Book Spotlight | Dani Jace. Romance Author

Iris Alden and Carter Blackwood couldn’t be more different. Change-averse Iris likes her life neat and organized, while Carter’s itchy feet mean he doesn’t plan to stay in the same place for long.

When Carter moves into the house across the street from Iris, to renovate it, she fights the disruption it causes in her life. Before long, though, it’s not simply the house Carter’s rebuilding, but Iris’s heart, too.

Teaser:

“What are you doing here?”

It’s Carter freaking Blackwood. Of course.

He smiles that ridiculously bright, white smile of his and lets out a soft snicker. “I’m fixing a floor for a friend, what are you doing here?”

It’s completely obvious what I’m doing here, seeing as I’m carrying two huge trays of sugar cookies in my arms.

“A friend? You just moved in. How do you have friends already?” I say it a bit harsher than I probably should but honestly, how does he have friends already? James and I were here a good six months before people started really talking to me. It was a year before I could call any of them friends. The edges of Carter’s mouth turn down and his head dips to one side as his shoulders hunch then settle.

“People like me, I guess.”

The smug look on his face is enough to make me want to slap it. Or kiss it.

Wait. Not kiss it. I didn’t mean kiss it. Why am I staring at his lips?

“People who don’t want to kill me that is. Are you okay?”

I blink, and search my brain, but I’m still not quite sure what to say to him, so I extend my arms. “I brought cookies.” As soon as I say the words, I hear them. I sound ridiculous and Carter’s bright eyes crinkle with amusement.

He closes his lids and he breathes the baked goods in. Then hums. The sound of his voice sends a vibration through me and I shiver. I am eternally grateful that he doesn’t see it happen.

His eyes open slowly. When they reach mine, I’m glued to his stare like a deer in headlights.

“Those cookies smell really fucking good, Iris.”

The bedroom eyes catch me off guard and my mouth falls open so I snap it shut. I’m a buffoon with no ability to speak.

“Can I have one?” He reaches out and I balance the platter with one hand, then slap his fingers with the other while I find words. A word that is.

“No.”

“Ow.” He pulls his hand away, like a child getting reprimanded, only when we make eye contact again, he doesn’t seem child like to me.

I wouldn’t say he’s angry. He doesn’t exactly laugh, either. And his eyes gleam as he stares at me. I hate his eyes almost as much as I hate his teeth. Maybe more. Dammit, I’m staring, again.

“They’re for Ally’s class,” I tell him. “Fundraiser, I mean bake sale.” I fumble my words. He’s so frustrating.

A contemporary romcom
Release date: March 23, 2015
Publisher: Little Bird Publishing

Other works by Jo:

Cursed be the Wicked, a paranormal mystery romance, released March 2014 through Soul Mate Publishing

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Lost in Christmas, a short story included in Soul Mate Publishing’s 2013 Christmas anthology

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About Jo:

A movie fanatic, a writer of stories, a lover of life.

Jo grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins within the vicinity – but it was too cold up North for this thin blooded girl. So today, she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband that shares her same sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.

Life is too short to put dreams on the back burner.

Jo tells contemporary stories with romance, humor, the supernatural, the paranormal, suspense, mystery, action and anything else she can think up.

In 2012, she wrote Cursed be the Wicked, a character driven, paranormal mystery romance that was picked up by Soul Mate Publishing and released in March of 2014. Since then, Jo has also written a couple of short stories and her recently contracted contemporary romantic comedy, entitled Cookie Cutter, is set to release on March 23, 2015 through Little Bird Publishing.

Social Media:

WEBSITE: http://jrrichardsonfics.weebly.com

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/author/jrrichardsonfics

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JRRichardsonAuthor

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jofictionfreak

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/JRRichardson

Marina Myles and her hero are visiting today. Her Cursed Princes romance series with Kensington are fairy tale retellings that are hot, a bit twisted, and feature immortal Prince Charmings, who aren’t always good!

Dragomir Starkov is the hero of her third novel, Sleeping Beauty and the Demon. He’s a mysterious illusionist who can make woman do things by way of his dark, hypnotic stare. He’s fallen for Rose Carlisle—a beautiful young woman yearning to be protected by his magic and their love affair begins one stormy night in 1912 New York City. Right after Drago opens his magic show, he spots Rose in the audience. Interestingly, he isn’t shocked to see her because he has willed the blond beauty to come tonight…

Glad to have you today, Dragomir.

*nods* Thanks.

So you compel women with your stare. Sexy! Let’s start out with what attracts you. Is there a specific body type, hair, or eye color? Does your current lover meet the criteria? I love women with long blond hair, firm curves, and violet eyes. Not only does gorgeous Rose meet the criteria, she is my dream girl.

So what’s the hottest thing she’s said to you? In the midst of our fiery lovemaking, she whispered in my ear, “Drago. Your touch will always be magical to me.”

And is there a favorite piece of her clothing you enjoy removing? Her blouse, skirt, chemise, and undergarments. Everything!

Sounds wicked hot. What do you believe is your most attractive feature? Perhaps my eyes. Although they’re almost black, I’m told they flash with desire when I am aroused. Oh, and women seem to love my rich, Romanian accent.

I’m sure they do. Tell our audience what intrigues you most about your lover? Rose has the face of an innocent angel, but she is more than willing to gain carnal experience.

Is there a special place you like to take her for a romantic evening? In the plushest box of the theater where I perform. Late one night, after everyone was gone, I laid her over a damask bench, unbuttoned her blouse, skimmed my lips down her neck and—well, you’ll have to read the book to discover the rest!

Public places…oh yeah! Do you rely on physical prowess or your intelligence to attract women? Other men may rely on these things, but I’m able to use my magical powers. Hypnotism can make for an incredible, sexual encounter.

What a cool power. With that said, what worries you most? I’m worried about Rose succumbing to the curse cast upon her as a child. I am here to protect her from it and guard her fiercely.

A curse? Well then, she’s lucky to have your protection. Do you have a secret no one knows? My biggest secret is that I am immortal and have experienced life for many centuries. In all that time, I never found a soul mate. Until Rose.

I always love hearing that from a hero. Last but not least, what’s one thing you’ve never told your lover? That I am immortal. And when Rose discovers my demonic powers, it makes for a very interesting turning point in Sleeping Beauty and the Demon!

I’ll bet! *winks*

I hope you enjoyed this interview. Thanks for having me.

It was great to meet you! Now an excerpt for our readers.

EXCERPT ~ SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE DEMON

Rose began to cry all over again. “But I don’t know if my feelings for you are real.”

With a slow, sultry motion, Drago leaned in and began to kiss away her hot tears. “Your feelings are very real.”

Her eyelids grew heavy and her eyes fluttered shut against his touch.

“They’re very real because I love you in return. And I’ll never let you go.”

“You still haven’t given me an answer,” she said hoarsely.

“If I did hypnotize you, do you want me to lift my spell?”

His warmth enveloped her—and because she knew deep down that she would never feel alive without him, all she could was answer honestly. “No.”

Apparently, that was all he needed to hear. Urging her head upward, he covered her mouth with his. Body aflame, she parted her lips and let his tongue glide forward. Its sweet taste intoxicated her—and as his hand dropped from the curve of her neck to the roundness of her breast, she pressed against it to make his grasp firmer.

In a single scoop, Drago lifted her off the divan and carried her into his bedroom. After he laid her on the bed, he lowered the gas lamp’s flame to a dim glow. Then he stood to remove his shirt. When he joined her on the mattress, another surge of desire shot through her.

“My rosebud. I want you more than any other woman I’ve known. Without you, food has no taste, music holds no gaiety, and life has no meaning. Will you let me show you how much I love you?”

Rose could only whimper a response. A slip of air separated them and she could smell his masculine scent sweep forward. Reeling with anxiousness, she reached for him and he caressed her lips with his again. She put a hand to the angle of his jaw and felt it clench and unclench as his experienced tongue rolled in and out of her mouth. She never knew a kiss could offer so much satisfaction. What carnal delights awaited her when she was finally naked in Drago’s arms?

Naked? My God! Reality washed over her. What on earth was she doing in this apartment, with this man who was so much older and more experienced than she?

As if he’d read her thoughts, Drago said, “Don’t worry, Rose. This will be our little secret.”

Before she knew it, he was unbuttoning her lace blouse. As his deft fingers moved over the fabric, he continued to devour her with hot kisses. Meanwhile, Rose’s desire for him made her throws her cares to the wind, fueling her willingness.

That sense of empowerment stopped her from freezing with self-consciousness when he exposed her breast.

“Christ,” he said gruffly at the sight. “You’re so damned beautiful.”

She blushed and looked away.

“As you’ve guessed by now, I’m a bad man,” he murmured, just as gruffly. “A man who wants to make love to you hotly. Wickedly.”

BIO:

Marina Myles’s love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale. During her college days in Dallas, she received degrees in English Literature and Communications—and enjoyed the unique experience of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Now that she lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she hasn’t left her glamorous life behind completely. After all, she gets to divide her time between her loving family, her loyal Maltese, and worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs. Visit her at www.marinamyles.com