Trust Me Cover Reveal -- Take 2!

All right, everyone! After the blur that was last weekend and missing putting this post up last Monday, I was going to put this off till after the weekend, once preorders were running. BUT...I received the files for Trust Me to begin preorders last night, and I just can't wait any more!!! So, without further ado, here is the much-awaited cover for TRUST ME, book two in the Southern Nights series:

ella sheridan, author, writer, romance author, contemporary romance, erotic romance, romantic suspense, trust me, southern nights series, romance seriesNot only am I so, so happy with the work Kelli Dennis (Book Cover by Design) did with this cover, but I am also blessed to feature a cover quote from reader Pat Fordyce from Tea and Book. Her appreciation for romance knows no bounds, and she has been a great encouragement to me. Now I get to share her sweet words with you as well!

TRUST ME will hopefully be up for preorders at major retailers by this Sunday, January 25th. As the preorders go live, I'll be sharing the links here and on Facebook and Twitter. And like Teach Me, this book will be available at the "Reader Appreciation" price of $0.99 until one week after its release date of February 1st. So snatch it up as soon as you can! And let me know what you think as well. I'd love to know if Jack lives up to your expectations like he did mine!

PREORDER LINKS:

All Romance eBooks

AND

Amazon!

Want a little excerpt to whet your appetite? Okey dokey...

       Jack Quinn hit the heavy wooden doors that led into the Halftime Bar like a runaway train on the downside of a mountain. Even the hard slam didn’t help his frustration. His muscles swelled with it, his skin so tight it could burst. He wished it would so he could finally get rid of the feeling that he wasn’t at home in his own body.        He didn’t recognize himself anymore, and deciding what to do about it was a drive pushing him closer and closer to the edge. Tonight might just tip him over.        The crash of music against his senses as he crossed the uneven planks of the floor into the darkened interior of the country bar was a welcome reprieve. The beat pounded in his head, his body, matching the adrenaline-laced rhythm of his heart and telling him he wasn’t alone in his need to pound something. Preferably his best friend, Con.        The minefield of dancing couples was lighter than usual tonight. Jack didn’t swerve; he made his own path straight to the bar. Anyone in his way could take one look at his face and see they needed to be the one to move aside. They moved. He saved a civil nod for Taylor, the tall blonde waitress who so often served him, as she wove her way through the tables on the far side of the dance floor. Most of them were empty, save a few clustered around the three high-definition TVs hanging along one wall.        Ignoring everyone else, Jack zeroed in on his favorite bar stool, the one that should have the shape of his ass tattooed on its surface considering how much time he’d spent on it lately. The stool was the only one positioned where the long mahogany bar top took a sharp turn into the wall. The short span on that end and the wall at his back meant no one shared his space while allowing him to see everyone and everything around him. His guard could stand down and he could relax for just a little while. Maybe. If—and that was a big-ass if—he could stop wanting to punch Con just one time. But then Jess would complain about her pretty-boy husband’s black eye, and Jack wouldn’t hear the end of it for a while.        He sighed as he sat on his stool. Probably wasn’t worth it after all.        “You’re early, Jack. Run out of asses to kick? People to intimidate?”        Jack grunted at the big bruiser of a man making his way down the bar toward him. John, Halftime’s regular bartender, had the shoulders of a defensive lineman, football pads and all. Except he wasn’t wearing any. Jack sometimes held his breath as he watched the man maneuver behind the bar, waiting for one wrong turn to throw John against a shelf and send bottles of liquor and glasses crashing to the floor. Tonight he flicked a bird in John’s general direction as payment for the sarcasm and pretended interest in a couple of women preening at one corner of the dance floor.        Yeah, he was in a pissy mood. That wasn’t unusual lately. Didn’t mean Con had the right to send him home like a little kid. Time off wasn’t going to help. John laughed as he stopped in front of Jack. “If you’re needing to relieve a bit of tension, they’re probably up for it,” he said, nodding toward the two women. “Pickings are otherwise slim tonight.”        “I bet.” Shirts a bit too tight, a bit too small, makeup a bit too heavy for the eyelashes batting his way. Not out of their early twenties, he’d guess. Way too young for him, especially tonight. Even at their age, he hadn’t felt as young and innocent as they looked; he sure as hell didn’t feel it now, at thirty-four.        Besides, quick and dirty and meaningless wasn’t what his gut churned for. He’d seen the real thing now, every time Con and Jess were together—hell, every time the man said something about his wife or even thought about her, it seemed—and Jack had a bad feeling that meaningless wasn’t going to do it for him anymore. If he had a sweet something waiting at home for him like Con did, Jack wouldn’t have to be told to go home; he’d rush there voluntarily. But he didn’t. Work was all he had, and if he wanted to put in extra hours to avoid the silence his house practically throbbed with? That was his choice, not his best friend’s, business partner or not.        The best friend who was currently at home, probably curled around—or inside—his wife’s warm body, while Jack was stuck with the occasional one-night stand or a not so satisfying handjob. Jack was damn jealous, not of Jess but of Jess and Con’s relationship. No wonder he was spending so much damn time at the neighborhood bar.        He needed a life. A hobby. A dog.        Jesus, he was losing it.        His expression must’ve given his answer, because John snickered. “Didn’t think so. What’ll ya have?”        “The usual.”        John nodded. Twisting to look over his shoulder, he yelled, “Maddie, Sam Adams.”        “Who’s Maddie?”        John turned sideways, showing what his bulk had hidden up till now. Jack glanced down the long service area behind the bar and almost swallowed his tongue.        A woman. A blonde woman, but not the same kind of blonde as the waitress, Taylor. This woman had a straw-colored mane, thick enough it almost didn’t fit in the claw clip holding it in a graceful twist at the back of her head. Spikes stuck from the top of the clip to fall along the sides, pointing to the creamy curve of her ear as she bent her head to focus on the frosted glass she was filling at the tap. A slender neck led to a body encased in a tight white T-shirt and short black vest. The clothes silhouetted her tucked-in waist and a sexy strip of bare skin above Levi’s he would swear were painted on. And boots; God, he had such a thing for boots on a woman. And this woman wore them with the ease of longtime use, confirmation that balancing on them was second nature. One look at those boots and his dick shot straight up and strained in her direction as if she were true north and he was a compass.        Damn.        “Roll your tongue back in your head,” John told him, laughter tangling with the words.        Jack glanced at the bartender, over at the woman, back to John. Swallowed. “Right.”        John shrugged, and his easy smile widened. “I had the same reaction. Heck, every red-blooded male that’s walked through the door since she was hired Monday has had that reaction. She is something.”        “Damn straight.”        The towel resting on the new bartender’s shoulder slid off, landing with a plop on the ground. She bent to grab it.        Both men groaned.        The woman glanced over her shoulder.        John startled, actually blushing. Jack kept looking, appreciating the view from the front as much as the back when the new bartender stood to face them. She had a sweet body with curves in all the right, mouthwatering places.        “Can I help you gentlemen?” she asked, interrupting his reconnaissance. Jack met her eyes, a brown so dark he couldn’t tell iris from pupil, though the narrowing of her eyelids might’ve had something to do with it too. Her lips were tight, pressing together in a way that made him want to tug them apart with his teeth.        The brittle edge to her expression had him narrowing his eyes too. His mama had taught him manners, even if she hadn’t insisted on them for herself, but it wasn’t like he was leering. He believed in appreciating what was before him; nothing crude or ugly about that. Most women he knew basked in the attention.        And maybe you’re getting a bit too arrogant, dickhead.        He answered her look with a wry smile of his own.        The dish towel got a toss into the nearby hamper as the new bartender made her way toward them, Jack’s lager in hand. John tucked himself against the back wall so she could make her delivery.        “Maddie, this is Jack.”        “Nice to meet you.” Jack extended his hand to shake, the anticipation of touching her forcing his erection harder against his zipper.        Down, boy.        Maddie shoved his beer into his hand. “You too.”        Her voice was feminine, husky, arousing. Which was a ridiculous thought, because she didn’t sound like it was nice to meet him. John sniggered. Jack ignored him, bringing the cold glass mug to his lips.        The deep, earthy bark of hops settled in his nose as he took his first drink, but his eyes stayed on Maddie’s. She didn’t back down, didn’t blush, just raised a brow and stared right back. Why in hell did that make him so hot?        When he set the beer on the bar, Maddie nodded toward it. “All right?”        “Absolutely, darlin’,” he said, the endearment slipping out automatically.        The eyebrow got higher. “Good.”        He kept staring as Maddie returned to her end of the bar. The spikes of hair sticking up from her clip bounced with every step. Jack imagined his fingers fisting the long length, holding her still for him. Taming the shrew, so to speak. He had not a single doubt that she’d be feisty as hell. Yeah, he’d definitely like to get his hands in that hair.        John’s laugh sliced through his sexual haze. He shot the bartender a sharp look. “Shut the hell up.”        John laughed harder.

ella sheridan, author, writer, romance author, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, erotic romance, trust me, southern nights series, romance seriesA woman on a mission…

Maddie Baker spent four years seeking vengeance against the man whose abuse destroyed her life. That search has led her to a small town outside Atlanta and a missing teenage girl. Nothing will stand in the way of her mission, including a jackass of an ex-soldier who reawakens emotions best left to die.

A man on the hunt…

Jack Quinn learned to recognize trouble in the marines, and he sees it in Maddie the minute he lays eyes on her tending bar. Her secrets are hidden deep, but secrets are his specialty, and peeling away her barriers only makes him want her more. He’ll do whatever it takes to get her to trust him with her body and her heart.

An old threat whose time has come…

Staying hidden kept Maddie safe, but the search for justice will bring her into the open and face-to-face with her treacherous past. Risking her life is one thing, but risking her heart is another. In love and in danger, she must trust Jack to lead her—and pray they both come out alive.

 

 

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What I've Been Reading: Azagoth by Larissa Ione

1001DarkNightsAzagoth_200For those of you who don't know, paranormal is my first love. And also for those of you who don't know, I run terribly behind in reading! I buy books when they come out, but getting a chance to actually read them? Well, sometimes it takes me a while. So over Christmas, though I haven't read the later books in the series, I was jonesin' for some paranormal and opened Azagoth by Larissa Ione. Now, this is how far behind I am: I read the first of the four horsemen books. (Don't ask me how long ago that was! :) ) I actually own all the books in this series, but that's as far as I've read. I really want to read more, but see last week's post as to why I haven't yet. Anywho...

Azagoth.

Lordy.

Why did this book totally do it for me? I'll tell you: Even though it's a novella that relies somewhat on the history of the series (totally readable even if you haven't read the others, though), I LOVED the hero. Why? Because I'm a sucker for a bad boy who seems bad without remorse, but whom we discover, in the course of the story, is in fact the way he is for very good reason. When a hero seems unlovable but we get to go on the journey with the heroine to find out exactly why he is, that's my favorite kind of story! It's the kind of story I try to create in my paranormals, and Larissa does it magnificently here.

Want to read more? Here is the blurb from Larissa's website:

Even in the fathomless depths of the underworld and the bleak chambers of a damaged heart, the bonds of love can heal…or destroy.

He holds the ability to annihilate souls in the palm of his hand. He commands the respect of the most dangerous of demons and the most powerful of angels. He can seduce and dominate any female he wants with a mere look. But for all Azagoth’s power, he’s bound by shackles of his own making, and only an angel with a secret holds the key to his release.

She’s an angel with the extraordinary ability to travel through time and space. An angel with a tormented past she can’t escape. And when Lilliana is sent to Azagoth’s underworld realm, she finds that her past isn’t all she can’t escape. For the irresistibly sexy fallen angel known as Azagoth is also known as the Grim Reaper, and when he claims a soul, it’s forever…

Now, this story is a novella (part of the reason I picked it, so I could finish it in one or two sittings). As I said above, you don't have to read the previous books to understand this story; Larissa adds just enough detail that you can figure out what happened in the past and the various connections, the relevant ones. And Lilliana, the heroine, isn't a pansy -- I like that about her too. Strong men need strong women to stand up to -- and with -- them. The scene where she stands up to her ex was enjoyable too! :)

Azagoth is a must-read and will definitely stay on my Kindle! You can pick up your copy here:

Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance Ebooks

~ Ella

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New Year's Resolutions

Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost taste it Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin No one else can feel it for you Only you can let it in No one else, no one else Can speak the words on your lips Drench yourself in words unspoken Live your life with arms wide open Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

~ "Unwritten," Natasha Beddingfield

DSC04748This song has struck me hard the past few months. Why? Because I've spent a lot of time working. A lot. There's no better way to describe it except maybe that I've been drowning. So many of us find ourselves in this place at some point in our lives, wondering how to get out of the hole that seems to be consuming us. So many of us never find the answer, but I was determined to. I want to "live with arms wide open," not with my eyes forever on a computer screen. And so my New Year's resolution is just that:

I want to live with my eyes, arms, and heart open -- to my family, to my creativity, to my faith, and most of all, to those around me.

I'm still figuring out what that means for me. My first step is to LOOK UP. I spend a lot of time looking down -- at the computer, at the ground, at my feet because I'm too shy or too self-conscious or too scared to meet other people's eyes. Not anymore. I'm looking up, really trying to see the world around me, not just the characters in my head or the work that's waiting for me.

There will still be plenty of characters, of course. TRUST ME will be here on February 1st. TAKE ME, book three in the Southern Nights series, will be released this spring, featuring the enigmatic Gabe Williams and his twin brother, Sam. Hopefully Ian's book in the Secrets To Hide series will be written and released later this summer. And if all goes well, there just might be a new genre on the horizon. That's right; my paranormal series, The Archai, is on my to-do list this year.

And in and around all of these great books will be lots of moments of living intentionally, of looking up and truly seeing and living, not burying my head in the sand or letting work rule my life. What about you? What is your New Year's resolution this year? Inquiring minds (like mine!) want to know... :)

~ Ella

 

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Christmastime Is Here!

beb6692f-a160-4872-af96-336dc0018053I'm on hiatus until January, getting lots of editing done on Trust Me and tons of other goodies for you to enjoy in the New Year. In the meantime, may your holidays be blessed with love and laughter, and plenty of good books to fill your hours! ~ Ella

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Hunky Holiday Blog Hop!

ella sheridan, author, writer, romance author, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, NGWN, Nice Girls Writing Naughty, hunky holidays, giveaways, blog hop Does he look cold to you? ;)

Welcome to my stop on the NGWN Hunky Holiday Blog Hop! The NGWN ladies are known for their man candy on our Facebook group, but we want to share it with you, here, on our blogs this cold December weekend. Be sure and check out every stop on the hop for more chances to win great prizes, including a copy of one of my backlist e-books and the grand prize of a $50 All Romance eBooks Gift Card from Tina Christopher!

So which hunky hero am I introducing, you might ask? Well, it being the holidays, there was really only one choice: Damien.

ella sheridan, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, writer, author, romance author, colin farrell, damien, naughty little christmas, secrets to hide series, Christmas hotty

My hero from Naughty Little Christmas heats up the cold Atlanta nights like no hero before him. I thought I'd share with you a little snippet of what Christmas with Damien is like, and exactly what he likes to get into under the Christmas tree...

*

Blinking away sudden tears, Harley watched as Damien lifted a hand to his collar and slowly, one by one, undid each button he encountered. Her skin hot, tight, she began to pull her shirt from the waistband of the miniskirt she wore, but Damien shook his head. “Nope. You are going to wait until I tell you to undress.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “I am?”

His wicked grin said he knew she’d obey, questions or not. “You are.”

So damn sure of himself—and, unfortunately, right. She waited, watching, anticipation stirring inside her as he revealed the smooth golden skin she loved to touch. When his shirt dropped to the floor, she swallowed hard. He let her stare, let her gaze trail the muscular width of his shoulders, the smooth skin stretched across his perfect chest, the six-pack that continued below his belt. And then his hands were grasping his belt, unbuckling, sliding the length of leather from each loop.

His words broke the silence. “I have this fantasy.”

Her knees went weak. “What about?” she croaked.

The belt joined the shirt on the floor, and Damien went for his zipper. “That very first night, when I saw your hair”—the metal hissed as he lowered it—“I thought it reminded me of these suckers I used to love as a kid. Strawberries and cream.” A chuckle quirked the side of his mouth.

“Life Savers?” she asked. He ate the miniature versions of the ring-shaped pops all the time, not that she really cared what he ate right now. Her attention was too absorbed in the wait for his pants to fall. She wanted to see his cock, wanted to taste it, touch it, ride it. Have free rein to do as she liked with the instrument of so much of her pleasure.

“That’s the one.”

“I thought you hated my hair.”

“No. I loved it. That’s why I wanted you to change it.”

Because even then, he’d been attracted to her, just like she’d been attracted to him. The knowledge warmed the pit of her stomach. “So what’s this fantasy?”

Damien toed off his shoes, then slid his pants and boxers down his legs, taking his socks with them. When he stood, he was gloriously naked. Aroused. Mouthwatering. Harley barely kept herself from falling to her knees and begging to suck him down.

“I want,” he said as he reached for a small bag on the mantel, “to run one of these candies over every inch of your body. I want to taste the sweetness on your skin, taste you, until every time I put one in my mouth, all I can think about is you. Tonight.” The last word scraped across his vocal cords as he took her hand and pulled her toward the bed. “Now strip.”

Harley hesitated. “There’s something I want too.”

“Hmm?”

“I want to taste you.”

His pupils dilated, shock and desire drowned in chocolate. “I think we can work something out.”

“Okay then.” And she stripped.

*

ella sheridan, romance author, romantic suspense, naughty little christmas, secrets to hide series, damien adamsDoesn't that suit just make you want to muss him up? ;) There's lots more adventure under the Christmas tree in Naughty Little Christmas. Be sure and check it out!

And if you leave a comment below telling me your favorite Christmas candy, you could win a copy of Naughty or another book on my backlist.

Comments must be posted before 12 a.m. Sunday (EST) in order to win. I'll post my winner here, and Tina will post all of the winners on the NGWN blog on Monday, December 15th.

Remember, the more comments you leave, the more chances you have at that grand prize! So HOP BACK TO THE NGWN BLOG and visit some more Hunky Holiday Heroes!

~ Ella

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Authors, Books, Fears, Inspiration, Life, Reading, Trust Me Ella Sheridan Authors, Books, Fears, Inspiration, Life, Reading, Trust Me Ella Sheridan

When Writers Don't Read

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, reading, what I've been reading, refilling the well, creativity and readingIt's terrible when you have to schedule reading time so you can write a blog post. That's what has happened to me over the past few months. In order to write my monthly "What I've Been Reading" posts, I've had to schedule reading time -- not because I didn't want to read, but because I simply didn't have time. I hesitate to go into the "why" for fear of sounding, well, why-ney. :) But the truth is, life's been kicking my butt. Getting TRUST ME out by Christmas has been my number one priority, and unfortunately, my writer brain has not been cooperating. Of course, neither has my kids' sports and school and orthodontist schedules, my husband's work schedule, my work schedule (that's right; I work a day job in addition to writing)... You get the drift. In fact, for a little while I feared TRUST ME would not only be late releasing, but would not release at all. Everyone has those times when the avalanche descends and you wonder if you'll make it out alive.

Well, I have, but only because I made some tough decisions. And one of those was making time to read.

Last month in Birmingham I heard Sylvia Day speak. It was at a readers' luncheon, and of course she talked about reading. Or rather, her lack thereof. She discussed how, when she ended up in a crazy publishing schedule that took every ounce of time she had, she couldn't squeeze in the minutes and hours it took to read. And when it came time for a particular deadline, she realized that the book that was due just...wasn't going to happen. She was done, dried up. Her creativity was taking her nowhere with this story, and she didn't think it ever would. In fact, she didn't think she'd ever write another story. Ever.

So Sylvia contacted her editor and gave her the bad news. After much discussion and pushing off of deadlines, Sylvia said her editor finally asked one all-important question: When was the last time you read? (A book that wasn't yours was implied.) And Sylvia told her, I don't remember. So her editor gave her an assignment, not to finish writing, but to go read. It was the spark Sylvia needed to see the light on her own story and find her well of creativity again. She read other writers' novels, eventually finished her own book, and rediscovered a piece of herself in the process.

As a writer and a woman (mother, spouse, sibling...), I think I fell into the trap many women fall into: that something we find pleasure in is unimportant. My kids spend hours a day playing video games and reading books and watching TV/movies, and I WORK. Day in and day out, I work, because that's what a good mom and wife does, right? But my need to write was going nowhere. And then I heard Sylvia speak and realized, other than my scheduled monthly posts, I haven't read a book for pleasure in...I can't remember when.

ella sheridan, author, writer, romance author, erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, reading, refilling the well, creativity and readingFor a writer, it simply isn't possible to sustain your creativity without nourishment. And for a woman, it isn't possible to sustain your supportive, positive, hard-working attitude without taking time for yourself as well as others. I knew that, but the tyranny of the urgent was louder than what I knew, until the urgent couldn't be taken care of because there was no fodder for the fire. TRUST ME wanted to be written, but I wasn't giving myself enough fuel to sustain the creative need. We have to feed ourselves, body and soul, if we hope to continue feeding others. I wasn't doing that, but now I am! And it is oh so sweet to find that place of comfort and pleasure again. :)

Reading again has made a huge difference in my life and in my writing. And next month, I'll share again some of What I've Been Reading -- without the whole scheduling thing. I hope you are nourishing yourself too, taking care of you so that you can take care of others. So tell me, what have YOU been reading? What else do you do to feed your soul? What difference does that make in your life?

~ Ella

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Dani Wade, Family, Giveaways, Guest Blogs, Life, New Releases Ella Sheridan Dani Wade, Family, Giveaways, Guest Blogs, Life, New Releases Ella Sheridan

Dani Wade Is in the House!

This is release week for my twin sis, romance author Dani Wade. Woot! Woot! Her latest release, BENEATH THE SURFACE, went live yesterday. And today, Dani is here to talk about the wonderful world of twins and how she used our experiences to make the twin sisters in Beneath the Surface richer, deeper characters. You can grab your copy of Beneath the Surface this week for only 99 cents. And be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the novella that started it all, Dani's Snow Bound!

And now, welcome Dani!

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

As authors, we get asked all the time where our ideas come from and are they based on real things or people in our own lives. In the case of my new release, Beneath the Surface, the answer is yes.

ella sheridan, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, dani wade, beneath the surface, small-town secrets series

In an ordinary world, identical twins can seem mysterious—these rare Doppelgangers who've been bonded together since before birth. Two halves of a whole. But to me—there's little that’s mysterious about twins, because I am one. It's the natural order of my world, an everyday occurrence. If you’re new to her blog, you might not realize that Ella and I are identical twin sisters. We’ve grown up together, both married, both had children, both become authors. All of it seems perfectly normal, but there have been a few occasions where the out of the ordinary occurred.

The first I remember was in our early teens. Ella went in for a medical procedure that required contrast dye and had an allergic reaction to it. I sat unknowing in the waiting room, completely oblivious—then I started to shake. It was summertime. I wasn't cold. Not until later did I find out she had been shaking too.

There've been times the “incidents” have been stronger than others. As we grow older, we sometimes know when the other person is sick or sad. The most intense occurrence was a time when Ella was coming out of anesthesia—one touch and I thought I'd pass out. The nurse simply asked, “Are you two twins?” and led me to a chair.

Over time, the idea of this psychic connection grew until it became this in my writer’s mind:

ella sheridan, erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, dani wade, twins, beneath the surface, small-town secrets seriesBeneath the Surface, Small Town Secrets Book 1

Too many secrets…

Hidden in a quiet town along the Tennessee border, a secret gathering exists where the privileged fulfill their darkest desires. One of their members initiates a desperate act designed to bring home his lifelong obsession: Emma Hartwell.

A past not forgotten…

Drawn back to her hometown by the psychic connection with her twin sister, Emma must fight the stubborn silence of those around her in her quest to find her missing sister. Colin McIntyre hopes to make up for his past mistakes with Emma by helping her, but his own ties to the Gathering might be exposed along the way.

Time is running out…

Exposure could be dangerous for his family, along with himself and Emma. Can they fight the secrets and lies to rescue Emma’s sister… and their own chance at life-long love?

So tell me something special about your siblings today! One commenter will win a copy of Snow Bound, a Small Town Secrets novella.

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

And don't forget to grab your copy of Beneath the Surface to read more about Emma, Amy, Colin, and the secrets of Cadence, Tennessee.

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FUN Cover Reveal: Tina Christopher's Dirigibles Are Forever!

Fellow Nice Girl Writing Naughty Tina Christopher has a new release coming, a fun book called DIRIGIBLES ARE FOREVER. Here's how she describes it: "Dirigibles Are Forever is a super-sexy Christmas novella set in an alternative Victorian London, filled with adventure, secrets and fun."

That sounds like something very different and very entertaining. The cover is too. Want to see?

dirigibles are forever, tina christopher, steampunk cover reveal, alternative london, erotic romance, romance, christmas story, christmas romance, ella sheridan, romantic suspenseI love it! Can't wait to pick this up when it releases on December 9th from Loose Id.

Working as an Aether Traffic Controller saved Holly Acklin after the death of her husband, but now she wants more—including a night of uninhibited passion with Jack Smith, whose very presence has kept her body tingling for months.

Special Agent Jack Smith kept his identity a secret when he came to the London Royal Port Authority with one assignment, one he cannot fail. It holds him back from following his attraction to Holly. But on the eve he must complete the mission, Holly asks for one night with no rules or boundaries, and his control snaps.

When London experiences an unexpectedly white Christmas, all dirigible traffic is grounded, leaving Holly and Jack free to act upon their stormy passions. Holly finds her determination to stay emotion-free crumbling unaware Jack is experiencing the same need. Each lover wishes for more, but fears it can’t be. Instead they focus their desires in mind-blowing passion.

But when Holly discovers that Jack isn’t who he claimed to be, everything is thrown into turmoil. Can she trust the man she thought she knew?

Sounds awesome, doesn't it? You can even download a free chapter just to whet your appetite before the book arrives. And don't forget to mark your calendars or friend Tina on Facebook for a reminder that Dirigibles Are Forever is out December 9th!
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Family, Holidays, Inspiration, Life Ella Sheridan Family, Holidays, Inspiration, Life Ella Sheridan

Happy Thanksgiving!

happythanksgivingIt's Thanksgiving week here in the US, and the perfect time to remember the things I'm thankful for. It's been a difficult year for me, one filled with quite a bit of illness but also many, many highs like the release of Teach Me. Here's my list of the top ten things I'm most thankful for this year: 1. My family.

2. Being healthier than I've been all year.

3. Being a published author and realizing one of my life's biggest dreams.

4. Becoming a self-published author -- one of the hardest parts of this journey, but one that has taught me so much, not only about publishing and how to create a great book, but also about myself as a human being and how strong and determined I truly am.

5. My husband's support. Many authors go this journey alone or, worse, with active discouragement from their spouses. I'm blessed with a spouse who encourages me the whole way.

6. My creativity. This year I developed a severe soy allergy that left me with months of brain fog and inability to write. I no longer take for granted the ability to tell stories, to get into my characters and actually feel the joy of writing.

7. My readers! I've had the privilege of meeting and getting to know some truly lovely readers this year. I can't tell you how exciting and humbling this experience has been!

8. Rory Olsen, my editor and all-around encourager. Rory has been a godsend and a true blessing on this journey. I'm so thankful she was the one who read Dirty Little Secret over a year ago!

9. Being outdoors. There were periods of this year where being outside wasn't an option for me. Taking a walk is one of life's greatest joys, and I'm thankful that ability has been restored to me.

10. Books! 'Nough said. :)

I hope you all enjoy this week with family and friends, whether it's Thanksgiving holiday where you live or not. What are you thankful for?

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Funny Friday Ella Sheridan Funny Friday Ella Sheridan

Funny Friday: Fabio is Fabulous!

You all know I love Fabio -- all those book covers, all that hair... *sigh* Recently I came across a "discussion" of the great romance hero on one of my husband's all-time favorite shows: Mystery Science Theater 3000. I thought, since it had me howling with laughter, y'all might enjoy it too. :) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=matItkfzqAA&w=560&h=315]

You are welcome!

~ Ella

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Inspiration Ella Sheridan Inspiration Ella Sheridan

Sexy Men of the South

I've lived in the South all of my life. In fact, I've only ventured out of the South for visits less than ten times in my life. Hey, there's a lot to stick around for, not the least of which are the sexy men that populate this region of the world! ;) That's why my heroes, both in Secrets To Hide and the Southern Nights series, come from the Deep South. And just to prove exactly how sweet our men are around here, I've compiled a list of the most famous hotties the south has gifted upon the world. (You can say thank you later!)

Alabama

Channing Tatum

By Gage Skidmore (Channing Tatum) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky

George Clooney

By Vinya [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsJohnny Depp

By nicogenin (cropped version of flickr.com) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana

Harry Connick, Jr.

By Stephanie Schoyer (Harry Connick Jr.) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsJared Leto

By nicolas genin from Paris, France (66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra)) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsIan Somerhalder

By Gage Skidmore [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee

Justin Timberlake

Caroline Bonarde Ucci [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Texas

Matt Bomer

By Matt Bomer (USANet) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsJosh Brolin

gdcgraphics [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsEthan Hawke

By nicolas genin from Paris, France (66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra)) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsMatthew McConaughey

Avda / www.avda-foto.de [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Virginia

Rob Lowe

By David Shankbone (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsYou are more than welcome. ;)

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Blog Visit, Book Reviews, Ella Sheridan, Teach Me Ella Sheridan Blog Visit, Book Reviews, Ella Sheridan, Teach Me Ella Sheridan

Where in the World Is Ella? ~ Part 2

We continue my trip around the blogging world with a few more visits this week. Check it out -- and don't forget, some giveaways are still open! Christmas-003Babbling About Books

Katiebabs is graciously hosting me on November 7th to discuss my take on the "write what you know" mantra for writers. You get to see how much of Teach Me really is "what I know." :)

BlogButton_zpsf8c811b9Ramblings from this Chick

I visited RftC to talk about why we love tough-guy heroes. Soldiers (like Conlan), cops, firefighters, MMA fighters...why do these tough heroes make us weak in the knees?

RftC is also hosting a giveaway, a copy of Dirty Little Secret and Naughty Little Christmas -- it's two books for one entry! :) Giveaway ends November 14th, so check it out ASAP.

JRSHeaderJust Romantic Suspense

On Just Romantic Suspense, I'm talking villains instead of heroes. What makes a good villain? What makes my villains perfect to hate?

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Where in the World Is Ella? ~ Part 1

I began a blog tour last week for the release of Teach Me. It's been so much fun writing about the things I've learned and my thoughts on writing and reading, heroines and sexy, sexy heroes. You can click over to any of these blogs and take a look at what I had to say. Some of them still have open giveaways too! Teach-Me-Banner-800x438Reading Cafe

The Reading Cafe hosted me for a guest post, "Five Things I Learned While Writing Teach Me." Julie B. kindly reviewed the book as well, so check out her thoughts on Conlan and Jess. This giveaway is open until Tuesday, November 4th!

Guest-Post-FinalRiverina Romantics

This was a fun one! I did a little guest post called "Love on the Run," where I discussed the disadvantages of, ahem, sexy times while the villain is in pursuit. ;)

youRomance Junkies

I gave an interview to Romance Junkies that, if not a tell-all, does reveal some interesting things about me, including what my "perfect" hero is like and the place I'd most like to be whisked away to...

logo1Savvy Authors

I'm over at Savvy Authors talking about the Power of Perseverance, how important it is to keep going, keep pushing when you have a story you need to tell.

letSwept Away By Romance

Swept Away is hosting me TODAY, Monday November 3rd, to talk about how absolutely crazy I am. No kidding. ;) Hop on over and have your fears for me confirmed, lol!

Where To Next?

Stay tuned! Next week I'll have a couple more visits to share, and maybe some more giveaways. Don't miss it!

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Teach Me Release Day Dance Par-tay!!!

Happy release day to my book baby, Teach Me! Conlan and Jess deserve their time in the light, and I'm so happy that time is finally here. Normally, release day is party day here on the blog. Readers gather round while I go on ad nauseum spin tales of the songs that inspired the book and the characters and the emotions of my latest story. But on this release day, with Teach Me, I'm doing something different: a live virtual dance party on Facebook!

PartyAnnouncementTonight, Tuesday October 28th, from 8:00-10:00 Eastern, I will be joined by a host of other authors at the Teach Me Release Day Dance Par-tay! Come join us, hear about the songs that inspired our books, share some songs you enjoy with our "Name Your Song" game, and win prizes as we dance ourselves silly to celebrate the release of Teach Me!

Click here to attend!

And if you can't stop by, I still want to show my appreciation for my wonderful readers with a special "Reader Appreciation" sale this week. Teach Me is available at all retailers for $.99 this week only! Click one of the links below to get your copy asap -- and ENJOY!

Amazon All Romance Ebooks Kobo Barnes & Noble

~ Ella

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Excerpts, Giveaways, Guest Blogs Ella Sheridan Excerpts, Giveaways, Guest Blogs Ella Sheridan

Wolfen Bonds Scavenger Hunt with Dakota Trace

My first ever blog guest!!! Please welcome Dakota Trace! She's hosting a blog hop where readers can follow the characters along on a quest. Read on -- and enjoy! bloghop graphicColleen approached the door with trepidation, her hand going to her bare throat. Would Nevin be upset that she’d misplaced the torque he gave her? Or would he just shake his head and lightly scold her. Sometimes it all depended upon his mood.

“You know standing outside his room and worrying about it, isn’t going to get your torque back,” Livvy commented as she licked off a stray smear of chocolate from her forefinger. Evidently, she hadn’t come out completely unscathed from her earlier wrestling match with Sara.

Frustrated, Colleen couldn’t help but snap at the nonchalant muse. “I’ve had about enough of you, muse. All you’ve done is screwed around and made this more difficult—”

“I know your parents and I raised you better than that, Colleen Donnghal.”

Colleen winced and looked up to see her mentor. With long gray hair, a closely cropped goatee and fit and trim body, he was what most would call a silver fox…or in this case a silver wolf. “Sorry. It’s been a long week. Dakota has this blog thing going on, and I’ve done nothing but traipse around with her pain in the butt muse.”

Nevin - EllaNevin’s eyes narrowed as he focused on Livvy and he gave a low growl. Of course, as usual the muse didn’t seem to realize the danger she was in – unless it came to housework. “Muse you say?” When Colleen nodded, he took a step toward the corset and mini skirt-wearing muse. “So she’s responsible for my backstory?”

Livvy finished sucking the chocolate from her finger. “Yep. That would be me. I mean slave writes it, but the ideas are usually 100% mine. She a good slave that way. Writes exactly what I tell her to - well at least most of the time. I keep asking her to write a story about a horny muse and her harem of love slaves, but so far she keeps denying me.”

“Ah, Livvy?” Concern crept into Colleen’s voice as she noted that Nevin’s face had started to change. His wolf was upon him. Whatever secrets about his past that her mentor was keeping, it was obvious he wasn’t happy about, and the muse in front of him was the cause.

“Yeah?” LIvvy looked up, surprise on her face as she realized how close Nevin was.

"Ah…Colleen, you want to call your guard dog off, before I have him put down? He’s looking a bit long in the tooth.”

“Now might be a good time to run.” The tearing sound of clothing, made Colleen cringe. “Before Nevin makes you a wolf snack.”

“Shit!” As Nevin contorted, his legs and arms shifting to that of his wolf, Livvy darted back down the hall with a silver wolf at her heels.

Colleen sighed and turned to the readers. “Well, that didn’t go exactly as I planned.” She gave a shrug. “but it serves her right. Maybe she won’t be so meddlesome in the future of her creations.”

A loud shriek from below rang out as Colleen slipped inside Nevin’s room. “Don’t worry he won’t hurt her much. Just scare the shit out of her.”

Walking to his dresser, she smiled as she spotted her torque. “There you are.” She picked it up and fastened it back around her neck. In the mirror, the Celtic torque gleamed on its delicate chain.

“Now that I have this back. I suppose I should thank all the hosts that were nice enough to let me stop by with Livvy. You’ve all been great.” Colleen smiled. “Also before I go, here’s the scoop on the contests. The daily contest winners will be announced at the Wrap Up Party tomorrow, along with the grand prize winners. So be sure to stop by.”

She moved to leave the room, then snapped her fingers. “I probably should tell you how to enter. It’s easy. For the daily contest, just put your name and email in the comments below. A key chain and a book off Dakota’s backlist is up for grabs. For the grand prize? Just enter the name on the graphic into the google form below. Easy huh?”

Another scream filtered through the open door. “And I guess that’s my cue to go rescue Livvy. But thanks again to all who have followed the tour. It’s been fun.”

Code for Google Form [googleapps domain="docs" dir="spreadsheet/embeddedform" query="formkey=dG9DRVVkTlVLODRLSDY2MFF3RzlEd0E6MA" width="500" height="795" /]

Interested in Wolfen Bonds? Here's the blurb:

DT_WolfenBonds_coverlgThe Council of Elders has charged Matthias Galloway with bringing the once prosperous Taghte Pack back into the Council's fold. In exchange for his services, Matthias names his terms: he wants to claim his longtime lover and friend, Andrew, as his mate.

Nephew of a powerful alpha, Andrew Gilchrist has long been a coveted commodity because of his services as a healer. Neither expects the Council to agree to Mathias’s terms, leaving him free, finally, to claim his chosen mate. Even more unexpected is the presence of a third-bond to appear during their mating ritual.

The grandchildren of the slain alpha of the Taghte pack, Colleen Donghall and her twin brother, were whisked away at birth. They're still kept hidden from those who would harm them. Raised in seclusion, Colleen's never experienced lust, let alone the bond between mates. On the night of lunar eclipse, she's drawn into Matthias and Andrew's passionate claiming, and her dormant libido is powerfully awoken.

But it’s nothing compared to the lust and danger that will stalk her and her mates, when she arrives in Scotland.

You can grab your copy of this exciting book at Loose Id today!

About Dakota:

Dakota is a simple Midwest girl, who found her passion in storytelling at a young age. She wrote her first novel her freshman year on an old electric IBM typewriter. Now writing in several different genres from erotic romance and BDSM to m/m and paranormal, she is a published author with multiple books under her belt. When she isn’t writing, she’s a devoted band mom and a loving wife. You can get in touch with Dakota at:

Dakota’s Website Dakota’s Blog Dakota’s Facebook Dakota’s Twitter

Thanks for playing, everyone!

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Dani Wade, Family, Golden Heart, Life, Travel Ella Sheridan Dani Wade, Family, Golden Heart, Life, Travel Ella Sheridan

Here's Your Sign 2

Y’all know I talk about my twin sister and fellow romance author, Dani Wade, all the time. It’s hard not to when you are joined at the hip, so to speak. What you might not have realized yet is that Dani and I share a bit of an odd funny bone. Last year, while traveling in Ireland, we began taking pictures of signs that made us laugh—some because they were silly, some because, if you have dirty minds like ours (hey, we are romance writers, after all!), look highly or even blatantly suggestive. Needless to say we found plenty, and we shared them with you. (Along with running commentary, of course; what would be the fun without that? ;) ) Last week Dani and I took another trip, this time to Savannah, Georgia. Gorgeous! We had an awesome time wandering the city, but it wasn’t all serious history. No, the people of Savannah evidently have as quirky a sense of humor as those in Ireland, and guess what?  We brought back evidence of it too! Wanna see? Okay! Without further ado, I give you: Here’s Your Sign 2!

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wild

I'm SOOOO glad we got the CENSORED version!

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildNot a lot of good if it’s frayed, is it? O.o

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildAs opposed to the sitting monk? The standing monk? The dancing monk?

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildThis one speaks for itself, don't you think?

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildThe sign says, "Late Church." It’s Southern Baptist! (If you’re Southern Baptist, you’ll get it; trust me… :p )

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildWell of course it’s my pie; I paid for it!

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildThis one kinda stumped us. What happened here? Did Debi quit? Die? Did Laurie bump her off? Forget her name is actually Laurie before she had the sign made with her supposed name, Debi? "Debi doesn't live here anymore..."

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildCara Bristol, Cherise Sinclair, Lexi Blake, and Kallypso Masters walk into a pizza parlor... :D :D :D

And last but not least, a gift for my Lucky 13 Golden Heart sisters, especially Bonnie Staring:

ella sheridan, writer, author, romance author, erotic romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, travel, savannah, romance authors gone wildI certainly do need new cabana boys, and I'm willing to provide on-the-job training; just sayin’. *smirk*

I hope you guys have enjoyed this episode of "Here's Your Sign." :) If you want to see more of the funnies we saw in Savannah, walk your mouse over to HERE and click to visit Dani's page and the signs she's sharing. They'll provide even much more needed laughter for your Monday morning!

~ Ella

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