Craving Erotic Romance...

is a group blog from several sassy erotic romance authors!

Find out about our latest releases, read scintillating interviews on Mondays, beat mid-week blahs with Hump Day Help Wednesdays, and see hot hunks on Fridays. Saturdays are "Open Mike" and full of surprises! And then, there's always our guests...!



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Sarah Marsh for Hump Wednesday!


Dragon Trap, Coalition Mates Book 5.
**AVAILABLE NOW!**
(Will be available on Amazon/Kobo/B&N etc approx. Feb 19)

Blurb:
All Marisol Lewis had ever wanted was a family, but her ex-husband back on Earth made sure that would never happen while they were together. Now? After waking up on an alien planet, she has a plan and she’s more determined than ever to see it through on her own.
When the contract comes up that will give her exactly what she’s always dreamed of, she’s eager to sign on the dotted line and begin the journey to her new home planet of Dolovia. But when things go horribly wrong, she ends up surrounded by mad doctors and Frankenstein space pirates.
Luca and Baelion are dragon shifters with a troubled past, shunned by their own people, they now work for the Coalition Council taking rescue jobs that no one else can do. They manage to find Marisol—but their rescue plans take a wrong turn and they all end up stranded on a dangerous quarantined planet.
Mari finds out the hard way that life often gets in the way of best-laid plans…and dragon shifters most definitely do get in the way of hers.
Good thing for her that dragons are naturally quite stubborn once they decide they want something—and they’ve decided she’s theirs.



Story Excerpt:
Mari stared at the sheer beauty of the male in front of her. His chest was a sculpture of rippling golden muscles. Fine beads of sweat made their way down his toned stomach, drawing her gaze ever lower. She watched as his hips swayed back and forth to the seductive music, his low, loose pants barely clinging to his lean body. She wasn’t sure if she’d even seen a more beautiful man before; it had certainly been long enough since she’d had her hands on any man at all. The sighs of the woman next to her finally broke the trance of his delectable gyrations and allowed her to turn her eyes away. No point in torturing herself any further with things that she couldn’t have.
“God, Mari, how can you even look away from a sight that divine?” Devyn fanned herself with both hands. “I mean, I love Benic like a brother, but when that boy dances, even I can’t keep my thoughts platonic.”
“Well, I’m almost old enough to be his mother, so I shouldn’t be gawking at him at all,” Marisol answered as she stood up from the stone bench where they’d been watching the dance performance. The gardens of the Courtesan Guild building were created for showcasing and practicing all sorts of exotic performance arts, and most of those who attended the classes or worked in the building loved to enjoy the shows.
“You’re leaving right in the middle of his routine?” Devyn asked, looking back at her as if she were crazy.
“I’ve got an appointment with the Guild Matron in twenty minutes. Sally says she’s found the perfect contract for me.”
“Oh,” Devyn answered with a frown. “This soon? I thought it would take longer, that we’d have at least until I’m done with classes before you shipped off to planets unknown.”
Mari reached over and gave her friend a tight hug. For some reason, little Devyn’s perky, outrageous personality had meshed perfectly with her own—surprisingly, since she’d been told on more than one occasion that she was too serious, too much of a control freak. So the tiny tornado of happiness had become her best friend here, and if she was sent off world, she would miss her something fierce.
“Don’t worry, Devyn. It might not even be one that I want,” Mari said with a shrug. “No point in worrying over nothing. I’ll see you after.”
As Marisol walked back through the education center and into the Courtesan admin wing, she had to admire the sensuous beauty of the building. If she had been ten years younger and perhaps a little bit braver, she would have loved to apply to the Courtesan Guild. It sounded so glamorous and fascinating, and Sally certainly couldn’t look any happier than she was in her new role as Guild Matron. Of course, it didn’t hurt that it was a role that just happened to come with a smoking-hot husband, Guild Master Arkenon Quinn. A more devastating alpha male Mari had never met, and she couldn’t help but be a little jealous of her friend.
She walked into Sally’s new office and was not surprised to see the intimidating Kalista Dax standing at the secretary’s desk, going over some paperwork. When the former Tokka assassin turned her unsettling solid blue eyes toward Mari, it was all she could do not to book it back out the damned door. Kali had always been very nice to the rest of the rescued Earthers and actively went out of her way to make friends, but the rumors of the kind of violence she was capable of left Mari just a bit freaked out.
“Hello, Marisol. Are you here for your appointment with the Guild Matron?” Kali asked, an almost smile trying to form on her beautiful, pale white face.
Mari knew that Kali liked to spend so much time with the Earth females because they were so expressive emotionally. She was only half Tokka and had been forced to suppress her physical expressions at an early age. Since Kali had defected from a society where it was unacceptable to show emotions of any kind, she was trying to learn by observing them, and sometimes the results could be…unsettling.
“Yes, Sally said that she may have found a placement for me,” Mari answered, trying to maintain eye contact with the much taller woman.
“Mari, come on in!” Sally bellowed from her desk, which made both Mari and Kali smile at how outrageous their new Guild Matron could be.
Sally was up to her elbows in material swatches when Marisol sat down in front of the large desk. The office was beautiful, with an incredible view of the mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows on one side. The furniture was all made in a black wood that looked exotic and expensive. But then again, Sally’s new position as Guild Matron was one of the most important on the entire planet of Sirus. It was just strange because Sally really didn’t seem to care about the prestige at all. She had really grown into herself since that day they had all walked out of their rooms for the first time and realized they were now on an alien planet, but she was still just Sally to the rest of her friends.
“Argh, I’m supposed to decide on material for new dresses for the council meetings, and I seriously couldn’t care less. I wonder if I can hire someone to do all of this clothing crap for me?” the Guild Matron said, shoving the material to the other side of the desk with a look of disgust. “So how are you, Mari? How are the classes going?”
“Good, Sal. I’m almost done with the EMT equivalent, so I’m sure that will be handy to have on top of my nursing experience. You said you had a possible match for me for placement?” She squirmed in her chair, trying not to look too excited.

Adult Excerpt:
“You’re so wet for us already,” the low sexy timbre of Luca’s voice only made her want him more. “I need to taste you.”
“Later, Luca. I need you right now.” She moaned as Baelion took one of her aching nipples deep into his mouth. “I can’t wait. Please.”
She boldly moved her legs farther apart, planting her feet flat on the mats. It was an unmistakable invitation—one Luca didn’t disappoint her on. He quickly rid himself of his shorts and then moved between her thighs, rubbing the swollen, thick head of his cock along her wet folds.
“Luca, stop teasing me.”
His only answer was a low growl as he slowly pushed his length inside of her, his eyes locked on hers. It was extremely intense. His gaze never left hers as he filled her up.
“Watching you take him is so fucking hot, Mari.” Bae’s voice from beside her snagged her attention. His own blue eyes were locked to where their bodies joined. He ran one finger down her stomach until it lightly made a slow path around her swollen clit, causing her to moan and tighten around the hard shaft buried deep within her.
“She’s so warm and wet, Bae. Feel for yourself.” Luca grabbed Baelion’s hand and guided it lower to where the root of him met her body.
Mari’s hips bucked up when Bae continued to rub a trail along her folds and then back up to her clit. Meanwhile Luca set a leisurely pace, thrusting in slowly and then retreating. She could feel the pressure building inside of her, and she sighed when Baelionmoved to capture her lips in a slow kiss.
The two of them continued their sensual torment, never letting her set the pace or tempt them to lose control. Bae had her arms gently pinned above her head with one hand. The thrill of being completely under their control seemed to electrify all of her senses. They were true to their word, completely tender in their care for her—but there was an intensity to their actions that was different than before. They were loving her so intently that it was her undoing.
“Oh God.” She whimpered into his mouth as Luca’s firm but steady pace lit her up until she was just on the cusp of orgasm. “Please, I need to come.”
“Come for us, little one,” Bae murmured as he finally pinched down on her swollen button, causing her to spasm all around Luca’s shaft.
“Yeeeessss.” She moaned as she came. All of the tension in her body finally broke and swept her away in a warm rush of pleasure.  Luca pushed deep one last time before he joined her, groaning her name.
Baelion still slowly stroked her as she came down from the high, Luca still buried deep inside of her. There was certainly something to be said for slow and steady. It was a different type of pleasure than the passionate coupling from their previous encounter, but no less impactful. It was more intimate. There was more tenderness in their touch, and it melted her.
“How are you feeling, Mari?” Luca leaned forward to slowly sip at her lips. She opened her eyes when he stopped, only to see that he had moved to kiss Baelion as well.
“Much more relaxed,” she murmured, hypnotized at the sight of their lips and tongues moving together. Her satiated libido suddenly roared to life once again as Luca withdrew his spent shaft from her and settled himself this time behind Baelion.
“And what shall we do with you, love?” Luca reached over the other man’s hip, moving lower until he grasped Bae’s turgid length and stroked it slowly. “Let us take care of you now.”
“I don’t want to make Mari sore.” Bae’s voice was quiet and strained with desire as she joined her hand with Luca’s on the other man’s cock.
“I’m fine, Bae,” she whispered, leaning in to lick at his neck. “I promise.”
“Move closer and give me your leg, Marisol.” Luca released Bae’s cock and pulled her thigh up to rest over both of their hips, opening her up to them.
She moaned when the wet tip of Baelion’s cock rubbed up against her sensitive clit, loving how hard he was for them. When he slowly slid into her, they both let out a long breath. He was slightly thicker than Luca but felt oh so good as he stretched her.
“Neither of you move.” Luca’s voice was thick with desire once again as he reached for the remainder of the julla leaves and collected the thick gel on his fingers before returning to his position behind his mate.
Baelion tightened his arms around Mari’s waist as he groaned low in her ear, his hips bucking slightly against her. She had a pretty good idea what Luca had done, and when he was once again tight against Bae’s back, she leaned over and kissed him, moving her hips slowly, working the thick length inside of her.
“Ahh, Goddess, this feels amazing.” Bae panted as Luca began to thrust into him and Mari continued to move along his shaft. “It’s too much. I can’t last long.”
She had a feeling that was Luca’s intention as he bit down on Bae’s shoulder, making the other man cry out as his hips bucked furiously, taking her breath away every time he slammed against her swollen clit. Mari could feel the force of Luca’s thrusts as he took Bae’s ass.
“Do you like being fucked by both of us at the same time, love?” Luca whispered into Bae’s ear, the dirty words only increasing her desire.
“Yes, I love it,” was Bae’s breathless response, sweat beading at his temple and then slowly making its way down the side of his face.
“Mari, come on his cock.” Luca locked eyes with her. “Make him come inside of you.”
She nodded and bit her lip as she reached down between their straining bodies. Her fingers slipped in the wetness before finding purchase, and all it took was two passes over her clit before her orgasm hit. She tightened around Bae’s shaft, urging him to find his own release.
“Mari!” he bellowed before sinking deep inside of her one last time. She could feel the tremors flow through him as he came hard, his peak, in turn, bringing Luca as well. His roar of completion rang out into the quiet night.

About the author:
Sarah Marsh was born in British Columbia where she still lives, she has only recently began her writing career finding it the perfect outlet for taking the edge off a nine to five office job. She’s been a science fiction and romance junkie for years and when her imagination started to take the characters she’d read about even further in their adventures she decided to try writing something of her own.
Sarah’s also a former pastry chef and spends a lot of time cooking and baking for friends and family as well as painting and knitting. Her biggest weaknesses are animals of any kind…she even loves the ones that wake you up at four in the morning because they can almost see the bottom of their food dish.
When it comes to life in general she’s a big believer that laughter is the best medicine and that there’s no such thing as too much love, which is why she’s such a sucker for a happy ending.
Connect with me!

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Friday, January 20, 2017

Sanguine Shadows...




Like snarky vampires? Give this girl a try…

Now available from award-winning and international best-selling author Erzabet Bishop! Something stalks the streets of Salem and there’s wild magic in the air…
#vampireromance #paranormalhotties #PNR #Curseworkerseries #NNP #ErzabetBishop #eroticromance #vampire #fae #series

Sanguine Shadows by Erzabet Bishop. Start your journey into the Curse Worker universe!
99 cents for a limited time and #FREE in KU!

Ball gowns and bite marks…

Mari Di Bartolo was a witch coming back to her roots in Salem. Juggling work and school, she is a woman on a mission until she is attacked one night after work and left for dead. When Mari is about to step through the veil, she is given a choice-become a vampire or fade away. She chooses life. Nevertheless, it’s not her new Sire that holds Mari’s attention, but the strange and enigmatic Fae with the golden green eyes. Full of mischief and mayhem, the night of the Vampire Ball is upon her and all that glitters may just be her teeth in the moonlight.

Darkness lurks in the shadows…

Fenris is the Captain of the Guard for the Queen of the Dark Court. For centuries he’s secured the barrier between the human world and Faery, part of a Protectorate that keeps humans blissfully ignorant of the beings hidden in their midst. But when another rogue wolf attack brings him to a crime scene, he remembers another girl with long dark hair and eyes that spoke to his soul. On a night filled with wild magic, there will be blood and some of it might just be given willingly.



*Includes Bonus: Map Of Bones, a prequel short story to Malediction.
Available for #FREE on KU!
99 cents for a limited time!
Tags: shifters, fae, vampires, ghosts, party, Salem

Buy link:
Curse Worker Series:
1. Sanguine Shadows
2. Map of Bones
3. Malediction (pre-order now!) http://rxe.me/7FPHRI

4. Arcane (coming soon)



Excerpt from Sanguine Shadows by Erzabet Bishop

Her eyes widened and her lips parted and he caught a glimpse of fang. “I…didn’t know you cared.”
“If I didn’t, why would I have convinced Roark to turn you?” He tugged her closer, the push of her breasts against his chest making it hard to concentrate on mere words. He’d known she was meant for him from the first second he’d seen her but he had to let Roark take her or risk her dying.
“You don’t know me. I was just a girl on the street. A human not worth your consideration.”
Fenris didn’t miss the hurt in her eyes. Perhaps he had been wrong leaving her alone. He’d been convinced he was right letting her assimilate unhindered into her new life. He also couldn’t fault her reasoning. She was right. They had no claim on one another, only an attraction that blazed to life in the most untenable of situations.
But she was wrong on one account. He had noticed her before-just not in a way he might have acted upon. Human and supernatural interaction was forbidden but he was unable to let her die. Not like that.
 He wasn’t able to stop thinking about her and hadn’t since that night.
“I did notice you, witchling. How could I not?” He lifted a finger and traced the side of her face, his cock hardening at the moan that slipped unbidden from her lips. “You burn inside of me. Only I couldn’t act. Not until then. But I had to save you. To do anything else…” He let his voice trail off and watched her reaction.
Mari blinked and reached forward, pressing her lips to his. “It’s like a fire, isn’t it? A fire in the blood.”
“Oh Gods, yes.”


About the author:
Erzabet Bishop is an award-winning and international bestselling author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Crave, Snow (Three Times More Lucky Box Set), Malediction, Map of Bones, Sanguine Shadows, Arcane (coming soon in the Prowlers and Growlers box set) The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Heart’s Protector, Burning for You, Taming the Beast, Mistletoe Kisses, Surrender, Torment (upcoming), Hedging Her Bets, Cat’s Got Her Tongue (Alpha Heat Box Set), Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark (upcoming),The Devil’s Due (upcoming), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming), Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Sweet Seductions, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies.
Follow her on Twitter @erzabetbishop.

Links:

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Lynn Burke with the 6th in the Risso Family series!

The final Risso Family novella is now available!


No One Until Her

Risso Family #6
Erotic Romance / BDSM / Menage


Kaden Quinn has life by the balls and enjoys his side job as a Dom in a downtown Boston BDSM club. What he doesn’t want—or need—is a pseudo-sub trying to shred the veil that protects his painful past.

When untamed Livi Risso's insatiable need to get to the bottom of a story leads her to an exclusive kink club, her curiosity ignites upon meeting a restrained Dom who refuses to touch her.

Kaden feigns disinterest while scening, but that doesn’t stop Livi from experiencing intimacy like she’s never imagined. When one misstep leaves Kaden shaken, will Livi be the one to break down his wall against love?

PURCHASE LINKS: 

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/no-one-until-her-by-lynn-burke/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/One-Until-Risso-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B01N0ZYXPH
Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Until-Risso-Family-Book-ebook/dp/B01N0ZYXPH/
Bookstrand:  http://www.bookstrand.com/no-one-until-her-mf





Click on image for more information on the Risso Family Series!

~~~oOo~~~

EXCERPT

"What's your name, sub?" I asked.
"Lis ... Lisa."
I narrowed my gaze and stared down at her. "If you say so, Bella."
"Bella?" Her head tilted to the side, her eyes slightly widened. "Is that a compliment?"
"You're Italian, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Then that's what I'll call you." A light flush spread across her high cheekbones and she bit her lower lip. Goddamn cock sprung to full attention. "First thing you ought to know--and should have learned long before entering this club as a sub--your gaze belongs on your Dom's boots, your knees on the floor."
The bulge in my leathers snagged her attention as her head lowered and she hesitated. A shudder rippled through her, but she sank to her knees with practiced ease, a waft of subtle sweetness, what had to be expensive perfume, floating around me. My mouth watered.
Long, glossy dark hair cascaded around her downturned face. Her shoulders remained back and straight.
Trying to ignore the press of my goddamn zipper into my cock--and prickle of unease tingling the back of my neck--I glanced across the room at Devon, one of the few Doms who didn't mind switching.
He lounged in a chair, drink in hand, but otherwise unoccupied. Bella's appearance had already drawn hi attention. He gawked like a starstruck lvoer at the goddess kneeling at my feet.
The idea of sharing the tasty morsel of a pseudo-sub twisted my gut, but the thought that touching her skin would definitely cause trouble overrode my Neanderthal side.
As though feeling my stare, Devon lifted his gaze to mine.
I quirked a brow in invitation.
He shot out of his seat with a shit-eating grin and strode across the room. He stood a good half foot shorter than me, but we both had blue eyes, the same light hair, and square jaw... We'd enjoyed our fair share of women fantasizing about brothers.
"Master Devon, care to join us this evening?"

Monday, January 16, 2017

The second in the Blue Star Shifter series!




Blurb:
Desiree lost her heart to Tahl before he moved away, pursuing a redheaded shifter. Devastated, she somehow managed to hope he got what he needed. Except, being part Fae, she now believes she’s cursed him. Tahl has returned, unmated, refusing to share what transpired.

When Tahl pursues her, realizing what she has always meant to him, Desi desperately avoids, her guilt—and refusal to be second choice—a deterrent to her heart. Her twenty-fifth birthday approaches, and hot from the chase, Tahl corners her. He triggers her heat and she must allow him to assuage it, however outraged and resentful she might be.

The redhead follows Tahl, refusing to accept his mating—he can’t be bonded should his mate die... The males fail to thwart the nefarious plan, and the true nature of both females is revealed. Only one bitch can win and keep Tahl’s heart, and Desi won’t lose.



Excerpt:
Now that he was here, he was stalling, and he grimaced. Nothing much scared him, but the female presumably inside the cabin… He forced his feet to carry up the short set of stairs and opened the front door with a confidence he didn’t feel. Until he saw her.
Huddled on the couch, facing him, was his future mate, the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen—or scented. Cheeks flushed, hair now streaming in wild abandon and clothing awry, she glared at him, her rage muted by the trembling need radiating from her tense body.
“Baby. I got here as soon as I could. I—” His attempt at an apology was overridden as Desi lurched to her feet.
“It’s not fucking fair that I have no recourse in this, Tahl. It’s a done deal because you decided. You. And now I’m stuck with you. I have to submit to your … physical attentions so I can function.” She laughed, a harsh mimicry of her usual, musical burst of sound. The one he hadn’t heard in his vicinity for a very long time but had never forgotten. The dichotomy scalded his senses.
She stood, her body shaking, the hormonal flux pouring off of her, and he balled his fists to keep his hands to himself. A vastly angry Desiree was an incredibly beautiful and appealing female and his wolf seethed with impatience against her siren call. Tahl shoved his animal back and cudgeled his brain for something that would soothe her. Some sense of self-preservation kept him from offering his heart. It was quite likely she’d carve it out of his chest and eat it with a spoon.
His breath stuttered as with awkward, jerky movements, she yanked at the front of her silky shirt, the fine fabric rending beneath her impatient hands. She threw the remnants in the general direction of the couch before working at the zipper on her little skirt. The garment slid over her thighs to pool around her ankles, his avid stare tracking it as the black lace of her matching panties was revealed as well as the long length of her legs. She stepped out, nearly losing her balance, and kicked the material away.
This was so not how he imagined it. Throat dry, he closed the distance. “Desiree. Easy, baby. Let me—”
“You’ve done enough, Tahl,” she coughed out between shuddering breaths. “Now do what nature intended.” Her pretty bra popped open and her breasts were displayed. Sitting high on her narrow torso, they were in perfect proportion to the rest of her, though visibly swollen with need, the dark nipples beaded tightly.
Everything in him screamed to take her right fucking now, his cock so hard it hurt, his wolf groveling. Groveling. With inner strength he somehow drew from somewhere, perhaps his conscience, maybe his aching heart, he wrestled his libido into submission and hugged her instead. Trying to offer her comfort. His eyes closed against the intense draw of her soft, silky skin, the heat of her radiating intensely to the very marrow of his bones.
Desiree wrestled free, wild-eyed and flushed. Surely no other male would have been so fucking stupid as to trigger his future mate’s heat on the side of a goddamn highway and then leave her unfulfilled? He cursed himself again.
She scrabbled at the fine stuff of her underwear and it met the same fate as her shirt. Tahl drank in his first sight of the female who was his, all creamy skin and smooth curves, the soft dark hair at her apex neatly trimmed. But she was shaking harder, out of control, the scent of her arousal overwhelming him, and instinct took over.
With economic movements, he stripped off his own clothing. Desiree swayed, her eyes tightly shut as she panted through the tiny whimpers falling from her lips. He spoke her name even as he gathered her up and bore her down on the wide, soft couch, but she wouldn’t—or couldn’t—open her eyes.
There was no time, or need, or foreplay. He’d left her too long. Testing her preparedness with one finger, he grunted his satisfaction. Soaked. Her thighs opened wide for him as he maneuvered between them, her arms splayed and her head thrown back. She writhed, her wolf clearly right at the surface, and her whimpers escalated both in volume and quantity.
Recognizing the time for fucking couldn’t be put off by conversation, however necessary, he fit the weeping crown of his cock against her opening. Wet, sultry heat engulfed him as he surged inside on a desperate thrust. And froze at her muffled yelp.
“Fuck me, baby. Fuck. Me.” He wrapped her up, working his arms beneath her shoulders to tuck her as tightly against him as he could manage while holding his cock steady, giving her time to adjust. It was his turn to screw his own eyes shut in order to concentrate on not moving one fucking iota. He’d just taken her virginity, and even his wolf paused in its desperation to claim her.

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUBECAJ  
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/undone-by-destiny-mf




Author Bio:
Allyson Young lives in cottage country in Manitoba, Canada with her husband and numerous pets. She worked in the human services all across Canada and has seen the best and worst of what people bring to the table. Allyson has written for years, mostly short stories and poetry, published in small newspapers and the like, although her work appeared in her high school yearbooks too! After reading an erotic romance, quite by accident, she decided to try her hand at penning erotica.
Allyson will write until whatever she has inside her is satisfied- when all the heroes man up and all the heroines get what they deserve. Love isn’t always sweet, and Allyson favours the darker side of romance.

Links:




Monday, January 9, 2017

Welcoming Nora Bennett!



Everything I’ve Dreamed Of
By Norah Bennett

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR3847R/
Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/everything-ive-dreamed-of-by-norah-bennett/

Giveaway: 
http://gvwy.io/0fg2991


Kate Willowbrook dreams of a life filled with beauty –– a man who loves her, friends, and a home. At eighteen, Kate's dreams are replaced by nightmares when she witnesses a crime. Kate runs, never settling down or trusting anyone. Ten years later Kate discovers the small town of Lakes Crossing and Noah Reed. 

When Noah’s wife is killed in an accident, he buries himself in work and family obligations, believing he will never find love again until he meets Kate. The more he learns about her, the more he is drawn to her and his protective instincts kick into overdrive.

Noah is everything Kate has ever dreamed of, but his take-charge attitude is scaring up old demons she fought hard to bury. If they can’t find a way to strike a balance that satisfies both their deepest needs, they could lose their second chance at love.





Excerpt
Kate pierced him with her green eyes. “I’m certain there’s no shortage of women who would be happy to go out with you. Why me?”

Noah’s cocky grin faded into a soft smile that stole her breath. His eyes darkened as he focused on her. She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks again, and she couldn’t believe she asked him that question. She didn’t even know why she did, except that she wanted to hear his answer. If she let herself fall for this beautiful man, with a killer smile and the softest brown eyes in the world, she’d fall hard and fast. If she were just a toy to him, one that he got bored of and discarded after a while, she’d be devastated. She had lost so much already and survived, but Kate wasn’t sure she could survive his games. If she allowed herself to hope and dream of a life with Noah but then lost it all, she’d crumble, and no amount of superglue would put her back together.

 Kate waited for his answer, her eyes locked with his and he didn’t let her down. 

“Yes, I won’t deny that I’ve dated other women and there are those who wouldn’t turn me down for a date, but they’re not you.”

Noah reached for her hand, and she let him feel the tremble that ran through her as he engulfed her small hand in his. He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers, never taking his gaze off her. 

“You say you’re not special to anyone, but that’s not true. I see something special, someone special. I know we don’t know each other very well, but if you give us a chance to change that, together, we may be something special. We won’t know unless we try.”

Kate’s breath hitched, and her heart squeezed. Jesus, the man had a way with words. How did he know what she needed to hear? Now she understood what Roberta Flack meant when she sang, Killing me Softly. He was clawing at the door to her heart, and she didn’t think she was strong enough to resist him, even knowing that she may get shredded if she let him in.

Kate dropped her gaze again as they began to fill. Her breathing was ragged, and her heart broke its confines and was on the run. Whether it wanted to be caught by Noah or not, Kate wasn’t certain. 

Special. 

Kate had waited thirty-one years to hear someone call her special. She struggled to rein in her emotions and push back the tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. She wanted to go out with Noah so badly it hurt. She wanted to get to know him and to be a part of his world, but she was terrified. Good visited her very few times in her life. The instant it arrived, she began preparing for its departure. Good was a temporary visitor and a fickle one at that. 

“Come on, Kate. I can sense you’re afraid. I swear I’m a nice guy. I’ll do my damnedest not to disappoint or hurt you. Take a chance. Take a chance on me.”

Kate heard the vulnerability in Noah’s voice. She explored his handsome face, a face she was sure she would never tire of admiring. All traces of his earlier cockiness vanished. Instead, it was replaced by a rawness, an earnestness, a tenderness she’d never seen before. That was the look Kate would remember for a lifetime. Years from now, she would say that was the exact moment she knew, if Noah Reed asked her, she would be his for a lifetime. 

Kate let out a slow breath and with a soft smile, she whispered, “Okay, Noah Reed. I’ll take a chance … a chance on you. I’ll go out with you.”



About the Author
Norah lives a double life. By day she is a suit-wearing, prim and proper, professor, administrator, researcher, and lecturer. By night she is a PJ wearing dreamer and writer of books that make people sigh, smile, cry, laugh, fall in love and believe in second chances.


Norah lives in Andover, New Jersey with her husband of thirty years, a cranky geriatric maltipoo, and an obnoxious cockatoo who runs the house and terrifies all its inhabitants. 

Norah discovered the joy and escapism that comes from reading at the age of twelve and swears books saved her life and her sanity. Through reading, she has travelled the globe and learned all kinds of equally useful and useless skills such as the proper way to eat a pomegranate, carve a watermelon, or bathe an elephant. These are skills she has passed down to her two daughters who are incredibly supportive, but often wish she had a wider scope of hobbies. 

Norah has a long publishing history in academia, but she started writing fiction recently. In July 2016 she published her first work of fiction, R.I.L.Y. Forever with Evernight Publishing and in January 2017 her second book, Everything I’ve Dreamed Of, was also published by Evernight Publishing. Currently, she is working on her third novel, Six Months. Digital and print copies of her books can be purchased at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/R-I-L-Y-Forever-Norah-Bennett-ebook/dp/B01IFH66CK/


Social Media Links
Website: http://www.norahbennett.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealNorahB?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norahbennettbooks/
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15291745.Norah_Bennett?
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Norah-Bennett/e/B01IFN2V46/