RedLegs by Chris Dolan Spotlight!

The Pigeonhole is serializing Redlegs in partnership with Vagabond Voices. Click here for more information about Vagabond’s edition of the book.

“[Redlegs is] an engrossing and compelling novel. The picture of island life is vivid, the characterisation of the principal personages convincing, the elaboration of the narrative moving. As in many really good novels, there are small scenes which stick in the memory” – Scotsman

“A powerful, disturbing tale, written with scrupulous care both for words and their hidden meanings” – Independent

“A compelling tale” – The Skinny 

“A gripping piece of work... Beautiful, rich prose that evokes a place, a sense of time and the beat of Elspeth’s (the protagonist’s) heart” – Sunday Herald

About the Book

Elspeth, a young Scottish actress, is selected by the elusive impresario Lord Coak for an acting career on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. She is briefly feted by the island community, but a tempest kills her lover and destroys the theatre in which she was to star. She is obliged to take on a supposedly temporary and fairly ambiguous role at Lord Coak's plantation home. The closed environment of the estate is stifling, but it institutionalizes her and gives her a degree of status. Dolan's plot is full of unexpected twists but they never free Elspeth from the constrictions of working for an enterprise whose founding principle is racism. It is a world in which there is an oppressive sense of eventlessness. Clearly Lord Coak s grand plan to modernize the estate cannot be implemented without social reform, but the resulting suspension of lives is also perhaps the human condition: our dreams can never be realized. Another catastrophic event breaks the spell and divides the community, many of whom leave in search of a more enlightened society and in so doing become a mythical people. However Elspeth and the reader remain locked into Lord Coak's estate, which starts to decay its shipwrecked people.

About the Author

Chris Dolan writes for page, stage and screen. An early short story won the Macallan/Scotland on Sunday Competition, and Poor Angels and Other Stories was shortlisted for the Saltire Society Scottish First Book of the Year Award in 1995. A second collection of stories, Hour After Hour, was published in 2008. Other stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies and have been broadcast on BBC Radio. His first novel, Ascension Day, won the McKitterick Prize. His non-fiction books include An Anarchist’s Story: The Life of Ethel Macdonald and John Lennon: The Original Beatle. He is also author of the novels Potters Field and Aliyyah, published by Vagabond Voices.

Read an Extract Here:  https://thepigeonhole.com/books/redlegs/reader/extract

Kindle Fire Review Giveaway From Author Theresa Dalayne! ‎@TheresaDaLayne

I’m sharing a quick post about an amazing Kindle Fire giveaway, hosted by author Theresa DaLayne. She is a young adult and new adult author with an amazing five-book series out on Mayan Mythology. And this giveaway is to gain reviews while her books transition from exclusively on Amazon to all online booksellers. There are a ton of ways to enter if you don’t have time to review Mayan Blood, book one of The Stone Legacy Series. But the giveaway goes until September 1st, so you have plenty of time to read and post your review before then.  To review, visit www.theresadalayne.com and click on the image on her home page. Then download your ARC and post your review. Don’t forget to come back and share your review link in the rafflecopter! http://www.theresadalayne.com Giveaway!

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Love is Crazy by Abby Brooks Book Blitz!

  Title: Love Is Crazy

Series:Love Is Series #1

By: Abby Brooks

Publication Date: May 30, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations

What’s the best part about growing up in a small town surrounded by cornfields and cow poop? That’s right. Not much. Especially when you’ve got the heart of a wanderer like I do. Even my name is made up of places. Dakota London. Destined to travel the world. Except not really, because in all my twenty-five years, I still haven’t left my hometown. And then, one day, in true once upon a time fashion, Dominic Kane comes swaggering into the bar where I work. The Dominic Kane. The travel photographer I’ve been following for years, living vicariously through his pictures. We have this gravity about us. We’re drawn together and couldn’t pull away if we wanted to. This electricity we have, it’s a force of nature. When he asks me to go with him, it’s like I’m getting everything I ever wanted. But I can’t just leave my life, as small as it may be. Taking a chance like that on a stranger is crazy. Right? 

Love is crazy is a stand-alone, full length novel with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed happily ever after. **For a limited time, Love Is Crazy includes Blown Away (Ian & Juliet): The Moore Brothers Book One.** 

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/291JfCT

Amazon UK - https://goo.gl/Jy1HNQ

Amazon CA - https://goo.gl/YrERLk

Chapter 1 Dakota What do you do when the guy you knew better than to go out with steals your purse and disappears when you’re in the bathroom? First, you sling curse words around the restaurant—loudly of course. Maybe bang your fist on a table, causing the silverware to clank against the plates and making all the people around you gasp, jump, and then stare at you like you’re crazy. Then, you call your sisters for help and complain about it with them over margaritas. At least that’s what I did. And it hasn’t been working out the way I expected. Not at all. What did I expect? Comfort. Commiseration. A gentle hand on my shoulder and a kind word for their poor little sister and her bad luck with men. What am I getting? Not that. “Come on, Dakota. You just left your purse at the table?” Chelsea, the oldest of us London girls lets loose one of her patented, Judgmental Older Sister sighs and gives me a look that sits somewhere between condescending and sympathetic. I take a long drink of my margarita—the bartender here at this restaurant is good, but I’m better—and suck in my lips as I swallow. “I didn’t call you out here to point out how this is all my fault.” “Well of course it’s not all your fault.” Maya, my slightly-sweeter-than-Chelsea-but-still-judgemental-because-she’s-older sister smiles at me as if that will make it all better. “So it’s still kind of my fault?” And here it comes. All the reasons that Dakota London fucked up once again given to me one line at a time from the two people I trust most in the world. Chelsea tucks her super straight platinum hair behind her ear and crosses her arms on the table. “Well, you did go out with him even though you met him at the bar called The Bad Apple.” “Hey! That’s my place of employment, thank you very much! What’s wrong with the bar?” “It’s called The Bad Apple,” Maya says, as if that clears it all up. “What kind of guys do you think it’s going to attract?” “I think it’s just the kind of guys I attract.” I drop my chin towards my chest, fully prepared to pout my way through the evening. Chelsea politely sips at her margarita and puts on the sweetest of faces. “Yeah…” She draws out the word. “About that. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about your choices on the man front.” “See! There you go blaming me again! This is so not my fault.” I gesture at my empty purse and the people at the surrounding tables who are still eyeing me warily. So I got a little mad when I saw The Asshole had stolen my wallet and left me with a huge ass check to pay and no way to pay for it. I don’t think I’m the only one who would find that just a tad upsetting. “Aren’t you even a little bit tired of having this conversation?” Maya asks with that same mix of condescension and sympathy that Chelsea has been using. I should have just called Maya and asked for some help paying the bill and getting home. What was I thinking, calling both of them out here and asking them to have some conciliatory drinks with me? “I’m sorry,” I say, so ready for this night to be over. Isn’t there like a sister code or something where they’re supposed to stick up for me no matter what? “I wasn’t aware that we’ve had the some jerk stole my wallet and stuck me with the bill conversation before.” “No…” Chelsea picks at the salt on the rim of her margarita glass and hits me with a look. The look. The one that says I’m not going to like what she has to say. “But we have had the some jerk took advantage of you and now you need our help conversation a lot. Like a lot, a lot.” “Oh. That one.” I might not like hearing it, but I can’t deny it’s true. I run my hands up into my shoulder length blonde hair. And to think I actually took the time to style it in honor of this night with The Asshole. Wanted to look pretty for him. Just so he could rip me off. “Yeah. That one.” “Well. Okay. When you put it that way. I’m very tired of this particular conversation.” I fiddle with the salt shaker in its little metal stand on the table while the waitress come to check on us—eyeing me like I might jump up and bite her or something. “It’s even worse that we’re having it here. Everyone thinks I’m crazy.” “Well, I’m sure you handled the whole thing so gracefully,” says Maya with a smile that says she knows just exactly how I handled it. Loudly. With much cussing. “Oh sure.” I put on a Very Serious and Sweet face and nod. “I handled it with my typical grace and charm.” Chelsea laughs into her margarita and pulls the glass away just enough to speak. “Is that why everyone keeps staring at us?” She takes a long drink and sits the glass down. She’s still laughing, but it’s not at me anymore. It’s because of me. I know she’s always secretly admired my ability to say whatever I’m thinking without worrying what people will think of me. Just like I’ve always admired her ability to hold her tongue when it’s appropriate. “Maybe.” I draw out the word. “I’m very threatening.” Maya laughs. “Oh yes. All five foot three inches of you. The scariest little blonde thing in at least three counties.” “It’s the tattoo,” I say, flashing my wrist to show off the three tiny birds taking flight there. “Terrifying.” “Utterly.” Chelsea nods knowingly. “You know,” I say, drawing up my shoulders and releasing them with a sigh. “You two are my favoritest people. Ever.” I mean it. Chelsea and Maya are my best friends. A bond made all the stronger because we shared the same room for most of our lives. “Sure,” says Maya. “You say that now that you don’t have a way to pay for the drinks.” “Or the meal you had with that jerk.” Chelsea shakes her head and that Judgy Big Sister look creeps back into her eyes. “Let me guess. You guys had appetizers and dessert.” “And it was his idea,” Maya adds while I nod, pouting. “I am such an idiot.” The Asshole had suggested we go all out. Order everything we could possibly want, without worrying about anything. And here I’d thought he was just being romantic… Chelsea and Maya exchange a look, one that makes me wonder how long they’ve been waiting for a chance to say whatever they’re about to say. “About that…” Chelsea takes a drink and eyes me with the same wary look the rest of the people in this stupid restaurant have been giving me for the last hour or so. I sit back and prepare myself for whatever they have to say. “We think you should be more selective about the guys you date.” Maya says it in one big rush of words and then sits back with worry clenching her eyebrows together. “In fact…” Chelsea sits back, too. The same look of concern tightening her eyes. “We think you should be more selective about everything in your life.” She pauses. Watches me like I’m a wounded tiger who might spring up and eat her at any moment. I nod. I’d like to say that I have no idea why they’re acting so nervous right now, but I do have a tendency to react emotionally. They’re probably waiting for me to cry. Or yell. Or storm off and leave them with the bill. I won’t lie. I consider all three. But since I pretty much agree with them, I just take a careful drink of my margarita and wait for them to continue. With another quick glance to Maya, Chelsea leans forward and unleashes The Speech. “You’re so much more than a bartender who works at a cheap bar. You’re so smart. So talented.” “And too pretty for the jerks you keep picking up.” Maya reaches out and puts her hand on mine. “What happened to the girl who wanted to travel? The girl who always said even her names were places and if that wasn’t a sign that she was supposed to see the world, then what was? The girl who used to write?” I clear my throat and fiddle with the salt shaker again. “Travel costs money I don’t have and writing sure won’t pay the bills.” I shrug, trying not to show them how much the realization that real life sucks bothers me. “Besides. I like making drinks at The Bad Apple. Never a dull night, that’s for sure.” Which was true. I do like the energy of talking to different people all night long. Of the music playing super loud. Of the lights careening off the bottles of liquor lining the shelves on the wall behind the bar. So I’m not a physical therapist like Chelsea or a pediatrician like Maya. So I’m not on the traditional London Fast Track to Success. That doesn’t bother me. At least not a lot. But I am getting really tired of picking up jerks. “So what do I do?” I ask and hold up a hand as both of my sisters suck in a big breath as if they have an entire novel’s worth of advice for me. “About the not dating jerks thing. The rest of my life is fine.” Which it is. Kind of. I just need a little more time to figure out what I want to do when I grow up is all. My sisters both close their mouth against whatever it was they were going to say and each of them lets out a long breath. Chelsea bites her bottom lip while Maya twirls her finger in her long brown hair and looks at the table. “My life is fine.” I repeat myself because clearly they were more interested in talking about my career choice and living situation than they were about the guys I go out with. “But I have a seriously bad track record with the men. What do I do?” The girls are quiet. Still. Some more. I’m busy trying to ignore the rush of indignation and irritation roaring through my veins. I’m only twenty-five. So what if they were both college graduates by the time they were my age? I’m not them. That’s been clear our whole lives. “For one,” Chelsea finally says. “No more picking up guys at the bar.” “At the bar or at a bar. Because where else am I supposed to pick them up?” “At bars in general. Just think about the kind of people who hang out in bars all the time.” “Uhh … the fun kind?” I know Chelsea’s only trying to help, but I love spending my nights off at a bar, drinking in the energy of many people gathered in one place, the music and the dancing, the laughter. Hell, I strike up conversations with strangers just for a chance to see life through their point of view. “Okay,” says Maya, clearly seeing the landmine Chelsea just stepped onto. “Just the bar. No more bad apples from The Bad Apple.” She chuckles at herself and takes a sip of her margarita, amusement dancing in her eyes. ‘Okay.” I bob my head in agreement. “It’s probably a bad idea to be dating people from work anyway. Next?” “He needs a home.” “And a good car.” “No tattoos!” “A decent job!” “A life plan!” My sisters ricochet their requirements right off each other, one after the other, information coming at me machine gun style. “Clearly you’ve had time to think about this.” “We may have talked about it once or twice.” “Okay, so you want him to have a home, a car, a steady job, a life plan, more brain cells than tattoos. I think I can get behind that.” Even if I don’t have one single clue as to where I was going to find a guy like that. A guy who met those requirements would count as an actual, honest to goodness adult. I’m not exactly the best at adulting and the guys that end up in my circles aren’t that good at adulting either. “Anything else?” I asked. “Just remember,” says Chelsea. Maya and Chelsea took one last look at each other and in then in one rush of words so perfect and in tune they might as well have been choreographed they hit me with their most important requirement. “You can’t meet him at The Bad Apple.” Chapter 2 Dakota Wouldn’t you know, Maya and Chelsea throw down the No More Douchebags gauntlet just in time for the most beautiful male creature to ever walk this earth to swagger right on into The Bad Apple and have a seat at the bar. I’m not lying when I say his entrance is totally worthy of any Hollywood movie ever. He even goes so far as to pause and flash me a swoon-worthy smile before hopping up onto a stool at the bar, laying his phone and laptop down beside him. But this is where the Hollywood hero picture falls apart a little because who brings a laptop into a bar? A businessman? A tech mogul? A guy who just totally just took a selfie, flashing that same, slightly familiar and still swoon-worthy smile at his phone? Who knows about the first two, but that last one? Yeah. That just happened. What kind of guy takes selfies at a bar? Maybe he’s less businessman or tech mogul and more college student or gym rat. But he looks too world-wise to be in college. And not muscle-bound enough to be a gym rat. Not that he’s old and out of shape. He defies classification. Which makes him interesting. And boy do I love interesting. “What can I get you?” I lean on the bar and wait to steal this guy’s attention away from his technology. He glances at me, deems me barely worthy of his time, and goes back to messing with his phone. “Whiskey. Neat.” Great. Even his drink is bad ass. And his voice is as dark as his hair, as rich as his drink. His eyes are so brown they look almost black in the low light of The Bad Apple. He glances at me again, probably because I haven’t done anything but stare at him since he sat down. Flushing, I turn away and reach for the Jack Daniels—a safe bet in a bar like this one. If he had a brand, he would have told me. As I pour his drink, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. “Did you just take a picture of me?” I ask as I slide his drink across the bar towards him He nods without looking up from his phone. “Yep. Congratulations. You are about to become mildly famous on the internet.” He waves his phone at me as if that explains everything and I see he’s logged into Instagram and is clearly in the process of making a post. A bunch of things click into place. My jaw drops. “You’re Dominic Kane!” There may or may not be a goofy grin stretching my face into something that somewhat resembles a fangirl smile. “The travel photographer, right?” “None other,” he says and drops his chin in a slight bow. He flares his fingers and smiles. “I didn’t know I was that recognizable.” “I may or may not be one of your biggest fans.” I smile, hoping that I sound more cool and coy than desperate and gushy. “I kind of live vicariously through your pictures.” “Oh yeah?” “Sure. I’ve always wanted to travel, but alas...” I glance around the quickly filling bar. “I don’t exactly have the kind of job that allows for it.” A large herd of actual college kids claim about half the bar in a swarm of testosterone and monosyllabic conversation that fights for dominance over the music throbbing over the speakers. I nod towards Dominic and head over to take their orders, leaning in to hear them over the general cacophony that is The Bad Apple. Of course, they can’t resist flirting and double of course, The Bad Apple doesn’t appear to be their first stop tonight. I fend off a few drunken advances and fill their orders, constantly aware of the guy at the other end of the bar. The super-hot guy with the coolest job ever. The mildly famous internet celebrity. The Instagram personality with over a hundred thousand followers. The YouTuber with a ton of subscribers. The guy with the dark hair and dark eyes and a twisting series of tattoos poking out from under his shirt sleeve. The guy who has been on just about every continent on this planet and has the pictures to prove it. A guy who has to have his fair share of interesting stories to share with me, to help me imagine—if only for a second—that I’m anywhere but dumb old Ohio surrounded by anything but rows of corn. I finish with the college jerks and head back towards Dominic, drawn to him like a moth to a flame, a fish to a lure, a paperclip to a magnet. Like lightning to water. Like plants to sunlight. Like birds to the air and fish to the sea… Basically, I couldn't have avoided going to stand next to him if I wanted to. “Ready for another?” I ask, indicating his empty glass. Dominic nods and fiddles with his phone while I pour him another couple fingers of Jack. “That was pro-level stuff over there,” he says, indicating the jock herd with a nod of his head. “I don’t think they even realize how shot down they actually are.” I shrug. “Can’t tell them what I’m really thinking or my tips suffer.” I lean on the bar again, rising up on my tiptoes to close the distance between us. “Gotta let them think they have a chance.” “Is that what you’re doing with me?” He smiles in a way that tells me he totally doesn’t believe that. “Making me feel famous so I leave you a good tip?” “Totally.” I nod and smile and disappear to check on the frat boys. The rest of the night passes in a flurry of customers and drinks and music so loud I know I’m going to have a headache by the end of the night. Dominic stays. And in between the surge of drink orders, I talk to him. As much as I try to hide it, I’m totally fangirling. Dominic Kane really is my absolute most favorite person to follow on Instagram. Not only are his pictures truly stunning, but he’s approachable as far as internet personalities go. He responds to the people who comment on his posts, strikes up conversations with them, shares his stories as if they were old friends. I’ve gotten a kick out of his sense of humor for a while now. I’ve never actually commented on his stuff because that’s just not me, but I have liked the hell out of most of them. The evening stretches on and the bar—which always starts out quiet before it gets too loud—is on its way back to quiet again when I finally park myself near Dominic. “So here’s the thing,” I say, leaning on the bar again. “You took my picture, so I think I should get a picture of you in return.” “Oh yeah? Is that how this works?” His laptop is closed and his phone is face down beside him and I finally have his full attention. And wow. I’m not sure I was prepared for the power behind those eyes. This is a man who sees stuff for a living. What exactly does he see when he looks at me? I fight the urge to fiddle with my hair. The last thing I want him to see is me being nervous. “Totally. A picture for a picture.” I nod as if I’m talking about well-known social customs, as if what I’m talking about has been handed down from generation to generation throughout the ages. I pull my phone out of my back pocket like things have already been decided. Which they have, actually. “You’re a much more interesting subject than I am,” he says as I point my phone at him. I actually snort and immediately regret it. “No.” I drop my phone and hit him with my most incredulous look. “I’m just a bartender in a little bar in Ohio. You’re a world traveler who inspires hundreds of thousands of people on the internet. You win the interesting game.” I lift my phone up again and Dominic shrugs. “Let me prove it. Come here.” Intrigued, I do what he says, coming around the bar to stand next to him. He hops off the stool and takes my phone from me. Leans down to wrap his arm around my shoulder and holds it out at arm's length. “Say cheese.” I smile broadly and say cheese. Dominic doesn’t take the picture. I turn to him, confused and get distracted studying his profile, suddenly so very aware of just how much bigger he is than me. How close we are. How he smells like whiskey. How much better looking he is up close. And that’s when I hear the click of the camera on my phone. “I so wasn’t ready!” I cry and try to snatch the phone from him so I can delete what’s sure to be one of the worst pictures of me ever. Dominic chuckles as he holds the phone out of my reach, an easy thing since I’m tiny and he’s apparently not. “Hold on, now,” he says. “Who’s the professional here?” “Professional or not, I have every right to see that picture and delete it if it’s awful.” “It’s not awful.” Dominic lowers the phone and hands it to me. “Just so you know, that picture is my intellectual property and I have every right to sue you if you delete it without my permission.” I look at him, something stern and real in his voice making me wonder if he’s actually serious. “I won’t delete it.” I slide open the phone and find the picture and just stare. There he is, smiling that smile that I’ve come to know through so many pictures in so many different places. He’s handsome, of course, always is, his dark features giving him that mysterious look while the warmth of his smile makes him feel like an old friend. But the woman tucked into his arm? That’s so not me. Dakota London is a tiny blonde, a fun-sized woman. People call me a disco ball. I’m shiny and perky and my nose is slightly too large for my face. I smile too wide for pictures and snort a little when I laugh. The woman in the picture is none of those things. Well, sure, she looks tiny, dwarfed by Dominic. And yes, she’s blonde, the perfect yin to his dark yang, but there’s a depth to her eyes that doesn’t belong on my face. My lips are parted and pulled up in this perfect little Mona Lisa smile as I study Dominic’s profile. My eyes are lit with the power of deep thoughts and the possibility of intriguing personality. “See?” he asks, so close that I can feel the warmth of his skin against my cheek even though we’re not touching. The space between us so small that it almost doesn’t exist. “Who’s the interesting subject in this picture?” I shake my head and drop the phone, careful to turn off the screen so I don’t accidentally delete the picture. “Yeah, but that’s no fair. You waited until I was distracted. In fact, you distracted me on purpose. And like you said, you’re the professional here. You know how to make a blade of grass seem interesting.” “A blade of grass is interesting if you take the time to really look at it.” I slide my phone back into my pocket and shake my head. “Nope. You just destroyed your own argument with that nonsense. Don’t get me wrong. It was all very poetic and lovely, but I’m a realist. You travel the world. I work at a bar in the same town I grew up in. One of these things is not like the other.” I wander back around to my space behind the bar. Dominic doesn’t argue, but I can feel his eyes on me the whole way. And maybe, just maybe, I keep thinking about what he said and wondering if he really finds me as interesting as I find him. And damn if I’m not busy mentally checking off my sisters’ requirements. Sure, Dominic Kane has a few tattoos, and sure, I met him at The Bad Apple, and okay, he doesn’t actually live around here so anything long-term is off the table. But! He has a great job. Travels the world and inspires people all over the internet. Surely Chelsea and Maya could forgive the tattoos and the place we met because he is so damn interesting and not at all at risk of being a serious relationship. Surely they would be cool with me spending more time with Dominic Kane, my most favorite Instagramer of all time. Right?

Abby Brooks is a romance author who lives with the love her life and their three kids in a small town in Ohio. She loves dancing in the kitchen, laughing with people she loves, and reading way too late into the night. 

Social Media Links

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AbbyBrooksauthor/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7983803.Abby_Brooks

Run Away to the Keys by Miki Bennett Book Blitz With #Giveaway!

Miki Bennett is a stay at home wife who has an intense love for the beach. Her passions include art and various crafts where she has won numerous awards over the years. She also calls herself the resident family tech geek, always checking out the latest gadget that comes out on the market. Most of all, she loves visiting the beach as much as possible, trying to fit all family vacations close to an island or beach if possible.
Miki began working for her parent’s family business when she was just eight years old and continued until they sold the company in 2007. At this time, she wasn’t sure of her next step in life and started learning as much as she could about the things that interested her the most: website building, painting with acrylic paints, new crochet techniques, photography, and many other venues trying to find out her next stage in life. This lead to her newest pursuit: writing.
She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Jeff and their little dog Emma. They are a blended family with three grown children thus consider themselves empty nesters. Miki graduated from high school and went on to the College of Charleston but her interests were so varied that she couldn’t decide on a particular degree so she decided to learn on her own. Her life long pursuit of knowledge has lead her in many directions.
Miki is also a cancer survivor after having treatment in 2002 for Uterine Cancer. In 2013, she was diagnosed with Mastocytosis, a rare, incurable disorder in which patients can have life threatening allergic type reactions to the simplest things even though they are not truly allergic to the item: food, water, sun, heat, cold, sound, etc. Miki had lived with symptoms since she was a teenager but was given one diagnosis after another ending up with twelve different ones before she found the true cause. And since she looked fine on the outside, many didn’t believe she truly was ill. Once receiving the correct diagnosis, she is now on a mission to help others who deal with “invisible diseases” since these can be so hard on the patients. To the outside world patients look perfectly healthy though inside they deal with symptoms both physically and mentally.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~

A handsome marine biologist comes to Key Largo and meets a beautiful and vivacious boat captain. Sounds perfect, right?

Unfortunately for Garrett Holmes and Skylar Cartwright, meeting and falling in love isn’t all smooth sailing into the Florida sunset.

Despite their mutual attraction and growing feelings for one another, Skylar’s rocky relationship with her wealthy parents and Garrett’s jealous research assistant, Casey, make life plenty hectic for the new couple.

When Skylar’s ex-boyfriend, Andrew, appears on the scene, things get really complicated, forcing Garrett and Skylar to question if love is enough to sustain them through the social storms.

An engaging and spirited romance story set against the luscious backdrop of the Florida Keys, Miki Bennett’s third novel will sweep you away to a world of warm sun and emerald waters.

~ Official Website ~ 

Top Ten List:

1. I love, love, love the beach.

2. Extremely family oriented.  I have 47 first cousins alone! 

3. I’m a HUGE “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” fan. Read all the books and love all the movies.

4. Growing up in the family business, I met numerous celebrities.

5. My favorite colors are aqua, coral and blue.

6. I’m a Sci-Fi movie nerd.

7. I won a trip to California at 10 years old and went with 300 other children to Los Angeles for a week.

8. Have travel the United States several times in a motor home.

9. Lost over 90 pounds and have kept it off for over 23 years.

10. Snorkeled with sharks and even ran into a barracuda.

Character Casting:

My ideal celebrities would be Joe Manganiello (from “Magic Mike” and “True Blood”) and Alexandra Daddario (“San Andreas” and “Percy Jackson” movies)

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hero To Obey Blog Tour!

 Title: Hero To Obey

By: Anthology

Publication Date: June 28, 2016

Publisher: Blushing Books

Genre: BDSM

**$0.99 for a limited time only ~ An over $40 value!**

Hero to Obey: Twenty-Two Naughty Military Romance Stories is packed with ALL-NEW sexy novellas, penned by New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors of BDSM romance. Your hot, dominant military heroes are waiting—and they expect your complete submission. Featured authors: Selena Kitt, Paige Tyler, Sierra Cartwright, Alta Hensley, Sue Lyndon, Renee Rose, Vanessa Vale, Desiree Holt, Abbie Adams, Tabitha Black, Zoe Blake, Bethany Burke, Alexa Day, Livia Grant, Yasmine Hyde, Isabella Kole, Cerise Noble, Kate Richards, Maggie Ryan, Lee Savino, Maren Smith, and Maddie Taylor.

SEAL of Her Dreams by Paige Tyler

When Navy SEAL Kurt Travers fills in for his buddy during career day at school, he doesn’t expect to fall for the teacher. But Melissa Drake lives by one hard and fast rule. She doesn’t date Navy guys—ever. Will saving her life change her mind? 

Enticement By Sierra Cartwright

Ella Gibson, his little sister’s best friend, is definitely off-limits. But when Special Forces Staff Sergeant Pierce Holden sees her about to make a big mistake with another Dom, honor, duty, and his physical attraction to her compels him to step in.

Wrecked by Selena Kitt

Spoiled heiress Darcy Haverford and ex-military beach bum Daniel Colvin find themselves shipwrecked on a desert island and they discover the key to survival is both discipline and surrender.

Stormy Weather by Desiree Holt

The storm outside whipping the surface of the bay into whitecaps wasn’t nearly as intense as the one raging inside Zane Colby. The isolation of the cottage on the little island was exactly what he needed, a place to hide and deal with the disasters threatening to destroy him. He was a warrior and used to destruction and devastation, but this time it threatened to push him over the edge. He’d hope in this sequestered environment to reach down and find his humanity again. The last thing he needed was Dara, a waif who nearly drowned in the turbulent water in her haste to run from a violent situation. How would he manage with the two of them locked up together in this situation, a woman with the needs of a sub who had been abused, and him with the needs of a Dom that had nearly destroyed him? Was it possible that in the turbulence of the situation they could heal each other? 

A Hero In Disguise by Alta Hensley

Kidnapped and brought to an isolated militia compound in the backwoods of West Virginia, Jessa Crowe realizes there is much more hidden in the dark depths of the hemlock trees.

She is surrounded by hate, sex, torture, and death. Only to be claimed by the devil himself—Decker Cassidy. But what Jessa soon discovers is that her captor may very well be her hero in disguise.

The SEAL's Captive Bride by Sue Lyndon

In the aftermath of a horrendous war, former SEAL Rick Stanford catches a pretty little thief sneaking around the settlement he’s charged to protect. Rather than see Ally tried for her crimes, he protects her in the best way he knows how—by claiming the reluctant young virgin as his wife.

In His Hands By Maggie Ryan

Betsy Riddle considered it her patriotic duty to lift the spirits of soldiers fighting for their country. Little did she know that her newest pen-pal, Mr. Bossy, would be the one man who stole her heart. With every letter he received,  Major Jackson Sommersby  knew that the moment this horrid war ended, he'd be taking a certain little minx in hand and showing her that paradise was found in his arms.

Owned by the Marine by Renee Rose

He may live next door, but he sure as hell wasn’t the boy next door.

When Marine Sergeant Rob Gentry moves into his new apartment, the last girl he wants to date is his neighbor. Smoking hot and so cute it makes his teeth hurt, she’s not his type. Too sweet. Too innocent. Too vanilla. ...or so he thinks.

Under His Command by Maddie Taylor

After twenty years in the field, Navy SEALs Commander Flynn Dalton is ready to put down roots.  Settled at Coronado island, he trains new recruits by day while searching for his perfect submissive by night.  Too bad the one woman he wants to claim as his own is too young, too shy, and too damn vanilla.  Relegated to the friend zone by the man of her dreams, computer analyst Cassie Hardwick tries to jumpstart her dormant social life by attending a masquerade mixer at an exclusive BDSM club.  Oblivious to what is right under their noses, both Flynn and Cassie are in for quite a surprise when the masks come off at Decadence LA.

Understanding the Enemy by Tabitha Black

She can resist anything. Except him.

When Lena is captured and interrogated by a handsome militia sergeant,

she's determined not to reveal anything; no matter what he intends to do to

Her. But Blaze Fielding has big secrets of his own… and very special ways to get

Lena to talk.

Devil Dog by Lee Savino

There he was, on the eve of my divorce, the yummiest thing in the coffee shop. Tall, tattooed, made of muscle. He was my hero. I just didn’t know it yet...

Her Captain’s Command by Isabella Kole

When a former love surprisingly arrives as the new XO on his ship, how will Captain Blaine Rogers handle her stubborn attempts to defy his authority? Will old feelings get in the way or will a spark be rekindled?

A Little Love by Maren Smith

From the moment he saw her tattoo, Sergeant Nolan Anderson knew Tricia was meant to be his. But they were neighbors and, worse, he was broken. She deserved so much better from the man who became her Dom and yet, now that he’d held her, how could he ever let her go…

Their Runaway Bride by Vanessa Vale

A surprise prequel to the USA Today bestselling Bridgewater Menage Series. Learn how the two military men save a runaway from her ruthless father. You've met Anne and her two husbands, Robert and Andrew before. It's time for their story!

Worth Fighting For by Zoe Blake

He is determined to make her his…even if he has to fight her every step of the way. An arrogant, alpha Marine ordering her about is not Sage’s idea of boyfriend material.

Conner disagrees. For her first burglary, it was going very well…until a half-naked, hot-as-hell Marine burst in demanding to know what was going on!

A Soldier to Cry On by  Abbie Adams

Sergeant Anthony Jerard hunts down the wife of the soldier dying in the hospital bed next to him during the first days after he suffers a traumatic brain injury. He intends to pass on the deathbed apology of which he hasn’t a clue to the nature of. What he doesn’t intend to do, is fall ass over teakettle in love with the often captivating, but more often infuriating, little widow.

Call Sign: Thunder by Livia Grant

Zach wasn’t supposed to be there, but he was Allie's only hope of getting out alive.  Even if she gets out with her life, could she survive the horrific memories of her time in the hands of her diabolical captors?

Passing Through by Alexa Day

The summer's brought two surprises to bar owner Gigi Deane: the former Army Ranger she hired is the perfect barback, and he takes orders in bed as well as he does on the job. He's told her that he's just passing through, but as the seasons change, can she convince him to make their summer thing a little more permanent?

Bound By Her Captain by Kate Richards

The heat between a  US Coast Guard Captain and a beautiful, brilliant Soviet scientist might do a better job of melting the polar ice than the ship when they combine forces to hunt down a possible sea monster in Cold War Era Alaska.

With One Hand Behind My Back by Cerise Noble

Irene's determined to follow her Marine, Drew -  the love of her life - everywhere. He leads, she follows; from duty station to duty station, from base to base. When he's wounded, everything changes. Can she submit to a man who's body was broken?

Exfil  by Bethany Burke

 Archeologist Emily Becker’s “simple and quick” clandestine trip into Syria to recover a precious artifact turns out to be neither.   Stuck in a bombed out basement with some serious heat on her tail, she needs “exfil,” extraction from a dangerous situation by someone who knows what he’s doing.

Delta Force Mission Specialist Michael Duncan definitely knows what he’s doing. He would fit the bill except for one thing:  he also knows Emily, and their history is not a happy one.

Emily doesn’t know if she’s in more danger from Michael or from terrorists, but she’s about to find out. 

Aim for Pleasure by Yasmine Hyde

Kerrigan's military career is coming to an end. At last she will be able to dedicate her time to the business she started years ago with her sister. She just has one more function to put on for the General she works for, then she'll be bound for civilian life. The night before the event she lets her friends take her out to a bar to celebrate. When a moment of peace turns into a chance at passion, she is drawn in and taken on a ride of ecstasy. She never expects to see the mystery man from her one night of recklessness again, but when he turns up in the place she least expects him, she can't keep him at arm’s length.

Jaxon returns from a mission just in time to celebrate his brother's promotion. Hitting the road, he decides to catch up with an old buddy. A detour at a bar winds up being a night to remember. The next day the curvaceous beauty practically falls into his lap again, and seeing it as an opportunity to get to know her better, he pursues.

Can two warriors from two different branches of services, two different paths of life, really find the one in a wanton moment - and can it last for a lifetime?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/29dB4zp

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iBooks: https://goo.gl/5YebuL

Stormy Weather by Desiree Holt

Someone was out there in the bay in a little skiff, trying to get to shore. In point of fact, whoever it was appeared to have lost one of the oars, and was struggling against the elements to make headway. He couldn't tell that much about the person except the figure was small and wet. Who in hell was crazy enough to let their kid out in this weather? Wherever they were, if Zane got hold of them he'd wring their necks. While he'd love to leave the person out there, he didn't want to be responsible for anyone else's death. But, fuck. There went his precious solitude.

Still swearing a steady stream, he pulled on boots, a rain slicker and head gear, and headed down to the little dock. It took him a while to get the bowrider uncovered and power it up. He hated exposing the beautiful interior of the boat to the elements but the skiff would be useless in this storm. He couldn't in good conscience let some kid drown out there because his or her family was brainless enough to let them out alone in this kind of weather.

As soon as he was away from the dock, Zane cranked up the throttle and headed for the floundering rowboat. The rain pounded on him, dripping off his rain cap into his face, but he kept himself focused on his target. When he was close enough he throttled back and steered close to the rowboat. The person wrestling with the boat sat on one of the seats, waving at him and yelling something, impossible to hear over the storm. As he maneuvered alongside and got a good look at the person, shock raced through his system. This wasn't a kid, it was a girl. No, a woman. Very definitely a woman, a fact made obvious by the way her thin T-shirt and white shorts were plastered against her body. Her breasts wouldn't have been any more obvious if she'd been standing there stark naked.

What the fuck was she doing out here, alone, in this weather?

Maneuvering the boat on the choppy waters while fighting the wind and rain was not the easiest thing Zane had ever done. He also had to be careful he didn't knock the rowboat and cause it to capsize. He managed to finesse it so he could idle next to the floundering boat, and pulled up on the side closest to where she was sitting.

"Come on," he shouted. "Get in."

For a moment she just stared at him, and he was afraid she was too nervous to move. Then she eased herself as close to him as she could, pushed herself up and reached out to him. Ignoring any niceties he yanked and tumbled her into the bowrider, pushing the throttle forward as soon as she was all in.

Heading back to the island he was driving right into the rain, and it felt like a thousand wet knives on his skin. He looked at his passenger, huddled low in the boat, hugging herself and shivering, and kicked himself for not bringing something to wrap around her. He'd just have to get her into a hot shower the minute they were back in the cottage.

No, Zane. Send her into the shower, not get her in. Or take her in. Pay attention.

The ride was choppy and chilling but at last he pulled up to the dock, cut the motor, and jumped out to tie off the boat. He reached a hand down to help his passenger out.

"Go on inside," he told her. "It's open." When she didn't move he scowled. "Don't worry, you'll be safe. I'm off women for the duration."

She just continued to stand there, hugging herself, her eyes wide, staring at the scar on his face.

"It's not as bad as it looks," he told her. "A war souvenir. I might look frightening but I promise I won't hurt you."

"A-all right." But still she didn't move. Her eyes were filled with fear and he had the distinct feeling it wasn't all caused by him.

SEAL of Her Dreams by Paige Tyler

"You're seriously going out with a Navy guy?" From where she was leaning back on her hands on the flower-print comforter covering the bed, Melissa's neighbor-slash-best-friend Veronica Cartwright eyed her dubiously. "I thought you had a strict no-sailor policy when it came to potential boyfriend material?"

"I do." Melissa turned this way and that in front of the mirror mounted on the back of the door to the closet, checking out her reflection. She wanted to look nice for Kurt, but not so nice that he'd think she was interested in him. So while the little black dress hugged her curves, it didn't show too much leg or too much cleavage, and the platform sandals didn't scream, come and get me. "Though, to be honest, there's absolutely no boyfriend potential here. I'm only going out with Kurt because he helped me out with my career day fiasco at school. I had twelve parents lined up for today and ten of them canceled at the last minute. If Kurt hadn't stepped in and spent an hour playing with the kids, the entire event would have been a train wreck."

Veronica shrugged her slim shoulders. "He sounds like a pretty good guy to me. Is there anything wrong with him other than the Navy thing? I mean, is he hideously ugly or something?"

Hideously ugly? Melissa's lips curved. That would be a definite no. In fact, Kurt Travers was extremely attractive. Heck, she might go so far as to say he was gorgeous. There was even a part of her that was kind of psyched a guy this hot wanted to go out with her. But it was a small part, and she was smart enough to push those silly thoughts aside and forget about them. She came from a Navy family, and had seen firsthand what a woman had to deal with if she wanted to be involved with a man whose job required him to be away from home more than he was there. It had taken a toll on her mom and the family. Melissa had no desire to walk down that road again.

This date was a one-time thing. A thank-you for a man who'd helped her out of a tight spot. That was it—period, end of sentence.

Still, Kurt was freaking hot. There was no denying that. And when she'd stood close to him while they'd watched the kids run around the playground at recess, she couldn't help but notice he smelled yummy, too. Then there was the obvious fact that the guy had a totally awesome body. Even the blue camouflage uniform he'd been wearing couldn't hide that.

"Should I assume from the dreamy look on your face that Kurt isn't ugly?" Veronica asked.

Their Runaway Bride by Vanessa Vale

"You will marry him."

"I will not," I replied.

My father stood, looming over me as I sat in one of the room's very uncomfortable chairs. I looked at the floor, the carpet's dark colors swirling as my eyes filled with tears. Taking a deep breath, I willed them away. My father had ruled my life, squeezed every bit of enjoyment from it until there was barely any left.

"I will not have Mr. Atherton thinking you are common. We are anything but."

Yes, common. My father did not lower himself to be like everyone else. God forbid I stopped and petted a dog. A pedigree dog in first class. Thomas Geary did not stop to pet a dog. He did not stop to deign anyone with his miserable presence unless it was of value to him. Including me. I was just his daughter. I wasn't a son—just a daughter who enjoyed petting dogs and helping the elderly woman on the stairs going to dinner. A daughter who refused to conform to his every wish.

"I am not common, Father. You've ensured that," I countered. "But Mr. Atherton holds no appeal to me. I've told you that time and again."

He walked over to me and I had to tilt my chin back to look at him. "He holds appeal to me and, more importantly, you hold appeal for him. Merging his railroad with my land holdings is crucial, Anne, and I will not have you ruining our arrangements."

"So marriage to the man is part of the arrangement? What about love?"

Father laughed. "Love? This isn't about love. This business venture, even this trip, it's all about money."

Shame made my cheeks heat, for I believed in love wholeheartedly, while he did not. He'd married my mother because of an arrangement, and there had been no love between them. I didn't remember her, but I could not imagine any woman loving my father. She was just someone to produce an heir for him, and she hadn't even done that right. She'd made me, a female, then died giving birth to Father's true heir. The baby boy had died as well.

He'd been stuck with me ever since. Why he hadn't remarried and found another woman to breed, I had no idea.

I stood up and lifted my chin, met the same blue eyes as mine. I hoped that was the only thing we had in common. "I refuse."

Owned by the Marine by Renee Rose