Goodbye Old, Hello To The New! (My Year in Review)

The last time I wrote one of these “Hello, New Year” posts was before the world took a nosedive into chaos.

I was honestly shocked to realize that I had set aside the childlike wonderment of what it means to countdown to a new year and celebrate the new birth of shedding last years woes and releasing all the misery that it can bring and I think right there is the problem…I hadn’t. For the past two years, as a country, a nation, a world, we have all been living in this constant cycle of, “is it over yet?” Holding onto all the grief, misery, and turbulence that our world was struck down with. I know I personally retreated hard into reading and read more books than I ever have in my entire life, but even as I enjoyed the escape it caused sacrifice in things like dusting (not a big deal I hate dusting), or exercise (okay, I should do that more, but ehhhh), or writing (now this is something that I greatly enjoyed-soooo now I needed to rethink things).

So while I hate resolutions, because I hate making promises that I know I will never keep…I prefer looking at the new year with new promise and hope. With that not-resolution in mind – I am making a promise to give myself grace in easing back into this thing called life. The very thing I know I have been avoiding for the past couple of years, but here goes.

I realize it’s yucky out there and the world has turned into a dark place. However, with that knowledge I hope to discover my joy for writing again (and not dusting, because ewww) and allow myself the grace to just sit in the chaos of the world instead of instantly retreating to all of the fiction that I love.

Sooooo, enough with the heavy and on to the good stuff….My top picks for 2022. I read a lot of books this past year. Not quite as many as 2021, but still it boiled down to almost a book a day. Considering I work, had a daughter who was married earlier this year, and I keep up with this blog, fitting all of that reading in shows just how much I escaped.

Thank you to all of the authors who helped me escape. I loved every moment of it ❤️.

If you’d like to visit any of the places I visited in the past year feel free to read all the reviews for books I’ve read in 2022 under Book Reviews

Please check out all the books released this past year listed under New Releases

I hold all of the books I read near and dear to my heart and it really is hard to pick just a few favorites, but as I went back and sifted through what I read a few titles jumped out. So let’s get to why they did…here are my favorite books of 2022!!

The Best Of 2022 by Kay Daniels

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

1. The Best Book of 2022:
The Devil of Dublin, by B.B. Easton

Aside from the drop dead gorgeous cover, because I know, don’t judge a book by one-but come on….am I right?🔥🥵….but aside from his gorgeous eyes…The Devil of Dublin had everything that I like to call the “IT” factor when I read it. Witty humor, intriguing/suspenseful plot, virgin hero with a dark past, just a touch of the supernatural, a true anti-hero with a heart of gold, but put into dark situations kind of story, and best of all it allowed me to travel to the lush landscape of Ireland. I could practically hear the Irish accents jump off the page when I read it. I don’t purchase many paperbacks, as I hate dusting, but this was one story I felt compelled to own. That is how much I loved this book. I was drawn in, entranced, and completely blown away by this magical tale.

Here is the synopsis:

Devil of Dublin, a dark mafia romance drenched in Irish folklore!! ⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Broken boy turned mafia hitman⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Dreamy Irish scenery⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Forbidden love⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Folklore/fated mates⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Us against the world/couple on the run vibes⁣⁣⁣
☘️ White knuckle suspense⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Heart racing 🔥🔥🔥⁣⁣⁣
☘️ Deeply romantic and hauntingly dark⁣⁣⁣!!

I can’t remember anymore if my grandfather’s eyes were blue or green, but I’ll never forget the way they wrinkled at the corners when he laughed at one of his own jokes. Or the way they sparkled with mischief when he told me tales about the magical creatures that dwelled in the forest behind his humble Irish sheep farm—shy fairies who liked to eat tea biscuits, cruel witches who liked to eat children, a moody lake spirit with a taste for expensive gifts.

As a child, I believed every fantastical word. But when he warned me about the mute boy who also lurked in those woods, the one the priest had declared to be the spawn of Satan himself, I refused to listen. Kellen wasn’t evil. He was kind, and beautiful, and special, and hurting. He was my friend. And with every summer I spent stolen away with him in those enchanted woods, he grew to become so much more.

But when I return to Glenshire as an adult, grieving and engaged to someone else, all those legends quickly morph into nightmares.

My grandfather had been right about everything, especially the boy.

If only I had listened.
WARNING: If you are a sensitive reader or find certain topics to be emotionally triggering, please exercise self-care and select a different book. Devil of Dublin is intended for mature audiences who enjoy dark subject matter, tortured anti-heroes, explicit adult content, graphic violence, heart-pounding suspense, fairy-tale worthy love, and gorgeous Irish scenery. If that sounds like you, then welcome to Glenshire!

2. The Best Romance that also broke my heart in 2022:
Runaway; Empire High #5 by Ivy Smoak

You are probably scratching your head at this #2 spot. Give me chance to explain…as I scrolled through my list of books, Runaway stood up and smacked me in the face with all the feels all over again. It still had the power to evoke tears because the story is just that powerful. Even though it is the fifth book in a continuing series, it is, as Ivy explains, a bubble of a story where Brooke (the female MC) gets to live the perfect life with a man who loves her, adores her, and gives her everything without all of the hate, backstabbing, and lies that she had been tormented with before escaping into that bubble. You see prior to this interlude Brooke had lost everyone or been betrayed by everyone in her life. This bubble sounds pretty great right?? Who wouldn’t want to live in this bubble?? Hold your britches because even as a fan of the series I was in awe of how Ivy made me fall in love with this book. Like totally in complete love for how this little bubble was so ultimately perfect…until it popped and those are when the tears hit. Big fat ugly ones. That is why this book in on my list. I honestly can’t think of another series when I’ve been totally ALL in for this kind of bait and switch and then was a total emotional mess over the inaliation and yet, I still want more. Yes, please, may I have another, and pass me a tissue while you do……but, seriously, I love when authors twist things up and this was a great one!!

Here is the Synopsis:

To the first boy I ever loved.

I intended to keep my promises to you. I swear. I loved you, Matthew Caldwell. With my whole heart. I think a piece of me will always love you.

But it all came crashing down when I realized you didn’t keep your promises to me.

I refuse to take any of my days for granted. I learned that the hard way.

So I’m sorry. But I can’t keep my promises to someone who didn’t keep theirs.

XOXO,
-Brooklyn Sanders

3. The Best Book To Read Going In Blind In 2022:
Requiem by Callie Hart

I love reading…well basically everything. So reading reviews before I purchase items is pretty much automatic for me. Need a new pillow; read a review. Need a new vacuum; read a review. Want a new book; read a review. You see where I’m going with this…however, there are also authors that are just a one-click no matter what they write I buy it because I love everything they write. There are also books, based on plot, that should also be one-clicked. No questions asked. I want to state that Requiem fits into both of those categories. It’s a book that plagued me for days, weeks, months even after I finished it. I wouldn’t shut up about this book with those in my close circle because it blew my mind. So while I won’t give even the slightest hint as to what the plot is about I will say it is one of those books that will cause discussion at the dinner table because it certainly did at mine.

Here is the synopsis for Requiem:

SORRELL

He’s going to pay for what he’s done…

Theo Merchant was born into a kind of privilege I’ve never known.

He has everything I don’t: Money. A private school education. Popularity. A bright and shiny future, full of success to look forward to. He took the only thing I had going for me—my best friend, Rachel. Now that she’s gone, I have nothing left to lose.

I will infiltrate his world.

I will cradle his worthless heart in my hands.

I will burn down his entire life and destroy everything he holds dear.

I haven’t enrolled at Toussaint Academy to learn.

I’ve come to destroy a monster…

…and I won’t leave until he’s dead.

THEO

She has no idea what she’s getting herself into…

Sorrell Voss is intelligent, caustic as hell, and quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. She’s also going to get herself f#cking killed.

She’s a fool if she thinks I’ll go easy on her just because she’s broken.

You don’t venture into the lion’s den and walk away unscathed.

She has her secrets. That’s fine.

*My* secrets will unravel her until she comes apart at the seams.

She will bow to me, and she will break.

Then, and only then, will I make her mine.

REQUIEM is a 110,000-word, full-length enemies-to-lovers dark high school romance standalone. Some scenes within this book may be considered triggering to some readers, and it is therefore recommended for an audience 17+.

4. The funniest, hottest, holiday book in 2022:
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Holiday stories, a lot of times get the same settings as our favorites Hallmark movies, or they go the total opposite and everything goes wrong. Imagine both of those mashed together with all of the sexy times you can handle. That is A Merry Little Meet Cute in a nutshell. The story is hilarious, fun, and also full of holiday whimsy. I loved that it was full of body positivity and had a color cast to boot, which always makes for great reading. The entire book was a total joy to read and don’t get me started on the hotness factor…or maybe do. The female lead is from the porn industry and I adored her, want to be best friends with her. Yes, she’s a total catch. I don’t normally pick a holiday book for my list, but this book had that something special that I just couldn’t shake and it still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

Here is the synopsis:

Cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—a steamy plus-size holiday rom-com about an adult film star who is semi-accidentally cast as a lead in a family-friendly Christmas movie, and the former bad-boy pop star she falls in love with.

Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.

Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.

But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.

And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.

5. The Standout Book(s) of 2022:
Beyond My Darkness by R.C. Boldt , When It Ends by Penelope Black , Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

I had three books that I circled for this last spot and they all had a similar theme making it hard to pick just one. What was that theme? The Supernatural/paranormal and impending death. Cheerie subjects for the beginning of the new year, am I right?

I think with the way the world has been turning the past few years…I was drawn to this subject matter quite a bit – either through dystopian worlds, rebuilding worlds, the end of the world, death upon whole world…you name it…I loved it, craved it and fell in hard core love it. Hence, the titles listed above. While Pen Pal and Beyond My Darkness don’t necessarily fall into the total world enialition theme, they are unique in within their own rights. If you decide to check them out, I hope you love the dark themes contained within as much as I did.

P.S. I also don’t mind reading books that create a little controversy…if you get my drift and one of these titles definitely did that, so beware if you enjoy reading reviews 😉.

Here is the Synopsis for Beyond My Darkness:

USA Today bestselling author RC Boldt delivers a seductively unique romantic suspense with a paranormal twist in Beyond My Darkness…

Twelve years ago, I fled, vowing to never again use my power. But everything changes when I break that vow and bring two bodies back to life in the morgue.

It sends me spinning directly into his orbit.

Arrogant. Menacing. Enigmatic. That’s Bronson Cortez, the notoriously violent gang leader who remains elusive to authorities.

He breaks the law at every turn and answers to no one. But when he offers me an alluring glimpse of what lies beneath that iron-clad exterior, I realize there’s more to him than meets the eye.

The man who fiercely guards his heart somehow manages to claim mine.

But he doesn’t know the truth about me.

I wonder if he could be the first to accept me for who I am—what I am.

I wonder if he’ll be the first to see beyond my darkness.

Here is the Synopsis for When It Ends:

WHEN IT ENDS by Penelope Black is a contemporary, adult, apocalyptic, reverse harem, romance story line focusing on Amelia, Cole, West and Gray.

Told from four first person perspectives (Amelia, Cole, West and Gray) WHEN IT ENDS follows twenty-two year old Amelia Christensen in the days prior to the literal end of the world. After a one-night stand in Vegas with a man she knows only as Sonny, Amelia returns to her grandmother’s home, where she will embark on a journey with her past.

Enter Cole Armstrong and West Campbell the two boys Amelia had fallen in love with years before, two boys lost in the foster care system, never to be heard from again but an environmental disaster is about to ravage the world, and along with another foster brother Gray aka Sonny, our foursome head for places unknown in the wake of an apocalyptic meltdown.

Amelia’s father works for the government, and has offered a place of sanctuary but our heroine refuses to leave behind the men with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is the quick rebuilding relationship between Amelia and Cole, West and Gray, and the potential fall-out as the end of the world beckons.

WHEN IT ENDS follows the foursome as they must overcome the ensuing chaos and panic of a world about to implode. People are panicking, lives are lost, and only the chosen few will survive.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Here is the synopsis for Pen Pal:

The #1 international and Amazon Charts bestselling novel

The first letter arrived the day my husband was buried. It was postmarked from the state penitentiary, and contained a single sentence:

I’ll wait forever if I have to.

It was signed by Dante, a man I didn’t know.

Out of simple curiosity, I wrote back to ask him what exactly he was waiting for. His reply?

You.

I told the mystery man he had the wrong girl. He said he didn’t. I said we’d never met, but he said I was wrong.

We went back and forth, exchanging letters every week that grew increasingly more intimate. Then one day, the letters stopped. When I found out why, it was already too late.

Dante was at my doorstep.

And nothing on earth could have prepared me for what happened next.

WARNING:

This novel contains content intended for a mature audience only. Due to explicit language, graphic sex, detailed depictions of death and grief, intense power play dynamics, and other possible triggers, it is not suitable for sensitive readers. (Full list of TWs on author’s website.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to everyone who follows or reads my blog I appreciate you more than you know. I look forward to a new year and many more reading adventures. Happy New Year!

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

New Release – Last and Forever by Rebecca Brooke

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Last and Forever
Series: The Forever Duet #2
Author: Rebecca Brooke
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2020

BLURB

Aiden Cormack had the perfect life. Then everything changed. With no desire to pick up his guitar again, he leaves his band without a singer. In the end, he decides to head back to his hometown to live a life out of the spotlight, where he spends each night trying to drink away the nightmares.

After another emergency that threatens to break Aiden beyond repair, he runs into an old childhood friend. Lexi does her best to remind him that he still has a lot of life to live. But is it too late?

Aiden doesn’t think he can go back to the man he was, but maybe he can merge the pieces that are left with the ones everyone else sees and become the man he wants to be.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51976454-last-and-forever

PURCHASE LINKS – $2.99 for a limited time!

US: https://amzn.to/2zupDUU
UK: https://amzn.to/2SQJIfe
CA: https://amzn.to/2LhZeMY
AU:  https://amzn.to/2yILb0e

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

#1 First and Always

US: https://amzn.to/2WCqef8
UK: https://amzn.to/2SHg2Rq
CA: https://amzn.to/2YIEPZs
AU: https://amzn.to/2zkXLm5

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Rebecca Brooke is the author of the Jaded Ivory and Traded Series. She grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her Kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man who puts up with all her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and binge watch Netflix.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://www.rebeccabrooke.com
Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/RebeccaBrooke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaBrookeAuthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/620033751383664
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaBrooke6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccabrooke6

New Release – Australia: A Romance Anthology

Read for a cause! AUSTRALIA, a limited time romance anthology to aid in relief funds benefiting firefighters and wildlife in Australia, is out now!

Australia features original, never-before-seen stories from bestselling and award-winning authors including:

Penny Reid, Meredith Wild, Carly Phillips, Sierra Simone, Emma Scott, Susan Stoker, Kennedy Ryan, Willow Aster, Skye Warren, Kylie Scott, Aleatha Romig, Willow Winters, AL Jackson, Julia Kent, Rebecca Yarros, Nana Malone, Giana Darling, Emma Hart, Chelle Bliss, Noelle Adams, A. Zavarelli, Jenika Snow, Dylan Allen, Audrey Carlan, Robin Covington, Mary Catherine Gebhard, Melanie Moreland, Parker S. Huntington, Jewel E. Ann, Annabel Joseph, Celia Aaron, Michelle Heard, Brighton Walsh, Tijan, Tamsen Parker, Pam Godwin

All royalties from this project will be donated to relief funds in Australia, with 50% going to a firefighter charity and 50% going to a wildlife charity. We aren’t affiliated or endorsed by these charities. We are simply authors who want to support an important cause.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38CbQIv
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/australiaromanthology
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2RHIcut
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Uljva5
Kobo: http://bit.ly/36kNW2z
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3bat0yG

Connect with the Authors:

Penny Reid: https://pennyreid.ninja/
Meredith Wild: http://bit.ly/2OiVDjC
Carly Phillips: http://bit.ly/3b6GXOu
Sierra Simone: http://bit.ly/2vCpWew
Emma Scott: http://bit.ly/2uXQcj2
Susan Stoker: http://bit.ly/2OksGnj
Kennedy Ryan: http://bit.ly/2u2cmkq
Willow Aster: http://bit.ly/2tg7w2m
Skye Warren: http://bit.ly/37OnYpR
Kylie Scott: https://kyliescott.com/
Aleatha Romig: http://bit.ly/2UgoqsT
Willow Winters: http://bit.ly/2GJ40R8
AL Jackson: http://bit.ly/2Ugg98h
Julia Kent: http://bit.ly/2tkgjR3
Rebecca Yarros: http://bit.ly/2GKUHQS
Nana Malone: http://bit.ly/2GMEWc0
Giana Darling: https://gianadarling.com/
Emma Hart: http://bit.ly/2Oj8oul
Chelle Bliss: http://bit.ly/2UessBU
Noelle Adams: http://bit.ly/31mDnLt
A. Zavarelli: http://bit.ly/3b0NFoY
Jenika Snow: https://jenikasnow.com/
Dylan Allen: http://bit.ly/3b2On55
Audrey Carlan: http://bit.ly/2uYYBTp
Robin Covington: http://bit.ly/3aHrW5p
Mary Catherine Gebhard: http://bit.ly/3b1OaPJ
Melanie Moreland: http://bit.ly/2RLT8bI
Parker S. Huntington: http://bit.ly/38QWobw
Jewel E. Ann: http://bit.ly/2tnXJrg
Annabel Joseph: http://bit.ly/31eME8i
Celia Aaron: http://bit.ly/36TIK6d
Michelle Heard: http://bit.ly/3b2ORIr
Brighton Walsh: http://bit.ly/2ROIPUo
Tijan: http://bit.ly/2GGPpG9
Tamsen Parker: http://bit.ly/2uU71vz
Pam Godwin: https://pamgodwin.com/

Cover Reveal – Australia An All-New Romance Anthology

AUSTRALIA, a limited time romance anthology with original, never-before-seen stories from bestselling and award-winning authors, is coming February 4th and we have the gorgeous cover!

Each piece was written for this anthology to benefit firefighters and wildlife in Australia.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Penny Reid, Meredith Wild, Carly Phillips, Sierra Simone, Emma Scott, Susan Stoker, Kennedy Ryan, Willow Aster, Skye Warren, Kylie Scott, Aleatha Romig, Willow Winters, AL Jackson, Julia Kent, Rebecca Yarros, Nana Malone, Giana Darling, Emma Hart, Chelle Bliss, Noelle Adams, A. Zavarelli, Jenika Snow, Dylan Allen, Audrey Carlan, Robin Covington, Mary Catherine Gebhard, Melanie Moreland, Parker S. Huntington, Jewel E. Ann, Annabel Joseph, Celia Aaron, Michelle Heard, Brighton Walsh, Tamsen Parker, Pam Godwin

All royalties from this project will be donated to relief funds in Australia, with 50% going to a firefighter charity and 50% going to a wildlife charity. We aren’t affiliated or endorsed by these charities. We are simply authors who want to support an important cause.

Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/38CbQIv
Amazon Worldwide: https://www.mybook.to/AustraliaAnth
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2RHIcut
Nook: http://bit.ly/2NR2hxc
Kobo: http://bit.ly/36kNW2z
Google Play: Coming Soon!

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020! (The Year in Review)

A new Year and a new Decade has arrived!! It hardly seems possible that so much time has passed.

When I look back at the last ten years and think about the significant changes that have happened there is a lot that has occured and also a lot that has stayed the same. I’ve watched my children blossom from little girls into young women, but they are still amazing, beautiful girls with so much ahead of them in life and I can’t wait to see what amazing things they do with their futures. We’ve moved homes and jobs, we’ve lost family members and pets, but through every change we’ve also grown and adapted to who we are or who we will become.

For me, personally, when life throws me something I don’t enjoy dealing with I jump into a fictional world so I don’t have to deal with reality. What better way to escape the harshness of life than to see that someone else’s life is either more screwed up than yours or dream that you were living somewhere else instead of where you currently were or whatever fantasy you wish to escape to. Reading does that in the best way possible.

If you’d like to visit any of the places I escaped to in the past year feel free to read all the reviews for books released in 2019 Reviews

Please check out all the books released this past year listed under New Releases

Let’s get to why you’ve really checked out this page…the best books of 2019!!

The Best Of 2019

There were a lot of strong contenders for each category this past year, but that is never a terrible thing because that means I read a lot of really great books!! What makes it difficult is then narrowing all of those great books into just picking one favorite, so then yes, it is hard. Every author always deserves a “job well done”, their job is not easy. That job well done also goes out to everyone working in the book industry because a book is not raised alone, it takes a village to make it successful (yes, I’m using the child analogy. Just ask any author – their book is very much like birthing and raising a child).  But, enough with my blabbering….

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

1. The Best Romance Novel of 2019:
    The Kiss Thief, by L.J. Shen

Every year there seems to be a different, but almost similar WOW factor that jumps out among the books I’ve read.  This year the question that kept circling in my mind for best overall book was; What book did I remember (plot, characters, trope, etc…) and what author did I then continue to seek out as the year continued? 

Right out of the gate for 2019, I read The Kiss Thief by L. J. Shen. She was a new author for me this year (which also happened to be a personal goal I’d set – see Monthly Author Feature – L.J. Shen) and this also opened up my reading world to a new trope, the antihero. L.J. Shen writes the best broken men who seem so far gone to darkness, but Shen has this beautiful skill to write the strong women to bring these seemingly unredeemable men back from damnation. While these men most often look at themselves as the villian, they become the hero in the eyes of their love. Shen’s plots are emotional and angsty and drag you in with the wonder if the villain really will give up the darkness that resides inside. Will love really win or the darkness that has ruled in their heart for too long? Her books are always page turners and keep me up late into the night reading.

L.J. Shen writes a lot of New Adult angst, especially in a series, but if you haven’t read any of books yet or haven’t read this standalone novel, I highly suggest reading The Kiss Thief!! 

Here is the synopsis:

The Kiss Thief is like reading a modern day Romeo and Juliet, but so much better! It was hard to pinpoint an exact category because it contains aspects of New Adult Romance, Mobster Romance, Twisted Fairytale Romance, Contemporary Romance, Shakespeare, and then with some Mythology (which I loved) thrown in. I loved each small dash of flavor and it made for an excellent first read for 2019!!

“A story of a Nemesis and a Villain with no chance at a happy ending. Where the prince doesn’t save the princess. He tortures her. And the beauty doesn’t sleep. She’s stuck. In a nightmare.”

Both Wolfe and Francesca are stubborn creatures – a story where pain and torment surface again and again, much at each others hands. There are so many pieces to move into play before either of them even consider the chance of liking one another much less considering a future where a mobster’s daughter and a senator can reside in peace vs. in pieces.

“Falling in love was so tragic.”

Francesca Rossi knows she lives in a locked cage, but is fine with the bars. What may seem weird to some, she doesn’t look at her life as anything but the way it should be. A long line of traditions that she has now been waiting for as she is finally ready for her life to begin. Within her family a Rossi bride has always received a box that contained three notes that would hold a piece of her destiny within them. The one time Francesca went against what the tradition said, she opened the box before her wedding day and read the first note. Upon discovering that she would know her true love when she received her first kiss Francesca took matters into her own hands and decided to seek out her childhood crush, knowing he had to be her true love. When the kiss happened, it was not her first love that Francesca kissed, but instead a wolf in sheeps clothing who devoured her. The wolf stole more than just a kiss as his plans were to stop at nothing until her entire world crumbled around her. Senator Wolfe Keaton was The Kiss Thief and Francesca was about to find out that she was caught in a wicked game. One that she knew nothing about, but would pay the ultimate price for.

“You stole my first kiss. Then my happiness. And finally, my life.”

Wolfe Keaton had wanted only one thing for so long – revenge. Little else mattered aside from bringing Arthur Rossi down to his knees. Taking his only daughter away from him, under the guise of outdated traditions was simply the cherry on top of his long awaited game plan. The fact that Francesca was a thing of beauty made his job just that much sweeter. Given his job with the state she would serve him well as a trinket tucked upon his arm at social gatherings, she was a rare treasure, one he hadn’t been counting on when he began his plan thirteen years ago.  Wolfe certainly didn’t expect to find his new fiancée intelligent and decent, a polar opposite from the man whose blood ran through her veins. His life would be so much easier if she was exactly like the man he was trying to take down, piece by piece. He’d do well to remember that she was just a pawn in his game and not a queen to sit by his side. He had no need for a happy ending with the woman he was soon to call his bride.

““He was hell wrapped in a heavenly rugged mask. He was fire. Gorgeous to eye, lethal to the touch.”

L.J. Shen knows how to write a highly charged story with an antihero like any other. The Kiss Thief is a high octane read that grabs you making you emotionally invested right from the start and has you turning pages late into the night.

2. The Best Romantic Comedy I read in 2019:
    Surprise, Baby! by Lex Martin & Leslie McAdam

Romantic Comedy should contain everything that is funny, sassy, make you laugh out loud while still falling madly in love with the characters. It can be a delicate balance between snorting constantly over antics and finding the hero sexy as sin, but a great writer (or in this case writers) did both brilliantly.

Surprise, Baby! is a book that is fun, flirty, dirty, and so, so loveable. While reading, I love to highlight special passages, funny sayings, or memorable moments…I just about highlighted this entire book. I was either in stiches laughing or sighing at all of the loveable/laughable breakout moments. Lex and Leslie are a phenomenal writing duo and I seriously cannot say enough great things about how much I enjoyed reading Surprise, Baby!

Here is the synopsis:

“There’s a fine line between lust and hate.”

Kendall Greer works in public relations and knows all about fixing messes and covering up mistakes. Hence, why Drew Merritt, one of Portland’s most eligible bachelors, is one of her biggest achilles heels. He hasn’t always been responsible, he’s actually been the complete opposite of responsible and a publist’s nightmare. Unfortunately, Drew hasn’t always been on his best behaviour around Kendall, actually he’s typically been at his worst when she’s been around, but you know there’s a fine line between lust and hate. 

“Since I’ve known Kendall, she’s yelled at me, lectured me, ignored me, talked over my head, talked down to me, and made sure that there was no chance in hell I’d ever be able to touch her. Kendall’s like a gorgeous IRS auditor – she’s out to prove me wrong, but the words that come out of her mouth make me hard.”-Drew

There is no denying, the attraction they feel towards each other, so when they find themselves stranded, locked away in a mountain cabin, they don’t try to fight what is lying beneath all the layers of bad decisions and bad history.

 “Drew 2.0 is…sweet. And dare I say thoughtful? I like this new side to him. More than I care to admit.” Kendall

As Drew and Kendall try to navigate their hot mess of a non-relationship, oops…surprise! Things get complicated.

3. The Best NA Book I read in 2019:
    Cruel Intentions by Siobhan Davis

Cruel Intentions is the first book in a trilogy, The Rydeville Elite series. So I can’t mention the first one without mentioning the others as well; Twisted Betrayal and Sweet Retribution. Siobhan is known for writing angsty, new adult novels, but this entire trilogy goes beyond anything she has written before. The Rydeville Elite series is not only filled with angst, but it is a dark, bully romance that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Each book is filled with so many twists and turns I seriously couldn’t turn the pages fastest enough to find out what happened next. 

While Siobhan is known for her emotional, tear-jerking, great plot twists books, and Cruel Intentions was no exception, I had a few more emotions that popped up while I was reading; stunned, shocked, appalled, stomach-churning-but-couldn’t-look-away-intensity and I had to keep reading because I was now addicted to this book.

These were a new emotions for me. Reading this level of darkness and then the need to continue reading it was new. I can’t say I’m normally a fan of dark romance, but Siobhan fed me this trope in a way that I had to keep reading it, I was an instant addict, much in the the same way Abigail, the heroine, felt in seeking vengeance to everyone in her life who had caused her pain, even though she continued to get abused.

Here is the synopsis:

“In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…”

Cruel Intentions ia a dark romance set in high school. There are a lot of adult themes; abuse, toxic relationships, blackmail, bullying…to just to name a few, but it’s a story of old money vs. new money. One were the children are pitted against each other all based on rules set by their parents and their parents parents and so forth. Abigail is set right in the middle of a battle, she is a pawn and she constantly tries to change her position on the board to become queen.

Abigail is the prime example of how in this world, women have little to no power. Women are only as good as their family name, the state of their virginity, and should be seen and not heard. Abigail Manning hates the world she lives in, but puts of the facade while she has to live in it.

We meet Abby at a very low point in her life, along with her savior, who unbeknownst to her is also her worst nightmare; Camden Marshall.

“I’m drowning in Camden Marshall, both hating and loving it at the same time.”

Cruel Intentions is a dark and twisted story filled with a circle of people that you don’t know who to trust. This is Abby’s everyday life; mistrust, deceit, vengeance. The old elite; Drew, Charlie, and Trent vs. the new elite; Cam, Sawyer, and Jackson. Abby is caught in the middle. A pawn who is pulled between the two worlds in the position for queen.

“How is it I crave the thing I hate the most?’ he whispers, his mouth moving to my jaw. “How do you do that? Make he want you when I despise you?”

Welcome to Rydeville High.

4. My new favorite-discovered-author-to-keep-reading in 2019:
   Charity Ferrell

I set a goal this past year to discover more new authors than I have in the past. Many months it was difficult to narrow down my favorite pick to just one because I discovered many new favorites and while this is a wonderful problem to have because it has opened up new tropes and new worlds I haven’t experienced before it is also a problem because my TBR list has grown to even wider proportions because I’m adding their books in like crackcandy and try to squeeze them in whenever I have time. It isn’t always possible with my review schedule, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t impossible.

Read Monthly Author Feature – Charity Ferrell to read more about my monthly goal and the feature I did on Charity.

I found Charity earlier this year and it happened to be with a book that was already four deep into a series. There was a ton to love about Just Neighbors, but what drove me to read the rest of the series this year (remember my squeezing in–and I definitely made time to squeeze), I loved everything she packed into her writing. Her stories contained depth, I really got to know the characters, to have a deep empathy with them while sharing laughs, steamy moments and crying over emotional times. Just Neighbors was more than just an enemies to lovers romance and while it can be read as a complete standalone, I had to learn more about the people of Blue Beech, so I did. I read Just A Fling, Just One Night, Just Exes, and Just Roommates this year too.

“Every day, my neighbor tells me to have a good morning.
Every day, I tell him to f*ck off.”

The book literally begins with the quote listed above. Further down Chloe’s inner monologue tells us “His voice and I share a love-hate relationship. It makes my panties wet, but I wish it belonged to someone who wasn’t an a**hole.” This has to be one of the best openings to a relationship between two enemies ever.

Right off the bat there are so many questions? What is with the animosity? What did the hottie do? Why is he so nice when clearly Chloe isn’t?

The racing of questions continued in my head while I was chuckling at the quick monologuing and cursing Chloe continued throughout several chapters at the beginning of this book. The aim of all her hatred, Kyle Lane her sexy neighbor, takes the verbal beating in stride, making me laugh even more.  Everything Kyle does only seems to infuriate Chloe further and so their cycle continues with great sarcastic wit.

But why?

“I seriously hate you more than the Grinch hates Christmas.”-Chloe

As their cat and mouse game continues you get glimpses into their past. Kyle has always been Blue Beech’s golden boy or born from a wealthy family. Where as Chloe Fieldgain was born on the wrong side of the tracks, or more appropriately from the trailer park. There is definitely a story there between them, but I won’t spoil what that is because, WHOA! You need to experience everything yourself.

When Kyle finds a way to eventually break through Chloe’s defences, which is both hilarious and steamy, she is also plagued with serious doubts. Mostly considering they have a past, but also with another huge cloud hanging over her. Unsure if they could actually be anything beyond “just neighbors with benefits” be prepared for lots of emotional ups and downs.

“This is it. No going back. I can no longer say I resisted the temptation of Kyle Lane. I’m throwing down the white flag with no apologies.”-Chloe

Just Neighbors is dirty, funny, and packs a whopping emotional punch at the end. A true moment of – Wow, I was not expecting that! – made this an exceptional read and had me searching for everything Charity Ferrell has ever written (to date I’ve read her Blue Beech series, but I still have others on my TBR pile to squeeze in).  This book is so dirty and sweet and a good book to start with if you haven’t read Charity before. I’m someone who doesn’t mind reading out of order, but you do you if you’re a stickler for reading in order and read the entire series today!

Find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and  www.charityferrell.com

5. The Standout Book of 2019:
    Praying for Rain by B.B. Easton

Praying for Rain is a hard book to fit into one specific trope box. First off, it is an amazing book about two lost people; one clinging to hope and the other just barely hanging on until the end of the world arrives. Rain and Wes become unlikely allies in an apocalyptic world and find themselves working together to outrun the inevitable doomsday.

“None of this matters, and we’re all going to die.”-Rain

Thought provoking. Sexy and raw, on the edge of your seat page turning suspenseful and heartbreaking. The world B.B. Easton has created is like nothing you’ve ever read and you’ll be salivating for more when you finish. Luckily there is more as Praying for Rain is the first in a trilogy and B.B. is set to release the rest in 2020.

“Supplies. Shelter. Self-defense.” -Wes

B.B. Easton takes us on a journey into a world filled with chaos, disorder and lawlessness where everyone is waiting for the final days before the apocalypse happens on April 23rd. The day when the four horsemen of the apocalypse appear and wipe out humanity. No one knows exactly how it will happen, just the date, and you’ve either learned to embrace the fate of the world, or perhaps fight against it.

If you haven’t learned to fight for survival, then you are on the brink of starvation, and so many people have given up hope. Rain is walking the brink of hopelessness. Wes has a different plan. Time is running out, the days are getting closer to April 23rd. Wes is doing everything to stick to his plan. Supplies, shelter, self-defense. Rain isn’t a distraction he needs, but he can’t seem to leave her either. Rain’s only wants to help, but in the end when the apocalypse happens and her only reason for living has become Wes. Will it be enough?

Can they survive what’s coming? Can they survive together?

B.B.’s writing is rich and detailed and I am so excited to continue the series and see where B.B. takes us next. If you enjoy dystopian worlds, apocalyptic, loss of humanity reads then I highly recommend this book.

6. The Sexiest Cover of 2019:
    Boyfriend Bargain by Ilsa Madden-Mills

The most tedious and strenuous job I have…picking the sexiest cover.  How will I ever survive? I’m not sure, but I’d do it all again, just for you.

So thank you once again to all the models that rock these photo shoots. You are the MVP’s who light up our dreams.

Tame and not so tame…hottest cover of 2019.

Soooooo, you all know and love the standards on social media…yes, it’s there to protect us, but seriously, this photo isn’t showing anything more than the sexy V leading to the glorious garden hose of happiness. The rest is just pure imagination, which of course offended someone because the cover model had to have pants on when the book was released. Such a shame. A sexy, sexy, waste of a glorious V shame. So enjoy the view as much as you’d like because I know I do everytime I scroll past it.

Boyfriend Bargain not only had a hot cover, it was also a really good book. If you love new adult sports romance, I highly suggest this book. Zach or “Z” is a very relatable character. While he is a hockey god on campus, he suffers from anxiety. He hides his condition from everyone just trying to live his best life, but that’s not always the best thing to do.

“If people discover I have real issues with anxiety, I’m done in the NHL, all my dreams destroyed.”-Z

Sugar Ryan doesn’t have time to coddle someone like Z. She studies law which has rules and contracts and what she doesn’t want is complications or emotions tied into a boyfriend situation. However, she needs his help getting into law school so when Z agrees to a contract when he actually says yes to her fake boyfriend situation, Sugar couldn’t be happier.

“This crazy, harebrained idea will never work. Plus, I don’t have time for over-the-top, testosterone-driven superstar athletes. Until now, that is.”-Sugar 

These two don’t intend to fall in love, or even really care for each other, but life happens. Boyfriend Bargain is full of so much emotion and heart it is an excellent read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to everyone who follows or reads my blog. I look forward to a new year, a new decade and many new adventures. Happy New Year!

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

New Release – Across Time by Elizabeth O’Roark

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Across Time
Series: Across Time #1
Author: Elizabeth O’Roark
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Release Date: December 12, 2019

BLURB

In a dangerous time before her own…a dangerous attraction.

Amelie Besson is on the cusp of attaining the life she’s dreamed of—until she finds herself stuck in pre-war France, fifty years before her time. The country is about to be under German rule, but her most immediate problem is Henri Durand, the arrogant and infuriatingly handsome vineyard owner upon whom her survival depends.

The fiercely protective Henri challenges everything Amelie holds true—particularly her hatred of the gift that brought her there in the first place. As the bond between them grows, Amelie will begin to wonder if the life she’s returning to is actually the one she wants, and if her connection to Henri might be strong enough to surmount any obstacle…even time itself.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46357427-across-time

PURCHASE LINKS

US: http://1click.bz/AcrossTimeAMZNUS
UK: http://1click.bz/AcrossTimeAMZNUK
CA: http://1click.bz/AcrossTimeAMZNCA
AU: http://1click.bz/AcrossTimeAMZNAU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Elizabeth O’Roark lives in Washington DC with her three children—Jack, Lily and Patrick—and attempts to write when not driving a child to sports or answering questions about the next meal and the whereabouts of batteries/phone chargers/Halloween candy. A former medical writer, she has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology from the University of Texas, and a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She really hasn’t used any of her degrees, and wishes she’d invested all that tuition in Apple stock instead.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://www.elizabethoroark.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethoroarkbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethoroark

Cover Reveal – Praying for Rain by BB Easton

“None of this matters, and we’re all going to die.”

Praying for Rain, an all-new beautiful and emotional romantic standalone from BB Easton, is coming April 11th!

With only three days left until the predicted apocalypse, the small town of Franklin Springs, Georgia, has become a wasteland of abandoned cars, abandoned homes, abandoned businesses, and abandoned people. People like Rainbow Williams.

Rain isn’t afraid of dying. In fact, she’s looking forward to it. If she can just outrun her pain until April 23, she’ll never have to feel it at all.

Wes Parker has survived every horrible thing this life has thrown at him with nothing more than his resourcefulness and disarming good looks. Why should the end of the world be any different? All he needs are some basic supplies, shelter, and a sucker willing to help him out, which is exactly what he finds when he returns to his hometown of Franklin Springs.

As society crumbles, dangers mount, and secrets refuse to stay buried, two lost souls are thrust together in a twist of fate—one who will do anything to survive and one who can’t wait to die.

Perhaps, together, they can learn how to live.

Before their time runs out.

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HNtHTo

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/prayingforrain

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2V1GVic

About BB Easton

BB Easton is a best-selling, award-winning author, artist, psychologist, wife, and mother who loves drinking, cursing, and staying up late mining for humor in the darkest of places.

BB began painting as a pierced, punk ass teen, but decided to pursue a career in school psychology due to her compassion for those with mental illness and a desire to work with children with autism. Unable to turn off her creative side, BB decided to take a few years off to raise her two small children (Baby BB and Mini Ken) and indulge in all of her artistic whims, primarily having pink hair and writing embarrassingly candid novels about her delinquent past and deviant sexual history. Her husband is suuuper excited about it.

Connect with BB Easton

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2U7mjc0

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2FOmhgA

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FM0MwF

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2OCobn9

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2TZZeE0

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2V6MFaA

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2I3Bc86

Stay up to date with BB by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2DUGa3m

https://www.artbyeaston.com/

New Release – While I Was Away by Stylo Fantôme

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: While I Was Away
Author: Stylo Fantôme 
Genre: Romantic Drama
Release Date: March 21, 2019

BLURB

You were in a car accident.

They say true love can last forever.

You hit your head, which caused your brain to swell.

Can span any distance, stretch across time, last beyond death.

The pressure against your skull damaged your brain.

Which leads one to wonder …

The damage left you unresponsive to most kinds of stimuli.

If you fall in love in your dreams,

And this unresponsive state is what’s known as a coma.

Can you find that love when you wake up?

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43557658-while-i-was-away

PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time!! 

US: http://1click.bz/WIWAAMZNUS
UK: http://1click.bz/WIWAAMZNUK
CA: http://1click.bz/WIWAAMZNCA
AU: http://1click.bz/WIWAAMZNAU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

PLAYLIST 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcS2p94zUDKDWaUi-ell_14vyQLaOSN42

EXCERPT 

Adele was babbling, she knew, but she couldn’t stop herself. So she was thankful when Jones cut her off and yanked her close. He sat up at the same time, and before she even realized what was happening, he was kissing her.
Finally.
The last time – the only time – they’d kissed, he’d disappeared forever. This time, she was determined to make the most of it. They both shifted onto their knees, arms going around each other, and when she gasped at the intensity of his hold, his tongue slipped into her mouth. She moaned and curled her fingers in his hair, praying the moment would last forever.
Ah, but this place is the anti-prayer. So shall you think it, so shall it not be.
Jones’ hands had moved to cup either side of her face. He pulled away, then leaned back in for another slow kiss. Tried to say something, then kissed her again. Once more, and she could just feel it – it was the last one.
“I wish we could stay here forever,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Me, too,” she whispered back. He grabbed hold of her wrists and gently removed her arms from around his neck.
“But it can’t be. You either go forward, or you go back. You can only stand still for so long, Adele.”
She didn’t even know what he was talking about, and she knew he was right. The storm above them was getting worse. Something was coming. Eternity waited for no one, not even her, it seemed.
She squeezed her eyes shut tight.
“I tried, Jones. I tried to stand still with you. I tried to get caught in the now with you.”
“I know you did. And now I want you to try something else,” his voice was so low, she could barely hear it over all the thunder.
“What?”
“I want you to concentrate. And then, I want you to open your eyes.”
She bit into her bottom lip and turned her head, brushing her nose against the side of his cheek so she could remember the feel of him. Inhaled deeply so she could remember the smell of him. Then she took an even deeper breath and did as she was told.
She concentrated on the ground below her. Listened to the storm raging above her. Felt Jones’ body heat in front of her.
And she also remembered. Could hear her brother Ocean laugh in her ear, the sound made such rare appearances. Could picture her brother River standing in front of her, looking so serious and concerned. Could feel her brother August around her, giving her one of his big hugs.
The wind around them didn’t lessen in intensity, but it did slow down. Or time slowed, she couldn’t be sure. There was a terrific booming noise, followed by the sound of something ripping. At first, she thought it was the sky – the storm must have really been opening up. Then she felt a tremor in the ground under her, and she knew what it was.
The giant tree was finally tipping over. It groaned as gravity took hold of its weight and pulled it over the edge of the cliff. She could actually sense the roots being ripped from the earth as the tree made a swan dive.
And as the roots came free, they tore apart the face of the cliff. She could feel the ground crumbling away from her, could tell she was falling. Jones held onto her for as long as he could, but just as his arms were about to reach their limit, gravity took over once again and yanked her away completely.

AUTHOR BIO

Crazy woman from a remote location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since … forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball – I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I’m clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.

I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there’s your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair – both a curse and a blessing – and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can’t understand me.

Yeah. I think that about sums me up.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylofantomeauthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stylo-Fantôme/e/B00M4QNXUC
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8306834.Stylo_Fantome
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/stylo-fantome
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StyloFantome
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylofantome

New Release – The Holly Woods Files Mysteries by Emma Hart

Falling in love.

It can be murder.

The Holly Woods Files Mysteries, the romantic mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart has a brand-new look and is now available in Kindle Unlimited!

When I returned to my hometown of Holly Woods to become a private investigator, there were some things I expected.

Like my crazy Italian grandmother trying to marry me off to any eligible man, her constant arguing with my mother, three protective brothers, and the best friend a girl could ask for.

There were also things I didn’t expect.

Nonna buying a parrot who swears and watches musicals.

The infuriatingly sexy Detective Drake Nash, my oldest brother’s best friend and my life-long nemesis.

And…a few too many dead bodies.

My name is Noelle Bond, and you might not be ready for this.

The Holly Woods Files Mysteries is classic Emma Hart romcom—with a deadly twist.

*The Holly Woods Files Mysteries series contains strong language and adult situations. It is not a cozy mystery.*

Start the series today!

Twisted Bond

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2U7yMIK

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TwistedBond

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2TmmPSt

Grab the Boxed Set!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H4zPWc

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HollyWoodsFiles

About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.

Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.

Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.

Connect with Emma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Dr0atq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Dq42ez

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EBbZNe

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2D91d3T

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmahartauthor/

Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: https://www.emmahart.org/newsletter

Website: https://www.emmahart.org/home

Cover Reveal – Blackout: A Romance Anthology

BLACKOUT: A Romance Anthology IS COMING ON APRIL 2nd!
Preorder Now for 99c!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2XwOIq6
Apple — https://apple.co/2St7Gde
Nook — http://bit.ly/2E9cIGQ
Kobo — http://bit.ly/2SZ8xaJ

For more information, visit our website: http://bit.ly/BOSeries

What happens when the lights go out in the city that never sleeps?
Games of chance, unexpected situations, and hours of sin!
Thirteen bestselling and award-winning authors are turning up the heat in an anthology featuring brand-new show-stopping stories set in Las Vegas. Roll the dice and get ready to feel the heat!

Night Games by T.K. Leigh:
Note to self: Never agree to play an innocent dice game during a blackout in Vegas. I should have known it wouldn’t remain innocent, not in the city of sin.

Night & Day by Bethany Lopez:
One explosive weekend together nearly ruined them. But, there’s no way Simone and Micah can ignore their chemistry when they’re alone in the dark.

Close Encounter by Stephanie St. Klaire:
The day started with a quick screw, a couple of quirky two-bit cons and ended with a diabolical serial killer. What do you do when the lights go out? Run.

Absolutely Mine by Terri E. Laine:
I made a promise to stay away from my best friend’s little sister. But it’s Vegas and that’s one promise I’m probably going to break.

Honeymoon Hideaway by Cary Hart:
What’s worse than being locked in room with a vibrating bed and your sworn enemy? Waking up next to him… naked! Did I mention he’s also my boss? Oops.

The Do-Over by Christi Barth:
The best way to move on after being dumped? A hot fling. An even better way? Revenge sex and the chance to turn the tables on the guy who dumped you…

Just Us by J.H. Croix:
Ellie asks me to promise her one thing. We can’t tell her brother about us. Small problem though. One night will never be enough.

Dirty Thoughts by C.A. Harms:
He was the crush I never thought I’d see again. Yet here we were in Vegas, during a total blackout. I figure why not explore all the possibilities, or more like let him explore me?

Hard Luck by K.A. Ware:
Ellis James is my kryptonite, the only person who could drag me back to Vegas after I promised myself I was done with that life. I’d bleed for her, I’d die for her, but can I save her?

Becoming His by K.I. Lynn:
When I slammed into Hollywood heartthrob Reid Gallagher, I never imagined it would turn into a first date I’d never forget. After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…right?

Going Down by Lisa Shelby:
She’s the only person I’ve ever loved and I’m the last person she wants to see. She’d hoped to avoid me as much as possible in Vegas, but when we get stuck alone in an elevator, not even she can deny that our chemistry still runs hot.

Blind Faith by Lauren Runow:
I never expected to be locked out of my room basically naked in a total blackout. Thinking that would be the biggest shock of my night was my first mistake.

Blackout Anthology Trailer – check it out here: http://bit.ly/2EvLSu0

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Seven winners – prizes worth over $200!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER: http://bit.ly/BlackoutGIVEAWAY

Want more info? Stay tuned to the Private Party Book Club!

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#BlackoutIsComing #LightsOut

2018 The Year in Review

The end of the year is right around the corner and I enjoy taking the time to reflect on what has transpired over the past year not only to dip my toes in the memories, but also to gain insight from any errors in chances of improvement.

For as long as I can remember I have always written down the books that I read. This is long before the invention of Goodreads or any other such app for said use. I actually used this little invention called a notebook and whatever writing utensil I had at my disposal when I finished a book. Back when I used said notebook, I wrote down the books by what year I read them, I kept track of my favorite authors, the series they wrote, and of course if I loved the book by doing what…by placing hearts beside the title (not stars-sorry goodreads you missed out on a stellar idea there). Back in the day I also recorded if I actually owned the beloved book as well since the local library was my friend and I was a broke teenager that eventually grew into a broke adult (okay, I eventually got a job to support my reading habit because I have this obsessive need to own the books I read. I like to read and then reread books, especially when a new book in the series is releasing). Needless to say, my bible of reading was a godsend on many occasions years ago (how many times have you wondered if you’ve read a book before 🙋🏼‍♀️), which is why I know the apps are so popular now-a-days.

Sooooo, this is why I continue to pull out the best of the best. It’s not an easy task and here’s my reason why; I thoroughly enjoy reading – I know if you are even reading this article you probably do too, but seriously I really do. Once again, I take you back to a time I can barely remember and my bookshelves were overflowing with books. From that time they were filled with Dr. Seuss and The Berenstain Bears to now my ereader is filled with every troupe of romance possible (and my bookshelves are still filled with many of my childhood favorites along with lots of my first romantic paperbacks – I refuse to part with so many wonderful reading memories,you did catch the part where I’m obsessed-right?).

But, back to the matter at hand, it has been a pleasure and an honor to read every book I have this year. A pure joy to help spread the news of cover reveals, new releases, teasers, excerpt reveals, blog tours, any and all of the above that helped spread the word of the authors hard work. I seriously enjoy the blog work I do, so if you have time, or missed out on anything from this past year:

Please check out all the books released this past year New Releases

OR

Feel free to read all the reviews for books released in 2018 Reviews

The Best Of 2018

There were a lot of strong contenders for the best book in 2018. I had a difficult time narrowing it down. Seriously. I was even debating on making honorable mentions, subcategories and so on and so forth I didn’t want to leave out any excellent books. This has been, so far, the toughest year to make a clear cut choice. So, back to what I saying up above; job well done to all of the authors for making this a tough call because every year should be this difficult.

So, without further ado the choices for 2018….

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

1. The Best Romance Novel of 2018:
The Good Samaritan, by R.C. Boldt

Like I said, I had trouble picking a book for this category, but once I really began to think about the books I was circling, here’s the questions that kept popping up in my mind and after I thought about them then the answer was easy. What book moved me once I was done reading it? What actually made a difference in my life? I love reading to escape, that’s a given, and I love, love, love a good romance story, but what transcended beyond the pages?

The winner for the Best Book of 2018 is The Good Samaritan. It had me thinking locally, nationally and hopefully globally. This book had me thinking of the “pay it forward”, “be kind to your neighbor”, “pass a smile”, etc… You name it, my mind constantly goes to the kindness concept because of this book. You never know what a stranger is going through and you never know where you may end up next and may need a strangers help. We should all treat others with more respect and kindness and the world would be a better place. We all know this concept and should practice this concept and yet, I know many of us don’t. Read The Good Samaritan and it will not only change how you look at others, but will also have you thinking about how you treat your fellow man.  Perhaps 2019 will be the year we can all be good samaritans.

Here is the synopsis:

Jude is living on the streets, a homeless man by choice. Why? That is something I’ll let you discover, but he feels the necessity to atone for his sins. While living among the lowest of the low, he secretly and selflessly helps those in need. His good deeds are picked up by the news who want to know who “The Good Samaritan” is, he has no desire to ever let his identity be discovered. He has no intention of ever returning to his former life, but when he meets Faith he may have no choice in hiding who he is anymore.

“Some might think I’d feel whole again by now, that I’d have gained some semblance of closure, but it hasn’t happened. Though the grief has lessened, the guilt remains. I haven’t paid enough for my wrongdoings.”-Jude

Faith thought she was a dead woman, that was until someone saved her life. She never thought she’d get to thank the man who rescued her, but he came back to check on her. The one snag in thanking her rescuer, her boss wants his story and she can tell he doesn’t want it told. Something about the homeless man calls to her, she should be freaked out by where her thoughts take her, but something says there is more to the man than what he portrays. Will getting to the bottom of who he really is push away the one man she really feels a connection to, but perhaps shouldn’t?

“I vow to do everything in my power to keep this woman safe. Even if it’s from myself.”-Jude

When someone actually likes you for you, flaws and all, you feel ten feet tall. It doesn’t take a lot to feel a connection, it just takes a spark and when you know a good person, you know. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes that person a while to believe it themselves because when you have nothing, you have nothing to lose, but when you begin to form attachments that’s when things change and begin to mean everything.

“As if sensing my attention, she glances up, and I stiffen in response. Because I’m me. Homeless. A guy with nothing to offer.”-Jude

Jude and Faith have nothing and yet everything to risk. Their story will inspire and move you in a way that I can hardly begin to explain, but I hope you enjoy and feel inspired like I did.

2. The Best NA Book I read in 2018:
No Tomorrow by Carian Cole

No Tomorrow is another book I read this year that left me gutted for days. It is also a book that has transcended the pages. I found myself referencing it in conversations, thinking about it while lost in thought, and knowing there are people who could be comforted by reading this story, but also who weren’t ready to read it given their emotional state of mind. 

What is No Tomorrow about? I hate giving too much away, but in this circumstance I will say this…In a time where anxiety, depression, and mental illness seems to be at an all time high, a book like No Tomorrow can seem hard to read, but for those of us who live with or know someone or love someone who suffer from any of these illnesses this book wrapped around me and comforted me like nothing ever has in my entire life.  I can only imagine the author as she wrote the book and how it had to have affected her. Writing this kind of gut-wrenching-emotional read. It had to be taxing because it was emotional to read. The story was well crafted, well written, and I enjoyed reading it immensely. 

Here is the synopsis:

No Tomorrow is not a typical love story. Carian Cole tweeted that you may get to a point where you will feel like tossing the story across the room. She isn’t exactly wrong, but the story is so compelling you’ll run right over and pick the story back up because you have to know what happens to these two people, so keep the book close by after you toss it.

Piper, in her youth, naivety, and belief in love is drawn to Evan “Blue” over and over again. The light that shines in him is a belief that continues to bring her back, even when he is filled with darkness. In her naive youth she wants to “fix” him and never gives up hope that he can be the man only she seems to see he can be.

Blue doesn’t believe he can be fixed, but if one person can do it it’s Piper. It’s the one time he feels normal, unfortunately that feeling never lasts for long. With the road calling his name he knows he can’t drag her down with his problems. If only he didn’t always mess up the good things in his life.

No Tomorrow will take you on a journey of life, love, and its tribulations. No life is perfect. No love is either. But perhaps we can find someone to share it with that makes life worth living through all of the tomorrows.

3. My new favorite-discovered-author-to-keep-watching (or reading) in 2019:
Heather M. Orgeron

Like picking a best book, I also had trouble narrowing down a favorite new author. I know, what trouble to have (not).  In 2018 I was introduced to several new authors that I rocked my world, but like picking a best book, I used similar qualifications to pick a winner and Heather came out on top. How? First, I looked over all the new authors that graced my shelves this past year and then counted up how many books I read by that particular author. It made sense that if I loved a new author I would read them often, right? Sure. As I scaled down my list I also used other qualifiers like content and ratings, etc…then I finally had to pick my winner.

Overall, I only read two of Heather’s books. Of all the new authors I had to choose from she seemed like the most unlikely candidate since I did read others more. But of her two books, it came down to; she impacted me the more than other authors whom I read more frequently. Heather displayed a huge writing range, full of emotional talent and she is only at the beginning of her writing career. Her ability to write a sidesplitting romcom and also expertly write a deeply gutwreching, emotional contemporary made me recommend both of her books repeatedly throughout the year.

 

I read Dopplebanger early on in 2018. I was LOLing so hard through this book I immediately recommended to a friend who said she needed a good laugh. She buys everything in paperback, bless her heart, but once she was done, she loaned the book to another friend because she loved the book as well!!

Heartbreak Warfare tore me up, chewed me up, spit me out and then slowly glued me back together. I cannot remember reading anything like this book ever. If you are looking for a life changing read, pick up this book. I promise it will change your life as well.

I look forward to reading what Heather brings to the reading world in 2019 because I will continue to recommend her writing to anyone looking for excellent books.

Find her on Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter, and  www.heathermorgeron.com

4. The Sexiest Cover of 2018:
Make You Mine by Tia Louise

So many books and so much sexiness. There were so many to gawk at…I mean choose from. It was a hard, yummy, eye-drying-out process, but I did it all for you (and maybe for some wallpaper ideas, but mostly for you). I’m such a good friend.

So thank you once again to all the models that rock these photo shoots. Thank you for all of the hard workouts and denying yourself sweets so we could enjoy your sexy abs and those mouth watering notches in the sides of your abdomen that point down to the real hidden treasure that is underneath your beltline.  You are the MVP’s who light up our dreams.

So without further ado….

The beard scruff, the intense stare, the pecs, the arms, and the way he’s holding his woman. Yes, please! Make me yours. Thank you Tia Louise for the sexiest cover of 2018!

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As 2018 ends and I move forward into a new year. I close out my records and open a clean slate. It’s been fun reflecting over what I read this past year and for many of the books I feel like the comic below…

However, I’m looking forward to the many new adventures I get to take and the new friends I will meet as I open the covers of new books (okay I really open the app on my electronic device, but you understand the meaning).

2019 book hangover here I come…

To everyone have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for tuning in.

Keep Reading, Keep Writing and Keep Dreaming!

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

New Release – Luna and Sol

RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Luna and Sol: A Forbidden Love Story
Author: A. M. Kusi
Publisher: Our Peaceful Family
Genre: Interracial/Intercultural/Forbidden Romance
Release Date: December 3, 2018

BLURB

After the sudden death of Luna’s mother, Luna keeps a secret that she knows would kill her father. Luna is sure she is destined to a life of pain trying to live up to her father’s expectations of her. She knows the time is coming when she will be joined in an arranged marriage, as is the duty of the chief’s daughter.

On the other side of the river that divides the Net lands from the Barden, Sol blames himself for his father’s death. He has taken it upon himself to strictly follow the laws, until the day he saw Luna. The rules that had always been black and white, dissolved into grey as soon as their eyes met for the first time.

Fate interferes and forces Luna with Sol, the man she is forbidden to have any contact with. She can’t stay away from the mysterious dark man, and he feels drawn to her like he has no other. They have a secret relationship and then the unthinkable happens.

It was an instant attraction, a prophecy set in motion, and a love as deep as the ocean.

Their love would incite a war. Their union could bring peace.

Luna is now faced with choosing between her soul-mate, or loyalty to a father she can never seem to please.

Will love be enough to conquer hate? Will Luna have her happily-ever-after with the man she loves — or will she fulfill her father’s desire?

If you love interracial novels about strong women, then you won’t want to miss this full stand-alone novel.

Buy now to start reading today.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42903933-luna-and-sol

PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time!!

US: https://amzn.to/2r6V9AV
UK: https://amzn.to/2SatXgs
CA: https://amzn.to/2Kv2B1G
AU: https://amzn.to/2RbgVPr

AUTHOR BIO

A.M. Kusi is the pen name of a husband and wife team (Ashley and Marcus Kusi, authors of Our Bucket List Adventures and Questions for Couples).

We enjoy writing romance novels that are inspired by our own experiences as an interracial/ intercultural couple, the things we see and face every day.

Our novels focus on healthy relationships that involve a partnership between a strong female heroine and the hero, are emotionally satisfying and have a happy ending.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amkusi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amkusinovels

Cover Reveal – My Only Despair

COVER REVEAL
Title: My One Despair
Author: Claudia Burgoa
Genre: Romance/Women’s Fiction
Cover Design: Amy Queau
Release Date: November 1, 2018

BLURB

Once, they shared one soul. Can hope heal years of despair and broken dreams?

Music is all I know. It saved me as a kid. It brings me fame and fortune now. But what am I, the famous Gage Rodin, doing at night when I’m on the road and can’t sleep? Googling her. Tess Hades, the girl who still haunts my dreams and my lyrics.

She arrived like a quiet storm, a wild thing with eyes guarded to the world. But she let me into the deep end of her beautifully broken soul. When we were together, life was simple. When my life got complicated, she did what she thought was the right thing. She let me go.

While she’s been out saving the wild creatures of the world, my muse has fed on the memory of our life together. But now everything in my world is shifting again, and not in a good way. I’m not certain I have the strength to bear another devastating loss, so I find myself reaching for something as rare and elusive as the perfect song lyric.

The one woman who never gave up hope…

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41044236-my-one-despair

PRE-ORDER LINKS – $2.99 for a limited time

B&N: http://bit.ly/NookMOD
Kobo: http://bit.ly/MODKobo
iBooks: https://apple.co/2ygNYdz

Amazon Live Release Alert: http://geni.us/MODKindle

PLAYLIST

https://open.spotify.com/user/1286231726/playlist/7KP5JOQwNfiGkg1oNUznuZ

AUTHOR BIO

Claudia grew up with a childhood that resembled a caffeine-injected soap opera.

She lives in Colorado working for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, her geek husband, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://www.claudiayburgoa.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaYBurgoa
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Claudiasbooklovinchicas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_ClaudiaB
Instagram: http://instagram.com/claudia_b30
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/yuribeans
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Claudia-Burgoa/e/B00EADAOLI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202946.Claudia_Y_Burgoa
Goodreads Group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/176276-claudia-burgoa-reader-group
Newsletter: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/m6l6v4
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/claudia-burgoa 

GIVEAWAY 

There is a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2f00f39922

New Release – Forest Girl

Title: FOREST GIRL

Author: Empi Baryeh

Genre: Multicultural Romance, Africa

Length: Full length novel

 

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

 

Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost … until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?

Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn’t need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.

Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.

Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it’s too late?

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ TAGLINE¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

He fell in love with her at first sight, 

but didn’t recognize her when he saw her again.

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BUY NOW¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

 

Amazon US: https://goo.gl/drinE5

Barnes and Noble: https://goo.gl/hoKgrR

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/ixVj4k

Kobo: https://goo.gl/mbXwN5

Amazon CA: https://goo.gl/Y9xVx9

Smashwords: https://goo.gl/sgkfap

*Add to Goodreads: https://goo.gl/GHkSj9

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BOOK TRAILER ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHFDc6_ChIk&feature=youtu.be

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ EXCERPT¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

 

He didn’t want to get personal. He just needed to perform the act.

Michael had had every intention of sleeping on the floor tonight. He’d spent a good part of the afternoon fielding the suggestive comments a few bold men had made about tonight. It didn’t help that his manhood hardened with interest at the prospect, defying his own resolve not to touch his wife.

 

But she tempted him, standing there in her short night dress that barely reached the middle of her thighs. Her eyes stared at him, filled with innocence and passion all at the same time.

 

Turn around, Mike. Walk away before it’s too late.

 

She folded her arms beneath her pert breasts again, pushing them up in a manner he could not ignore. It may have been a manifestation of nerves, but his body sprang alive. He bit back a curse, realising he couldn’t walk away even if he wanted to.

 

He needed to consummate the marriage. If their union broke, as he wished it to, it couldn’t be because he hadn’t claimed her as his wife in every way. Such news never remained hidden. He’d be branded as something less than a real man, and that would certainly affect the elders’ already doubtful opinion of him.

 

However, when he took a step towards her, he knew at the back of his mind that it wasn’t out of obligation. He wanted to taste her lips again, feel her soft breasts press against his chest, know the taste of her tongue and every other secret part of her body.

 

“Put your arms around me, Esi,” he whispered.

 

Keep quiet, man. Talking made things personal. He didn’t want to get personal. He just needed to perform the act.

 

As she draped her arms around his neck, he lowered his head, so she wouldn’t have to stand on her toes. The gesture brought her face inches away from his. He closed the rest of the space between them, capturing her lips as he kissed her, gently at first, then more urgently as he lost control.

 

She tasted great; she smelled divine. Against all his convictions, he genuinely wanted her. At the core of it brewed an unexpected yearning in his heart that he didn’t attempt to understand. One thing was certain. Sex with her would be anything but casual—a thought that scared him, yet not enough for him to stop.

 

He didn’t know when he undressed her, but when they reached the bed, she was naked. He fumbled to take his clothes off.

 

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this story. The author painted a vivid picture with her fantastical storytelling. She crafted a story that made you fall in love with the characters and their stories that they had to tell. 

~ Cranky – The Book Curmudgeon

Esi is one of the sweetest characters that I’ve encountered in a long time … Once she married Michael her strength grew and I appreciated her character even more for having to endure what she did while still keeping the faith that everything would work out.
~Nana Prah, Author 

¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨

 

Empi Baryeh is the award-winning author of Most Eligible Bachelor (Book of the year, 2017 Ufere Awards). She writes sweet and sensual African, multicultural and interracial romance. She’s been writing since the age of thirteen after stumbling upon an uncompleted YA story her sister had written. The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew she had to complete it. Somehow the rest of the story began to take shape in her mind and she’s been writing ever since. She lives in Accra, Ghana, with her husband and their two lovely kids.

 

CONNECT WITH EMPI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empibaryeh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EmpiBaryeh

Website: http://www.empibaryeh.com/

Google+: https://www.google.com/+EmpiBaryeh

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/empibaryeh

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5625111.Empi_Baryeh

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/empibaryeh

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/TurnedOnByWords/

 

http://wtmowordsturnmeon.blogspot.com/

 

2017 The Year in Review

Reflecting back on this past year; on one hand it’s hard to believe the time went by so fast and on the other it feels like it began a lifetime ago.

I made promises to myself as 2017 began, probably as most people do in the form of resolutions, but this was more than a New Years change of habit for me. 2017 was going to be the year that I devoted more of my personal time back to writing and reading.  Yes, I love to read and have always been a reader, aside from the few years I was lucky to read anything except a picture book to my children before bedtime, I always read for my own enjoyment. What I’m talking about was more of a commitment to finding myself once again.

When 2017 rolled onto the calendar almost 12 months ago my youngest was soon heading off to college and I needed to discover who I was again. I was becoming an empty nester and the thought had me salivating at all of the free time I would soon have on my hands, but I needed to make changes in how I was going to handle my free time.  And part of this change was losing myself in the literary world.

I wanted 2017 to be the year that I branched out and discovered new authors, or at least new to me. You see, I’d grown comfortable in reading my favorite authors. I wasn’t taking chances because reading them was like a warm blanket, coming home, and being fed a delicious home cooked meal. I’d reached a point where I wasn’t challenging myself as a reader like I had years ago.

So, even though I know I’ll continue to read my home cooked favorite authors, 2017 brought me a multitude of new authors, along with a bucket full of personal changes I wasn’t expecting.

I won’t go into a lengthy story, but here is a quick summation:

I began the year strong, both in reading and writing. Honestly, I was more put together than I had been in a long time. I was doing great and feeling really good at keeping up with my goals, but then my family had to step in and muddle things up.

In the spring my husband interviewed for a new job, by early summer he received news that he was chosen for that job. Our youngest daughter graduated high school, my husband began his new job and I was left with packing up and selling our home of seventeen years to relocate to a new area without help. Late summer was the beginning of my high-level-stress breakdown.

I had to back off on reading and writing to focus on family. With my children now away at school, I packed up the old house, quit my job of seventeen years, moved into a new house and community, all while playing counselor to my children that were left feeling the pangs of missing their old life. A life that they weren’t home much to enjoy anymore, but where they spent their entire childhood growing up. As much as I’d wanted to assure them that as they matured and made new friends the ache would pass, but I too was missing the people I grew fond of over the last seventeen years.

Fall was definitely a time of change. As much as I tried to get back on track with my lofty beginning of the year goals, it just didn’t happen. Here it is December and I can honestly say I’m just feeling that settled in feeling. Although I still have moments when I ask, “where is that…?” You can fill in the blank with whatever you want. Everything from glue to earrings to underwear. I seriously didn’t know where mine was the first few days I was here. That was unsettling to say the least. Thank god I’d packed some in my overnight bag. Geez.

Anyway, I’m just getting back in the groove and beginning to settle in to my new life, so 2018 better watch out because I want to begin a new future in my new home with a positive lookout.

Now that I’ve caught you up on what has been happening in Kay’s world, let me recap books that you shouldn’t have missed in 2017 and need to read if you haven’t done so already.

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

1. The Best Romance Novel of 2017:
Unloved, a love story by Katy Regnery

Hands down Unloved, a love story was the best book I can remember reading in a very long time. I’m not discrediting any of the other books I love because I love a lot of books, but this book had a premise like nothing I’ve ever heard of before. It kept me on edge wondering how the two characters would even be able to work it out so it would be a love story. I know it’s in the title, so I wasn’t going to doubt Katy Regnery and her blatant use of calling the book a love story, but as page after page went by, I was beginning to wonder how in the world she was going to pull it off.  All I can say is she is a master storyteller and I love her for writing this book.

Here is the synopsis:

Cassidy Porter is the son of a serial killer. His father is convicted when Cassidy is just eight years old. His entire world is turned upside down at the young age of just eight. Moving from his hometown where he and his mother are now shunned, his entire life Cassidy is told, no. It basically becomes his mantra that he should never pass on his DNA, spread his evil seed, nor infect anyone in case he too becomes like his father and becomes a killer.

“I nod at him, vowing that the blood in my veins will never, ever infect another life. I will live quiet. And Paul Isaac Porter’s terrifying genes will die with me.”

As hurtful as it is that Cassidy wants to believe he is his own person and would never hurt anyone, he agrees to never pass on his genetic coding so he lives in solitude, never having contact with anyone. Living alone, unloved, until one day when he saves the life of Brynn Cadogan.

Brynn had been living a half-life for a little over two years. Her fiancé, Jem, had been killed in a mass shooting. How was she supposed to live the rest of her life when her love’s had been cut short? It didn’t seem fair. It wasn’t right. Jem, had loved the mountains, practically lived in them. It only seemed fitting that she bury a part of him in his beloved mountains. Against the advice of her family, and Jem’s she headed off for a climb that she wasn’t exactly fit for, but she was determined. That was until bad weather hit and she was forced to take shelter in a leanto with a man who gave her the creeps.

The last thing Brynn remembered was climbing the mountain, a horrible rain storm, and a creepy guy named Wayne, so how did she end up in a warm cabin looking at a man with one blue eye and one green? Why does she feel more comfortable in the presence of this stranger, whom she doesn’t even know, laying in a strange bed, in nothing more than a t-shirt and underwear, than she did stumbling upon Wayne walking up a mountain fully dressed? Something tells her to trust Cassidy and that is when the healing really begins.

Cassidy saved Brynn from what could have been a horrible tragedy up on that mountain. He constantly struggles with the man his family made him believe he was inside vs. the man he really is, the one Brynn sees he is, throughout their journey together. As much as Cassidy saved Brynn, she just as much wants to save Cassidy in return.

“Love. A word that keeps entering my mind lately. And I know it’s not possible, because of promises I intend to keep, but I can’t help the way I feel.”

Their story raised so many thoughts and questions in my own mind. Are you the product of your parents, whether it’s genetic or environmental? Do you follow the same path or are the proverbial black sheep always bad? For instance, if everyone is a doctor in your family do you take a different path and become an author? If your father is a serial killer are you genetically wired to follow the same path? Would you still love someone knowing who their parent was? Do you love the person and not their past?

I loved this story, I really cannot begin to express how much I loved this story, except to tell you that you need to read it. It was the best read of 2017.

Unloved

2. The Best NA Book I read in 2017:
Fake Fiancée by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Coming of age is never easy. Not only is it a time where you are trying to figure out this thing called adulthood, but it is also a time where you easily make a lot of mistakes and guidance is typically offered by your elders, but let’s go back to the beginning of this sentence…yeah the figuring out adulthood part. Most young adults would rather figure it out on their own (stubborn, I could place a few other choice words here, but you probably know them already) This has led to a boom in the NA category since this age in particular makes for an angsty, heartfelt, emotionally driven romance piled with all the age factors like school, parents, friends, society, you name it NA can deliver it.

I really had to think about what my favorite NA book was for 2017. I read a lot of really great ones this year, but since it came down to only picking one, I chose; 

Here is the synopsis:

Max Kent is the star quarterback heading into his senior year of college. There is buzz talk of him receiving the Heisman trophy which would definitely mean the NFL in his future. If Max played his cards right and didn’t screw up he’d have a real shot towards everything he’s worked for. And when Max wanted something there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to reach his goal. His last long term girlfriend almost screwed up his winning season last year, so when Sunny shows up on his doorstep the first day of class he sees a great opportunity and runs with it.

Sunny Blaine was a long way from where she’d run from several years ago. With little to her name she was attending college, taking care of her grandmother, working to pay for school and frankly she didn’t have time for stupid, inconsiderate jocks. Miffed when a football groupie totaled her car, she had no qualms about letting the football jock who was basically an accessory to the crime (at least in Sunny’s book) hear about it. What she wasn’t prepared for was the instant connection that came after and the ridiculous proposal that shortly ensued.

Max and Sunny find a kindred spirit in each other, which quickly blossoms into friendship. When their friendship begins to burn into something more than they can handle will the inferno burn them and kill what they’ve built while they sit hopelessly on the sidelines watching it blaze out of control? Are they strong enough to make it through anything together?

“Sometimes there really is a bigger plan.
Sometimes there really is that one person.
Sometimes true love finds you no matter what.”

Max and Sunny were such a delight to read. I really didn’t want the story to end. For me, if I had a perfect description for what New Adult romance is, Fake Fiancée would be it. It captures the essence of youth, the budding relationship and choices young lovers make creating the pitfalls that happen when we doubt ourselves.

I can tell you, pick up this enjoyable read now, you won’t regret it.       Fake Fiancée

3. My new favorite-discovered-author-to-keep-watching (or reading) in 2018:
Veronica Larsen

Sometimes reading a new author is comparable to trying new food. The outside packaging makes the food look yummy, mouth-watering and so delicious that you just have to buy it and take it home that minute to make it, but once you do it tastes like crap. Wellllllllll, sometimes reading a new author is sort of like that. The pretty cover lures you in, the hot guy on the front is yummy, delicious, and you want to take him home and well you know…but once you crack open the book the content is just not yummy and delicious.

My goal this year was to read new authors. I knew I was potentially opening myself up to some unpalatable reading. However, on the flip side, I was also opening myself up to read a gourmet meal. I knew the chances and I was pleasantly surprised in sitting down to read multiple gourmet books. It made choosing just one author difficult, but after I narrowed it down I finally chose one and here is my favorite among the top chefs I read.

Here is why I chose Veronica Larsen as my one to keep reading into 2018:

Veronica has a beautiful flow of writing. She is able to pull you into the characters world so thoroughly I felt like I was living in the character’s apartment. I was drawn into their lives and it was effortless, riding the same emotional roller coaster as the characters were.

This is not the first time Veronica Larsen has done this to me. She makes me question the characters choices right along with them. Unlike other stories where I always root for the hero and heroine to fall in love, Veronica tells the story in a way that when the character is questioning if things should work out, I question the very same thing.
Maybe things would be better if they walked away.
Maybe things would be better if they just stayed friends.
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
I never do this, because I love, love, LOVE HEA’S. So this has to tell you that Veronica is really good at bringing you into the characters lives, their minds, their feelings and you empathize with them like you may not not do in other stories you read.

Veronica Larsen has written multiple books, the two above are just the two I’ve read in 2017. I plan to keep reading her angsty love stories and I hope you do too,

Find her on Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter, and  www.facebook.com/veronicalarsen

4. The Sexiest Cover of 2017:
Honey Bee by Heather Shere

Who says you can’t judge a book by its cover? Well…that unfortunately is true when it comes to its contents, but when it comes to the category of just gawking at sexy, delicious eye candy then YES!! you can totally judge a book by its cover.

This may be hard to believe, but this was the hardest category to decide on. There were a lot of yummy, yummy, ooh so tantalizing hot, hot covers released this past year. So thank you to all the models that rock those photo shoots. Thank you for all of the hard workouts you endured to create the sexy abs and those mouth watering notches on the sides of your abdomen that point down to what’s hidden underneath your beltline. Whooooo is it hot in here or is it all the covers I’ve just shuffled through in order to pick out the best one? The things I do in the name of romance.

So without further ado….

The beard scruff, the abs, the arms, and even the tush. Mmm, mmm, mmm Honey Bee brought it all. Thank you Heather Shere for the sexiest cover of 2017!

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As 2017 ends and I move forward into a new year. I close out my records and open a clean slate. It’s been fun reflecting over what I read this past year and for many of the books I feel like the comic below…

However, I’m looking forward to the many new adventures I get to take and the new friends I will meet as I open the covers of new books (okay I really open the app on my electronic device, but you understand the meaning).

2018 book hangover here I come…

To everyone have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for tuning in.

Keep reading, keep writing and good fortune.

 

*Every category is totally and completely picked by Kay Daniels Romance and all opinions are my own*

Losing My Virginity to Romance – Part 3

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Losing My Virginity to Romance-Part 3

It wasn’t long before I found the very book I’d held in my hand earlier that week.

Nervously I walked up to the check out counter, handed the librarian my card, the sinful book that I tried to hide by adding other less sinful books to my pile and tried not to look too suspicious. You know basically looking very suspicious.

You see I grew up in a small town a place where everyone knew everybody. As the librarian began scanning my books, stamping the inside cover with a return date, I was hoping that she didn’t notice my sinfully covered book before I made it out of the library. But much more important than leaving unnoticed was that she never mention my new interest in lust and history, yeah, history. That was it. I was just a history buff looking to tap into some…..buff…sexy….historical figures. 

Oh who was I kidding? Librarians took some sort of Hippocratic oath and were not allowed to tattletale about young girls checking out bodice-ripping-rakish books, right?

Librarians, Raise your right hand: I promise not to call one’s mother when losing one’s virginity to romance novels. (Or something like that.)

Once I had the book in hand, along with the others that I knew would not forever stain my permanent library record, that is a thing, right? I left feeling giddy as a school girl. Oh, that’s right. I was a school girl.

Anyway, I quickly headed home to devour my new read and can I just tell you, popping my cherry….oh, ah…..well, it was AMAZING! 

Sure, everyone has a different first time experience. Mine was quick and probably went a lot faster than I would have liked. Oops. I probably shouldn’t have let that slip, but I just couldn’t help myself. The entire experience was just so darn delicious I couldn’t help myself. I tore through the….pages and couldn’t stop until daybreak the next day.

Oh, he was so worth it.

Drag your mind from the gutter….I’m talking about my first romance novel. Sigh, it still gets me all swoony just remembering it.

I quickly became an addict. Craving the next book like a druggie needs their fix. Overcoming my fear of discovery, I checked out books from the library faster than they could get them in and soon faster than authors could write them. It wasn’t long until I branched out beyond historical romances and discovered an entire world that belonged to the romance genre.

My inner science-fiction geek found I loved time traveling rakes just as much as my historical rakes. A fantastical world where vampires ruled and soothed my inner freak. My adventurous side loved meeting the men who served our country or spied on others. It was a beginning and I loved every man who brought out every facet of me.

I think what I enjoy most about reading each flavor of romance is that no matter what adventure I decide to take, at the end of the day I still enjoy the renewed feelings of what I was looking for when I was just a child. Love. The basic principle that; Love cures all things, fixes all things and with love everything is right in the world.

Yes, I’m an incurable romantic at heart and it is why I will continue to read romance books until the day I wither and fade away, but until then, each new discovery is like unlocking Pandora’s box and I’m so excited to see what delicious man is going to jump out.

Thank you for joining me on my Pandora adventure.

Keep reading, keep writing, and good fortune.

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Losing My Virginity to Romance – Part 2

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Losing My Virginity to Romance-Part 2

I was still in high school when I was introduced to my first true love. I can remember the moment like it was yesterday.

I was in study hall when a girl I knew sat down across the table from me. There was a paperback book atop the pile of books she was carrying and it was the cover that drew my attention first. A man was standing behind a woman, her bodice haven fallen mostly down her torso. A look of passion upon her face, a look of longing upon the man’s face. It drew up a yearning in myself something I couldn’t quite explain, but knew I wanted.

I asked if I could take a closer look at what she was reading and she handed the book over to me. I felt giddy as the book slipped between my fingers. Of course I took a moment to study the delicious cover at closer inspection before turning the book over to read the book synopsis.

Once I read the jacket cover I had the greatest temptation to flee with the book and never return it. I desperately wanted to know what happened to reform a rake from his rakish ways. I had to know why the woman looked so, so wanting. The story sounded sinful and wonderful at the same time.

It basically came down to—I had to get my hands on that eye candy of a man so he could pop my cherry. I mean….I really wanted to read what I felt I’d been missing in my life. I needed to find out all I could about men because frankly I hadn’t had much luck, so perhaps the woman who was getting her clothes ripped off would be able to help me. Figuratively speaking of course. 

Simple.

I hated thinking I had to give the book back. I’m pretty sure I caressed the cover a few more times before I handed the book back, (not creepy at all) but hand it back I did, reluctantly. But not before I made a note of the author so I could find it at the library.

Side note—Back 100 years ago when I was a teenager I didn’t have a computer, or Amazon, or any of the other convenient ways to just download or buy a book. So heading to the local library was the only way to find the book I wanted to read and head there I did.

Stay tuned for next time—

Losing My Virginity to Romance-Part 3

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Losing My Virginity to Romance

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Losing My Virginity to Romance-Part 1

My love affair with romance began back farther than I can remember. What I do recall is the very thought of being in love as an idealistic notion that sent hearts into my eyes and my thoughts day dreaming of white knights. I knew that love righted all wrongs and I couldn’t wait until the day that the man of my dreams rode up on his white horse and swept me off my feet.

I know, completely cliché, but I was a young girl and these were my dreams. This was of course before I  was thrust into the cruel dating world and I found out how boys truly were, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

My pre-teen years were spent reading various high school series where the awkward girl always wins over the brooding bad boy. She gets amazing friends and all is right with the world. I wasn’t old enough to know reality didn’t quite work that way, yet.

By the time I was an actual angsty teenager I was dying to meet my bad boy heartthrob. The man who would look past my horrible hair-do, braces, and budding awkwardness and fall deeply in love with the real me.

Um……yeah, that so did not happen.

Instead, I lusted after the wrong boys, well, I suppose I was following the advice I’d been reading up to that point. However, the boys in my life had not been reading the manuals as per instructed. They were supposed to change and sweep me off my feet and there would be happily ever after endings for everyone right?

Sadly, no. I suffered teenage heartbreak, turmoil and humiliation. I do believe that part of teenagedom I nailed to a tee. I don’t think I read the correct books to prepare me for this.

So, in between all the angst and hot wrong boys who bruised my ticker, this was the time where I actually did meet my one true love. He came in the form of a bodice ripping, redeemable rake, who was on the cover of a historical romance book. Oh, how my world changed the day I was introduced to my first romance novel. I’ve never been the same since he took my virginity.

Stay tuned for next time—

Losing My Virginity to Romance-Part 2

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Features-New Romance Category-Genres

Feature-Genres

Features will be a section dedicated to authors, genres, and everything romance.

Stay tuned for my first featured article, coming soon

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Features-New Romance Category-Authors

Feature-Authors

Features will be a section dedicated to authors, genres, and everything romance.

Stay tuned for my first featured article, coming soon

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Features-New Romance Category

Following my promise to keep up with writing and keeping myself organized in 2017; (If you missed my goal oriented article the link is listed below)

Goals-how and when did I get so disorganized

I have a new category to introduce on my site.

Features

Features will be a section dedicated to authors, genres, and everything romance. My hope is it will connect you with the reason you began reading romance.

A featured place to make you think about things such as;

• Why did you pick up your first romance novel?
• What genre was your first romance novel written in?
• Is your first favorite romance novel still your favorite if you reread it today?
• Are you still reading books written by your favorite author?

I plan to tackle these types of questions, in a featured focus format. I hope you enjoy delving deeper into Romance as much as I am looking forward to this new feature.

Stay tuned for my first featured article, coming soon–Updated February 2017

Losing My Virginity to Romance

This and That

This and That

I love to write about various topics. Anything from the scorching topic of- Fifty Shades; is it your cup of tea? To What kind of fantasy men do you think about when you read a romance novel?

I believe romance touches every aspect of our lives. As women we are mental beings, meaning, we over think and analyze every minute detail down to the smallest atom. For instance; If we ask our husbands to do something and they don’t respond immediately our brains go on alert wondering if we did something wrong. Am I too fat? Is it the outfit I have on? Maybe I said it too bitchy? Maybe he’s just a dick and this is all just one HUGE sham of a marriage! Perhaps it’s his mother, yes that’s it, she finally got to him, she never liked me anyway!….Oh wait, a football game is on AND he has his phone in his hand. That’s a double whammy. He never pays attention when just one of those is happening….It looks like I just overreacted, again. I guess I’ll ask him to take out the garbage later….stupid football.

What is their thought process? ……………………………………………….Touchdown…………………Yeah, that word works for the actual sport, during sex, and while eating I have discovered. There isn’t a whole lot in between and they don’t over analyze.

Aside from the debate on Men vs. Women I hope you enjoy reading the articles that feature on This and That.

Thanks for stopping by. Keep reading, keep writing, and keep dreaming!

~Kay Daniels

Writing; time, all or nothing

Recently posed with a difficult question that not only a lot of writers face, but probably people in general when faced with difficult life decisions. I hope anyone facing these same issues can find some comfort that we all are looking for the same answers:
To paraphrase the question presented:
I’m struggling and just looking for some insight. Have you been in a similar position? Advice? 
My question is for those of you who have full time jobs (or had in the case of those who are already published)… how did you find the time, motivation and dedication to continue with your writing? How did you separate yourself from your work life and your “book life? What do you do if you actually LIKE your job but you also REALLY want to be published? Does it always have to be an either/or or all or nothing??

What I responded with was this:
I don’t know if this will help or not, but this has been my experience:

I’d been a closet writer for years secretly daydreaming of the day when I could quit my full time job and burst onto the NY Times best selling list as this year’s latest and greatest. My imagination is so vast that I would even practice the interviews I would have on Oprah and local television shows while washing my hair in the shower.

Oh, one slight problem. I actually had to have to courage to put myself out there and actually get published. Um, I kinda like the daydreams better, true life is scary.

Well, soon life moved on and Oprah retired (dang it, there went some really great interviews) and as I realized I was living in an irrational fear; not really knowing if I would really fail or not because I never really tried.

Last spring I thought it was fate that my fav of favorite authors posted she was attending RT (Romantic Times Convention) at that same time I had decided to make a change in my life. I had to do more digging. What was this mysterious RT she talked about? The sleuthy stalker in me had to investigate and when I discovered it was a convention for not only published authors, but aspiring ones as well, I about fell off the couch. Not only had fate delivered exactly what I needed right into my lap, but it was also in my backyard. I didn’t need airfare and I certainly didn’t need another sign to tell me “dummy, you need to go to this event and get your ass in gear.”

Not only did I get to meet my favorite author and get a picture with her (squeee), but I was able to tell her in person that she was my inspiration for being able to attend the event. Ok, fan moment aside I learned a ton, but I’m still in the beginning phases of what I need to do to even come close to make my fantasies come true.

What I brought home from RT was this:
You are not alone. There is a huge community of writers out there and they are just like you. I meet people from all over the world and the common bond we all shared was romance. Whether you write steampunk, young adult, paranormal, contemporary, it didn’t matter because at the core of the matter, at the real heart (pun intended) of your story it has the elements of romance.

You will forever be changed by your experience by attending RT. There are no words to describe the overwhelming, exhausting, jam-packed, knowledge filled, and fun time you will have during the time you are there. The moment I was home I couldn’t wait until next spring to go back. Well, first I wanted to catch up on sleep, unpack all my swag and goodies, then make sure I signed up for the conference again the following year.

Now to get to the tough question and answer section of what a lot of authors face. When I attended last year, all shiny and new. The naïve virgin that I was. I went as myself. Huh? In my daydreams I had thought about pennames, but nothing concrete because again, that was just fantasy. So again, being new to the whole scene I went to RT as me. It was actually at several workshops that I discovered that authors really are not who they are. They have pennames. Mind blown.

They keep their personal life and writing lives totally separate. A few even said that within their personal life no one even knew that they were a writer. WHAAAAAAA!!!

Why would you not want to advertise this? After all I’d pictured myself on Oprah-right? Haha. But after more and more stories were shared I began to understand.

Fantasy is soooo far from reality. I’m horribly shy and would probably throw up and run away before actually taking a step on Oprah’s stage. But that isn’t the point I’m trying to make. I have discovered over the years that not only do I get this pained look like “oh, you poor dear, you must lack a proper education” when I mention I read romance novels (and I read them by the truck load I’d like to add, but instead I just smile and nod like the idiot I am), but heaven forbid I mention I write them. You will find a large sympathetic pool of authors who have had this same experience and yet romance novels comprise the largest selling market out there, so you tell me who is buying them? Hum???

I’m not ashamed to have my name out there, but I still have children in school and like I said I was not alone in this large community of writers and readers.  I also knew how I was received when I mentioned reading romance, and suddenly a talk show on Oprah didn’t seem so great and I certainly didn’t want any backlash on my family. My own skin is thick enough, but I worried more about my little kiddos

The more I learned the thought of creating an alter ego was kind of thrilling. I felt like I was stepping into tights and putting on a cape now when I enter my writing cave. (theme music begins rolling)

I know I’ve had these voices, fantasies, whatever you want to call them floating around in my head for years, but to be able to put another name on who is actually running the show (well sometimes I get to run the show and then sometimes the character I’m working on takes over and then everything goes a totally different direction) is actually kind of nice.

I still work full time and it doesn’t leave a lot of time to squeeze my writing in between working, running kids to and from different events and getting pulled into every volunteer organization possible. I have a great boss who understands that I love to read and that I do write, but I have a horribly high work ethic and being shy seems to make it hard to say no. I seem to have this beacon, besides my bright red hair, that screams to people “pick me to volunteer”. There was a time when the girls were littler and there wasn’t a single day of the week or weekend that we were actually home. I’ve gotten braver (ok, actually I’ve just gotten better at hiding) so that I have a few nights to myself and can dedicate it to writing or just kick back and read.

I’m not sure I’ve been able to answer the question to any real degree of firmness, aside from showing with enough dedication, will and lunacy, you can achieve anything you want to achieve. I still hope and dream to become a published author someday. Until that time I’m still writing and enjoy doing all the other things that fill in the gaps in between.

Keep reading, keep writing, good fortune!
-Kay Daniels

Small scene from current work….

A little section from something I’ve been working on—-

“I believe I still owe you,” the mischievous gleam in his eyes said that payback was going to be a fun and tortuous at the same time.
He picked her up without waiting for a reply and walked quickly back to his bedroom. Rita didn’t even get a chance to see the route he took for future reference. It truly was as if he intended to keep her as his sexual prisoner for the time they were in San Francisco. Not that she was going to complain.
Before she knew it she was dumped on a soft mattress and Rick’s hard body came down on top her. His lips began an assault on her senses. He started behind her ears and slowly descended south making lazy circles on her neck. it was driving her crazy. She wanted him naked, she wanted to be naked. She really needed them both naked so they could enjoy each other naked right that moment.
“Rick.”
He was still licking lazy patterns across her collarbone, seeming to be in no hurry. Yet Rita’s skin felt like it was on fire.
“Rick, please.” She scratched at his back, hoping her nails were sharp enough to tear the shirt from his back.
He was working his way up the other side of her neck. The opposite direction of where Rita was hoping he was headed. She let out a “humpf” and started in earnest wiggling her hips.
She finally heard Rick give a deep chuckle. The sound vibrated straight through him and right through Rita’s core. “Oh, God. Do that again,” she begged.
He lifted his head and looked down at her. “Feeling frustrated baby?”
She stuck out her lip and pouted. “Just a little.”
He reached up and smoothed a lock of hair from her face. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”
“Thank God.” She began untucking his shirt from his pants and started running her hands under the material when he began chuckling again.
“Whoa. Slow down Sweetcheeks.”
“What?” Her eyebrows crunched down into a v, as she looked into his face trying to find the joke displayed there. she was burning up and really was hoping he was going to douse it soon.
“We,” he kissed her forehead, “have,” he kissed her left eyelid, “all,” he kissed her right eyelid, “week,” he kissed the tip of her nose, “and…” he hovered right above her.
“And?” she licked her lips anticipating where he was headed. God, she really needed him to kiss her. More than she needed to breathe, more than she needed food, or water, or anything else. She really needed him to kiss her.
“And I plan to kiss every part of you before the week is over.” The look in his eyes was so intense. Rita knew she was lost right at that moment. Lost to the man. Lost to the feelings he was swirling in her. lost to the cravings he seemed to dredge forth. She knew she would never be complete again for she was totally lost to him.
He crushed his lips to her and Rita revealed in the swirling feelings his kiss invoked. His tongue sought entrance and she craved the taste of him. The taste that was purely Rick. she ran her hands through his hair, bringing him closer, trying to climb into the very essence of him.
His nimble fingers walked a path up her side bringing her shirt with it. He finally broke their kiss long enough to drag her shirt over her head, then his mouth was back, nibbling, sucking causing her to burn up from the inside again. Her hips began to involuntarily grind against his thigh. She needed the ache within her core to be doused or she would combust.
As if Rick read her thoughts he left her lips and began his decent, this time making a straight beeline south. he unclasped her bra and tossed that the same direction as her top. He suckled first one breast than the other causing Rita to arch her back from the bed.
“Rick,” she thrashed her head back and forth. “I’m on fire.”
“Patience, baby.” He licked a trail down her stomach, drawing circles around her bellybutton. Her fingers clenched tighter in his hair. “Please, I can’t take much more,” she begged.
He grinned as he unbuttoned her jeans and kissed the spot right below her waistband. “You’ll take all I have to give you and more.” He unzipped her jeans and slowly slid them from her legs. He licked his way back up the insides of her milky, white thighs, but before he got to the juncture of her thighs he started on her other leg.
Rita was gripping the bedsheets, thrashing her head back and forth, her bottom lip pulled in between her teeth. She was riding the edge. The moment he touched her core she was going to go off like a rocket.
Finally he reached her center and he licked her through her panties. Her hips came off the bed involuntarily. “Oh, God!”
Rick took advantage of the moment and hooked his fingers under the waistband of panties. He pulled them down and took a deep breath of them before they also went the way of all the rest of her clothes. “You smell delicious baby.”
Rita didn’t have time to feel embarrassed by his lewed comment because his tongue was doing delicious things to her and her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
He sucked, nibbled and tongued the entrance to core. He licked everywhere but where she needed to be touched. He would just move a little more…ah…ah….damn. His tongue ventured south again.
Rita huffed out a sigh.
Rick chuckled and the vibration went straight through her. “Needing something baby?”
“Are you just toying with me?” She looked down at him. Seeing his dark blonde hair at the juncture of her thighs was a total turn on, but she would rather have his massive cock at her entrance instead.
“Just enjoying my treat, Sweetcheeks.” He licked her from the bottom her slit to the top avoiding her swollen nub. “I could eat you for hours.”
Rita threw her head back on the bed. Her arms came up and covered her face. “Oh God. I can’t take this for hours. Please, Rick.”
Suddenly he was there, over her, covering her with his strong body, his face right before hers. He removed her arms from her face and looked deep into her eyes. “This is the torture you’ve had me in for months, Rita. You gave me a sweet taste of you months ago and I’ve been in agony, burning for you.”
Rita didn’t know what to say. The Rick she knew didn’t wait months for a woman. The Rick she knew wasn’t this intense man hovering over her. She didn’t know how to handle this intense Rick. She was about to tell him to let her up and so she could leave, but then he kissed her. All thoughts escaped her after that.

Hope you enjoyed.

Yours in Romance
-Kay Daniels