Goodnight and good luck and a GIVEAWAY with Amber Lin's Giving It Up

I hope today has been fun and arousing for you. In fact, that's my wish for you for EVERY DAY, because life's more fun that way ;-)

I've posted here about my debut book, Giving It Up, including an excerpt, the book trailer and the sexy-awesome casting call. Giving It Up is an erotic book, certainly. It's also got some suspense elements. But at its heart, it's a romance, because I'm a girl who loves an happy ending!

So on that note, I'm winding down my last post of the party by giving away a copy of Giving It Up. All you have to do is post a comment telling me who you're thinking about tonight, whether they're with you or not.

Thanks for partying all day with us!

GIVING IT UP by Amber Lin

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it's not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren't enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object

“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim

“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren

“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required

“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan

“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night

“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered

Book trailer and excerpt: http://givingitupbook.com/

Author website: http://authoramberlin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

Also, be sure to check out the Giving It Up release giveaway, where you can win cool prizes whether you've read Giving It Up or not!

Casting Call for Amber Lin's Giving It Up

I've had three people say that Giving It Up should be made into a movie, and I think all three of those people are very smart and awesome ;-) Coincidence? I THINK NOT.

Well okay, there's a lot of sex. Could it work? Honestly, if they wanted to make an X-rated movie, I would not be averse ;-)

One personal actually specified that it could be made by Tim Burton, and if it were animated, that would at least solve the issue of how to get all that sexytime angst onto the big screen. Plus there's the fact that he's an all around film-making genius, so I'm sure he could make anything work.

But in the case of a regular silver screen movie, let's talk casting. First I need someone to play Allie. She's young-ish with a girl next door appeal. However, she's also a bit sarcastic at times, and brash, and VULNERABLE. Contradictions, she has them. Plus she needs to go sexpot when she's all dolled up.

I think Ellen Paige would be fantastic in this role, because she's got the perfect look and of course she's a great actress.

Colin's a little more difficult. He's really rough, looks mean and cold. Basically he's a lot more rugged than any of the guys in Hollywood :) However, someone who I think would be great in this role is Channing Tatum. He definitely has the bulk required to fit the role, and he could probably be muddied up to suit Colin's rugged appeal ;-)

I love how serious he is in that picture... *shivers*

So that was a fun trip down imaginary lane. Hmm, now I'm comparing their pictures to my book cover...what do you think? It could work, right? ;-) Don't forget to stop by my first post of the day, where you can comment to win a copy of Giving It Up.

GIVING IT UP by Amber Lin

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it's not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren't enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object

“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim

“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren

“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required

“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan

“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night

“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered

Book trailer and excerpt: http://givingitupbook.com/

Author website: http://authoramberlin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

Also, be sure to check out the Giving It Up release giveaway, where you can win cool prizes whether you've read Giving It Up or not!

A Smoking HOT Extended Excerpt from Giving It Up by Amber Lin

Welcome back to the Party Pavilion where we're sexing it up with Colin and Allie from Giving It Up. If you missed the book information, here it is:

GIVING IT UP by Amber Lin

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it's not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren't enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object

“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim

“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren

“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required

“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan

“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night

“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered

Book trailer and excerpt: http://givingitupbook.com/

Author website: http://authoramberlin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

As you can see, Allie is a trouble soul, and maybe so is Colin. Let's take a look:

There’s a certain sultry walk a woman has when she’s bare that can’t be faked. No hose and no panties. The nakedness under my skirt was as much about keeping me aroused as it was about easy access.
I’d perfected the art of fuck-me clothes. A surprising number of men asked me out, even at a grungy club on a Saturday night. Cute little college girl, they thought, out for a good time. I saved us all time by dressing my part.
Tonight’s ensemble consisted of a tight halter and short skirt with cheap, high-heeled sandals, bouncing hair, and bloodred toenails. The scornful looks of the other women didn’t escape me, but I wasn’t so different from them. I wanted to be desired, held, touched. The groping fingers might be a cheap imitation of intimacy, its patina cracked with rust and likely to turn my skin green, but they were all I deserved.
My gaze panned to the man at the bar, the one I’d been watching all night. He nursed a beer, his profile harsh against the fluid backdrop of writhing bodies. His gray T-shirt hung loose on his abs but snug around thick arms.
His expression was unreadable, but I knew what he wanted. What else was there?
He glanced over but didn’t hit on me. I didn’t know why I kept tabs on him either. I wasn’t exactly discerning. I was trolling for sex, not a life partner. There were plenty of men here, men whose blackened pasts matched my own, who’d give it to me hard.
A woman approached him. Something dark and decidedly feminine roiled up inside me.
She was hot. If he wanted to score, he probably couldn’t do better, even with me. I tried not to stare. She walked away a minute later—rejected. I felt unaccountably smug. Which was stupid, since I didn’t have him either.
Maybe no one had a chance with this guy. I was pretty enough, in a girl-next-door kind of way. Common, though, underneath my slutty trappings—brown hair and brown eyes were standard issue around here.
“Hey, beautiful.”
I glanced up to see a cute guy wearing a sharp dress shirt checking me out. Probably an investment banker or something upstanding like that. Grinning and hopeful. Had I ever been that young? No, I was probably younger. At twenty-two I felt ancient. The world had already crumbled around me and been rebuilt, brick by brick.
“Sorry, pal,” I said. “Keep moving.”
“Aww, not even one dance?”
His puppy-dog eyes cajoled a smile from me. How nice it might feel to be one of the girls with nothing to worry about except whether this guy would call tomorrow morning. But I was too broken for his easy smile. I’d only end up hurting him.
“I am sorry,” I said, wistfulness seeping into my voice. “You’ll thank me later.”
Regret panged in my chest as the crowd sucked him back in, but I’d done the right thing. Even if he were only interested in a one-night hookup, my sex was too toxic for the likes of him.
I turned back to the guy at the bar. He caught my eye, looking—if possible—surlier. Cold and mean. Perfect. I wouldn’t taint him, and he could give me what I craved. Since Tall, Dark, and Stoic hadn’t deigned to make a move on me, I would do the pursuing. A surprising little twist for the night, but I could go with it.
I squeezed in beside him at the bar. Up close his size was impressive and a little intimidating, but that only strengthened my resolve.
“Hey, tough guy,” I shouted over the din.
He looked up at me from his beer. I faltered a bit at the total lack of emotion in his face and fought an automatic instinct to retreat. His eyes were a deep brown, almost pretty, but remote and flat. Dark hair was cut short, bristly. His nose was prominent and slightly crooked, like it had been broken. Maybe more than once.
He looked mean, which was a good thing, but I was used to a little more effort. Even assholes provided a fake smile or smarmy line for the sake of the pickup. There was a script to these things, but he wasn’t playing his part.
My club persona and beer from earlier lent me confidence. Whatever was bothering him—a bad day at the construction site or maybe a fight with the old lady—I didn’t care. He was here, so he needed this as much as I did.
I planted my elbow on the bar. “I saw you looking at me earlier.”
He raised an eyebrow. I shrugged. He was making me work for it, but I found myself more amused than annoyed.
“Buy me a drink?” I asked.
He considered me, then nodded and signaled the bartender.
The beat of the club reverberated as I took a sip. “So do you talk?”
His lips twitched. “Yeah, I talk.”
“Okay.” I leaned in close to hear him better. “What do you talk about?”
He ignored my question—or maybe answered it—by asking, “What are you doing here?” Almost like he was asking something deeper, but that had to be the alcohol talking.
“I’m trying to get laid, that’s what I’m doing here.” I pulled off a breathy laugh I was pretty proud of.
He didn’t react, didn’t appear surprised or even interested, the bastard. He just looked at me. “Why?”
I decided on honesty. “Because I need it.”
He seemed to weigh the truth of my words, then nodded toward the exit. “All right, let’s go.” He got up and threw some cash on the bar.
His easy acceptance caught me off guard, just for a moment. But it shouldn’t have surprised me, because…well, because men always wanted sex. That’s what I liked about them—they didn’t even bother trying to hide it. It was worse when I hadn’t seen it coming, when it had sneaked up on me— Now wasn’t the time to think of that. It was never the right time to think of that.
He tucked his hand under my elbow, guiding me. He used his body to maneuver us through the crowd, almost as a shield. The whole thing was so gentlemanly, given what we were about to do, that I wondered if he’d heard me right. Maybe he’d want to get coffee or something, and wouldn’t that be awkward all around?
But he was a man, and I was a woman wearing fuck-me clothes—this could only end one way.
When we exited the club, I couldn’t help sucking in several deep breaths. Even the faint smell of street sewage was refreshing, washing the stench of smoke, alcohol, and countless perfumes from my lungs. I never liked the crowds. The press of bodies, the mingling smell of sweat, the small bumps from all around. Tiny violations that were somehow okay since everyone did it.
As my heart rate settled, he inspected me as if he could read me. He couldn’t. “What’s your name?” I asked to distract him.
“Colin. Yours?”
“Allie.”
“Nice to meet you, Allie. Your place or mine?”
I was comfortable again. I knew this play: horny girl who can’t wait to get naked.
“We don’t need to go anywhere. Let’s get started right here.” I let a soft moan escape me and clasped myself to the brick wall named Colin. Never mind that I was dry as a bone. He wouldn’t notice. They never did.
He raised his eyebrows. “In the parking lot?”
“Or in my car. Whatever. I just want you to do me.”
“I’m not fucking you in a car. It’s forty degrees out.”
I was hardly in this for comfort. I’d done it in colder weather just this past winter. “I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do.”
“Fine.” I was willing to give him so much. Why couldn’t he take it the way I wanted? “Then we can go to the motel over there. You’re paying.”
He didn’t look happy. I wasn’t either, but I couldn’t budge on this. Going to an apartment might be the norm for hookups, but my hookups weren’t normal.
Going to their houses where they might do God knows what was out of the question. And I wasn’t about to bring one of these guys near Bailey.
“Not there,” he said. “I’ll pick the place.”
I followed his truck in my car to a motel about ten minutes away. When I pulled in, he waved me to a parking spot next to his truck and went into the office.
The place wasn’t fancy, but the manicured shrubbery and freshly painted building proclaimed this was an entirely different kind of establishment than the dump by the club. No renting rooms by the hour here.
The sign out front advertised $119.99 a night. A typical price for Chicago, but I sweated the cost. The extravagance of my six-dollar drink from earlier paled in comparison.
What if it was too much money? I might not be worth it.
I kept watch on the frosted office door like he might disappear. Eight minutes later, he came out. My stomach clenched. He flashed a key and nodded toward the back before getting into his truck. I followed him in my car and pulled up beside him again.
It was dark back here. Deserted. The only light came from flickering, yellow lamps dimmed by tiny hordes of bugs. Scattered buildings slumbered around us like a nest of dragons, their snore the low drone from the appliances. It wasn’t exactly safe. Technically that was what I wanted, but the allure of danger only worked up to a point.
He didn’t come to my car. Instead he opened the motel room door and waited.
I could drive away. He probably wouldn’t even come after me. Even if he could, if I drove somewhere safe—assuming there was such a place—there’d be nothing he could do.
But his solemn patience gave me the courage to open the car door and join him.
The stale air and harsh edge of cleaning supplies softened me. I’d ridden along with my dad in his 18-wheeler once. He usually slept in truck stops, but with me he’d gotten motel rooms. This was just an empty room, but it felt strange to use a place for casual sex that I associated with childhood memories.
Once inside the room, I set down my purse on the floral fabric chair.
Colin reached out and trailed his finger along my jaw. His eyes, almost black in the dark motel room, searched my own. I thought he was going to fuck me then, but he said, “I’m going to make coffee.”
I blinked. Shit, coffee. “Okay.”
He went to work at the coffeemaker. Unsure of what to do, I sat down in the chair, clutching my purse in my lap like I was waiting for a doctor’s appointment instead of rough, dirty sex.
He poured a cup of coffee, adding the cream and sugar without comment, and handed it to me. I took a few sips. It soothed some of the skittishness I hadn’t realized I had. He didn’t take any for himself.
Enough of this.
I set down the cup on the cracked countertop and stood to kiss him. I started off light, teasing, hoping to inflame him. This was all calculated, a game of risk and power.
He kissed me back softly, gently, like he didn’t know we’d started playing. He held his body still, but his mouth roamed over mine, skimming and tasting.
It wasn’t a magical kiss. Angels didn’t sing, and nothing caught fire. But he wasn’t too rough or too wet or too anything, and for me it was perfection.
I rubbed against him, undulating to a rhythm born of practice. His hands came up, one to cup my face, the other around my body.
I sighed.
He walked me backward, and we made out against the round fake-wood table, his hands running over my sides, my back. Avoiding the good parts like we were two horny teenagers in our parents’ basements, new to this. I shuddered at the thought. This was all wrong. His hands were too light. I was half under him already, my hips cradling his, so I surged up and nipped at his lip. Predictably his body jerked, and he thrust his hips down onto me.
Yes. That’s what I need. I softened my body, surrendering to him.
“Bed,” he murmured against my lips.
We stripped at the same time, both eager. I wanted to see his body, to witness what he offered me, but it was dark in the room. Then he kissed me back onto the bed, and there was no more time to wonder. The cheap bedspread was rough and cool against my skin. His hands stroked over my breasts and then played gently with my nipples.
My body responded, turning liquid, but something was wrong.
I’d had this problem before. Not everyone wanted to play rough, but I was surprised that I’d misread him. His muscles were hard, the pads of his fingers were calloused. I didn’t know how he could touch me so softly. Everything about him screamed that he could hurt me, so why didn’t he?
I wanted him to have his nasty way with me, but every sweet caress destroyed the illusion. My fantasy was to let him do whatever he wanted with me, but not this.
“Harder,” I said. “I need it harder.”
Instead his hands gentled. The one that had been holding my breast traced the curve around and under.
I groaned in frustration. “What’s wrong?”
He reached down, still breathing heavily, and pressed a finger lightly to my cunt, then stroked upward through the moisture. I gasped, rocking my hips to follow his finger.
“You like this,” he said.
Yes, I liked it. I was undeniably aroused but too aware. I needed the emptiness of being taken. “I like it better rough.”
Colin frowned. My eyes widened at the ferocity of his expression.
In one smooth motion he flipped me onto my stomach. I lost my breath from the surprise and impact. His left hand slid under my body between my legs and cupped me. His right hand fisted in my hair, pulling my head back. His erection throbbed beside my ass in promise. I wanted to beg him to fuck me, but all I could do was gasp. He didn’t need to be told, though, and ground against me, using my hair as a handle.
That small pain on my scalp was perfection, sharp and sweet. Numbness spread through me, as did relief.
The pain dimmed. My arousal did too, but that was okay. I was only vaguely aware of him continuing to work my body from behind.
I went somewhere else in my mind. I’d stay that way all night.
At least that’s what usually happened.

What did you think of the excerpt? What were your impressions of Allie or Colin? Was there a certain moment when you felt like the tides turned? Don't forget to stop by my first post of the day, where a random commenter will win a copy of Giving It Up!

Also, be sure to check out the Giving It Up release giveaway, where you can win cool prizes whether you've read Giving It Up or not!

A Sexy Book Trailer To Whet Your Appetitite

Thanks for stopping by!

If this is the first post of mine that you're seeing today, be sure to visit my earlier post where I introduce my book. I'm going to keep this one short and sweet - I've got Giving It Up's hot book trailer all queued up for your viewing pleasure. I hope you're somewhere private, because I can assure you this one is not safe for work!

What feelings does the book trailer evoke for you? Do you have any predictions about the plot based on the trailer - I'd love to hear them! Don't forget to stop by my first post of the day to win a copy of Giving It Up.

GIVING IT UP by Amber Lin

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it's not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren't enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object

“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim

“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren

“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required

“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan

“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night

“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered

Book trailer and excerpt: http://givingitupbook.com/

Author website: http://authoramberlin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

Also, be sure to check out the Giving It Up release giveaway, where you can win cool prizes whether you've read Giving It Up or not!

Amber Lin's Giving It Up joins the party and... GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion! I'm so happy to be here, because everyone loves a party and this way we all get to wear our pajamas and eat ice cream. Oh, that's just me? Okay then.

My debut book, Giving It Up, came out officially two weeks ago but just hit Amazon over the Fourth of July. Honestly, I was nervous. It's an erotic romance that deals with some dark themes. Maybe even controversial. But so far the response has been AMAZING; take a look...

“Giving It Up is original, affecting, emotionally draining, but well worth reading if you are brave enough to go along for the ride.”
—Annabel Joseph, author of Comfort Object

“A ballsy departure from romantic conventions. At once gritty and tender, stark and hopeful.”
—Cara McKenna, author of Willing Victim

“Giving It Up is an erotic, compelling story that takes us to the shadowy, lonely places but doesn’t leave us there. Amber Lin shows us that romance isn’t just for the rich and shiny. Love can find its way even into the dark corners of the most damaged hearts.”
—Tiffany Reisz, author of The Siren

“This is a book you MUST read if you like gritty, edgier romance that makes you think as well as turns you on.”
—Cari Quinn, USA Today Bestselling Author of No Dress Required

“Every page is chock full of sexy, angsty must-read-moreness.”
—Karla Doyle, author of Game Plan

“Giving It Up is a gritty, real romance that deals in an honest way with what happens to sexuality in the aftermath of rape…. Read it. You won’t be sorry.”
—Ruthie Knox, author of About Last Night

“Dark and edgy…but don’t be fooled. There’s a wonderful love story running through this book. Sharp, intense writing, sexy as hell, and such a cool idea!”
—Charlotte Stein, author of Sheltered

Hopefully you have read some of these authors (AND IF YOU HAVEN'T GO READ THEM) because they are fabulous writers and I'm so honored that they liked my book as well. Hopefully their generous words buttered you lovely readers up as we move into the book description portion of the post.

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it’s not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mindblowing orgasms aren’t enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

So here's my question for you guys. Don't worry, I realize it's morning so I'm going to make it really easy. As Cari Quinn said, do you like gritty romance that makes you think as well as turns you on? As Annabel Joseph said, are you brave enough to go along for the ride?

If the answer is yes in the comments, you'll be entered to win a copy of Giving It Up! Good morning to you too ;-)

Book trailer and excerpt: http://givingitupbook.com/

Author website: http://authoramberlin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authoramberlin

Also, be sure to check out the Giving It Up release giveaway, where you can win cool prizes whether you've read Giving It Up or not!

Jianne Carlo - The Call of a Soul Excerpt – Adult Content – Erotic Contemporary Paranormal Suspense

The Call of a Soul Blurb:

Mike risks everything to protect Melanie from the killer stalking her beloved black bears. Melanie knows the perfect bait to find the murderer – her - a maggishahwi who hears the last call of a soul.

Genre: Erotic, contemporary paranormal suspense: m/f

Price: $7.99

Buy Link: http://www.loose-id.com/White-Wolf-2-The-Call-of-a-Soul.aspx

Also available at: Amazon, B&N, ARe, Fictionwise, and others.

The Call of a Soul Excerpt – Adult Content – Erotic Contemporary Paranormal Suspense

“I apologize. I was totally out of line.”

Mike.

Her heartbeat went into overdrive. Melanie clutched her chest. Anger came to the rescue. She spun around. “Apology not accepted. You were plain mean and nasty. Just because you’re worth a fortune doesn’t give you the right to treat people like that.”

“I only ever apologize once, Melanie. And I never say anything I don’t mean.” Mike folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.

He knew her first name? Doc G. must’ve told him. She fought the fluttery belly quivers that always assailed her in his presence. Jutted the jaw Mama said was too square for any female. “Fine. Apology accepted. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

“Doc G.’s closing up. He says he’ll do the autopsy tomorrow. I’ll be here for it.”

Nooo. What in heck is wrong with Doc G.? Melanie gritted her teeth. Why did Mike want to see the autopsy?

“Do you want to wash up?” Mike angled his head toward the sink to the right. “I’ll drop you home. Doc got a call from Jim Balden. He thinks his mare’s dropping the foal tonight.”

So not what she needed. Or wanted. Mike Dorland driving her to the reservation and seeing the broken-down three-bedroom shack the White family occupied. Poor and proud and shunned, even by the rest of the tribe. Melanie straightened her shoulders. Tough titties. She was what she was and wasn’t nothin’ nohow going to change that.

“I’ll call a cab.” She made to move around him, and he caught her hand and drew close.

Too close.

He smelled like paradise. Like a warm sea so blue and clear and sparkling it hurt to breathe and see when you stared at the glinting waters. Like equatorial sun baking her skin and raising a hot sweat. Like a tropical breeze whipping exotic aphrodisiacs every which way and creaming her sex.

“Little idiot. I bet you intend to walk the fifteen miles. You always did act as if I stunk up your air.”

Had the floor turned liquid? No, her knees had. She grabbed the counter and tried to shake off the thick fingers circling her wrist in a steely but somehow gentle grip. “Stunk up my air?”

“Half-breed not good enough for a full-blooded Cwaatchii? For the daughter of a Ska Awhi? For the granddaughter of Ixota Migziwa?” His nose was so close she had to blink to get his features in focus.

Her mouth opened. Nothing came out. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

“That’s it.” He picked her up and jammed her against the wall. Her face was level with his. Then he kissed her, and the world turned upside down and inside out. He tasted of all her pumpkin-coach dreams, of all her tortured teenaged visions of knights, rescue, and happy every after, of every single, furtive pleasuring of herself with his image in her head. Smoky, citrusy, and stomach-clenching delicious.

His hold on her firmed. His arm went around her waist, and when he nudged her legs apart, she surrendered. Worked her fingers into the silk of his hair and kissed him back, touching her tongue to his.

“Melanie? Mike?

“Melanie?

“Mike?”

The raised voice boomeranged around her brain insistently.

A door banged.

The loud crack pierced her carnal haze.

Doc G.? Oh no.

She tore away from Mike. “Put me down.”

When he didn’t react, she shoved at him and hissed. “Now.”

The minute her feet touched the ground, she took off, doing a frantic roadrunner imitation down the hallway, and rasped out words as they formed in her head. “Coming, Doc G. Mike said Jim’s Whisper might drop her foal tonight. You promised I’d get to assist you. I’m holding you to that.”

She screeched to a halt seconds before bumping into the vet, her sneakers making that blackboard-chalk sound that grated already raw nerves to shreds. Praying the burn in her cheeks didn’t mean she wore a fierce blush, Melanie gave Doc G. the pleading look he never could resist. “You did promise, Doc G., and more than once.”

“Young lady, you have a day job.” Doc G. wagged a finger at her. “What time’s your shift tomorrow?”

No way was she going to be stuck in a car with Mike for fifteen agonizing miles. Not after she’d thrown herself at him. Melanie bared her teeth in what she hoped passed for a smile and lied like a shaggy rug. “I’m on the evening shift tomorrow. Don’t start till four. What do you need me to get ready?”

Doc G. spun around, and Melanie followed in his wake, their footsteps echoing on the tiled floor. He halted in the middle of the waiting room. His tall, solid form dwarfed the five single chairs tucked around the far corner. Melanie folded her arms and waited.

“Everything’s in the pickup. Whisper’s been looking like she’s about to drop for the last few days, and I stocked up midweek.” Doc G. winked at her. “How can any man say no to such a pretty little thing, huh, Mike?”

She hadn’t even realized Mike had followed them back to the reception area.

“Beyond me.” Mike had a deep, scratchy voice that did strange things to her insides. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lean one shoulder on the door frame. The man epitomized the phrase wicked sexy with those silver eyes, ridged cheekbones, and the inky curls that brushed wide shoulders. “The last thing I’d ever do is say no to Melanie.”

“Is that right?” Doc’s hazel gaze fixed on Mel and then focused above her head on Mike. “You two’d make great babies.”

Suck me to the earth’s molten core and cinder me to a crisp.

I’m celebrating The Call of a Soul’s release on March 6, 2012 with a contest today.

Answer the question at the end of each post today and you’re entered in a drawing for a $20 Amazon gift certificate and a copy of one of my books. Answer either in a comment or email to me at: jianne@jiannecarlo.com, but make sure to specify your email address. Winner(s) will be announced on my website on Tuesday. Contest entries close on Monday, March 5, 2012 at midnight.

Question # 2: What did Doc G promise Melanie?

Cheers,

Jianne

P.S. Make sure you check out my KINDLE FIRE CONTEST – details at www.jiannecarlo.com

Westerns -- Yeeha!

Come on, admit it. Who can resist a historical western film?

Clint Eastwood might have said, "Make my day" as Dirty Harry, but I love re-watching Hang 'Em High, The Outlaw Josie Wales and A Mule for Sister Sarah (hilarious with Shirley MacLaine.) I also love watching the Duke spar with Maureen O'Hara in McClintock! (just as feisty a pairing as in The Quiet Man) and Newman and Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I enjoyed some of the newer films like Hidalgo and Appaloosa with Viggo Mortenson, 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe, and of course the new version of True Grit with Jeff Bridges.

In fact, it seems westerns are trickling back -- mostly in film or on cable TV. When was the last good TV western you've seen on the regular channels? Go back further... Remember seeing Tom Berenger in Peacemakers? No?? Not surprising, that was eight years ago and Deadwood was far more popular. As well as Firefly... a mix of western and science fiction. That show could be the reason why they tried (and mostly failed) with Cowboys and Aliens. Some people enjoyed it, though. (I'm not naming names!)

But there's really good news.

Westerns--from straight historical to romance to blended genres like Double Crossing (historical, western, suspense, mystery, hint of romance)  have ALWAYS been available on bookshelves and for your Kindle! So get reading and indulge! Bury yourself in the past, without living with the inconveniences of outdoor plumbing, the lack of air conditioning, antibiotics, washing machines or dishwashers, computers, telephones, automobiles. You can imagine the constant dust from dirt roads, the overpowering scent of horse and cow manure, the meat on the hoof instead of wrapped in shiny cellophane, the fresh-from-the-garden pesticide-free produce... well, you get the idea.

Here's what a few readers are saying about DOUBLE CROSSING:

“Fast paced and thrilling to read. The history angle is so well developed and researched that I found myself lost in the train from another century… so many smaller added details that made this book leap off the page. A definite page turner…” Jacque Stengal, Good Family Reads

“…vivid and compelling… exciting and harrowing moments that had me holding my breath with anticipation or gasping in shock.” Romance Junkies Reviewer

"…the adventure plotline is well drawn, with twists and turns like a mountain railroad, and the characters are a crafted balance of believable, historically accurate, and sympathetic. Mims treats the setting as an extra character, with well-crafted descriptions of actual places that are accurate to the time period. Her writing is elegant and easy to read…” Gunnar Grey, Mysteries and Histories Blog


Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment, friend me on Facebook or follow my tweets! Check out my website by clicking here. You'll find my book trailer there, some great links and a lot more.

Enjoy Double Crossing -- and keep a spur handy!

Contest Time!

How about a contest? The first person to email me the name Robert Weller gives his inner voice in Brainstorm wins an eBook copy of the novel!  How are you gonna do that without first buying the book, you ask? Simple: you can view the first 20% of the book on Amazon or Smashwords.com for free! Check it out, track down the answer and email it to me at gordon@gordonkessler.com. Then, don't forget to read the entire book and give me a great review on Amazon, Smashwords.com, iBooks, eBooks, Borders and/or Barnes & Noble, etc. You know the drill!
To Find Brainstorm on Kindle, go to: BRAINSTORM (Daniel McMaster Series), and on Smashwords, go to: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61873?ref=readersmatrix . Thanks!

Brainstorm now for only $.99

I'm so looking forward to this blog tour.  I have a book trailer that Goddess Fish is just finishing up for me—I  can't wait to show it off.  The audiobook is on it's way, produced by my good friend and voice talent Mike Lamb—it's sounding ger-rate! And...I'm so excited about the book blog tour that I've just dropped the prices on all three of my thriller novels to $.99—that's right: Jezebel, Dead Reckoning and Brainstorm are all on sale for $.99!  But get aboard fast. This ship is sailing and you won't see these novels this low again!

Thanks for hosting my BRAINSTORM blog party!

I'm excited about my first blog tour! My thanks to the ladies at Goddess Fish for putting this together.

But I'm even more excited about my latest thriller novel Brainstorm. I've already gotten some great reviews from two of the hottest NY Times Bestselling thriller writers, Douglas Preston and James Rollins. Doug said it is "An outstanding Novel" and Jim said "...a kick-ass adventure story."  You'll find their complete reviews online.

Brainstorm is not just a thriller.  Besides some great actions scenes, there's a deep-rooted romance that the story hinges on—all that and a mystery that readers won't guess until the end, even though it's well seeded along the way. So, don't cheat and go to the last page before it's time—you'll miss out on a lot of fun.

Researching this story was mind-blowing.  I've used this information to flesh out the story, including secret government projects and futuristic weapons as well as nonlethals. Imbedding this research into the heavy drama of the plot, I pushed my characters to the limit, both physically and emotionally. And it all wraps up in an incredible race that I hope makes everyone's heart pound.

Please read Brainstorm (price dropped to $.99 for the blog tour!) and let me know what you think. I'd love to read your comments—send them to me at gordon@gordonkessler.com. And don't forget to check out my other thrillers Jezebel and Dead Reckoning—as well as a couple of shorts I wrote.  Happy reading!