Monday, April 25, 2016

Renovation by Kim Loraine (VBT, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) ADULT title GFT



I am happy to have a guest post from author Kim Loraine, who explains...



Romance: It’s not just about the sex

Kim Loraine



When people ask me about writing romance novels, the subject is usually met with eye rolls, hushed whispers about sex scenes, and the inevitable question, “Are your books like Fifty Shades of Grey?” Now, I’m not opposed to some good sex in a book. In fact, I think it’s an important part of the development of characters and their relationship. The thing about contemporary romance that speaks to me is the journey of the characters. Sex can be a very important part of that journey. Whether it is self-discovery or self-destruction, sex can be used as a tool to help uncover more about the characters we are reading.

I want to read romance so I can recapture that feeling of falling in love again. I’ve been in love with my husband for fifteen years. We’ve settled into a strong partnership with a love that runs deep, but doesn’t hold the drama of early love. Through writing and reading romance novels, I can experience the angsty goodness of mistakes made, break ups, reconciliations, and the relief of a happily ever after, all from the safety of the pages of my book. Sex is a small part of that. I’ve read plenty of romance novels that are all sex and no plot, but there are those books that reach in and touch your soul. The sex is just one more layer of intimacy for the characters, one more connection the reader has to them.



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by Kim Loraine
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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Valerie Peters is done with bad boys and ready to start living for herself. She’s determined to settle for nothing less than a romantic, sweeps-you-off-your-feet, nice-guy. So when a sexy firefighter with the hottest reputation in town saves her from near-drowning, there’s no doubt he’s everything she shouldn't want. 

Donovan’s looks and image have kept his nights entertaining and his ring finger empty. One-night stands serve as a short-term distraction to the flashbacks of his past he increasingly struggles to ignore. But a chance encounter with his best friend’s sister makes him realize that one night is no longer enough. 

Together they discover that bad can actually be the best and forever is worth everything.

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EXCERPT
 

The drive was all of ten minutes.

Ten . . . excruciatingly slow . . . minutes.

Valerie needed Donovan. She needed to be surrounded by him; his taste, his scent, the feel of his skin on hers. At every stoplight, she let out a slight annoyed breath.

His hand never left her leg.

His thumb traced small circles on the outside of her knee.

His fingers played up and down her thigh, driving her wild.

"Once we do this, sweetheart, it's just you and me. No one else." His voice was rough as he parked in front of his building.

"No one else."

They walked hand in hand.

Ten steps to the elevator.

Not speaking.

Both staring straight ahead.

As the doors closed, flashes of the last time they were in this enclosure together ran through her mind. Heat crept up her body, causing her to squirm ever so slightly.

"I'm trying like hell to control myself, sweetheart. You keep squirming like that and I'll have you up against this elevator in less than a second."

Her heart jumped into her throat and she swallowed. He released her hand and stepped away from her, leaning casually against the elevator wall. As she turned her eyes to him, the sexual energy crackled between them and she prayed the doors would open soon. She watched as his tongue darted out to wet his lips and couldn't help but squirm against the wave of lust that hit her.

"I warned you," he said as he crossed the distance to her.

His hands captured her face and he crushed his lips to hers as the doors to the stupid elevator finally opened.

"Oh," came a soft cry from the elderly woman who stood in the hall.

Donovan and Valerie split apart. A wave of humiliation coursed through her for her obvious wantonness. "Mrs. Mackintosh." Donovan tipped his head at his neighbor, his ears tinged pink.

"Donovan."

As he pulled Valerie down the hall, she swore she heard Mrs. Mackintosh giggling.

At the click of the apartment door closing, he had his shirt off and she was up against the wall. His fevered kisses trailed along her neck and the exposed skin of her chest while he worked at the buttons of her silky shirt. The roughness of his fingers sent tingles through her as he freed her from the constraints of her office attire.

He looked down her body in appreciation. "Bare legs?"

"I don't like pantyhose." She shrugged. Standing there in front of him in just a bra and matching lace underwear, she should have felt exposed. Instead, she felt empowered. His eyes burned with hunger. Never had a man made her feel this important. This desired.

He kissed his way down her body until he was kneeling in front of her. "I don't think you understand how desperately I want you."

Her heart flipped. "Maybe you should show me."

He nipped at her hip with his teeth, lightly but with enough pressure for her to know he was serious. "Bed. Now."


Renovation will be on sale for $0.99 during the tour.
   

Pick up Kim’s books through amazon.com and B&N

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Kim Loraine is the author of the “Golden Beach” series, including “Restoration” (2015) and “Renovation” (2015). She started writing at a young age, scribbling down song lyrics, short stories, and poems she was too afraid to share with anyone. Busy working as a music teacher in her Pacific Northwest hometown, it wasn’t until her family of four picked up everything and moved to beautiful Japan that she decided to finally take the plunge and send her characters out into the world.

The central theme in Kim’s books is self-discovery, whether that is found through taking risks, breaking down walls, or admitting mistakes. Kim likes to write characters that seem like someone you actually know, who find that life is a journey not without its challenges.

When not writing Kim spends her time with her husband, chasing around their crazy kids, exploring Japan, and binge-watching Doctor Who on Netflix.


You can follow Kim on Facebook
or Twitter @kimloraine2







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GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here
  



17 comments:

  1. Really sexy excerpt. This sounds like a fun story.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you think so, Jane. Thank you for popping in!

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  2. Where did you get your ideas for this book?

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    1. Because this is the second book in a series of stand-alones, I already had the characters in mind and wanted to tell their story. I pull a lot from real life experiences (and then I make the stories fit my characters)

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  3. I'm really looking forward to reading this one, it sounds like a really great book! Thanks for sharing :)

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    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it!

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    2. I appreciate you taking the time to come by and read and comment, Victoria!

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  4. Replies
    1. Good to hear, Rita. Thanks for popping in!

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  5. Do you prefer paper or digital books?

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    1. I like both. It really depends on my mood.

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    2. I definitely prefer paper, Becky, but I have to admit that I'm running out of space, lol. Thanks for dropping in!

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  6. Replies
    1. Good luck, Danielle. Thank you for visiting!

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  7. Glad you enjoyed it, Mary. Thanks for coming by!

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