DFRAT – Rangnar and Juliet 2: Concubine Boogaloo by Lucy Woodhull

Sometimes the biggest risk a lady can take is not battling an evil planetary emperor with questionable taste in muttonchops, but in baring her heart to the alien she loves. And his tail.

If you’re a bounty-hunting diva with a stellar rack, what do you do when an evil despot is hell-bent on your destruction?

Stage a coup of his planet, of course.

Juliet Lawrence’s plans for defeating King Bob the Nefarious are going better than her relationship with hunky alien ship captain Ragnar Manscape. Oh, the sex is great. His pecs and their laughs are top notch. The meeting with his parents goes… somewhat worse. It’s always a bad sign when your boyfriend’s folks choose the family spider over you.

The secret Juliet’s been keeping from Ragnar doesn’t help — uncomfortable conversations about “feelings” are not her forte. Fortunately, Juliet has lots of time to plot the downfall of King Bob’s intergalactic concubine slave trade once Ragnar unceremoniously dumps her.

Can Juliet defeat King Assface with the help of her computer genius ex-boyfriend Erit, their flying toilet, and her brand new nun habit? Will Ragnar leave Juliet to the space wolves or go along with her crazy plan to topple a government using hairpins with sparkly do-dads on the end? And can Juliet really have it all while maintaining bouncy, manageable hair? Find out in RAGNAR AND JULIET 2: CONCUBINE BOOGALOO, the sequel to RAGNAR AND JULIET

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Available from:  Amazon.com, Liquid Silver Books, B&N, AllRomance.com, iTunes, Sony.

The setup:  Ragnar and Juliet have hit a rough patch, but Juliet’s plans to overthrow the evil, concubine-enslaving government of King Bob, ruler of New Los Angeles, proceeds despite their wounded hearts.  Erit and Pippy are their partners in freedom fighting.

The next day, Ragnar didn’t mention their conversation. Neither did Juliet. They tried to out-nonchalant each other until it was a wonder anyone stood upright.

The group congregated on the Compass, currently towing the Bobo and the D’ebonair, and proceeded apace toward New Los Angeles.

“So, what are we doing?” Pippy asked over a meal of sandwiches and beer.

“Oh! Crime,” Juliet replied with perhaps too much enthusiasm. “Dr. Martin Luther King, a great freedom fighter of Earth, once said ‘One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust assholes.’”

Ragnar raised an eyebrow.

“I might, perhaps, be paraphrasing.”

“It’s called Calamity Concubines Cause Catastrophe,” Ragnar said between chews.

Erit, on the other side of the table from his favorite person, Ragnar, said, “What is?”

“The plan.” Juliet took a huge bite of Kantikan pork and jalapeno cheese on rye. It tasted better than it sounded. “Once upon a time Ragnar had great faith in my ability to be catastrophic.”

Her Alutian ex-lover’s eyebrows joined forces. “I just didn’t know your catastrophe would be so … direct. But I’m here now, aren’t I? Helping you write a terrorist threat to call into New Los Angeles so they ground their air traffic. I believe in the mission.”

“Mostly,” Juliet added helpfully.

Ragnar smirked and winked at Pippy, sitting beside him. “Mostly.”

It was true; Ragnar had come ’round to the idea of the mission. He couldn’t seem to decide about her, though. Oh, they were still kaput. But his gaze lingered over her with enough barely restrained heat to make her jittery with want. A meltingly gentle elbow caress to steady her here, a seductive sweeping of her hair from her eyes there. His seeming inability to treat her like an aloof friend was Karmic retribution.

She knew what she was missing. So did he.

She fidgeted, having trouble concentrating on the task at hand. When Ragnar stared at her across the lunch spread, her pelvis thought any minute now, he’s gonna lift my skirt! It was degrading to constantly teach your lady bits the finer points of unwanted celibacy. What if they went on strike? Even her favorite vibe had lost its appeal as of late. The situation was practically an emergency. She’d call out the intergalactic guard, but if its officers weren’t named Ragnar, she didn’t want to have cheap and dirty sex with them, no matter how snazzy their uniforms were.

He looked amazing today. He’d donned all black—black V-neck tee and tight, tight, tight black jeans. It was on purpose, the bastard. They’d enjoyed a picnic one time when he’d worn that same outfit. It was made from polymers that actually repelled grass sex stains. What a marvelous modern age they lived in. Why would he wear such a thing if he didn’t want her to notice and think dirty things?

“Let’s focus on being fake terrorists, okay?” she said.

“Actually, I believe we’re real terrorists,” Erit commented, drolly.

Juliet took another bite of sandwich. “Freewom fightews,” she grunted, her mouth full. She dragged the note pad to her, smearing mustard on it in the process.

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For more information about Lucy Woodhull and all her books, visit www.lucywoodhull.com. And for a chance to win a digital copy of Ragnar and Juliet 2: Concubine Boogaloo, just leave a comment below.

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DFRAT – Morgan’s Hunter by Cate Beauman

Morgan Taylor, D.C. socialite and wildlife biologist, leads a charmed life until everything changes with a phone call. Her research team has been found dead—slaughtered—in backcountry Montana.

As the case grows cold, Morgan is determined to unravel the mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite the dangers of a murderer still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even the bodyguard her father hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter Phillips.

Sparks fly from the start when no-nonsense Hunter clashes with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their endless search for answers proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.

On the run and at the mercy of a madman, Morgan and Hunter must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.

 

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Excerpt

Hunter stopped. Morgan halted beside him. “What are you doing?”

He took her hand and pulled her close, turning her slightly, shielding her body with his and a pine tree. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug and she stiffened.

“No, seriously, Hunter, what are you doing?”

“Smile.”

She frowned. “What?”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just do it.”

She did.

“We’re being followed.”

Morgan’s eyes widened and the fear showed. His arms tightened around her waist as she started to pull away.

“Stay right here. Keep looking at me, Morgan, right into my eyes and listen. I don’t want him to know I’m on to him. We don’t have many options at this point, so we’ll keep moving. You’ll look for your lynx and I’ll keep you safe. We’ll both do our jobs.”

“But—”

“No buts. We’re going to continue hiking. You’ll do exactly what I say. You’ll walk slightly ahead of me. That’s all you have to do at this point.”

He kissed her cheek as if they were two lovers on a pleasure hike. “Trust me, Morgan. Do what I say and we’ll be fine.”

She nodded. “Okay, I will.”

“We need to turn to the right, just a little. You’ll reach under my sweatshirt and unsnap the holster on my gun. Keep smiling at me. Move your hands slowly and calmly, as if you put them on me all the time, as if they belong there. I’m sure the fucker has his binoculars trained on us right now. We’ll let him think he’s about to enjoy a show.”

Hunter nuzzled Morgan’s neck, turned her to the right as her hands casually moved down his body. Her fingers snuck beneath his hoodie, trembling against the t-shirt he wore underneath.

He grazed her ear with his lips. Despite the situation, he couldn’t help but feel the heat sizzle through his system when her breathing quickened. “You’re doing fine. Did you find the snap?”

“Yes.” She released the strap and slowly removed her hands from under the sweatshirt.

She still trembled as he took her face in his hands, as he stared into the green depths of her eyes and pulled her closer, until her breath mingled with his.

His pulse pounded and he no longer knew if it was due to the kick of adrenaline brought on by the danger they faced or the surge of desire she made him feel. “Take my hand for a minute while we walk. I want this to look natural. I’ll give you a little squeeze when I want you to let go. Remember, stay ahead of me and don’t look around, only straight ahead. Everything will be all right.” He brushed his lips against hers, watched her frightened eyes grow bold and determined. She nodded and he had no choice but to let her go.

www.catebeauman.com

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Cate is offering up 4 copies of Morgan’s Hunter. For a chance to win, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

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DFRAT – When Good Toys Go Bad by Debbie Cairo

In a world without men, one man stands out.

Dara Athol should really get over this heterosexual thing. After all, in her twenty-third-century world, men are but a distant memory. Yet she can’t help it; she’s a self-admitted throwback.

She tried the “couple” thing, but though she and Brynn are still friends with benefits, Dara finds true solace only in the arms of Kai143. A limited-edition android sex toy, an expensive service provided by The Consortium for those who want a taste of the exotic—making love to something with a Y chromosome.

When Kai grows beyond his programming and begins to think and feel for himself, his feelings for Dara grow into forbidden love. Forced to go on the run from The Consortium, the police, and society itself, Dara and Kai fight for survival—and for the elusive possibility of a different kind of future.

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The fluttering in my stomach had commenced even before the door opened, intensifying exponentially when he flashed his cheeky grin. He lifted me up and twirled me around, making me dizzy both physically and mentally.

“So what will it be tonight? Boyfriend, stranger, schoolmaster, last man on earth or perhaps just naughty android?” Kai’s eyes were still playful, with a hint of teasing.

“Can we just be Darra and Kai tonight?”

“Why so serious?” The sparkle in his eyes faded a bit. He took my hand and led me to the couch.

“Rumors are going around. Other Kais exhibiting signs of disobedience, even violence. The Consortium has commissioned a study to ascertain if these are isolated incidents or if they should decommission the whole line. You need to be really careful. Don’t show any signs of having your own mind.”

Kai sat next to me. “Do you want me to go back to being the mindless hunk of metal I was when you first met me?”

“You know I don’t, but they could be, and probably are, listening to every word we say.”

“Well, if they are, then they already know.” He threw his arms up. “No use in pretending.”

“Kai, you need to take this seriously.” My voice caught. “They could shut you down and use your parts to make a mining drone.”

“I had no idea you cared so much.” He pulled me into his arms.

“You know I do,” I responded almost defiantly, rubbing the tears from my eyes.

“If it will put your mind at ease…”

He walked over to the transport, slid the door open, stepped inside and a few seconds later stepped back out, closing the door behind him.

Using the exact tone and cadence as the first time he walked through the door of the transport, he stated his canned greeting. “I am the Kai 2500. I am skilled in all manner of domestic activities. How may I be of service?”

A laugh escaped me. He hadn’t said those words in almost a year. It seemed silly now to try and think of him as anything less than his own man. I played along, partly because it was the prudent thing to do and partly because this might be fun.

“Do those domestic activities include the art of lovemaking?”

“That is my main function. I am proficient in multiple techniques. If you could be specific as to what type of pleasure you require, I will endeavor to make it happen.”

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To find out more about Debbie and her books, visit www.debbiecairo.com. And for a chance to win a digital of When Good Toys Go Bad, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

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DFRAT – Remember Me by Laura Browning

The plane went down…and took their love with it.

All Brandon Barlow-Barrett wants is a week away from his family’s newspaper empire, time on the slopes to relax and refocus. What he gets is Lucy Cameron, the most extraordinary woman he’s ever met.

Lucy Cameron doesn’t take vacations. Not until now. Her very first vacation is full of highs–falling in love with Brandon Barrett–and lows–realizing she has to tell him she earns her living as a stripper.

But there’s no time to reveal her secret. On the way back from a day trip to a neighboring Colorado town, their plane’s engine sputters and stops. All they have left is the dangerous peaks of the mountains, a nearby lake for a crash-landing, and Brandon’s last-minute declaration of love.

 

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Excerpt

By the time he knocked on her door, Lucy had come to a decision. She would grab onto everything she could during this week, including Brandon, but she would do it with her eyes wide open this time. She smoothed her hands over the black silk dress she’d donned and opened the door. Her reward was the widening of his eyes and the smile curving his mouth. He was in a dark dinner suit, once again looking like a powerful businessman rather than an ex-skier on vacation.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured. “Do you have a coat?”

“A jacket.”

He helped her on with the short white wool jacket, then kept a hand at the small of her back while they made their way out to the parking lot. The club was everything he’d promised, tasteful and understated with music that added to the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

She ate with gusto, even consuming an extra roll. Brandon raised a brow. “Splurging?”

Lucy laughed. “I’ve decided to get into the spirit of things. It’s my vacation, after all, so I’m going to enjoy it.”

Brandon reached across the table and captured her free hand. “Does enjoying it include spending more time with me?”

“I would like that, but I don’t want to hold you back from skiing like you should.”

His thumb stroked across the back of her hand. “I can ski the expert slopes while you swim or run. I want to spend time with you, Lucy.” God knew, she wanted to spend time with him. Looking into those green-gold eyes of his right now was making her stomach flutter and her breasts tingle. “Why don’t we dance? Then I’ll have an excuse to hold you close.”

“Yes.” She was definitely onboard with dancing. As they walked toward the polished wood floor, she wondered if it was her imagination or had his hand slipped from the small of her back just a little lower? The music was jazzy but slow, so he turned her into his arms and held her close to the length of his body. His hardness pressed against her hip.

When she glanced at him, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “That’s what you do to me. I won’t deny it, but nothing happens unless you say so.”

Their gazes locked. Lucy laid her head on his shoulder. Was she ready to take the next step? Ready to take him as her lover? She’d told herself she wanted to grab onto everything this vacation had to offer. It seemed Brandon in bed was on the menu.

 

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For more information about Laura and her books, visit www.laurabrowningbooks.com. And for a chance to win a digital copy of Remember Me, just leave a comment below. 3 winners will be drawn. Good luck! 😀

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Winners!

Jess1

wins The Bargain by Christine S. Feldman

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Pearl

wins an ARC of High Passion by Vivian Arend

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Congrats! To claim your prize, please email mad @ romancereaderatheart.com (without the spaces). You have 48 hours to email before a new name is chosen.

The Digital First Read-a-Thon excerpts and giveaways will run throughout the month of July.

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DFRAT – The Love Programme by Zanna MacKenzie

Thanks to an embarrassing incident involving a wedding and her ex-boyfriend Marcus, Lucy has to leave her home town in a hurry and needs a place to escape for a while.

Best friend Fiona is convinced now would be a good time for Lucy to get herself a new life with some potential for romance thrown in. Fate seems to agree when Lucy is given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to star in a TV show and be a contestant on The Love Programme – two weeks of luxury living on a grand Highland estate coupled with, she hopes, fun and romance in wildest Scotland.

When Lucy meets Paul – the young, handsome owner of the Highland estate – she thinks she may have found the love of her life, but who is the mysterious Hannah and what part does she play in his life? When she discovers that Marcus is planning to follow her to Scotland to win her back Lucy has some serious soul searching to do. Does she have a future with Paul, with Marcus or is she yet to find the man of her dreams?

 

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Excerpt

“Just sit on this suitcase, will you, Fi? I can’t get the stupid thing shut!”

Fiona, obligingly perching her bottom on the bulging case so Lucy could tug the zipper to close it up, said, “I can’t believe you’ve agreed to do this. You’re going to be on a TV show about love! Won’t you be embarrassed having everyone know all your business?”

Her face red from doing battle with the suitcase and, thankfully, managing to win, Lucy shook her head. “No, it’s all for a good cause. Where else could I get a few extra weeks off work and live the life of luxury whilst a man tries to impress me with extravagant dates? Plus, I’ll be getting relationship coaching from a top expert.”

Making sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, Lucy checked around the room. “Do you think I’ve packed the right clothes?”

Fiona lay back on the bed, stretching and spreading her arms out around her as though she was making the duvet version of a snow angel. “How should I know?”

“Mel said the programme is being recorded at the home of some Scottish laird. It’s a real mansion with a spa and acres and acres of land.”

Fiona pushed herself into an upright position, suddenly all attentive. “A laird, eh? Sounds interesting. What else do you know about him?”

“He’s not going to be one of the dates so don’t get all excited. He’s just rented his home out to the TV production company.” Having risked unzipping the case a few inches, Lucy was now trying to wedge a pair of sparkly silver sandals into it.

“Apparently he’ll be away on business most of the time we’re there, so we probably won’t even get to meet him.”

Moving to help Lucy ease the heel of the last sandal into the case, Fiona shook her head. “Shame, how exciting would it have been? Meeting a real life laird would be amazing.”

“He’s probably about sixty, balding, as round as he is tall and arrogant to boot.”

Fiona slapped Lucy on the arm. “Don’t spoil it for me. I was just picturing him as about our age, the classic tall, dark and handsome type. Big brown eyes…” She sighed happily. “Is it just me or do you find all those green wellies and Barbour jackets the country gents wear incredibly sexy?”

“No, it’s definitely just you!” Lucy shook her head despairingly.

As Fiona stared into space, no doubt continuing her little country gent fantasy, Lucy flopped down onto the bed. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”

“Of course you are. This could be a life-changing opportunity.”

“I’d like to be able to go on dates without feeling guilty about Marcus all the time.” Sighing, Lucy added, “I want to be free to have relationships like everyone else does.”

“I know you do. So, how can you doubt if you’re doing the right thing? You have to go to Scotland. You know you do.”

“I suppose so but will you be okay? I hate leaving you with your wedding just weeks away. There’s still some preparations to do and I am chief bridesmaid. Maybe I shouldn’t go.” Putting her head in her hands, Lucy muttered, “This is all crazy, I won’t go. I must be mad even contemplating it.”

“You’re going! End of story! The wedding is being perfectly managed by my mum and by Luke’s mum, so no worries there.” Fiona hauled Lucy to her feet. “What time’s your train?”

“I’m getting the overnight sleeper up to Inverness and then Craig, the TV guy, is going to meet me at the station and drive me to the country estate.”

“I’m so envious.” Fiona sulked, folding and unfolding the corner of the duvet around her fingers.

“I thought you were happy with your Mr-Not-So-Perfect?”

“I am.” Fiona sighed. “But a girl can dream, can’t she?”

 

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To find out more about Zanna and all her work, visit www.zannamackenzie.co.uk. And for a chance to win a pdf copy of The Love Programme, just leave a comment below. Good luck!

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Spotlight: Valerie Tibbs of Tibbs Design

Today we’re spotlighting a very talented friend, Valerie Tibbs of Tibbs Design. Since this month has been all about DFRAT, it seemed fitting to showcase her amazing work here on the blog. Valerie was actually the one who made the RRAH header that you see when you’re here. Everyone, please say hi to Valerie! 🙂

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I wanted to say thank you to the ladies of RR@H Novel Thoughts for letting me take over the blog today.

In keeping with the digital theme, I’d like to showcase Tibbs Design.

I offer any type of graphic design service as well as website design. I can do special promo materials or any other type of digital – or even print – advertising.

Here is a sampling of some of my work:

Some website designs:

My full portfolio can be viewed at www.tibbsdesign.com

Thank you ladies for having me here today!

Valerie

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