Cover Reveal: Swear On This Life by Renée Carlino

From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel about a struggling writer who must come to grips with her past, present, and future after she discovers that she’s the inspiration for a pseudonymously published bestselling novel.

When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J. Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.

Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.

That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.

The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?

About the Author

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women's novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

You can connect with Renee via Facebook | Website |Twitter | Instagram

Bon Appetit with a Book: Daire St. Denis

Cinnamon Buns – By Lady Laine and Daire

Buy on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

½ cup warm water

1 tbsp yeast                       

1 tsp sugar                            

½ cup butter or margarine (room temperature)       

3 cups warm water

¾ cups white sugar

1 tsp salt

3 eggs beaten

9 cups flour

Butter (room temperature)

Brown Sugar

Cinnamon

Pecans (optional)

This is an all-day affair but the results are so worth it!

Turn oven on until cozy warm and then turn it off but keep the light on as it helps to keep the oven warm.

In an x-large bowl, add half a cup of warm water. Sprinkle one tbsp of yeast over the top and sprinkle one tsp of sugar over the top of the yeast. Let the mixture sit for approximately 10 minutes until frothy.

Add ½ cup of butter or margarine (room temp), 3 cups warm water, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 tsp salt and 3 eggs (beaten). Add the 9 cups of flour (3 cups at a time). Use hands by the end. The dough should feel elastic-y and smooth. Rub butter over the dough and put a tea towel over the top and place the bowl in your cozy oven.

• Let the dough rise until it doubles (approximately 1.5-2 hours).

• Punch the dough down, spread more butter over the top so it doesn’t dry out and place it back in the oven to rise again. It should take less time the second go around (~ ¾ hours).

• Punch the dough again.

• Divide the dough into three pieces. Cover up other two pieces.

• On floured board, roll out section of dough into a nice thin rectangle (~¼ of an inch).

• Spread softened butter over the whole rectangle. Cover all in brown sugar (light coating but completely covered). Sprinkle cinnamon liberally over the entire surface. Drizzle corn syrup over top.

• Once done, roll the dough along the long side of the rectangle. Squeeze the ends.

• Prepare your pans by greasing all sides and bottom. Sprinkle brown sugar over the surface and drizzle more corn syrup (this creates a caramel coating so that icing is unnecessary). If you want thick buns, use deep pans and place rolls closer together. For shorter buns, use a cookie sheet and place rolls a little farther apart.

• Slice your roll and place in prepared pans. Let rise ½ hour to ¾ hour in warm oven until ready.

• Bake at 350 until golden (approx. 20 minutes depending on oven).

• Once finished. Flip onto parchment and use spatula to scrape gooey caramel over buns.

Enjoy!

Read an excerpt from City of Love by Kaira Rouda

About the Book

Her heart is empty in the new life she’s living.

Charlotte Taylor knows she’s gorgeous. She’s been told that all her life. Since she was a child, her mom, a former model and Miss Georgia, has been grooming her for a professional modeling career and tomorrow, she’ll sign with the top agency in New York City. It should be a dream come true.

Alone, and unhappy, she doesn’t know where to turn.

Hale Scott works long hours as a chef at the hottest restaurant in Manhattan. It should be his dream job, serving hip food to the coolest crowd in the city. The only problem is his boss. The highlight of his evening is the gorgeous woman he keeps making eye contact with, sitting at the table closest to the kitchen. She looks sad and lonely and he hopes she’s still there when the dinner rush subsides.

Charlotte and Hale find an instant connection but a relationship is the last thing Charlotte needs and the only thing Hale wants. Can they find a way to stay together in the overwhelming city, or can they find their own city of love?

Cameo by: Siena Remington from Melissa Foster’s Flames of Love

**Remington Kindle World Novella based off of Melissa Foster's Remington Series** 

Don't miss Spotlight on Love, Kaira Rouda'a 1st Kindle World Spin-off.

Excerpt

Hale moved in close to Charlotte, but rather than feeling discomfort, she was excited by his body so close to hers. Her back pressed against the rear of the elevator and Hale placed his hands on either side of her face, leaning his face down so it was mere inches from hers. 

“Charlotte. It’s fine.” Hale reached his hand out and brushed her hair back from her face. “You’re safe with me. I promise.” She saw kindness and respect in Hale’s eyes, but she also saw desire lingering just below the surface. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm down. 

“You’re right. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I guess it’s because I’ve never done something like this before.” Embarrassed, Charlotte lowered her eyes and studied the marble floor of the elevator. 

“You’re so amazing.” Hale said as he placed his hand gently under her chin and tipped it up, forcing her to meet his gaze. Gently, he dipped his head and brushed his lips gently against hers. Once, and then again, each brush of his lips taking her breath away.

Her mouth opened for him and he deepened the kiss, his hand closing around her hair at the base of her neck. His other hand pressed into the small of her back, where she could feel the heat of his touch through her winter coat. She could also feel the swell of his desire against her belly as he pressed in close against her. The kiss was gentle and hot, both at the same time, as her tongue played with his.

Breaking the kiss as the elevator doors opened at her floor, Charlotte was so dizzy she wasn’t sure if she could walk. He slid his strong arm around her waist and helped her into the hallway. 

“Wow,” she said. That was the best, most intense kiss she’d ever experienced.

About the Author

Kaira Rouda is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction and sexy modern romance novels that sparkle with humor and heart. Her women's fiction titles include HERE, HOME, HOPE, ALL THE DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR. Her bestselling short story is titled, A MOTHER'S DAY. Kaira's work has won the Indie Excellence Award, USA Book Awards, the Reader's Choice Awards and honorable mention in the Writer's Digest International Book Awards. Her books have been widely reviewed and featured in leading magazines. 

Her sexy contemporary romance series set on INDIGO ISLAND includes: WEEKEND WITH THE TYCOON, Book 1; HER FORBIDDEN LOVE, Book 2; THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS, Book 3; and THE BILLIONAIRE'S BID, Book 4. Each of these novellas can be read as a stand alone, or enjoyed as a series. Her new series is set in LAGUNA BEACH and includes: LAGUNA NIGHTS, Book 1; LAGUNA HEIGHTS, Book 2; and LAGUNA LIGHTS, Book 3 coming winter 2015. She also helped launch Melissa Foster's The Remington's Kindle World with her bestselling novella, SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE, and is part of Carly Phillips Dare to Love Kindle World with THE CELEBRITY DARE.

Her nonfiction titles, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, and REAL YOU FOR AUTHORS: 8 Essentials for Women Writers (available for free download on her website) continue to inspire.  

She lives in Southern California with her husband and four almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books and on her website, KairaRouda.com.

Connect with Kaira: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Spotlight: Demand by Lisa Renee Jones

The sexy, breathtaking mystery continues in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones’s stunning second novel in the suspenseful Careless Whispers series—where shocking revelations will reveal themselves and nothing, and no one, will ever be the same.

Still struggling with amnesia, Ella questions everything she’s known about Kayden Wilkens—the alluring stranger who claims to have found her unconscious in an alleyway a month earlier. But was he truly a stranger—or did Kayden know her before his supposed rescue? Tormented by the potential betrayal he denies, with fleeting memories of a bombshell in her recent past, Ella must face a hard reality. Every action has consequences . . . and trusting Kayden, the one thing she most desires, might result in the direst consequences of all. 

About the Author

An award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, Lisa Renee Jones has published more than forty novels spanning many romance genres: contemporary, romantic suspense, dark paranormal, and erotic fiction.

Connect with Lisa: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Spotlight: The Postcard by Leah Fleming

About the Book

2002, Australia.When Melissa discovers a postcard addressed to 'Desmond' among her recently deceased father's effects, she is determined to discover this person's identity and his relationship to her father. She soon embarks on a journey that will take her across oceans and into the past… 

1930's, London. Caroline grew on a secluded Scottish estate with her 'Aunt' Phoebe. Now, the shocking realisation that Phoebe is actually her mother fuels a rebellious streak in Caroline, who elopes to Cairo to get married. But her marriage quickly turns sour and leads to an affair with an old lover, and to a baby boy, Desmond. With her personal life in tatters and WWII approaching, she volunteers as a secret agent, smuggling valuable information into Europe for the British government. 

When Caroline finally returns from the war, Desmond is gone; he was secretly taken to Australia by his nanny years before. Will Caroline be able to track him down? And how will her journey to find her son lead to Melissa's mission to uncover her father's past? 

Spotlight: Clawback by J.A. Jance

In New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance’s latest thriller, Ali Reynolds faces her most controversial mystery yet, solving the murder of a man whose Ponzi scheme bankrupted hundreds of people, and left them seeking justice…or revenge. 

When Ali’s parents lose their life savings to a Ponzi scheme, her father goes to confront his long-time friend and financial advisor, only to stumble into the scene of a bloody double homicide. With her father suddenly a prime suspect, Ali and her husband work to clear her father’s name, while at the same time seeking justice for her parents as well as the scheme’s other suddenly impoverished victims, one of whom is a stone cold killer. 

About the Author

J.A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling author of the Ali Reynolds series, the J.P. Beaumont series, and the Joanna Brady series, as well as four interrelated Southwestern thrillers featuring the Walker family. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tuscon, Arizona. 

Connect with J.A.: Website | Facebook | Twitter