Monday, April 23, 2012

H.C. Brown's Guest Author: Sarah Ballance

Hey Sarah, great to have you back :-)


I'm so excited to be back here to scoop my new romantic suspense, TIDE OF LIES!

HC, thank you so much for your hospitality. I know your readers like it hot, so I've brought an exclusive excerpt that will *only* be seen right here. It's just a taste of what happens, but hopefully it's enough of a tease to leave readers wanting more. But first, here's a bit more about the story.

TIDE begins with FAMILIAR LIGHT (on sale for $1.50), in which my heroine Laney returns to her hometown to find an old love, but ends up in the hands of her stalker. Bridger's search for her is aided by his buddy and local detective Holden Whitlow, whose story picks up in TIDE OF LIES. What he thought was an open and shut case turns out to be much, much more. Then his past—and an ex-lover, Julia—collide with present as two shocking betrayals twist into a crushing blow. The bitter truth may be too much for Holden to bear, but in the face of losing everything, his choice is clear. But is it too late?

Note: although TIDE OF LIES does follow FAMILIAR LIGHT in sequence, you do NOT have to read both stories. TIDE is a stand-alone title.





TIDE OF LIES | blurb

A devastating secret. A shocking betrayal. A deadly obsession.

Haunted by three unsolved murders, Detective Holden Whitlow is stunned when his cold case takes a heated turn. Julia Cohen, his ex-lover, is back in town, and in the face of a brutal attack she’s ready to run. No matter how tightly she holds her secrets, for Holden, turning away from the woman he’s spent a decade trying to forget isn’t any more an option than walking away from his job . . . even when it threatens to cost Julia her life.

Julia is still reeling from a past she can’t bear to face. When she becomes the target of a killer, fate throws her back into Holden’s arms, but she’s yet to recover from a truth that has stripped her of everything—and everyone—she loves. Will she tell him the secret that will destroy him, or will her lie destroy them both?

TIDE OF LIES | excerpt

In this excerpt, Holden has just listed a few graphic details regarding his cold case . . . without considering Julia has just been attacked and these are much more than just facts to her. He apologizes, and the rest follows.
##

"Don't," she said, her voice lost to the sound of her hammering heartbeat.

"Don't what?"

Ten years and two lies melted into oblivion. "Don't be sorry."

Holden reached for her, the move hesitant. This time his darkening eyes were anything but businesslike. Threading his fingers through her hair, he cupped the back of her head with a touch so gentle she feared she might have imagined it. "I don't think I love you," he said. It sounded as if the words never left his throat.

She laughed, a nervous gesture any idiot could read from a mile away. But he didn't need a mile. He had inches, and her mind so did not need to go there. "Wow, Holden. I don't think that's your best pick up line. No wonder you're single."

"What I was going to say," he said in the same graveled voice, "was I don't know why I can't put you in my past where you belong. Why can't I get over you?" The pressure on the back of her head increased, but not past feather light. If they got any closer or stayed that way any longer, she'd surely die from anticipation, but it wouldn't be her first brush with death that day. This one, at least, was worth the risk.

Holden pushed the laptop to the coffee table. The clatter jerked her from her reverie just
enough to sharpen her mind, bringing her senses to shrill attention. So when his lips finally met hers, the split second of contact was excruciating.

 "That's it?" She clutched his well-worn tee, her fists straining the fabric. Mock indignation was not her strong suit. For that matter, neither was the real deal.

"Well, if you're asking . . . ." He scooped her in his arms, cradling her with such gentle ease she couldn't help but melt against him. They pushed dangerously close to horizontal, but he kept his weight from her. The effect bordered on torture—a light tease when pressure would prove exquisite.

Then his lips brushed hers, the touch slight and soft. His position between her thighs did little to hide his interest, which she found all the more lovable considering she sported two black eyes and a pair of his gym shorts—the latter in an unappetizing shade of uncooked shrimp. Through peripheral vision, she found the muscles of his arms did an admirable job of holding him in the up position. Problem was she preferred him down—down and in.

Way in.

Reasons not to trust him begged for her attention, but she wanted nothing of them. It had been far too long since anyone had held her, and Holden was like comfort food to her battered soul. Her reasons for leaving existed as petty little bits of debris scattered on her emotional floorboard, years of pain and regret not enough to stop the crashing of her defenses when he was around.

And—screw it all—she wanted him. Every moment they'd ever shared had been some version of a lie, and she'd managed to sleep at night just fine. There was certainly nothing stopping her from doing it now.

Besides, this time she had absolutely nothing to lose.

Everything was already gone.
##

MORE INFO OR BUY @

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS

For a chance to win a print copy of HAWTHORNE (paranormal romance) please visit the Goodreads giveaway @ http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/24069-hawthorne (U.S. entries only)

Weekly gift card giveaways occur weekly for **email subscribers** at www.sarahballance.wordpress.com – full details available under the "Weekly Giveaways" tab. Every week one reader wins their choice of gift cards to Noble Romance, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

SARAH BALLANCE | about the author

Sarah and her husband of almost fifteen what he calls "long, long" years live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they're asleep.  She often jokes that she writes to be around people who will listen to her, but her characters aren't much better than her kids.  Fortunately, her husband is quite supportive, having generously offered to help her research "the good parts" . . .  and she's never had to ask twice.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Noble Romance 99c sale

Buy Burn today for 99c and all these other great titles from Noble Romance authors today!






Burn by H.C. Brown<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2446%7c73%7c770&digest=LQsEChDoWZkQ6Utzti4VpQ&sysid=1>

A Certain Pressure in the Pipes By Clancy
Nacht<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2431%7c73%7c770&digest=ypli%2f03CWRoU8IAglzS67g&sysid=1>
Arrested Pleasure by Holli
Winters<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2432%7c73%7c770&digest=Uwo2kzgQ%2b6djp7RDb9Yb%2bw&sysid=1>
Beautiful Criminal by BL
Bonita<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2433%7c73%7c770&digest=RBcvV9V64HQkoSD0OyuXZw&sysid=1>
Beyond the Green Door by Jewel
D'Arcy<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2434%7c73%7c770&digest=hFp7XpucocWtbYchc3kAfA&sysid=1>
Blackout by Michelle
Houston<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2445%7c73%7c770&digest=TnCXOBX4t7tDKE2lKWmPAg&sysid=1>

Down in Flames by Sarah
Ballance<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2447%7c73%7c770&digest=ZZ0Bj9p3le6xwzDT6NKitw&sysid=1>
In the Bad Boys Bed by Sophia
Ryan<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2448%7c73%7c770&digest=QDoCQA71ydhYYNPZi3LVtQ&sysid=1>
In the Devil's Arms by Gianna
Simone<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2449%7c73%7c770&digest=I1%2bxXucp3ujX%2bsK0PkYcpg&sysid=1>
Mystic Journey by Ronna
Gage<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2440%7c73%7c770&digest=ZVL%2fYY5NHBYW9SGBHAqECA&sysid=1>
Nice 'n Naughty by R.J.
Fury<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2441%7c73%7c770&digest=ZE5Wgt%2fyMbuAMrtL3mYJHQ&sysid=1>
Sinfully Delicious by Lolita
Lopez<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2442%7c73%7c770&digest=WYzkuVtXdBrO6EqJkF7ElQ&sysid=1>
Serenity's Dream by Brita
Addams<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2443%7c73%7c770&digest=flC9i0OB2yxFs1iROuUNvA&sysid=1>
Nopeming Shores by Margie
Church<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=303%7c2444%7c73%7c770&digest=sGmNd56JIArhiToNBQ6NeA&sysid=1>
-- 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Just Erotic Reviews My Purr-fect Alphas


I received a lovely 4.5 Star Review today for My Purr-fect Alphas from Gabrielle Lee at
  Just Erotic Reviews.
Thank you Gabrielle :-)










"I enjoyed My Purr-fect Alphas and cannot wait to visit with the Prides again." Gabrielle Lee

Read the full review here

Buy link

Excerpt:

Beth welcomed the warmth of the sun on her body and sat on a ledge to dangle her feet in the pond. She tipped back her head to watch water tumble from the rock face. It glistened as it passed between the mossy boulders and fell in a constant trickle. A cool breeze rustled the palm trees; she turned her head and froze. A naked man lay stretched out on a massive boulder, only a few feet away. His face broke into a grin at her astonishment.

Beth took a deep breath to steady her nerves. This man had cat-like fangs. Another Pride male. He rose gracefully and swaggered toward her. She trembled, looking around furtively for escape. He stood well over six-foot-five, with a body of burnished muscle. He moved closer and tossed a ponytail of angelic hair over one shoulder. The bunch of long, cherubic curls were drawn back at the nape and curled around elegant, pointed ears.

A wave of panic gripped her, but when he drew near and fixed his attention on her with a sultry gaze, she relaxed. He doesn't look too threatening and at least he's not a Ram. She bit her lip, aroused by the mist of sweat glistening across his glorious, sun-kissed skin. She noticed he had precisely the same muscle bulk as Zandor. White scars traced his right arm and numerous battle scars on his torso added intrigue to his magnificence. She licked her lips. This man is all male.

She trembled when he stopped a breath away, lifted his head, and sniffed the air, mouth open as if to taste her scent. He flashed a brilliant smile and indigo twilight eyes, beneath long tawny lashes, considered her with a touch of amusement.

"Well, Elizabeth?" His deep, sultry voice extended each syllable in her name.

Beth jumped up and glared at this naked perfection.

"Well, what? Who are you and how do you know my name?"

"You want to touch me, don't you? Come now, sweetness, don't be shy." He inclined his head regally at her and held out his hand in encouragement.

Beth stared into his hooded eyes and he began to emit hypnotic sandalwood pheromones, making her knees turn to jelly. He's doing that thing Zandor does with his scent. She looked up at him and smiled, drawn to him with a ferocious intensity, as if he were her lover. Good Lord, what’s going on? I'm a doctor and I’m twenty-five years old. I'm not a gullible virgin and I should not feel like this. Should I?

"Your skin is like peaches and cream," he said, reaching out and trailing one finger down her cheek.

She resisted the temptation to turn and suck his finger into her mouth. She groaned with need when he pulled her against his hard chest and his large, warm hands splayed across her back. Her intention to object to his touch had dissolved with incredible speed. Sighing, she drew in more of his delectable scent. She wanted this man, in bed, or on the ground, right now.

"I'm Thryll of Lonza," he purred in her ear.

"What's happening to me?"

"You need me, Elizabeth; does not my scent entice you? Haven't you searched for one such as me all your life?"

"Well, I . . . ."

She gasped when he chuckled and the hospital gown fell from her shoulders. She couldn't make her mouth form the words of protest as he stripped the garment from her body. She felt intoxicated and her entire body trembled with craven desire for this stranger.

"Come bathe with me; I can smell Zandor on you," he insisted as he led her toward the pond.

"You know Zandor?"

"Very well." He sighed and stopped at the edge of the pool. He turned toward her, cradled her head in his large palm and pressed his lips against her ear."They watch us. Hush and all will be well." He whispered softly then traced her earlobe with his tongue. He lifted her into his arms and strode into the deep pond.

The cold water did nothing to cool her passion. She wanted him; she craved him. Has he cast an erotic spell over me? Did she care? No.

He bent his head to kiss her.

Hungry for his embrace, she opened her mouth to taste him. His luscious, full lips slid across her own. She twisted against his superb body, wanting more, sucking in his probing, masterful tongue. Delicious, hot, and spicy. His lips drew a silken caress over hers. She moaned and pressed against him, drawn like a moth to the flame, and released a shuddering breath when he pulled her closer, grinding his hard body against her entire length. His hands slid down her back in a move so filled with passion, it was as if he caressed her intimate heat. Waves of pleasure surged through her core. Oh . . . my . . . God. His mouth closed over hers again, drawing her into a sexual vise. She mewed. Deep, carnal sensations rippled through her, so intense, so fantastic, his kiss alone drew her to orgasm. What are you doing, Beth? She untangled herself from his grip and gasped. Oh, this is not good. His deep blue eyes had changed to molten amber and he looked down at her with ferocious intensity. She pushed her hands hard against his chest. Under her palms, a tremor rushed through his body, his heart pounded against her fingers.

"Thryll, are you okay?"

"This is not possible." He reached out to touch her face, rough fingers so tender in a sweet caress. A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest and he shook his head slowly. His head jerked up toward the glass doors to the bedroom. "You've sent me my bond mate. What depraved joke is this? This is not in our agreement, Pic." He bellowed and stormed out of the pond. The water swirled and great waves crashed against her legs in his wake.

Beth waded from the pond, grabbed up her hospital gown, and threw it over her nakedness. A deep voice boomed loudly over an intercom.

"My terms were any females of my choice. If this one is your bond mate, it's an unfortunate inconvenience. However, if you continue to meet our agreement, I'll allow you to take her with you when you leave."

"I'll not allow Zandor to mate with her, Pic; she's mine, given to me by the Goddess Boda. I want her all night." Thryll lifted his chin defiantly, his hands balled into fists at his side.

"She lives in close proximity to Zandor, but he's caged. I'll agree only if you keep to our bargain."

"Grrr." Thryll turned swiftly and glared at her.

Beth pushed down the desperate need to run. She took a step backward when he began to walk toward her very slowly.

"They show their usual cruelty. Don't fear me, Beth; come and I'll explain everything." His voice sounded strained, tired. He reached for her hand and led her along a leafy pathway, deep into the rainforest.

They walked until they reached the rock wall. Her body still trembling, she followed Thryll along a narrow pathway. After a few steps he stopped, cleared leaves from a rock, and indicated for her to sit. She sat in silence and watched him glance around slowly, sniffing the air before he sat beside her.

"I doubt they can overhear our conversation this far from the complex. Do you understand why I refused you in the pond?"

Beth looked into his eyes. They were deep blue again now. His brow wrinkled in a frown.

"Yes, I think I do. Zandor maintains they've altered my scent to make him believe I'm his mate. They most likely did the same thing to you. He mentioned he might kill me if we mated; is that why you stopped?"

"I was going to make love to you, sweetness." Thryll's eyes narrowed. "Mating was the furthest thing from my mind and I might add impossible, since they sealed my fangs. In case your Human mind cannot distinguish the difference, I will explain. When we mate, we bite, inject venom, and drink blood. It's intensely erotic and sends the female into a rapture that lasts four days. The females call this insatiable need Moon Fire."

Beth rolled her eyes. Good Lord, he's as bad as Zandor; do these men ever think about anything but sex? "Right then, so why would the same scent attract both you and Zandor?"

Thryll smiled and shook his head ruefully.

"Well?" asked Beth impatiently.

"It's not possible; it would cause males to fight to the death, unless . . . ."

Beth jumped to her feet and stood over him.

"Come on, Thryll, spill it. What the hell is going on here?"

She gasped when Thryll slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her onto his lap and cradling her to him. His scent encircled her like a warm blanket. His hand rubbed deliciously up and down her back. She moaned, melting against him.

"Zandor and I have been friends for many years. We like to share our females. Mayhap the Goddess has given us you for that reason." He chuckled and his hot breath tickled her ear. "This would make fine sense, seeing as She sent me here to rescue both of you."

"You don't make a whole lot of sense, Thryll. Who could give me to two men? I'm a grown woman and I make up my own mind who takes me to bed. If you think I'm prepared to take on both of you . . . together . . . well . . . I . . . .”

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

New Books from H.C. Brown


Take a walk on the  wild side and check out my new releases.






Editorial Reviews

Review

 Five Stars :Dragonslayer- Goodreads: The story of love and loss and love again was heart breaking. There were a variety of interesting bondage scenes and the handling of the sadistic BDSM scenes vivid and well written. The sex scenes were hot and romantic and fitted well in an exciting story. I loved the twist in the end, but then normal is not what I expect from this amazingly talented author. There is a hint of a sequel in the last few lines. I hungrily await your next book Mistress Brown.  www.goodreads.com/book/show/13450537-lord-master
4.5 STARS  Two Lips Reviews  
Lord & Master is a deliciously dark tale full of angst, intrigue, and amazingly hot sex. H.C. Brown has written a compelling story that was hard for me to put down. Not only is Lord & Master a must read, it deserves a place on your keeper shelf.

Product Description

1776
Lord Reynold Wilton, fearing exposure after a public argument with his sex slave, Lord David Litchfield, leaves England for the Americas. On his return, he finds his delicious man in the hands of a brutal sadist. In a time when homosexuality is a hanging offense, Reynold must use every trick in the book to regain the possession and trust of his young lover.

M/M BDSM EROTIC ROMANCE SET IN GEORGIAN ENGLAND
Available Amazon and just about everywhere





A Tryst of Fate is a TIME TRAVEL M/M Erotic Romance - not a BDSM Contemporary/ Georgian England

Review

4.5 STARS M M GOOD BOOK REVIEWS
An absolutely brilliant historical/contemporary time travel story that is full of details and descriptions you can imagine that you are there.
 mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/a-tryst-of-fate-by-h-c-brown/#comment-825

Product Description

After inheriting a Georgian house in Berkley Square, London, Colt Daniels, millionaire art dealer, finds himself obsessed by a portrait of the home's former owner, Lord Alexander Swift.

During a conversation with author, Jake Williams, Colt discovers Lord Swift and his cousin had mysteriously disappeared from the cellar one evening, shortly after Alexander's illicit affair with the rogue, David Fitzhugh. Jake reveals Colt bears a remarkable resemblance to Fitzhugh.

Colt decides to investigate Alexander's strange disappearance and ventures into his cellar late one night to look for a secret passageway. When his flashlight fails, Colt finds himself transported back in time to 1775 and there he comes face to face with the man of his dreams -- Lord Alexander Swift.

Available Amazon, Silver Publishing, All Romance.