Vera Carrington loves her newly renovated home and her cafe, The Bean, but with a balloon mortgage looming over head and a man from her past ready to bounce on her misfortune, she may have to face the agonizing decision of keeping one and selling the other.
Deputy Sheriff, Ryan Colton, is a new man in Christ. His days as a flamboyant pro-circuit skier are behind him, but to help Vera keep her home and her business, he agrees to coach her for an upcoming open ski tournament. He even agrees to hand over the purse if he should win.
Can Vera beat the odds and win the tournament? Will Ryan save the day, or will they both learn to trust God, no matter the outcome?
Review
Harte’s Peak by Maria Michaels was such a fun book to read. From the first page right up until the last page I didn’t want to put this book down. I loved the characters in this book in fact I loved everything about this book & the authors writing. I also loved that they brought the story back to go throughout and made me realize that anything is possible if you trust in God.
Excerpt
Vera served dinner at the counter, and they ate on the kitchen stools. No need to get fancy with Ryan. This wasn’t a date, and she wanted to make that clear.
Men like Ryan, church-going men, were to be her friends and nothing more. Even if those brown eyes, that devastating smile, and his athletic form reminded her that once she’d thought him a very attractive man.
A little too handsome maybe. She’d quickly placed him in the compete-with mirror-time category, but tonight it seemed she might have been wrong all along.
“This is delicious,” Ryan said.
He must have meant it because he cleaned his plate. She’d forgotten how satisfying it was to cook a meal for someone who appreciated it. “Thanks.”
“Maybe you should open that restaurant.” Ryan rose and took his plate to the sink.
In the sudden, gaping silence, Ryan seemed to regret his words. “I’m sorry. I know times are hard for everyone. Every business owner in town is struggling.”
Vera winced. She could ski with the wind and cook like a chef. “I don’t need your pity. The café is doing great.”
“That’s kind of what I thought. So tell me, why this urgency to get your hands on the top prize of twenty-five thousand dollars?”
When her dreams of achieving Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status were dashed, Maria Michaels tackled her first book in 2010, and now the people and voices that occupy her head refuse to leave.
She no longer sings unless you count randomly bursting into song to annoy her children (and the dogs).
Maria lives in northern California with her family, including two beagles, one who can say ‘hello’ and the other who can feel a pea through several pillows.
Title: Blackness Awaits (Book #2 of the Blackness Series)
Author: Norma Jeanne Karlsson
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Thriller
Release Date: April 2014
Hosted By: Book Promotions by Literary Nook
Synopsis
As he enters the room looking like death personified, lifeless and haunting, she knows…blackness awaits.
Aaron Kavanagh is not to be trifled with. He’s powerful, commanding, fierce and currently homicidal. The only thing that matters in Kavanagh’s world is Shannon Kelly. She’s the beat of his heart (yes he has one) and the peace to the fury that constantly simmers within him. Without her, his life is empty and barren. Someone took what is his and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
Dylan Kellerman is lost. The love of his life has been ripped from him, leaving a tattered tortured shell of a man. On the brink of murderous insanity he must battle to find Shannon, even if she hates him. Dylan has betrayed her and he knows she won’t forgive his indiscretions. None of that matters now. All that matters is finding her. As long as she’s safe Dylan can continue to live a sad wasted existence without her by his side. Shannon brought Dylan back to life, without her in the world he’ll cease to exist.
Shannon Kelly is gone. Stolen from her home and loved ones, she must now fight. Fighting has never been an issue for her, but this is a new opponent that she isn’t prepared for…her past. When every reality she thought she knew is called into question, Shannon learns her life isn’t what she thought it was. With the promise of a future with Dylan stolen from her before her world implodes, Shannon must rely on the family that has protected her for the last thirteen years to come for her. She won’t win this fight on her own…Shannon is going to lose.
Excerpt
Kavanagh
I’m going to commit murder. I can feel it in my bones, in my pulse, in each breath I take. I’m pretty sure O’Sullivan, Cal, and Aidan are on board with my plan. Kid went upstairs with Kellerman and twenty minutes later Taylor dropped his bomb. Kellerman got a fucking chick pregnant when he was in Seattle. I don’t know specific dates on when he and Kid became a couple, but I know he was all over her shit and fully warned before he went back to Seattle in October. Yeah, I’m going to commit murder. We have to get Kid out of here before we beat his head in.
“Make sure Kid’s not in the room for this shit,” I say to whoever’s listening. I get chin lifts in response. O’Sullivan has been cracking his knuckles and pumping his fists since we saw the first picture of Kellerman and that chick. She’s cute…that’s about all I can say about her. She’s nothing compared to Kid. Kellerman must be a fucking idiot. The blood is rushing past my eardrums with such force I don’t hear Kid and Kellerman come down the stairs. I’m barely aware of the Army vs. Navy game on the TV. The four of us turn to look at them as Kellerman starts to talk.
“I beyond fucked up today guys,” Kellerman tries to grovel. “I feel like total shit about it and I can assure you, I’ll never let anything go that far again. I love Kid more than I can even tell you guys and I know you all love her just as much. I meant what I told Kav all those weeks ago. If I hurt her I’d deliver myself to you all willingly. I’m here and I deserve whatever you wanna give me. I was wrong.” I stand up and move toward Kellerman never looking at Kid. Kid keeps her fingers interlaced with his and I want to break everyone of his as they touch her. I won’t do anything to him while she’s here. I won’t put her in the middle like those two pricks did earlier. I can feel Kid’s eyes on me while the guys approach my back.
“Kid go to the office and talk to Taylor,” I order without looking at her. Kellerman maintains eye contact with me, not in a confrontational way…he doesn’t know what’s coming.
“Kavy,” Kid warns.
“Kid, we need Kellerman alone for a few minutes. You need to leave,” O’Sullivan orders her from behind my back.
“Go ahead Kiddo. I’ll be fine,” Kellerman soothes her. I’m going to break that jaw he’s working.
Kid turns to walk away, and I relax a little that she isn’t putting up more of a fight. Too soon was I relieved, because she stops and turns back around.
“Guys, I know this is a man thing that I’m not a part of. But you all are my family…Kel included. He’s my future now too guys. I’m no cake walk to be with, but he’s fightin’ for me like only you guys have. Think about that before you do anything stupid,” she pleads before turning and walking away. She won’t feel that way after she talks to Taylor. I hate that she’ll be hurt, but she deserves to know.
Once she rounds the corner and I hear the office shut it takes everything I’ve got in me not to launch at this motherfucker.
“Pool house,” I growl at him. He nods and moves toward the back door. I can’t risk Kid hearing us so the pool house is the best place to get this done. Once Taylor dropped this shit storm at our feet he told us he’d explain things to Kid while we dealt with Kellerman. I don’t know how long we have, but getting out of the house buys us more time.
We enter the pool house. Kellerman goes in first followed by me, the guys trailing. No one says a word. Kellerman stops in the middle of the room. His head is held high, but I can see he’s apprehensive. I’d be scared fucking shitless facing us in a room.
“We’re gonna kick the livin’ shit outta you,” I inform him in a growl resembling English. “Then you’re gonna pack your shit, get on a plane, and crawl back to Seattle.” His face is calm and collected with the first sentence, strained and confused at the last.
“What’re you talkin’ about back to Seattle?” Kellerman asks.
“You think we’re gonna let you stick around and go back and forth? Kid deserves better than that and you fuckin’ know it,” Aidan seethes moving to my right. Aidan’s a big motherfucker. I’ve never seen him as pissed as he is right now, scary isn’t the right word.
“Back and forth?” Kellerman repeats.
“This is not Sesame Street motherfucker. You heard him,” Cal jumps to his brother’s side. Cal can go off the rails but it’s rare. He’s the calmest of our bunch, but he’s hell on wheels when he gets going. O’Sullivan moves to my left and I can feel the fury oozing from every inch of him. He’s a fighter through and through. I have no doubt that he can, and will, end Kellerman. Kid’s the soft spot for all of us and we would all gladly sacrifice anything for her.
“I’m startin’ to feel like I don’t know what’s goin’ on,” Kellerman says as he looks at all our raging expressions.
“He explained it,” O’Sullivan says motioning to me. “Don’t see the problem.” He’s so furious I’m surprised he can form words much less sentences.
“I get the ass beating. I put my hands on her and shouldn’t have. I’m down for whatever you four got planned. I’m not fuckin’ leavin’ Kid though. I don’t know what makes you think I would leave her, but I’m stayin’.” Kellerman’s confident as he talks. I have no doubt he’ll take the beating, but he’s not making Kid a stepmom or taking her away from us to Seattle that’s for damn sure. She deserves the world not some slut’s sloppy seconds.
“Fuck this shit,” O’Sullivan roars and lunges at Kellerman. He lands a brutal right hook along Kellerman’s jaw, snapping his head to the side. Kellerman stumbles but doesn’t go down. O’Sullivan is a man possessed now that he’s started. He grabs Kellerman’s shirt to hold him in place as he repeatedly crushes his face. Kellerman doesn’t fight back.
“Fight back you pussy!” O’Sullivan screams as he releases Kellerman’s shirt only to connect a left cross splitting the skin below his eye. Stumbling back Kellerman falls to the floor. He’s breathing hard as he stays down.
“Who’s next?” Kellerman asks without a hint of snark. He’s really going to let the four of us beat his ass. We’ll kill him. He looks done after O’Sullivan; the three of us on top of it is too much. I have to be the voice of reason in the room as I see Aidan making his way toward him.
“He’s had enough,” I state firmly. Aidan snaps his head back to me with a look of shock on his face.
“You’re lettin’ him off that easy Kavanagh?” Aidan grumbles.
“He’s gotta be able to walk through the airport.”
“I’m not goin’ to the airport,” Kellerman mumbles spitting blood into his shirt. This sets me off.
I pick Kellerman up by the throat and pin him against the wall squeezing as I speak, “You will get your sorry ass on a plane. Today! She’s had enough pain in this life, you motherfuckin’ piece of shit.” I squeeze harder the more I speak, because the more I speak the more infuriated I’m becoming. “If you think for a second I’m gonna let you take her from me, you’re sadly mistaken. What she’s learnin’ today about you, you dickless fuck, is gonna wreck her. Get outta this fuckin’ city today or we’re comin’ for you.” I squeeze one more time before I let him drop. He slides down the wall gasping for air, coughing and choking.
“I’m not leavin’ her,” Kellerman gasps out. Aidan hurls forward and kicks him over and over and over in the torso.
“You fuckin’ are!” Aidan screams as he lays his final blow. Kellerman falls to the side spitting out blood from what I’m guessing is some internal damage at this point. Maybe we are going to commit murder. This motherfucker seems intent on dying in our pool house.
“Not,” Kellerman mumbles before he passes out.
“What the fuck?!” Cal bellows. “Is he insane? Why’s he lettin’ this go on?”
Aidan bends down and starts checking Kellerman’s vitals. His doctor brain must have just kicked in gear. No pun intended (maybe a little pun intended).
“Guessin’ his spleen is damaged maybe his liver too,” Aidan explains without much concern in his voice while standing up. “We need to decide what we’re doin’ here.”
“Wait for him to wake up. See where his head’s at,” I say. I can’t put him over my shoulder and walk him out in front of Kid. He has to leave on his own. We all sit around the breakfast table and stare at Kellerman waiting for his pathetic ass to wake up.
Author Bio
Blackness Takes Over is Norma Jeanne’s debut novel. What began as an homage to the home town of a homesick Midwestern girl, unfolded a story of love, danger, humor, and trust. She’s currently working on her untitled sophomore effort. We can’t wait to see what thrilling saga she leads us through next!
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Norma Jeanne recently found herself relocating to the United Kingdom. Now living in Belfast, she took hold of the opportunity to kick the 9-5 job for a chance to become an author. The best part: working from her home office, she gets to spend more time with her cast of crazy characters (written and real).
In her free time Norma Jeanne is a voracious reader and consumes books as readily as meals. She is a people watcher by nature and uses her experiences in life, observed or otherwise, to build the worlds and characters that thrive in her books. A believer in the strength of the human spirit, Norma Jeanne writes the stories of people that persevere when all appears to be lost.
“Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” –Dylan Thomas
Polite conversation and gracious manners wouldn’t benefit her in a world of raunchy innuendoes and vulgar requests. Country club attitudes didn’t belong in private chat rooms and back room parlors.
Rated M for Mature
Due to strong language and sexual content, this material is not suitable for readers under 18+
M/F, F/F, M/F/F, Bondage
Divorced, unemployed and on the verge of bankruptcy, Megan Matthews is desperate for quick cash.
When a friend suggests the world of video sex chat, Megan is forced to decide. Can she trade gracious, country club conversations for raunchy innuendos and vulgar requests?
When you’ve spent your entire life playing by the rules, breaking them can be sinfully delicious.
Teaser
“I didn’t want to be responsible for stealing your innocence.”
“You can’t steal something I willingly give.”
“I know that now, but more than anything, I wanted to shield you from me, from the industry, from worldly corruption. You’re everything I’ll never be, Megan.”
“But you’re everything I want to be,” she whispered. Scooting closer, she wrapped her fingers in his hair. “You’re generous, kind hearted, loving, and honest. You’re gentle yet aggressive, bold yet secretive. I didn’t tell you how I felt about you because I didn’t think I was your type.”
“You’re too good for me.”
“And you for me.”
His heart cartwheeled. If this wasn’t love, then it didn’t exist.
Author Info
It’s just crazy weird to talk about myself in third person so I’ll keep it real with fun facts.
Things you may or may not want to know:
1.) I live in small town Texas but wish the town was smaller.
2.) If you can make me laugh I’m a friend for life.
3.) I also write under another pen name.
4.) I’m in love with the idea of love but think sex is easier.
5.) I’m a Scorpio.
That’s me in a nutshell. No fanfare, no upsell, just me.
Sliding Into Black by T. L. Kitae was an intriguing book to read. I am still not sure what about this book made me keep reading but I didn’t want to put it down after I started reading it. The author writing and characters caught me from the very start and kept my attention right through until the end. I am glad that this is only book one because I can’t wait to read the other books in the series. I also can’t wait to check out the other books by this author!
During the cultural revolution of the 1960’s and ’70’s, the war in Vietnam continued, daily casualties calmly reported on the evening news. Shaw, a brilliant ex-Navy Seal, has managed to come home alive after two tours in Vietnam and is now involved in black ops with Naval Intelligence, stationed in the exotic Hawaiian Islands.
The revolution had evolved into social and anti-war protests, rock ‘n roll, drugs, feminism, burn-your-bras, and casual sex, arriving in Hawaii as tradewinds of change.
An unorthodox romance springs up between Shaw and Marie, his boss’s daughter. From the moment they meet, sparks fly and the erotic heat between them runs as hot as the lava streaming from Hawaii’s volcano, Kilauea.
Thus, the first installment of the Sliding into Black trilogy begins.
“I go back to the wind blowing my long, blonde hair around me, the delicious feeling of speed, top down on our GTO.
Young, with no sense of mortality – after all, we have everything that life has to offer in front of us.
Spring break and we’re heading to my best friend, Jen’s family condo at Myrtle Beach. Yes, yes, yes – an hour away from a needed break from the university, lectures and oh, god, the research papers! Chris and I have been going out together for over a year, exclusively for a few months. We enjoy the same things, are study buddies, come from the same small town – basically we’re best friends with benefits. We agree, it’s not love, but damn, the sex is fantastic! There doesn’t seem to be any end to the white-hot sexual attraction we have. We can’t keep our hands and lips off each other. We’re like moths to a flame.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Tough question! I am an avid, maybe even rabid book reader! So here goes, not in any particular order, and not any favorite over the other.
1) The Bone Bed, Patricia Cornwell. I love her characters, how they seem to stand in front of you, and the intricate details that she weaves into every book.
2) Bonnie, Iris Johansen. Ms. Johansen’s work fascinates me and Eve is an irrestible character.
3) Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb. Love, love, love everything that Norah Roberts aka J.D. Robb writes. All of her characters are ultra-cool and the plots well defined.
4) Feastday of Fools, James Lee Burke. Mr. Burke has a unique writing style that is amazing in it’s descriptiveness and detail. Every word leaps off the page and a picture starts forming immediately of each character, location, and each action.
5) A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin (all 4 books). Epic story telling, like watching a movie in your head.
These are just newer books, there are many, many other authors and classics that beguile me.
How do you approach cover design?
This is a great question because personally, the cover of a book will attract me first as I am a visual person and learner. First the cover needs to pull me in and second, I like interesting pictures or drawings and hope that they give me a hint of what’s inside. For Sliding into Black, it was imperative to show a Hawaiian beach, then hopefully a Shaw and Maria. It came together well!
What do you read for pleasure?
Fantasies, Science Fiction, Mysteries and Erotic Romances.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Right now, a Kindle Fire. Love it!
Describe your desk
My desk is a mess. But don’t touch it! Each stack means something and only I know what it is!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was a semi-military brat, lived all over the U.S. and Hawaii. So far, there is nowhere that has beat Hawaii for overall climate, beaches, things to do and see, and wonderful warm people! Hawaii has influenced my life more than anyplace I lived, except for twenty years on a horse and cattle farm. I loved writing the first book of the Sliding into Black trilogy with Hawaii as the setting – so romantic!
When did you first start writing?
I started writing as a child, mostly diaries and journals. As I progressed through school, several teachers told me that I should consider writing as a profession. But life happens. Now I have the chance to write books and am loving every minute of it.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Sharing thoughts, ideas and introducing people to new places or bringing back memories for them. Of course, there is always a release. Writing can be cathartic.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans are why I write. They let you know what they like and what they don’t pretty quick and I love the feedback – take every bit to heart and apply to the next book. You can’t grow without praise and constructive criticism. I appreciate every fan!
What are you working on next?
Book 2 of the Sliding into Black trilogy. What’s going on with Shaw? What will Marie do? So much fun!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My family, my cat and my horses!
Three couples, all friends from college on a road trip for that much needed spring break. Somehow Chris and I have gotten ahead of the rest of the kids, so we take advantage of the moment. I slide my tongue into Chris’s ear, down his neck, under his long blonde hair and down to his nipple.
Lightly I bite his nipple and circle it with my tongue, lovingly tasting the salt from his sweat.”
T.L. Kitae is a retired journalist and magazine publisher residing in Asheville, N.C. Unable to sit still for long, she writes and attends school full time to obtain her long awaited Registered Nursing degree and license.
She is married to her long time sweetheart, enjoys riding her two horses, has a silly cat, and loves spending time with her daughter and son-in-law.
Currently she is working on Book 2 of the Sliding into Black Trilogy.