Kirsten Mortensen on the Joys & Perils of a Towering TBR Pile by @KirstenWriter #AmReading #Fiction

Eeek! She’s Gonna Crash! The Joys and Perils of a Towering TBR Pile

By Kirsten Mortensen

The leaning tower of Pisa? Ha. That’s nothing. You should see my To Be Read pile!

I can’t help it, I guess. I love books so much, and I’m interested in so many different types of books and so many authors, that I always end up buying more books than I could possibly read.

And, to make it worse, I’m one of those people who reads multiple books at once. At any given moment, I’ve got a half dozen books piled up next to my bed with bookmarks stuck in them. I’ve got another half dozen in my Kindle that I’ve started, then set aside.

But you know what? I’ve made peace with it. I know that some of the books in my TBR pile will remain unread on the day I breathe my last.

And is there anything wrong with that!

No, I say!

Oh, sure, it’s satisfying to finish a book. It’s like finishing any project. You close the cover—or click past the last page on the e-reader—and sit back, and you get this marvelous feeling of accomplishment. Even aside from the pleasure of a well-realized plot, there’s a sense that you did it. You completed the journey. You crossed something important off your to-do list.

But I’m also of the opinion that guilt is never a very helpful emotion. So why torture yourself needlessly if you have books you don’t get to? Or books you start but don’t finish?

They still serve a purpose. Maybe that indie title you bought helped push a book onto a best seller list. Maybe the classic sitting on your shelf will one day spark the interest of a young family member, and start him or her on a reading journey.

And in the meantime, having a generous TBR pile is a bit like having a well-stocked pantry.

No matter what you’re in the mood for, chances are you’ll find the exact book you need at that moment. You have all the ingredients on hand for a satisfying reading experience: your own personal library, there for the sampling.

So to me, my leaning pile of to-be-reads is never a burden. It’s a blessing—it’s a towering stack of  riches.

How about you? Do you ever feel anxious or stressed about your TBR pile? Or does the pleasure of knowing you have plenty of books in your reading queue make you feel good?

A woman's worst nightmare

Drugged by something...that makes her think she's fallen in love.

All Haley Dubose has ever known is beaches and malls, clubs and cocktail dresses.

But now her father is dead.

And if she wants to inherit her father's fortune, she has to leave sunny Southern California
for a backwater little town near Syracuse, New York. She has to run RMB, the multimillion dollar
chemical company her father founded. And she has to run it well.

Keep RMB on track, and she'll be rich. Grow it, and she'll be even richer. But mess it up, and her inheritance will shrink away before she gets a chance to spend a dime.

Donavon Todde is her true love. But is it too late?

He's RMB's head of sales – and the more Donavon sees of Haley, the more he's smitten.
Sure, she comes across at first as naïve and superficial. But Donavon knew Haley's father. He can see the man's better qualities stirring to life in her eyes. And Donavon senses something else: Haley's father left her a legacy more important than money. He left her the chance to discover her true self.

Donavon has demons of his own.
 
He's reeling from a heartbreak that's taking far too long to heal. But he's captivated by this blond Californian, and not only because of her beauty. It's chemistry. They're right for each other. But has Donavon waited too long to woo this woman of his dreams? Because to his horror, his beautiful Haley falls under another spell. Gerad's spell.

A web of evil.

Gerad Picket was second-in-command at RMB when Haley's father was alive. And with Haley on the scene, he's in charge of her training. But there are things about RMB that Gerad doesn't want Haley to know.

And he must control her. Any way he can.

Romantic suspense for your Kindle

Will Haley realize that her feelings are not her TRUE feelings?
Does Donavon have the strength left to fight for the woman he loves?
Will the two of them uncover Gerad's plot to use RMB pheromones to enslave the world?
And even if they do – can they stop it?

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Romantic suspense

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Kirsten Mortensen through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://kirstenmortensen.com/

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Chance Collision (Crossing Forces) by C.A. Szarek @caszarek #Romance #Suspense

“Hell no.” Nikki crossed her arms over her breasts, glaring at her boss and Pete. “Absolutely not. I’m leaving here today like normal, going to see my grandmother, and then home.”

“No. You. Are. Not.” Chief Paul Martin glared right back. His hazel eyes flashed and his greying brown moustache twitched, like it did only when he was very irritated.

Nikki didn’t give a shit.

“Listen, Detective Lucas knows what he’s talking about.” Pete’s hands were spread wide, imploring. The detective’s green eyes were concerned, handsome face drawn, serious. The usual smile he wore was nowhere in sight.

At least Pete wasn’t trying to order her around like her misguided boss. Who did Chief think he was, her father?

Pete sat on the edge of the chair, his gaze intense.

Nikki’s stomach fluttered and she remembered his mouth on her own. Warm lips moving, his tongue twined with hers. Desire claiming, spreading…arousing them both.

What are you, a hormone? These men are ordering you around. Make choices for you. You have no say in what they want you to do.

No. She was independent. Grown. Strong like Gram had raised her to be. Capable of making her own decisions. She knew what was best for her, and for her grandmother.

“I’ll be fine at home. I have a gun. I know how to use it,” Nikki said.

Chief frowned.

Pete shook his head and spoke before their boss could. “These guys aren’t your average thugs. This is more serious than you think—”

“They didn’t pay any attention to me or Gram.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Chief barked.

“I agree.” At least Pete had the decency to look as if he felt bad.

Dammit.

“What about Gram?”

“Rodriguez is already at the rehab centre. Crowley will switch out with him at nineteen hundred hours, and Monroe at oh-seven. She’ll have twenty-four-hour protection,” Chief said.

Nikki’s heart went into overdrive.

This is real. We’re both in danger.

She swallowed hard. Tears were born and the two men blurred. She and Gram were witnesses. Pete and Chief were worried they’d be victims.

No. She refused to end up like her parents.

Pete grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I—Chief and I—need you safe.”

“You’re family,” their boss said, his voice about as gentle as she’d ever heard it.

She blinked. Do not cry in the chief’s office. “Where am I going to go?” Her voice wavered, and she allowed the detective to entwine their fingers instead of pulling away from him. Nikki fought the urge to leap forward and wrap her arms around Pete. She wanted to feel safe, and the last place she had was in his arms the night before. Trembling started, rattling her teeth and moving down her spine.

Stop this. Right now. Get yourself together, Nikki Harper.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Pete whispered, holding her hand even tighter, but he wasn’t hurting her. His thumb started slow soothing circles along her knuckles and Nikki sucked in a breath, then another.

Her body stilled, her breathing evened. She wanted to thank him, because Pete—his touch—somehow grounded her, but her voice was nowhere to be found.

Chief exchanged a look with her detective then met her eyes. “The city owns a few houses in town. Unassuming places. You’ll stay in one until this blows over. Crane will get this guy.”

“Guys,” Nikki corrected, but neither answered her. She wiped her face with her free hand. “I don’t want to tell Gram. She’ll just worry. It’s bad enough she’ll see a cop all hours of the day.”

Pete nodded. “Whatever you want to do.”

Nikki met his eyes and couldn’t look away. The feel of his arms around her, his solid muscles against her, teased her mind. His woodsy cologne tickled her nose. She wanted to slip into him like she had last night. She wanted his lips against hers again. Wanted more than just his kiss. He wanted her. She’d felt it last night. Saw it in his gaze right now.

Attraction sizzled between them. Her body warmed. Nikki didn’t need to talk to Pete, she needed to touch him, caress his face, kiss him—

Chief cleared his throat and Nikki jumped. But so did Pete.

“Can I go home to get some clothes?” Her voice cracked and she fought a cringe, pulling her hand out of the detective’s.

What happened?

More than just the memory of a little kiss. Not that she’d ever describe it as little. The kiss in the hallway of the rehab centre had been the kind to curl toes and suck a girl into oblivion. Detective Pete Crane knew what he was doing.

“I don’t see why not, if you make it quick,” Chief said.

What? Oh…yeah, home. Her apartment. Pack a bag. She made herself meet her boss’s hazel eyes. Forced a smile and nodded thanks.

“I’ll take her.” Pete was still looking at her.

“Good,” their boss said, but his voice was lost as Nikki tried not to stare at Pete.

“Nikki, I need a moment with Crane.”

Pete’s head shot around to Chief. “Boss?”

The chief’s gaze was glued to her detective. His jaw was locked and he looked less than pleased. Was something wrong? His tone was hard. Irritated. Shouldn’t he have calmed? She’d pretty much agreed to go to a safe house.

Nikki took her time standing, pressing her knees together to keep them from wobbling. Chief Martin appraised her and she almost shifted on her feet. What’d she missed?

“Out,” Chief barked. “Close the door.”

Crossing Forces series:

Small Town Texas doesn't always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.

They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.

When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.

Crossing Forces by C.A. Szarek

This is book two in the Crossing Forces series

Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.

Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.

Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.

Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.

Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear—a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.

Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?

Buy Now @ Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Totally Bound | ARe | Sony | Kobo | Barnes&Noble

Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with C.A. Szarek on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://caszarekwriter.blogspot.com/

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10 Things You Didn’t Know About #Author P.T. Macias @pt_macias #Romance

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About P.T. Macias

My name is Patricia T. Macias. I was born in San Jose, California. I currently live in Sacramento, California with my family.

I have three children. My eldest is my daughter Erica Crystal. My middle child is Andres Arturo, and my youngest child is Ricardo Emanuel. I have four beautiful grandchildren. I have three grandsons and one granddaughter. My granddaughter is only a few months old. My family is my pride and joy.

I also enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. I love to read romance and paranormal. My favorite book is Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I also enjoy reading J.R. Ward, Lindsey Sands, and lots more.

I always dreamed of writing and I’m extremely happy to be achieving my dream. I want to write since I was in elementary. My characters are my best friends. They’re always talking and living in my mind and dreams. I would tell you that writing is my passion.

I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management Administration.

I’ve been working for the same employer for 32 years. I started working with them when I was eighteen. I’ve been working in my current technical position for 28 years.

I’ve been writing for approximately three years. I realized one day that all of my dreams were stories and characters demanding to be told.

I write without an outline or plan. The stories flow out when I’m writing. Their personalities and their characteristics are developed. I see them clearly in my mine. Then direct the plot, the scenes, and the dialogue.

I wrote my first series, the De La Cruz Saga, in one year. The saga has a subtle influence of Spanish and the Spanish becomes more laced (as the story progresses).

I write in the present tense because I believe it puts the reader "IN" the action, rather than as part of an "after thought". I believe it brings the characters to life!

This is my voice, my style. Dare to read the awesome De La Cruz Saga that’s full of passion and suspense. Enjoy my latest and greatest series is Razer 8. The new Razer 8 series is all about action, adventure, passion, and romance.

My latest and greatest goal is to write a Mexican Cook book. I hope you enjoy the recipes.

The hard driven, ambitious delta force operative is immune to women. His heart has been destroyed by a treacherous woman and the unexpected loss of his family. These events have driven him nearly into insanity. The hard knocks in life propel him into grasping his emotions, his thoughts, and his physical condition. He focused on his goal. Loco doesn’t allow any type of distractions or obstacles to stop him. His actions and recklessness have earned him his nickname, Loco.

The Infinite power, Razer 8 operatives, are united and linked for infinity. His team mates recognize his pain, anger, and strength is derived from the intense impotency he feels from his loss.

The unexpected mission and unexpected encounter with his soul mate, tests his strength. His mind, heart, and soul recognize his love even before the actual encounter. The ruthless criminals threaten to harm his soul mate, pushing and transforming him into a fearless warrior.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Ghost is an old-fashioned Southern boy fighting hard to forget his pain. He’s forced to protect his Mama and sister from their abusive Pa. Ghost is strong, silent, and soft spoken. He works hard against all obstacles and hurt.

Ghost grows up to become a Delta Force. He meets and falls for a hot Latina who sets him on fire! She captures his soul and brightens his world. He would do anything to protect her.

Duty calls and he’s forced to leave her unprotected. The unspeakable happens! Ghost calls on Infinity. Infinity aids to extract his woman from the clutches of a soulless prostitution mob. Time is running out!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Bulldog is the youngest of the Razer 8 Delta Force Operatives. He enjoys life. He’s called upon to help out one of his team operative. Infinity is there.

He runs into Katherine Morgan, a sweet young victim. In the the process of extraction he gets caught by the prostitution gang. They mistake him with being her boyfriend.

Bulldog grabs onto that line and poses as her boyfriend. In the process of rescuing Katherine from the mob he becomes entangled in her web. Will Bulldog’s skills and training save him from falling under her spell? Will he be able to outrun the mob and his soul?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Redfox, Razer 8 operative mission is to infiltrate the Police Commissioner’s office and home. He has 72 hours to gather the intel on the Commissioner’s dirty business.

Redfox charms his way into the Commissioner’s home, throwing him into the arms of his soul mate. The unexpected love rocks his world and the success his mission.

The Commissioner’s daughter, Marsha Diane Bryant is a lovely sweet young girl. She falls under Redfox spell and unconditionally bestows her soul.

Redfox fears losing his soul mate in the process of completing his mission. Can their love survive the storm?

Buy @ Amazon

Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – PG 13

More details about the author

Connect with P.T. Macias on Facebook and Twitter

Website http://ptmacias.com/

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