Feel the Heat Anthology - Guest Post Playlist for Beach Blanket Bridesmaid by Margo Bond Collins

Playlist for Beach Blanket Bridesmaid by Margo Bond Collins

One of my favorite things about writing is finding exactly the right mood music to go with the story I'm working on!

In my new novella, Beach Blanket Bridesmaid, part of the Feel the Heat anthology, waitress Ava Jordan is stuck at her brother's beach wedding with her childhood crush, Grant—the man who walked away from her eighteen months ago after a one-night stand.  She decides she wants an island fling, but doesn't want anything serious. Unfortunately for her, Grant has decided that he can't let her go again!  Ultimately, all of the songs in this playlist represent Ava or Jake and their experiences—and they’re also the songs I listened to when I was writing the book.

I couldn't write a book set in Antigua without listening to a lot of typical island music—Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffet. But I also wanted to play with the fact that Ava and Grant are from a small town in Texas—this island trip is very much a departure from their usual lives. So this song is a mix of some of my favorite island songs and some of my favorite Texas country songs.

Enjoy the Beach Blanket Bridesmaid playlist, and be sure to check out the excerpt below! Don't forget to pick up a copy of the anthology—Feel the Heat has 14 great stories!

Direct Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/12121922418/playlist/7M4ms4Za0ZMY4q54EC9Cxk

14 steamy Summertime stories for only $.99!

Available on Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Kobo

WANTED
By Evelyn Adams
Billionaire developer Luke Master and his wife Claire are used to controlling both their boardrooms and their smoking hot bedroom. The arrival of their baby six months ago changed everything, and the tiny love of their lives has reset the new parent’s agenda, leaving them in need of some serious alone time. An unexpected island adventure complete with a trusted babysitter is the perfect opportunity to reignite the fire between them, but have the last few months chasing after the baby left them on different continents, or are they finally in sight of having everything they’ve ever wanted?

OVER IT
By Christine Bell
Boxer, Robbie “Sledgehammer” Stevens, has always been a loner, and he likes it that way. When he gets a chance to travel to Monaco for the bout of his career, he’s one-hundred percent focused on nabbing the win…until he runs into the girl that got away. And she’s hell-bent on showing him what he’s been missing the past few years…

Mellissa Halpern never got over her high school boyfriendRobbie, but his cheating ways nearly broke her the first time around. When a once in a lifetime Spring Break trip brings them face to face again, she can’t help trying to exact a little revenge. But will her efforts to make Robbie pay for hurting her wind up costing far more than she ever imagines?

SINGAPORE FLING
By Rhian Cahill
Carly has lusted after her boss for months and while on a business trip to Singapore she throws caution to the wind and suggests a fling. But Saxon Grant isn’t the conservative businessman she expected. Their passion is overwhelming and beyond anything she’s ever experienced.

A weekend of red-hot sex is too much temptation to refuse, but once Saxon gets his hands on Carly he knows a couple days will never be enough. Months of wanting her explode into a weekend of tangled sheets and twisted emotions.

MAD ABOUT MEG
By Mari Carr
She’d never been lucky in love…until she met him.

If it weren’t for bad luck, Meg Williams wouldn’t have any luck at all. As if traveling to a tropical island onValentine’s weekend in a nasty storm isn’t bad enough, she’s doing it alone after finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. Enduring the trip from hell, she arrives on Eden Isle only to discover that her hotel reservation has been lost and there are no vacancies anywhere on the island. Disheartened, Meg heads for the hotel bar.

Rob Madison is used to being in the limelight due his wealth and power. Used to being pursued by women for his fortune. When he meets Meg and realizes she doesn’t know who he is, he decides to spend the evening as a regular guy. Discovering she doesn’t have a place to stay, he offers to share his penthouse with her.

As the night progresses and their mutual attraction becomes apparent, Meg wonders if her luck has turned, whileRob wonders if one weekend in each other’s arms will be enough…

BEACH BLANKET BRIDESMAID
By Margo Bond Collins
For as long as Ava can remember, she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Grant. When Grant wentoff to college to become a petroleum engineer and Ava stayed behind in Necessity, Texas, to wait tables at The Chargrill and take care of her grandmother, she figured he was out of her life for good. One New Year’s fling when he was home visiting eighteen months ago didn’t really change that.

But now Ava’s brother is getting married in Antigua, and she and Grant are the only guests. She can accept thatGrant doesn’t want anything serious. The only problem? He’s realized that walking out on her after New Year’s was a mistake, and now he wants her. All Ava wants is one wild island fling before she settles back down in Necessity. And she wants it with Grant. But she may have choose between right now and forever.

THE WALK OF SHAME
By Jennifer Dawson
The walk of shame.

Ah, yes, there’s nothing quite like shamelessly letting yourself be dragged off to a storage closet by a younger man to really put the cherry on top of your humiliation sundae. It’s been along, slow trip to the bottom, but I’ve finally reached my limit. After spending the night with ChristopherFellows, and slinking out of his apartment in the wee hours of the morning, I have no choice but to take a serious look at myself. It’s time for a change. A real life overhaul, full of self-development,healthy living, and all that other stuff that’s supposed to be good for you.

And what better way to find yourself than with a vow of celibacy and a trip to Belize? The way I figure it, if you’re going to get your act together, you might as well begin with a tropical jaunt to paradise to start your transformation off on the rightfoot.

What could go wrong…

YOURS TO TAKE
By Cathryn Fox
Against her better judgement, Rebecca Andrews accepts her friend’s invitation to an exclusive vacation resort. When her charter plane veers off course, the last person she expects to see piloting the craft is Quinn Montgomery—multi-millionaire and CEO of Montgomery Charters—the powerful man she once took down in the court room.

One year ago, when attorney Rebecca Andrews swept into the courtroom and took control, it turned Quinn Montgomery’s world upside down. Now, seeing her name on his manifest, old memories are awakened, not of the hard-nosed lawyer who had far too many tricks up her sleeve, but of the sensual woman who spouted legal jargon from full pouting lips. Taking note of her destination, a posh vacation resort that caters to the more…private entertainment, a plan forms, and Quinn decides it’s time to show the sexy lawyer a few tricks of his own. Nor did she expect to find herself pseudo-kidnapped and stranded with him on his private island. She can leave, but when he tells her he wants to show her that real control comes in the form of surrender, Rebecca has two choices—run home to her boring life, or put herself in the hands of the commanding man who promises to give her everything she’s ever wanted in exchange for total and utter submission.

PLAYING DOCTOR
By Allison Gatta
High-powered executive Felicia Webb went on the company retreat to Hawaii for one reason: To win over her new boss. Well, that and to finally score the promotion she’s had her eye on for a solid two years now. Still, grabbing the boss’ attention may be easier said than done when a freak accident forces her into the hospital…and the arms of the handsome doctor hell-bent on showing her just how screwed up her priorities are.

Trey Patterson is determined to live a life without complications. Now that he’s moved away from the big city and settled on the laid back island of Oahu, he’s made some pretty big changes to his life—the biggest of which is his new no-dating policy. Still, when a fiery redhead practically falls into his lap, it’s all he can do to control his anything-but-hands-off urges.

CAN’T HOLD BACK
By Molly McLain
Off to their honeymoon in exotic Cabo, Dan and Maddie Hudson are eager to explore the intimacy of newly wedded bliss. Unfortunately, what Maddie craves most is beyond her no-nonsense husband’s comfort zone. Will her secret desires bring an early end to their happily ever after? Or will Dan stay true to his vows and be the man his wife needs?

ROCK, RATTLE, & ROLL
By Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn
Loving in fast forward…

Love on the fast track has been the definition of Harper and Deacon McCoy’s relationship. In between studio sessions with Deacon’s band, Oblivion, and building a new clientele for Harper’s catering business, the newlyweds haven’t had time to sleep let alone have a honeymoon.

Deacon convinces Harper that they need a week alone together before her business as well as a new album and tour swallows them whole. Since Texas has always held special meaning for them, they head to Galveston to recharge and remember what it’s like to just be a couple.

A beachfront cottage, hours of alone time, and plenty of skin on skin action is just what the rock star ordered. Until the future once again comes much quicker than they expected, threatening to crumble not only their perfect honeymoon but also their brand new marriage.

BILLIONAIRE BEACH BUM
By Katherine Reid
Tropical nights. Beautiful views. Killer beaches.

After social worker Hayley Nelson witnesses the murder of an abused wife by her psycho husband, she’s immediately put into protective custody by her FBI agent brother. Then the killer puts a hit out on her life. Hayley’s in more danger than ever–especially as the trial date moves closer. Her brother transfers Hayley to a beautiful hotel on a small island off the California coast. She the only guest on the beautiful property and It would be perfect, except for one small problem.

Logan Greyson.

The billionaire playboy had once professed to love her, but kept secrets from Hayley. Big secrets. Like being a freaking billionaire. ButLogan wants to earn her forgiveness and rekindle their passion. But their reunion is short-lived. A tropical tempest rolls in, bringing with it the man who wants Hayley dead. As the storm rages and the killer attacks, Hayley and Logan must rely on each other to survive. And Logan will protect the woman he loves–no matter the cost.

THE BILLIONAIRE’S BEACH HOUSE
By Gina Robinson
Their relationship is off to a stormy start…

THE PERKS OF HAVING A BEST FRIEND WHO’S MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE…

Flashionista fashion buyer Britt West is trying to land the deal of her career with multi-millionaire Eli Davis’ trendy menswear company Hott Socks. But Eli refuses to do business with her. To take Britt’s mind off him, her best friend gives her an exotic vacation package for a getaway off the coast of Fiji. She heads to a private beach house sitting just off-shore of its own tropical island, in a coral reef, and featuring a completely underwater fantasy master suite. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind alone. Until Eli, who’s as hot as his socks, ends up stranded with her in paradise. As a storm brews on the horizon, the question is—will it make land? Or will Britt land Mr. Hott Socks?

The Billionaire’s Beach House is part of the Jet City Billionaires world, which presents romantic stories full of humor, laughs, secrets, mysteries, and love. And hot, hot, single billionaires. Also in the Jet City Billionaires world are the Billionaire Duke and the Switched at Marriage series. Take a vacation with the Jet City Billionaires!

SHIP WRECKED
By Willow Summers
Hawaii’s great and all, but the only reason I’m here is so my co-workers can tie me to the sinking ship that is our department. I know how to sell, but it’ll be impossible with the shoddy presentation I’m forced to do.

When it doubt – drink it away!

I’ve never been lucky, have I mentioned that? So of course it’s when I’m knee-deep in hot mess that I meet Mr. Handsome. He throws me a smile, and a line, and my bad mood evaporates like tequila on hot cement. Dream come true, right?

If only.

Instead he breaks my fall with his crotch as I tip off the bar stool.

Worse still, his buddy is the big shot COO of the accountI’m trying to get.

With the odds stacked against me, I’m better off steering clear. I know this.

But oh man, that smile.

This weekend was supposed to be about work. I was supposed to ward off men with my snarly attitude.

But then, who could say no to that smile…

CHERISHED BY THE SEAL
By Zoe York
A hot bride, an island honeymoon, and a suitcase full of bikinis. So what if he’s not the groom?

Navy SEAL Logan Dwyer has been Victoria Fletcher’s best friend since second grade, and has had a hopeless, secret crush on her for at least half his life.

When she’s left at the altar, and decides to salvage her honeymoon as something just for herself, Victoria is surprised when Logan volunteers to come with her for seven days on the Caribbean island of Miralinda. And seven hot, unexpected nights.

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Whispers of Skybourne by S.M Blooding: Top 5

The world has changed. The Great Families are no longer in power. Queen Nix of the Hands of Tarot has been stripped of her title and incarcerated. The League of Cities has been formed to provide a new line of defense to the smaller tribal nations. Not without consequences, though. Another of the original Great Families has been destroyed. As the new leaders rise from the ashes, a new threat comes to light; something no one saw coming, something that had been lurking under the surface of their society for generations. The Skyborne. As they discover just how deep the Skyborne’s influences are, they realize the war they thought they’d been fighting . . . . . . wasn’t the real one. Amazon / Whistling Book Press 

 Get book 1 and book 2 HERE

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Top 5 Whisper of the Skyborne Moments

Writing a book takes more than a minute. Getting that book to publication takes even longer. By the time you get to publication, you’re lucky if you still like the book. So, here’s the top five things I love about this book.

Life Moment #5 – Discovering How the Spytfire Falcon Connection Works

The spytfire falcon bonding to humans idea with my sister’s. She’s the reason Devices of War survived. It nearly died several times. She wanted to have almost a Valdemar/companions deal. Almost. There are loads of other fantasy stories that have humans bonding to animals. It’s a lot of fun.

But I never really could get the idea to launch properly in my head. I knew about the Skyborne from inception, and that’s one thing I kept hidden even from her. So, trying to get the falcon idea to take off, knowing what the Skyborne were doing to the characters and the world, was rather a twist for me.

However, the moment I realized how to make it work was a huge eureka moment for me.

Life Moment #4 – Developing the new site!

OMW! I am having so much fun with this. I still have more information to put up, but the new site design allows me more freedom to share this amazing world with you! The world is breath-taking. The characters are great. I mean, I think they are. There are things that you don’t necessarily know about them through the books. Tidbits and morsels are being updated and uploaded whenever I get a free moment that, also, has a free bit of energy attached to it.

Life Moment #3 – Playing With Tea

This may sound silly, but I love tea. Adagio teas allows customers to create their own tea fandom sets. Seriously. You get to go in there, mix your own tea, slap a character sticker on it, and then order it in a tin. It’s amazing!

And the tea tastes GREAT! I’m going to giving some of these away through the release along with some diffusers. It’s awesome and fun!

Life Moment #2 – Getting To Know Neira

Neira was a surprise. I knew about the Skyborne and the Great Families, but while I was focused on them, I completely missed everyone else.

Neira didn’t and doesn’t. She is amazing. Experiencing her world through her eyes is eye-opening and breath-taking. I got to experience things I never would have thought of. She is such a strong woman, and so knowledgeable. Getting to know her through Whiskers was amazing. She’s probably my favorite character right now.

Life Moment #1 – Introducing All the POV’s

This is, without a doubt, the scariest thing I’ve done in writing. Introducing new POV’s into a 1st person story. It’s not just the fact that I added a couple of different POV’s. It’s the fact that I added them from so many different characters.

But this plot was too big for just Synn. I love the man, but he’s sometimes rather unobservant, which doesn’t help me very much. Sometimes, I just want to slug him.

The thing I absolutely loved is that each character has their own Voice, and you get to see that finally. You get to experience different parts of this world through each of their POV’s. It was a challenge. Super, super challenging, but I had so much fun with it, and I really think it added a lot to the story at large. I’m wildly excited about it and I hope you all like it, too.

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Meet the Author:

SM “Frankie” Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and Jack the Bird. Jack has refused to let her to take up the piano again, but is warming to the guitar. It might help that Frankie has learned more than two strings. She’s added a few more Arabic words to her vocabulary, but don’t invite her into conversation yet—unless, of course, you’re willing to have a very . . . slow . . . conversation. She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories. She’s also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!

 

Find out more about her at:

Facebook /Twitter /Website / Newsletter

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Operation Build a Man by Brooklyn Ann, author of 'Conjuring Destiny'

Operation: “Build a Man.”: An adventure in cover design.

Many people don’t know that I do my own covers for my Brides of Prophecy series. There are two reasons why. The first is that I was an artist before I was a writer. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was two. My mom (who was an even better artist) taught me. So when I decided to indie-pub this series, I was excited at the prospect of designing the covers.

The second reason I did my own covers is simply that I could not afford to hire a cover artist. Though there are many affordable pre-made covers out there, I wanted something a little more custom. So I had to do it myself.

Here are the first two:

What was fun about the second one is that my boyfriend took the background photograph of the Coeur d’Alene resort, where the first love scene takes place. :D

Book 3, Conjuring Destiny, is the most complex book I’ve ever written. It was also definitely the most complex cover I’ve done.

It’s definitely more straight fantasy than urban fantasy, and the cover had to reflect that. I had to “build” a world on the cover: two moons, a spooky tower, a garden of black roses, and, of course, a sexy sorcerer.

And that’s where the hard part came. Aside from the fact that stock photos of long-haired men are sadly few and far between, it’s even more impossible to find shots of a hot guy in a hooded cloak. The closest I could find looked more like the grim reaper than a romantic hero. So I had to literally “build” the right man.

I honestly hadn’t intended on sharing this story, but I decided, it’s too crazy not to tell.

With the lack of the right stock photo, I had to think outside of the box. Luckily, I discovered Deviant Art, a site where people share art and photos. I discovered that many people did cosplays of wizards and mages. And, to my delight, I found an awesome one of someone dressed as Raistlin Majere, a character from the Dragonlance series, and one of my first book boyfriends.

Holy wow! That was the exact outfit and pose I’d spent DAYS searching for! I immediately contacted the person and asked to use the photo. She said yes!!! And yes, I said she. Apparently this is a woman, posing as a guy I had the hots for. And this is where the job grew interesting.

I had to make the hands larger, widen the forearms and shoulders, elongate the torso, and narrow the hips. I also had to find a face for the hero.

This was the first model I chose. He looks most how I pictured Zareth, my hero.

However, there were two problems with this one. The first was that even though I tracked down the model’s contact info, he never got back to me for permission. But even if he had, there was another issue. Due to this guy’s fine-boned facial structure and the way his shirt blended with the robes, people were mistaking him for a woman.

So I needed to use someone more masculine. I tried two options:

The abs certainly screamed “man” and a few people voted on him, but I didn’t go with him, partly because the exposed chest was impractical and now he looked like he was wearing either a skirt or harem pants.

So this is the guy I ultimately went with:

The model is Grigoris Drakakis, and he’s super nice AND has his own stock photos for sale. I’m probably going to use him again for Brides of Prophecy Book 4.

So with all that hard work, I was pleased with the final result: 

So, there you have it. That’s how I “built” a man. It was a pain in the ass, and I hope to never do it again.

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Famous rock star, Xochitl Leonine, has dreamt of a world with two moons where a black cloaked man beckons her. One Halloween night, she meets the mysterious stranger of her dreams… literally... and their shared dance becomes a rendezvous in a place of endless night.

Zareth Amotken has no idea how important Xochitl’s heavy metal band is to her. As an immortal sorcerer, he doesn’t care. He has one goal: to find the prophesied savior of his world. Her voice holds the power to bring back his world’s vanished sun.

Xochitl’s compassion urges her to help in any way she can. Yet learning the mysteries of her past causes conflict with her future in music. Her destiny in his world and her obligations to her band pull her in opposite directions. How can she long for one while the other is so dire?

As Zareth introduces her to his people and teaches her to control her powers, she aches for his enchanting kiss. Zareth tries to resist, for their passion will unleash serious consequences, both political and magical.

As the time to fulfill her destiny draws closer, she must choose between her heart, her duty, and her friends. The wrong choice could ruin everything.

But if Zareth’s evil half brother succeeds in taking control of her for his own ends, he will take away her choices… and destroy the world?

Pre-order on Amazon

Meet the author:

Formerly an auto-mechanic, Brooklyn Ann thrives on writing romance featuring unconventional heroines and heroes who adore them. After writing historical paranormal romance in her critically acclaimed "Scandals with Bite" series and urban fantasy in her "Brides of Prophecy" novels, she now explores the chaotic realm of heavy metal music-- a difficult world to find love in.

She lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her son, her cat, and a 1980 Datsun 210.

She can be found online at http://brooklynann.blogspot.com as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

You can also find her on Literary Addicts, Goodreads and Google +

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The author is giving away a $25 Gift Card to the winner's choice of bookstore. the store must be able to provide e-gift cards. 18+ giveaway ends November 9th, 2015 at 11:59 pm

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How Redemption Worked Itself Into My Series Title by Bonnie R Paulson

How Redemption Worked Itself Into My Series Title 

 More often than not, we stand in our own way to overcoming fear of success. We don’t forgive ourselves for mistakes and we seldom believe others can or would. All too often, the desire to have the chance at redeeming ourselves makes us pass up the very thing we crave.

 In the Redemption series, each woman desperately longs to overcome her past – each of which revolves around their shared father, Devlyn Caracus. He’s terrible. Or was. But he died and now the Federal Government is searching for the women to collect on a bank robbery amount.

 So book #1 Romancing Redemption, Rosie doesn’t believe she deserves romance.

 Book #2 Riding for Redemption, Sara Beth loves riding almost more than herself. When she loses the opportunity to ever ride again, she has to decide if that’s okay or if she needs more in her life.

 Book #3 Resisting Redemption, Lisa doesn’t want a family – she thinks – and she doesn’t want to fall in love. Love is messy and she likes things the way they are.

 Book #4 Regretting Redemption, Mary didn’t have the same experiences as the other women growing up. The more she learns, the more guilt she feels. Can she overcome her part in her past or will it haunt her out of love?

 Book #5 Rewarding Redemption, Jenni isn’t sure what’s going on, but finding out about four sisters could put a huge damper on her plans – to find the Caracus treasure and be free of Montana altogether. Do familial ties trap her right where she doesn’t want to be? And in love to boot?

 See, in each story as with the overall story arc, there’s a significant amount of self-forgiveness that has to happen. And that’s how I see it with everyday themes as well.

 Is there anything in your life that keeps you up at night while you worry about its resolution? If it’s something you did, forgive yourself and breathe. Redemption is easier to grant than receive. I don’t know why, it just is.

 Have you forgiven yourself lately and how did it make you feel?

 Thank you so much for having me! This was a fun topic to write about. Stay Alive!
  This is the third book in a series where the plot points carry over. All plot points will be resolved by book FIVE - the end of the series. This is a sweet style romance. With her heart at war with her mind, Lisa’s need to chase dangerous fun over boring responsibilities tugs at her emotions. Love is the last thing she expects to find, especially with her past revolting against her future. The only love Ryan’s heart has room for is for his motherless son. But, when he finds himself yearning for Lisa, Ryan has to convince himself and her that he’s all the thrill she’ll ever need. Will Lisa’s past destroy their future before either of them can accept the true meaning of love?

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Pick up the first two in the series-

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Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane. Follow on:

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