Latest On The Nocturnal Nina Blog
Nina Crespo Presents: Binging on Books with MK Meredith
Nina: MK Meredith and I connected with each other through social media as pub sisters at Entangled Publishing. Genuine and generous were the first words that popped into my mind when I finally met her two years ago. Dive into her new book this week. You’ll enjoy it.
Nina: If you were on a restricted diet of romance, what would be your main course (genre or trope) and why?
MK: I am a hardcore lover of historical romance, and one of my favorite tropes is the heroine fighting to keep her home, her birthright. Strong and fierce and not afraid to fight back against the dominance and mission of the sexy hero. But boy, when she decides to take a sampling, she’s happy she did! LOL!
Nina: What’s your favorite dessert—an alpha or a beta hero?
MK: I love a well-balanced hero who is a mix between an alpha and beta…I want my hero to take me up against a wall because he’s so overcome with the attraction between us, but believe a woman should be cherished, listened to, and supported. Is that too much to ask? Heehee! It’s not! I found one IRL!!
Nina: What’s your after dinner drink? Coffee, tea, wine champagne, brandy (or your choice:).
MK: My after dinner drink is a rich, full-bodied red wine when I’m being indulgent, and the bubbles of a great Cava or Prosecco when I’m having to be more careful with sugars. If I’m on a date with my honey, I love to sip on a delicious Scotch, and when hanging at a conference hand me a dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives! I’m never good at picking just one!
About MK’s Book
On the rocky, atmospheric coast of Cape Van Buren, Maine…
After a decade of making it on her own, Irish immigrant, Blayne MacCaffrey is determined to return to her homeland and make peace with her father, who hasn’t forgiven her for deserting the family—for what she believed was true love. Her ticket home is in the bag with the launch of the Archer Conservation Park of Cape Van Buren. Only she must partner with the devastatingly sexy heartbreaker who first awakened her desires and unequivocally destroyed her dreams years ago.
Believing that family duty comes before everything else, James Astor made the biggest mistake of his life and had abandoned the only woman he’d ever loved. But after a decade of lucrative business transactions and empty relationships, he returns to the Cape, determined to show Blayne how perfect they are together and why he’s worth falling in love with all over again.
A second chance at first love is a dream neither can bear to lose again. With a past marred by painful mistakes, can they find the courage to forgive and fight for love? Or are these two souls destined to repeat history?
Excerpt
If anyone asked, he’d say the devil made him do it. And he’d do it again, too.
Without a sound, he stepped behind her, so close his chest brushed her back.
She sucked in a breath, but couldn’t move because she had two porcelain dishes perched on the edge of the shelf.
“Careful now. I’m just trying to help.” His voice was even but his blood raced through his veins at her nearness. Her scent wafted around his head, her heat warmed his skin, and the silky slide of her hair tickled his biceps as he reached around her to assist with the bowls.
“Jamie.” She stiffened. And he’d have sworn on his position at the conservation center she quit breathing.
“You’re about to lose two bowls that were balanced against the ones in your hands. Take it easy and let me help you.”
“I don’t need your help.” She shoved back slightly with her ass to force him to move but all she accomplished was pushing those round globes tight against his dick. And his vision went white.
Now he was the one who couldn’t breathe. God damn, she felt so good.
As quickly as she pushed back, she pulled forward.
His hands wanted to grab her hips and pull her back so he could grind against her softness, and his heart wanted to pull her back to a time when she loved him. He blinked and swallowed hard, then adjusting the bowls by her hands, helped slide the other two back to safe ground.
As if his body hadn’t been on the verge of exploding, he stepped away and returned to his table.
Blayne didn’t move away from the shelf for a full minute. He’d counted, thankful for the time to get his body in check and his mind straight. Those kind of games were dangerous, but fuck him if it didn’t feel good to play.
Finally, she quietly cleared her throat and reached for her clipboard, busying herself with her list of incoming stock.
He opened another box, slipped the box cutter blade safely beneath the protective edge, then set it on the table.
With a quick, easy grace, she grabbed the box cutter and unsheathed the blade.
“What the hell?” He looked from the blade to her eyes which glittered in a telling, ominous manner.
He let out a soft chuckle. “Blayne, don’t be ridiculous.”
She raised the blade a little higher in its sheath.
“I was only trying to help.”
“Bullshit. You were trying to manipulate me. You were trying to muddy my head with your filled out muscles and smooth skin.”
His dick jumped.
“Come on. I was doing nothing of the sort.”
The hell he wasn’t.
And she knew it.
He raised his hands in front of him. “Seriously.”
“Get out.”
“Blayne, come on.”
She grabbed his shirt and threw it at his face. “Get. Out.”
There were times to advance, and there were times to retreat.
And there were times to run like hell from a mad woman with a blade.
About MK Meredith
Bestselling author MK Meredith promises an emotional ride on heated sheets. She’s had a lifelong love affair with peanut butter — the only two things coming close in the battle for her affections are gorgeous heels and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEA’s (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale. Her newest series, CAPE VAN BUREN, is set off the atmospheric coast of Maine and made a splash with book one, LOVE ON THE CAPE. This sexy and emotional love story between Ryker Van Buren and Larkin Sinclair will make you laugh, will make you cry, and will leave you feeling happy ever after! Book two, HONOR ON THE CAPE, keeps the light burning with Blayne MacCaffrey’s story March 26th.
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Nina Crespo Presents: Binging on Books with Lynne Silver
Nina: I met Lynne last year at the Romance Writers of America conference where we clicked during a brainstorming session. I still enjoy chatting with her about characters and plot. She has wonderful story ideas so make sure you check out her books.
Nina: If you were on a restricted diet of romance, what would be your main course (genre or trope) and why?
Lynne: NOOO, don’t restrict my genre! I’m a binge genre reader. I’ll go for a week reading only Regency, then switch to paranormal, then contemporary. It all depends on my mood. But for one week at a time, I stick with one sub-genre of romance. There are also certain tropes I love and some I hate. If I love a trope, it’s a one-click for sure. That goes for virgin hero, fated mates, and marriage of convenience. And if the book has a secret baby, enemies to lovers, or a billionaire boss, I’m outta there.
Nina: What’s your favorite dessert—an alpha or a beta hero?
Lynne: I like my alphas, but he better not be an alpha-hole. I want a confident man, one who’s so confident he can allow others to shine.
Nina: What’s your after dinner drink? Coffee, tea, wine champagne, brandy (or your choice:).
Lynne: I’m a water drinker, but if I’m feeling naughty, I drink half/half (iced tea/lemonade).
About Lynne’s Book
Twelve men are willing to fight and die for her.
Only one will triumph.
In a world where fertility is a rare and treasured thing, Jane—the breeder for Windy City—is ready to fulfill her destiny and repopulate the earth, with the help of the one man strong enough to have her. The man she’s dreamed of for as long as she can remember.
One fight. One winner. One month of uninhibited pleasure. For Ethan, losing Jane isn’t an option. He’s spent years preparing for this battle, for his woman, but marriage and family are a thing of the past, and happily-ever-afters don’t come easy.
No matter the temptation, they can’t stay lost in each other’s bodies forever. The clock is ticking, and Ethan means to keep Jane for always. No matter what it takes.
For those times when size does matter. The Dirty Bits from Carina Press: Quick and dirty, just the way we like it. One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
Excerpt
“You’re on, Jane,” Michael said.
I smiled out to the audience hoping to convey my impartiality to the home viewers. My fingers trembled as I lowered my hand into the bowl. For good show, I rustled my hand around, taking care to tease out the anticipation, but not take too long for fear the males in the audience would revolt.
Several members of the Guard stood at strategic points in the auditorium to ensure the process would go without violence. It was one hundred men against a dozen, even if those dozen had serious weapons.
I drew out the first name and handed the folded card to Michael. He smoothed it open and read out, “Simon Carter.” Behind us, the name flashed on the screen in the number one slot. I scanned the audience looking for the man named Simon Carter to come running up the aisle to claim his prize. No applause or cheers accompanied him. This surprised me. When I watched in previous years from my dorm room, it had always sounded as if the studio audience had gone wild. Instead, reality was silent.
“This is a competition. They won’t cheer for their opponent,” Michael said under his breath as he interpreted my confusion. “Smile.” I now understood the cheers had been dubbed in for the home audience and forced the smile back on my face. I wondered what else was different for the home audience. What other surprises were headed my way?
Another second passed before the first candidate bounded up the steps and onto the stage. He towered over me. His expression was pure intent as he stalked over to me and yanked me to him for a kiss. This I’d been expecting. Each candidate got to kiss the Breeder before the real competition began. I hadn’t been expecting his height and strength as he overwhelmed me with his power.
Back at school, girls kissed all the time. Those innocent kisses had not prepared me for the feel of a man’s body pressing against mine. I felt dainty and petite against him.
The kiss went on for long seconds, leaving me breathless and clinging to his wide shoulders. “You’re gonna be mine,” he growled against my ear before stepping back.
I nodded mutely. Maybe he would be the winner. He seemed strong enough to me.
Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads
About Lynne Silver
Lynne Silver is the author of sexy contemporary romance such as the popular Alpha Heroes and Coded for Love series. She absolutely loves to travel and explore new cities. She has a slight (huge) addiction to donuts, fancy purses, romance novels and video games. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and two sons. She loves connecting with readers so please find her on social media.
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Reader Group | Amazon | Goodreads
Nina Crespo Presents: Binging on Books with Tracey Livesay
Nina: I’m exited to talk books with Tracey Livesay. I could chat with her all day because she’s fun and I love her sense of humor. She also writes great books that you have to check out!
Nina: If you were on a restricted diet of romance, what would be your main course (genre or trope) and why?
Tracey: If I could only read one genre of books RIGHT NOW, it would be hot contemporary romance novels. Maybe even erotic romance, to get more specific. I’ve been needing the spice and excitement they offer, to get me through this dreary, illness-filled winter.
Nina: What’s your favorite dessert—an alpha or a beta hero?
Tracey: Give me an alpha hero all day, everyday. Not an alpha-hole, an alpha HERO. I’m a strong, passionate woman, and I love the idea of a stronger man who’s intelligent, ambitious and driven. Beta men are nice…as a friend, but alpha men turn me on.
Nina: What’s your after dinner drink? Coffee, tea, wine champagne, brandy (or your choice:).
Tracey: After dinner I love to relax with a glass of wine. Red or white doesn’t matter, but I do prefer sweet.
About Tracey’s Book
An accident changed Leighton Clarke’s life forever.
After waking from a coma, Leighton Clarke can’t remember anything from the past six years. She’s stunned when her doctors inform her she has amnesia, something she didn’t think occurred outside of soap operas. Anxious and disoriented, the only person who elicits any feelings is Jonathan Moran, a gorgeous chef with compassionate brown eyes… who also happens to be her fiancé.
Jonathan isn’t her fiancé. But when his estranged brother–her real husband to be–asks him to step in while he’s away in London, Jonathan doesn’t think he has a choice, especially after seeing how the previously aloof Leighton now responds to him. The more time they spend together, the more Jonathan begins to fall for his brother’s fiancé, until he’s wishing the pretense was reality.
When Leighton’s memories come flooding back, can she forgive the man she’s fallen in love with or will his lie ruin the only thing that feels true?
Excerpt
Stay where you are, Jonathan! This has nothing to do with you, Jonathan!! She’s your brother’s fiancée, Jonathan!!!
He sidled up next to her, staring at her patrician profile as she studied the selection. Her hair caressed her cheeks. He wanted to brush the strands behind her ear, then trace the hills and valleys of the shell with his tongue.
Ahhh shit. So much for staying north of her neck. From this position he had an amazing view of her breasts, lovingly displayed by the bodice of her dress. Clearly more than a handful, the tops were plush and soft, like freshly rising dough.
Why had he thought about positions? About twenty, featuring the two of them, flashed into his mind, like exhibits from a sex museum.
“Do you like any of these?” Her voice was low and serious.
Fuck yeah. Especially the one where those long legs are draped over my shoulders and I’m sliding inside of you while you thumb your clit—
It didn’t take long to realize his error. But because the blood had forsaken his brain only seconds earlier, he replied, “Does it matter? I’m not marrying him.”
She withdrew slightly, as if disappointed by his response.
She’d expected something else? Maybe a mature, thoughtful reaction.
He gazed at the rings and his attention was caught by a solitaire in a classic setting. He picked it up. “What about this one?”
“Oh!” she breathed.
On a whim, he captured her hand and slid the ring on her finger. She inhaled audibly and contentment settled over him. Despite everything being wrong with this scenario, nothing had ever felt so right. The rose gold color of the band and the simple oval cut diamond suited the long slim elegant digit. She held her hand away from her, then brought it closer to her face.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.” Her voice was filled with surprised wonder. “It’s the one I would’ve picked out.”
“Great minds think alike,” he said in a voice barely above a whisper, conscious of her and their closeness. She smelled incredible, like sunshine and toasted spices.
“I guess so.”
She lowered her hand and lifted her head.
They were so close. A tiny mole near her temple marred the boring perfection of her forehead. The pulse at the base of her neck throbbed and he yearned to kiss it and her. Expressions flittered across her face faster than he could read them, but she didn’t move away.
And he couldn’t.
What would happen if he touched her? Just once. Brushed his thumb along her parted lips, slid his fingers through her hair? Would she let him? And if she did, could he stop there? Or would he want to do more? Like take her juicy bottom lip between his teeth and tug? Would she allow him to do that? Or more? Would she touch him?
“Did you see something you . . . Oh!” Bridge skidded to a stop.
Jonathan shifted smoothly away from Leighton, grabbing a nearby towel and setting to work scrubbing a non-existent spot on the bar. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest it drowned out any other sound. What was he doing? Things may be difficult with Thomas now, but if he’d done what he’d been thinking . . . There would be no coming back from that.
Bridge’s interruption was both the best and worst thing to happen. His biggest problem was he honestly didn’t know which.
Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads
About Tracey Livesay
Tracey Livesay’s latest release is Love Will Always Remember with Avon/HarperCollins. She writes smart, sexy and emotional contemporary romances where strong, successful heroines find love with powerful, passionate heroes. She’s been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post and on CBS This Morning. A former criminal defense attorney, she finds crafting believable happily ever afters slightly more challenging than protecting our constitutional rights, but she’s never regretted following her heart instead of her law degree. Tracey lives in Virginia with her husband-who she met on the very first day of law school–and their three children. When not answering the call of wife, mother or author, she runs marathons and daydreams about designer purses.
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The Romance Reviews Anniversary Party
The Romance Reviews is turning 7!
Celebrate with the occasion with new and fascinating books. Visit the site from March 1 to 31 for exciting games and prizes. Play to win awesome giveaways! Lots of prizes up for grabs. Grand prize: $50 Gift Card. I’m giving away an ebook copy of TAKE ME IF YOU DARE. Participating authors include: Rhenna Morgan, Zoe Forward and Kait Gamble.
Visit https://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php.
See you there!
Nina
Fight For You Cover Reveal
I’m excited to share the cover for FIGHT FOR YOU, the second book in the Kingman Brothers series! I hope you’ll enjoy Aiden and Delanie’s story as much as I enjoyed writing about them.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the book release on July 9th.
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Seven years ago, Aiden Kingman had to choose between betraying Delanie Clark and her father or staying loyal to his father’s company. He chose his father—losing Delanie in the process—and he’s regretted it ever since. Now as CEO and partner in Kingman Partners International, he needs to finalize buying a retreat property, but there’s one major hold up: Delanie is the contract negotiator for the owner, and she doesn’t trust him.
Delanie and her father lost everything when Aiden’s father lied about his intentions for buying her family’s mountain retreat. She swore that she would never have anything to do with Aiden Kingman again. But now she’s facing him across the negotiating table, and sparks that had previously been stamped out reignite between them. When tragedy places the deal on the line, will they put their history behind them? Or will the deal cost them their second chance at love?
***
Excerpt
The bell on the door jangled.
A woman with shoulder-length dark hair entered, wearing a long, fitted black coat over a turquoise business suit.
Beth? No. That wasn’t her. King said she had light brown hair that was nearly blond.
As the woman strode down the aisle, her pointed black, high-heeled boots clicked sharply on the tiles. She passed the older couple and returned their friendly hellos.
This woman looked like…no, it couldn’t be her. As she reached his table, recognition toppled Aiden’s disbelief and hit him like a brick to the chest.
Delanie dropped her large black tote on the far side of the seat across the table from him, and slid in. As her dark brown gaze locked with his, the pleasant smile she’d shared with everyone else in the restaurant faded. “Hello, Aiden.”
What’s next? Pick up your copy of FIGHT FOR YOU, The Kingman Brothers and find out. Available July 9, 2018.
Copyright © 2018 Nina Crespo. All rights reserved.
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I’m starting a review team for The Kingman Brothers series. If you’re interested in finding out more about the group, reach out to me through the contact form on this website.
Make time to enjoy life and all of the good things that happen at night.
Nina
NEW Nina Crespo news in 3-2-1
Hi Everyone!
Hope all is well in your world.
This is my last blog post for 2017. It’s been an interesting year with unexpected twists and rewards. Positivity, perseverance, and fun are just a few of the things I’m taking with me into 2018, especially as I prepare to release new books.
Be sure to save the dates for my new release celebrations and make time to curl up in your favorite places to read The Kingman Brothers and Breakup Bash series.
You’ll find all of the details here: https://t.co/jv7RBLpbD4
Don’t forget—newsletter subscribers receive early cover reveals and exclusive excerpts. Sign up if you’re not already on the list.
Wishing you love, happy reading experiences, and lots of smiles in 2018!
xoxo
Smurf Cat & Nina
