Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Have You Ever Been To The Romance Slam Jam?

Have You Ever Been To The Romance Slam Jam?
 
The answer to that simple question is “no” more often than it should be. But those who do attend their first RSJ are typically surprised by what they find. I think we all go that first time expecting a reader & writer convention and instead find a family reunion and a family you didn’t even know they had! And usually all it takes is one time to start a lifetime of attendance.
 
After all, what’s better than spending a fun-filled weekend in a new city with people who share your passion for African American Romance?
 
There is something for everyone. During the day, craft shops for our authors to hone those skills, so they can continue bringing us the stories we love for years to come. And for the readers fun & games and plenty of opportunities to commune with our fellow readers and authors whose books we can’t get enough of. Then at night, food and music, karaoke and a river cruise as we jam the night away. For RSJ 2016 we’re trying to cram in so much fun and activity you will never have a dull moment!
There are free book exchanges, a movie screening and a vendor fair. There are city tours to both Motown Hitsville USA and the Wright Museum of African American History. There’s the annual big book sale and signing to with all the authors and of course, the Emma Awards where we honor the books we love. And all of this while staying in the elegant Royal Dearborn Hotel, the second largest hotel in Michigan, conveniently located within walking distance of Fairlane TownCenter, one of the best shopping malls in the area. So, I hope you will join us in Detroit in April 2016 as we are revving up the romance in the D!
 
Register today (Save money with group and early registration discounts!)
 
See you in the Big “D”
Elaine Overton, Karen White-Owens and Diva Readers
Your RSJ 2016 Hosts

Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Black Hills Wolves blog hop - fangs and claws

The Black Hills Wolves blog hunt continues!
What's your favorite part of a wolf shifter -- fangs or claws?
While I try to figure out mine, here are some things you may not know about me.

FANGS


-I had braces, the old metal kind. I think the orthodontist enjoyed using pliers to drag my teeth around. He seriously put his foot against my chair for leverage. Then the rubber bands I had to wear. And the retainer. It was a wonder I ate at all!


-I have a small mouth, so I had 4 teeth removed to make room. Then 4 wisdom teeth gone. Hopefully, that will be all.


-I have never had a filling. 


-For Easter I didn't get candy. I got cheese. Maybe that's why I don't have any fillings.


CLAWS

-I've always had strong fingernails, to the envy and frustration of people who desperately try to grow nails. In high school, I had seriously long claws. Now I keep them cut short so I can type books faster.


-I've always wanted to wear nail polish, but I wasn't allowed when I was a kid. I always wear it and feel naked without it.

-My high school boyfriend and his father made a joke about ball-and-claw antique furniture. Somehow, I don't think they were talking about wood. I grew up with antiques, so have seen a lot of claws.

-When I was filming the video of Rebel's Claw, my dog conveniently left a dewclaw on the floor. Not sure how it came off, but it was perfect for the motif in the story. Here it is.


























here's the video:
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/wNy92kgcPvg

Decadent Publishing - Black Hills Wolves series: (#22) 


Blurb
Roark Archer’s Lamar Canyon Pack in Yellowstone has been decimated by ranchers and hunters. Although the Tao pack in Los Lobos, South Dakota, has offered to assimilate it, he cannot give up his heritage so easily. At least not until he gets revenge against whoever killed his best friend, Jared, three years ago.

Recluse Carrie Myers lives on the Wyoming cattle ranch her late father left her. One fateful night changes her life forever, leaving her questioning her sanity. She knows what she saw…or does she? Regardless, she’ll do anything to protect the awful secret that has haunted her for the past three years.

When fate brings Roark to Carrie’s doorstep, the connection between them is undeniable. Determined to avoid commitment, they agree to give in to their unexplainable attraction for one night. Will hatred consume this hell-raising shifter, or can he learn love and forgiveness in the enemy’s arms?


And don't miss Alpha in Disguise, the prequel.



And don't miss the Rafflecopter - prizes up for grabs!

BHW Rafflecopter giveaway


Afton Locke
Unlock your fantasies...
www.aftonlocke.com

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Rebel's Claw - #22 Black Hills Wolves

Rebel's Claw releases July 3rd and is now available for pre-order on Amazon!



Decadent Publishing - Black Hills Wolves series: (#22) 

Playlist

Woman in Chains - Tears for Fears

Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

Come and Go Blues - Allman Brothers

Blurb
Roark Archer’s Lamar Canyon Pack in Yellowstone has been decimated by ranchers and hunters. Although the Tao pack in Los Lobos, South Dakota, has offered to assimilate it, he cannot give up his heritage so easily. At least not until he gets revenge against whoever killed his best friend, Jared, three years ago.

Recluse Carrie Myers lives on the Wyoming cattle ranch her late father left her. One fateful night changes her life forever, leaving her questioning her sanity. She knows what she saw…or does she? Regardless, she’ll do anything to protect the awful secret that has haunted her for the past three years.

When fate brings Roark to Carrie’s doorstep, the connection between them is undeniable. Determined to avoid commitment, they agree to give in to their unexplainable attraction for one night. Will hatred consume this hell-raising shifter, or can he learn love and forgiveness in the enemy’s arms?

Excerpt
PG
Instead of taking the towels, he shucked off his jean jacket and let it drop to the floor. Next, he worked on the buttons of his flannel shirt. The sight of firm, dusky pectorals sent a strange rush of heat through her.

Good Lord. Did the man plan to strip naked right in front of her? She didn’t even know his name. His body looked whip-hard and strong. If he were a bull, he’d earn top dollar at the cattle auction. The heat hovering inside her arrowed to her abdomen, making her cotton panties damp and hot.

She averted her gaze. “Kindly change in the bathroom. It’s down the hall there.”

When he finally snatched the towels from her, she gasped.

Amusement glittered in his black eyes. “Kind of jumpy, aren’t you?”

Unease flickered down her spine as he strutted down the hall. The man’s cocky presence filled her home and took over as if he owned it. Exactly why she didn’t allow many men near the ranch. Why had she invited this one inside?

Because he was a gorgeous hunk? She’d successfully kept her distance from too many handsome ranchers and cowboys to weaken now for no reason. She couldn’t explain their unusual attraction.

And he looked familiar, as if he could be related to…. The face she’d seen in a flash of lightning would forever be engraved on her mind and soul. No, she refused to remember that night. But what if he’d arrived to investigate?

She flipped on the oven and hurried to the refrigerator, removing two fresh homegrown steaks. He seemed the type of man who enjoyed meat and lots of it. How would his hard mouth taste after chewing rare sirloin?

Since she’d committed to helping keep the stranger alive, she’d see it through. Come morning, she looked forward to sending him on his merry way. Maybe then, Yellow Barrel Ranch would return to normal.

Her hand shook so much, the spatula she held slipped out of it. She dropped so many things lately, it was a wonder the floor wasn’t pocked with more dent marks.

Normal. Whatever that was anymore.


Sunday, May 3, 2015

Sadie's Surrender releases 5/16 on Amazon and is NOW available on preorder!



Genre: interracial historical romance
http://www.aftonlocke.com/Sadie.html
Oyster Harbor Series: http://www.aftonlocke.com/OysterHarbor.html
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/pzAlXVjO-xI


BUY NOW Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sadies-Surrender-Oyster-Harbor-Book-ebook/dp/B00X1JZ03Y/


Blurb

After her husband leaves her for another woman, Sadie Johnson feels unattractive. Unable to face a dreary future of shucking oysters and living with her critical mother, she dreams of being a businesswoman. But in 1936, opportunities for women of color in Oyster Island are limited.

 An oysterman at heart, Henry Rockfield would rather sail than run the local branch of his brother’s oyster company. He’s not happy about belonging to the town Klan either, but he’ll do anything to keep the peace and help his family.

   When sassy Sadie proves she can run the plant, he can’t resist putting her secretly in charge so he can return to the sea. But when desire resurrects a tragic mistake from his past, he learns business and pleasure are a dangerous mix. When racial conflict hits home, forcing them to choose between love and duty, will Sadie surrender?

 Excerpt
Sadie's Surrender - Copyright 2015 Afton Locke



“Just punish me and get it over with.” Her voice was so low, he barely heard it. “I’m sure you have better things to do than hear about my life.”


“Tell me, anyway.”


She looked up, piercing him with her steady gaze. “Why do you care?”


Why did he? Was the attraction merely physical? Simply because he ached to unpeel that threadbare cotton dress from her generous curves and lose himself in her deep-brown skin? To take the pins out of her hair and slide his fingers through it? To catch her full bottom lip between his teeth and taste her?


Rockfield Heavenly Oysters. He forced himself to read the label on the empty blue can sitting on one of the cabinets. It reminded him of his mission, which did not include undressing the staff.


He cleared his throat. “Because everyone deserves a fair trial.”


“You’re an unusual man, Mr. Rockfield.”


The desire in her eyes echoed his own, shooting so much blood below his waist, he almost fainted.


“Since you insist on knowing, I’m tired of shucking oysters. I want a better life for me and Mama.”


“I understand.”


He’d shucked enough oysters to know how miserable the task was, even for a short period of time. Doing it all day long, day after day, year after year must be hell. Maybe he should just shut down the whole damn plant, but people needed the jobs. Honest work was better than a life of beggary or crime, wasn’t it?


“I wanted to go to business school. Work in a nice, clean office like you.”


“Cleaner than this, I hope,” he said, pointing to the messy papers on his desk.


The heat collecting in his groin hovered there when a small smile flashed across her face.


“So I went to Baltimore yesterday, in my Sunday best.” She pursed her lips. “And had doors slammed in my face.”


He wasn’t surprised, given the way things were, but he admired her for being brave enough to try.


“I have a good mind,” she insisted in a strong, clear voice that sent ripples over his flesh. “I could do well in school and one of those office jobs.”


“I bet you could. You must be very frustrated.”


Without knowing why, he stood and approached her chair. He’d simply meant to say he was sorry, but she deserved more than patronizing words.


She needed help. Someone who gave a damn.


Darn her husband for leaving her for another woman. If he was still around, she’d be his problem, not Henry’s. Why had he asked her to show him a porthole into her wretched life? The less he knew about it, the easier it would be to ignore.


Too late for that. For better or worse, he was involved in Sadie Johnson’s life. Her struggles. Her problems. His.


The air vibrated with more electricity than a summer storm on the water. As if she sensed it, she stood and faced him. Before he knew it, he’d clasped her face with both hands and lowered his mouth to hers. He’d meant to give comfort but found it instead in the softness of her parted lips. She yielded to him so fully, he could hardly believe she was the same woman who’d thrown oysters in the weighman’s face.


Her cheeks, sticky with dried tears, warmed beneath his fingertips. A low groan ripped from his throat. He knew better than to lean against her body. If he did, he wouldn’t stop until he was inside her. With his heart thudding, he pulled away from her.


“Why did you do that?” she asked.


“Because you needed it.”


Afton Locke
Unlock your fantasies...
www.aftonlocke.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Alpha in Disguise

Alpha in Disguise releases 3/6/15 and is available NOW on pre-order!

Blurb
When her mother is shot by a rancher, Lara Wolfe becomes the last Dominant of Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon pack. Her mother’s dying wish sends her to South Dakota’s Black Hills to find her mate, but Lara would rather continue her mission—saving her pack.

When Ogden Woods, lumber supplier for the Tao pack, offers the newcomer a place to stay, an explosive attraction reveals they’re mates. Afraid of unleashing his inner Dominant and a secret that could get him exiled, he’ll do anything to avoid mating.

Although he begs Lara to stay in Los Lobos where she’ll be safe, she can’t turn her back on her pack. As her mate, Ogden is bound to protect her, but following her means risking his home and his very life. Are they willing to pay the price?

Check out the whole Black Hills Wolves series at Decadent Publishing.

Unleash the alpha!

Only $2.99 at:
Amazon
Apple
Kobo

Afton Locke
Unlock your fantasies...
www.aftonlocke.com