Guest Post: New Year, New Love? by Nona Raines

Thanks so much for having me here today, Holly, and Happy New Year, everyone!

At the birth of each New Year, we make all kinds of promises to ourselves in the form of resolutions: we'll stop biting our fingernails, start jogging every morning, or stick to a high-fiber diet (donuts have fiber, don't they?) "Out with the old and in with the new", we cry as the old year closes and the New Year begins.

But what if you are one of the things left behind? That's what happens to Mia Manetti, the heroine of my BDSM themed erotic romance Uncollared. Or at least, that's how she feels—as though she's been swept aside like so much used confetti. When her Dom, Philip, tells her they're over, she's caught by surprise and torn between hurt and anger.

What do you when the man you love lets you go? You get mad, you feel sorry for yourself and finally, you move on. How better to move on (and to prove to the world that you're past it) than to find a new man? Mia agrees to submit to Master Chess because it feels safe—she doesn't love him, therefore her heart will be protected. But what happens when love sneaks up on her? Will Chess be her new chance at happiness?

What Mia doesn't realize is that Chess is not who he seems. He's hiding a lot from her, hiding a lot from the world, and afraid to let anyone know the truth. His secrets are a burden, and he doesn't want to encumber Mia with them as well. But is it really his concern for Mia that's keeping him silent or is it his pride?

Submissive Mia Manetti is devastated when her first Master uncollars her just as she was hoping for a permanent relationship with him. Trying to move on, she agrees to sub for a powerful and sexy new Dom.

Chess Ryan has wanted Mia from the first moment he saw her at Club Restraint, but it was always "hands off" because she belonged to his friend Philip. Now, thanks to that friend's maneuvers, Mia is finally his. But only for a little while.

Mia finds it increasingly difficult to keep her feelings in check as she experiences erotic delights with Master Chess, sensual and sexual fantasies that she's never known before. Is she setting herself up for another heart ache?

Guilt, secrets and misplaced pride all keep Chess and Mia from being completely honest with each other. As they connect sexually and emotionally, they realize their relationship has grown too serious to be called "play". How far are they willing to go as Master and slave?

Chess and Mia will make it only if they let go of fear and pride. If they're honest with themselves and each other. By not dwelling in the past and refusing to fear the future, they will finally be able to say "Out with the old and in with the new." They'll be able to embrace their love.

Uncollared is available at:

Loose Id   Amazon  Barnes and Noble   All Romance ebooks

Uncollared by Nona Raines

Purchase: Loose Id | Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | All Romance ebooks |

Submissive Mia Manetti is devastated when her first Master uncollars her just as she was hoping for a permanent relationship with him. Trying to move on, she agrees to sub for a powerful and sexy new Dom.

Chess Ryan has wanted Mia from the first moment he saw her at Club Restraint, but it was always "hands off" because she belonged to his friend Philip. Now, thanks to that friend's maneuvers, Mia is finally his. But only for a little while.

Mia finds it increasingly difficult to keep her feelings in check as she experiences erotic delights with Master Chess, sensual and sexual fantasies that she's never known before. Is she setting herself up for another heart ache?

Guilt, secrets and misplaced pride all keep Chess and Mia from being completely honest with each other. As they connect sexually and emotionally, they realize their relationship has grown too serious to be called "play". How far are they willing to go as Master and slave?

About the Author:

Nona Raines became hooked on romances when she first picked up "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen Woodiwiss (and she's not telling how long ago that was). Romances may have changed since then, but her love for a good love story has not. She's been writing off and on for years, but it was only when she joined the Central New York Romance Writers Association that she finally gained the support and confidence she needed to complete a manuscript.

Nona lives in upstate New York with her many pets and is currently working on her next novel. A former librarian, she enjoys reading books of all genres and discussing them with others. She is thrilled to finally be able to call herself an author and looks forward to hearing from readers.

Website / Facebook

Resolutions for 2013 by Nona Raines!

Thanks so much, Holly, for letting me appear today at Reading with Holly!

New Year's Day is almost upon us and many of us are ready to make our resolutions for 2013. I wonder how many of us stick to them, lol? I know I haven't been too successful with mine. But the wonderful thing about a new year is the fact that it a chance to start over—the mistakes of the past can be swept aside and we can have a fresh start.

It's not always the New Year that gives us the desire to start fresh. Sometimes it's an incident in our own lives that gives us the kick in the pants we need to make a change. This is especially true if some of our old habits are detrimental and self-defeating.

This is true for Kim Hansen, the heroine of my erotic romance Her Perfect Man. She's in a rut. She's just been dumped (again) by a guy she'd hoped to make her boyfriend; she's stuck in a job she dislikes; and even her cat won't show her respect.  She's not happy with her life, but doesn't know how to improve it. When she meets her downstairs neighbor, Charlie Keller, he rubs her the wrong way, but also moves her to make some changes in her life.

Here's a little more about the story:

Kim Hansen has terrible luck with men. When her sexy downstairs neighbor shows a more-than-neighborly interest in her, she's suspicious. She's been burned too many times, by too many guys. Steamy sex is one thing, but Charlie Keller is smart, hot and successful—so what could he want with her besides a few nights of pleasure?

Though Kim does her best to shut him down, Charlie's not put off by her attitude. He doesn't scare easy. Kim thinks she's clever, using sex to maintain an emotional distance and to keep him off guard. But Charlie sees through her tough exterior to the tender heart beneath.

But Kim needs to be won over. Sure, their bedroom action is awesome, but given her past mistakes, she's convinced Charlie is too good to be true. Just too perfect. But if Charlie has his way, he'll prove that he's the perfect man for her.

Charlie sees something in Kim that she can't even see in herself. Change is scary, though, and sometimes Kim pushes back. She makes things tough for him and even tougher for herself. But she can't deny her attraction to him, either.

           

Excerpt:

Kim pulled open the door and began "Look, I just want to…" Her voice trailed off and her mouth went dry as she got a good look at him. This was Charlie?

Gone was the preppy polo shirt he'd had on last night. Today he wore a black T-shirt that stretched tightly over his chest. A warm, hard chest that she remembered touching last night. Kim's heart thumped.

He'd changed last night's Dockers for a pair of jeans that hugged his thighs. Heat flashed through her as she recalled sitting on his lap and how hard he'd been for her. Oh, God, she couldn't help it. Her gaze went to his package, which filled the front of his jeans beautifully.

Her eyes flashed to his. "You like?" he asked. The same words she said to him last night.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. He was the same man, but different. And not only had the clothing changed, so had his demeanor. This Charlie was not the geeky schoolteacher or the helpful downstairs neighbor. This Charlie was a really hot guy. And from the way his blue eyes lasered her, he thought she was hot, too.

"Are you sober now?" His voice was taut.

"Huh?" She blinked. "Yeah."

"Good." Before Kim had time to wonder at his question or feel insulted by it, he stepped inside, kicked the door shut and hauled her into his arms.

He didn't so much kiss her as devour her—as though he were taking up from where they left off last night, before his conscience made him leave. Kim had no trouble catching up.

Sex doesn't scare Kim, but the thought of love does. She's used to being with guys that use her as a bed partner then let her down. When Charlie shows a real interest in her as a person, she doesn't know how to react. It's easier to show off a tough exterior than to reveal her inner feelings. Can she really change and live the life she longs for, be the person she wants to be? Or will her attempt just bring more heartache and disappointment?

Thanks again for sharing the blog with me today. I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year!

Her Perfect Man (Book 3 in The Man series) is available at:

The Wild Rose Press    Amazon        Barnes and Noble     All Romance ebooks

Her Perfect Man

Nona Raines

Kim Hansen has terrible luck with men. When her sexy downstairs neighbor shows a more-than-neighborly interest in her, she's suspicious. She's been burned too many times, by too many guys. Steamy sex is one thing, but Charlie Keller is smart, hot and successful—so what more could he want with her?

Though Kim does her best to shut him down, Charlie's not put off by her attitude. He doesn't scare easy. Kim thinks she's clever, using sex to maintain an emotional distance and to keep him off guard. But Charlie sees through her tough exterior to the tender heart beneath.

But Kim needs to be won over. Sure, their bedroom action is awesome, but given her past mistakes, she's convinced Charlie is too good to be true. Just too perfect. But if Charlie has his way, he'll prove that he's the perfect man for her.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance m/f

Buy links: The Wild Rose Press

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nona Raines became hooked on romances when she first picked up "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen Woodiwiss (and she's not telling how long ago that was). Romances may have changed since then, but her love for a good love story has not. She's been writing off and on for years, but it was only when she joined the Central New York Romance Writers Association that she finally gained the support and confidence she needed to complete a manuscript.

Nona lives in upstate New York with her many pets and is currently working on her next novel. A former librarian, she enjoys reading books of all genres and discussing them with others. She is thrilled to finally be able to call herself an author and looks forward to hearing from readers.

Website / Facebook

Interview with Nona Raines, author of Take This Man!

Holly:  Hi Nona! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Nona Raines: Sure thing! I'm a former librarian who's been a reader all my life. I've also been a writer most of my life (though an unpublished one until recently). Having my books published has been the culmination of a dream.

Holly:  Can you tell us a little bit about your book Take This Man?

Nona Raines: This book is the second in The Man series and features Adam Vostek, who was introduced as a supporting character in my first book One Good Man. He's still carrying a torch for a woman who left town two years ago. He's angry that she left, but he also feels guilty because he knows he pushed her away.

Here's a blurb:

The biggest mistake of Elyse Zemanski's life was falling in love with Adam. When a night of sexual fantasy went too far, she was crushed and couldn't leave town fast enough.

The biggest mistake of Adam Vostek's life was letting Elyse go. He'd been afraid of the love she promised and pushed her away—into another man's arms...and bed.

When Elyse returns to Summit to help a friend, Adam wants a second chance to prove he’s worthy—in and out of the bedroom. She claims she's over him, but one look from those smoldering dark eyes, and she throws caution to the wind. Elyse offers him seven days of wild sex, hoping to get him out of her system. Adam's good to go on the sex. But will a week be enough to win back Elyse's love and trust?

Holly:  Which came first for you, the characters or the plot?

Nona Raines: In this case, the characters definitely came first. Adam was pretty cynical in the earlier book and had quite a jaded view of love. He made me curious and I

Excerpt of One Good Man by Nona Raines!

 

One Good Man

BY Nona Raines

Just one touch...that’s all Andie Benedetto wants when she glimpses her father’s sexy neighbor. Images of deep, long kisses and down and dirty sex heat up her fantasies. When he catches her watching him, she’s embarrassed but undeniably turned on.

Just one weekend...that’s all Matthew Vostek can offer Andie. He recognizes her shyness, but also senses her desire, the same desire he feels. Maybe they can fulfill each other’s hottest fantasies.

Just an adventure...that’s what Andie tells herself. Tired of playing the good girl, she’s ready to accept Matthew’s challenge and enjoy the most exciting sexual escapade of her life. But when the weekend is over, will Andie finally take what she wants instead of settling for second best?

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance m/f

Buy Links: Barnes and Noble / Amazon / The Wild Rose Press / All Romance ebooks

EXCERPT:

The first thing Andie noticed when she entered the living room was the wide smile on Matthew’s face. The second thing was the all-too-familiar book on the coffee table.

            “You...ah...what’s that?” She felt her heart thump erratically as she played dumb.

            Matt gestured easily with his hand. “I think you know what it is.”

            Her gaze flashed to his face.

            “After all, I found it at your place. I wasn’t snooping,” he assured her quickly. “It was right there on the kitchen counter. I'd have been blind to miss it.”

            “Uh-huh.” Andie was at war with herself. The scared Andie who liked to play it safe wanted to feel embarrassed. The other Andie, the one she became when she was with Matthew, wanted to look him in the eye and say so what?

            “Dr. D’s Dictionary of Desire,” he read, then gave her a look. “Imagine my surprise to find it sitting right out in the open like a cookbook.”

            “Imagine,” she murmured. She lifted her head and looked at him in challenge.

            “It looks so informative, I didn’t think you’d mind if a borrowed it.”

            “Not at all. And it is. Very informative.” Her voice was smooth.

            “But I must say, I’m disappointed.”

            Her tongue flicked her upper lip in a combination of nerves and lust. The smoky quality of his voice and his heavy lidded eyes were making her aware of the throbbing between her legs. “Disappointed?” she echoed.

            “I’m disappointed you didn’t want to share it with me.”

            Andie drew in a quick breath. Her flush grew deeper and her vision grew hazy from desire. Her voice sounded thick with longing. “We could share it now.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nona Raines became hooked on romances when she first picked up "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen Woodiwiss (and she's not telling how long ago that was). Romances may have changed since then, but her love for a good love story has not. She's been writing off and on for years, but it was only when she joined the Central New York Romance Writers Association that she finally gained the support and confidence she needed to complete a manuscript.

Nona lives in upstate New York with her many pets and is currently working on her next novel. A former librarian, she enjoys reading books of all genres and discussing them with others. She is thrilled to finally be able to call herself an author and looks forward to hearing from readers.

Website / Facebook