Regrettable Book of the Week Playoff Winner is…

First, thank you to everyone who voted!

Now the big reveal…It was a tie between Harlequin Sheik and The Widow’s Last Laugh.

Harlequin Sheik-2 WidowsLastLaugh

I’ll break the tie and give the win to:
Harlequin Sheik-2

I actually have a REAL plot nearly done on this one, so there’s a strong possibility it could be written. As a reminder the Regrettable blurb was this:

The Tagline:

She’s not asking what her country can do for her, but instead asking what she can do for her country…over and over again.

The blurb:

The man who owns the love nest next to Dulcie Thomas is a royal hound dog. Literally. As in he’s a sheik from some Arabian country no one’s ever heard of but where the oil-driven GNP has allowed even the poorest citizens to keep swanky penthouse pads in New York City. The guy always shows up with a new beauty in tow–leggy, blonde, big tits, your basic nightmare–sets up house for a few weeks then disappears. The blonde skips off with a new bauble never to be seen again and a week or so later, the cycle begins anew. Disgusting.

Sheik Khalil Ibraham Prashneesh Yolande Mohammed Al-Jaffir, Skippy M to his club friends, has had it with his bitchy next door neighbor. Seems the building will let any riff-raff with a big trust fund take up residency. Skippy will be sure to have a word with Mr. Trompe the next time he sees him. This harridan named Dovey, Daisy, whatever, might not be so bad if she didn’t leave her ridiculous paperback romances on his doorstep. Always about some billionaire playboy sheik. He doesn’t need her romance tips, thank you very much. And if she doesn’t like the books, why does she keep reading them?

The east / west, male / female conflict comes to a head when Dulcie suspects Skippy has terrorist connections. Why else would he be ordering blindfolds, handcuffs, rope and torture devices? Patriot that she is, Dulcie is determined to aid Homeland Security even if that means going undercover beneath one thousand thread count sheets edged in gold filigree. Mata Hari will be nothing but a smudge on history’s pages after Dulcie fulfills her duty…no matter how many times she has to seduce the filthy beast! But at what cost to her heart?

 

Regrettable Book of the Week FINAL Playoffs!

Ok, you’ve narrowed it down to these nine finalists (had several tied for tenth so I just cut it off at nine). Time to pick you favorites for Win, Place and Show! Choose up to THREE (3).

MarshallingofKittyCarriedAwayWidowsLastLaughAbsolutelyLove2Harlequin Sheik-2LacemakerMOmmySwapHungryForYouRuthlessGinger

Purely Relative Releases!

You probably know I write under two different pen names–this one and Claire Gillian. Actually I have a third but she writes young adult and that age group has no business at this blog so I won’t mention her to keep the crawlers from associating us. Ha!

Today marks a momentous occasion. I’ve just released my first self-published book! Purely Relative is a novella sequel to my debut novel, The P.U.R.E., released last April.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I’ve learned by wearing the publisher’s hat and thanks to all the great advice out there by other self-published authors. Honestly, I’m thrilled the book is in the online catalogs of multiple sellers at this point. I’m thrilled to have already sold a few copies, even before the official release. I bought my own copy on Saturday from Amazon and read it. I only found one typo, and a minor one at that, comma issues notwithstanding. I’d say this is mostly because I had it professionally edited, not that that relieved me of doing my own multiple passes, again and again, looking for gaffes, incorporating early beta and ARC reader feedback.

So without yammering on any further, allow me to introduce you to my other me’s latest baby:

PurelyRelative_ClaireGillian_tagged

Read more about Purely Relative and find Buy Links and coupon codes at Claire’s site.

Who Wouldn’t Want to Be Marooned with a Millionaire?? Sandra Bunino Would!

Welcome to Sandra Bunino, my sistah from another mistah! She’s just released a hot little tale of a one night stand with a rich sexy entrepreneur from my neck of the woods that lasted much longer than a single lust-filled night. Chock full of luxury and pampering (in more ways than one!), Sandra’s story is a great escape and a swoon-worthy tale.

I’ll let her tell you more though. Take it away, Sandra!

***

Thanks for having me on your site to share my new release, Marooned with the Millionaire! I hope your readers enjoy the sexy little snippet I added below.

mwtm1mMAROONED WITH THE MILLIONAIRE

from Evernight Publishing

Release: April 9, 2013

Blurb:

A fierce Miami storm bring sexy strangers together at The Hotel Del Santos for a night of desire.

Stephanie, still reeling from a failed marriage, needs a break from the past. Shying away from the convention center crowds while on a business trip, she finds solace tucked away in a secluded hotel on South Beach.

Jason, a wealthy Seattle builder, has the worst luck with love. He swears he will never allow another woman to get under his skin, until the clicking of a pair of sexy stilettos across the hotel lobby floor attracts his attention.

Cut off from the outside world, the lives of these two strangers collide and burn with desire when a storm strands them together. Neither wants anything more than a glorious one-night stand.

Their chemistry is undeniable and propels them to a second meeting in Sin City. However, Stephanie soon learns she has more reason to be wary of her mysterious lover than a broken heart.

 

Excerpt:

Stephanie sipped her martini while glancing over to the window. The storm showed no signs of letting up. In fact, it seemed to grow even more fierce. As if on cue, a violent crack of thunder ripped through the lounge as the rain angrily batted at the window. Carlos poured her yet another martini and she lost count of how many times he’d refilled her glass. Was this the third or the fourth? She knew one thing for sure: Jason Royce was sexy as hell. The way his blue eyes sparkled, as the candlelight flickered shadows against his tanned features, rocked her to her core.

Stealing a glance at his strong, muscular build beneath his sports jacket caused her breath to catch in her throat. Until today, she hadn’t thought of another man this way, not since before she was married. As if in a trance, she couldn’t break her stare. However, she quickly became aware of his smile. He watched her drink him in, which made her blush and turn her head in embarrassment.

Jason moved closer and spoke slowly in his silky voice. “I wonder if you might dance with me.”

“I’d like that.” Whoa. What the hell am I doing?

He led her to the dance floor illuminated only with candlelight and the occasional flash of lightning. Placing one hand in his and the

other on his back, their bodies started out a respectable distance apart. Before long, Jason’s warmth drew her in, and she couldn’t ignore the electricity forming between them. Tentatively, she stepped closer and lightly rested her head against his neck. Jason took this as a cue to guide her hand up and over his shoulder. Suddenly, his strong hands urgently pulled her against his rock hard body. The force of his embrace awakened a passion that lay dormant inside her until now. Stephanie couldn’t fight the fire building within her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, inhaling his musky scent while caressing his neck with her fingertips. Her face grazed up the side of his neck, stopping at his jawbone. Jason’s touch seared her skin as his fingertips skimmed up her side to her neck and came to rest on her chin. With his thumb and finger, he guided her face upward and she opened her eyes. His smoldering gaze burned a trail down her body. Uncomfortable with the intensity of his stare, she looked away.

“Stephanie.”

Her eyes shifted back to meet his gaze as he lowered his mouth and softly brushed his lips against hers, questioning her, awaiting a response. Accepting his invitation, she parted her lips and moaned softly. His lips were soft and enticing. It had been a long time since she was kissed like this. She surrendered her tongue to his and felt desire fill her belly as an overwhelming passion grew by the moment. Breathlessly, she pulled away, embarrassed by her body’s reaction to the kiss. She looked down and pressed her forehead against his chin.

“I don’t know why I did that. I need to go sit down.”

***

Whew! Sexy!!

Find Marooned here:

Amazon / Evernight Publishing / AllRomance eBooks / BookStrand

 

More About Sandra:

Sandra Bunino is a numbers crunching business professional by day who stays up past her bedtime thanks to her oh-so-sexy imagination. Who needs sleep, anyway? Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

Her books include Marooned with the Millionaire and The Satin Rose Experience series including Mia’s Submission, Brooke’s Wish and The Submission of a Mafia Princess.

These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family. She always looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at sbunino@gmail.com. As a social media junkie in need of a ten-step program, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@sandrabunino).

Follow Sandra here:

Website / Email / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page / Twitter @sandrabunino

Remember, following is sexy!

Regrettable Book of the Week Playoffs — Setup and Round One!

As of last week, I’ve featured 29 Regrettable books—26 I did myself, 1 I co-wrote with Diane Dooley and 1 was written by guest, Aimee Laine. 29 books over seven months is a lot of weekly regrets! Your comments have been awesome and I thank everyone who puttered by to share in the frivolity.

But now it’s your turn to participate. I’m really interested in how they stack up against each other. Believe it or not, many of these have plot bunnies I could see turning into a real book, hopefully with the regrettable elements stripped out and a better cover. LOL

Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to run a playoff with brackets to narrow down to the finalists and ultimate winner! I want to know:

Which Regrettable Book of the Week was YOUR Favorite?

…whether it’s because it made you laugh hardest, shake your head longest or tap your chin and think, “Hmm, now THIS, I’d possibly even read if penned by the awesome Lila” (or anyone, really).

To refresh your memory, here are the nominees (click cover to read any blurb):

MarshallingofKittyWhitePLAYING FOR KEEPSCarriedAwaychocoateMakerBillionaireCinderellaPandaMineDeliveryManChillinwithDaddy
VerityFausseWidowsLastLaughAbsolutelyLove2Harlequin Sheik-2Wee_WillyLacemakerMOmmySwapHungryForYouRainbowsEndDessert_LoverBridezillaMakeupRevenge so sweetRuthlessGingerBullyTakesABrideBreederNannyAlieninBed Domme Fight Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please choose your favorite TEN (10) regrettables to advance to the finals. I’ll break any ties. All participants in my madness will have a shot at a prize! More on that next week. For this week, let’s do the first round of voting.