NEW RELEASE! Risking it All by JM Stewart

My friend, writer JM Stewart, has a brand new release I'm thrilled to share with you. If you love contemporary romance, you won't want to miss Risking it All!

Love requires a leap of faith...

She’s everything he wants…

For years, Kyle Morgan has hidden his true feelings from the gorgeous girl next door that he grew up loving and protecting. But when she shows up at his apartment in the middle of the night, desperately needing comfort and support, his iron will begins to waver…

…and the only thing he can’t bear to lose.

Kyle was always the big brother Cecelia Anton never had, but suddenly her goofy best friend has become a sexy man she can’t keep her thoughts—or hands—off of. As their deep connection melts into uncontrollable desire, Ceci is willing to put it all on the line for a shot at true love. Only Kyle is keeping a terrible secret about Ceci’s past that could destroy not only their lifelong friendship but their happily-ever-after…

Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite:

For a moment, she stared, her eyes searching his, then she straightened her shoulders. “Why’d you kiss me?”

Panic curled through him, sending his pulse pounding into his rib cage. Damn. Why hadn’t he expected her to ask that? But he couldn’t answer it. To do so would be tempting fate. An intense need for distance seized him. Half afraid he’d lose his mind and do something else he’d regret, like pull her into his arms and show her why he’d kissed her, he shot to his feet.

He flashed her a smile he knew had to look as phony as it felt. “Headache’s better. Thanks.”

He didn’t wait for a response but strode toward the yard.

“I need to know, Kyle.”

His answer sat on the tip of his tongue, but the voice of reason sounded in his head. Don’t say it. Whatever you do, do not say it. Just keep walking.

Her soft footsteps sounded behind him. “You can’t just do something like that and walk away and expect me not to question it. You blow hot and cold, do you know that? I know desire when I see it, yet you just keep walking away.”

“Ever think maybe I wanted to kiss you?” The words left his mouth on a hoarse whisper, and God help him, a desperate need to see her eyes seized him. He turned to find her directly behind him. She stared for a fraction of a second too long, heat and curiosity blazed in her eyes. A heartbeat later, a light blush stole into her cheeks, but she didn't move, didn't say a word.

Everything inside of him ground to a halt, his mind twisting off in another direction. I’ll be damned. If ever he needed a confirmation, there it was. Whatever had happened between them was definitely not one-sided.

And lucky for us, the book is available EVERYWHERE!

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1xUZJls

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1m0XdEJ

Amazon CA:  http://amzn.to/X8PA3R

Amazon AU:  http://bit.ly/X8PDwm

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1wiJmut

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1oDy0fo

iTunes:  http://bit.ly/1qt95Rs

Google Play:  http://bit.ly/1pY0JuS

Penguin:  http://bit.ly/1qONT7E

New Release! Cherished Moments by Mickie Sherwood

Please join me in welcoming Mickie Sherwood to The Second Half today! Mickie is the author of Cherished Moments, a new sweet romantic suspense. 

 

Here's a bit about the story:

Senator Jordan Dupré is reluctant to revisit her past. That thought crumbles at the sight of Deacon Burke. His commanding presence and charming smile transports her back to her youth. Back then, she kissed, loved, lied, and left him—taking a life-changing secret with her.

 

Scorned by Jordan’s dishonesty, Deke swears he never wants to see her lying face again. However, his heart knows better, and he never stops thinking of her. When Jordan’s husband is killed, Deke is summoned to the Senator’s aid, by an unlikely source—Unfortunately, he brings a secret of his own.

 

Will secrets from their past reignite their cherished moments?

 

Excerpt:

Deke’s number rang a long time before he finally answered. "Hello."

"Deke, it's me." Her throat felt scratchy from screaming. Clearing it only aggravated the rawness. "Thank you for being there."

"You know, I'll always be here for you, Jay."

"That man probably would have strangled me to death if you hadn't shown up when you did."

"What? What man? What are you talking about?"

Confusion settled over Jordan. "Wasn't that you in the parking lot a few minutes ago?"

"Jay, you banished me from your place. Remember?" He growled the words.

"It was so dark," Jordan revealed to him. "Then, who?" Her senses reeled. "Someone actually tried to harm me."

"I'm on my way.” Deke’s voice was even keeled though she deciphered an undercurrent of agony.

"I'm not at the office."

"You’re not. Then, where the hell are you?"

Now, she interpreted frustration in his tone. “I’m on my way to the lake."

"The lake? Where the hell is that?"

"Use my number to sync my signal, Deke. You'll have the directions. It hurt so badly to talk. I have to go."

"Jay!” he yelled into the phone.

"See you when you get there." She whispered goodbye, and then ended the call.

 

Buy links:

Topaz Publishing: http://www.topazpublishingllc.com/contemporary-romance.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/CHERISHED-MOMENTS-MICKIE-SHERWOOD-ebook/dp/B00JSWLXNY/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherished-moments-mickie-sherwood/1119365472?ean=2940149550272

 

 

Find Mickie at:

http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog

https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood

http://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood

http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady

http://www.blurbsinbloom.com

 

Bio:

Mickie Sherwood is an author and a novice photographer. Using her backyard as the backdrop for her inspiration, she loves taking pictures of nature. Her love of photography incites her creativity for writing. Spending time with her family and cruise vacations, also stokes her imagination. With all of her interests combined, fascinating characters and intriguing circumstances can develop.

 

Mickie also enjoys a good laugh. Revel in the humorous stories she

shares about life, at her blog—Mickie's Mutterings.

Dawn Luedecke's New Release - To Tame A Montana Heart

Today I'm delighted to welcome author Dawn Luedecke to The Second Half. Dawn is here to share her brand new Western romance entitled To Tame A Montana Heart. Let's take a look!

Blurb

Running from a past of privilege, deceit, and danger, Travis Simms is ready to settle down. What better place to forget all he left behind than the quiet little Montana town of Lolo Hot Springs? His goal is clear — build a hotel and his own destiny without complications —until one of the town’s most troublesome women captures his attention.

Dusty Larson is hell bent on independence, helping her sister run the Triple D Ranch. She can do anything a man can, and do it better, so she certainly doesn’t need one in her life. The only problem is she seems to attract bad luck and danger...and Travis. Can he tame her wild ways and keep his bachelor status intact — or does he risk losing his heart?

Isn't that a gorgeous cover? Dawn's also agreed to treat us to a couple of excerpts.

Excerpt #1

She watched him with care. “I don’t know if I love you. I like you, a lot, but I don’t have the slightest idea what love feels like.”

Travis’ smile grew slowly across his face. “I understand. I’m not sure if I love you or not, but I also don’t think I could live without you. So you will always have that.” His voice was almost a whisper when he said the last.

“Truly?” Her voice cracked and she had to force herself to breathe easy.

“Truly.”

She inclined her head and took two brisk steps toward him. She leaned over and kissed him with all the fever of a thousand fires. He reached up and intertwined his hand through her hair to hold her still as he plundered her mouth.

She released him with a shaky breath and jumped back to turn on her heels. “Put something nice on. I’ll be back with a preacher man.”

“You know, I heard you only have to say ‘I marry you’ three times and then you’re hitched.”

She threw him a sassy look and slammed the door shut.

Excerpt #2

The voices in her head screamed for her to run but she just couldn’t listen. Fists balled at her sides, Dusty prepared for a fight and stalked toward the sound, rounding the corner and tripping just as strong hands reached out and grabbed her shoulders.

The hands picked her up and turned her around to press her back into steel muscles of a rock-solid chest. One arm reached across her collarbone to clasp her shoulder. The other wrapped around her midsection, holding her against a warm body. The offending hands gripped her tight and brought her snug against the length of him. She knew without looking who it was.

“When you walk around after dark, anything can happen.” His warm breath tickled her neck, and shivers raced through her. The hand lining the length of her collarbone made its way up her shoulder and traced the edges of her shirt collar. “You are not safe from anything in the dark.”

With those words, Travis turned her around and slipped his hands behind her back to pull her closer. He bent his head and his next words tickled her lips, “Even me.” The kiss shot like lightning through Dusty. It shocked and excited her, stealing the breath from her lungs. Without conscious thought she lifted her hands and entwined them behind his neck, pressing their bodies closer.

Travis eased Dusty back, but kept her in his grip. “Heaven above, Angel…I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you at the springs.” He traced the edges of her lips with the rough pad of his thumb. “You are way too beautiful to be out by yourself after dark. Anything could happen.”

“Anything could happen," Dusty rasped out.

Travis released Dusty and her knees buckled. He caught her before she could land on the ground, set her right once again, and gave a deep throaty laugh.

“Anything could happen,” she said again. Dizzy excitement hummed through her body, and all she could hear was the deep thump of her heart.

Biography

A country girl born and bred, Dawn Luedecke has spent most of her life surrounded by horses, country folk, and the wild terrain of Nevada, Idaho and Montana. As a child she would spend many afternoons reading books, watching western classics, and Rogers and Hammerstein movies. When she grew up she decided to leave the quiet country life for a chance to find adventure by serving a successful tour in the United States Coast Guard. During that time she found her soul mate (and alpha male) and started a family and writing career. She enjoys writing historical and paranormal romance and spends as much time as she can working on her current manuscript. For more information visit www.dawnluedecke.com.

Buy Links

The Wild Rose Press ebook

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_146&products_id=4915

The Wild Rose Press print

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4935

Amazon kindle edition

http://www.amazon.com/To-Tame-Montana-Heart-ebook/dp/B008MZR7DS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-2&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart

Amazon paperback edition

http://www.amazon.com/Tame-Montana-Heart-Dawn-Luedecke/dp/1612172016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-1&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart

Barnes and Noble ebook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-tame-a-montana-heart-dawn-luedecke/1112274216?ean=2940014994248

Social media links

Website

www.dawnluedecke.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Luedecke/118877871497830?ref=hl

Twitter

@d_luedecke

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4509191.Dawn_Luedecke

Pinterest

http://pinterest.com/dluedecke

Youtube Book trailer

http://youtu.be/nhBEPCsswTs

My Biggest Project Yet

In January, I began the journey to a new portfolio career comprised of writing, book cover design, and editing. My first several projects were cover designs I've shared previously on this blog. I really enjoyed the challenge of learning a new set of skills and applying it to a new creative medium. I'm pleased with the results and look forward to enhancing and refining my graphic design skills in the future. My current project, however, has been a much larger undertaking.

I'm thrilled to announce the release of my fourth book Unwritten Rules. After publishing three books with a wonderful small press, I decided to take the plunge into the world of independent publishing with this new one. For a number of reasons the time seemed right. I was switching sub-genres from Western historical romance to contemporary romantic suspense and would no longer be able to work with my previous editor. Also, after designing several book covers for a friend, I wanted the opportunity to design my own. In my new business, I will be helping other independent authors realize their dreams, so I wanted to be familiar with the entire process.

It's been an exciting journey with a few bumps along the way (formatting is not my friend), but I'm satisfied and proud of the final product. And after all is said and done, that's the greatest reward.

Here's a blurb about the story:

Things aren’t going Madelyn Li’s way. Her bodyguard agency is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, her grandmother keeps hatching plots to marry her off, and someone is trying to kill her latest client. All she wants is to safely escort thriller writer and former CIA agent Carter Devlin on his cross country book tour and collect her check, but two obstacles stand in her way: a shadowy assailant and her own growing attraction to her dashing client.

Carter Devlin has agreed to accept the beautiful and determined Ms. Li as a bodyguard primarily to appease his publisher. After all, who would want to kill a beat-up, retired ex-spy on a book tour? But when the attacks turn deadly, he soon learns there’s more to Madelyn than a pretty face and tempting body. Will the spark become a flame before a killer snuffs it out?

What have you been up to lately? What projects are you most proud of?