Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Cover Reveal: THIS YEAR'S LOVE, Ward Sisters Series, #4

I didn't reveal the cover for This Year's Love over here because I wanted to keep the Meghan Miles' Mother's Day Giveaway as the top post on my blog for the duration of its run. That ended last night, winners have been notified, so I decided now was the time to post the cover over here. Without further ado, here's the cover for This Year's Love, Book 4 in the Ward Sisters Series.



So, there you have it! Josh and Annie's story will be coming soon - if I can get it out to beta readers in the next week or so, we might actually be able to push it ahead of my current planned release date of June 20th. Soon enough, I'll reveal my cover for Buying the Cow. Yep, I'm sticking with that title. I've yet to find another that I think tells the story in a few short words (which is what I like my titles to do). But I found a great image today of a girl I think speaks to who I see as Reggie Reynolds, and given how much of a challenge the cover concept was for the story - with two main characters who are NOT going to be found in a photo together that isn't staged for that purpose - I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Be on the lookout!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Meghan Miles' Mother's Day GIVEAWAY!

It's finally here! I can't remember if I mentioned it before, but I'm doing a rafflecopter giveaway with Bellissimi Ornamenti for Mother's Day. The Grand Prize is the gorgeous necklace in the promo image that I created (below). The quote is from Right Here Waiting. Yes, this necklace was created to mimic the pendant that Neil gives Meg in the book. I can't believe how beautiful it is!


So, if you want a chance to win that gorgeous necklace, enter the rafflecopter! The Grand Prize is the necklace and an e-book copy of my three Ward Sisters Series books (Back to December, Only One and Right Here Waiting). First prize is e-books from some great Indie authors - Bethany Averie (All's Fair in Love and Lion), S. L. Dearing (The Gathering), Rene Folsom (Shuttered Affections), Magen McMinimy (Immortal Craving) and Clarissa Wild (Fierce) - plus a gift certificate from Bellissimi Ornamenti and a copy of the first two Ward Sisters Series books. And the second prize is the first two Ward Sisters Series books and a Bellissimi Ornamenti gift certificate. So go! Enter! You have many chances available, plus, there will be extra entries each day if you pay attention to the Bellissimi Ornamenti page and my Author Patti Korbet page on Facebook. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Right Here Waiting - Epilogue WARNING! SPOILERS!

In case you missed it by the title, this post WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS below! I'll give you some space, so you can back away safely... (edited to add an image to take up some space and for eye candy...)




Okay, you've been warned! I had two different epilogue endings for Right Here Waiting. The very first epilogue I chose to cut early in the process for a couple reasons. For one, when I first wrote it, the passage illustrated Meg and Emily's full reconciliation, and once I'd added the scene between Em and Meg after Neil's vivid dream, it was redundant for that purpose. The other reason was because it took place a year after Neil woke up. That was a lot of ground to make up in a story that had already lengthened considerably when Neil's POV was added. Since it brought no new character development to the story and the plot development wasn't crucial to THIS story, it went away.

Then, I moved Meg and Neil's wedding chapter to the epilogue. I thought, up until just before I sent Right Here Waiting out for beta review, that I would keep it. But I decided that I didn't like how much it spoiled stories that came later (namely, Nina's), so I chose to cut it. I still don't want to spoil that story too much, so what I'm going to do is start this segment at the wedding itself. For reference, this takes place in December, a year from when Emily met Rob and about four months after the end of Right Here Waiting. More of the wedding will be shown in Nina's story, so stay tuned for that!




Right Here Waiting - Epilogue



The ceremony was short, despite a couple of readings and a sermon by her pastor on how love could help a couple endure all the trials of life, but that it would always be a bigger challenge than necessary unless we put ourselves in God's hands. Meg had spent every Sunday since the first one after she met Neil's parents going to church to pray. She had told no one but Neil and her future in-laws about her new found relationship to God, so it seemed more than appropriate for Neil's mother to say something at their wedding.
Siobhan stood at the podium. Meg had told her that she could say whatever she felt. Over the last year, she had come to rely on Neil's mother to have just the right words to make everything okay so many times that she'd lost track.

This is one of what we all know as Murphy's Laws:

Nothing is as easy as it looks.
Everything takes longer than you expect.
And if anything can go wrong,
It will at the worst possible moment.

We were so very blessed this last year to have Meghan in our lives to help us through Neil's deployment. It seemed that Neil was livin' up to his name by finally getting' the girl o' his dreams just when he was bein' put in harms way. But Meghan stood by him, even when the worst happened. I know it nearly killed her to sit and wait for Neil to regain his memory. It was torture for Aidan and me, too, because we knew just how deep their love ran. The doctors said that it was important to let Neil come back to his memories on his own. In part, because there was a lot that happened durin' wartime that might be jogged and be detrimental. How Meghan sat by and waited for it to happen, I don't know. Some might say it's due to her bein' a therapist. I can only say that I think it was her faith in God, that he wouldn't have given her Neil only to take him away. And her faith paid off, because now we're here, today, to celebrate the love they have for one another. A love that strong will be able to weather the harshest of circumstances. Ye shouldn't have to start out with things so hard. But at least now ye know ye can make it through the rest. Everythin' else should be smooth sailin' by comparison. I love ye both. Very much. Meghan, ye have become the daughter I never had and I feel particularly blessed to know ye'll be the one to take care o' my baby. And Neil, if ye ever do that to yer wife again, ye'll have yer ma to answer to, got it?”
Her expression was mock stern as everyone laughed. She returned to her seat.
Meg looked at Neil, who smiled at her with so much love she thought she might collapse from the weight of it. Fortunately, her love for him was as strong as his own and she knew she wasn't the marshmallow anymore, the one with the vague appearance of being able to bounce back. The weight of the last year or so had been carried by more than just Meg because she let it be for once in her life. First, of course, was God, whom she had leaned on more than she ever could have imagined before she met Neil. But there was also the Murphys; Nina; Owen; Charlie and Dan; and of course, at the end, Em.
As they said their vows and exchanged rings, Meg started to cry tears of joy. They didn't need the vows or the rings to tell each other how much they meant, how much love was there between them. This was more for their friends and family and to make a promise in front of God. But the truth was, that after this last year or so, Meg knew nothing could really shake them. Not now. Not when they'd endured the worst already.
For the rest of her life, she would lean on Neil and he on her. And nothing ever felt so right.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Clarissa Wild's FLAME - Cover Reveal and Promo Contest!


Title: FLAME (#2, FIERCE)
Author: Clarissa Wild
Publication Date: May 8th 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21491054-flame

Synopsis

When trust is challenged and desire takes control, is love enough to conquer fear?

When geeky book nerd Autumn Blakewood falls for the cocky, confident fighter Hunter Bane she knows she’s in for life. Their undeniable connection, fueled by the desire to protect, grows stronger every passing second. However, the need to feel cherished threatens her college graduation, family bonds, and future, tearing her apart, but she won’t give up on Hunter so easily …

After he was abandoned by his family, Hunter Bane struggles to cope with daily life. Having a learning disability turns every task into a challenge. With his brother now free, Hunter feels the pressure to succeed and take care of the people he loves, forcing him to choose between college and a job. Hunter’s devotion to Autumn keeps him on the right path. His infatuation with her turns lust into passion, drawing out his alpha tendencies. But with affection comes admission, putting a strain on their relationship as secrets are exposed and unforeseen circumstances spiral out of control.

Being complete opposites, their love is flaming hot, but it burns away all inhibitions, unveiling the fears that were locked deep inside. As past and present collide, difficult choices must be made. Can Autumn and Hunter’s love survive this ultimate test?





Excerpt

From the corner of my eye I catch him peeking at me. I turn my head. “Are you cheating again?”

“What gave you that idea?” A cheeky smile is on his face, making me chuckle.

“I learned from past experiences.” I raise my eyebrow, challenging him.

He seems to take me up on the challenge, making direct, probing eye contact. He squints, his glaring grey eyes scanning my face, lingering on my lips. He doesn’t mask the blatant eye-fuck. God, this guy is going to kill me.

“You sure about that?” He scoots closer, closing the gap between us. His face is dangerously close to mine. The smirk on his face is as unbelievably obnoxious as it is sexy.

“I’m not that shy girl anymore,” I say.

“Hmm … looks like it to me.” He brushes one finger over my shoulder, and I’m thrilled yet again. These simple touches of his are so full of hunger, rippling with lust, it’s like I’m bathing in it.

Still, I won’t give in to his games so easily. He used to be able to silence me with just a look. I was too scared to act, but now that I’ve seen him full throttle, I’m not scared anymore. I can handle him.

“Hey, you can try all you like, but I’m not giving you my notes. You won’t learn anything that way.”

Hunter’s half-smile slowly turns into a grin as he inches closer and closer. His nose almost touches mine, I need only lean forward to crash into his lips. But I don’t. Self-control, Autumn. Keep it together. You’re in class for god’s sake.

“Oh, I’m not trying to get your notes. Not anymore,” he growls. His lips briefly brush past mine, but when I open my mouth and close my eyes to receive his kiss, I’m left hanging. Air catches in my throat as I open my eyes again and catch him licking his lips. A devious smile is on his face as he casually leans back in his seat.

“Jerk,” I mumble.

He leans forward, looking at me sideways. “What’s that?” His voice is darkened, sounding displeased. Good. I want him to know that I don’t like it when he teases me so much.

“You heard me.”

His eyes narrow into thin slits as his hand dives under the table. Suddenly, I feel his fingers curling around my leg, squeezing tighter and tighter. His inevitable stare is upon me as he slides his fingers up my jeans. I gasp, my breath faltering as he slips it up to my thigh.

“What did you call me?” Hunter says.

I shudder, my lip quivering as he rests his head on my shoulder. His fingers are digging into my flesh, I can feel it through my jeans, his possessiveness. He breathes in and out, his hot breath tantalizing my skin.

“You think I’m a jerk?” he murmurs. He slides his hand further up my thigh, and a tiny sigh escapes my mouth. “You know that when you call me names, it excites me, right?” he asks.
I nod a few times, holding my breath as he tightens his grip on my leg.

“You should know that the feistier you get, the more I’m driven to conquer you. You fighting me only gives me more motivation to claim you. You know why?”

I shake my head vigorously and he licks his lips in excitement. His fingers slip up toward my most sensitive spot and when they reach it, I swear I’m going to fall apart right there. I feel so ashamed, so embarrassed this is happening right now, in class, but at the same time I don’t want to stop him. This is so hot, I can’t even …

“This here …” He slides his fingers up and down my pussy, making me gasp. My panties are getting wet from his whispers and dominating touch. My body craves him. My mind knows it should focus on studying, but it’s turning to liquid.

“It’s mine. Doesn’t matter what the fuck you call me, but this is all mine. Mine.”

My hand dives under the table, trying to pry him loose from my jeans, but he grabs my wrist with his free hand and pins it to the table.

He grins. “I like the power I have when you let me love you. Claiming you gives me that power.” He rubs harder and harder, and I’m almost panting, trying to keep the noises from escaping my mouth. “And I know you like it. Do you think I don’t notice you looking at me like that with those hungry eyes? You want me to be this way.” Circling the pad of his thumb over my clit, I grow insane with lust.

“But don’t you ever fucking call me a jerk again.”



Books in the Fierce Series



Book 1 - FIERCE

 Fight for your dreams. Fight for your life. Fight for love.

Nerdy girl Autumn Blakewood is the prime example of a goody two-shoes. She studies every night, is never late for class, and always follows the rules. She has never felt the need to step out of her comfort zone. That is, until she meets Hunter.

Hunter Bane is a cocky, confident bad-boy, who's nothing but trouble. He’s a dangerous distraction to everyone around him. Sexy and strong, Hunter enjoys the swooning effect he has on women. Especially those who aren't used to attention, like Autumn.

Autumn finds it hard not to give into Hunter’s advances, even though it all seems like a game to him. Trying to understand him is impossible, because he shrouds himself in mystery.
What she doesn't know is that Hunter has more baggage than anyone should have to carry. When she discovers he's in an illegal frat club to save the one person that matters to him, Autumn realizes this could mean the end of her undeniable connection to him. Even their lives are at risk.
But it's too late to turn back now ...





Book 1.5 - FURY

Would you risk everything for love?

Life has held nothing but hardships for Hunter Bane. Growing up with a learning disability wasn't easy, especially when you're poor. With only his brother to support him, Hunter clings to the short moments of happiness in life. Like when he meets Autumn Blakewood.

Autumn Blakewood is a geek at heart. Reading is her passion, and she can't spend one day without her books. She's always locked up in her room studying, trying to avoid trouble. Until Hunter comes into her life.

Hunter can't resist the temptation to get closer to Autumn. She is his complete opposite, and yet he's drawn to her in ways he can't explain. But when his brother is caught dealing drugs and sent to prison, Hunter's world shatters.
To save his brother, Hunter has to join the gang he's feared his entire life. Now he's forced to choose between his family and the one girl he loves. Fighting for both, his fury is all he needs...



Author Bio


Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.
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