stories, but she has recently branched out into other paranormal creatures including shifters, angels, and demons.

For more information, please visit Lorraine’s website and blog:

http://www.lorrainepearl.com/

http://authorlorrainedpearl.wordpress.com/

Girls Takeover Sunday: Interview with Rachel for Wild West Hauntings by CR Moss

Hi Rachel, thanks so much for stopping by on Heartthrob Haven, tell me a bit about yourself.

Hi all! I’m the sister to the Double D Ranch’s Office Manager, Marianne. I’ve recently finished up my Master’s degree, and I traveled from New York City to the ranch in Nevada for the holiday season and to be with my sister.

How did you meet Dalton?

I actually started dreaming about him. And then I had some weird time travel experiences.

What was your first thought when you saw him?

In my dreams his face always seemed hidden by shadows, but he had a great body. Then in my first time travel experience, I saw him in the flesh for the first time in my bed…naked… but absolutely gorgeous. Granted, I was freaked out and wondered how I got into that situation.

What is your favorite thing about him?

His strength and caring. He has a great heart.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing his love.

What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

I believe my greatest strength is my intelligence. As for my weakness, I’d have to say my intelligence because I tend to think too much I don’t take many chances and thus miss out on some fun things in life.

What is your favorite color?

Deep blue, like the color of Daltons’s eyes.

If you could spend a whole day with Dalton, where would you go and what would you do? Details please! *wink*

I’d take him to the pond with a picnic basket, candles and comfy blankets. We’d eat, make love, talk, swim, repeat. ;)

If I gave you a box with three items: Bungee cord, Nutella, and a Lolly Pop, what would you do?

Mmmm… I think I’d first have to explain to him what the items are. Then I’m sure we could find some sexy, fun uses for them… tie him up, spread the Nutella over him so I could slowly lick it up, have him taste the sweetness of the lollypop as I taste him…

Boxers or Briefs?

Boxers. Unless the briefs are the boxer briefs kind. Or commando. ;)

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate

Hard or soft?

Hard work, soft lovin’ as my man would say.

Fast or slow?

Depends upon how my day’s been or how Dalton’s day has been. Sometimes a quicky is great to burn off our energy. Other times, slow and easy and enjoying each other is best.

Find me and Dalton in Wild West Hauntings.

~ Blurb ~

In life and the afterlife, on the Double D Ranch one belief holds true—the power of love changes lives.

With cowboys, ghosts, modern day women, hot dreams, pre-wedding relations and a bit of sexy time travel, life promises to be one wild time on the ranch again.

Rachel Star has met the man of her dreams … literally. Too bad he’s a ghost. When true love crosses boundaries from dreams to reality and across time, the Double D ranch is the place it happens. It takes the love of a man from the past, Dalton Dougan, to bring love full circle in the present for Rachel.

Bristol Ashcombe, soon to be Dougan, is ready to have her baby … and so is a poltergeist. Can the love of a woman for her man and child sustain her during the most horrible of terrors? Can the love between family and friends really dispel the evil haunting them?

~ Excerpt ~

Come to me…

Nearby in the stables, the horses whinnied. Some dogs yipped as if to tell them to quiet down. The night wrapped her in a cool embrace. Chilled air graced her arms below the edges of her sleeves. Her bare feet crunched on twigs. Dried leaves scattered from the wind over the dirt path. It felt like an unseen hand held hers, that a palpable sixth sense led her along the way. The draw of the cemetery drew her closer and closer toward it. A light mist, glowing silver in the moonlight, surrounded the area and her.

Yes, come, a deep voice rolled in her mind. Come and say hello. The hand tightened, soft cold touches caressed her cheeks.

She easily navigated over rocks and around trees. The world appeared surreal, like the setting in a gothic film, where the moon was so bright it drowned out the light of the stars. Trees stretched scraggly branches up toward the sky. An animal—coyote, the voice informed—howled in the distance. The dream-like scene was eerie but not frightening.

Doesn’t seem as lucid as my others. What could Dalton be up to with me now?

The unseen force compelling her to the family plot directed her to the center of the gravesite. She knelt before the dark gray headstone that was busted in half. The words on it were worn and chipped away, undecipherable. The letters on the other stones near it were just as bad. A light gray one a few feet away, no matter how she clawed and scraped at it to see the name, wouldn’t come clean. Something deep within her had her yearning to see the name, the dates, and the phrase written underneath the main information. How could she figure out who was buried in the graves if she couldn’t read the markers?

Doesn’t matter, the voice stated with a snicker.

Doesn’t matter? Yeah, right. Quit messing with me Dalton. She needed to know why she wanted to check out the place so bad. Why did she dream of it now? Her knees dug into the ground as, once more, she attempted to decipher the name on the tombstone. It would reveal a lot of information if she could just figure out…

A frigid touch on her shoulder startled her. She jumped to her feet and turned. “Dalton?”

He looked strange, pale, as if he suffered from being freezing cold. “What are you doing here?”

“I felt drawn to come here. I thought it was you pulling me. If not…” She glanced around. Shadows did a macabre dance over the gravesite. Her stomach roiled. “Then what are you doing here?”

“You don’t belong here.” He raised a shaky arm and pointed at her. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Why was he acting so weird? “Dalton? What’s going on? Are you all right?” She reached out and stepped toward him, but he backed away.

“You need to go.” His arm swung and aimed toward the way she came. “You don’t know what you’ve done.”

Wild West Hauntings—Double D Ranch Tales (Book 2), a contemporary, paranormal, erotic romance story set in Nevada. An Editor’s Pick!

*** Available in E-Book at: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/wild-west-hauntings-by-c-r-moss-and-r-m-sotera/

~ For more on the Double D Ranch, visit: http://doubledranchtales.blogspot.com/ 
~ For more on C.R. Moss, visit: http://crmoss.com/

Meet Rhun and Rhydderch, the heroes of The Winds of the Heavens by Anna Markland

Anna: Today I want to introduce you to not one, but two mouth watering warriors, joining us today from medieval Wales. Welcome Rhun and Rhydderch, the heroes of The Winds of the Heavens. You look so much alike it’s hard to tell you apart.

Rhun: That’s because we’re identical twins. I’m Rhun, he’s Rhydderch.

Anna: (rolling her eyes) OK, thanks! Why don’t you tell our audience about yourselves?

Rhun: (putting his arm around Rhydderch’s shoulder) Gladly! My brother and I are Welsh patriots. We’ve spent our lives fighting to rid Wales of Norman domination.

Rhydderch: Those oppressive, arrogant bastards have stolen more and more of our land since the Conquest. Our father fought them for nigh on thirty years.

Anna: So you followed in your father’s footsteps?

Rhydderch: Yes. We’re the proud sons of Rhodri ap Owain, the famous Welsh rebel chieftain.

Anna: I hear you are getting to be as well known as he was, recognized throughout Wales.

Rhun: Aye! It’s the red hair. How many red-headed twins do you know?

Anna: Not many, I admit. Do you ever get tired of being mistaken for each other?

Rhydderch: No, we enjoy it. We’ve had good sport over the years teasing people who did not know they were dealing with twins.

Anna: So you’ve always gotten along with each other?

Rhun: More than that. We’ve always shared everything.

Rhydderch shifts his weight nervously.

Anna: Something wrong, Rhydderch?

Rhydderch: (scowling at Rhun) Well, we have shared everything up to now, but I’ll be hard pressed to share Glain with you, brother.

Anna: Glain?

Rhydderch: Aye! Glain, she’s a jewel, like her name.

Anna: Who is this woman?

Rhun: (giving Rhydderch a shove) We met her in the village of Llanfarran. She’s the bonesetter there. We had taken our brother, Rhys, to her cottage. He fell off a cliff and broke his leg.

Anna: He’s the prince of Powwydd, isn’t he? The one we met in Dark and Bright? Why didn’t you just take him home to his castle?

Rhun: Too far. We were on our way back from a road building expedition.

Anna: OK, so what is it about Glain that has you scowling at each other?

Rhun: (looking lovesick) I am going to marry her.

Rhydderch: (folding his arms across his broad chest) Over my dead body. She’s to be my bride.

Anna: You can’t both marry her. This is the Middle Ages. The church would frown upon it.

Rhun: It might be our only solution, unless I challenge my brother to an archery contest. Winner takes Glain.

Rhydderch: (with a derisive snort) Of course you would suggest that since you’re a champion bowman. You know, Anna, my brother can shoot an arrow and hit a target before you can blink. He never misses.

Anna: That doesn’t sound fair then.

Rhydderch: About as fair as my suggesting we have a contest to see who knows more about horses. I’d win hands down.

Anna: What does Glain have to say about all this?

Rhun: (scratching his head) That’s a bit perplexing. Sometimes I am confused by her behaviour.

Rhydderch: (rubbing his chin thoughtfully) Interesting! I get the same feeling. Sometimes I think she is madly in love with me. Other times she seems half hearted about it.

Rhun: I know what you mean. It’s like talking to two different women.

Rhydderch: Reminds me of when we played our game of twins on that unsuspecting visitor to father’s castle years ago. He thought he was talking to one person who kept contradicting himself and showing up in unlikely places.

Rhun: (slapping Rhydderch on the back) Hah! I remember it well, brother.

Anna: Are you guys for real?

Rhun & Rhydderch: (looking confused) What?

Excerpt from The Winds of the Heavens:

Someone knocked.

“Glain!”

She spun round. Which twin would she face? She opened the door and her throat constricted. The tingling in her breasts said Rhun. She wanted to throw her arms around him, tell him how she regretted the deception. He had a strange smile on his face. He took her hands, leaned forward, and nuzzled her neck. “I’m overjoyed to see you again, Glain. We were delayed by the birth of our niece, but we’ve come at last. It’s a beautiful warm evening. Will you join me for a walk?”

She eyed him hesitantly. Young women of good repute did not enter the woods alone with a man. “Your brother has come also?”

“He has.”

She was not completely sure whether she was speaking to Rhun or Rhydderch, but the warmth seeping into her body from his hands made her hope it was Rhun. “I suppose it can do no harm if we don’t go far. I too am glad you’ve returned.”

He squeezed her hand and winked. “Both of us?”

A warm wetness pooled between her legs, rendering her barely able to whisper, “Yes.”

“Good. We won’t wander far. Remember, I’m a man of honour. My brother and I are both honourable men.”

The alarm should have sounded in her head, but, enamoured with Rhun with whom she hoped she spoke, it did not. They had gone only a few yards into the woods when Rhydderch appeared, linking his arm in the one not joined by Rhun.

The two lifted her and increased their pace.

Fear and excitement warred within her. “My lords!”

They came to a sudden halt. She swayed with relief, her breath coming in gasps as her feet touched the ground. Rhun put his hands on her shoulders. Rhydderch stood behind her and took her by the waist. Rhun frowned as he looked her in the eye. “Rhydderch and I are both in love with you. We’ve pondered the problem and have decided we care too much about each other to fight over you. We intend to share you.”

Heat rushed from her face across her breasts. Her throat dried up. She had to tell them, but couldn’t seem to speak.

“One of us will marry you, and both of us will make passionate love to you. I’ll caress—”

Her knees buckled. She throbbed in intimate places as a bolt of desire shot through her. Wet warmth pooled between her legs. Their grip tightened as they steadied her. “I can’t—we can’t—it’s not seemly—two men can’t—the church won’t—you don’t understand.”

Her mind whirled. Marriage had been proposed to her, but being bedded by two men, albeit two wondrously attractive men, at the same time? She was appalled and dangerously thrilled.

Rated: 3-Hot

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GIVEAWAY!

FREE digital copy of The Winds of the Heavens for one lucky commenter.

About the Author:

Anna Markland is a Canadian author who writes medieval romance about family honour, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories full of passion and adventure. Following a successful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic medieval experience.

Born in England, Anna has lived most of her life in Canada. Besides creating intimate stories about the lives and loves of her characters, her other passion is genealogy. This has had a big influence on her fiction writing.

The mother of four grown children, she spends her time enjoying the beauty of Vancouver Island and the incredible beaches of Panama.

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www.annamarkland.com

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Hero interview with Nathan from Most Likely to Succeed by Kate Davies

Nathan Barrows is a hard man to interview. It took three planes, a boat, and a donkey to get me to the remote village where he's overseeing the installation of a new water system.

Why are you putting in a new water system here?

Well, after the earthquake and tsunami last year, the entire island was devastated. One of the biggest problems long-term is the lack of fresh and clean water for the residents. Our team comes in, designs a sustainable water system, and installs it. We're about two-thirds of the way done with this one.

What happens when you're done?

The villagers will have clean water, and we'll get sent to another project. There's always another project somewhere.

So where do you live? Do you ever get back home?

Most of the guys have home bases, a place to go when they're not on assignment. Me, not so much. Once I signed on for this line of work, I just never really stopped.

Most people take breaks between assignments, though, right?

Yeah. Go home, go on vacation, get away from the relentless sadness of seeing so many people in such desperate circumstances. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, and there's nothing better than seeing lives changed for the better. But you can't save everyone. Or at least that's what my boss tells me.

He's the one insisting I take a little "me time" coming up here, too. A forced vacation, I guess.

Where are you going?

Back home, actually. Or as close to home as I've got. It's my ten year high school reunion this summer, so I'm heading back for that.

Are you going to see family while you're there?

Nah, they moved right after graduation, so there really hasn't been a reason to go back until now.

Anyone you're looking forward to connecting with at the reunion?

I'd love to see Kelsey, my former lab partner. I can't wait to find out what she's been up to since graduation. She was voted Most Likely To Succeed, and I'm sure that's exactly what she did!

Well, thanks so much for the interview.

Happy to do it! Anything to let more people know about the work we do. And speaking of which, I'd better get back to it. Have a safe trip home!   

Most Likely to Suceed

Book one of the Girls Most Likely to…

Ten years after being voted Most Likely to Succeed, Kelsey Moore is still living in her hometown, still working in her family's flower shop, and too embarrassed to attend her high school reunion. Only the chance to reconnect with her study buddy—and secret crush—Nathan Barrow tempts her to go.

Nathan isn't sure why he came back for the reunion after spending the past decade working abroad. But when he runs into his former lab partner, Kelsey, he's sure glad he did. The chemistry between them is as potent as ever, and when she offers him a weekend of wild, no-strings-attached sex, Nathan knows he'd be a fool to say no.

Nathan can't be tied to one place for long. But the more time they spend together—in and out of bed—the more Kelsey wonders if their reunion could become something more permanent. That is, if Nathan is still interested when he finds out she's been less than honest with him about her life since graduation…

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00APEYAP2/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/most-likely-to-succeed-kate-davies/1114057572?ean=9781426895234

Carina: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/72F5E222-B506-4E19-BFBB-0560DDC3B2B2/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=%7BEEB2235E-98F0-45AA-B13A-D07A7929FC32%7D

About the Author

From food to fiction, Kate likes things spicy. She writes award-winning sexy contemporary romance, and has books available in both e-format and print from Samhain, Carina, and Siren. Her 2009 print release, Lessons Learned, was named Small Press Contemporary Romance of the Year by Romantic Times Book Review magazine. When she isn’t writing about strong, sexy men and women finding their happily-ever-afters, she spends her time juggling calendars for herself, three active kids, and one husband.

You can most often find her in her natural habitat, Twitter www.twitter.com/kate_davies, on Facebook www.facebook.com/katedaviesromance, and at her blog www.kate-davies.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY!

Kate is giving away one e-copy of MLtS to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email address in your comment! 

Girls Takeover & Giveaway with Kristina Knight

Kristina: Hi Matias, thanks so much for stopping by on Heartthrob Haven, tell me a bit about yourself.

Mat Barnes: There isn't much to-

Vanessa butts in. There's a lot to tell, Mat. You're a software exec who was pretending to be an ordinary ranch foreman ~ that is interesting.

Kristina: I have to agree, Vanessa. Just how did you come to a ranch from Silicon Valley?

Vanessa: I mean, it's not every guy who would give up the three-piece suit and wingtips for dusty cowboy boots, Wranglers and dealing with my crazy family.

Mat looks from Vanessa to Kristina, caution apparent in his expression. Dealing with your crazy family is the least of my worries. Dealing with the paparazzi in San Fran is what brought me to Texas. There comes a time in every man's life when he doesn't want everyone to know his name.

Kristina: How did you meet Vanessa? And what was your first thought when you saw her?

Mat: grins sheepishly That she was exactly the kind of rich, city girl I didn't need in my life. Especially since she was throwing quite the fit over . . . what was it, the beef in Gi's enchiladas?

Vanessa blushes. In my defense, I was just getting out of a really bad place and to that point no one paid attention to me unless I was complaining or sarcastically throwing someone under the bus. I've changed a little since then, thanks to Mat. And, Kristina, I think it's about time people stopped hearing about me and started hearing about our cowboy over here. Vanessa nods her head toward Mat Don't you agree?

Kristina: Actually, that's not a bad idea. Mat doesn't seem to want to answer questions anyhow. Okay, Van, what is your favorite thing about Mat?

Vanessa: You mean other than the way he looks in those Wranglers I mentioned? Mat blushes, just a little It's that little blush thing he does when I turn the tables on him. No, really, it's awesome. I've learned that cowboys have very definite ideas about women and relationship roles. I like being the girly girl and having Mat care for me. But I've found that caring for him is a whole other kind of power. I love that.

Kristina: If you could spend a whole day with Mat, where would you go and what would you do? Details please! wink

Vanessa: Just one day and we could be all alone? I think I'd take him to that beach my sister his in Puerto Vallarta – privacy is key! I'd lay out a blanket and we could have a picnic – feeding each other grapes and bits of cheese and, oh sigh, we'd have all day to just be Mat and Vanessa. No jobs, no animals needing our attention, no family popping in or out. Just us. And you know that picnic isn't going to end when the food runs out!

Kristina: If I gave you a box with three items: Bungee cord, Nutella, and a Lolly Pop, what would you do?

Vanessa: Eat the lolly pop, save the Nutella for a snack – or breakfast the next morning – and have my way with Mat after using the Bungee cord to make sure he doesn't get away. Come to think of it, can I take those three things to our private beach?

Kristina: Boxers or Briefs?

Vanessa: In general? Boxer-briefs. On Mat, specifically? Neither

Kristina: Hard or soft?

Vanessa grins wickedly but Mat interrupts. Okay, I think you girls have done enough damage to my cowboy reputation. We'll see you around, Kristina. . .Van, I think it's time for that picnic.

Mat picks up Vanessa, who shrieks with glee in his arms. You wanted to know what I like best about him? It's when he gets all manly like this. Vanessa waves goodbye See you later!

All About What a Texas Girl Needs:

Vanessa Witte is ready to finally claim her life. The middle of three daughters born into the Witte family - a powerful Texas name - she’s been content to float through life. Being dumped by her shady ex? A blessing in disguise. Having a one-night-stand with Matias Barnes? Not one of her more stellar moments. But she’s back in Lockhardt with a secret and a reason to start fresh: A baby.

Matias Barnes knows all about society women - it’s part of the reason he left his wealthy family behind and took a job on a ranch. He doesn’t like the endless string of parties, the inane conversation, or the gold-digging tricks those women have perfected. But that doesn’t stop him from wanting Vanessa Witte. Mat knows she’s so not right for him, but with her back in Lockhardt, can he resist her charms long enough to really let her go?

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/What-Texas-Girl-Needs-ebook/dp/B00AB3TF8Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355097492&sr=8-1&keywords=what+a+texas+girl+needs

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/what-a-texas-girl-needs/id580981410?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-a-texas-girl-needs-kristina-knight/1114001402?ean=9781440555718


Author Bio:

Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she's never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and three-year-old daughter. Happily ever after.

Find Kristina online:

Website: http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com

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

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkristina

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kristinaknight

Giveaway!

Kristina is giving away a $5 giftcard to Amazon/B&N, winner's choice