Meet RB4U's Newest Member

Hey there! I’m RB4U’s newest member, Michele Zurlo. I’ve followed the blog for years, and I’m geeked to be part f the RB4U family. I’ll be here every month on the 26^th to share my thoughts and opinions about issues related to being a romance novelist. This month, I thought I’d introduce myself because if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “I know you from somewhere. You kind of look like my aunt.” Chances are I’m not your aunt, so here are a few things about me that may set me apart.

1.   Daytime: I’m a middle school English teacher (or, as my wife says, crazy) and a mom to very active twin teens. Around the edges of all that, I’m a writer. My goal for 2016 was to become more involved in the writing world. To that end, I’ve taken part in the Dominant Persuasions anthology, signed up to appear at my first conference (Midwestern Book Lovers Unite) in October, and I became an author member of RB4U. I’d say I achieved my goal, and it’s only April.

2.   Personality: You can tell from “Daytime” that I’m methodical and goal-oriented. I’m also an introvert, and I used to be a rule-follower. Turning 40 cured me of that need. People call me quirky when they’re trying to be nice. Like many writers, I’m a bit OCD, but I’m flexible. For example: The blinds in my classroom need to be hanging at the exact same height, but I don’t care what level that is. Also, I’m all about grrl power. I insist that my heroines be intelligent, and then I get frustrated when they don’t behave the way I expect. In my current WIP, my heroine insisted on having two heroes as her love interest instead of the one I had originally chosen. But I guess I’m the person who often wants a choice that’s not on the list too.

3.   Writing: I love to write. When I was young, I used to do it all the time, but somewhere around the time I was forced to adult, I stopped. I started again when my kids were little (for sanity breaks) and I haven’t stopped. I found success in the BDSM genre, and lately I’ve encountered a positive reception for my Doms of the FBI series. Re/Leased (DFBI 5--with the heroine who insists on two heroes) comes out this summer, and I have plans to launch a spinoff series tentatively called SAFE Security, in early 2017.

That’s me, Michele Zurlo. Here’s a little kiss from Re/Bound (DFBI 1) to send you off:

She paused at a door three-quarters of the way down the hall. Her gaze fell to the floor. After the awkwardness had passed, the rest of the night had gone well. He had kept the conversation on innocuous topics and had learned a lot about her relationship with Victor Snyder. The prick had her thoroughly and completely snowed. She considered him a friend and a benefactor.

He hooked his finger under her chin and encouraged her to meet his gaze. When she complied, he rewarded her with a smile. Without a doubt, she was one responsive submissive. Yataines had trained her well.

He cupped the side of her face and traced his thumb over her eyebrow. Adjusting the position of his hand, he repeated the caress along her lower lip. She trembled a bit, but she clearly awaited his command. His earlier intention had been an impulsive act of  affection. It had taken all his willpower to keep his cock from saluting her submissiveness.

“I had a nice time tonight, Darcy. Thank you for making this trip worthwhile.”

Her eyes widened a bit, and he knew she wanted to ask if he’d decided against seeing her again now that he’d found out about some of her baggage.

He replayed his caress of her lip. Suddenly he needed to taste her lips more than anything in the world. “Can I kiss you?”
​

She began to nod, but she caught herself in time. She swallowed and licked her lips. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Malcolm had never once taken the trust of a submissive lightly. Part of him wanted to play the gentleman and leave her alone. A larger part of him needed to know the flavor and texture of her kiss. He recognized the blurring of the line between his cover identity and his real self, and he couldn’t keep from crossing it.

He feathered his lips over hers, a reverent caress that teased a small sigh from her. That tiny sound proved to be his undoing. He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, and she  opened for him. He cradled her head with one hand to hold her close, and he snaked the other around her waist to press her body closer.

She moaned and leaned into him as he directed with the pressure of his hand on her back. He tasted her lips and teeth. He sampled the roof of her mouth and tangled his tongue with hers. A piece of his heart he’d never before used came to life. It beat a furious staccato rhythm he felt echoed in her chest. Blood rushed to his cock. He thrust a knee between her legs and ground against her.

She mewled, and her fingers dug into his shoulders. Inflamed with her flavor, he moved his lips to sample her neck. She moaned and threw her head back.

The sharp crack of it hitting the door brought Malcolm back to his senses. He had shoved her against the door, and he had ravaged her with everything in his arsenal. He released her abruptly, keeping one hand close in case she needed more than the door to hold her up.

She gazed up at him, her eyes heavy-lidded with desire and blurred by shock. She took a deep, ragged breath and pushed away from the door.

Malcolm ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. You consented to a kiss, not a public mauling.”
​

A little laugh escaped before she could bite her lip to keep it inside. “Now I’m wondering what will happen if I consent to a public mauling.”

The visions she evoked meant he would need an icy shower before going to sleep. Wisely he changed the topic. “I’d like to see you again. Can we have breakfast together? I could swing by around eight, and we could walk down together.”

​

Malcolm didn’t know whether he asked her for the mission or because the pounding heart

in his chest wanted to shrivel up and die at the thought of not seeing her.

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

Links of Importance:

Dominant Persuasions: https://dominantpersuasions.com/

Midwestern Book Lovers Unite: http://midwesternbookloversunite.com/

Doms of the FBI page: http://www.michelezurloauthor.com/doms-of-the-fbi.html

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

Twitter: @MZurloAuthor

Do We Love Shifters at #RB4U ? ABSOLUTELY!

I mean, what's not to love about shifters, right? There's just something so intense and feral about them. I'll be totally honest here. While I do enjoy a good contemporary romance, my heart belongs to paranormals. One of my best selling shifter series, the Kyron Pack, helped me to find an agent. A second series, Jungle Heat, shot me to the NYTbest seller list. It's obvious that not only do I love writing shifter romances, but people love reading them, too.

As my contemporary romances took off over the past year, I had less and less time to write paranormals. This made me incredibly sad. While I had a lot of books out in 2014 and 2015, there wasn't a werewolf, vampire, or wizard among them.

That's all going to change, however. Recently I had the opportunity to return to the Jungle Heat series and play with my hot, Brazilian cat shifters. These alpha males not only love their motorcycles, but they love their women, too. They need strong ladies to tame their wild ways, and the heroines of these stories are more than willing to take on the challenge. 

In CRIA and CONQUISTA, the stage is set. Humans are destroying the Amazon rainforest and squeezing out the different shiftertribes in the area. In Cria, these tribes started fighting amongst themselves. In Conquista, they decided to come together. Now, these sexy shifters are ready to face the large construction company ruining their home. They set up thier headquarters in Rio de Janiero, the city where the construction company headquarters is held. What happens in Rio? Well, you'll just have to read the third book in the series, CORAZON, and find out! 

So tell me: what's your favorite type of shifter? I'd love to hear from you! 

While you're thinking of an answer, take a peek at CORAZON, coming October 22nd!

When Marissa infiltrates the notorious motorcycle club on the edge of town, she's prepared to destroy the shifters who are threatening her family. She isn’t prepared for their leader’s sensual proposition, or to play a dangerous bedroom game. As her heart softens, secrets come to light, and Marissa must choose whether to claim her brithright and carry on the family legacy, or follow her heart.

Coming October 22nd, but you can preorder now!

Amazon

Amazon UK

itunes

Kobo

Nook

Excerpt (Careful, it's hot!!):

Marissa had always suspected that kissing Navarro would be intense, but she had no idea just how intense until he had her in his arms. The man was sin on a stick, and with each passing second she was falling more and more under his spell. 

When he brushed his tongue against the seam of her lips, it felt like heaven. With a groan, she parted them in invitation. Navarro took advantage, planting his hand along the back of her head to hold her steady as he plundered her mouth. The kiss wasn’t gentle, but Marissa didn’t want gentle. All her life she had dated “gentle” men who her father found respectable. There was something wild and feral in Navarro. It called to a primal place deep inside her soul.

She was the one who was supposed to be seducing him, not the other way around. If she didn’t regain some control over this situation, she would never be able to use this moment to gain the information she needed. 

As Navarro lifted her up onto the bar and eased in between her thighs, Marissa attempted to disentangle herself. Somehow, her movements brought her closer to him, not farther away. That wild, testosterone part of him was turning her muscles to water. It had been so long since she had sex, even longer since she had good sex. Something about Navarro told her that one night with him would be extraordinary.

Giving up on her plan to take charge, she inched closer to the edge of the bar and slid her hands around his waist. As his erection pressed up against her inner thigh, she decided that she’d give herself over to the moment just this once. By giving herself over to him, she could gain his trust. Yeah, that’s it. Trust.

As he slid his tongue against hers, weeks of building tension exploded into her mouth. He tasted raw and masculine, a heady, leathery taste that matched his scent. He invaded her senses, pushing through the last shred of her defenses until the world around her faded away. She moaned and tilted her head, deepening the kiss. Within seconds there was only her. Only him. Only hungry mouths and skin touching skin. 

“Yes,” she gasped as he tore away from her. He kissed her jaw and neck, creating a hot, tingling sensation along her skin that fueled her desire. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as he let go of her wrist and ran his large fingers down her back. Sliding her hands up his washboard abs and along his muscular chest, she slipped them under his black, leather jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. He pulled back and shed the jacket on a single, fluid motion. It fell to the ground in a heap around them as he leaned forward and kissed her neck once more.

“Navarro,” she whispered as she tugged his T-shirt from his jeans. After freeing the cotton fabric, she eased her fingers underneath and slid them over his skin. The hard muscle flexed under her fingertips as he inched closer to the edge of the bar. Digging her nails into his skin, she wrapped her legs around his waist and positioned herself until his cock pressed up against her center.

“What is it about you, Marissa?” His breath whispered over her skin, making her shiver. “From the first day we met, I felt the tension between us.”

“Yes,” she whispered as his tongue flicked over the sensitive vein in her neck.

“Ever since then, I’ve been watching you, trying to figure out why you have this affect over me.” He eased his hand up her side and covered her breast. Marissa moaned as he squeezed her sensitive flesh and kneaded the tip between his fingers.

“No other woman has captured my attention like this. Just your scent drives me mad with desire.”

“Navarro, please.” She tugged up on his shirt, eager for him to remove it. She wanted him, had wanted him from the first moment she stepped into Estrella’s. The tension between them that he mentioned was real. As he leaned her back onto the smooth surface of the bar, a sense of urgency rose up deep inside of her core. She shifted her fingers, sliding them around his torso and rubbing them over his rough skin. He growled in response, a throaty, masculine sound that sent a jolt of desire up through her core.

He shifted until his lips were inches away from her ear. “I need to be inside of you, querida.” He flicked his tongue over her lobe. “Before this night is over, I will make you mine. Only mine.” 

A lifetime New Englander, Suzanne married her college sweetheart and has been with him for over twenty years. Every summer she drags her husband and two daughters to Maine on a quest for the perfect lobster dinner. Every fall she can be found down in Foxboro, Massachusetts cheering on her favorite football team. In between those trips, she’s a chauffeur, a maid, a chef, an event planner, a hairdresser, a wardrobe stylist, a tutor and a sometimes masseuse. To keep her sanity, she often drinks copious amounts of coffee and stares at the blank screen of her laptop, dreaming of great adventures. Sometimes she even writes them down for others to enjoy.

Suzanne is represented by Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency and writes mainstream romances under the pen name Ava Conway.

 Connect with Suzanne online:Facebook
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Stormy Weather #RB4U @melissa_keir

Stormy Weather

This month the RB4U authors are talking about Storms. The unpredictable nature of weather is exciting and frightening. All that power....

April showers bring May flowers. But here in Michigan we are almost as likely to get another round of snow showers before April is over and done with. Seriously by February, I'm ready for warmer weather and no more snow. In fact, the word SNOW is a horrible four letter word for me.

It's not that I hate snow. It's perfect for Christmas but it could come on December 23rd and melt on December 26th. What do you think of snow? What about thunderstorms?

There's nothing more thrilling than a thunderstorm. I used to sit on the front porch when I was younger and watch the lightning crash. The pouring rain and deep booming thunder completed the thrill ride. Still when a thunderstorm comes, I want to be right there, watching and feeling it to the marrow of my bones. They've never scared me...thrilled me...yes!

Do you find thunderstorms thrilling? What's your favorite thing to do during a storm?

My book- A Christmas Accident features a horrible snowstorm. The impact of the storm changes the lives of Sherri and Adam. 

Buy Link Only $0.99!

Excerpt:

Route 2 is known as Death’s Highway. The area of Route 2 between Bono and Sandusky claimed dozens of lives due to the large semi-trucks in addition to the awkward two lane road. People couldn’t see what was coming around the next bend so head-on collisions were frequent. The horrible blizzard-like conditions from Lake Erie only made the road more treacherous.

After grabbing the coffee, pretzels and some crackers for myself, then paying for them, I headed back to the car. The snow made the car hard to see from the door of the gas station. Driving in this mess wasn’t a comforting thought.

“Adam, the weather looks really bad. Maybe we should turn on a local radio station to check on the road conditions.”

Making slow progress, we listened to the bleak weather bulletin. Little did we know one single radio announcement would change our lives forever.

I've actually driven on Route 2 in Ohio. During one particular snow storm the road was so bad that after I spun out, there was another accident up ahead. The accident had the police cars just sliding off the road. In other words...what help would those sliding police officers and cars be!

Thank you for visiting today. I hope you'll join me again next month on the 9th for some more excerpts and thoughts. If you want to know more about my books, check out my website: http://www.melissakeir.com/melissas-books.html

Small Town Brunch with @melissa_keir #RB4U #foreverlove

Welcome to Romance Books 4 U...I'm Melissa Keir, your flight attendant for today's trip. We are traveling to small town Amherst, Ohio. Yes, it's a real town-my hometown and the setting of my Wilder Sisters Series. A favorite place for me to visit when I return home is Hot Dog Heaven. It was a high school hang out and popular restaurant, with a homey feel.

So make sure your seat belt is fastened and your snack tray is in the up position. We're heading off to Amherst where Syn Wilder in Forever Love has returned to her hometown to care for her ailing father, but she's come face to face with her past love.

Deciding to get out of the house, we headed out for dinner at a popular local restaurant. The Armors Diner was located in an old home that had been converted into a homey place to eat. They had a full menu, containing anything that might tickle your fancy, but they had the best Coney dogs and fries. The Armors was a favorite hangout for the high school crowd, so the walls were covered with photos from all the sports stories covered by the local newspaper. The place was packed, but we found a spot at a small table near the large front window.

The Armors held a lot of fond memories from my time in high school. I used to come to the restaurant as much as I could to hang out and visit with my friends. We would always order the large fries and talk about the boys we liked. The restaurant also had its share of sad memories too—mostly surrounding T.J. and our time together. As if just thinking about him caused him to appear, I looked up to find him walking through the door, alone, and heading directly over to our table.

“Hi Syn, Mr. Wilder. Do you mind if I join you? This place is packed, and I hate to eat alone.”

“Hello Thom. Nice to see you. What have you been up to lately? I haven’t seen you since you dated Syn, here. I must have scared you off good,” Dad replied with a grin.

“Mr. Wilder, you didn’t scare me off. Syn decided to run away to the big city and leave this small town behind.” T.J. winked at me, so I stuck my tongue out at him.

I felt like an idiot while they spoke about me, and a little shocked that Dad didn’t remember T.J. being at the recent fire. “Hello—I am sitting right here. You shouldn’t talk about me like I’m invisible.” They continued to ignore me, in favor of the conversation. I took the moment to look at T.J. He certainly had grown up. I studied his profile, trying to find a small part of that little boy who was my best friend growing up. His strong jawline and full lips were new to me. His baby fat was gone, but his strong nose was the same. The aquiline had a bump that always looked like he had broken it, which earned him the nickname Rocky. I loved his smile. It was a full grin that lit up his whole face and made his eyes twinkle. I wish I could go back and have a chat with my teenage self. I would share with her just how sexy T.J. was today. Of course, I would probably also have a few words to say to teenage T.J. too. After all, I wasn’t the only one in that relationship.

My ears perked up when I heard Dad invite T.J. over for dinner tomorrow night. It will be nice to give Dad something to do, but another evening with T.J…can my heart handle it?

The Armors provided a nice dinner among friends. Dad seemed to enjoy talking with T.J. about guns, hunting, and his job at the fire station. Sitting there in the background watching them interact was a treat. Dad was animated, reminding me more of the guy I grew up with than the pale version of himself he had become since my return. He hasn’t been so upbeat in a long time. I don’t think I’ve felt so upbeat in a while, as well. T.J. had many fun stories of life in the station that made us laugh. I was getting reacquainted with the guy I left behind, as he was filling in the missing years.

T.J. had been my best friend growing up. We were childhood playmates. Then, in high school, we turned into a couple. He became my boyfriend. We used to spend a lot of time hanging out at the train depot and talking about our future, but that didn’t last. T.J. was looking for a girl who was sexually active, which wasn’t me. He broke up with me and went on to date other girls who were more physical with him. It was hard watching him move on, but I was going to leave our small town for bigger pastures when I graduated, so I didn’t need to be tied down. Now that I was back, though, would we try to make it work?

Forever Love is book one in the Wilder Sisters Series. 

Fifteen years ago, Syndie Wilder left her small hometown- Amherst, Ohio- to escape the pain of losing her best friend and boyfriend. Deciding that Chicago offered more for an up and coming jewelry designer, she enjoyed the big city life until she chooses to return and care for her father. Taking care of her father and relocating her internet business, Syndie has no time or desire for romance but fate has a way of playing with best-laid plans.

Thom Johnson broke Syndie’s heart all those years ago and regrets it every day. As a firefighter, Thom sets out to protect Amherst and redeem himself for his bad choices. However, he never has forgotten Syndie and the hurt he caused her.

When a chance meeting happens, can the two former friends allow themselves the chance to become friends again, or will the sparks turn a childhood friendship into a forever love?

Amazon Buy Link:http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Love-Melissa-Keir-ebook/dp/B00B0XISFU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

~~~~~~

Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn't hoping for a career as a race car driver.  Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She'd often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines.  In middle school and high school, Melissa wrote sappy love poems and shared them with her friends.  She still has those poems today! In college, her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog. 
   
As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing.  She's a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC. Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars.  She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.

Melissa doesn't believe in down time.  She's always keeping busy.  Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature "happy endings" and is often found plotting her next story.

Finally Autumn by Janice Seagraves

September 23rd was the first day of fall. Yay!

Photo owned by Janice Seagraves and taken by her daughter

I’m so tired of the heat in Central California. Yesterday and today it has become cool, finally. In the seventies, but that’s down right chilly for us.

Last night, I actually shivered and today my knuckles are stinging a bit. Although the stinging has more to do with the clouds in the sky and first heavy dew than the coolness. For the first time in months, I feel moisture in the air. My eyes have been so dry, it’ll be nice not to have to put drops in.

Not a lot of fall color in California. We’re known more for our lovely spring display than anything else.

But, ah, autumn.

I have been so looking forward to this. The smell of fallen leaves, the cooler temperatures, finally being able to wear my long sleeve shirts and pants. I can take walks again without overheating. Make soup on a cold day, bake chicken, lasagna, enchilada pie, and cinnamon rolls and cinnamon toast. Using the burning pit in the front of my house and making s’mores.

Photo owned and taken by Janice Seagraves

I’m looking forward to the first rain of the season. Weather, how I love you. Come to me clouds, rain down on me. I dare ya.

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

SyFy Romance. Excerpt, Matrix Crystal Hunters - Just after a rain:

Walking over, she tried not to smile. He gave her a leg up into the saddle. Sitting on the big animal, she could feel every bruise and muscle strain from the day before.

“Hurts?”

Maya nodded, biting her lip. “I can feel my butt bones. They’re sore.”

“I can only promise you that it will get better with time.” He rechecked the straps for the stirrups, making sure they were the right length for her and set her feet in them. “All right. You’re all set.” He led Brawley over to the two snags. Untying their leads, he handed them to Maya, who ran the rope around the high saddle horn. “Here you go. Same as yesterday, allow me and Zareth take the lead, then follow us.”

“Okay.”

He looked up at her, a slight frown troubling his handsome features. “I never asked, but what does okay mean? You seem to say it all the time.”

She tried to think of an equivalent in his language. “It means the same as all right or yes. Or you can use it to say everything is fine.”

“Oh, I see. Hmm, okay.” He grinned like a little boy.

She laughed. “There, you got it.”

“Okay.” He walked over to Zareth. “You okay, you big, nasty beast?” His mount snapped at him, but Vach jumped out of the way in time. “Guess not.”

He got on his sherakey, kicking him into a canter. When Vach got far enough ahead, Maya leaned forward in the saddle, the leather creaking loudly. Brawley took his cue to start trudging up the path after his master.

The trail seemed to go on forever. Puddles reflected the dark gray sky. The air had a fresh-scrubbed smell, which contrasted with the earthy scent of the damp ground.

Several hours later, Maya checked her watch. Twelve o’clock. Which could mean it was closer to ten, since the Zeeman day had twenty-two hours and her watch used Earth’s twenty-four hour cycle. A hooded Zeeman stood not far off, staring at her. She stared back, wondering if it was a herder. But where was his flock?

Several more Zeeman-shaped figures were standing in a group, not far away, but their cloaks didn’t appear to be being stirred by the fretful wind. Maybe they weren’t Zeemen at all. Statues of some sort?

Later, she spotted one ahead of her, near the road. As she rode closer, she saw that it was a stone pillar of some kind. Zeeman-shaped, but much larger, maybe ten to twelve feet in height. She looked it up and down, trying to find carvings or letterings, but there were none.

She turned over the possibilities in her mind, finally coming to the conclusion that these must be the roots of long dead trees and bushes encased in limestone jackets. A few miles down the road, more of these pillars filled the landscape. The standing stones seemed to be watching her, from out on the flat plane. A shiver went down Maya’s back. Creepy.

Vach waited for her at the next rest stop. His nasty sherakey had been tied up at the far side, with a bush to chew on. Brawley made his way into the clearing, and Vach held his arms up, so he could help Maya dismount. She pulled a leg over the huge saddle horn and slid off into his arms.

Vach caught her, laughing. “Got you.”

****

US, Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJ10W26

UK, Kindle: http:1380662336//www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-ebook/dp/B00FJ10W26/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=1-3

US, Trade paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Janice-Seagraves/dp/1492709751/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

UK, Trade paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Janice-Seagraves/dp/1492709751/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_1_KKW6

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Matrix Crystal Hunters is now on Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/447796

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