CARA/VESCIO

Screenwriter. Novelist. Photographer. Cynical Optimist.

Zero Tolerance

Today’s cover feature is hot! Makes me want to break out the red wine, and cozy up in this cold front we have blowing through Vegas… read on:

Zero Tolerance
Elite Escorts #4
by Lynn Burke
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Art Work: Jay Aheer, Simply Defined Art

Blurb 

As the owner of Elite Escorts, Micah Fox’s material needs are met, but money isn’t everything. Watching his friends all settle down makes him realize he needs a woman of his own. The one thrust into his life, however, is unable to tolerate physical contact. Not exactly the ideal submissive he can dominate. Can he truly be happy without kink in his life?

Faced with her new boss, Jasmine Swift experiences a hunger to touch—and be touched—for the first time in twelve years. Psychological baggage from her childhood has always hindered any hope of a normal relationship, let alone one with a man as dominant as Micah. Passion flares to life between them, however, and Jasmine blossoms under Micah’s touch.
​
When her past returns to haunt her present, it threatens everything. Love and peace can be found in true submission if only Jasmine can trust her Sir.

BUY NOW

Evernight Publishing // Amazon // Amazon UK // Barnes & Noble // Smashwords // Kobo // Bookstrand

OTHER BOOKS IN THE ELITE ESCORTS SERIES

Third Wheel // Second Go-Round // First Time

 

ABOUT LYNN BURKE

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.

Website // Blog // Facebook // Twitter

 

Season of Secuction

Season of  Seduction

Limited Edition collection of Holiday romances

Ring in the holidays this year with this collection of steamy to sexy scintillating reads from today’s hottest bestselling authors. Whether you’re looking for a romance by the warm glow of the fireplace or a passionate romp on a bear skin rug, there is something for all readers, for every taste, desire, and whim. Come and join us, won’t you? This is sure to be a Season… of Seduction.

SeasonSeductionWBoxset

 

✩ Featured Authors ✩

Storm of Seduction (Gilpin County Search and Rescue) by Nicole Morgan

Will Lori’s plan be the thing that brings her and Kevin together again? Or will the rewards not be worth the risk as their very survival hangs in the balance?

Car Crash Love by Caitlyn Lynch

Could a car crash really be the beginning of Paige’s happily ever after?

Snowed In and Set Up by: Whitley Cox

Six lonely hearts, five days and a whole lotta mistletoe.

Winter’s Reign by Tracy Goodwin

One queen falls, as one queen rises.

Long may she reign …

Delivered through The Storm by Nicole Garcia

One special delivery can change your life forever.

Paper Love by Aubrey Wynne

Can Ben win her love with the help of a stray homing pigeon and an old origami legend?

Out of her Element by Debbie White

Everything happens for a reason…

Finding Love by Krista Ames

Sometimes the best things are found in awkward places…

My Little Secret by Ember Leigh

Just once is never enough.

Slow Hand by Bonnie Edwards

A jilted bride…a sexy sea captain…love at first touch…

Wherever Love Finds You by Laura Haley-McNeil

It’s his game. He makes the rules. Rule number one – only he can break the rules.

Finding Their Future by Sarah Marsh

Sometimes to get to your future, you have to go through the past.

The Beast In A Suit by Elena Kincaid

She’s no damsel. He’s no prince.

A PROMISE OF WINTER by Maia Dylan

A broken promise. A broken heart. Can a helicopter crash mend both?

Accused by Carmen Fox

United by grief. Separated by secrets.

Venetian Holiday by Christine Donovan

Her best friend’s brother. Will they or won’t they?

Christmas at Starlight by Kris Jett

The weather may be cold outside, but things are sizzling indoors.

War Of Hearts by Shelique Lize

The heart wants, what it wants.

The Snow Drift Inn by Michelle Ziegler

Our pasts don’t define us, but they leave scars that can ruin our future.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon    iTunes    B&N    Google    Kobo

Lightning’s Hidden Menace

Today on the blog, I have author, Kory Steed! Read about his second installment struggles and victories in the Lightning Series below! Paired with Lightning Wines ‘Ceace & Desist.’

Thank you, Cara, for inviting me to your blog. I appreciate the opportunity to share my second novel, Lightning’s Hidden Menace, published by Evernight Publishing, with your readers. At 65+K words it’s the second installment in my Lightning Series. The story picks up right where we left Jason and Aaron in From Lightning to Love, on the helipad just outside Jason’s secluded, mountain estate. Having given up his dreams of a future with Aaron, Jason is stunned that after nearly three month of separation, Aaron suddenly appears to him when he climbs out of the cargo hold of a delivery helicopter.

I wanted to connect these two flawed and damaged men with readers because they were able to find hope, happiness, and ultimately, love in each other at a time when their lives were at their bleakest. Jason suffered from PTSD for eleven years following two tours in Iraq as an army medic, and Aaron lost his life-partner in a horrific plane explosion. The first book has done very well, and I’m optimistic for this one. Since its release, the first week in September, it has begun to pick up steam, and I received a wonderfully positive review, in which the critic really understood and appreciated what I had hoped to convey. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the gift of a review. When someone takes the time offer you their thoughts, they’re giving you a little bit of themselves.

As I approached the end of the first draft, I realized it was getting very large, so I went back in and began to cut out scenes because my publisher’s maximum word limit is 100K. Unfortunately, I didn’t accomplished what I had hoped to because by the time I’d completed the final chapter, it was up to 105K. I knew that if I remove any more, the story would become choppy so I sought the advice of my author-colleagues, and several suggested that I divide it into two.

After considering the manuscript for several days, I realized it contained two climatic turning points, so I made the split after the first. This, however, created a new dilemma because it left the word count of one a bit light and the other, a bit heavy. Because I had saved all my earlier scene cuts, I was able to add them back in, but I also identified scenes where I had held back as I tried to keep it below the dreaded 100K mark. I fleshed out many of them and in particular, I significantly fleshed out the sex scenes which made them more dynamic and intense. In the end, I wound up with two separate manuscripts that were each over 65K.

At the end of September, I submitted the third book in the series, and I’m excited to share that it has just been accepted for publication. I’m also super excited about the first book in a new spin-off series I’ve just completed. One of its main characters first appeared in Lightning’s Hidden Menace as a summer fling for Jason and the other is an old high-school classmate of Aaron’s. I’ll be submitting it soon.

Again, thank you so much for allowing me to visit with you today.

 

BLURB

Jason cannot believe that Aaron, the man whose life he saved and who helped him break free from PTSD, has suddenly returned to him. Healed, whole, and ready to renew their growing love, they begin to plan a future together. With their first night of torrid lovemaking, they dream of many more, but fate is against them.

A dark nemesis from Jason’s past reappears with lethal intent, driven by a grudge from having been disgraced by a military tribunal. The fallout for Jason and Aaron is far-reaching and heart-wrenching and tears into the fabric of the life they have so carefully begun to weave.

When hatred strikes in a barrage of gunfire, they are left fighting for their lives. Their only focus is to take back what has been ripped away from them; their only hope, that the strength of their love will be enough.

BUY NOW

AMAZON // AMAZON UK // AMAZON CA // EVERNIGHT // BOOKSTRAND // BARNES & NOBLE // iTUNES

FOLLOW KORY

AUTHOR WEBSITE // TWITTER // FACEBOOK // GOODREADS

 

Cover Reveal: Rush

Today, I’m revealing the cover to my first romance novel, Rush.

Rush will be available October 6th through Evernight Publishing. The cover art is by the talented Jay Aheer. I’m super excited about this book, because it’s romantic suspense, and if you know my past work, you know I love action and suspense. The heat level on this beauty is just a one- it’s not an erotic novel (sorry, not sorry). Romance is always an area I’ve been interested to tackle, but know I’m not a conventional romance author. That being said, I’m thrilled Evernight took that chance on me and allowed me to release this book into the wild. Also, thanks to Loopy for help with the dreaded blurb.

BLURB

As the prima ballerina for a prominent San Francisco ballet company, Scarlet Rush is used to being on her toes- but after a failed kidnapping attempt, even her nimble feet aren’t enough to keep her out of reach of her rivals. Begrudgingly, she’s forced into the protective services of Alex Strong, a former private military contractor turned bodyguard.

Scarlet isn’t thrilled to have Alex follow her every move, but as hidden dangers rise, she has no choice but to trust him. Soon, Scarlet and Alex find themselves passionate partners in a dance all their own. Alex is captivated by Scarlet and knows he must protect her at all costs despite the pain of past demons still haunting him.

Torn Avenger

Today’s cover is Torn Avenger by Lea Bronsen… a cover I’d like to pair with a nice glass of merlot… but I can’t because I’m pregnant. Anyway, enjoy this enchanting cover, and read more about the book below! Cheers!

BLURB

As the second son of a Viking earl, Alv Gunnulfsen wasn’t meant to inherit a throne or avenge a murder. But when his brother is slain during a raid and their father dies of grief, Alv is expected to take command and claim the killer’s death. In a world of ruthless retaliation and strict social codes, he must also maneuver cleverly to protect a troublesome secret: his attraction for men.

Roeland van Dijk, a wealthy Dutch merchant settled in Norway, has done the unthinkable to protect his family — hacked off the head of a Viking rapist. The wrath of the blond savages will cost him his freedom, and possibly his own head… Unless he’s willing to accept the love of another man.

Amazon.com // Amazon.uk // Smashwords // Barnes & Noble // iTunes // Kobo // Paperback

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads

 

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

When asked what inspires me to write books, I usually say it’s something I’ve seen or heard, or I’ve been challenged to dig deeply into my imagination and come up with a crazy idea. This time, it was a pre-made cover. The moment I saw this dark, sensual, slightly homo erotic image of a half-naked man in a fur coat on an exquisitely colored background, I knew it had to be mine. I decided in which historical period to set the story – the obscure, mythical age of the Vikings – and the ensuing process plunged me into an exciting and not so foreign world where everyday heroes lived the same dramas and battled for the same values and desires as we do in modern society. I hope you enjoy the read!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lea Bronsen likes her reads hot, fast, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and dark erotic romance.

For more information about Lea Bronsen
Website //  Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Amazon // Pinterest

Women as a Foreign Language: Katherine Wyvern

I’m pleased to display this beautiful cover on its release day, and invite author Katherine Wyvern to my blog for a guest post:

Thank you for having me here on your blog today to tell your readers about Woman as a Foreign Language, my new release.

This is the story of Nina, a girl who, after years of bullying and psychological abuse has a very hard time expressing her femininity, until she meets Julia, a flamboyantly sexy woman who is in fact … a man.

Julian is very, very good at being feminine and within the safe space of their meltingly tender friendship (seriously, it made me go “aww” to write about these two) Nina finally finds the courage to “be a girl”.

It helps that Julia/n’s carefully constructed femininity is something that s/he can break down to its grammar, and teach to Nina, like nobody else could or would.

I was very intrigued by this element of the story, the way for both these characters “woman” is not something that came naturally, but something they had to learn and practice diligently, hoping to get it right someday, and not to make too much of a fool of themselves.

Nina, is a very autobiographical character, so she was really written from first-hand experience. I hope you want to meet her and watch her growing into the beautiful person she always was, even if, for a long time, she didn’t know.

–Katherine Wyvern // BLOG // FACEBOOK

BLURB:

What do you do when the woman you want to be … is a man?

Nina’s abusive childhood left her feeling so vulnerable when wearing anything flimsier than combat boots that she has spent her whole adult life dressed like a gang boy. But when she meets the tall, glamorous, charismatic Julia (actually her cross-dressing neighbor, Julian, going out en femme), Nina is seized by an overwhelming and terrifying urge to finally express her own femininity.

Julia/n has not only a slightly split personality but also a thoroughly broken heart. What s/he wants most is a partner who will love both Julia and Julian. While Nina learns from Julia how to be a woman, Julian discovers that they might well be made for each other, but it will take a struggle against prejudice and a whole conservative mind-set before they can follow their hearts, and express their true, unique, and beautiful selves. Download an excerpt…

BUY TODAY ON

AMAZON

EVERNIGHT

 

 

Transcending Fire

Today is some romantic science fiction- a futuristic, dystopian story based around different
motorcycle gangs! The cover is hot- pun intended! I’ve paired this story with Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir.

BLURB

Hunter Macario wants one thing—a place to belong. When given an opportunity to solidify his position in the motorcycle club, Devil’s Thunder, he takes it. Dragon’s Clan member, Safaia King, believes she’s found the man from her people’s legend and her dreams. She has one goal, even if he’s in a rival club—to make Hunter hers and keep him safe so he can fulfill their destiny.

After Hunter makes a huge mistake, he’s sent to where Safaia lives—an alternate universe called The Den. In this new world, sex, battles, and secrets abound. Hunter  must survive The Den to right some wrongs or else he could lose everything he’s ever gained, including his home and Safaia’s love.

BUY NOW: AMAZON // EVERNIGHT // BOOKSTRAND // SMASHWORDS

 

EXCERPT (PG-13)

The flames’ mesmerizing dance, the macabre song created by the crackles and pops, and the smell of death kept Hunter frozen to his spot. He wanted to help, knew he should pick up a bucketful of water or a hose and join the fray, but his immobile legs wouldn’t budge no matter the commands his brain sent them.

There must be something in the smoke making me high. Either I really can’t move, or I’m losing my fucking marbles.

He tried again to step forward, but still couldn’t.

Ah, shit. I’m dreaming. Must be it. At least I hope that’s it.

As if in answer to his thoughts, the world around him seemed to slow, become more surreal than it already was. The noises minimized into silence, yet people still rushed around him as if he were invisible, their mouths moving without voices emanating from them.

Straight ahead, Hunter caught glimpses of a woman appearing and disappearing amongst the club members running back and forth in front of her. The ebony-haired beauty didn’t move. She stood there with a smile curling her lips.

A hot, lusty bolt of desire surged straight to his cock. Yet beneath the instantaneous sensation lay something deeper. Dreaming or not, Hunter couldn’t quite put his finger on what he felt, but words like “connection” and “destiny” wisped across his mind.

Their gazes locked. The lady winked and disappeared.

The compound, except for the fire, was as it should be—club house, church, garage, barracks, factory, and some ancillary buildings—but the sky wasn’t gray. The constant hum from all the robotics and other machinery functioning in the city wasn’t present. He’d grown so accustomed to the white noise, the sudden silence almost hurt.

Hunter shook his head, ran his palm over his face. Nothing seemed right anymore. The sky. The sounds. Even the air he breathed was different—lighter … less polluted.

No one came up to him to check on him. Nobody questioned why he wasn’t helping.

They all acted like he didn’t exist.

Maybe I really don’t exist here. Maybe I’m still back in one of those foster homes and my life in Vegas has only been a fanciful dream.

Nah. I’ve gotta be dreaming. I gotta…

“Wake up, Hunter.”

A weight bore down on Hunter’s shoulder, gripping his muscles like a pneumatic clamp.

Even in a hazy state of mind, his instincts took over. Years of martial arts training had him shrugging out of the hold and spinning into a neutral stance, ready to defend and attack if need be. No matter what home he’d ended up in, he had always requested lessons. The type of discipline never mattered. The fact that he was learning a skill and had something of his own no one could take away from him had been all that’d counted.

“Hey, boy.” Screw, an aging man, whose favorite way of dressing his scrawny body happened to be denim overalls, a bandana around his head holding back his stringy gray hair, and nothing else, held up his hands. “You know I’m a lover not a fighter.” He chuckled. “Too old and creaky to scuffle anyhow.”

Hunter blinked. Gone was the blue sky and fire. The mechanized hum had returned as had the obsidian night. He stared at the head mechanic and lowered his arms. Last thing he’d ever want to do was harm the man he viewed as a father figure. “Screw. What? What’s going on?”

“You tell me. You’re the one out here in your birthday suit.”

“Birthday suit?” He glanced down at himself. Sure enough, he stood naked in the middle of the compound. “What the hell?”

 

ABOUT CASEY

Casey Moss delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…

FOLLOW: TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // WEBSITE

 

Cover: Abel’s Obsession

Today’s cover is by Evernight Author, Lynn Burke. Since this has a heavy Amish presence, I’ve picked Breitenbach Wine Cellars to pair with it- this novella is probably steamy enough for an entire wine cellar. 

Blurb:

A young man of religious fervor and self-control, Abel Beiler has every intention of honoring his parents and being baptized into the Amish church. The woman with red curls and flashing green eyes in the back of a convertible, however, makes Abel wonder what life with the English might be like.

He strives to withstand temptation, but the memory of the woman he yearns to dominate, coupled with the explicit images in his cousin’s filthy magazine, threatens his restraint.

Red, his sinful obsession, haunts his shameful dreams and becomes a secret part of his life. When faced with truth beyond faith, Abel must decide where he belongs—with the Amish community, or the woman who owns his heart.

Buy Links:

Amazon // Amazon UK // Evernight // Bookstrand // Kobo // Barnes & Noble

 

Author Bio:

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.

Social Media Links:

​Website // Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Amazon // Instagram

A Writer’s Perspective: Indie Publishing

The book industry is an ever-changing phenomena. You have more and more options these days, and I continue to choose the smaller press. I have a decently successful series that’s been optioned by a production company, and a small army of avid readers whom I love. I wouldn’t have any of it, if not for the hard work of people who believed in me. The intimacy of a small press is more appealing than what I see others going through.

I have built a brand around my name and first series. It’s not easy, and helps to have a degree in multimedia– but it’s not impossible for those who don’t. I have always stopped to help fellow authors, and while I’ve met a bad apple here and there, it’s more than likely a great experience. I’ve made amazing friends, and we get that no, we don’t always have time to read each other’s work (seriously, don’t ask), but we never hesitate to spread the word.

There’s still room for rejection in small press, and it’s usually accompanied by great input that helps you refine your writing. I never liked the “cool kid” clique, and to me, that’s what some of the bigger publishers are. Landing an agent is a game of luck with an elitist structure– although I do believe you should try, rejection or no. I believe every author has room to grow and shouldn’t view themselves as better than anyone else, regardless of how much they make.

I like to study the indie press, and see how they operate. Some are more with it than others, but I find the bottom line is care of their authors, enthusiasm to grow, and a genuine love of books… they also tend to put up with my foul mouthed sarcasm a lot better.

I’m currently pairing with Evernight Publishing to tackle the romance genre. So far, it’s been a good experience and the other authors have been a fun group.