Sunday, February 17, 2013

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT~LAYNA PIMENTEL






Good morning all! I have a special treat! Today I have debut romance author, Layna Pimentel on my blog showing off her first release, A Gift From Fate! Congratulations, Layna!


BLURB

After colliding with a stunning vision in white, retired Staff Sergeant Brent Daniels offers to drive the beautiful stranger to a hotel for the night, but instead discovers he’s with one very lost creature. He’s bewitched by her sinful curves, her dark and mesmerizing eyes, and the pull at his soul with each minute passing. Nevertheless, he can’t shake the feeling she’s hiding something.

Melpomene, daughter of Zeus, finds her handsome rescuer resembles the man who has continuously haunted her dreams. Before long, she’s in his arms, wanting more. Knowing their days are numbered, desperation leads her to reach out for help by an unlikely ally.

Just how far will these two lovers go, and what will they sacrifice to be together?


EXCERPT



“My name is Melp—Mel Pomene.” She’d nearly given herself away. Zeus, her father, would have heard had she whispered her name. Her father. Heavens, he’d turn the mortal realm upside down if he suspected she was here. And right now, she desired nothing more than to stay a little longer. With any lucky, I’ll return before he notices.

 “Well, Mel, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your last name is rather unusual. I assume you’re not from these parts?”

His question silenced any thoughts drifting through her mind at that moment. A new kind of tension rose within her. She couldn’t disclose her origins or who she was. Guilt settled in her stomach for leaving her sisters behind, but she wasn’t given a choice. The Fates dropped her here, only mentioning an experience for three days…provided Zeus didn’t find out. Only the Gods knew what he’d do if he found her cavorting around without a proper escort.

“Earth to Mel? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I am. I’m just thinking of home, which is Greece. I’ve come to the United States for an adventure, it would seem.”

He chuckled before she’d finished speaking.

“What is so amusing?”

“The mere mention of seeking adventure after getting lost is rather comical, nothing else, sweetheart.” He removed his right hand from the wheel and petted her knee. The warmth of his hand stirred an unfamiliar emotion within. This was the man from her dream. Those hands had touched parts of her body no mortal would have dared, and here she sat, wishing he’d do more than pat her.

She jumped as a smack of thunder echoed through the truck. Rain pounded on the roof, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. The sound grated on her nerves, but she was ever so grateful to be in the vehicle with him.


He appeared agitated with each crack of lightning. She noticed his knuckles blanching against the black wheel, so strong was his grip. Melpomene glared out the windshield. Clouds darkened as if night descended upon them, only missing the stars, and trees whipped violently in the wind. Terror gripped her.

“Looks like we’re going to have to pull over, Mel. I can’t see where we’re going, and the roads are slick. Anything can happen out here. We’ll be safer this way.”

Melpomene pursed her lips together. She sensed he meant well. One of her many talents as a goddess was the ability to hear one’s inner thoughts. While she disliked using the ability, tonight it proved beneficial. “How long do you think the storm will last?”

“I’m not sure, sugar.” He yawned and stretched his arms behind him.

Dark circles etched his eyes as he fought a second yawn. Melpomene unbuckled the seatbelt and slid closer to him. The urge to touch him and run her fingers down his face was unprecedented. He blinked with shock but sat there motionless while she stroked his brow. Who’d have thought, underneath that rough exterior, you’d be honorable.

She wanted to wrap herself in his arms, possess his mouth. An urgency to become lost in his affections and attention ruled every cell in her being. “When was the last time you slept, Brent?”


“Yesterday, for two hours.”


She shook her head. “No. I mean, an uninterrupted, dreamless slumber, leaving you refreshed.” Her voice softened to a whisper.


“Not since before my last tour. Give or take fourteen months ago.”


“Brent, you need your rest. One cannot function with only two hours of sleep. Please, close your eyes for a bit. An extra hour or so won’t make a difference.”

A long and shaky yawn escaped his lips, when he whispered groggily, “How does someone as young as you come across so doting and motherly?”

Now there was a thought. He had mistaken her youthful look for an inexperienced young lady—mortal. Brent couldn’t have been more wrong, but they’d sort out the misconception soon enough.

“I can assure you, Brent, I am most certainly not young by any means.”

Before he could argue, she pressed a finger to his lips. “Sleep.”


Where to get your copy:
www.secretcravingspublishing.com

 

What Layna is working on next:


I’m working on the second installment of my Pleasure Garden Follies series, and something super sexy. Make sure to stop by my site for latest updates.


BIOGRAPHY:

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.


Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:

 
Website: www.laynapimentel.com



Twitter:
www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel



Facebook:
www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel

 
Once again, Congratulations!! I can't wait to get my copy!!












3 comments:

Layna Pimentel said...

Thank you for hosting me Kathleen!

Jessica E. Subject said...

Congrats on your new release, Layna! Already have it on my e-reader. Can't wait to get started! :)

Layna Pimentel said...

Thank you for stopping by Jessica!