Awesomest Mini-Review Ever!

This is EXACTLY what I was going for when I wrote Between. I could not have said it better myself. LOVE!

Thank you so much, Shani Bell!

The Importance of Being "There"

I have a friend who's entrusted me with a secret. It's nothing bad; it's just something she doesn't want other people to know, and I respect that. I haven't told anyone else and I'm not going to.

But when I mentioned to her that I was honored she'd chosen to tell me, she said, "It's because I needed to tell someone and you were there." At first, I laughed and teased her, saying, "Oh great, it's not because you love me and trust me or anything; it's not because I'm some amazing friend; it's just that I was there. Niiiiice." Chuckling, she hastened to clarify that she does love me and all, and we moved on to something new in our conversation.

But I've been thinking about what she said, and I've come to the realization that being there really does matter.

How many times have I gone onto Twitter to reach out to another human being who is connected and active online right at that very moment because I needed someone who was there? Most of the people I follow on Twitter are complete strangers to me, but being BFFs is not the requirement most times. I just want someone to be there to share life with at that particular moment, and just about any person will do. It's the magic of Twitter, really.

There's a reason that long-distance relationships are so difficult to maintain. It's the lack of thereness. My best friend lives five hours away and she and I have to work hard to keep our friendship alive because we can't always be there for one another. We can't just grab a cup of coffee and catch up. We have to carve out time together in order to nurture that relationship because being there is so important.

I've heard it said that showing up is half the battle, and I'm thinking it might account for more than half. The importance of simply being there for someone who has something to share can't be over emphasized. It's what connects us, makes us a community, and reveals the God-imprint in each of us.

Was there a time in your life when you needed someone to just be there and they were? What did that mean to you?

Sign up for the Even In Darkness blog tour!

The third book in the Between series, Even In Darkness, came out on April 1st, and has gotten some great reviews already! I thought it would be fun to put together a blog tour for the new book so that readers who fell in love with Aiden MacRae before will know there's a new book with even more Aiden yumminess out now, and maybe even introduce some new folks to our hot Scot. :)

The blog tour will run from July 28 through August 3, which will hopefully give everyone enough time to fit it into their schedules. I've created a sign-up sheet where you can let me know if you're interested in participating. I'll collect responses on the sign-up sheet, then work with everyone on specific dates and posts.

If you have friends or social connections who might be interested in participating, please forward them the link to the sign-up sheet. The more, the merrier, of course!

Thanks to the lovely Lindsay Cox from Violet Hour Book Reviews for the awesome banner above! Please use the banner on your blogs to promote the upcoming tour, if you're going to participate!

A bonus scene for Aiden MacRae's birthday!

Aiden MacRae was born on May 1, 1699, so that officially makes him 314 years old today! Wowza! I couldn't think of anything better for Aiden's birthday than a little extra Lindsey lovin' so here's a special scene I wrote especially for the occasion. It takes place in the beginning of Hell Transporter. Enjoy!

***

The late morning sun streams through the window of the cabin loft. I stretch in the warmth of the bed and watch tiny particles of dust dance in the yellow rays. Aiden breathes deep and even at my side and I allow myself a moment to bask in the rightness that is this moment, this bubble of time we’ve carved out of reality, where only he and I exist, tucked away in the woods, trying to catch up on all the time we’ve missed.

One thing I missed this past year is about to be rectified, if only I can sneak away quietly enough to keep from waking him. If he wakes up, he’ll want to know what I’m doing and I want to surprise him.

Sliding out of the bed, I gingerly place one foot on the bare hardwood floor and then another, all the while listening to Aiden’s breathing. In. Out. In. Out.

So far, so good.

Then I’m free of the bed’s embrace and clothed in nothing more than a sunbeam, still listening, afraid he’ll sense that I’m missing from the bed. But he doesn’t, so I quickly slip a satin nightie on and tiptoe down the stairs to grab his present out of my purse.

Once I hit the kitchen floor, I am lightning speed, hoping I’ll make it back before he wakes up. Careful to skip the squeaky step, I dash back up the stairs and round the corner just as Aiden rolls onto his back and breathes out a deep sigh. His eyes are closed, but he is starting to stir. The sheet is lightly draped across his hips and tented in the middle. I can’t help the grin that steals across my face at the sight.

His blond hair is mussed and one cheek has a pink crease running down the side from where he was fast asleep. He blinks twice and turns his head, eyes slightly unfocused as he takes a second to remember where he is. When I step closer to the bed, his gaze locks with mine and the sleepy smile of recognition he offers makes my heart swell.

“Good morning,” I say, walking to the foot of the bed with his present held in one hand behind my back.

“And to you,” he replies, sitting up a little so he can lean back against the headboard. One eyebrow pops up and he gestures with his chin to my arm. “What are ye hiding there?”

Dang, he’s always so perceptive. Oh well, I can work with this.

“Noooothing…” I’m climbing onto the bed by his feet, placing my knees on either side of him as I make my way up his body and toward the edge of the sheet where his skin looks painted by the sun.

“Is that right? Then what of the mischievous grin?”

“Who, me? I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think ye do.”

I tsk my tongue at him. “So suspicious. Can’t a girl just come give her hubby a kiss in the morning without ulterior motives?”

He chuckles, flashing that dimple in his cheek. “Ah, but I know you’re up to no good.” He watches my progress up his body, coming closer and closer to the tented sheet, which is now drawn tight across his abdomen.

“Now why would you say a thing like that? As it turns out, I have a present for you.”

With a quick glance downward, he gives me a wolfish grin and says, “I have one for you, too.”

With my free hand, I tickle him on the ribs and make him squirm. “Mine first.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, pulling a serious face. “But ye don’t need to give me a present. I have all I need. You, me, this.” He sits halfway up to press a soft kiss to my lips.

“It’s for your birthday,” I reply, pressing him back down onto the pillow.

“My birthday? Today is not my birthday. ‘Tis the first of May and it has to be—what?—June? July? Lord, I haven’t a clue.”

“It doesn’t matter. I missed your actual birthday…” My heart pinches at the not-too-distant memory of the months we spent apart, but I shove the negative thought aside. “So I’m giving you a belated present now.”

“Thank ye, mo chridhe.”

“You’re welcome. And it’s probably a good thing you thanked me now, because you’re not going to be able to make sensible words for a while.”

“What do you—”

“Close your eyes.”

He does as he is bid, though I can see the confusion in his wrinkled brow. It makes me feel a teensy bit wicked. I like it.

From behind my back, I pull out the heated massage oil that I picked up when we went shopping in Spokane, squirt a dollop onto my palm, and place the bottle aside. Rubbing my hands together to activate the heat, I let my eyes drink in the sight of his bare chest, lightly dusted with blond hair, and taut with anticipation. His thighs clench beneath me as I wiggle back and forth to secure my position.

Fingers slick and warm, I spread my hands across his chest and slide them down his stomach. His breath hisses in as his muscles jerk beneath my palms. His skin sucks down the oil so quickly that I grab the bottle and dribble more over his naked body before rubbing it in with slow, wide circles.

“Lindsey…” His groan is a physical force that reaches out and strokes me back.

I pull the sheet out of the way and liberally apply more of the massage oil, watching the pulse in his neck.

“Can I open my eyes? In the name of all that is holy, I want to watch ye, lass.”

“Well, because you asked so nicely…”

His lashes sweep up and those blue eyes sear me to the core. Gone is the sleepy smile and in its place is a lava filled haze of desire that has me rocking in place. He reaches out and tugs the spaghetti straps of my nightgown down so they fall over my shoulders.

“So you like your birthday present?” I ask with a teasing smile.

“Best birthday ever,” he replies, though his voice sounds hoarse. “And now I’d like to give ye my present.” Before I can even let out a squeak, he flips me onto my back and crushes his mouth to mine.

Win a Signed Copy of Even In Darkness!

Time is running out to win a signed paperback copy of Even In Darkness! If you already have a copy and end up winning the giveaway, feel free to request a copy of Between for a friend instead. :)


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Release Day is Finally Here!

No fooling, today is the release of Even In Darkness! It's crazy to think of my third book out in the wild. People are reading it RIGHT NOW. I cannot even express the mixture of exhilaration and terror that this knowledge inspires in me.

Because let's be honest. You might feel like this upon reading the first few chapters:

It's true, our beloved Lindsey and Aiden are in for a difficult time of it in this book. I won't lie to you. You might even shed a tear or two (though if you've read the first two books, you know how I love making readers cry!).

But let me assure you, by the time you reach the end of the book, you will have moved past the tears. Well, the tears may have at least morphed into happy ones.

I love you, peeps, and I am so excited to share this book with you! It was a risk for me as an author, a stretch assignment if you will, but Lindsey and Aiden prove once again that their love is strong enough to weather whatever storm I throw their way.

Thanks to all of Aiden's Angels for spreading the word about the book release today (available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and print). You rock my world!

Fight or Flight Blog Tour and Giveaway!

I'm proud to be part of the blog tour promoting Jamie Canosa's new book, Fight or Flight!

Be smart.
Keep your head down.
And look out for number one.

These are the rules Jay has lived by for the past two years. The rules of surviving life on the streets. But when Em comes bursting into his life, in all of her disastrous glory, the rules go right out the window.
Survive.
Flee what’s been left behind.
And never look back.

Em’s plan was simple. Though, it was easier said than done. The city streets are dangerous and unforgiving to a new arrival. Especially, a seventeen year old girl who’s never known anything but life in the suburbs. Sometimes, however, what’s lurking behind those white picket fences can be more frightening than any dark alley.

Both of them made the same decision when life got overwhelming—to run from their demons. Brought together by fate or circumstance, Em and Jay find the kind of love neither of them ever expected. But when those demons come back to haunt them and their love is on the line, which instincts will they choose to follow this time . . . Fight or Flight?

*Warning: This story includes mature language and themes, and is intended for mature audiences.

Book Links:

Amazon and Goodreads

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird, and the rabbit.

Her debut novel, Dissidence, was published in 2012 along with several novellas, including the first in her Heart and Soul series, Temptation.

Connect with her:

Blog- http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com/

FB- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieCanosa?ref=hl

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6150972.Jamie_Canosa

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