July 17, 2015

FREE from Amazon - NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Lowery!



Hello and welcome! I’m so glad you’re all here! It’s my birthday weekend-oh, no, not sharing the number, lol—but, I will share my birthday gifts with you! 

For 3 days only, July 17-19, you can download Murphy’s Law for FREE from Amazon!!! 

Woot!
Happy Reading,
Jennifer


Murphy’s Law
Romantic Suspense


Tagline: He lost his family. She gave them back to him.




Blurb:
Home is the last place Jon Murphy can go. After being held captive in Azbakastan, he returns to the States only to find he can’t face his mom and sisters with what he did while he was a prisoner, so he retreats to the mountains.

Widow Sara Sheldon has made a lifetime of mistakes and is now running scared from her husband’s powerful family, who are determined to take her daughter away from her. When her little girl goes missing in the Rockies, Sara enlists the only help she can find: a gruff recluse with tracking skills to admire and a body to covet.

A storm strands Sara and her daughter at Murphy’s cabin, leaving her no choice but to hope her in-laws don’t catch up while she plans where to run next. Murphy resents the invasion of his privacy, but can’t seem to keep his mind--or his hands--off Sara. How can she stand to look at him, with all his scars? He’s not nearly as honorable as she might think…only enough to make sure she’s safe, and then he’ll go back to being alone, the way he should be.


Content Warning: Sexual content                                
**Murphy’s Law: Previously published by Lyrical Press in 2013**
***Murphy’s Law was a 2006 Golden Heart Finalist***



Excerpt:
Copyright © 2014, Jennifer Lowery

Murphy sat at the kitchen table, half in the shadows created by the soft light glowing above the stove. A bottle of amber liquid sat on the table in front of him, an empty glass in his hand. His hair was tousled from sleep and to Sara’s dismay, he was naked to the waist. Her gaze landed on his muscled shoulders and trailed across his tanned chest. So much for getting him out of her mind. Now she had the real thing to dream about. Looking at the dark hairs that veed down his chest and disappeared behind the table, she decided he had been right. He was a dangerous man.

She tore her eyes away from temptation and looked at the granite lines of his face. Beneath the hardness of his expression, something haunting lingered. Drawn, she circled the table until she stood at the opposite end.

Murphy met her eyes with coldness that should have sent her running for the safety of her room, but she remained standing in place. He wanted to chase her away. This time she wasn’t running.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked on her way to the cupboard to grab a glass and return to stand over Murphy’s shoulder. She reached for the bottle. The muscles in his shoulders flexed when she leaned over him.

Murphy’s hand snaked out and wrapped around hers, preventing her from pouring a drink.

“I mind,” he growled.

“Well, get over it. I need a drink.”

Scowling, he let go of her hand and allowed her to pour a glass for herself. She refilled his glass next and set the bottle on the table. Then she moved to the chair beside him and sat before lifting her glass in a silent toast.

“Cheers.” She brought the glass to her lips. His eyes on her as she drained the glass made her fight the urge to cough as the fiery liquid burned its way down her throat. Seconds later she felt the familiar warming sensation as it numbed her insides. Her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away as she reached for the bottle.

Murphy held it away from her. “What are you doing?”

“Having a drink. I’m not in the mood for warm milk tonight.”

His eyes darkened and narrowed. “You don’t strike me as the drinking type.”

She wasn’t, but tonight it sounded good. Maybe it would soothe away her problems and make her forget how screwed-up her life was. Talking about Kent earlier had brought back painful memories. She didn’t want to feel that misery anymore tonight.

“Maybe you don’t know my type,” she said.

Murphy studied her closely for a moment before rubbing a weary hand over his face. “Go back to bed, Sara. Sleep it off.”

“I don’t want to sleep it off. I’m tired of thinking about it.”

Maybe it was the whisky, or the sight of Murphy’s naked chest, or the part of her that had been dormant for six years coming back to life. More than anything she wanted to discover it with Murphy, her strong, scarred hero.

She rose to her feet. Murphy watched warily as she stepped in front of him and positioned herself between him and the table. He leaned back in his chair and sent her a thunderous look.

“You and I are alike in many ways, Murphy,” she said softly. “We both have lost pieces of ourselves we can’t ever get back and it has forced us into a life of loneliness and solitude. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being alone.”

Murphy pinned her with a hard glare. “I’m not what you want. Go back to your room before I do something we’ll both regret in the morning.”

His harshly spoken words sent little electrical shocks through her body.

“I’m tired of people telling me what I want,” she said.


Author Bio:

NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side. 

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love. 
 
Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.  When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. 


This is what people are saying about Murphy’s Law:

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Cindy Gerard, Tara Janzen, or Cherry Adair series. Each of these writers have the same flavor with a secret ingredient in their stories as does Jennifer Lowery. Great story!

- hmhibbit, Open Book Society on Murphy's Law




Connect with Jennifer:

Buy Murphy’s Law:

Other Books by Jennifer Lowery:
SEAL Team Alpha Series:
A SEAL’s Song
A SEAL for Christmas
A SEAL’s Duty

Wolff Securities Series:
Maximum Risk

ATCOM Series:
The Maze

Sawyer Sisters Trilogy
Hard To Handle

Onyx Group Series:
Hard Core

Other:
Murphy’s Law

Taking Chances (short story)

July 13, 2015

Deb Julienne - Crashing Into Love




Welcome Deb Julienne and her steamy excerpt from the recently released multi-author anthology "Crashing Into Love".



A Splash of Romance by Deb Julienne.

Who knew a plane crash would lead to romance? Hannah Parks is a trauma nurse on her way to a symposium at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. She just started her bucket list and a plane crash definitely isn't on it.  Oliver Lawson's divorce is final and he's looking to start over. A tropical island, a gorgeous woman. Romance is one thing, getting there as a result of a crash landing...who knew? 



EXCERPT:
Something fun for Sheri's flaming blog!

Fun Facts about A Splash of Romance. I wrote a scene in which Hannah makes the acquaintance of a rather long and scary python. In real life, it was a 6 foot octopus. I'd gone as a parent chaperone on my daughter's science camp trip. We're in the observation area, listening to the docent tell us about all the aquatic critters they had. I felt something touch my right arm, thinking it was my daughter, but then I saw she was on my left...I turned and this long arm reached across me and grabbed my left boob. I think I was mentally channeling this situation when it came to write the scene below.

Oliver was taking a swim in the surf, when he came out, Hannah was gone...he called for her, but she didn't respond...he raced into the jungle, calling her name. She told him to stop, not come any further. She was in the middle of "poppin a squat" when a python grabbed her...by this point I'm drawing a blank. I had researched snakes of the area and had all sorts of colorful snakes in my file I had planned to use. I have no idea where the python came from, so I naturally hit the internet and typed in pythons in the South Pacific...this is what I got. I couldn’t stop laughing in order to get back to Hannah's terror...and you wonder why I write comedy...eeesh!



Here’s a snippet from “A Splash of Romance”:

When they finished lunch, Oliver excused himself and took a swim in the ocean. He had so much pent up energy he couldn’t stand it. The exertion felt great, just what he needed. He returned the shore only it was empty. “Hannah,” he called out. She didn’t respond. Racing out of the surf full speed, headed for the edge of the jungle. He pushed his way past the thick vegetation. He tripped on a vine, but caught himself.

“Hannah.”

He made if about thirty yards into the foliage, calling out, “Where are you?”

“Don’t come any closer, it might bite me.” Her voice was shaking.

“What are you talking about? Where are you?” He searched everywhere listening for a clue to her whereabouts.

“I’m about ten yards to your right. I-I was popping a squat when it grabbed me.” 

“You were what?” He went around a huge boulder and still didn’t see her.

“You know, shaking hands with my best mate.”

Oliver laughed at her use of the term.

“Stop laughing and tell me what to do? Hurry Oliver, I’m afraid to move.”

Oliver edged toward her voice, looking all around as he went, trying to figure out what she was talking about. Ever vigilant, he stepped cautiously as he moved closer.

“Say something.” He was getting closer.

“I’m over here.”

Oliver stopped where he was. His gaze fused with Hannah’s. She stood frozen in place. A fifteen foot python used its heat sensors along its jaw to check her out. He was well aware of their poor eyesight. It was a perfect specimen, with its beautiful dark brown and gold patterned skin, although somehow he didn’t think Hannah would share his love of snakes. It wasn’t squeezing her. He scanned the ground for a branch or stick he could use to free her before the thing decided it was hungry for her.

Stepping carefully, he edged closer. “When I get to you I’m going to use the stick I have to gently move it away from your stomach. You’re going to have to move slowly away from it. Luckily, it isn’t coiled around you. It’s playing with you. ”

“Playing my ass—how can you say that? I’m freaking out.” Her face was drained of all color.

He inched the last few steps. “No you’re not. You’re doing great. Remaining calm is the right thing to do. Just don’t make any abrupt movements. I’m almost there.” 

Hannah sniffed. 

He could see she was shaking. He had to move now. “Okay, now when you feel the weight of the snake move off you, step forward slowly and just keep walking toward the beach, I’ll be right behind you.”

“Oliver, I’m scared.” Her lips trembled.

“Don’t be. Almost there.” He raised the branch, it was as big around as a woman’s forearm and tucked it under the snake’s jaw, steering the head away from Hannah. When the head was about two feet from Hannah he whispered, “Now. Go!”

Hannah took three cautious steps then bolted, shoving her way through the foliage as fast as she could.

He moved the snake to the left and it slithered up the tree. He dropped the branch and ran after Hannah.

He barely broke through the jungle to the beach when she launched herself into his arms. “My plan worked. Glad the snake cooperated.”

“I’ve never been so scared. That was worse than the plane crash. I was trying to go to the bathroom before you came back, and it never entered my mind to keep an eye out for snakes. I barely managed to get my underwear up when it grabbed me.” Hannah shivered.

Oliver couldn’t stop laughing. She rambled like nitwit and shook something fierce. He did the only thing he could think of. He kissed her.

Hannah melted into his arms. He moved her away from the jungle walking her straight towards the surf. They didn’t stop until they were waist deep.

“Thank you.” Hannah stroked his cheek.

“For what? I should thank you for giving me the excuse to play your hero.”

Hannah kissed him again. Lost in her delicious kisses, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He squeezed her ass cheek. Her arms wrapped around his neck pulling her closer still.

Out of nowhere, a big wave slammed over the tops of their heads, knocking them to the ground, sending them body surfing onto the shore. Hannah’s lips never left his mouth. They lay in the surf, reminding him of the scene in the old movie with the couple necking as the waves surrounded their bodies. 

It was the hottest kiss of his life.




About Deb Julienne

While some say truth is stranger than fiction, Deb Julienne’s experience runs more along the lines of a slap-stick comedy; when life tosses you lemons the only thing to do is to turn it into Limoncello. Deb’s dream of being published came true with the release of her first book, SEX, LIES, AND BEAUTY AIDS, a romantic comedy, in March of 2014.

As a longtime member of both Romance Writers of America (RWA) and her local RWA Chapter, the Sacramento Valley Roses, she fills the hours she’s not writing romantic comedy and romantic suspense with her day job at a Silicon Valley Corporation and playing in the kitchen concocting her award-winning jams, jellies, preserves, and sauces (with alcohol of course). She resides in her own little bit of heaven in the Sierra Tahoe National Forest Basin, with her husband of 33 years, their three sons and one daughter, and two very precious grandkids.


Find Deb at:



Twitter:@debjulienne


  
Buy Links:



Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/5561133

July 10, 2015

Friday Flames is crashing with D'Ann Lindun!




Welcome D'Ann Lindun to Friday Flames!!

She's one of seven anthology authors who created 
 Crashing Into Love 
stories of survival and love.


Get ready to heat up and enjoy the Flames!


Excerpt:

Gage edged between her legs and she lay back on the bed. He knelt and circled her lower legs with his arms. Pressing kisses along her right thigh, he moved up until his mouth covered her center. She arched and gasped when his tongue delved into her.

Her uninjured fingers curled into the blankets as he tormented her. “Gage.”

When he turned his wicked tongue to her clit, she raised her hips from the bed. The sensation became almost unbearable and she tightened her knees against his shoulders. Her lower stomach began to pinch and she knew it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.

She cupped his neck and he responded with a long, deep tug on her clit. A scream ripped from her throat as she came for him. Her entire body shook from the intensity. Finally, his laving became almost painful and she scooted away. She covered her eyes with her arm and was surprised to find tears on her face.

He slid next to her and pulled her close. “You okay?”

“Amazed,” she managed.

His chuckle vibrated through her. “Me, too.”







July 8, 2015

Brenda Dyer - Crashing Into Love




I'd like to give a HUGE flaming welcome to my good friend

Brenda Dyer!

She and six other romance authors have completed a very unique anthology titled Crashing Into Love.

"Lost meets Romancing the Stone--action adventure, a dash of mystery, and romance to die for. 

Seven planes lift offseven planes crashseven stories of struggle, passion and love in the barren Canadian Wilderness, the coast of England, or the steamy heat of a tropical island. Romance hangs in the balance between survival and death."



Excerpt:

Somehow, someway, they’d escaped death again. First they survived the crash and the swim to shore. Now they survived a near fall over the cliff—and if he had gone over, she would have followed. He was everything to her. She could pretend until the damn cows decided they wanted to come home, or when pigs sprouted wings and flew like birds, that he was just her friend, but her heart knew the truth.

  Their lips were less than an inch apart. A loud peel of thunder, followed by a flash of lightning, made her jerk in his arms. He tightened his hold.

“Chad,” she whispered at the same time he spoke her name.

The mind-numbing fear flooding her veins morphed to lust. The power of her arousal burned, and she became acutely aware of the tightness of her jeans pressing against her aching clit. Her nipples chaffing as they puckered and rubbed against her wet bra. The heat of his intense stare roaming over her face. His firm muscles under her hands. Of their own accord, her fingers traveled over his wide shoulders and up his neck, where they tangled in his damp hair.

She gazed at his lips with a hunger she couldn’t deny any longer. Another flash of lightning lit up his face, and she sucked in a ragged breath when she saw the animalistic look in his eyes.

He wanted her. She didn’t know if it was because of his near-death experience, and she didn’t care.

Chad groaned. The next second, his lips crushed hers in a kiss that both excited and scared her. Their tongues danced and twined together. His two day’s worth of stubble scrapped her skin. Nothing she’d experienced thus far compared to this incredible moment. And every cell in her body rejoiced.

She turned, pushed him onto his back, and crawled on top. Holding his head, she kissed him with all her love and wild abandon. All the years of secretly wanting him came to the forefront, and nothing could stop her. Here, in this cave on this deserted island, she would finally have what she’d wanted since she was sixteen.

The storm, releasing its fury outside the opening, became white noise. The damn world could have fallen apart around her, and she still wouldn’t have been able to stop. His lips and tongue were the center of her universe. Nothing mattered but her and him, and the unbelievable pleasure building inside.

With their tongues duelling, she gripped the bottom of his wet shirt and pulled it up. She had to break lip contact for a millisecond so she could tug his shirt over his head. But the moment his arms slipped free from the sleeves, his mouth slanted over hers again.

She smoothed her palms over his hot, velvety skin, touching and exploring, reveling in the way his solid muscles formed hills, valleys, and deep ridges. Cupping his rounded pecs, she then thumbed his flat nipples until they peaked.

His body trembled under her palms, and he groaned into her mouth.

Christine broke their kiss and stared down at his bared upper body. The sight of his perfection stole her breath. For years she’d watched him on the big screen playing different characters, from medieval knights to a sexy Seal trying to save the planet. And each film, the directors made damn sure Chad appeared topless. His face and body filled the theater seats with women eye-humping him—and she couldn’t blame them. She did the same.

And for too many years, jealousy ate at her heart as the actresses playing alongside him touched and tasted him intimately.

Well, now it was finally her turn.





Other books by Brenda Dyer:






Buy Links for The Prophecy Series

Love’s Prophecy: Book #1

 Prophecy’s Child: Book #2

 Prophecy’s Power: Book #3

 Prophecy’s Language: Book #4