Ancient Ireland - Survival is Never Guaranteed...#sexy heroes #hard fighting heroes #hard loving heroes

 I felt slightly guilty after mentioning Marcán in  Eyes of the Seer, book two in the Warrior Kings, and leaving Daughter of the Overking and Curse of the Healer out, so I will make up for that now by featuring book three, Daughter of the Overking.

Warrior Kings is the perfect title for the series because in Ancient Ireland, that's exactly who was in charge. They didn't have knights, dukes, and fealty. They had wild land and constant fighting for control. That's exactly who these heroes are. 

The first title was a problem, though. In Ireland, the "BIG" king who owns the most land is called the Overking. There were not actual Kings, like William in England, but there were kings (small k) who owned less land and listened to the Overking. I thought small k - king, would work. Daughter of the king- nope! - people thought it referred to God!?!?!? I'd think he'd be a big K myself so I had to change it to Overking. 

Brighit, the strong-willed heroine, is the daughter of Sean from the Norman Conquest series. He shows up in book two, The Gentle Knight, and has his own story in The Irish Warrior.  When I created Sean to be competition for Peter, the readers didn't like him because he was king of...arrogant. I felt bad so I gave him a heart and his own story...and his own love. Comment below with the name of a one of my books you'd like to read. I may give an e-copy away :)

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Hey all, AK Nevermore back with you! This month I'm releasing book 2 of my Urban Fantasy Romance Series, Air & Darkness.  If you're a fan of sassy female leads and ridiculous situations, then this is the series for you! 

Some people are meant to burn...

Before Envy Starr was a halfling with a bad attitude and a drinking problem, she was living in the lap of luxury as singing sensation at Noir, Vegas’s premier casino. When a bet with a mysterious daemon goes wrong, it kicks off a chain of events that thrusts her out of the limelight and into the shadows, giving her no choice but to run.

With only her self-absorbed mother at her back, and Sugar Daddy out for blood, weird biker dudes and cult-following hicks are just the beginning.

And unless she figures out whole stigmata thing, it could also very well be the end…

Excerpt:

I sidled up to the roulette wheel and the croupier raised her eyebrow at me. I grinned back and she just shook her head. None of the staff would nark on me as long as I didn’t hang out at any one table too long. Plausible deniability and all that.

A group of dae and a smattering of normals were placing their bets. One of the dae glanced at me, and I looked away, my cheeks hot.

Look, daemons, well, fae in general, are beautiful. In their normal guises at least. Noir had a strict no elemental forms policy, so no horns, fangs, or anything like that. All the dae were rocking here was bronzed skin, midnight hair, and silver grey eyes. The men looked like GQ linebackers, and the women were supermodels. Yep, every last one of them. It makes elementals easy to pick out, along with what kind they are. Dae are dark, sylphs light, undines, I dunno just look wet and sad, and gnomes are earthy.

And let me tell you, this one fit the dae mold; tall, broad, and his hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Like a sexy one, not a lame Steven Seagal rat tail.

I glanced up, and he smiled, making his way around the table. Crap.

They were also hella dangerous. I won’t lie, that totally added to their allure, and I wasn’t the only one who thought so. They drew normals like a Neiman Marcus sidewalk sale. I was sure feeling the pull right then. I tried to ignore the murmur’s double thump in my chest. God, I hated that.

“And who might you be?” the dae asked, leaning against a convenient pillar. The room was lousy with them. It was supposed to be a reproduction of some shrine in a vampire flick. Fitting, since I was afraid to look anywhere but his throat.

Why? Garnering any fae’s attention is dangerous, and yes, I’d already totally screwed myself on that front, but you’re never, ever, supposed to look into a their eyes. If I did, there was a very real possibility he’d glamour my ass and suck my will away, turning me into his meat puppet. No freaking thank you.

“Rose,” I croaked out, all nervous. You don’t tell them your name either, but like I said, that wasn’t really mine. Hmm? Oh, it’s hard to explain. Like, I just knew it wasn’t, and no, I’m not telling you what I thought it was. Names hold power.

“Rose.” He rolled the name around his mouth like it was delicious, and my gaze locked on his lips. He wet them and I shivered at his smile. “I’m called Cy.”

He was, and I did. Sigh, I mean.

“Can I buy you a drink, Rose?”

“I— Yes. Please.” What? Like I was gonna turn down alcohol, and if I was doing this, I was gonna do it. I’d never actually spoken to any of them before, but I could handle it. Probably. I squared my shoulders Calista-style and looked up at him through my lashes.

He stepped closer. “Anything in particular, or shall I surprise you?”

I can’t even begin to tell you how appealing he made that sound. I played with a tendril of my hair, all coy. “I like surprises.”

“Do you?” He called for something over his shoulder. I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, abruptly glad Sugar Daddy made us dress for dinner. It wasn’t anything fancy, just high-waisted black slacks and a red tank, but I knew I looked good. I mean, I told you I’m gorgeous, and not even a burlap sack could hide that fact. What? I totally am, and by his expression, he thought so, too.

“Are you here for the convention?” I asked.

“No.” His eyes lit up with his smile. Oh God, yeah, I was totally looking at his eyes. I glanced away, and he laughed, low and smooth.“I’m here for sport.” His knuckles trailed down my arm, and no lie, I almost died.

Want to keep Playing with Fire? Get it here:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qaquc3b632

Want more? Download One Night in Bliss, the series prequel, for free here:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/kriwoyadde

and get your copy of Flame & Shadow and Air & Darkness here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHGCQQRV

You can find out more about my books on my website, https://aknevermore.com/ or see what I'm up to on my sadly neglected socials:

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AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time. 

AK pays the bills writing a copious amount of copy, along with a column on SFF. She belongs to numerous industry organizations, volunteers for far too many committees, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

It's Christmas...again

 

 

A friend asked me if I had ever written a book with a Christmas theme. I remembered a short story I had written for a writer's challenge. I told my friend that I write thrillers with an erotic twist, centered on FBI agent Nicolas Hayes and his dominant lover, Jacklyn Hollander. Nicolas works in the Violent Crimes Unit, dealing with serial killers, armed bank robbers, and other crimes the FBI is asked to investigate. Jacklyn, on the other hand, is a physical therapist and part-time mistress. She was the one who influenced Nicolas to become her submissive, giving him a much-needed break from his daily grind.

My friend laughed and then asked if I ever include the holidays in my stories. If the plot follows the seasons and Christmas fits in, I mention it, but it has never played a major role. However, I remembered that in the second book in the series, Jacklyn gave Nicolas a special gift, so here's the excerpt from Famous Murders.

 

What the book is about -

A killer on the loose, an FBI-agent in love, and a famous actor in danger.

 

After three murders in the Washington, DC, vicinity, the FBI Agents Hayes and Beckham are assigned to solve the case. Although the murders seem incoherent at first, it becomes clear that there are connections between them. It turns out that the murderer is far from having reached the end of his deadly list.

Aside from the investigation, Agent Hayes has to find a way to get on with his demanding girlfriend and her challenging love games. Can he do both and not lose himself?

 

Excerpt

If asked, Nicolas would’ve bet his year’s salary on Jacklyn’s old friend Richard Tusk reserving the best table of the evening for himself. He was also right that the lawyer lavished Jacklyn with compliments to her outfit, hair-do, and make-up, leering included. Nicolas lifted a hand when Richard was about to extend the praise to him. He hadn’t thought of the gift Jacklyn had made, but their host certainly noticed and caught the pendant of the bracelet.

“A charm for the lover?” Richard laughed and wiggled his brows. “Ah, Nick, what a wonderful thing!” He turned to Jacklyn while Nicolas pulled the chair for her. “A golden charm bracelet with a little padlock. How thoughtful of you! And tasteful.” He sat down. “You don’t stop amazing me. I wish I’d gotten such a gift.”

“There was no need to protect you from all-too-eager admirers, Rick.”

Richard laughed out loud. “Point taken! I couldn’t get enough. And there’re some I still think of.” He indulged in a sexy smile that caused Nicolas to look away. “Oh, I see, I should stop, or Mr. Hayes will leave us and never return.”

“Rick, can that attitude!” Jacklyn warned, but she laughed saying it.

“I just can’t.” Richard batted his eyelids at her. “You’d have to gag and blindfold me to reach that goal.”

“Yes, you might be right, but it won’t be me doing that.”

Richard put a hand over hers. “Not even if I asked you really nicely?”

Nicolas knew the lawyer was playing the game and trying to provoke him. He made an effort to ignore the hands, the words, and Richard leaning forward to fall nose first into Jacklyn’s décolleté. Instead, he watched the owner, Harry Fuller, chat with other, obviously important guests. There were local politicians and their wives, and Nicolas recognized a deputy of the district attorney in company with colleagues. Nicolas assumed they all searched for unique, classy entertainment, and Harry Fuller’s club provided the thrill to distract them from their daily grind.

Their drinks were served, and the show was as splendid as Jacklyn had predicted. The dancers were excellent, and even though their performance was tempting and very sexy, they never crossed the line to open pornography on stage. Nicolas divided his focus between the performance and Jacklyn, who watched so intently as if she was about to memorize the dancers’ moves. When the dancers chose a guest of the audience to participate in yet another part of the show, Nicolas used the pause to get up and walk toward the restrooms.

About a dozen guests scrutinized him on his way. Some checked him up and down, and some told him by a glance they were available. He lifted his hand casually as if to correct his tie and smiled at seeing that the charm worked and kept insiders from further advances.

 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

shanagray.com

Why Are So Many People Reading Romance?

 

            Falling in love? What a confusing, turbulent, disturbing and ecstatic state. And when it happens to us, well… even if we think we want out, it’s too late: we’re fixated. From now on our judgment will be muddled, our behavior compulsive. Our heart pounds, our knees melt, our skin is flushed (with that fleeting “love beauty”) and we’re crazed, elated, sleepless, filled with self-doubt or fear of failure. Our appetite has vanished, and we crave, quite obsessively, our love object. This “can’t-think-of-anything-else” state of mind allows us to focus obsessively on only one person: the love object.

            So why can’t we think clearly when we’re falling in love? Because we’ve in the clutches of an addiction. In our love state, our body releases dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine, chemicals responsible for the racing heart, the feelings of excitement and bliss. Even our serotonin levels are lowered until we’re on a par with people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders. Add an intense production of estrogen and testosterone to lure us into the sexual arena, mix in the bonding chemical oxytocin that’s released when we have sex (the more sex, the stronger the bonding) and you see why we’re doomed. So here we are, in a chemical state of mind where the world has become a magical place and with, too often, the most unlikely person as a love object.

            Here’s where things get interesting for readers of romance. Most people fall “in love” four to nine times a lifetime, but some people — “love addicts” — need the thrill of falling in love over and over again. And have you noticed how many readers and writers say they’re “addicted” to romance books? How many times an author has claimed to have “fallen in love” with her hero or heroine? That’s right. They actually have. In other words, when writing romance, we truly (albeit temporarily) fall into the ecstatic love state with the wonderful person we've created.

 

  https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner

 

The Only Question That Matters — a sci-fi romance, available now

“Do I call this love already? I am almost disgusted with myself. How pathetic to fall so easily. Perhaps I was the cause of my past heartbreaks. Not stupid schoolboys or an arrogant rich man, but a gullible girl from a flower farm who opens her heart too readily and expects too much.”

Sofia is en route to Planet Paradiso, ready to start a new life after her divorce. But when she accepts Alexei’s dinner invitation on her final evening, she realises she’s in for more than she bargained for.

As the AMS Celestial Dream arrives at its destination, and their one-night stand draws to a close, Sofia must choose between a newfound possibility with Alexei and the freedom she so desperately craves.

✨ Get this novella ✨

Not ready for commitment?

Let’s get to know each other first…

Love, Nostalgia & Lights in the Sky is a collection of tiny stories, featuring micro fiction, #vss (very short stories), flash and short poetry by JL Peridot.

This book contains adult content of a romantic and sexual nature, and is intended for readers over the age of eighteen.

Available when you subscribe to my low-noise newsletter, Dot Club.

💖 Get your copy now 💖

---

JL Peridot writes love letters to the future on devices from the past. Visit jlperidot.com for the full catalogue of her work.

Sweet and Sexy Festive Romances

 One of my favorite Christmas traditions is setting the table with Christmas crackers. Before we start to eat, we pull open the crackers with a bang, put on the paper crowns, and go around the table reading the fun fact or joke. Some of them are pretty corny, but they’re definitely fun! Here are a few to brighten your day:

 

What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?

Tinsel-itis.

 

Why does Santa always enter through the chimney?

Because it “soots” him. 

 

What do you call an elf who sings?

A “wrapper”. 

 

I have two Christmas romances filled with love and laughter – Don’t Mess with Christmas is sweet and Perfectly Christmas is sexy. Each is part of a series, but they’re fun stand-alone stories and both are included in the Kindle Unlimited program.

 

Don’t Mess with Christmas

Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

 

Parker Roy grew up in the middle of four brothers and has lived with enough testosterone to last her a lifetime. She’s finally moved out and made a life of her own. Between putting the finishing touches on the set for Mapleton’s Christmas play, plowing snow, and transforming her hydroponic greenhouse into a Christmas wonderland, it’s ramping up to be a hectic season. 

 

Dr. Julian Murphy, the only allergist in town, has his eye on the woman behind the set design of the holiday play. He’s volunteering backstage in the hope of getting to know her. There’s a bit of a snag when she’s referred to his clinic for a rash – doctors aren’t allowed to date their patients – but Dr. Brogan Corkie doesn’t see it as an insurmountable problem and steps in to give their romance a nudge. She’d better be right because, if not, it could seriously mess with Christmas.

 

The allergist or the rash– which itch will Parker scratch?

 

 

Enjoy an excerpt from Don’t Mess with Christmas ~

“Pleased to meet you, Julian Murphy.” His hand was warm around hers, and when he moved his thumb in a subtle caress, a shiver went down her spine. “Julian Murphy,” she murmured. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you a doctor?”

Julian nodded. “I am.”

“An allergist at Gateway General?”

“Guilty.”

Parker pulled her hand back and put her hands on her hips. “I tried to get a referral to see you. You refused.” 

His lips twitched. “Yes, that’s true.”

“Why? Dr. Corkie said she’d never seen it in all the years she’s practiced medicine.”

Julian put his hands in his pockets. “Well, there’s a rule against doctors dating patients. It’s ill-advised and frowned upon by the College of Physicians of Ontario.”

Parker scoffed. “Well, good for you. What does that have to do with me?”

“Parker, would you like to have dinner with me?”

 

Buy Link  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

 

 

Perfectly Christmas in a small town - it takes a village to keep their beloved family doctor and the new surgeon in town APART! Heaven forbid the two should fall in love and leave. I love the spirit of Christmas! The music, decorations, holiday lights, and Christmas traditions all evoke warm memories - and yet there is also a sense of playfulness and mischief which can make for a fun story. I wanted to put a twist on the usual small-town story where the townsfolk are trying to convince the doctor to stay. In Perfectly Christmas, the small town is worried that the new surgeon, who is only planning on staying for 2 years, will fall in love with their beloved family doctor and will lure him away when she leaves. They set up a plan to keep the two doctors apart! Perfectly Christmas is part of the Perfectly Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s a fun, sexy, holiday romance – perfect if you need an escape!

 

 

On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.”

That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself. 

This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really. 

Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!

 

 

Enjoy an excerpt from Perfectly Christmas ~ 

 

Edna Alexander and Bea Mitchell stood at the window of the seniors’ center and watched the new surgeon drive out of the parking lot. 

“She’s very young, Bea.”

“And very pretty,” Bea agreed with a frown. She adjusted the tortoise shell glasses perched on her nose. “Didn’t we specify we wanted someone old, someone frumpy?”

“There wasn’t a tick-off box for that.”

“Hmph. There should’ve been.”

They watched the car pull out onto the street and hit the curb as it turned.

“She drives like us.”

“True. And look at the bright side, Edna. If we need surgery, it’d probably be better to have a young whipper-snapper doin’ it rather than some old fart like us.”

“I’m more worried about losing Dr. Quinn.”

Bea pursed her lips. “I know. But what are the chances of that happening?”

Edna gave her a grim sideways glance. “I’d have said slim to none three weeks ago. But when Dr. Hoity-Toity Hecktare decided she’d had enough of us, and Dr. Quinn looked like he was going to go with her, I almost had a stroke. I would never have believed he’d abandon our beloved Strathaven for a girl.”

“Woman,” Bea corrected absently. “Do you think he truly loved her?”

Edna shook her head and her gray curls bounced. “No.” She bit her lip. “Yes. That’s what I’m worried about. What if he up and falls in love with this new surgeon and leaves us?”

“We’d have a town of five thousand with no doctor.”

“Exactly. We’d be right back where we were five years ago before Quinn returned home.”

“And we’d have to go through another round of recruitments for a new doctor. I rue the day when someone from the Underserviced Area program figures out that we’re the Mitchell Alexander who’s been filling out all those forms.”

“A problem for another day.” Edna sighed. “Maybe she’ll stay. Dr. Madison Hayes. She seemed very friendly. Very small-townish.”

Bea grunted. “Not likely. You read her application. I’ll bet my boots she’ll do her two years and move on.”

“And take Quinn with her.” Edna twisted the strap of her oversized purse. “We can’t control his heart.”

“No. But we can’t risk him falling in love, either.”

“So we’ll keep them apart.”

Bea’s eyebrows shot up and she paused, considering. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Of course, it’d be easier if he wasn’t also the only anesthetist for miles around. They’re going to have to work together.”

“Sure, but they’re professionals. I can’t see them getting into any hanky-panky at work. We’ll just make sure they’re never alone together outside of the clinic.”

Edna grinned widely. “Excellent plan. I’ll get on the blower, and before she unpacks, we’ll have a network of chaperones in place.”

“Email me the list.”

“Send me an email, and I’ll reply.”

Bea looked at her pointedly. “Edna, you gotta learn how to send an email.”

“I know how,” Edna said. “You hit reply, then type, then send.”

Bea laughed and threw her arm around Edna’s shoulders. “I think I’ll get you a computer lesson for Christmas.”

Edna’s eyes lit up. “A private one? With that hotty Albert Sparkle?”

Bea stepped back and started buttoning her coat. “Albert’s one hundred and two. And I think the name is Spartan. Does he even own a computer?”

“Yes, and he’s rigged himself up the perfect cup holder with this little drawer thingy that slides out at the top of the computer engine.” Edna pulled a crocheted cap over her curls.

Bea frowned. “You mean the CD tray on the tower?”

Edna smiled. “Maybe. Isn’t that brilliant?”

Bea laughed. “You two were made for each other. C’mon, let’s go and start Operation Put Out the Fire.”

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYW5T7X

 

I hope that you find peace this holiday season and have moments filled with love and laughter.

 

Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.

 

Website https://www.lindaoconnor.net

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Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/795688.Linda_O_Connor

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA