"Waiting on" Wednesday: Darker After Midnight

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian

Book 10 of the Midnight Breed Series has an expected publication date of  January 24th 2012 by Robinson Publishing 

Blurb:

In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach. But when his eyes meet those of Tavia Fairchild, a beautiful witness who identifies him at the scene of a mission gone terribly wrong, Chase finds himself drawn to the woman—and convinced she is something much more than she seems.

Pulled into a vortex of intrigue and danger she can neither resist nor understand, Tavia is uncertain whom to trust. And while everything sane and logical warns her against getting close to Chase, she cannot deny that the handsome, deeply haunted male stirs something primal and ravenous within her. But even as she surrenders to her cravings, nothing can prepare her for the shattering truth of who—and what—she truly is.

As the Order’s enemy mobilizes for the battle of the ages, Dragos and his Minions unleashing a hell on Earth like nothing ever seen before, Chase and Tavia are thrust into the heart of the violence. With time running out and the streets running red with the blood of innocent lives, both Breed and human, together Chase and Tavia must find a way to defeat Dragos once and for all—or die trying.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Bound by a Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Bound by a Vampire Queen by Joey W. Hill

  

Book number 8 of the Vampire Queen series has an expected publication date: December 6th 2011 by Berkley Heat 

Blurb: 

Sworn to obedience, compelled by loyalty, and threatened with damnation for betrayal, Jacob entered Lady Lyssa’s servitude as a human servant. Now he is a vampire, but still bound to Lyssa, who has found herself struggling with the capricious powers that have come alive in her paternal Fae blood—and challenged by two enemies…

While the Vampire Council threatens to take away Lyssa and Jacob’s newborn son, the Fae Queen has ordered Lyssa to appear before the Otherworld court to face inescapable charges. The Fae have nothing but contempt for vampires, but to serve her, protect her, nourish her, and pleasure her, Jacob will follow his lady into hell itself. No one—neither Fae nor vampire—will compel him to break the oath he made to serve a vampire queen forever.

"Waiting On" Wednesday : Captivated by Lauren Dane

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Captivated by Lauren Dane

Book three of the Phantom Corps Series has an expected publication date of May 12, 2012 by Berkley Heat.  

I love Lauren Dane and this series and I know it will be just as good as the rest.

Blurb:

Vincenz Fardelle, exiled son of the Supreme Leader of the Imperialist Universe, has spent much of the last ten years working to stop the threat his father poses. But he’s not alone in his quest. Julian Marsters has lost his best friend and countless others in the war and has made vengeance his only goal. In each other, Julian and Vincenz find not only like minds, but kindred spirits.

However unexpected their relationship, everything changes for Vincenz and Julian when Hannah Black comes into their lives. Having been captured and held in near total isolation by imperialist troops, their immediate response is to protect her.

Emotionally shattered but resilient, Hannah rebuilds herself. Because of the warm safety she finds in the arms of Julian—and Vincenz she becomes someone harder, stronger and bent on preventing the Imperialists from harming anyone else.

For the two men, wrestling with their passionate feelings for Hannah is only the beginning. War is about to send all three into harm’s way and an equally dangerous secret could tear them apart.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers 


Christian Notte's story, the sixteenth book in the Argeneau series is set on an island paradise called St. Lucia. After a bad relationship and an even worse divorce, Carolyn decides to go on a long overdue and much needed vacation with the 'girls'. Only the rest of the vacationers didn't get the memo. Around every corner there seems to be another couple celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary and the few single men she does see are far too young to even consider, including an irresistibly attractive rock violinist she meets. It's really too bad he's so young but in the end it doesn't matter because according to his cousin, Giacinta, women in general aren't Christian's type. But there's a catch, Christian needs Carolyn's help. He needs her to be his beard (to play the part of his fake girlfriend) for the week to appease his 'machismo' family. Carolyn just can't seem to say No and decides to help Gia's cousin. The only problem is that being around Christian and acting like they are a loving couple is wreaking havoc on her emotions. Carolyn's thoughts keep drifting back to places they shouldn't, like kissing his full lips or feeling his broad shoulders under her fingertips... good lord, she's in trouble.

Piracy Sucks...

As an aspiring author it really hurts to see that published authors that I admire and have shelled my own hard earned money to read their books both in print and e-books (either PDF's or via Kindle) have to suffer through book piracy.  Lena Matthews has started a campaign to fight e-book piracy.  In her blog she goes over exactly how much an author can lose by what some people think is harmless when they upload an e-book to a share website (some of these were on term paper exchange sites).  I urge everyone to take a minute to stop by her page and if you happen to stumble across any pirated work, please contact that particular author and send them a link so they can do something about it.

And to all those who may be participating in these activities I have three words for you, "Boo Bitch Boo"!

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Lord of the Abyss

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

Expected publication: November 22nd 2011 by Harlequin

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

Waiting on" Wednesday... What Happens After Dark by Jasmine Haynes

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: What Happens After Dark by Jasmine Haynes

Expected publication: November 1st 2011 by Berkley Trade 

Blurb:

She's pushed all the limits-but can she finally free herself completely?

Bree Mason wants more out of life, but she is ruled by fear and controlled by her secrets. And there's one great secret she's hidden for years, even from herself. But now a tragedy is causing her carefully constructed world to unravel...

Bree is like no other woman Luke Raven has ever known. He's always given her what she's asked for. But now he craves more-a lot more. Luke wants a relationship outside their strictly sexual affair. But can he help Bree exorcise her demons and free her from her abusive past?

Sample of "Untouchable"

Hi ladies and gents.  Just wanted to share a brief sample of a story I am currently working on.  Feed back is welcome.

Normally men didn’t make her a nervous wreck but Rick wasn’t like the men Michelle usually encountered.  Normal men didn’t stand at six and a half feet tall with broad shoulders and bulging biceps or have wicked smiles that sent shivers up her spine.   Normal men didn’t cause goose bumps with the sound of their voice.   

The not so normal man was currently nowhere to be seen.  Twenty minutes ago was a different story, he’d been seated in front of her.  Throughout the entire night the heated glances he sent her way wreaked havoc on her hormones.  She tried to focus on her surrounds.  The dark night brightened by a full moon and silvery stars.  The private beach of white sands painted the perfect post card image of Florida.  If you ever want to make a friend or loved one feel miserable you could send them a picture of the view from Diego’s vacation home on Melbourne Beach. 

The place was breathtakingly beautiful but not enough to distract having a sexy, single, straight man dangled in front of a woman who hadn’t had sex in over a year.  Add to the facts that know she was being asked to interact with him out of her element.  Work.

At work was casual.  Professional.  Brief.  To the point.  She never socialized with him outside of the office until now and thanks to her boss celebrating his fiftieth birthday and inviting some of his closest friends along with his three business partners and their wives, Rick and Michelle were now out here for a long weekend of fun in the sun.  It was only their first night there and Michelle was beginning to regret ever hopping on the private plan that picked them up a few hours ago.

"Untouchable" (c) Ria Cruz, 2011.

Reading, Writing and Trying to get healthy....

Hi there ladies and the few gents that come around.  If you've been following my blog you've probably noticed that once again I haven't posted in a while besides the weekly Waiting on Wednesday posts.  I'm still working my contest submission and on a short for new project I am working on with a close friend.  I will post more details on that once everything is confirmed.  In the mean time I've read a few more books and have been, as the title of this blog mentions, getting healthy.

How many of us have made a New Year resolution to get healthy? Maybe you want to join a gym, eat healthy, stop smoking, etc.   For many of us it is easier said than done. Personally I’m guilty of making all of the above resolutions and never sticking to them, falling off the wagon a week or in some occasions only days later, giving into temptation once and never picking up where I left off.  This year however I did not make any resolutions.  I figured I never stuck with any of them why start now? 

But you know, I did want to get healthy and not just saying it, so I took matters into my own hands.  Who else would do it if not me?  Obviously the pounds weren’t coming off by themselves so I had to do something and to tell you the truth it’s been hard and expensive but I am finally seeing results.

I started slowly and little by little eliminated one bad thing at time from my diet.  First, I cut out whole milk and gradually moved down to 1%.  I don’t like the taste of skim so this is as low as I am going.  Red meat was cut down to once a week as well and this is hard for me.  I love a good steak but as the saying goes everything in moderation.  My red meat fix was met on a Friday or Saturday night and usually where dancing would be involved after to help process it a little faster.  Sushi, which I love and is healthy if eaten in small amounts, was also reduced to once a week.  Fried foods were avoided and again only once a week or none at all.  I replaced white rice with brown rice and the little soda I was drinking (I cut that out a few years ago) has been completely eliminated and my water intake has increased 50%.  More veggies and fruits have been added to my daily meals as well.  What has also helped was doing  a complete cleaning of the junk/bad foods from my house.  No longer do I keep sugary cereals, white bread, white rice, sugar, vegetable oil and several other things that were an easy go to for a meal.  Like I mentioned before, eating healthy isn't cheap but its a sacrifice for my and my family's health that I am willing to make.

In my next post, along with a small snippet I'm working for you guys, I will talk about the exercise schedule I'm on. Until then happy reading and hope everyone has a fun and safe long Labor Day weekend.

Ria Cruz

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

Expected publication: October 25, 2011

Blurb:

In a tale of strong ties and true love, Maya Banks’s trilogy comes to its stunning conclusion, as the youngest McCabe brother uses sword and seduction to save his clan—and seal his heart.
Caelen McCabe’s young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother’s jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father’s power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and her pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though, the heat in Caelen’s touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna’s true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife’s love is too precious to lose.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Girls Who Bite

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Girls Who Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica

Expected publication: September 13th 2011

Dark hungers, shocking thirsts... For blood, for connection… A sharing of nourishment and comfort… Infliction and acceptance of pain…”


A vampire is the ultimate bad girl. The very word invokes images of dark, shadowy liaisons, forbidden desires, and sensual blood lust. Whether depicting a traditional blood-drinker seducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing life-force from an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting to cement a bond, the stories in Girls Who Bite are varied and unexpected. Bestselling romance writer Delilah Devlin and her contributors investigate vampire myths from around the world, adding fresh "blood" to add to the pantheon of paranomal. In Girls Who Bite Devlin delivers a sexy read you can sink your teeth into!

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Mistress's Master

  

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Mistress's Master: Men In Blue, Book 3 by Jayne Rylon

Expected publication: September 6th 2011 by Samhain Publishing

Blurb from Goodreads

Nothing can bring her to her knees—except a dose of her own medicine.

Mistress Lily, proprietress of the elite Black Lily club, battles something more frightening than the dark forces of her own desire. SexOffender, a potent aphrodisiac designer drug with terrifying side effects, is ripping through the BDSM community.

Determined to protect her charges, Lily plays a dangerous game, cozying up to the drug’s creator while secretly smuggling victims to safety. It’s a war she’s losing…until the night she spots an undercover cop at what is supposed to be a private bash.

Blind luck scored Jeremy Radisson the break he needed to get close to Morselli. Gaining the kingpin’s trust, though, means revealing parts of his past as a legendary Dom. And teaming up with a woman who doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body, yet dominates his every fantasy.

When Morselli unexpectedly changes the rules, Lily and Jeremy find themselves pitted against each other in a wicked game of who’s-on-top. Lily’s forced to make a desperate choice to prove her loyalty. Jeremy relies on every ounce of his power to keep her safe without blowing their cover while praying they survive long enough to find out if she’ll kneel for him…forever.
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Product Warnings
Buckle up! This book is a one-way ticket to Dir-tay Town. Stops along the way include Massive Ménage Village, Sex Machine Square and Fisting City. What else would you expect from an experienced Mistress and the Master who tames her?

2011 Golden Palm Contest & Workshop

Hi everyone;

Sorry I haven't been around much lately.  I'm working on my book-length submission (40,000 words or more) for the 2011 Golden Palm Contest, put together by Florida Romance Writers.  This is the first year they have an Erotic Romance category and the judge is from Ellora's Cave.  The original deadline was for Monday, August 15th but due to low submissions it has been extended until Monday, September 22nd.

I'm planning on submitting Second Chances which is currently at a little over 45,000 words, I printed a draft of it and I'm simply working on a few edits necessary for it to be complete.  Wish me luck.  I will keep you all apprised of the situation.

On another note, I'm in the middle of taking a two week workshop entitled, "Creating Better Heroes: Male POV for the Romance Writer" with Sascha Illyvich.  We've only had one assignment so far but I expect to learn plenty from Sasha.

With that I leave you for now.  My "Waiting on Wednesday" post will be posted later today and I will be sharing some of my new writings as well.

'Til then, take care.

Ria Cruz
Links: Facebook, Goodreads

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Breakaway

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: Breakaway by Deirdre Martin (Part of the Blades series)

Expected publication: February 7th 2012

Blurb from Author's Site

They had it all planned out: college, marriage, happily ever after.
But it didn't quite work out that way...

Erin O'Brien was everyone's favorite in Ballycraig, while Rory Brady was the town's golden boy: the local lad who moved to America and became a professional hockey player. Rory promised to return to sweep Erin away to the life of her dreams in New York. But the bright lights and late nights turned his head and he never came back.

Two years later, Rory realizes he's made the worst mistake of his life. Heading back to Ballycraig, he's confident that all he needs to do is flash his winning smile and Erin will fall back into his arms. But Erin's moved on.

Racing the clock, Rory needs to prove to her that the man she fell in love with is still there. But can happy-go-lucky Erin risk it all and give another chance to the man who broke her heart?