Guest Post + #Giveaway : Love & Justice by Rachel Mannino

Today I'm thrilled to offer a guest post by author Rachel Mannino!   Enjoy!

I had a dream 
By: Rachel Mannino

No, literally, I had a dream. That was what prompted me to write Love or Justice. I woke up one morning, fascinated by a dream where I was a witness to a crime, and I fell in love with the officer protecting me, but I was being hunted by the criminal I was supposed to testify against. I thought it would make a great novel. I had never written a novel before in my life, but I could see the whole story in my head. So later that night, I sat down and started writing. It took me a little over a year to complete the first draft.

 A dream also prompted me to write my second novel, Fractal, which will be published in the spring. I was traveling in space with my sister and we were on a grand adventure. I was afraid at the end of the adventure that I would lose her and she would die. The storyline slowly developed into the story of Anna, who doesn’t know she’s the long lost ruler of a ruined planet until her people land on Earth to try and take her home. Anna, her little brother, and her best friend Hannah, leave Earth to journey to the abandoned planet, hoping to save it.

 Dreams are a wonderful creative space. There are no rules. Things don’t have to quite make sense, and you’re presented with powerful images that can stick with you all day, or for a lifetime. Certain images and moments can prove to be inspirational for a novel. Of course, you have to find a way to apply some rules and logic to an otherwise chaotic stream of visions. You also need to tease out the heart of the story. Laurie and Dante might be on the run from a mob boss, but what they’re really fighting against is the justice system that demands an enormous sacrifice to put a criminal behind bars. They can choose to stay in their cozy sanctuary, but can they just stand by while a dangerous killer goes free?

A dream can be a wonderful basis for a novel, you just have to add a few more layers of heart before you get to the real story.

And now, more about the novel inspired by a dream!  Be sure to enter the giveaway below as well!! 

 
Publication: Oct 29, 2015
ISBN: 1680583476
ASIN: B0170HJN62
Length: 408 pages
Genres: Romantic Suspense

Blurb: 

Laurie Shelton is the only person alive who can identify Hawaii’s most notorious mob boss…  

After stumbling into a deadly kidnapping, Laurie’s life is in grave danger, and it falls to US Marshal Dante Stark to keep her safe until she testifies against Kaimi Quamboa—assuming he can be captured.

Dante knows he’ll lose his job if he becomes romantically involved with a witness…  

But when he has to comfort her through constant nightmares, he finds it nearly impossible to fight his attraction to the beautiful, strong young woman he is sworn to protect. Laurie feels it too, but aware she’s in a high-stress situation and that when the danger is past she’ll never see Dante again, she tries to ignore his easygoing smile and the security he offers.  
Laurie and Dante are forced to flee again…  

When Kaimi’s men descend on their hideaway, they escape to a second safe house, only to be tracked down there as well. Dante now knows there’s a mole inside the US Marshal Service, and the only thing left to do is disappear. Kaimi will never stop looking for Laurie, and if he’s caught, showing up to testify could be the last thing she ever does. With each choice as dangerous as the next, Dante and Laurie must confront the boundaries of what they’re willing to sacrifice, and which is more important…  
Love or Justice.

Buy it : Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback

 

About the author:

Rachel Mannino is a passionate writer who creates characters and settings that allow readers to explore power dynamics in relationships, the empowerment of women, and the ethical and moral dilemmas love can create in our lives. Rachel also uses her writing skills to raise thousands of dollars for entities that enrich our lives and create community change around the world.  She has worked for the Peace Corps; the Humanities Council of Washington, DC; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events in Boston, MA. Her first novel, Love or Justice, was published by Limitless Press in November 2016. Her second novel, Fractal, will be published by eTreasures publishing in the spring of 2016. Rachel has a BA in theatre studies and writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, and she has used it every day since graduation.  She lives with her husband, author Christopher Mannino (http://www.christophermannino.com/), and their adorable dog and cat in College Park, Maryland.  

Facebook | Author Page (FB) | Twitter | Website | Amazon | Literary Addicts | Goodreads 

---

Follow the tour 

Giveaway:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue reading →

#BookBlast - Love or Justice by Rachel Mannino #Giveaway

  


 
Publication: Oct 29, 2015
ISBN: 1680583476
ASIN: B0170HJN62
Length: 408 pages
Genres: Romantic Suspense

Blurb: 

Laurie Shelton is the only person alive who can identify Hawaii’s most notorious mob boss…  

After stumbling into a deadly kidnapping, Laurie’s life is in grave danger, and it falls to US Marshal Dante Stark to keep her safe until she testifies against Kaimi Quamboa—assuming he can be captured.

Dante knows he’ll lose his job if he becomes romantically involved with a witness…  

But when he has to comfort her through constant nightmares, he finds it nearly impossible to fight his attraction to the beautiful, strong young woman he is sworn to protect. Laurie feels it too, but aware she’s in a high-stress situation and that when the danger is past she’ll never see Dante again, she tries to ignore his easygoing smile and the security he offers.  
Laurie and Dante are forced to flee again…  

When Kaimi’s men descend on their hideaway, they escape to a second safe house, only to be tracked down there as well. Dante now knows there’s a mole inside the US Marshal Service, and the only thing left to do is disappear. Kaimi will never stop looking for Laurie, and if he’s caught, showing up to testify could be the last thing she ever does. With each choice as dangerous as the next, Dante and Laurie must confront the boundaries of what they’re willing to sacrifice, and which is more important…  
Love or Justice.

Buy it : Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback

 

About the author:

Rachel Mannino is a passionate writer who creates characters and settings that allow readers to explore power dynamics in relationships, the empowerment of women, and the ethical and moral dilemmas love can create in our lives. Rachel also uses her writing skills to raise thousands of dollars for entities that enrich our lives and create community change around the world.  She has worked for the Peace Corps; the Humanities Council of Washington, DC; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events in Boston, MA. Her first novel, Love or Justice, was published by Limitless Press in November 2016. Her second novel, Fractal, will be published by eTreasures publishing in the spring of 2016. Rachel has a BA in theatre studies and writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, and she has used it every day since graduation.  She lives with her husband, author Christopher Mannino (http://www.christophermannino.com/), and their adorable dog and cat in College Park, Maryland.  

Facebook | Author Page (FB) | Twitter | Website | Amazon | Literary Addicts | Goodreads 

---

Follow the tour 

Giveaway:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue reading →

#Excerpt + #Giveaway - Coming For You by @JAHuss

Today we are here to talk about JA Huss' Coming For You (book 3).  It sounds completely intriguing!  Be sure to run over and grab book 1 Come today while it is FREE!  And don't forget to enter the giveaway !!  I love giveaways :)   18+ Warning is in full effect !!

Coming For You
(Dirty Dark and Deadly #3)
by:  J.A. Huss



Publication:  Nov. 19, 2014

Genres:  Erotica , Thriller


Blurb:

James, Harper, and Sasha are products of their environment.  Born into a secret organization that runs a global shadow government, and taught to kill since they were small, they find themselves both indispensable and expendable to all the people they used to trust.

Twenty-eight year old James Fenici has been an assassin since he was sixteen.  He's amassed debts and favors from countless Company brothers and participated in hundreds of Company jobs.  But there are not enough favors int he world to clear his debt and make him worthy of the only girl he's ever wanted.

Eighteen year old Harper Tate is the girl who doesn't exist.  Born and raised on a megayacht in a tropical paradise, she was destined to be a secret until now.  No history, no records, and manipulated into having no opinions or ambition of her own, Harper is suddenly presented with more choices than she can handle.

Thirteen year old Sasha Cherlin is the girl who knows everything and understands nothing at all.  Her future is filled with vengeance and death, but her dreams are filled with hope and a promise.  A promise who no longer wants her.

The game is on, the pieces are in place, and the players have everything to lose.  But who can you trust when everyone's a traitor?

   Buy it : Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

JAMES

“I want us to run away,” she whispers, nuzzling her head into my neck.

Our lovemaking mood is broken, so I just hold her for a moment. “You have to trust me. I can’t be responsible for everyone, Harp. But I can be responsible for us.”

“Something bad is gonna happen. I feel it. And then I’ll be all alone.”

“I promise,” I say, bringing her hand to my mouth and kissing it. “I promise to live. I promise to be there for you when this is over.”

She struggles under my embrace and climbs on top of me. My cock is still hard, but she pumps it a few times to see if I’m still interested.

I am. So I wrap my large hands around her tiny waist, and place her over top of me, urging her to begin. She eases down slowly. Then lifts up. “I don’t believe you. I don’t think you should make promises you can’t keep. And if you die, James. I will die with you. Even if I live, I will die with you.”

“Stop,” I chastise her. “I don’t want to hear that kind of talk.” I play with the blonde strands of hair that are falling down the side of her frowning face. She’s not convinced. “I came back for you, didn’t I? I promised to come back and I did. And it’s only been nine days. I’m early, baby. I over-delivered.”

That makes her smile a little and my hands reach around to cup her ass, lifting her and letting her drop as she slowly rides my cock. Her long hair brushes against my chest and sends chills up my whole body. I fucking love this girl.

“Hold on,” I tell her, grabbing her waist again and flipping us over. She spills out onto the sheets beneath me. Her legs wide and ready, wrapped around my hips. Her arms around my neck. “I want to fuck you from behind.”

“I want you to fuck me any way you want.”

I lean down and kiss her pretty lips. Biting the lower one just enough to make her squeal. And then I rise up on my elbow and knees to give her space to turn. “Face down on the bed, Harper.”

She looks me in the eye as she flips, and when her hips are up in the air, and my thick cock is dangling over her ass, I push her legs closed and lay down across her back. My dick squeezes between her cheeks, seeking out her pussy. She gasps when I enter, thrusting hard. I reach in front of her and find her slit, my fingertips rubbing her clit hard. Making her pussy wetter and wetter. Driving her wild and sending her bucking and moaning. I cup my hand around her mouth, forcing her to quiet down, and then I pump my cock into her, over and over, my balls slapping against her wet sex.

When I know she’s almost there, I pull her hair. I make her back arch up and her head fall back. Her little mouth in easy reach.

And I kiss her.

I kiss her hard.

I kiss her like I’ve never kissed a woman before in my life.

I wrap my hand around her throat and squeeze her chin so there’s no possible way for her to stop this kiss.

And then when I feel the walls of her pussy clamping down on my cock, I pound her one last time, until I come inside her. Spilling my seed deep in her womb, until I collapse on top of her back, all sweaty and sticky with her sex and her scent.

“Never,” I whisper, my eyes closing from the days of travel and work.

Harper squirms under me until I let her out, and then she angles her body into mine. Her head resting on my arm. Her hands tucked up underneath her chin. “Never what?” she asks, sleepily.

“You have always been mine, Harper Tate. You have always been mine and I will never let him have you.”

 

J.A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing.  Her favorite genre is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really - Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master's degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida.  She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Stalk her because she's Awesome:

Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |  Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Continue reading →

[ Guest Post + #Giveaway ] Bond of Love by Amy Suzanne #Romance #Thriller

Bond of Love
by:  Amy Suzanne


Publication:  December 5, 2013
ISBN:  1622874757
ASIN:   B00H5CP6LO
Length:  406 pages
Genres:  Romance, Thriller, Mystery



Blurb:

As a picturesque mother and wife, forty-one year old Avery Richards seems to have it all. Married to a successful veterinarian named Noah and mother to a spunky daughter named Kara, her life is far from awful but she is stuck. With the recent move of their daughter, who has just flown the coop for college, this story examines the deep and often-tumultuous bond between mother and child and the lengths we are willing to go to, as mothers, to sacrifice our own happiness for the ones we love. As we watch Avery walk through her ‘new’ way of daily life, without her ambitious and stubborn child around to mother any longer, we are given a very unique opportunity to tip toe in the front row of their lives, from three very separate views. We will see life as it plays out through her mature and motherly eyes, through Kara’s young and sheltered heart, and then through ‘someone else’s eyes’ that has a vested interest in them both. As Avery’s well-hidden web of lies come crashing down in an unexpected way, her secrets that she’s safeguarded for years will threaten to rip her peaceful world apart, as well as the world of the ones she loves most. As readers, we will watch how ONE single choice can alter everything. Each character will then be forced to examine what the true meaning of love and forgiveness means to them. Every gamut of emotion will be explored: humor, sadness, love, joy, betrayal, hate, and forgiveness. Bond of Love will leave you pondering the age-old question: How well do YOU actually know the ones you love most?

 

Buy it:  Paperback | Kindle | B&N 

Animals

 By Amy Suzanne

One setting in my story is the animal shelter, PAWS where Avery volunteers. Avery put her dream to become a veterinarian to the side, became a wife and mother instead, and later a volunteer at PAWS. It’s not a glamorous job, or a high paying one like her husband’s, but she finds great satisfaction and joy in it. This choice, to include this role in Avery’s life was based on MY love and devotion to help all animals. I wanted to create a character that depicted someone with a full heart and an organized nature.

A lot of times, when we think about “animal lovers” we think about the TV show, Animal Hoarders. At least I do. Let me clarify now, I do have several animals, but they are all VERY well taken care of! They don’t have hairballs hanging off their sides like a Siamese twin, nor do they smell, and are full of fleas. No, my house is CLEAN and so are my furry friends whom I love deeply! Floors are moped and vacuumed, counters are scrubbed, the kitchen is free of clutter and dishes, all laundry is done daily, and doggy doo-doo is deposited in tied garbage bags into the trashcan outside! My animals are a blessing and a part of my family, but they are a lot of work too. It takes a lot of effort and money to keep them healthy and happy.

I do not like the stigma that people often place on other people who love and rescue animals and that’s why I chose to include her working in a shelter in my story. My animals are not only just dogs and cats; they are family members. We do not toss them in the yard and leave them to their own defenses for days on end, tied by a rope on their neck with no food or water. In fact, ours only go outside to go potty. My husband may disagree about a few of them, he says that he’d like to trade them in for some new models, but when all is said and done, I know that he’d never give any of them away. My parents taught me, that if you bring an animal into your home, you care for it until it’s old. We do not do trade in’s, returns, or givebacks. Never! Therefore, because of this motto, we are left with a house full of special-needs animals. All have been rescued in some way, shape, or form. Each one has his or her, own issues. It only makes me love each one of them even more.

Over my life, I have had many different animals: cats, dogs, hamsters, chickens, a rooster, bunnies, and even lizards. Each one has touched my heart and has left its mark. Avery’s cat Bubba, in the story, is based on our cat from when my husband and I were first married. Like in the story, Bubba was a longhaired, orange and white cat. He had big green eyes and he loved to cuddle. He reminded me of a bushy dusting mop; I loved him very much. Unlike Avery’s cat though, our Bubba passed away of liver failure when he was only ten years old. It was terribly hard on us all, especially me. He was the first real death our children had to experience and I will never forget my fluffy shadow. I wanted to pay tribute to our Bubba in my story. I still miss him after all these years. 

This is Amy’s second published work, the first being a memoir written exclusively for her children. As a former second grade teacher, and long time professional photographer, she has been writing and filling journals since she was young enough to hold a pencil and form words. Although writing brings her to a place of solace and joy, her most ambitious and fulfilling job in life thus far has been being a mother. Married for nearly two decades now, she and her husband share four daughters, who fill their lives with amusement, love, and drama daily. It is her lifelong goal to preserve her family’s history through the written word, pictures, and the human touch of love.

Stalk Amy:

 Facebook | Literary Addicts | Goodreads

 

Follow the Book Tour

The Author is giving one lucky reader a $25 Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to enter and remember to pick up her book. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue reading →