Monday 29 September 2014

How do you make a move on your cousin's best friend? @MamaD8 #TheBearTreatment



Happy Monday, world. +Doris O'connor has taken over my blog today. I'll leave her to introduce her latest book, The Bear Treatment. Over to you, D...

***

Thanks so much for having me here today with my new release The Bear Treatment.

How do you make a move on your cousin’s best friend? That is my hero’s dilemma in the Bear Treatment. He has known Louisa since she was knee high, but she has only ever given him the death stare. Besides, his cousin would have had his pelt for a rug, had he tried anything.

Then there is the small matter of his being a shifter, and the whole council rules—not that they bother with him much. His family are not precious pure bloods. In fact, most of his side of the family can’t even shift anymore, their blood lines too diluted by centuries of mating with humans.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

You should definitely do this body #MidWeekTease #MWTease #ASMSG

Welcome back to mid-week tease hosted by the lovely Sandra Bunino, where we share excerpts from our work-in-progress or published books.

This week I'm continuing with more from my current WIP, Riding Rebel, book 3 of the Essien trilogy. Last week you met Rita Dike. Now let me introduce you to Tony Essien. I'm sure a lot of you fans of the series will be glad to finally meet the elusive Tony. He is one bad-ass Essien. Don't say I didn't warn you. LOL

My inspiration for Tony Essien
This is a first draft and unedited. Enjoy.

***

Tony Essien stretched his body and rolled onto his side. His arm hit a warm body and he peeled drowsy eyes open. Grey dawn light filtered through the curtains and dappled a feminine form covered in bedding.
Screwing up his forehead, he studied her pretty face and tried to remember her name.
Bukky? Rukky? Some name that ended with 'ky' or shit like that anyway. He couldn't bring himself to care as his temples throbbed with a dull ache. He massaged the sides of his head and sat up.
Traces of her makeup smudged the azure oxford pillow case, where her face had been pressed against it last night. Tresses of black hair spread out behind her.
Memories of last night replayed in his mind. Him yanking on her hair while he fucked her doggy style on the mattress. Mehn, she'd been a screamer, her moans had echoed off the walls and he'd stuffed her panties into her mouth to muffle her cries of delight.
By the time he'd spilled into the condom, she'd come so many times he'd stopped counting after the third time.
Some people would consider his sexual proclivities to be debauched. He didn't care. At twenty five he was young and a long way from settling down. And as long as there were women willing to take his brand of pleasure, it shouldn’t matter.
Money solved everything, anyway. And Lagos girls would let you do anything to them as long as they were well compensated in return. A handful of zeroes added to numeral digits on a check guaranteed no one ever discussed their encounters with him outside of the bedroom.
Swinging his legs over, his feet sank into the soft pile of carpet and he stretched out before heading toward the ensuite bathroom, navigating around the furniture in the still darkened room.
Time to dismiss this one. He didn't want her still in the premises when the rest of his family awoke. Although he had his own self-contained annex, he lived in the main Essien family estate, which meant he shared the same gated entrances as his parents.
His brothers had moved out and bought their own homes but his mother was reluctant to let him move out. So they'd compromised by refitting the two-bed house which had previously been used as guest quarters for him instead.
"Come back to bed, Tony."
The sultry invitation had him rotating his head to look back.
Silver light from the window showed the girl leaning on her right elbow, her other hand pushed down the blue sheets, revealing a slender body of chocolate skin, dark nipples peeking at him in invitation. A coquettish smile curled her full lips.
He pictured those lips wrapped around his dick and his half awake erection turned to a full blown morning wood. He should take up her invitation and return to bed. A glance at the bedside clock proved he still had some time, if they were quick.
He racked his brain again for her name but it only aggravated his headache.
Damn! Why couldn't he remember her name?
"I have things to do this morning," he said in a gruff voice, instead. His irritation hiked for some reason. It shouldn’t have bothered him. It wasn't the first time he'd forgotten the name of a girl he'd had sex with.
"Starting with this body. You should definitely do this body."
She winked at him and he had to smile. She was forward. Truthfully he liked his girls that way. He never liked second guessing what they wanted.
But this morning it wasn't working. Perhaps, it was seeing her in the cold light of day without the fuzzy influence of alcohol. She was still pretty and she knew how to use her mouth.
But he had other priorities right now.
"I've already been there, done that," he replied in half-amusement.
"Oh, come on Tony. I'll make it good for you. I'll let you come in my mouth again. And it's still dark outside. We have time."
Did she just use the collective to describe both of them or what they'd done?
"We? There is no 'we'," he snapped, his annoyance rising because he'd thought about inviting her into the shower.
But not now. Not if she thought there was more to them than just sex. He couldn’t go there again. Couldn't let any girl think he wanted more or could give more.
"I didn't mean—"
"I know what you meant. Get dressed," he ordered and reached for the wall switch, turning on one of the lamps. Soft yellow light filled the room. "Freddy will take you home or wherever you want to go."


***
Well, what do you think? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment and don't forget to check out the other Mid-Week Teasers.
Happy Hump Day!

Kiru xx


Monday 22 September 2014

Ever done something crazy in your life? Love Delayed @LoveBelvin #Giveaway

Congratulations to Love Belvin on latest book, Love Delayed. There is also a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway, so do leave a comment.



Sunday 21 September 2014

A soft moan escaped her lips #SexySnippets #ASMSG Riding Rebel

Welcome to Sexy Snippets hosted by The Nuthouse Scribblers where writers share seven sentences from their work-in-progress or published book. Feel free to join us by signing up here.

My snippet comes from my WIP, Riding Rebel (Book 2 of The Essien Trilogy). It is still early days with this but there's some smexiness coming up. This is first draft and unedited so pardon any errors.

***
The revving of a motorbike had her turning her head to see who had arrived. Head obscured in a black helmet and wearing a black leather jacket and blue denim, the rider could've been any man.
Surely it wouldn't be one of the actors auditioning for a part in the movie?A smirk curled the corner of her lips at the thought.
Gripping the handlebars with cool ease, the rider had a powerful presence as he pulled up to a spot. The ground beneath her gold ballerina shoes vibrated before he killed the engine and she felt the tremors between her thighs.
"Oh," a soft moan escaped her lips and she closed her eyes involuntarily.
***

Did you enjoy this? Leave me a comment and check out the other sexy snippets this week.
Have a fabulous Sunday!
Kiru xx

Wednesday 17 September 2014

You're going to help me take down the Essiens #ASMSG #MidWeekTease #MWTease

Welcome back to mid-week tease hosted by the lovely Sandra Bunino. I had to take a break for a few weeks due to dealing with the start of new terms/schools for the older kids and of course having to deal with a new book release.

I'm glad to say things have settled down and I have my routine back and I'm writing again. With Making Scandal out now, I can focus on writing book 3 of the Essien Trilogy, Riding Rebel.

Genevieve Nnaji as Rita Dike
So this week, I bring you a teaser from the Riding Rebel WIP from the opening scene which introduces Rita, the female lead. I have to say she is inspired by Genevieve Nnaji, one of my favourite Nigerian actresses. This is unedited, so pardon any errors. Enjoy.

***

"Mr Petersen will see you now."
Heart-thumping heavily in her chest, Rita Dike straightened from the wooden frame armchair and rubbed clammy palms down the sides of her black trousers.
The secretary, Calista, who spoke to her, was a dark-skinned girl not much older than her twenty-three years, dressed in black platform stilettos, grey pencil skirt and black striped fitted white shirt, face made up and blemish free, tresses of dark hair extensions almost to her rounded bottom.
How much do secretaries earn? Rita stared with envy, lips slightly parted, as Calista manoeuvred around her maple finished modular desk and sashayed across the red carpeted floor.
Surely, the girl didn't earn that much more than she did. But Rita had already done the mental mathematics and there was no way she could afford the expensive hair extensions or designer shoes. Not with a mother in the village and a university undergraduate sister who depended on her for financial assistance.
Calista turned the metal door handle and pushed back the oak slab. Rita swallowed the lump in her throat and shoved back worries about her finances. The faint scent of tobacco reached her before she saw the occupant of the massive modern white-walled office. A new concern churned her stomach.
Why had she been summoned to her boss's office? Not five minutes into the start of her work day and she'd received a phone call from Calista asking her to come up to the top floor.
Her tentative "Why?" had received a "You don't ask why when the owner of Zen Media invites you to his office. If I were you I would get up here, pronto."
Rita had abandoned her work and taken the elevator upstairs immediately, anxiety knotting her stomach.
Now she stood at the threshold, sucking in regulated breaths to keep the worry at bay.
"Good morning, sir," Rita said, hands gripped at her back to hid the fact that they trembled.
Head full of dark curly hair lifted and enquiring amber eyes pinned her. "Ah, come in, Miss Dike."
She sucked in a sharp breath and walked further into the space, cool air from the air-conditioner kissing her skin.  The first time she'd heard Mr Petersen say her name and surprisingly, he used the correct two-syllable 'de-kae' pronunciation instead of the one-syllable 'dyke' that some other non-Nigerians used.
Then again he seemed to be more Nigerian than most, especially since she'd read he'd been raised in South Africa. Like now, he looked almost regal in a silver caftan and trousers with white embroidery around the collar and edges as he strode across the room from the large beech desk to the cream sofas at the other end.
Stacked beech wood shelves lined one wall. The other side showing floor-to-ceiling tinted glass and a view of Lagos Island, the bustle of the main commercial district and the Marina.
She hovered next to the sofa, hands held rigid in front of her.
"Sit," he waved her to the chair before he relaxed into one, legs and arms spread.
Obeying, she sat on the edge. She couldn't loosen up until she knew the purpose of the meeting.
Calista lowered a tray of bottled water and two tall glasses onto the beech wood coffee table and retreated.
"Help yourself to the drink," Mr Petersen said. The sharp scrutiny of his gaze made her swallow hard.
Glad for the distraction of opening the metal cap and pouring water into a glass, she said, "I hope there's no problem, sir. Have I done something wrong?"
"Not at all," he replied in an even tone. "I have a very important assignment for you. Are you up for it?"
Head snapped back, she stared at him, mouth agape. A rush of excitement flowed through her body at the welcome words and she sat up straight.
Her job as a junior reporter was currently no more than a glorified clerk. When she had studied journalism she'd had dreams of travelling the country and the world reporting on life altering events. Instead she was stuck doing the occasional birthdays and obituaries for the Sun People Newspapers.
Now, it looked like her fortunes could be changed.
"Of course, I'm ready, Sir. Anything you have for me, I can do it?" she said, eagerness making her rush her words.
Surely it had to be something wonderful. He'd used the word 'important'. Perhaps some research into corrupt civil servants or some investigative work on the spate of attacks and kidnappings from Boko Haram. The possibilities were endless.
"You are going to help me take down the Essiens."

Copyright Kiru Taye 2014
***
I hope you enjoyed it. Leave me a comment and remember to check out the other Mid-Week Teasers.
Happy Hump Day!

Kiru xx



Monday 15 September 2014

Madrid, journalism and a scarred bear shifter. Meet @ElyzabethVaLey #AuthorFeature

Happy Monday, sweeties. Today, I have the lovely +Elyzabeth M. VaLey on my blog and we're chatting about writing, reading and her latest book, Bear Heart. Stop by and check out the interview and make her feel at home.

On to the interview...

Q1) Welcome to my blog, Elyzabeth. Please tell us a little about yourself
Sure thing! I’m American but I’ve been living in Madrid, Spain for most of life. I studied journalism but sadly the industry isn’t doing too well, so I’m doing a career change and going into ESL teaching here in Madrid. I have two dogs which I adore, an almost 13 year old boxer and a 3 year old Labrador. They’re my babies. *smile*

Q2) Madrid is a city I'd love to visit soon. It's interesting that lots of people end up changing careers from what they studied. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, except for a short while in second grade in which (for some strange reason) I wanted to be a judge, I have always wanted to write.

Monday 8 September 2014

The wait is over. Making Scandal: The Essien Trilogy #2 is here #ASMSG

Happy Monday, people! Did you know I have a book out today? The second book in The Essien Trilogy is finally here. Thank you to my lovely editor +Zee Monodee and her help with tightening the story.

Making Scandal follows Mark Essien, the second Essien brother. As the middle son, you'd think his story would be simple to write. But he was a hard nut to crack at first. While he doesn't have "Felix's sentimentality," to use his own words, he displayed an emotional depth that I found surprising and refreshing too. He is a man who thinks he has everything, until he meets Faith.

Faith Brown is a strong character. She's had to be to get to where she is in a very male-dominated environment. But beneath the hard shell, she is also vulnerable. She is a woman who doesn't want anything, that she hasn't merited. But in her heart, all she wants is to belong, to be part of a family.

Without further ado, I give you...

Making Scandal
Kiru Taye
The Essien Trilogy, Book 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Multicultural

BLURB
Sassy, successful Faith Brown has earned her place in the boardroom through hard work and sheer ambition. Making family is not on her agenda when there are businesses to develop and competitors to outdo. So when a casual affair with smooth and irresistible tycoon Mark Essien leads to an unplanned pregnancy, she’s determined not to make the mistakes her mother made by living with a man just for the sake of her child.

For Mark, personal matters have no place in the boardroom. Spotting the perfect opportunity, he ruthlessly launches a takeover bid for Faith’s Investment Brokerage firm. Finding out he’ll soon be a father, he knows he can’t let the indomitable and sexy Faith go through with her plans of single parenthood. All gloves are off. He’ll seduce her by any tactic necessary if it means his child doesn’t suffer the same stigma he did as a child.

With the media dogging their affairs in the boardroom and the bedroom, they find that making family is harder than making scandal.

BUY LINKS



EXCERPT

She sucked in a startled breath at the sight of a man standing underneath the archway leading back to the dancehall.
Mark Essien.
His shoulder propped against the wall in a casual manner, his legs crossed over at the ankles, and his hand holding a smart phone which he shoved in his back pocket.
For a moment, she stood there and just stared at him, lean and unquestionably sexy, in grey pinstripe trousers and a black silk shirt, the sleeves rolled back over forearms liberally spread with fine, dark hair, two buttons undone at the collar so that she got a sneak peek of a muscular chest.
"Oh," she said, her voice a little squeaky as her mouth suddenly dried out. "Hi...Where you looking for the gents’ toilet? I think it’s on the other side of the hall."
She wasn’t even sure why she was talking to him except that she suddenly couldn’t control her mouth.
"No. I don’t need the gents’," he said, his voice low and disturbingly sensual, spiking her nerves. "I was looking for you."
"Me?" Faith couldn’t hide the surprise from her voice. What could he want with her?
"Yes...you," he agreed, with a smile that gave his words a disarming intimacy. "I think we should both get out of here. You don’t want to be here any more than I do."
Faith blinked at the rate of a machine gun and turned away to gather her thoughts.
Wumi wouldn’t be pleased if she could hear him. She’d spent the whole day talking about meeting up with him and then the entire evening following him around like a puppy.
"Admittedly—" She swallowed to clear her throat and tried again. "—I'm tired and was thinking of going up to my room. But we certainly don’t have to leave together."
Winged creatures fluttered low in her belly as she struggled to believe he had come out here especially to see her. For heaven’s sake, he didn’t appear the kind of man who’d be interested in someone so ordinary. Attractive enough for a young woman, she didn't have Wumi's runway-model body, or Stella's pretty face.
Mark smiled—sensually curled lips, dimpled cheeks and eyes glinting with delightful mischief. Her insides melted. "There’s nothing that says we can’t."
Warmth radiated through her body and she couldn’t help smiling even as she shook her head. "I think Wumi, your girlfriend—" She had to force the word out of her mouth. "—and my friend, will have something to say about that, don’t you think?"
He rested his head against the frame of the door for a moment, studying her with eyes that she now saw were as dark as the midnight sky. Framed by thick, black lashes, they caused a shivery feeling inside her.
Just her luck. The first man she'd been attracted to in a very long time had to be involved with her friend.
He straightened and moved into the hallway.
Prey. She was being stalked. Hunted.
The rush of blood thundered in her ears,  and her eyes widened, half in apprehension, half with a sense of anticipation she’d never felt before.  Pull yourself together, Faith. There must have been way too much vodka in her mixer.



CATCH UP ON THE OTHER ESSIEN TRILOGY BOOK
Keeping Secrets is 99cents /77pence for a limited time only

Have you ever loved someone and didn’t even know it?
That’s the dilemma facing Felix Essien when he wakes from a coma to find he is married to the most beautiful and sensual woman he’s ever known. He cannot remember her or their wedding. He who had sworn never to get married or to give his heart to another. Yet he feels an intense bond with her that he intends to explore fully.

Ebony can’t believe her good fortune when her paper husband wakes not remembering the temporary marriage arrangement with no intimacies he’d proposed but is now the adoring husband she’s always dreamt of. She plans to make the most of the passion blossoming between them. However would he still feel that way when he regains his memory and realises she’s been keeping secrets and their marriage is not what he thinks it is.

BUY LINKS

BOOK TOUR
Today see the start of the Making Scandal book tour. Follow the tour, read excerpts, teaser, see the dream cast and learn a few facts about the book and series.


Blog URL
Host Date
08-Sep
08-Sep
08-Sep
08-Sep
09-Sep
09-Sep
10-Sep
10-Sep
10-Sep
12-Sep
13-Sep
15-Sep
15-Sep
15-Sep
15-Sep
15-Sep
16-Sep
16-Sep
17-Sep
17-Sep
19-Sep
20-Sep
20-Sep
20-Sep
21-Sep
22-Sep
25-Sep
26-Sep
28-Sep
28-Sep
28-Sep
29-Sep
29-Sep
29-Sep
30-Sep
30-Sep
30-Sep
 


GIVEAWAY
I am running a contest during the book tour and giving away a $20 Gift card, one Making Scandal T-Shirt, one Essien Trilogy cap and a signed copy of A Valentine Challenge. For your chance to win, complete the rafflecopter entries. This contest is open internationally to eligible entrants over 18 years or as applicable in their country of residence.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Romance Reviews