I want my Internet! by Vonnie Davis

I hate confessing that I'm hooked on something, like sweet tea or chocolate or internet service. But, thanks to Comcast, I've been offline for 5 days and have another 7 to wait for a technician to show up to figure out what's gone wrong.  I might be breaking out in hives.

"My name is Vonnie Davis and I'm an Internet-holic."

Odd that it stopped working a day before I got a recorded message that their equipment showed a problem in my line or my house and to call the number they gave or I might lose service. I smelled something rotten in Denmark as I dialed the number. Dollar signs floated in my vision field--and they were floating away from me, not toward me.

The Indian service rep assured me in a heavy accent that this was not a hoax as I suggested. He promised me their service wouldn't cost me a penny. Maybe so, but how many dollars was I going to have to pay? I mean, when has Comcast done anything for free?

So I have no internet at the house, nor can I watch Netflix on the TV since it requires access to show movies and old TV shows. I'm writing this poor excuse of a blog at MickyD's, using their free wifi.

Internet is my pathway to the outside world. It's how I keep in touch with so many writer friends. I miss it terribly. Yes, I am hooked on social media. *Hangs head in shame!* How did this happen? I'm a sensible person. Really.

Meanwhile I've been updating, rewriting, fixing shallow point of view in a Kindle Worlds novella. I've changed out any references to the Kindle World it was part of and placed it as book number 3 of my "Black Eagle Ops" series. Random House published the first two books of the series and decided they didn't want book 3. I'll have 4, maybe 5 by the time I'm finished self-publishing the complete series. Random House has given me their blessing to use the logo they'd created. Rights to the series after book 2 are mine. So, I'm busy making this novella book length. The cover has been redesigned to omit any reference to Omega Squad and Kindle Worlds.

Wish me luck. I've been working on it from word one all week and only added 4000 or so words. Like Robert Frost "I have miles to go before I sleep."

I’M HELLBENT by Vonnie Davis

One of my series—Black Eagle Ops—has a former SEAL as its commander. Zane Quinlan’s ranch in the Hill Country of Texas is the team’s headquarters. In former books, ZQ was a bit of a matchmaker for his former servicemen and women who came to Black Eagle Ranch. Most brought along their snarly attitudes and PTSD. Some their new limbs. All packed their enduring patriotic spirits.

I took a chance writing these books in three point-of-views: the heroine’s, the hero’s, and ZQ’s. Soon I started getting emails from readers. “When would ZQ get his romance and his mother, known as Junebug, the grandchildren she wanted so badly?”

ZQ’s story would have to be special. He’d been married to the military, retired and returned to the ranch when he learned his dad had cancer, and continued running the spread as his former team slowly trickled in for a quiet place to heal.

Desiree Holt was gathering authors for her next twelve Omega Team release for Kindle Worlds. I asked if I could bring my Black Eagle Ops men along. She agreed.

Running boots sounded behind him. “ZQ! Wait up.”

Dammit! Can’t I have a few effingg minutes to myself to process?

JJ grabbed his other hand and took his pulse. “Are you feeling okay? You’re so pale? Athena yelled for me, said you stumbled around and seemed disoriented. That’s not like you. Pulse is rapid. Skin clammy.” He passed ZQ a bottle of water. “Drink.” He glanced around and pointed to the park across the street. “Let’s grab a bench.”

He shook his head and walked on. “Nah. I’m good. Just need some fresh air.”

JJ matched him stride for stride. “You know, ZQ, you can’t bullshit an old bullshitter. Do you know how many times I’ve told people I was fine when I was a heartbeat away from ripping things apart? I’m getting a strong vibe you’re hanging on by a thread. What’s wrong?” JJ grabbed his commander’s elbow and marched him across the street to the quiet park.

“I’ve just been hit with some unexpected news and need a break from everyone to think.” Maybe JJ would take the hint and go away.

“Good thing I’m not everyone, ZQ. I have secrets only you know. So I’m willing to listen to yours and keep them to myself. That’s the kind of brothers we are, man. Salt and pepper.”

“Not in the mood for sharing. Not yet.” Why would Rose name her kid after the name I used with her? Is her child mine? He did some quick math calculations.  “Did you hear me? Go back to Grey’s place.”

“Not happening. You need someone to talk to. What made you go pale? Athena said you scared the crap outta her. I get the feeling it takes a lot to rattle that woman.”

What the hell. He and JJ had talked about a lot of stuff during the time he’d been at the ranch. After gulping a long drink of water, he leaned back on the bench and took a deep breath. “I’m a sexual Dominant.”

“Yeah, the team’s already figured that much out.”

“My enjoyment of a little kink is none of the team’s business. Once I was assigned to SEAL Team Five, based out of Coronado, I joined a BDSM club there. I mostly did scenes, always keeping my eye out for a favorite. You know, someone whose kink matched mine.” ZQ smiled and hitched a shoulder.

“Then one night, I met Rose. We meshed like ice cream and chocolate syrup. Because of my rank and level of security I held, I’d bastardized my last name. Everyone at the club knew me simply as Quinn. Looks like Rose did the same with her last name.”

JJ placed his elbows on his spread thighs and hung his head. “Don’t tell me. Ivy Rosemoor is your Rose? Hell, man, are you gonna be able to keep your mind focused on the mission?”

“I’ll have to to bring her back.” He tipped the bottle to his mouth and guzzled some more.

“Let me check your pulse again.” JJ pressed two fingers against ZQ’s neck. “It’s not as rapid. What broke you two up?”

“She knew I was a SEAL. I’d told her that much, but not that I was a team commander. You know how that shit works, the higher I rose in rank, the more confidential information I was privy to. I didn’t want to leave my security clearance open or vulnerable. Initially she told me she was a college student, but I thought she was a little old for that.” He shrugged. “I just figured we both had details we needed to keep private.

“Later she told me she was a law student, preparing to take her bar exams. She told me in confidence. Some people worry about being blackmailed because of their sexual lifestyle. Don’t know if it’s ever happenes, but—”

ZQ glanced away and exhaled a long breath. “Everything was great between us. Then orders came for Team Five to go to Afghanistan to take out a group of Taliban hiding in the mountains of Hindu Kush. I had a separate phone I used only for Rose. I gave her one for me. This kept our relationship totally separate from our public lives. We liked being in our own private cocoon.

“I texted her that my job was taking me away for a while and I didn’t know when I’d be back. I told her to always remember how much she meant to me. Then I texted her after our arrival and told her we were in the back half-acre of hell, setting up camp. I asked her if she missed me and to send me a selfie.”

ZQ stretched his long legs and took a deep breath. “Eager for her reply, I put the phone on a pile of rocks near our command tent where we had intermittent wireless Internet. I turned and saw Two Packs needed help digging a hole for the latrine.” He closed his eyes hoping to block out the memory. A futile exercise. ZQ had run to help because having a shitter was a necessity. A volley of gunfire had gone off. He dove into the hole and his buddy’s lifeless body had fallen on top of him.

“We used to tell Two Packs his smoking would kill him,” JJ spoke with reverence. “Instead it was a group of Taliban snipers.”

ZQ shook off the memory of lifting his man’s body out of the way so he could return fire. It was a tense ten minutes that seemed short in one way and eternal in another. He and two of his men had received minor wounds.

“Yeah, the bastards shot up my phone, too. The trouble with speed dial is you never memorize the person’s phone number. My connection to Rose was gone.”

BUY LINK: http://a.co/48pqeVS

HELP! I’VE BEEN ABDUCTED! BY Vonnie Davis

I’m begging Leah to post this for me. You see I bought a new computer with Windows 10. The new version abducted nearly all my passwords. I can’t blog anywhere including my own place. I have an online charge account I can’t pay. And I can’t renew our drivers’ licenses. 

I’m trying to fix it all. I really am, but it takes time. Time when I’d rather be writing. When I need to be writing and promoting. I hate when life gets in the way and it has at our house recently.

I’ve got kidney stones. Calvin keeps falling and no doctor can figure out why. He lost his main hearing aid and I’ve yet to find it. And today he lost the other one in the garage. Thank goodness we found it. My sweetheart decided he’d make a frozen pizza so I could keep on reading over a galley. Ten minutes later, the house was filled with smoke and every smoke detector in the house was blaring. We had tomato soup and grilled cheese for supper while fans worked overtime.

But life is still good. We’ve got each other and our sense of humors. And I’ve got a fairly new release. It’s steamier than I usually write and there’s a scene in a BDSM club that is more comical than sexual. The novella is part of Kindle Worlds. It allowed me to bring to life a heroine I’ve been dreaming of for three years or more. A female coach of a male collegiate basketball team. 

Men coach women’s teams and no one bats an eye. Why can’t a woman coach the men? I did some Google research and found there had been a female coach of a men’s team. And I thought if there was one, maybe there was two or three. So my female coach, Gracie Luera, would work. She also writes erotic romance during off season and is working hard at her strong attraction to bad boys.

She travels to NYC to RWA and is mugged. Who comes to her rescue? Football bad boy Webb Mohanty. It’s laughter and pure steam as they fight their attraction for each other…even at the BDSM club where she’s gone with another writer to do research for a book. 

Buy link: http://a.co/6dS5zUH
www.vonniedavis.com

End of My Dry Spell by Donna Michaels

Hi everyone,

I can't believe it's already been a whole month since my last post! I really have to stop blinking! On a good note, since my last post, I have had two releases! Yes! Two! I've no idea why that happens to me. lol I haven't had a release since March 6th...so that's a three month dry spell between releases, then Bam! Two releases in the span of four days! Crazy is my life, so why not spill into my writing life as well? ;-)

You already know about ELITE PROTECTOR from my last post, but now it's live! I'm so honored and excited to be one of the launch authors in Elle James' Brotherhood Protectors Kindle World!

ELITE PROTECTOR

Brotherhood Protectors KW

(Connected to the Dangerous Curves Series)

_{http://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WQYQL4}

He risks more than his life protecting the commander’s niece.

Lured to the mountains of Montana under the assumption her uncle and her godfather recommended her as a bodyguard for Brotherhood Protectors—an agency started by one of their former SEALs—Kat Crawford, former NIO, discovers too late, she’s really there as a client.

Former DEVGRU SEAL, Brogan “Sonic” O’Neal, dropped his packet to return to Montana to take over his grandfather’s woodshop and care for the dying man. A deathbed promise to “not” return to the teams sentences him to life without the adrenaline rush he craves, until an old SEAL buddy hires him as a part time bodyguard for Brotherhood Protectors.

A request to protect the niece of a former CO lands Brogan his first assignment, but it could be his last. Keeping objective is impossible. He’s watched the woman grow up through pictures in the commander’s office. Now she’s at Brogan’s cabin. Their chemistry is off the charts. And giving into their attraction is as inevitable as a Montana sunrise.

  

But when Kat suggests the Brotherhood uses her as bait to end the threats once and for all, Brogan realizes his feelings for the woman run deep. Can he resist the alpha need to protect her? If he does, will she survive? If he doesn’t, will their relationship?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

International Readers, click HERE for instructions on how to grab Kindle World books!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four days after my KW release, I had my 3rd release with Entangled! THE RIGHT RANGER, released on 6/12/17!! The reviews have already been popping in, and they've been amazing! Here are a few:

Reviews

5 stars "This book is like a fresh baked brownie with ice cream on top! Hot and sweet and oh so good! ~Shawn, Goodreads

5 stars "This captivating read pulled me in from the from the first sentence and had me flying through the pages in search of what I hoped to be a very well deserved happily ever after, and I am happy to report that I found just what I was looking for... and more!" ~Red's Romance Reviews

THE RIGHT RANGER

Book 3/ The Men of At Ease Ranch Series

Amazon | iTunes | B & N | Kobo

Haley Wagner’s life just got a lot more complicated. As if turning her struggling ranch around isn’t tough enough, she’s forced to call him for help. With his hard eyes and even harder body, Cord is an irritatingly sexy contradiction of hot and cold. How can she possibly hide her embarrassing secret when just looking at Cord is a combustible event?

Former Army Ranger Cord Brannigan has a secret, too. He promised his fallen teammate he’d protect the tempting, fiercely independent Haley from a distance, but now they’re stuck together for three weeks. Alone. Keeping his hands off will take every ounce of control he can muster. And that control is slipping…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's next for me? Well, I'm already back in my writing cave, penning Book 4 in The Men of At Ease Ranch series. This time, I get to play...I mean, write Vince's story!

And next month, July 13-15, I'll be in Nashville for the Weekend With The Authors conference! If you're in the area, I hope you'll drop in on Saturday for the book signing! I'm hoping to have print copies of The Right Ranger with me, along with the first two!! And I'll have some fun swag to hand out, including these Lula Belle themed pieces of swag!

Enjoy what's left of June!!

Thanks for reading,

~Donna
www.DonnaMichaelsAuthor.com

In the Claws of Self Edits

~~ VONNIE DAVIS

I just shut off my computer and realized I hadn't written my post for today. It's a chain reaction of a writer's life, really. I worked like a madwoman all of last week to finish my first project for Kindle Worlds. Typically, for me, it took a day or two longer than I'd planned. I'm fighting a nasty sinus infection and the antibiotics tend to make me sleepy.

Last night and all day today I read over it again, doing self-edits. I deleted one character. Found a lot of frequently used words, a big weakness of mine. Changed a scene completely. Or was it two? I've forgotten.

I have 52 pages to go and my deadline to turn it in is tomorrow. Now, they never told me what time so I figure I can make it if I get up early enough.

Calvin has an appointment with a urologist tomorrow afternoon, so I can't waste time on facebook or emails. My attention has to stay focused on A STRANGER'S DARE.

How many of us have gotten ourselves into these situations. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

 

www.vonniedavis.com

When Your Grandson Asks About Your Homework ... by Vonnie Davis

Last month I posted about all I had going on in my writing world. Well, I've made some progress on my list. Believe me, it's not necessary to applaud.  What I've done are small steps we all do during the course of our career.

I've contracted Mr. OH under the name Renae DeVeau and our own Alicia will be my editor. Pray for her, folks. It's my first erotic.

I self-published NIKO: Licensed to Kill on April 25th. JEAN-LUC: Once is Never Enough releases on June 13th. I still have BASTIAN: The Spy Who Loves Me to finish. I'm two-thirds through, maybe more. I'm hoping to release it the end of August or the first half of September.

That only leaves A STRANGER'S DARE, a Kindle World's novella, a novel--A GOLDEN CHARM, and two bear shifter books to finish. Oh...and...two more Kindle World's novellas I've been asked to write. A cowboy romance set in Texas--yee-haa!--WHAT BELONGS TO RYDER. My street team chose the heroic cowboy's name--Ryder Kolins.

The third Kindle World's project is a paranormal tied into my shifters. Title for it is BEARY SASSY. Pink-haired Effie plays a matchmaking role in this story.

See how much progress I've made? Three things done and two things added. That's good. Right?

So I'm doing my Friday texting time with Ryan at MIT. "How's the writing going, G-ma? Are you finished with the one for Amazon?"

"I'm over halfway done."

"That's all?" (I cringed. There's nothing like getting fussed at by your grandson.) "I've got all my required work completed for my Internship on the 2020 Mars Land Rover. I gave a report to representatives from NASA. What I'm doing now is extra." (Show off.)

"That's awesome, sweet boy." My nickname for him since he was an infant.

"G-ma, you really should have more of this project completed. I notice you spend a lot of time on Facebook and Twitter." I could sense the censure in his text. (And how would smarty pants know if he wasn't on Facebook and Twitter, himself, I ask you?)

"You know I hate a smart a$$ scientist."

"Hahaha. See if you can't do better next week." (So much for the Final Exams care package I was going to send him. I'll eat the chocolate, energy bars, and homemade trail mix myself!)

Me thinks I've been put on notice and I'll need the nourishment.

A New World...An Old Me

~~ By Vonnie Davis

I've always been in a world of my own. Dancing to the tune of a flute while others march to the beat of a drum. Seeing pictures in the clouds while others are watching for steps. Reaching out to touch beautiful flowers or unique leaves while others look for bees and spiders first.

I'm often bored by normal adult conversation when I'd rather listen to my grandkids talk about what they've learned in school. No doubt many of you are, too. It's called Grandma's World.

Recently, I've been asked to join a new world: Kindle Worlds. I'll be writing a novella as part of the world Carly Phillips created in her best selling NY Dares series.

Believe me, when the email came through, I thought it was a joke. Why was Amazon contacting me? I didn't even know what Kindle Worlds were and had to google the term. I'd heard it mentioned, but never paid much attention. I certainly needed more information.

All of Carly's books in the series begin with "Dare to....."  While my title could not use those two words, it did have to include the word "dare." My novella will be A STRANGER'S DARE. Release will be in July.

What I didn't know until I began reading the first two books of the series to get a feel for what was happening was the books are practically erotic. I read erotic and can write it, but will do so with dashes of humor. There's no restrictions on the plot I devise or the tropes I use. The story is completely my creation.

In book one of her series, Carly wrote the heroine's pov in first person and the hero's in third. Yet, it worked. Books two and three of her series were in third person. I found that interesting. Wish me luck as I attempt to measure up and fit in.

Here's part of my first chapter. Webb, a pro running back, has been on a downward spiral and the team's ownership--the Dares--has ordered him to NYC to lay down the law. Either he cleans up his act or he's off the team. They've even assigned him a driver. This scene happens after the meeting when Webb and Cooper, his driver, aka babysitter check into a ritzy hotel owned by one of the Dares. Be gentle with me; this hasn't been edited yet.

“In the name of all that’s holy, Cooper, what the hell is RWA?” His gaze swept the lobby. There were signs welcoming RWA everywhere. A colorful banner hung from one marble pillar to another.

“Don’t know, Webb. Your boss’s team mentioned a large woman’s convention. Hell, there must be hundreds of ‘em. Thousands.” Cooper's head was on a swivel as he took them all in.

Webb leaned his back against the long marble-topped registration desk of the swanky hotel. His gaze swept over the hordes of females, all sizes, ages, and in various styles of clothing, lugging huge suitcases.

The lobby was crowded shoulder to toned shoulder and hip to delectable hip with women talking non-stop like hives of bees on steroids. Some squealed and charged, arms open wide, to hug another female she evidently hadn’t seen in ages. They all had briefcases slung over their shoulders, probably holding laptops.

Ah, understanding registered and he nodded. RWA must stand for Registered Women Accountants. Now it made sense. He scanned the jewelry and high-end clothes some wore. Maybe it was Rich Women Accountants. Who knew? He shrugged, turned, and signed the electronic pad the receptionist presented.

“Here’re the keys for your two rooms, Mr. Mohanty.” The harried hotel employee smiled weakly. “I apologize that you and Mr. Samuels will be on different floors. But with a large convention here at the same time as a high society wedding, we’re squeezing everyone in as best we can.”

“I’m sure you are, ma’am. This is fine.” He passed Cooper his keycard.

As Cooper and Webb walked toward the bank of elevators, some of the women…accountants…whatever parted a path and gaped. Some moaned. A good half-dozen or more females crowded in the large car behind them, their assortment of perfumes following.

One middle-aged lady wearing a pale green pantsuit eyed Webb up and down. “Your tailor did a good job on your suit. It hugs every firm muscle. What do you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking?”

“I’m a pro-football player, ma’am. The name’s Webb Mohanty. I’m pleased to meet you and your name would be—?” Be nice. Clean up my image.

She batted her eyes. “Maeve Greyson. Would you mind terribly if I took a picture.” She waved her cellphone side to side. “Imagine, my first day at the convention and I’ve already met a professional football player.” Her bejeweled hand patted her chest. “Be still my heart. God, how tall are you, anyway?”

Webb laughed and slid his arm over her shoulders. “I’m six-foot-five. Hand your phone to my driver. Cooper, snap a picture or two of this fine looking lady and me, would you?” Where have I heard of Maeve Greyson before?

“You wouldn’t have Scottish blood flowing through those handsome veins, would you?” She glanced at his legs. “I bet you’d look mighty fine in a kilt.”

He snapped his fingers. “Maeve Greyson, author of Scottish time travel romances?” She favored him with a broad smile. “My mother loves your books. Turn about’s fair play. Can my chauffer take a couple pictures of you and me for her?”

“Of course.” Webb handed Coop his phone while Maeve tapped the elevator stop button and leaned her head on his chest. The rest of the women in the elevator car had gone silent. She glanced up at him. “You wouldn’t be single, would you? I have a special niece—”

“That I am. My time’s devoted to the game right now.” No booze, no fighting, no racing, and no women. I might die from an overdose of clean living.

Two more women crowded into the shot his driver was about to take with Maeve’s camera, purring about his marital status, and he curled his other arm around their waists on instinct.

Cooper sniggered and raised the camera. “Gee, Webb, if they’re this excited about meeting one of the best running backs in the country, good thing they don’t know you’re a former SEAL.”

Squeals bounced off the elevator walls and every woman on the damned lift was all over Webb. “Oh my God, a SEAL!”… “Feel his muscles.”… “He’s like a brick wall.” … “I wish he’d slam me up against a brick wall.”

He was cornered. “You got that damn picture taken yet, Coop?” A cold bead of sweat trickled down his back.  I need to get  off of here.

“Oh, my God, he smells like dark sin.” A nose pressed against his neck.

“Cooper!” he barked.

Buttons on Webb’s shirt came undone. His necktie was ripped off. A hand cupped his ass. “Feel his tight buns, girls.”

“Alright! Enough!” He punched the elevator button to get the frigging thing in motion again. “Cooper, give the camera back and let’s get the hell out of this car. What have you women been drinking? Sex on the beach?”

“Blow jobs!” A trio giggled and slid closer. The elevator dinged, the doors opened, and he tried to bust through the perfumed line to make his escape. But hell they’d all gone apeshit!

He barged through the crowd of estrogen fueled females. Didn’t they have sex where they came from? He had no clue who these women were and, frankly, didn’t give a rat’s ass. He couldn’t. Not being on sexual probation.

Hell, he had lipstick prints on his white shirt, on his chest and, by the way Coop laughed like a hyena, there must be lipstick on his face, too.

Webb pivoted and glared at the closed elevator doors. “What. The. Hell. Was. That? I’ve been in hand-to-hand combat that wasn’t that scary. I swear one of those harmless looking ladies grabbed my junk.” And it didn’t feel too bad either.

What A Week It’s Been by Donna Michaels

Hello, it’s Donna Michaels, sorry I’m late, but considering the past ten days, I guess it’s fitting that I scramble to get this post written. J

Last week, I was hanging out with the amazing Rolynn Anderson at InD’Scribe Author/Reader Convention in Burbank, California where we both won awards! Woot! Rolynn was 2^nd Runner-up in the Romantic Suspense category of the RONE Awards with FEAR LAND! Congrats, Rolynn! And I was shocked to win 1^st Runner up with COWBOY PAYBACK and then 2^nd Runner-up with LOCKE AND LOAD in the Cops, Jocks, and Cowboys Contemporary category! Still in shock!  Here’s a photo of me holding them, taken by my real-life hero, my hubby, while I stood in front of one of my favorite hero inspirations…J

The convention was great with several informative and fun panels, but you can ask Rolyn, I missed a few and had to juggle my time because I was on deadline and writing every spare second. Bless my editor, she was on standby and editing the chunks of story I sent her every day because the novella I was writing was due for upload in Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World no later than Tuesday because the launch was Thursday. So I had to write, edit, then format the book. Yeah, crazy, but doable. And I did—able. lol Phew.

Even managed to get two hours sleep before hubby and I hit Universal Studios on Sunday before we flew back home on Monday.

Here's a photo of my husband at Universal, trying on a fabulous hat.

I like to call this Dino-Michael :-)

I’m happy to report I uploaded on time. Launched on time. And oh my goodness, WHINE AND RESCUE hit #1 in Romance in Kindle Worlds for several days this week, and is currently at #3!!  Can you believe that? I can't believe that, hence the screen shots I took on release day. :-)

Thank you to all who helped make that possible. I am truly humbled by your support. <3

In case you're interested, here's the cover and blurb to the novella I mostly wrote last week in California.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MA3732S

The brother of her sister’s fiancé is hotter than a Texas summer and back in Dallas making Layla Pickett want things she can’t have. Him. It doesn’t stop her from fantasizing though, especially since he often frequents her coffee shop—Coffee Cats—a place she opened for the firefighters to destress with kittens and cats while grabbing a quick coffee and a bite to eat. Although, whenever he’s near a very different destresser comes to mind.

Noah Donovan knew being around his future sister-in-law’s sister was going to be tougher than leaving his buddies in his guard unit and fire house up in the Poconos of PA. He’s faced bullets, bombs, and fires with those men, but returning to Dallas is even more dangerous. No amount of turnout or guard gear can protect him from the attraction that sizzle between him and Layla. And when he visits her shop, it’s not the cats he wants to play with.

But even if she is willing to take a chance on a guy who is about to become a permanent extended part of her family, will the fact her godfather is his captain put a damper on their heat?

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

 All that rushing and scrambling and sacrificing is worth it, and I’ll keep reminding myself of that as I begin to scramble to write a novella and novel by Nov. 13^th. But first, I think I need to sleep for two days.

Have a great October! Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.DonnaMichaelsAuthor.com

New Kindle World Release by Donna Michaels

Hi, it's Donna Michaels and I'm excited to have another cowboy release in my Harland County series, but this time he's a Sable Hunter Hell Yeah Kindle World crossover!

It was such an honor to be asked by Sable to participate in her Kindle World and to be one of the launch authors! Creating another branch of my McCall tree to mingle with her McCoys was the icing on the cake! Her Hell Yeah Cowboy hit #1 in Western Kindle last week and currently sits at #3, plus it's at #2 in Western Kindle Worlds. :-) Thank you all for making it a best seller! And big hugs to those who've left reviews! <3

Years ago, he unknowingly rescued his soulmate, now she’s back in Texas and about to save his guarded heart.

Cover photo by Cover Me Photography with Orestis Papapetrou

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K5YZJE2

Blurb:

Unlike his twin, Texas National Guardsman Sgt. Logan McCall would rather march barefoot and blindfolded through a cow pasture than date the same woman twice. After an active duty injury during a flood washed away his promising sports career and engagement years ago, Logan guards his heart more than his life until, fresh from deployment, he runs into a friend of the McCoys…literally. Hill Country’s newest resident is hotter than the wing sauce soaking into his shirt.

Mission on.

Graphic designer and carrier of misfortune, Chloe Davis is a danger to herself and those around her, so entertaining thoughts for the sexy cowboy wearing her hot sauce should be a no-no…not a hell yeah—especially considering he’s the guardsman linked to a horrible instance in her past. But when he turns out to be one of her clients, she can no more avoid him than the attraction sizzling between them. Chloe’s back in Texas determined to make a fresh start, and she succeeds in business but fails to resist the handsome soldier’s relentless pursuit.

But when he discovers her past, will he trust his heart or lose her forever?

Excerpt

“I’d like to know what kind of read you were getting from my brother that was so interesting, Cady.”

Ah, hell.

Logan swallowed his drink along with a few curses. He’d rather not know.

Her calm, steady, perceptive gaze settled over him again. “Today’s the day.”

Super. Whatever. He wasn’t biting. Just raised his glass and enjoyed another mouthful of beer. The ale was ice cold with just the right amount of malted barley and hint of bitter. Damn, it was good to be back in the states.

“The day for what?” Lincoln frowned. “What’s going to happen to Logan today?”

“With any luck, I’ll finally make it to my ranch. That’s what.” It was all he wanted. All he’d wanted for fucking months now.

“He’s going to meet up with his soulmate again,” she replied as if he hadn’t spoken.

It took a full twenty seconds before any of that sunk into Logan’s head. The word soulmate bounced around a few times, barely leaving room for the again part. He had a soulmate? Well, shit. That wasn’t good. Not the reading he expected. Or wanted to hear.

Besides, if he had a soulmate, and they’d supposedly already met, wouldn’t he have remembered her?

It didn’t matter.

No way was he going to touch that topic, especially since his family had a history with soulmates. His cousin Cole McCall reunited with his soulmate Jordan after over a decade apart. The two had been through hell but were now married and living a happily-ever-after they deserved down by the gulf in Harland County. The couple had this crazy connection you didn’t need your eyes to see. 

Weird shit.

Not something Logan wanted or ever pursued for himself since his failed engagement back when he gave a damn about relationships. Now he stuck with casual hookups. Nothing serious. It was cleaner. Easier. Safer. Believing in someone, trusting someone, only to have them crush you wasn’t worth the risk. He’d learned the hard way. Didn’t need to be beat over the head with it. Casual or not at all was his motto. The last thing he wanted was a soulmate.

The thing was, he believed in Cady and her abilities. So he did what any man in his position would do. He topped off his beer and enjoyed another healthy pull.

“Did you say soulmate?” Lincoln blinked at Cady, and when she nodded, his brother turned a shit-eating grin his way. “This I’ve got to see.”

Joseph smiled. “Me, too.”

Logan laughed. “Hate to disappoint you all, but look around.” He made a sweeping motion with his hand. “The place is practically empty, and the only woman here is Cady. Not a soulmate in sight.”

“She has big brown eyes that are going to melt that guarded heart of yours, Logan McCall,” Cady remarked leaning closer. “She’s near. Can’t you feel it?”

Feel it? What he was feeling was agitated. On edge. Restless. He had for some time now. But today he could add aggravated to that list. Cady’s dark, direct, Creole gaze, and the guys’ amused ones weren’t helping. Logan set his glass down and rose to his feet. “What I feel is the need to use the bathroom. Excuse me.”

The more distance he put between himself and the two chuckleheads at the table, the better he felt. And Logan was sure, once he was home, the weird restlessness—like he had unfinished business—would disappear. Hell, he just got off deployment. It was common to come back with baggage. This shit was normal. He’d deal with it.

What wasn’t normal was for him to run away. He didn’t really need to use the bathroom, but the urge to leave the table had been too strong to ignore. Cady knew. He could see it in her eyes and slight tug to her lips, but bless her, she didn’t call him out on it, just let him go without a word. Not only had his buddy married a smart, beautiful woman, she was sweet, too.

Going on the assumption the john was in the same place as before, Logan rounded the bar and—smacked into someone rushing down the corridor, all soft and curvy.

And hot?

He felt the heat right through his T-shirt. It scorched.

Inhaling on impact, he reached out to steady the distinctly feminine form, his mind registering a light, flowery scent, mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of…chicken wings?

“I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Did I burn you?” Her breathless voice had a sweet huskiness that spread awareness all the way down his spine.

What the hell?

He shook his head to clear it. “I’m fine,” he replied, staring at the mass of wavy brown hair obscuring the woman’s face as she tried to brush off the sauce that leaked onto him from the Styrofoam container she cradled in one hand.

“I’ve ruined your shirt.” She continued to try to clean him up but only made it worse. A second later, her palm stilled on his chest, and she drew her lower lip between her teeth.

“I’m fine,” he repeated, silently willing her to look at him.

With the initial shock of the collision wearing off, he realized the merit of the situation. Pressed against him was a soft, warm woman with an abundance of curves his body immediately wanted to get to know better. A little taller than average, she brushed his bottom lip with the top of her head, her riot of hair sticking to the chin he hadn’t shaved in two days. Logan wondered how their other body parts lined up, but most important, he wondered…what color eyes she had.

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You can find all the books in Sable's Kindle World right here:

Sable Hunter's Hell Yeah Kindle World

Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Cowboy Lawmen Buy the Dozen, and Hot SEALs KW by Donna Michaels

Hi, everyone! 

What a way to start off the new year! It's a SEAL and cowboy kind of month. 

The past seven weeks, I've been in the writing cave, although I did surface for the holidays, then scooted back in. But, I completely missed the holiday stories by the wonderful ROP authors. Lots of catching up to do soon! At least I had/have cowboys and SEALs to keep me company.

So, I'm excited and honored to announce I'm part of the 2nd wave of Cat Johnson's Kindle Worlds Hot SEALs! It was wonderful being part of the initial launch with Knight's SEAL(still holding #1 in KW Action Adventure since August! I can't believe it!), so I'm thrilled to revisit that world and bring you A DAYE WITH A SEAL (Dangerous Curves/Book 3/Hot SEALs crossover)

The launch is 10 days away on January 26th! 

Blurb:

Medically discharged after a mission gone bad, Navy SEAL Gabriel ‘Hawkman’ Barrett regains his sight, and when hired by GAPS, most of his self-worth. Assigned to go undercover as a gun for hire, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to complete the mission, but his restraint is tested when his buddy’s hot sister becomes mistakenly involved.

When her brother disappears, coffee shop owner Gina Daye seeks help from his former teams members only to have the almighty Hawk turn her down. But before she realizes he’s in the middle of an assignment, she’s embroiled in the mission and forced to play along in order to keep her brother safe.

Sequestered together in order to avoid an international incident, the pair face down bullets, the enemy, and even more dangerous—their attraction.

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Knight's SEAL available now:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013CGXEKG

Buy link for A Daye With A SEAL will be posted Jan. 26th on my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

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If you love cowboys and lawmen, we got 'em by the dozen!

COWBOY JUSTICE 12-Pack rel. 4/5/16

Pre-order now for only .99 cents!

TWELVE Cowboy Lawmen who are so hot it's criminal.

COWBOY JUSTICE 12-Pack boxed set releases 4/5/16

Preorder now for only .99cents!

I'm so honored to be in this set with these awesome friends: Becky McGraw, Elle James, Sabrina York, Beth Williamson, Lindsay McKenna, Lexi Post, Cynthia D'Alba, Susan Stoker, Sable Hunter, Randi Alexander, and Delilah Devlin! 

The set includes the 4th book in my Dangerous Curves series:

COWBOY LAWE

Blurb:

In order to keep close to an alpha cowboy her boss wants protected, Knight agent Tara Lynch draws on her acting skills to play a scared schoolteacher who witnessed the murder of a hitman, and on her restraint to resist falling for the sexy cowboy.

Former SEAL Callahan ‘Rooke’ Lawe agrees to help his old commander, but with his hands already full investigating accidents on his training ranch that put his brother in the hospital, his attraction to the beautiful woman is a distraction he doesn’t need.

Cowboy Justice 12 Pack Rel. 4/5/16

Pre-Order NOW! Only .99cents during preorder!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Sj7FGh
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/CJukzon
Nook: http://bit.ly/cjnook
iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/…/cowboy-justice…/id1058222689…
Kobo: http://bit.ly/kobocj

Get your TWELVE Cowboy Lawmen who are so hot it's criminal. The COWBOY JUSTICE 12-Pack includes fresh novellas by twelve New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors!

JUSTICE FOR LAINE by Susan Stoker - What began as a favor turns out to be fate when Laine meets sexy Texas Ranger Wes and falls for him.

JUSTICE BURNING by Elle James - Hard-nosed sheriff's deputy, Nash Grayson, places his family and hometown in danger when he rescues a desperate runaway bride

LAYING DOWN THE LAW by Becky McGraw - Doctor returns to hometown when mother takes a fall and falls harder for new town Sheriff...her first love.

TEXAS JUSTICE by Cynthia D'Alba - First-term Sheriff is torn between duty and love when sexy Chief of Surgery is accused of medical malpractice and homicide.

TEXAS LONE STAR by Sable Hunter - An all-business Texas Ranger falls hard for an irresistible lady rancher he rescues from dangerous poachers.

CAIN'S LAW by Delilah Devlin - Lawman, Cain Whitfield, discovers the shy brunette he's been flirting with is a former mob boss's girlfriend when her cabin goes up in flames.

COWBOY LAWE by Donna Michaels - More than bullets fly when a former SEAL protects a sexy witness who’s actually an undercover agent secretly assigned to protect the stubborn SEAL.

COWBOY'S BEST SHOT by Lexi Post - A cowboy veteran who’s lost so much. A bartender who never had it to begin with. Is this their best shot?

PROTECT AND SERVE by Sabrina York - He’s vowed to avoid his high school crush, but his duty demands he protect her from a growing menace.

BADGE AND A SADDLE by Randi Alexander - Detective Rex Tarrow is sworn to protect Astrologist Dr. Mina Cooper, but will she get them both killed?

BLIND SIDED by Lindsay McKenna - Dark family secrets stand between the sheriff and the woman he loves from afar. Can he expose the treachery? Win her hand?

LAZARUS by Beth Williamson - Being a Graham isn't easy and it's about to get a lot harder for one stubborn lawman and the woman who still owns his heart.

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Thanks for reading,
~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com