Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Volunteering at a cat shelter is much calmer than the adrenaline-fueled skirmishes of Vivi Parker’s last deployment in the Marines, but her limp is a constant reminder of what she endured. The shelter is her sanctuary, her one relief from memories that haunt her. At a fundraiser, she runs into a man she could never have while she served, but had never forgotten.

Active duty had its challenges, but starting over as a civilian in Boston is more difficult than Jack Conroy anticipated. When his mom and sister drag him to a cat benefit, he never expects to see a woman he last saw wearing Dress Blues.

Vivi fears she’s no longer the woman Jack was drawn to, able to tackle rock climbing walls or other outdoor challenges. And Jack has decisions he must face.

Military rules forbade their burgeoning passion. But now, years later, the rules have changed.

Yet, so have they.

Is it ever too late for a second chance at love?

Excerpt

“How about that dance?”

Vivi sucked in a breath. The moment she'd both anticipated and feared was here.

“Sure.” She feigned indifference, terrified her pounding heartbeat would give her away.

He took her hand and led her out onto the main floor. It was as if sparks ignited where they touched. The way she heated up from that small gesture was nothing short of exhilarating. Forget dancing, it was a wonder she could put one foot in front of the other.

Will you get a grip? When you met him, you were in the Marines, a tough-ass warrior. Not some teenager with a crush.

She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed what was playing, A Kiss to Build a Dream On, sung by Louis Armstrong.

Jack turned to her and dropped his hand to her lower back, pulling her toward him. Although she yearned to close the remaining space between them, she kept her expression neutral. She wrapped one arm around him and followed his lead.

Being supported by Jack took some of the pressure off her injured leg. She moved so lightly on her feet, rather than the usual encumbrance on her left leg, like she was dragging an anchor around.

She was dancing. Dancing!

Neither spoke, but energy sizzled between them. Or maybe she was imagining it. It was hard to tell. It was even harder to breathe. He was so achingly close she could barely function. Whatever his scent was, it teased her with a faint, delicious hint of male musk. Aftershave or something. If she leaned toward his neck, she could drink it in deeper…

“I remember seeing you in Dress Blues.” When he glanced at her, his eyes twinkled. “And now you're wearing a blue dress.”

She stumbled on hearing those words, but steadied herself, hopefully before he noticed.

“You okay?”

No such luck. “Yes,” she stammered. “I haven't worn these shoes in a while. Or danced.”

“We were supposed to dance that night. We never had the chance. So, this is long overdue.”

He remembered. She exhaled. He hadn’t forgotten after all this time, as she’d feared. After all, they’d never had a chance to be together. As soon as they'd inched closer, they'd been torn apart.

Early Reviews

A Fun Contemporary Romance Must Read!

Wow! Dress Blues is an awesome, fun, short must read in contemporary romantic fiction with a side of hot military characters and some sweet, fuzzy furballs! ... Lisa Carlisle always hooks me from the first page, to where I don't want to stop reading until I'm done, but then leaves me wanting more :o lol ... This has a fresh storyline, great descriptions and witty dialogue that will engage readers & keep pages turning! And who doesn't love second chances with a HEA, right?! I highly recommend this & can't wait to read more from this author!

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Visit lisacarlislebooks.com for more and to sign up for new releases, freebies, and specials!

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Thursday, March 2, 2017

A Wild Wicked Weekend with BFFs

Masquerade Night at Wild Wicked Weekend

Last week was Wild Wicked Weekend and TinkNCognito and I spent some rowdy times drinking, dancing, and receiving dances. There were games, prizes and late night maracas (security may or may not have been called). And we did this with our friends, readers and authors alike.

We love Dick's on the Riverwalk, where Lori King got a table dance from the waiter while a mariachi band played. We enjoyed several drinks with the rest of the Brat Pack in attendance. Lori King just recently released Paw Prints on Her Heart, a stand-alone in the Crawley Creek Ranch. Lori gave us some awesome swag, including a tattoo heart that I wore to accent my, ummm, heart. In this book, Payton Storm served her country with honor until an IED ended her career and scarred her for life. Struggling to overcome PTSD, she agrees to a long-term stay at Crawley Creek Ranch under the care of a PTSD specialist. Single father, Luke Gillian, has been the Montford veterinarian for most of his adult life. In fact, he's barely left the town he grew up in. A ray of sunshine appears in his life with her injured service dog. Could Payton be the change his life needs?
You'll have to read to find out!

Paw Prints on Her Heart Amazon link

Most days and nights, I was hanging out with some pretty awesome authors. Laurie Olerich writes Primani stories about Angels who give Black Dagger Brotherhood a run for their money. Elizabeth SaFleur writes The Elite Doms of Washington stories set in Washington, DC, with BDSM elements. She excels at the cute-meet! Victoria Saccenti's Destiny series is about two sisters coming of age against the turmoil of the late 60's/early 70's as they juggle traditional and modern values. Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is winning her awards for her suspenseful mysteries and émigré short stories. I'm telling you--it was never a dull moment.

Be sure to check out their books!

Laurie Olerich

Book 1 and 2 are currently FREE on Kindle!

Elizabeth SaFleur

Holiday Ties is currently FREE on Kindle!

Victoria Saccenti

The Destiny's Series

Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra

Award winning author of Coins/Hours Cycle

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Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Sex-Position Gumby and Unmasked Secrets

TinkNCognito and I just returned from a funtastic time at the annual Wild Wicked Weekend in San Antonio. I can't wait to tell you all about it. One of our favorite programs is Sex-Position Gumby. Authors read scenes from their novels and people act them out. By people I mean an audience member and her chosen hottie host (male dancers and cover models). And despite Dalton Diaz's reminder of the "1 inch" rule, it gets pretty crazy.

Unmasked Secrets Amazon Link

This year two of the hottest scenes came from Brenna Zinn's recently released novel Unmasked Secrets, a standalone read in the Strip Club for Women series, which follows the employees of Austin's male strip club Iron Rods as they find their HEA. In this second book, the male stripper is a teacher trying to raise money for his school's drama program when his ball buster principal visits the club. His Dom persona is just what Hannah needs to relax. Can she explore her BDSM fantasies with this masked stranger? Can he risk discovery?

In the Gumby game, the role of masked Mack was portrayed by 6,4" real life stripper Blake. Oh is he yummy! Now Mack uses this really bad Scottish accent to hide his identity, which helps to lighten his serious Dom persona. The first scene covered their meeting in the club, and the second followed them to a rendezvous. This is a fun and seriously sexy hot read!!! It just released 10 days ago, so get it while it's hot off the press.

Iron Rods Amazon Link

And while you're at it, grab the 1st book in the series Iron Rods. You'll love the dance between bar owner and manager. During the golden age of Austin, Texas, women came from miles around to mix fantasy with flesh at Iron Rods strip club. But time moved on, leaving the club in disrepair and the dancers in sorry shape. Bennett Truitt, estranged son of the club’s aging and half-crazy owner, wants to replace the local landmark with shiny new condos against his father’s wishes. His Trojan horse is feisty Tatum Reynolds, his new hire as manager of the failing establishment. He’s sure she’s the train wreck he needs to run the business into its grave, but never underestimate the stubborn determination of a down-on-her-luck Texas woman.

After another rejection letter, Tatum stares fate in the eye and realizes she’ll never be a professional dancer on or off Broadway. Out of options, she accepts Bennett’s job offer to manage the strip club and is determined to return the run-down Iron Rods to its glory days, no matter what or who stands in her way – even if it means going toe-to-toe with the boss’ son.

Can't wait to see what sexy scenes will be read at next year's Sex-Position Gumby at Wild Wicked Weekend. Thanks to authors Brenna Zinn, Dalton Diaz, Desiree Holt, Samantha Cayto, and Elle James for a great weekend getaway! Is 2018 registration open yet?

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Monday, February 27, 2017

Desserts spelled backwards is Stressed

That moment when you see yourself in a book.

I may have disappeared from the internet, but not from reading. Over the last few months I've been reading a few series. I haven't always had time to read a whole series, even though I loved the initial book I had read. But over the last few months I have read several series.

I was drawn to a particularly dark series with a completely decadent hero: an assassin for a crime lord. Yummy stuff! Zeth defines Tall, Dark, and Deadly. An awesome physique. and Dayummmm can the man F#$@* like a beast. Deviant is the first book in The Blood & Roses series by Callie Hart. In the series, Zeth is drawn to Sloane, who is searching for her missing sister. The journey includes various encounters within the underworld. Sloane is an ER doctor at the local hospital. Her sister disappeared while she was in medical school. Zeth is her connection to the mystery, but he is also the only thing that makes Sloane feel alive.

Sloane looks around herself one day to realize that her life has become going to work and going home. No hobbies, No friends, No happy hours with co-workers. The stress of residency coupled with the stress of the search for her sister has narrowed her focus so much that she doesn't even notice the world continuing to live around her. When Sloane looked up one day and realized how narrowed her life has become, I felt like I was looking in a mirror. My life at home and work had become so stressful, I had cut everything and everyone else out of my life. Watching Sloane wake up encouraged me to look at my life. I saw how some of the stressful things in my life had actually improved and began to smooth out. I was able to breath and start adding some more to my plate.

Of course, my friends are incredibly supportive people and welcomed me back. But I should have taken better care of myself. The first step is recognizing when you are becoming overwhelmed. By shutting out my friends, I was losing an important support network. Books are great sources of escape, but they don't listen to you vent. I'm glad to have both in my life. I can't imagine coping with stress without good friends and books.

Zeth is drawn to Sloane because he sees himself mirrored in her eyes. Together they are able to provide each other with support and understanding. So if you have someone to help you through the hard times, even if it's just to lend an ear or a hug, hang on to them with both hands. Thanks to my friends TinkNCognito and the ladies at OBC (Outlander Book Club) who keep me sane.