raine miller

Book Review and Giveaway: The Muse by Raine Miller @Raine_Miller

Title: The Muse 
Author: Raine Miller
Add to Goodreads

What if the truth about a famous painting was not what it’s been told to be? What if it was not even the original work and a different painting had inspired its creation? The story of a painting… The motivation behind the work, Flaming June—Romanticist painter, Lord Frederic Leighton’s magnum opus—a woman sleeping in a chair. Hauntingly beautiful, but with its inspiration locked away in the mystery of times past.
1811…
Burdened with family skeletons and agonizing guilt, an unwilling Lord Rothvale, one Graham Everley, returns from a long sojourn in Ireland to attend to the obligations awaiting him in England. The last thing he imagines to find is his destiny, but find her he does. Imogene Byron-Cole, a girl as lovely as her past is tragic. Graham can’t walk away from her, and so he marries her instead, in spite of an increasingly tangled web of troubles that threaten to destroy the very foundation of his entire existence.
As Graham and Imogene start out on their journey together, they express their love through a series of portraits. The art ensnares them completely, and in the end, becomes their salvation, bearing them through their deepest pain of loss, and inspiring a masterwork.
[This will be book one of a three part saga in the Rothvale Legacy Historical Prequel series.]

Rating: ★★★★★ 


Another excellent masterpiece from Raine Miller!
In this poignant novel of yearning and salvation, two broken souls discover the promise of love’s magic and new beginnings.
Graham Everley was forced to give up his dreams of becoming a painter to perform his duties and takes over the estate he has inherited from his parents. But there’s something in his past that keeps haunting him. He is struggling to move on, and is in dire need of healing. Graham never expected that hope would come in the form of a beautiful woman who has seen her own share of suffering, Imogene Byron-Cole.
Graham is a wonderful character! I loved the way Ms. Miller chiseled him. He was a character that instantly stole my heart. Watching him with his realizations of love and the decisions he had to make was both enlightening and emotional. I truly could feel his inner struggles!
Imogene is a character I won’t soon forget. Her emotions were truly strong! She made me feel a whole array of emotions watching her deal with grief and grapple with her loss. It was just brilliant, touching and got me all choked up. 
Raine Miller brings an honest, wonderfully written story that tugs at your heartstrings. Her writing was magical in itself! The depth to her characters, their lives, and the detailed description of each scene is so strong, it was easy to transport yourself back to the time in which the story takes place. The conversations were believable as the deepest, painful moments were brought to life bearing their souls to one another as if it is happening right before your eyes. It was just one of those really touching, complicated stories that broke my heart but also mended it in ways.
The romance was hot and the dialogue was spot on. I personally loved the ending because as always Raine has a flair for the romantic. It was epic and beautiful. It is full of wit, wisdom, and hope–everything needed to balance the heartbreak and tragedy.
Raine has made a forever fan out of me, for sure! The Muse left a searing impression on my heart and I am happy to add it to my long list of re-reads. From history, to love and inner struggles, this book has it all.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

OTHER BOOKS OF RAINE MILLER

THE PASSION OF DARIUS
THE UNDOING OF A LIBERTINE
Amazon | B&N
NAKED (BOOK 1)
Goodreads | Amazon US | B&N | Kobo 
ALL IN (BOOK 2)
EYES WIDE OPEN (BOOK 3)
CHERRY GIRL (BOOK 3.5)
Blackstone Affair spin-off, yet can be a standalone
RARE and PRECIOUS THINGS (BOOK 4)

Book Review: PRICELESS by RAINE MILLER

Title: Priceless
Author: Raine Miller
Released: Sept. 12, 2014
Buy Amazon | iTunes | B&N | KOBO
Ivan Everley, 13th Baron Rothvale, would admit he’s the last person on earth who should have custody over a priceless collection of art. British law affords him the title of ‘Lord,’ but underneath all the trappings he’s just a regular guy, despite being a world champion in archery, and certain…proclivities of a private nature. But Ivan’s public celebrity is merely a sham–a carefully guarded secret borne out of the pain of betrayal. Even his cousin Ethan Blackstone doesn’t know the truth behind the man he considers a brother. 
Lord Rothvale has a plethora of problems piled up to his aristocratic eyeballs, but that doesn’t stop him from complicating his world further when a beautiful art conservationist shows up to appraise his inherited collection of paintings. Once Ivan gets a taste of Gabrielle Hargreave, mistaken identity or not, he can’t think of anything but how good the green-eyed beauty felt in his arms. 
The chase is on, and Ivan’s dominant side isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer–but yet, Gabrielle might just teach our discontented lord a thing or two about life, and about himself, and help them both discover the undeniable truth in what it means to find something genuinely… priceless.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
Like this lake at night with the moon and stars shining overhead.                                                            

You know how much I rave about Raine Miller’s books especially that of the Blackstone Affair Series, but after reading Priceless, I can officially declare that this is my new favorite book of hers. I don’t know. There’s just something about Gaby and Ivan’s story that was just straight-up excellent. Not overly dramatic and emotional but its exactly what I needed to read right now.
Obviously besides Raine’s storytelling abilities, what really drove this story for me are the characters. What phenomenal characters! Gosh I just loved them! I feel like I haven’t read a book in a while where I felt upon finishing the book, the characters were just clamoring to get out and linger in my heart a while longer. Raine Miller really knows how to write those kind of hearts-are-beating, blood-flowing-through-the-veins characters that are just so alive.
Gabrielle “Gaby” Hargreave. Oh I loved her so much! She is a great character that I felt like just leapt off the page. She felt really authentic and seemed like a normal girl that anyone could relate to on some level. She was hilarious and strong yet I could feel there’s more to her story. I really did wish though that I got to know MORE of her. I need more of her! But I suspect we will get a REAL sense of who she is in the next book. 

I was somehow different.
I couldn’t give in to those normal kinds of wants and desires that most girls have.
But we are creatures of habit, and are who we’re born to be. This was me- the real Gabrielle Hargreave. And as disgraceful and abhorrent it felt to accept the idea, it didn’t make the situation any less true. You reap what you sow, Gabrielle. Yeah, I’d learned my lesson the hard way.

I loved Gaby obviously but Lord Condemnation Ivan was to die for. OH MY GOD. I would have been a heaping pile of mess sitting next to him. He’s a very prominent part of the society and just exactly what most girls would love to have ~ he has the money, a gorgeous face and alluring body. He isn’t without flaws but it’s so hard not to like him. And when he wants something, he never stops until he gets it ~ just like Gabrielle Hargrieve. There’s something in her that made him feel something he had never felt for a long time. So he will do everything to get another taste of her, whatever it takes.

I know myself pretty well. When I want something, I won’t stop until I’ve conquered the challenge. Right now, my challenge was a green-eyed beauty that had, for whatever reason, bewitched this evening.

I cannot WAIT to see where the next book will take their relationship! Clearly they started out the wrong foot. But no matter how hard Gaby tries to avoid him, DESTINY brought them back together. Gaby unknowingly ticked the change in Ivan; his neediness, possessiveness and control. But is Gaby ready to fall too fast? Can she handle this strong feelings that Ivan has started to build for her?

His expression was one of adoration, respect, desire.
I wanted to stay with him. I wanted to be the object of his desire.
I told myself not to give into weakness, and not to allow the mistakes I’d made rule me.
Perhaps it was too late for me
Perhaps I was already falling.

Is Ivan ready to trust his heart with someone and do it all over again? 

Gabrielle Hargreave pushed all of my buttons and in just the right way.
I was pretty sure I pushed hers as well, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it just yet.
And for the first time in a very long while, I could say that I felt really goddamn…happy for once.

The unraveling of their story was just so absorbing and Ivan Everley got me BAD. Tthey have an innate sense of connection and were completely drawn to each other. And I am EXTREMELY HUNGRY to see more of that! 

A woman who knows what she wants and knows how to ask for it.

 I don’t want you gentle. I want to feel you over me -inside me. I want that, Ivan.

Told in alternating POVs, Priceless is a book that shot a line straight to my heart from the beginning and I was so thoroughly enchanted with Ivan and Gaby’s messy yet utterly romantic story. A story complete with moments that make your heart pitter patter and swoon in the midst of the obvious tension. There’s sex, yes, but it’s not overwhelming at all.

The most delightful surprise about this novel was how FUNNY it was. It’s so witty and peppered with humor and it just made it such a feel good read. One of the parts that made me snort laugh is when Ivan texted his admin assistant. And NO! Don’t expect me to tell you what happened. You have to read the book and experience the whole laughing part.

I mega loved this book and highly recommend it. It is a fantastic story that I’ve anticipated for a while and of course it didn’t disappoint. If you are looking for something to fall in love with, a story with such amazing characters that will have you immersed into their lives slowly but surely and emotions that will make a way into your heart, this book is definitely the perfect pick. Beautiful, finely written, just PRICELESS!

Trust me, Gabrielle. I want you here. Very Much.
I want you submissive when we fuck, Gabrielle. I want so badly to have that…with you.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

OTHER BOOKS OF RAINE MILLER

THE PASSION OF DARIUS
THE UNDOING OF A LIBERTINE
Amazon | B&N
NAKED (BOOK 1)
Goodreads | Amazon US | B&N | Kobo 
ALL IN (BOOK 2)
EYES WIDE OPEN (BOOK 3)
CHERRY GIRL (BOOK 3.5)
Blackstone Affair spin-off, yet can be a standalone
RARE and PRECIOUS THINGS (BOOK 4)

Book Review, Fanmade Trailer and Giveaway: The Passion of Darius by Raine Miller

TITLE: THE PASSION OF DARIUS
AUTHOR: RAINE MILLER
~A Blackstone Affair, Historical Prequel~ If you’ve read my contemporary series, you know all about Ethan Blackstone and his American girl, Brynne. The Passion of Darius is a part of their story. 
Somerset, 1837 
‘Ti amo, mia cara’ 
The fine art of persuasion. 
Darius Rourke and his burning passion for a woman. The gentle Marianne…as beautiful as she is mysterious. 
When presented with an opportunity to make her his bride, Darius takes it, and knows Marianne will finally belong only to him. Or will she? 
Marianne carries a secret. Something she believes will prevent her from ever being worthy to be loved by any man—even the masterful Darius, despite the fact he captivates her utterly. 
A look… A caress… A kiss… A brooding sensuality. A lushly passionate tale of lovers entangled in the discovery of each other’s sins and secrets. As Darius and Marianne embark upon a journey together, they will find that learning to command is just as important as learning to surrender. 
A man who knows what he wants… 
A woman who needs him in order to know her worth… 
‘Ti amo, mia cara’ 
This is an erotic romance, intended for readers 18 years and older. Aspects of BDSM. 36,000 words.

This is the first historical romance book that I have actually finished, and I assure you it will not be the last. I was a little iffy about plucking a book from this genre because the few books I have encountered in the past struck me as a little bit boring and slowly paced, which is really not the kind of thing I enjoy reading. But then again it’s a Raine Miller book so I gave it a whirl…

The Passion of Darius is truly an excellent tale about love, acceptance and forgiveness with a great ensemble of characters whose individual stories all weave together perfectly over the course of the book. The writing is excellent (no doubt) and the storyline is beautifully constructed, not to mention the exceptionally beautiful cover that will capture your hearts in first glance.
This book had earned a firm seat on my keeper shelf and I highly recommend this book to ANY reader who enjoys reading historical romances. Trust me, even if you don’t normally read this kind of books, please do give this one a try. I did not find this book to be “boring” in the least and the historical tones that did surface were minimal and did not overpower the excellent story.

“Open up for me Marianne. You want this. You want me to touch you. Don’t be afraid, bella. I want to feel you…and so, you want the same.”

“You – you make me burn like f-fire! I – did – not – know… it would be like this.”

 
5 Captivating Stars. Here’s a little video I have prepared for you all. Enjoy!

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

THE PASSION OF DARIUS
OTHER BOOKS OF RAINE MILLER

THE UNDOING OF A LIBERTINE
Amazon | B&N
NAKED (BOOK 1)
Goodreads | Amazon US | B&N | Kobo 
ALL IN (BOOK 2)
EYES WIDE OPEN (BOOK 3)
CHERRY GIRL (BOOK 3.5)
Blackstone Affair spin-off, yet can be a standalone
RARE and PRECIOUS THINGS (BOOK 4)

Blog Tour: Rare and Precious Things by Raine Miller (review, top 10 best moments video, author spotlight & giveaways)

Title: RARE AND PRECIOUS THINGS
(The Blackstone Affair Book 4)
Author: RAINE MILLER
hosted by: The Book Avenue

The fourth part in the New York Times bestselling series, The Blackstone Affair: A bright beginning for two damaged souls fighting for their hard-won love, and the promise of a new hope to secure their happily ever after.
Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how “rare” their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.
It’s common knowledge to all how I adore this couple. They are two of the most endearing characters I’ve ever encountered. They are so admirable, so real, and so human. The poignancy of their story made my heart ache in a happy and sad way, as I struggled with them through their self-doubts and fought the battle within to reclaim the faith they had in their love and each other. I held my breath as I watched the doubt and insecurity creep into their minds, tempered by the disappointments which life often brings, praying that they wouldn’t succumb, that their love and faith in each other would prevail.
Rare and Precious Things shows us the kind of romance that we all would love to have—totally committed, passionate, and loving. It’s a gentle, endearing story with even more endearing characters who have won our hearts since book 1 and now make us sigh with delight at their happy ending. 
Of all the stories about Ethan and Brynne, this is the one that touches me the most. It showcases their extraordinary, unshakable bond better than any of the stories before. Their relationship obviously isn’t traditional, but I truly admire them. They’ve only grown closer as the series continues and show maturity not only to their partnership but also within themselves. They are coming into their own, particularly Brynne and I was very impressed with her trying to mend the damage caused by her past and now moving on with her new life as a wonderful wife to Ethan and a doting mother to Peaches. She shows us how much she’s grown into a mature, secure person who now exhibits all of the goodness, positivity and forgiving heart; the qualities she’s always had, but now shine brighter than ever. It’s a real tribute to the idea that letting go of the past and all those excess baggage is the way to secure a happy existence in the future.
I would have to commend Ms. Miller and her magnificent mind. This story is so well written, logical, and clear. The characters as always are wonderfully formed and extremely easy to understand. It’s an extraordinary story and one that we will all do well to keep in mind. I was grasping for more and left in awe after reading it. I finished it with tear-stained cheeks ~ one of the best epilogues I have ever read. I was choking back more tears and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s like I could not turn my brain off. It made me think so much about how our decisions, even the most ordinary, can impact someone else’s life so deeply. It made me think about life, about how love can be so powerful, it makes you heal the wounds in the past, forgive those who have hurt you and then make you a totally different person…better person.
Raine Miller is at her best in this book. She proves simplicity and two great characters make for the best romances. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.
This book perfectly sums up Ethan and Brynne’s relationship, Rare and Precious…

“Brynne was my life. The last piece of my puzzle that had finally completed me.”

1. When you are in the process of writing, do you have your storyline mapped out and you do your research of people, places, buildings, scenery, etc. based on that or have you ever written a scene in any of the books based solely on an image or picture you’ve come across and that image/picture spoke to you so profoundly that you incorporated a storyline into a book based on it?

I’ve written whole scenes because of a picture I’ve seen. An example of this is when a fan sent me a picture of a man with angel wings tattooed on his back and his baby sleeping on top. I loved it, so you will see that scene in Rare in Precious Things with Ethan and his _______. I do it all the time. In fact, the whole inspiration for the first book, NAKED, was because I found the image on Shutterstock one night and the idea for the story came into my head. Images are huge in giving me inspiration to write. I make Pinterest boards now for books while I am writing.

2. How long from concept to publishing?

Ten Months. I knew as I was finishing Eyes Wide Open that I really needed to do a fourth book in order to give Ethan and Brynne the complete resolution to their life together.

3. When you first knew of David Gandy and have you ever met him?

I knew of him over three years ago, and no, I have never met him. He did chat me a little and send me a birthday wish last year though. He is my muse for Ethan, and was from the first page I wrote about Mr. Blackstone.

4. Out of all your books, which one has been the most challenging to write?

That would be Rare and Precious Things. It was a challenge because when you are at the end of a story arc, everything must be resolved and tied together. You have to have reasons for the character’s behaviors and actions, their motivations have to make sense. Another difficulty is to give page time to all of the side characters that have been introduced into the story and the tangled web gets very big.

5. Living in the UK myself, made this book easier to read, envisioning the places, characters, Olympics etc, Why choose this place at this time for the books to be set in?

I am a certifiable Anglophile and I always have been. I really liked the idea of having an American heroine and a British hero, so the idea of setting up the story in that way appealed to me. I found out it appealed to many other women readers too!!! LOL Talking dirty in an English accent is pretty smokin’ hot I guess.

6. If you could be a character in any fictional book, who would you want to be and why?

Jane Whitcomb. Because she is loved by Vishous. Read Lover Unbound, by JR Ward if you have no idea what I am talking about.

7. When you started writing the books, did you have the idea for the historicals first or Naked?

I wrote the historicals first and knew the world in which they were set. So when I began writing Naked and Brynne was an art conservationist, I just used my fictional artist I had already created in my historical novel The Muse, which has yet to be published. I had so much fun doing the connections I continued to do it in every book, and will probably do it for every book I write from here on.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
NAKED (BOOK 1)
Goodreads | Amazon US | B&N | Kobo 

ALL IN (BOOK 2)

EYES WIDE OPEN (BOOK 3)
CHERRY GIRL (BOOK 3.5)
Blackstone Affair spin-off, yet can be a standalone

Blog Tour Schedule” Rare and Precious Things by Raine Miller

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
Feb 25th
Feb 26th
Feb27th
Feb 28th
Mar 1st
Mar 2nd
Mar 3rd
Mar 4th
Mar 5th
for questions, pls. contact us at

12 Days of Christmas featuring A Special Holiday Scene of Neil & Elaina from Cherry Girl Love by Raine Miller (excerpt and giveaways)

Cherry Girl 
Neil & Elaina Special Christmas Scene

Elaina Morrison has loved Neil McManus her whole life. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love him. Through heartbreaking tragedy and years of separation, her love holds true…until life stomps all over her heart, shattering her perfect dream, teaching her how hard it is to let go.

Real life doesn’t have anything on romantic dreams though, as these two have learned repeatedly. It sucks big time, leaving painful scars in its wake. 
But Neil isn’t giving up. He’s endured years of longing and sacrifice to wait for her. Always a soldier, he knows his way around a battlefield, and winning Elaina is no different. So that’s precisely what Neil is going to do. He’ll go in fighting, and make Elaina see what he already knows.
That she will forever be his Cherry Girl…

A Scottish Christmas

24 December
The Scottish winters were quite a step up from London’s constant wet. The only difference was several degrees colder temperatures. And constant wet. I couldn’t complain too much though, and I never would, because I was blissfully happy being up in Scotland were it was very cold, and very wet, because I had my man to keep me warm when I felt the chill. He never let me get chilled anyway. I smiled secretly and thought about just how warm he’d made me in our bed this morning when he woke me up. And last night before we fell asleep.

No, Neil was a dedicated husband when it came to seeing to his wife’s every comfort and pleasure. Or, more accurately—pleasures.

We’d only been married for eleven weeks, but were still newlyweds in our heads where it mattered. Just a little more than a year ago, we’d come crashing back together after so long apart. I’d learned to accept that we were meant to be—and that nothing could have kept us from our fate to be with one another. We were truly destined to be together.

Our journey to get to this point, had been a painful one, but that was all in the past now. Neil and I both learned so much along the way. Like when you get a second chance, you held onto it with everything you had in you, and thanked God you were given the gift.

Which reminded me—I needed to sneak out so I could pick up Neil’s Christmas gift.

I hoped I could manage it without him discovering and trying to come with me. He didn’t like me driving alone. Maybe it was his job in the security field that made him so protective of me, but my man was a tad too overdone in that department sometimes. I was working on training him out of it though. I had my methods.

I hated to hurt his feelings by saying no, but this was an errand, which needed to remain solo. My only partner in crime was Batesman, the man in charge of running this place. I think in the olden days, such a person was called a steward. I thought of Pride and Prejudice, probably my favorite novel of all time, and how Mr. Darcy had a steward to run the estate for him when he was away on business.

Batesman lived here in Scotland and took care of the place when we were in London working at Blackstone Security International, and he looked after us when we were here visiting, which was mainly at the weekends. Neil tried to get us up here at least one weekend a month, but since it was the holidays, Neil and Ethan, had ordered BSI closed through New Year’s, with only a skeletal staff on hand to secure any events. The bosses were on holiday for the holidays. We had ten more days before work called us back home to London. Glorious. Ten. Days.

Neil said this was our place to make up for all the years we had lost. And my man was determined to do that for us. He told me all the time. He also liked to have me all to himself, just the two of us alone, spending time together doing the simple things that we had both learned not to take for granted.

I cracked an even bigger smile, thinking about how he’d taken his time with me this morning, waking me up from a sound sleep in the most delicious way, or I should say—his tongue.

Neil didn’t hold back with me in the bedroom. If he wanted to try something, he told me, or sometimes he just did what he wanted, and then asked me if it was okay. Typical man. Go for it first, ask later.

But I didn’t mind his tactics.

I was okay with everything my man did for me. And my body had the luxurious aches and marks on my skin to prove it this morning.

He liked to mark me. He also wanted me pregnant.

Maybe it was his lack of a normal family life growing up that made him crave the stability of a family. Neil wanted kids.

We were working on it. Very diligently.

I grinned as I rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs and ran smack dab into a hard chest that carried the scent of my man.

“I’ve got you now,” he said, as his arms came out to snatch me. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. “Mmmmm, I like that, beautiful wife.” He walked us up to the nearest wall, set me against it, and proceeded to kiss me senseless.

 photo tumblr_mnc1ieOGX81qa1ujlo1_250_zpsec648de4.gif

“I like it too.” I managed to mumble behind soft lips and an even softer tongue that continued to own me. He was seriously dangerous with those lips of his.

“I want to take you back up to our bed and do some more things that I know you like.” He thrust his hips forward and hit me right where it counted. His stamina for sex was astounding to me, and something I hoped never changed, but it wasn’t happening right now.

“Nope, Captain. I can’t.”

He pulled away from my lips and gave me his soulful chocolate eyes. “But why not?”

“I have important work to do and an errand to run.” I hoped he would take my explanation, but accepted the likelihood of that happening to be about nil.

“Where are we going then?” he asked, still pressing that impressive erection right up against me. Yeah, he knew what he was doing all right—tempting me with his body and the promise of more explosive orgasms. Resisting him was not going to be easy, but right now, it had to be done.

“We are not. I have somewhere I need to be—”

“I’ll drive you wherever you want to go,” he interrupted, “where is that?” The look on his face made it difficult to say the next part.

“I have to go alone on this errand. You can’t come along.” I stuck out my bottom lip and mimed a sad face.

He started to shake his head at me, but I brought my hand up to his cheek. I’d learned that touching my man on the face soothed him when I needed to get my point across, and he was less than thrilled with the situation. Me driving around Scotland on my own in winter and along country roads? More than qualified as one of those situations that made my husband less than thrilled.

He grew still and waited for me to explain, his brown eyes searching my face. When I was not forthcoming, he tried again.

“Why can’t I drive you? I won’t be a pest. Promise.”

“You can’t come along because I am going to get your Christmas present.”

Silence. Pouty face. Sigh with a bit of eye narrowing.

“Do you know that you have the most adorable pouty face that is possible for a man to have, and not look like a little girl?”

“Is it working?” he shot back sarcastically.

“’Fraid not, Captain.”

“Well then, it’s utterly useless to me then, now isn’t it?”

God, he was hard to resist when he pouted and made the metaphorical knife twist into my heart. And beautifully handsome and smelling like heaven. Evil torture is what he was doing to me.

Didn’t matter. I still wasn’t letting him come with me.

****

Later that evening

“You look like butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth, Mrs. McManus.”

“Is that so, Captain?”

“Very much so.”

“Well you look nearly back to normal after your pouty fit from earlier,” she said with that sass that made my cock sit up and beg.

“And I know just what put me back to normal, as you call it.” And I most certainly did know. As soon as she’d arrived back to the house after her gift errand, I’d carried her upstairs and kept her in bed for the rest of the afternoon making love. Having Elaina all to myself was something I didn’t think I would ever get enough of. All of those years without her made me an overbearing arse sometimes, I know, but she seemed to put up with me without too much complaint.

“I want to give you your Christmas gift tonight if you don’t mind,” she said with a grin. “I just can’t stand waiting until the morning.”

“Hmmmm…isn’t that sacrilege?” I teased. Secretly I was more than pleased by her suggestion. Exchanging gifts tonight would work even better for me as well.

“Maybe, but my gift can’t wait until tomorrow. Like literally can’t wait.”

I kissed her on her puffy red lips and grinned. “Okay.”

“Well that was easy. You must really want to know what I’ve gotten for you,” she sang.

“Of course I do, but even more than that, I don’t want to wait to give you your gift from me either. I say let’s do this.”

Her smile lit up her face, making me want to kiss her first. “Okay, deal. I need to go get it. Be right back.” She sailed out of the room, and I took off to find Batesman. He’d been helping me with my gift for Elaina. The man was seriously capable of just about anything and everything. And he did it all so fuckin’ well. Boggled the mind how some people could be so damn good at such a variety of things. I knocked on his door in the east wing and called out in case he’d already turned in for the night. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. We had many guests joining us tomorrow. Things were going to be crazy with so many people coming up to Scotland, but what the hell was a big house for if you never used it for anything… “Batesman? Is it ready to go now? My wife has decided to exchange gifts tonight instead of the morning.

He poked his head through the door crack and addressed me in that formal voice of his. “Sir, I have madam’s gift right here.” He shoved a basket at me and then closed his door again.

I frowned. Weird. Maybe Batesman hated Christmas or something. Some people had such bad experiences growing up; they found holidays like Christmas difficult to stomach. I’d had mostly good ones growing up, a few bad ones when times were not so nice, but didn’t everybody? Everything was golden now.

I took my basket and walked back to the room we’d been in before.

Elaina was already there, and sitting on the sofa, looking at the Christmas” tree. I still think she trumped the tree. Any day. Any time. She was the most beautiful thing in the room.

She frowned at my basket though. She probably was going to hate the gift, but I hoped not. It sure seemed like a great idea at the time I thought of it though.

“Who wants to go first?” I asked.

“You?” she suggested. “Sit down beside me, my darling.” She patted the couch right next to her.

I sat down and placed the basket on the floor.

“Close your eyes, beautiful wife.” She complied as she always did so easily. Make my cock rock hard when she got submissive like that. Later, lad. I reached into the basket and took out the soft, sleepy bundle, setting it carefully onto her lap. “You can open your eyes now.”

“Oh. My. God.” Her hands reached down to pick up the puppy and bring him up to her face for closer inspection.

“Not really a god, just a little pup,” I teased. “Blue Merle Great Dane to be exact. “Happy Christmas, darlin’, I hope you like him. I thought we could use a dog around the place, you know, for protection.”

“Did you now?” she asked absently, as she nuzzled the puppy, which was now a little more awake than he’d been just a minute ago. “My turn, Captain. Close your eyes, please.”

I did as she asked and heard the shuffling around of movement as she rose from the couch, and then felt something warm set down in my lap. Could it be possible?

“You can open up now, Captain.”

I opened my eyes to find another puppy looking up at me with blue eyes and a cocked head of inquisitiveness. This one was lighter in color than the little male I’d picked out for Elaina earlier, but was clearly from the same litter of Blue Merle Great Danes. Batesman must have been enjoying himself immensely over this little newlywed spectacle we’d provided for him today.

“We have very good taste in dogs, beautiful wife.”

“Obviously, Captain.” She leaned forward to kiss me. “Happy Christmas, my darling.”

  
                                    
Boy puppy from Neil.                    Girl puppy from Elaina.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

Promo Blitz: Cherryl Girl by Raine Miller (excerpt, book trailer and giveaways)

Title: Cherry Girl
Author: Raine Miller

Elaina Morrison has loved Neil McManus her whole life. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love him. Through heartbreaking tragedy and years of separation, her love holds true…until life stomps all over her heart, shattering her perfect dream, teaching her how hard it is to let go.
Real life doesn’t have anything on romantic dreams though, as these two have learned repeatedly. It sucks big time, leaving painful scars in its wake. 
But Neil isn’t giving up. He’s endured years of longing and sacrifice to wait for her. Always a soldier, he knows his way around a battlefield, and winning Elaina is no different. So that’s precisely what Neil is going to do. He’ll go in fighting, and make Elaina see what he already knows.
That she will forever be his Cherry Girl…

Then Neil smiled at me. His entire beautiful face lighting up from his eyes to his chin. My guy looked really happy. My guy. I have a guy. Neil. Neil McManus is my man now.
Christmas and my birthday had come to me early this year, and both at the same time apparently.
Then I watched him get up from the bed and head into his bathroom. I heard the shower turn on and then the opening and closing of cupboards. He returned a few moments later with a big towel to wrap around me, and said he’d left me a shirt and some shorts I could wear after my shower if I liked. He told me he would be in the kitchen setting up the coffeemaker for the morning, and then he left the bedroom and closed the door.
I stayed in Neil’s bed for another moment and did my best to take everything in. I was definitely a mess on the outside, but inside where my heart still thwacked out a beat, I was absolutely floating around cloud nine.
He loved me. Neil really loved me, but damn if I’d allow him to kiss me again before I got clean and comfortable. I felt utterly gross and hideous and still had trouble processing all that had just happened with us in the span of a very few hours.
I left his bed and headed into the bathroom. The shower was already hot and steaming up the small space. As promised he’d set out his toothbrush and paste for me to use, and even some silky boxers and a soft black T-shirt with The Jimi Hendrix Experience in white letters across the front.
I knew Neil was a Hendrix fan and I’d even seen him wearing this very shirt on occasion, and yet the fact he’d picked it out for me in particular, touched me. I reached for it and buried my face in its softness, inhaling deeply. Neil’s scent has always been heavenly to me and I’d been addicted to it for years. Hard to describe, but absolutely lush on my sensibilities. Like fresh air and forest spice and pure water all combined into the perfect blend of male fragrance.
And I’d been restricted from indulging in it for most of my life. But not anymore.
I shut the bathroom door, stripped out of my bra and knickers, and got clean in my boyfriend’s shower. I so loved the words contained in that thought.
I’m sure I wore a ridiculous grin on my face the whole time I scrubbed. Once I was done in his shower and working out my teeth with his own personal toothbrush, I still kept grinning into the mirror like an idiot, glad the door was shut and Neil couldn’t see how much of a lovesick fool I was being right now. Pointless indeed. He would know it the moment I stepped out anyway. He probably already did know it.
I left the bathroom dressed in his T-shirt and silky boxer shorts. Better than naked in a towel or my puked-spotted clothes and really sexy to have my skin against things that had been against his previously.
His shirt came down to the top of my thighs and I’d already decided I was keeping the thing. Yeah, Neil’s beloved Hendrix shirt would forever belong to me. I had absolutely no qualms about my thievery either. I didn’t want to have to be without the scent of him once his leave was over. I wouldn’t have him for long before he had to go back to being owned by the British Army in Afghanistan. That meant his shirt wasn’t getting washed anytime soon. If ever.
My inner ramblings distracted me to the point I wasn’t thinking about what might be waiting for me when I came out. But the sight that greeted me upon my return to the bedroom in nothing but Neil’s shorts and shirt, was not even close to what I expected. Stopping dead in my tracks, I’m sure my eyes were bugging out of my skull. The towel I’d been using to dry my hair slid from my grip and onto the floor with a soft thud.
Neil was in his bed, and he was definitely waiting for me.
Holy Hell, he was a beautiful man. Sitting up against the headboard, he was leaning back, his wide bare chest exposed for my eyes to drink in. The cuts and angles of his hard muscles and golden skin in contrast to the white sheets nearly made me whimper aloud. I wanted to touch him so badly and knew there was a very good chance I would be getting my wish soon.
I could see that his nipples were hard, his gaze trained upon me deep with liquidity, mysterious and sensual with a bit of an edge. I could only imagine what he was thinking about right now. Sweaty, crazy, naked shagging I’m sure. I definitely was.
My nipples were hard too, and I felt an involuntary shiver roll down my spine at the thought of Neil putting his hands on them.
I’d seen his body before. I knew what Neil looked like without his shirt on, and I knew very well about the washboard abs, and how they tapered into a V at his hips that made my insides a quivering mess whenever I was lucky enough to get a decent look at him. Which happened only on occasion, unfortunately.
Neil was blessed with an earthly form that easily put him into mythical god territory, but I’d never been in a position to allow myself to think of him in that way. Those times I’d seen him had been when he was working out with Ian or roughing ’round with boys at football or having a swim.
This situation right now was completely different. Neil was like this for me and for me alone. He was offering himself to me—his body for my eyes to see, for my hands to touch, and for my lips to kiss.
“You’ve dropped your towel,” he said softly, splaying a hand out over the sheet, making his forearm muscle flex.
“I know.” I struggled to breathe through the pounding inside my chest and reached down for the towel.
“Leave it.”
Neil’s voice was harder, different—a command really. I froze in step, flipping my eyes up so I could see his face and understand what he meant.
His long muscled arms were stretched out toward me. “Come here, beautiful,” he said softly. “Don’t think about anything that scares you right now. It’s only me…and you.”
I nodded at him but no words would come from my mouth. All I could do was take in the experience of the moment and try to hear what he was saying to me.
“I want to hold you, and be close, and know that nobody is going to come between us or try to take you away from me. I want you all to myself for once.” He tilted his head a little. “Do you understand?”
“I do,” I managed.
Neil kept his arms out, his eyes glittering at me in a way I’d never experienced from him before. He was demanding from me sure, but that’s not what gave me pause. The feelings rushing through me were thrilling, but also very frightening at the same time. My emotions paralyzed me because I really understood, right then and there in that moment, the enormity of what I was doing. Giving myself over to another person. Giving myself to Neil.
It made me extremely vulnerable now didn’t it?
I felt the warning kiss of fear brush over my heart as clearly as a cold breeze that makes you rub your own arms in an effort to ward off a shivering chill.
I didn’t know how I’d survive if I lost him now. If he stopped loving me I wouldn’t be able to bear it. Or if I lost him to the war, which was a terrifying risk all on its own, and one he took every day he remained in active military service. I’d never make it out intact. Losing Neil would destroy me after this night.
“Don’t think about the bad things, Elaina. Let all that go and come to me. My beautiful Cherry Girl…come over here and let me love you.”
I went.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

BOOK REVIEW: Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller (Plus our Top 10 Best Moments of Ethan & Brynne)

May 14th, 2013

The third part in The Blackstone Affair series: A love on the brink of being destroyed. The fight of a lifetime to keep it alive. 


Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together? 


Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity. 

Holy hotness!! Eyes Wide Open now tops my list of all time favorite reads. That. Is. All. 
Ethan Blackstone is the James Dean of book boyfriends. Yes, that’s right, the James Dean of book boyfriends. Riane Miller is a genius and has done a phenomenal job taking all the qualities a woman could ever want in a man and multiplying them to the tenth degree. The alpha male with a soft side, the sex god with a heart? My insides are laying in a puddle at my feet!!! This book took over my life and I now have a new hobby… I now spend my time looking for my “Ethan.” Every song I hear makes me think of him and all books I read find me comparing the male character to the “man of my dreams.” My life will never be the same. Who doesn’t want Ethan to bury himself in her and get lost inside of them? I’m fairly certain I am not the only woman out there in dire need of a panty change after this book!!! 
It’s true. This book rocked my world. The first two books impeccably laid out the characters of Brynne and Ethan causing us to become vested in their story. They became familiar, people we
desperately cared about. We knew them, we related and we wanted them to succeed. Neither was perfect, but yet they were so perfect for each other. Eyes Wide Open took already adored characters and gave them so many new elements and layers. It tied up all the loose ends perfectly and gave us the the missing pieces in understanding the rawness that made them so real. It picked up right where the last book left off and left us sitting on the edge of our seats. Now throw in some amazing curve balls, and it was a roller coaster of emotions. This was an intensely erotic love story, full of passion, angst, and beautifully tender moments. The love these two have for one another can not be surpassed, it can’t be swayed or broken. They learned not only to trust each other, but to trust themselves in the process. Their love opened their eyes to a future of endless possibilities. Their eyes are now wide open.
Riane Miller has a true gift of pen to paper. Her words perfectly portrayed an amazing love story of two people, each with a past and each with demons, but showed us that sometimes true love really can conquer all. Sometimes love is enough. I can not wait to read the next installment of The Blackstone Affair. The possibilities of what will happen next has my insides all a flutter. 
Take a number girls because I am first in line to volunteer to be Ethan’s “Beautiful American Girl.” 
Uhm… Yes please! **SWOON** 5 SHINING STARS
Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books. 

RAINE MILLER BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY AT THE AVENUE

WE ARE SUCH BIG FANS!!!
In honor of Raine Miller’s birthday, whom we love soooo much, we are giving away ebook copies of The Blackstone Affair Series to 2 winners which will run today till May 3rd, 11:59pm.
Enter the rafflecopter below. Goodluck!

The first book in the bestselling Blackstone Affair series

Naked desire. Secret satisfaction. An affair you’ll never forget.

Brynne Bennett has left scandal in her past and is living the good life. An American grad student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s getting back on track with lots of hard work and focus on a career in art conservation. When London businessman Ethan Blackstone buys her nude portrait, he wants to possess more than just her image. He wants Brynne in his bed, serving him in every way possible. He has no trouble voicing his desires, and he isn’t taking no for an answer.

At first his dominant nature captivates her, but it isn’t clear if the force of his powerful desire will ultimately awaken or dispel the demons Brynne is carrying inside. There are secrets on both sides of this relationship—huge ones. Can Ethan erase the scars of Brynne’s past so that she can reveal her true self to him? Or will the shadows cast by Ethan’s own mysterious former life destroy their chance at happiness?

Naked is the sizzling, unforgettable story of what happens when a strong woman meets the one man powerful enough to strip away all her defenses, leaving her standing naked and perfect before him.

Ethan Blackstone has a problem on his hands. He’s broken Brynne’s trust and she’s left him. He’s unwilling to live without her and isn’t giving up—he’s dead-set on getting his beautiful American girl back. The passion between them was explosive, but the secrets they hid from each other are dark and chilling and are powerful enough to destroy their shot at a life together. With political threats now directed at Brynne, Ethan is running out of time and will need to gather all his strength and agility to protect her from the dangers that could take her away from him forever. Will Ethan be able to save Brynne from a past that keeps her locked in fear? Will he ever feel the warmth of her touch, the solidity of her trust again? This is a lovestruck man who is willing to do whatever it takes to possess the heart of the woman he loves. He’ll go to any lengths to protect her. He’ll go all in. Here is the fiery story of what happens when two people surrender to a love so great it can heal the scars of the past and give way to a life of pure, rapturous ecstasy.

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?

Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity.

A New York Times bestselling author who has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too. Granted, Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. Ever! Writing books pretty much fills her days now and she’s always busy. Raine has a prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. She loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books. You can connect with her on Facebook or visit her blog at http://www.RaineMiller.com to find out what she’s working on now.

More about Raine Miller

Q. What inspires your writing?

A. So many things. Art, a photograph, a portrait, poetry, movies, songs, books, historical events, notable people, a friend, a colleague…and the list is never-ending.

Q. Why do you like to write historicals?

A. I guess mostly because of the nostalgia of the past. It is an escape for me to think in a world where communication existed only in real face-to-face time or in a letter. Social graces were not only an art, but a survival skill. Interaction with another person was downright intimate in a way it can never be today. I also find great joy in writing my stories. It is as entertaining to write them as it is to be lost in a book you can’t set down.

Q. What is your favorite quote?

A. “I almost wish we were butterflies, and liv’d but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.” JOHN KEATS…1819 (sigh) Need I elaborate?

Q. How do you plot out your stories?

A. I picture the scenes like a movie in my mind. I go on long walks with my ipod and just process through storylines in my head. As soon as I get home I run up to my computer and jot down my ideas so I don’t forget. I’ve worked through many a troublesome plotline while on a walk. Solitude works for me.

Q. Who are some of your favorite authors?

A. JR Ward, Megan Hart, Elizabeth Hoyt, Ken Follett, John Grisham, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, John Keats, Robert Herrick…What I wouldn’t give to have all of those writers together in a room.

Q. What has becoming a writer taught you?

A. A healthy respect. That’s: R – E – S – P – E – C – T! I am humbled by anyone who wrote before the word processor and Google were invented. There’s no denying that writing is hard work, but to imagine how Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice with a feather quill pen makes my brain hurt.

Q. Any pearls of wisdom for aspiring writers?

A. Write what you love–your voice will come through. Write every day–your creative mind needs exercise. Never give up your dream of becoming a writer. Everyone loves a good story and if you can write one, people will always want to read it
.

(special thanks to Amazon for the blurbs,  Author BIO and  Q&A; visit   http://www.amazon.com for details)




BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE: Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller (May 20th -31st)

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