A Hot Summer Read - Hot Game by Bridget Midway

Blurb

The game of love has never been this hard or hot...

Concrete inspector Zennifer Morse has problems. During her monthly video conference calls, she has to see the man who dumped her during their one and only trip to Las Vegas. When her boss asks her to take his place at an upcoming conference in the same hotel, she hesitates before agreeing to go. She just hopes her ex is not there.

Jackson Duke wanted to take his relationship with Zennifer to the next level when he invited her to a weekend away in Vegas. As a BDSM dominant, he never knows how a woman will respond to the news. Seeing the very conservative Zennifer during the weekend had Jackson changing his mind. Now that he sees her at the same conference, he decides Zennifer can use a bit of discipline especially when she makes a dig about how he runs his business.

When Jackson tells Zennifer about his other lifestyle, she doesn't believe him until he disciplines her. After that, she finds a new side of herself as a submissive.

When Zennifer discovers the real reason Jackson wanted to rekindle relationship, does her heart turn back to concrete? Can Jackson soften enough to let the right woman into his life?

Purchase Links

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3 Tips for Dating with Kids

Ken Myers, Owner of GoNannies

When you have kids, it is hard to know when to introduce a new dating partner to them and vice versa. Here are some tips to help you make the transition easier:

Be Upfront – First of all, you want to be upfront with both your children and your potential dates. Tell your dates that you have kids right off the bat so they know what they are getting into. It is harder to do the longer you wait, so be clear. With your kids, you need to explain to them how dating works, i.e. people come and go, and help them to understand that you are not trying to replace their parent. Reassure your kids that you love them and dating won’t change that.

Be Certain – Before you introduce a date to your kids, be sure they are someone that will stick around for a while. It is hard enough for kids without having a revolving door of new people coming into their lives. Also you should be sure that your dates are safe to bring around your kids. Someone unstable or of dubious moral character is definitely not someone you should bring home, or even date really.

Be Casual – Last but not least, don’t freak out about it. The more anxiety you have the more anxious your kids and your date will become. Stay relaxed and cool with it and they will be more comfortable also.

It doesn’t have to be a huge deal to introduce your kids. Keep it simple, don’t expect an instant bond, and make sure you are clear with everyone up front. That should minimize the problems and help you to keep your life simple.

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Ken Myers is a father of three and passionate about great childcare. He’s always looking for ways to help families find the support they need to live fuller, richer lives. Find out more about expert childcare by checking out @go_nannies on Twitter.

Prismatic by Sarah Elle Emm Virtual Book Tour

We would like to welcome Sarah Elle Emm, author of "Prismatic," and thank her for making us one of her stops during her Tour.

Synopsis: 

Rare glimpses of birds are the only reminder of the freedoms Rain Hawkins once had. Now segregated into a mixed-race zone within the United Zones of the Authority, under tyrannical rule of President Nicks, Rain is forced to endure the bleak conditions set upon her. The possibility of a way out arises when Rain discovers an organized resistance called The Freedom Front, and learns that she, along with many other multi-racial people, has special abilities. Determined to overcome her situation, Rain sets out on a mission with the resistance that will fill her life with wonder, romance, and the undying hope for a better world.

About the author:

Sarah Elle Emm, Author

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT set for release August 2014, NACREOUS release TBD) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, an Amazon Best Seller in marriage, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Her love of journal writing, travel, and multicultural experience have all influenced her novels. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.

Author Links:

Website | Blog |Goodreads | Facebook | Harmony Run Series on Facebook| Twitter | Publisher's website | Amazon Author page | Books at Barnes and Noble | LinkedIn | Google+ | Instagram

Purchase Links: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook

YouTube Book Video

Giveaway Link

Heard Any Pickup Lines Lately?

We have all heard them: the pickup lines that are meant to pique your interest in the person saying those lines. Some are funny; others are peculiar, but some are just downright risqué. Tell us what pickup lines threw you for a loop? Send to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com and in the subject line type: pickup lines - We will post the results in an upcoming issue. 

Deadline for submitting lines is July 11, 2014.

JOIN THE BIGGEST NETWORKING EVENT IN DALLAS FOR BLACK BUSINESS & ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS!

The 3rd Annual ViP Business & Entertainment Networking Event

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SPONSOR & VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES!

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What is your profession?!

September 20th 2014

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Saturday

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Some of The Best Cover 2013 Swirl Awards Finalists

Sydney Arrison's book cover "My Heart In Seoul," Stacey-Deanne's book cover "Bruised," Mickie Sherwood's book cover "Like Slow Sweet Molasses" and Bridget Midway’s “Licorice Whips” have been nominated for the Best Cover 2013 Swirl Awards.

The Swirl Awards Recognize the Best in Multicultural and Interracial Books.

 

Click Here to Vote 

Poll closes July 31, 2014

Meet Amanda Cowen, Author of Between Friends - A Contemporary Romance

One World Singles Magazine Blog would like to welcome Amanda Cowen. During her Virtual Book Tour, the author will be giving away a copy of her book “Between Friends” and an Amazon Gift Card.

Blur

The only way to have a friend is to be one…especially between the sheets…

When neurotically challenged and unlucky in love Megan Daniels is propositioned by her life-long friend Ben Romano with a coin toss (heads, they sleep together, tails, they don’t) the night before they are about to attend a destination wedding, she drunkenly accepts his challenge. But when Megan wakes up the next morning with a bad hang-over and Ben in her bed, she is more than mortified. It isn’t until the tropical heat begins to ignite emotions Megan never believed or thought she could possibly have, when she starts to question if risking their friendship is the answer to finding true love.

A cute and contemporary debut novel, BETWEEN FRIENDS faces one girl's struggle between the fine lines of friendship and love and the risk of opening up her heart to the possibility of forever.

EXCERPT 1

“We need to talk.” He says with small quiver in his voice.

I shove in my key card, push open the door, and leave Ben outside in the hot and humid air. When I don’t respond, he wedges himself in between the doorframe as I flick on the lights.

“What do you want Ben?” I sigh, and whip around to face him.

Ben’s closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, “Fuck Megan, I can’t take it anymore.”

Before I can even respond, he slams me up against the wall and presses his wonderfully soft lips up against mine. Our kissing is strong, passionate, and if I have ever thought for one second that anyone in my past was a good kisser, I am mistaken. I am completely lost in Ben. He grabs the back of my neck with one hand, and moves the other over the strap of my dress and slips it off my shoulder to expose my bra. I feel myself wanting to resist him, wanting to still hate him for how he acted today, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I surrender to his touch and what I have been craving since the last time, and find myself giving into Ben.

EXCERPT 2

“Megan, I know this is crazy.” He sighs, and grips the steering wheel at exactly at ten and two, “But, you make me…I just – I have always loved being around you. That’s why we have been such great friends all these years. You are the only person in the world that gets me, and it scares me.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, looking down in my lap and twiddling with my shirt.

“It just means…” Ben pauses. He lets out a deep frustrated breath, “I don’t know what it means. God Megan this is – I can’t even – I just – You’re just way too good for me. I honestly don’t deserve any of this.”

The dead silence filling the interior of the car forces me to look up, and I see he looks about as nervous as I feel. I don’t know what to say. Me? Too good for him? That’s what he thinks? Is he out of his mind? Has he seen the body and face he’s been blessed with?

“No I’m not.” I whisper.

“Yes you are!” Ben shouts looking at me with pain clouding his dark eyes. He takes a deep breath leans over and kisses my cheek, “You are, and don’t you forget it.”

I hold his gaze letting silence fill the car. His vulnerability is so foreign to me. I feel like I don’t even recognize him. He is always so confident and well spoken, nothing close to this. I think now would be a good time to confirm we were more than just friends sneaking around and having a good time, but I am scared and worried that if I push too far, I may ruin everything.

Author Bio

Amanda Cowen, Author

Amanda Cowen can be found eating cupcakes, singing off-key, or watching a good RomCom when she isn't trapped on her computer writing stories and delighting her imagination. She has been writing since the ripe age of twelve about ponies and princesses in brightly colored duo-tangs with metallic pens. Thankfully, she now has a Mac with a keyboard where she can write about love, sex and relationships. She is an "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" fanatic, a hater of roller-coasters and a country music junkie. She lives in Thunder Bay, ON where the summers are short and the winters are long.

Her next Contemporary Romance/New Adult Fiction novel PERFECT SENSE will be available in Winter 2014.

Amanda would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, http://www.amandacowen.com.

Become a fan on Facebook or follow her on Goodreads.

Links

AMAZON

SMASHWORDS

Announcing Brown Girls Publishing Group Book Blast

Genre: Fiction

About The Book

Open Door Marriage, A chance encounter lands NBA star Dallas Avery back in the arms of the woman of his dreams. A woman he hasn’t seen in years. A woman he soon discovers just so happens to be his fiancée’s aunt! But Dallas’ fiancée, Tori, isn’t ready to give up all that she’s worked for, so she makes him a shocking offer – go through with the wedding and she’ll still allow him to be with the one woman he now can’t seem to do without. Dallas will get a family, something her much older aunt, Alicia can’t give him. Tori will get the lifestyle she clamors. And Alicia will get the love she’s longed for all her life. Everyone will get a little of what they want. . . and maybe a whole lot of what they don’t.

Teaser…..“You slept with my aunt?” The words still didn’t register, even though this had to be Tori’s fifth time saying them. She glared at her fiancé, still desperately trying to come to terms with the information her mother had blasted to everyone at the packed Thanksgiving dinner table.

“Seriously? How is that even humanly possible when you didn’t know the woman four hours ago?” Tori shouted.

“Tori, l-let me explain,” Dallas stammered.

Twelve pairs of eyes were now focused on the not-quite-blissful couple standing at the bottom of the stairs just off from the dining room.

 

Read more: http://bit.ly/1mXCAaf

About The Author

Naleighna Kai is the national bestselling author of Every Woman Needs a Wife and the provocative new novel, Open Door Marriage. She started writing in December of 1999,independently publishing her first novels before acquiring a book deal with an imprint of Simon & Schuster,and most recently a book deal with Brown Girl Publishing—the offspring of mega-successful national bestselling authors—Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley. She is a contributing author to a New York Times Bestseller, an award-winning author, an E. Lynn Harris Author of Distinction and a noted book club favorite on Oprah.com

About The Book

In Strict Confidence, Fans of John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark will love this suspenseful rollercoaster ride that doesn’t let up until the very end… Psychiatrist Allen Kline is forced to make the agonizing choice of life over death when a killer approaches him with the horrific news that he has abducted Allen's two sons. Who the killer is and why he has chosen Allen to victimize is a question the doctor struggles to answer. What he discovers just may haunt him forever. Things aren’t always what they seem… Detective Ben McCallum is on a mission. Someone is viciously murdering little boys and Ben knows the pain all too well. His son was one of the victims and now, it’s up to Ben to bring the killer to justice . . .before two more young boys die. As Ben struggles to put aside his personal demons to track a killer hellbent on revenge, he’ll discover the killer’s motives hit close to home and everyone will discover things aren’t always what they seem. In Strict Confidence is an intense, harrowing tale that will shock, surprise and satisfy readers with each suspenseful word and doesn’t let up until the very last page.

Teaser… Chris Kline’s eyes fluttered open and he saw only darkness. He was lying on a cold, hard ground—concrete, he thought, naked—no wait, not naked. He still had his boxer briefs on. He sat up and as he did, a wave of unsteadiness came over him. Whoa. He shook his head, trying to clear cobwebs, and when his equilibrium settled enough, he tried to stand, but couldn’t because of a manacle fastened around his right ankle. He shivered.

Where am I?

What’s going on?

Think, Chris. Think!

Read more: http://bit.ly/1sTZtv2

About The Author

Dwayne S. Joseph began his writing career at the age of thirteen. Commandeering his parent's computer, he sat for hours on end creating dramatic stories of fiction that earned him the "best story teller in the Joseph household" moniker. He then went on to win second place in the National Scholastic Writing Competition during his senior year in high school, for a short story he wrote, titled "Playtime" (A story that he does plan to develop into a children's tale someday soon!) The novels at thirteen and the short story in his senior year all helped to propel him on the destined path to becoming a published author at the age of 27, with the release of his first novel The Choices Men Make.

About The Book

Pink and Patent Leather, Sasha “Pink” Jansen has heard the voice of God. He spoke loud and clear at her purity ceremony, when she was just sixteen years old and Pastor Malik Stroman placed that ring on her finger. And He was just as clear when He told her that purity ring would someday be replaced with a wedding ring from the same man . . . all Pink had to do was save herself. Dreams of a life with Pastor Malik were enough to keep the privileged princess committed to her vow, dodging all kinds of temptation, resisting every romance, and the whole time, keeping her eyes on the prize –the day she would become first lady. There’s just one problem - Pastor Malik already has a wife. But Pink is accustomed to getting what she wants - by any means necessary. With her grace and virtue on the line - and what she thinks is God’s word in her head - Pink is on a mission no one understands. She’s determined to show Pastor Malik that they belong together – and come hell or high water, she plans to get the good reverend to agree. Candy Jackson has penned a page-turning tale of one-woman’s quest for love and the spiraling descent she’ll take to get it.

Teaser…. It had been a long time, four years to be exact, but I was ready. The night I had been dreaming about was finally here. My life was playing out like a well-rehearsed script, and I had the starring role.

I wanted a life with him.

It was my time; sweet victory was in the air.

I was Sasha Simone Jansen and I had come to win.

Now, as I sat at my vanity poised and proper with my hair done and make-up flawless, I stared at my perfect cocoa complexion and smiled. I had to be the luckiest girl in the world. No, that wasn’t it. I’m a Christian, and we don’t believe in luck. 

Read more: http://bit.ly/1gOOHqh

About The Author

Washington, DC author, Candy Jackson is a cosmetology teacher who loves to create poetry and short stories. Her reading rose to a brand new height with the discovery of many black writers whose work exploded in the ‘80’s. An avid reader, she began to tap into her own creative side and decided to write stories of her own. Candy is the mother of three young adult children and one grandson.

About The Book

Easier Said Than Done, is a touching new novel of love and risk, featuring a sassy and skillfully created cast of characters that are so full of life, they breathe, dream, and shout right off the page. Kingston Phillips, a beautiful entertainment executive in the fast-paced city of Chicago, has finally grasped the brass ring. But just as her friends and colleagues are buzzing with her success, Kingston must return to Jamaica for her grandmother’s funeral. While there, childhood tragedies, heartbreak, and family jealousies come back to haunt her, threatening to shatter her dreams. Not only does Kingston come face to face with the college sweetheart who left her heartbroken, but her grandmother names her executor of her will and forces her to make a life-altering decision.

Teaser…. Nothing would be the same again. That I knew for sure, though the uncertainty of what exactly that meant sloshed inside of me as I unlocked the door to my office and quietly asked my mother for guidance.

Instantaneously, a peace settled in my soul, just as I knew it would; but the question marks still pricked at my brain.

Three hours later, my secretary alerted me via the intercom that I had a phone call and the feelings of unrest surged again. I pushed the Talk button.

“Kingston speaking,” I said.

“Job well done, Kingston.

Read more: http://bit.ly/R8BJXO

About The Author

Nikki Woods, the author of Easier Said Than Done, is a Multi-media personality, Social Media and Personal Branding Coach, Motivational Speaker and Voice-over artist, and the CEO of Nikki Woods Media. She is also the senior producer of the acclaimed, nationally- syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS), the most successful syndicated urban radio show in history reaching more than 8 million people on a daily basis.

Contact Publisher for Ordering: Brown Girls Publishing http://browngirlspublishing.com/

Book Blast Hosted by Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com

Follow the Tour: http://bit.ly/1sFoEl0

Don't Miss Your Chance to Meet Two Romance Novels in Color Authors!

Yep, you read that right! Authors Delaney Diamond and M.J. Kane are two of the many featured authors at the Readers Retreat Southern Affair event hosted by the ladies of Building Relationships Around Books. This two day event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, October 10th and 11th. For ticket prices and event information, visit the following link: Ticket Prices and EventInformation

Hope to see you there!

Book Blast Tour - Meet Marta Tandori, Author of No Hard Feelings

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marta will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Some secrets can’t stay hidden, especially when they involve murder…



Liz Farrell is still reeling over the murder of her mother almost a year earlier at the hands of her father, Leo Bauer, when she receives the startling news that she’s inherited her estranged father’s sizable estate. Unable to come to terms with her father’s unspeakable legacy, Liz and her grandmother, Kate Stanton, visit Leo’s property in Benedict Canyon, desperately hoping to find closure. Instead, they find a bunker hidden under an old hunting lodge that had been used by Leo at one time to hold Liz’s mother captive. Horrified by the discovery, Liz immediately orders the bunker filled and the lodge destroyed but the ensuing demolition quickly comes to a grinding halt after a man’s remains are discovered in a shallow grave at the base of the old lodge. Once the press get wind of the gruesome discovery, rumors quickly surface, linking the remains to a murder spree that took place at the same address almost half a century earlier; a murder spree conveniently covered up by the governor at the time who also happened to be Leo Bauer’s stepbrother. Liz and Kate’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the murders are soon hampered by family secrets and a killer who’s intent on finishing the job started almost fifty years ago.

Enjoy this excerpt:



I need to escape him. I need to escape the man who is both my lover and my captor, but there is nowhere to run.



With a firm grip on my good arm, he pulls me along after him through the crush of humanity, toward the converging crowds gathering at Pandora’s Box on the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights. The closer we get to our destination, the louder and more boisterous the crowds of protestors and police seem to become. I cry out in pain as my body is jostled, hurting my dislocated left shoulder, which is supported only by the flimsy sling he has fashioned for me. However, he doesn’t hear me cry out because he’s too busy trying to keep up with his two friends.



For a second, I actually toy with the idea of wrenching my arm out of his grip and making a run for it, but almost immediately, I’m overcome by a fear so paralyzing that I’m barely able to breathe. He’s already given me a nasty taste of what he will do to me if I ever try leaving him. He’s promised to stop at nothing—and spare no one—until he finds me, even if it means killing every member of my family. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living with this monster, it’s to always take his threats seriously. With a sinking heart, I realize I am nothing more than a pawn to him; valuable when needed, but as with everything in his life, sadly expendable once I’ve served my purpose in his pursuit of his master plan. He has very few displays of human emotion, so it’s difficult to figure out what he’s thinking at any given time. One thing I am sure of, though, is that he trusts no one, least of all me.



About the Author:

By the time Marta Tandori reached fifth grade, she was an avid reader and writer with a stack of short stories collecting dust in a box under her bed but it wasn’t until she began studying acting in her early twenties at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York that Marta realized acting wasn’t really her passion – writing fiction was. What followed was years of writing workshops as well as correspondence courses in writing for children through the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut. She credits the award winning author, Troon Harrison, as the instructor who helped her find her literary voice. Marta’s first work of middle-grade fiction, BEING SAM, NO MATTER WHAT was published in 2005, followed by EVERY WHICH WAY BUT KUKU! in 2006. With her more recent endeavors, Marta has shifted her writing focus to mysteries and suspense having “strong female protagonists with closets full of nasty skeletons and the odd murder or two to complicate their already complicated lives”. To learn more about Marta, please visit her website at http://martatandori.com, her Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/MartaTandoriAuthor, or her Twitter page @MartaTandori .