#SaturdaySpotlight is on Author @_lisamownens #sweet #romance

Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight here at Sassy Vixen Publishing. We're happy to welcome author Lisa M. Owens to the hot seat. We'll get to learn a bit about her and her latest release If Only, a sweet contemporary romance that focuses on second chances.

Let's get to it shall we...


In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind your story.
A woman gets the second chance that she has always dreamed of, the chance to make things right with the man who got away.


Who is the heroine? 
Bree Sexton—She is a strong woman who put all of her trust in the wrong man.

What obstacles will she encounter in this story?
When Bree slips on a patch of ice, she strikes her head on the curb. When she wakes up, she finds herself in her former fiancé’s arms and discovers that they are married—and that she is living three years in the past. When it seems as though her happily ever after is just within reach, her cruel ex-husband shows up, threatening to take away everything that Bree holds dear.

What draws her to the hero in this story? What gives her that push away from him?
Scott Weston was her childhood sweetheart. When she met the handsome and charming Bryan Sexton, she broke her engagement to Scott and married Bryan. Five years later, now divorced, Bree runs into Scott. But he is happily married with a baby on the way.

What about her will make readers sympathetic to her?
She was physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by her former husband. She might be trying to move on with her life, but scars that aren’t visible continue to haunt her. Certain things going on in her life sometimes trigger violent moments from her past. She has to overcome her traumatic past before she can build a future with the only man that she has ever really loved.

Is this book a part of a series?
Yes, this is the first book of my If Only series. 

What is the theme of the overall series and how does this story fit into that?
This series is about heroines who get the second chances that they have always dreamed of. Bree’s story is about getting the chance to make things right with the one who got away.

Will these characters show up in other books in this series? 
Yes! Bree and Scott Weston will make a small appearance in my second novel of this series, which is titled What If. I am currently working on this novel and plan on having it ready for submission within the next month or so.

How many books to you anticipate will be in this series?
I plan on there being five books in this series. Susan Weston, Scott’s sister, will have her own book as well as Luke Weston, Scott’s brother. They also have stories to tell…

Do you have a question you’d like to ask the readers to generate comments?
I am also currently working on a novel about a Marine who returns home from Afghanistan. I am thinking on having this novel be the first in a series, possibly having one from each branch of the military.

My questions are:
1. What do the readers think about this idea? Good idea or bad idea?

2. What is your idea of the perfect military hero? Both physical descriptions and character traits are welcome.

About the Author

The writing bug bit Lisa M. Owens at an early age; she was writing short stories and poetry by the age of seven. At the age of eight, she entered a writing contest at her elementary school. About fifty books were written, but Lisa was one of the thirteen writers chosen who received a certificate and the chance to meet Oklahoma writer Sandy Miller.

A former victim of domestic violence herself, Lisa worked at the courthouse for over seven years. Almost three of those years she worked on the Marriage License/Protective Order desk. She helped women file protective orders and worked closely with the staff and counselors at DVIS.

Frustrated with books that merely gloss over the subject of domestic violence, Lisa wanted to write a book that told the entire story. Her dream is for her words to help give someone the courage to leave an abusive relationship.

She resides in Oklahoma and has two children. This is her first published novel, and she is currently working on the next novel of her If Only series.

Connect with Lisa

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Buy Links for If Only

Liquid Silver

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Join us again in two days for Oh My! Monday. Lisa shares an excerpt from If Only.

Until next time,

~The Vixen

#SirenAuthor #SaturdaySpotlight Is On @JessBuffett and Riley From Riley's Vampire Prince #eroticromance #LGBT

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Happy Saturday my sassy ones and welcome to the Spotlight here at Sassy Vixen Publishing! This week I'm excited to welcome a fellow Sirenista author Jess Buffett. She's got two releases this month and has been on a whirlwind tour promoting one book and now the other. She's brought a special guest with her today who has agreed to be interviewed by Jess. So without further adieu, please welcome Jess and her hero Riley McLeod.

Thank you for having us today, Vixen. I thought it would be fun to talk to one of my characters from the Hunter Clan series. Hi Riley. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a Mage, with the wicked cool ability of Fire *waggles brows*. I have a twin, Sawyer, who is mated to the Kayan of the Clan we now live with. *shrugs* Not much else to say really. Oooh, except I also have impeccable fashion sense.

I can see that. lol. Tell us something not many people know about you.
*frowns* I never used to be so flamboyant. *sly smile* But I got sick and tired of being boring so I decided to spice it up a bit.


What do you dislike the most?
People thinking they can tell me what to do just because I’m on the small side. I may be small, but I’m a grown adult, and a man. 


Favorite music?
Anything that’s good to dance to. I love to move to a good beat. I’m kind of hooked on Kesha at the moment, but who knows what next week will bring. 

What’s it like to be an uncle? To have a family?
I love being an uncle. Ash and Asena are gorgeous and there is nothing better than spending the day playing with them. Plus I get to give them back when they get temperamental. Definite perks to being the uncle. 

*big smile, before his face turns unusually serious*

I honestly didn’t think Sawyer or I would ever be able to settle down. We’ve spent so much time running, it’s nice to stop and enjoy what everyone else does.

I think we have a better appreciation for having the family we have now, because for so long we just had each other.

Do you believe in true love?
A little personal, but okay I’ll play. Yeah I guess. I’d like to at least. Love is a funny thing though, because you’re talking about opening up yourself completely to another person. That’s a lot.

How are you dealing with having a Vampire for a mate?
Wow. And I thought the other one was personal.

I don’t know *throws hands up in air with a sigh* Oh, okay, I’m being a big bloody chicken. I’m not dealing because I’m too busy avoiding it all. Seriously. My family was killed by Vampires and now I’m suddenly mated to one.  And to top it off, the man is sex on a stick, no doubt about it. I have to stop myself every time the man walks into a room, from running up and licking him like candy and begging him to use his push-pop. 
(Oh, jeez. Well, I did ask.)
Another question. Where do you find all your little facts you blurt out?
*shrugs* I read. A lot. It’s part of the whole avoidance thing I’m really good at. Reality not impressing you--read something.

Which is stronger, love or fear?
Again with the personal. I think they are fairly equal and quite often go hand in hand. *smiles smugly*

Where can we find out more about you?
My story is coming out May 22nd with Siren Publishing. Maybe I’ll be ready to answer more questions then.

Thank you for sharing with us today, Riley. How about we share a bit more about the book you're featured in? 
Go for it! I think everyone will love Riley's Vampire Prince but that's just me.
Well I agree with you on that!  Let's take a look at the blurb and then the HOT excerpt you decided to let me share with everyone today.

Blurb

Riley McLeod has never gotten over the loss of his family to murderous Vampires, and often hides behind his sarcasm and carefree attitude. So imagine his shock when he discovers he is not only mated to one, but his mate is the Prince of the Vaucluse Coven.

When Caleb Vaucluse arrived at the Hunter Clan, he never expected to meet his mate. His joy soon turns to devastation when he learns that Riley fears him. Caleb struggles to get passed Riley’s defences and prove that they are meant to be. Unfortunately just as they come together, pride and old wounds prove hard to overcome for the pair, and threaten to tear them apart for good.

As an enemy is revealed and more questions are raised, Caleb and Riley have choice to make. Do they keep their pride and stand alone, or stand together and embrace the love fate gave to them?

Adult Excerpt

When his mate was flush up against him, Caleb wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, dragging Riley to him. At first Riley was stiff, his lips pressed together hard, and unrelenting. Caleb wasn’t put off, tracing his tongue around the edges, then pressing it against the seam. When that didn’t work, Caleb gently bit down on his mate’s bottom lip, shocking him enough that Riley gasped. With his lips parted, Caleb took the opportunity to sweep his tongue inside, taking possession of his mate’s mouth, and rolling on top of him.

Caleb groaned as the heat from his mate’s body underneath him set him on fire. Reaching down, he grabbed the hem of Riley’s shirt, tearing it from his body and tossing the remains onto the floor. 

Beneath him, Riley whimpered and arched his back, silently begging for more.

“Christ, you’re beautiful. I want you so bad,” he admitted as he splayed his fingers and ran them up and down Riley’s chest, plunking at his nipples with each pass.

“Yes, please,” Riley begged.

God, he wished he could, but after everything that had happened he wasn’t certain his mate was ready for this. When he voiced his concern, he was unprepared for the impassioned response he received.

“You’re mine,” Riley snarled, fisting a hand in his hair. “You’re mine, and I’m not fucking letting you go.”

The stinging sensation of his hair being pulled did not deter Caleb, if anything, it made his cock throb harder. He thrust his hips, grinding their erections together as he slammed his mouth back down, tangling their tongues. His cock was hard and leaking, so desperate to be released from its confines and be buried inside the hot, silky channel of his mate’s tight little arse. If he had to wait much longer, Caleb thought he might just explode. And wouldn’t that just be such a waste.

His hand on Riley’s jeans, Caleb quickly undid the button and zipper, peeling the tight as fuck clothing off and doing the same to his own clothes. Once they were both bare, he plastered himself against his mate again, reveling in the feel of their skin touching everywhere, their cocks sliding and rubbing. He settled between Riley’s legs, slowly moving down his mate’s body, licking and nipping as he went. Zeroing in on the beaded little nubs on his mate’s chest, Caleb gripped one peak between his teeth, biting down. When Riley moaned and clutched the back of Caleb’s head, he took it as a sign and bit harder.

Beneath him Riley trashed and mewled, crying out as Caleb continued to worry the sensitive tissue. Riley was fucking delicious. Needing more of his mate’s taste, Caleb moved lower. When he finally had Riley’s cock in front of him he didn’t even hesitate, swooping down and engulfing it, his mate’s cock throbbing and jerking in his mouth. Caleb moaned as the taste of his mate exploded on his tongue, salty yet sweet. It was addictive and Caleb didn’t think he could get enough.

“Oh... oh yes, that’s it. Fuck yes, yes, yes,” Riley babbled, his head tossing around on the pillows. Peering up from his task Caleb saw that he had thrown his arm over his eyes and his lips were parted.

“So perfect. So fucking perfect,” he growled, diving back for more.

His tongue swirled around the bulbous head, teasing the sensitive bundle of nerves, and lapping at the glistening liquid seeping out.

Pulling off, he chuckled at Riley’s murmurs of protest, trailing lower to lick at his wrinkled sac. Riley moaned, spreading his legs further apart and allowed him more access. Caleb licked a path from his sac to his puckered hole as Riley’s hips bucked, a shudder making its way through his body. He slid his arms under the smaller man, bring him closer as he nipped and sucked his perineum and balls.

“Please, please, please,” his mate squirmed.

Riley screamed out when Caleb stiffened his tongue and began jabbing it into the winking hole.

“Oh, fuck. Your tongue is in my arse. Oh, jeez... oh that’s good.”

Caleb smiled when he realised just how gone his mate was. Riley was panting and mewling, his hands on the back of Caleb’s head as if trying to force Caleb deeper.

Well, if his mate wanted deeper, who was he to argue.

Surging up, he covered Riley’s body with his own, claiming his mate’s lips again. He couldn’t get enough of this stunning creature beneath him.

Riley was panting and grabbing for Caleb. “It’s okay, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Please, Caleb. I need you. Fuck me,” Riley pleaded, his eyes beseeching.

Caleb claimed his lips again, as he speared first one, then two lubed fingers into Riley’s tight arse. Riley bucked and moaned, forcing the fingers deeper, trying to fuck himself. Damn, that was hot. Caleb began pumping them slowly, twisting the digits until he found Riley’s prostate, and grazing it.

“Ah! Oh, god, yeah. Do it again!” Riley wailed, humping against his hand.

Caleb stroked over the bundle again and again, before adding another finger. When he knew his mate was ready for him, he pulled his fingers free, grabbing Riley’s legs and throwing them over his shoulders. With his mate practically bent in half, Caleb positioned his cockhead at Riley’s puckered entrance, pushing in slowly. He relished the way the tight hole stretched around him, moaning when he finally bottomed out.

The air around them seemed electrified as he paused to allow his mate time to adjust, Riley’s walls squeezing him tight. When Riley nodded, giving him permission to move, Caleb nearly sobbed with relief. Dragging himself out until just the tip remained, Caleb snapped his hips forward, burying his cock inside again. Riley’s wide eyes dominated his face as Caleb continued to lunge into his mate’s channel, taking him, claiming him.

He was heaven. Exquisite, hot, silky heaven right here inside his mate.

Connect with Jess

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Bookstrand

Amazon

Sassy Vixen Spotlight Is On A New Poet

Hello my fellow vixens and poetry lovers! Today I'm excited to welcome to the Sassy Vixen Spotlight a personal friend of mine. I've known Doug Beindorf for almost 30 years. 

That's right. I said almost 30 years. I know. That's a hell of a long time, but would you believe that I didn't know he wrote poetry until a few years ago? Well, now that I do, I've been trying to get him to share some of it with more than just a few of us on Facebook.

Like me, he's been through a lot in his life and has used his poetry to help him sort through it all. Recently he agreed to start putting his poems in a collection to be published with us. He'll be one of the first authors outside of myself, Lia and Stephanie Ryan who are with Sassy Vixen. Until he's finalized the selection for the book, he chose a very special one to share with us here today. Call it a teaser if you will.

Doug's poetry tends to be very dark but full of raw passion and emotion that can only come from deep within. Without knowing the real life events that inspired the words, you can feel what it took to write them down. Trust me. Once you read this piece, you will want to read more.  For those of you who wish to contact Doug, you can do so through FACEBOOK. 

A CLOSE LOOK

I am He Who Rules the Night,

Spawn of Darkness with power and might.

All those who enter my deepest hell,

Of their tale no one to tell.

Horror - in the abstract.

Smear the truth. 

Distort what's fact.

This is my realm, all that I see.

Striding the helm of the ship called Insanity.

I have no conscience. 

My nature is cold.

Countless my minions 

And the souls that I hold.

Writhing masses decay in their cells.

Each living out their own personal hells.

For those who tempt fate, 

Take heed and take warning.

My vengeance is swift. 

You will not see morning.

None joke about me. 

They give me my room.

To incur my wrath is to secure your doom.

For I am He Who Walks the Night.

Spawn of Darkness with power and might.

And I am in each and every one

Of the pitiful mortals that live under the sun.

Who am I? 

You may want to know.

Just look in yourself 

And feel me grow.

by Doug Beindorf 

July 17, 2012 

 12:33pm 

Sassy Spotlight Author Nicole Morgan

I'm happy to welcome the wonderfully talented and fellow Siren author Nicole Morgan to the Sassy Vixen Blog. She is our latest spotlight author and just so happens to love a man in uniform just as much as I do! Today she shares a bit of herself with us and her new release in her Sweet Awakenings series with Siren Bookstrand. 


I would like to thank a dear friend and fellow author Natasha Blackthorne for the questions we asked of Nicole today. A while back I was a guest on her blog and had such a wonderful time of it, I "borrowed" her questions! So sit back and relax and let's find out more about the beautiful Ms. Morgan! ~The Vixen



Let's get right down to one of the most popular questions asked. Are you a plotter or panster or a little of both?
I am without a doubt  a pantser. Even if I attempted to plot everything out ahead of time, I am very confident in that my creativity wouldn’t follow it. The expression, ‘stories tell themselves’ is very true to my writing style. Very rarely will I know what’s going to happen from one chapter to the next. The only thing I am sure of is that in the end I will always give my hero and heroine their happily ever after. 


Do your stories tend to be character driven or plot driven?
Truthfully I would have to say both. I try to develop strong characters and my story lines are not very wishy washy. There is always some sort of obstacle or major event which brings a major climax (forgive the pun LOL) to the story. I would have to say it’s a combination of strong characters in intense situations. 


Tell us about the different types of characters you like to write about? Why are these types so appealing to you?
I do have an affliction for the military, so I tend to write about them quite often. I am a complete sucker for a man in uniform. Past or present doesn’t matter, I’m pretty much putty in their hands at that point. But, shhh...don’t tell them that. No one knows. LOL.

Who is your favorite all time heroine and why does she resonate so well with you?
I’m going to cheat and choose from one of my own books. Shelby in Sweet Salvation – Sweet Awakenings 4 was a survivor. She went through more throughout her life than most would see in multiple lifetimes. Still she came through it and was a loving and positive person. She didn’t let the horrors that life dealt her tarnish who she was, instead she pressed on. I was very proud of that woman!

So who is your all time favorite hero?
Oh this is so NOT fair! I love so many of them! I can’t do it! I can’t choose! I will say that all my favorites were all military men. Call it coincidence if you will, but there is a method to my madness. ;)


Your new release Sweet Affliction is the fourth book in the series. In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind this story.
Weeks away from his retirement, Commander Nick Slater is ambushed by Mercenaries hired to kill him. A chance encounter brings AJ Harwood into Nick’s life and heart and as precious time ticks away Nick and AJ are faced with the possibility that they may lose everything in an instant.

Who is the heroine?
The heroine is AJ Harwood. She is a shy, yet somewhat headstrong young woman who is taking care of her ailing father.

What drives her?
After losing her mother at a young age, her father is all she has left. He is her best friend and confidant. His will to live as long as he can to spend time with her, gives her the strength she shows. She learned from him everything that she is. 

What is she running away from (literally or figuratively)?
She runs away from (literally) her feelings from Nick on more than one occasion. She pushes him away at every chance she has. 

What obstacles will she encounter in this story?
Her biggest obstacle, other than the men trying to kill Nick, is herself. She has never just given into her desires before. With Nick she finds it hard to ignore.

What draws her to the hero in this story?
Nick is everything she thought he wouldn’t be. He’s kind, compassionate, patient and so charming she has a hard time melting from his mere words. He’s a contradiction to his rough exterior.

What does she need to learn to make the happy ending with Nick possible?
Trust. She needs to learn to trust Nick, but most importantly, herself.

What about her will make readers sympathetic to her? Why should we like her?
I would say it’s a heartache she deals with in the book. She never has time to deal with what has happened and has to keep focused on staying alive. Many women will most likely admire her strength and determination.

Who is the hero? 
Commander Nick Slater, US Navy SEAL

What drives him?
A combination of things. Trying to survive, as well as protect his SEAL brothers and find out who is out to kill them all. 

What is he running away from (literally or figuratively)?
Nick doesn’t run away from anything. Instead he meets things head on. It’s part of his training as a SEAL and it’s who he is. He doesn’t know how to be any other way. (oh my...The Vixen is in love!)

What obstacles will he encounter in this story?
His feelings for AJ. They are unexpected and the last thing he’s looking for. Still, he doesn’t run for a challenge or a blessing. He has a fight in convincing her of what they could be, but he has talked his way out of deadly situations before. He feels confident in his abilities to convince AJ to give him a chance. 

What draws him to the heroine in this story? 
Everything about her. Her shy demeanor and sweet personality mix well with her smoldering sexiness. She is unlike any woman he’s ever come across before. 

What does he need to learn to make the happy ending with AJ possible?
He needs to learn to let others help him. His stubbornness puts him into a situation much worse than when he’s shot at the beginning of the story. If he wants a life with AJ he has to learn to listen and accept that others are willing to do for him what he would do for them. 

What makes this hero infuriating to the heroine, if anything?
His ‘never give up – the only easy day was yesterday’ attitude. It’s part of his SEAL training and mentality. He can’t help but be that way, but it drives her mad. 

What makes this hero hot and lovable?
The exact reason which infuriates her also makes her weak to him. He never gives up. Not on getting out of the situation they’re in, or on her. (Oh Mr. Nick sounds divine!)

What about him will make readers sympathetic to him?
I think getting shot at, nearly dying and losing a close friend within the first pages of the story will have just about everyone reading the story say, “that poor man”, but Nick wouldn’t want sympathy. He would want to take action. (He sounds like the sort of man a woman would want to take care of and at the same time be taken care of by him. Nicole, I think you've made The Vixen swoon!)

What message do you hope readers take away from this story? 
NEVER GIVE UP – Just like the Navy SEALs say, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday”

Is this book a part of a series?
Yes it is, this is the 4th book in the series, titled Sweet Awakenings (Navy SEALs series)



How many books to you anticipate will be in this series?
I didn’t think when I wrote book 3 that there would be a book 4, but I keep coming back to these guys. 

What are you working on now?
I’m already starting on my latest work in progress, Intimate Seductions (Book 3 in her Intimate Temptations series) – Book 2 was just released March 1st of this year.


Thank you so much for joining us today on the Sassy Vixen Blog, Nicole. Do you have a question you’d like to ask the readers to generate comments?

As a reader, do you prefer full length novels? Or are novellas, aka short stories more what you’re looking for? 

What’s coming soon for Ms. Morgan? 

Nicole has signed a contract with Silver Publishing for a series entitled, Incessant Passion. Book 1 of that series, Impetuous is still in the editing process and is expected to be released in July 14th. She has also just recently submitted book 2 in that series, Tempestuous. In addition to that Nicole has completed her first ever paranormal romance. Lastly, coming on June 19th, When Promise Meets Passion will reach the cyber shelves from Siren Bookstrand.

Sweet Affliction (MF)
Sweet Awakenings 4

DIRECT PURCHASE LINK: http://bookstrand.com/sweet-affliction 

By: Nicole Morgan | Other books by Nicole Morgan 
Word Count: 76,232
Heat Level: SCORCHING
Published By: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.

Note: 10% of the author royalties on this book will benefit nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing educational assistance and support grants to families of wounded and fallen United States Navy SEALs.

[Siren Classic: Erotic Contemporary Romance, HEA]

After spending years serving his country as a Navy SEAL, Commander Nick Slater is ready for retirement. Mercenaries hired to kill him ambush him, and his plans take a drastic turn.

AJ Harwood is facing one of the most difficult times of her life. A chance encounter with Nick Slater is the last thing she wants, yet she is thrust into his world and trapped in its surroundings.

AJ is Nick's only hope as he tries to find out who is out to kill him. With each passing day, more secrets are uncovered, and the reason behind the attack is revealed. Nick joins forces with his former teammates to find the person behind the high-priced hit put on all of their heads. As precious time ticks away, Nick and AJ are faced with the possibility that after finding each other, they may lose everything in an instant.

Where to find Nicole

Nicole's blog
Nicole's website
Nicole's Yahoo Group