Adriana Kraft

When it's time to heat things up...

age gap

“I won’t let anything hurt you.” #SnippetSunday #SnipSun #Sale 99¢ #RomanticSuspense #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to Snippet Sunday – ten sentences from all your favorite romance authors! You’ll find them all at this Facebook Group every Sunday:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/

Did you watch yesterday’s Preakness? Mage – the Kentucky Derby winner and the Preakness favorite – came in third. The winner, National Treasure, hadn’t qualified for the Derby, so beating Mage was no small accomplishment. Hopes for a Triple Crown winner were dashed with Mage’s loss, but the third leg – the Belmont, coming up in three weeks – should be an interesting race!

Our four book romantic suspense series set in the world of thoroughbred racing will remain on sale for 99¢ each until after the Belmont – todays Snippet is from the opening lines of Willow Smoke, Book three in the series.

EXCERPT

Chapter One

“I won’t let anything hurt you.” Daisy Matthews finished wrapping the ankles of the chestnut mare and sat back on her haunches to evaluate her work. The mare’s ankles were cooler than they had been two hours earlier.

It wasn’t easy to convince a horse to stand in buckets of ice, but after three years of being a groom and an exercise rider, she could do it about as well as anybody at Arlington Park. At least that was what her boss said when he promoted her to assistant trainer.

Daisy grinned. There wasn’t much prestige associated with being an assistant trainer for a fellow with a string of only twenty-some claimers and allowance horses, but it was something, particularly for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

RainbowBlaze took a step forward. “I know.” Daisy groaned. “Step one: pay attention. Sorry, I got lost daydreaming. You’re right. Taking care of you is an important job.” She chuckled. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.”

“Hey kid, doyou always talk to horses?”

BUY LINK

99¢

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DH13I

BOOK INFO

Willow Smoke (Riders Up, Book Three)
B&B Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9907476-0-4
ASIN: B00N0DH13I
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tags: Horse Racing, Age Gap, Sports Romance
Heat rating: three flames (explicit sex, m/f)

REVIEWS

Five stars at Amazon “Adriana Kraft has created memorable characters that linger long after the story has ended and I’ve closed the book. She has done what an author should—brought me into the book’s world and made me care about the characters so that my world will not be the same as before their foray into it.” Sheila G.

Five stars at Goodreads “Suspenseful, intriguing and truly romantic! What a fabulous story of the blending of two worlds… the plot twists and turns and keeps you on the edge of your seat and the pages turning.” Risha C “…dreams can become reality, love can transcend age… Exciting, engaging and very entertaining story. The character interplay is spot on and the story is extremely well written.” Donna H.

BLURB

When the chips are down, there’s nobody there. Willowy blond Daisy Matthews has survived the Chicago streets with this mantra but is unprepared for the much older Nick Underwood’s urgent pursuit.  The wealthy businessman receives a thoroughbred in payment for a bad debt and is thrust into Daisy’s world.  She teaches him about horse racing; he teaches her about love.  When Daisy’s seamy brother-in-law threatens Nick’s safety, she doggedly tries to stop him by herself, but flees to the familiar streets when he attacks. Can Nick find her in time – and if he does, will she still want him?

Release Blitz! Love Beneath the Stars, by Claerie Kavanaugh #Contemporary #F/F #Romance #Giveaway

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RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Love Beneath the Stars: A Matchmaker Wedding Novella

Author: Claerie Kavanaugh

Publisher: Half Caff Press

Cover Artist: Lauren Dombrowski

Release Date: April 26, 2023

Genres: Contemporary F/F Romance

Tropes: Age gap, celebrity, matchmaker, wedding

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Length: 30 000 words

It is a standalone story in the Entertaining Love series.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

They say love conquers all, but what if getting it means losing your family?

Blurb

After years of searching, a job gone wrong finally led Hollywood’s most famous matchmaker Eve to her soulmate in up-and-coming starlet Jemma Mason. For a year, they had pictured their perfect destination Valentine’s Day wedding. But when Jemma’s family arrives from Montana, they quickly learn perfection is hard to come by.

Jemma’s conservative brother has always been distant, but when he meets his sister’s fiancée, who is seven years her senior, he worries she’s moving way too fast and refuses to come to the wedding, let alone keep his promise to walk her down the aisle. Can love really conquer all, or are there some wounds that simply run too deep to be buried?

Eve and Jemma’s Wedding Novella. Sequel to LOVE AMONG THE STARS in the standalone sapphic celebrity romance series ENTERTAINING LOVE.

Excerpt

When I turn to face Eve, she’s sitting more fully upright, concern etched across her beautiful features. “What’s wrong?”

“Apparently, a storm is coming,” Despondence drips from my words as I sink, onto the edge of the bed. “They want us to stay inside.”

Eve climbs out of the covers and wraps her arms around me. “We’ll be alright, Jemma. We’re together, and that’s all that matters.”

Her confidence is contagious, and I can’t help but smile. “You always know how to make me feel better, don’t you?”

“Of course.” She grins, kissing my cheek. “Now, let’s make the most of this unexpected day indoors.”

We spend the morning lounging in bed, sipping coffee and flipping through the cable channels on the TV. But as the wind outside picks up, so does our restlessness.

“Let’s play a game,” Eve suggests, sitting up and stretching her toned arms above her head.

“What kind of game?” I ask, intrigued.

She smirks devilishly. “Strip poker.”

My stomach flips at the thought of being naked in front of her, but I can’t deny the thrill that pulses through me. “You’re on.”

We grab a deck of cards from the nightstand and settle in on the plush carpet, the sound of the wind howling outside echoing in my ears. As the game progresses, clothing is discarded, and as Eve tosses her shirt onto the pile, I can’t help but let my eyes roam over her gorgeous curves and her smooth golden skin. A flush spreads across my cheeks as I drink her in

Eve smirks, arching an eyebrow. “Enjoying the view?”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Very much so,” I reply, a slightly wanton rasp dancing at the edges of my words.

She crawls over to me on all fours, her eyes locked onto mine. “Why don’t you come a little closer?” I oblige, leaning in towards her, my heart pounding. She presses her body against mine, her skin hot against my own. My breath hitches as she trails her fingers down my spine, sending shivers through my body. I tangle my fingers in her hair, pulling her lips to mine. The kiss is electric, fire burning through my veins. I break away, gasping for air.

About the Author

Claerie Kavanaugh has spent most of her life telling stories, but she never imagined herself writing romance. In fact, she used to think it should only be reserved for Hallmark movies. It wasn’t until college, when she discovered fanfiction, that she learned what romance was truly about: not just fluffy relationships and happily-ever-afters, but human connection, the desire to push one another to be better, and create hope that somewhere, somehow, everyone has someone.

When she’s not writing, she loves to travel and explore new cultures, helping other authors polish their works as a freelance editor, and singing while doing so. Broadway musicals are her soul-food, something her mother and sister know well. She constantly blasts the newest soundtrack through the halls of their Missouri home, much to the chagrin of her very sassy and spoiled cat.

 

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-up

Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win

one of 5 ebook copies of Love Beneath the Stars

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions



“Why are you here?” #OutNow #MFRWHooks #EroticRomance

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Her passion smolders – will it ignite?

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

SMOLDERING PASSION
PASSION SERIES BOOK ONE

OUT NOW!

BUY LINK

https://books2read.com/u/3nDdOe

Set Up: Barely awake the morning after a big blowup with Harry, Melissa answers her door wearing only her bathrobe. But it isn’t Harry – it’s the Center’s other co-director.

EXCERPT

Melissa couldn’t prevent a frown. “Why are you here, Claire?”

Appearing a little sheepish, Claire said, “I guess telling you I was in the neighborhood will hardly work, because I haven’t been to Brooklyn since I was a little girl. And that was a ways back.”

Melissa couldn’t suppress a giggle. “So you’re one of those Manhattan ethnocentrics.”

“Uh-huh.”

Melissa clasped her hands at her waist, resolved to wait out the ensuing silence.

“Okay.” Claire inhaled and exhaled before continuing. “I want you to sketch me.”

“Really? I’m honored.” Melissa’s pulse quickened. Her fingers ached. It would be good to work again. This might be exactly what she needed.

“You’ll do it?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I’m talking about one of your tasteful erotic type drawings. Me in the nude.”

“I didn’t think you’d want to be sketched wearing a business suit.”

“I am fifty-seven.”

Melissa scowled. “Do I care? Maybe we can come up with something that will inspire fifty and sixty-year-olds to pose for erotic drawings. Let me change and I’ll be right back.”

“No,” Claire said, grabbing her hand. She hesitated momentarily before adding, “I don’t want to wait. Surely, you must sketch or paint from time to time wearing only a robe.”

“Of course.” Melissa tugged on Claire’s hand. “Come on, and I’ll show you my studio.

“As you can see, it’s not much,” she said, leading Claire into her favorite room. “A couch, easy chair, desk, which is my workspace and which also substitutes as a prop sometimes. And of course lots of art supplies.”

“And beautiful sketches and paintings,” Claire intoned, as if they were standing in a church or a museum. “You are extremely talented. We really must set up a show for you through the Center.”

“So do you have a particular medium or pose in mind?”

“No, you’re the artist. I see you have a music center.” She reached into her shopping bag, withdrew a CD, and handed it to Melissa. “Do you mind playing this? It’s one of my favorites from the seventies. It will embolden me.”

“No problem. Though I would never have guessed you needed anything to strengthen your resolve.” Melissa peeked at the label. “Helen Reddy. I like her stuff.”

“Thought maybe it’d be too old-fashioned for you. I’m glad you like it. She throbs with heat.”

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Smoldering Passion
Passion Series, Book One
Can be read as a stand-alone
Author: Adriana Kraft
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publication Date: April 7, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4874-3815-9
Length: 70,259 words
Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBT Romance
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM

Tags: Contemporary, Menage, Bisexual, New York City, struggling artist, age gap
Heat rating: four flames

BLURB

Her passion smolders. Will it ignite?

When art student Melissa Hopkins finally unpacks the two boxes her Aunt Phoebe left for her and sees Phoebe’s black and white photos, it’s like opening Pandora’s Box. A simple quest to find a new job morphs into an about face—not just in her art, but in her career and personal life. Short on funds now that her graduate stipend is ending, she applies to work where Aunt Phoebe once worked: a center for sexuality and sex studies.

Sworn off women after a disastrous relationship, Center Director Harry Gage ignores the danger signals and hires the striking young woman who reminds him of his former lover. Her air of innocence will captivate center viewers, so he’s sure she’ll be a hit on camera. What he’s not prepared for is how she pierces his heart.

When the sparks flare up, is it love or just sex—and what must each of them risk to find out?

Don’t miss the rest of today’s enticing book hooks – click on the links to travel!

At least he didn’t turn her off… #OutNow #MFRWHooks #EroticRomance

by

Her passion smolders – will it ignite?

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

SMOLDERING PASSION
PASSION SERIES BOOK ONE

OUT NOW!

BUY LINK

https://books2read.com/u/3nDdOe

Set Up: The Center where Melissa works regularly produces videos that might appeal to an older audience. When Harry assigned Melissa to work on camera wit Max, a recently widowed long time Center performer more than twice her age, she balked. Now she’s waiting in a café to meet him for the first time.

EXCERPT

Melissa studied the man entering the café and looking around as if he was meeting someone. She knew immediately when his eyes met hers. His face lit up in a broad smile ,and he walked directly to her table. Clearly, Harry had shared her picture with him and hadn’t bothered to give her the same courtesy.

“You must be Melissa,” the man said easily. “I’m Max. May I join you?”

She nodded and shook his hand. He didn’t have to bother asking. She was here at his request. The twinkle in his eyes was quite infectious. She smiled softly. “Please, have a seat. I’ve ordered coffee.” She waved at the waiter.

“Let me take a moment to look at the menu,” Max said. Melissa took the opportunity to consider him more carefully.

She gave him credit for staying in shape. While he wasn’t buff, he wasn’t flabby, either. He was mostly bald, with gray hair, including a mustache. What did they say about bald men? She couldn’t remember, but she thought they were supposed to be more sexy.

She frowned. At least he didn’t turn her off. He appeared healthy and seemed quite comfortable with their situation—more comfortable than she was. And there was that inexplicable sparkle about him. She sat back in her chair and relaxed a bit. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as bad as she’d feared.

He sat the menu aside and smiled at her. “So do I pass?”

“What?”

“Figured you were sizing me up. Thought maybe you expected a dinosaur, or a dirty old man at the least.”

“I…” She grinned at his broad smile. “I didn’t know what to expect. You do seem quite civilized. And no, you don’t strike me as a dirty old man. So what about me? Do I measure up for what you have in mind?”

Max leaned back and practically roared. “You’re kidding!” He shook his head at her. “No, I see you’re not. You’re a very lovely young woman. Agnes would approve of you. She liked women with an air of mystery about them.”

~ o ~

In case you didn’t know, Mr. Kraft and I don’t shy away from writing steamy romance featuring older characters. Max, who is in his sixties, will have his own story in Ripening Passion, scheduled to release in June. Stay tuned!

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Smoldering Passion
Passion Series, Book One
Can be read as a stand-alone
Author: Adriana Kraft
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publication Date: April 7, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4874-3815-9
Length: 70,259 words
Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBT Romance
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM

Tags: Contemporary, Menage, Bisexual, New York City, struggling artist, age gap
Heat rating: four flames

BLURB

Her passion smolders. Will it ignite?

When art student Melissa Hopkins finally unpacks the two boxes her Aunt Phoebe left for her and sees Phoebe’s black and white photos, it’s like opening Pandora’s Box. A simple quest to find a new job morphs into an about face—not just in her art, but in her career and personal life. Short on funds now that her graduate stipend is ending, she applies to work where Aunt Phoebe once worked: a center for sexuality and sex studies.

Sworn off women after a disastrous relationship, Center Director Harry Gage ignores the danger signals and hires the striking young woman who reminds him of his former lover. Her air of innocence will captivate center viewers, so he’s sure she’ll be a hit on camera. What he’s not prepared for is how she pierces his heart.

When the sparks flare up, is it love or just sex—and what must each of them risk to find out?

Don’t miss the rest of today’s enticing book hooks – click on the links to travel!

“Someone may see us.” #NewRelease #MFRWHooks #EroticRomance

by

Her passion smolders – will it ignite?

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

Smoldering Passion (Passion Series Book One)

JUST RELEASED!

BUY LINK

https://www.extasybooks.com/Smoldering-Passion

Do you love New York or hate it? I love it. Our newest release, Smoldering Passion, pulls together some of what my husband and I love best about New York and pays tribute to a favorite aunt of mine.

In today’s hook, we took advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park in hero Harry’s Manhattan apartment. It’s Melissa’s first morning waking up there. They’re at the kitchen island, where they’ve just finished breakfast…

EXCERPT

“So,” Melissa said quietly, feeling her cheeks warm. “Am I your type, Harry?”

Harry smiled and got to his feet. He reached out his hand for her. “Stand up, woman, and let me show you.”

She stood, and he gathered her in his arms. His strong hands cupped her rump, her breasts crushed against his chest, and their lips met in a midair tango. She smiled against his. Yes, she must be his type. He sure was her type.

Holding hands, he guided her to the tall window overlooking Central Park. Rain continued to pelt the window, but it was refreshing to lean against Harry’s frame and imagine the park before them.

He nibbled on her ear and laved at her neck.

Melissa craned her neck, basking in the feel of his tongue. She experienced a sudden pang of guilt for getting him to talk about Aunt Phoebe without sharing her own story. Maybe she should’ve simply blurted it out.

His tongue scraped across the roof of her mouth. She no longer had a pressing need to talk about her aunt. “Mmm,” she moaned, “that’s lovely. I love rainy Monet mornings like this.”

“Me, too. Particularly when I can share them with you.” He snickered. “Though I would’ve expected you to prefer bright sunshiny days with pristine blue skies.”

“I like those, too. But don’t forget, I’m an artist. I have many moods. I also enjoy the first snowfall, and certainly spring flowers.”

“I bet you like to jump in leaf piles, too.”

“How did you know?” she said, squeezing his butt.

“A lucky guess.”  His nose rubbed back and forth across her neck. His busy hands slipped inside her robe to cup a breast each.

She took a long breath as he played with her nipples. “So cozy,” she murmured, lowering her eyelids.

Her eyes popped open when she realized he was tugging at the sash of her robe. “Harry,” she scolded, “we’re standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling window. Someone may see us.”

“Nonsense,” he whispered into her ear. “Can you see anything through the raindrops?”

She shook her head and did nothing to stop his fingers, already playing at her mound.

“Besides,” Harry continued, “you know New Yorkers. They never look up.

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Smoldering Passion
Passion Series, Book One
Can be read as a stand-alone
Author: Adriana Kraft
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publication Date: April 7, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4874-3815-9
Length: 70,259 words
Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBT Romance
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM

Tags: Contemporary, Menage, Bisexual, New York City, struggling artist, age gap
Heat rating: four flames

BLURB

Her passion smolders. Will it ignite?

When art student Melissa Hopkins finally unpacks the two boxes her Aunt Phoebe left for her and sees Phoebe’s black and white photos, it’s like opening Pandora’s Box. A simple quest to find a new job morphs into an about face—not just in her art, but in her career and personal life. Short on funds now that her graduate stipend is ending, she applies to work where Aunt Phoebe once worked: a center for sexuality and sex studies.

Sworn off women after a disastrous relationship, Center Director Harry Gage ignores the danger signals and hires the striking young woman who reminds him of his former lover. Her air of innocence will captivate center viewers, so he’s sure she’ll be a hit on camera. What he’s not prepared for is how she pierces his heart.

When the sparks flare up, is it love or just sex—and what must each of them risk to find out?

BUY LINK

https://www.extasybooks.com/Smoldering-Passion

Don’t miss the rest of today’s enticing book hooks – click on the links to travel!

Coming this Friday to Extasy Books! Smoldering Passion #Menage #EroticRomance #Steamy #ExtasyBooks #ComingSoon

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Her passion smolders. Will it ignite?

Not long to wait now! You won’t want to miss this sizzling novel featuring a struggling young art student and a New York center for sexuality and sex studies.

You can put your name on the wish list at Extasy books: https://www.extasybooks.com/Smoldering-Passion

Or watch this space ~ my Twitter feed ~ Instagram ~ MeWe ~ for the release announcement and more buy links, coming Friday.

Book Information
Title: Smoldering Passion
Passion Series, Book One
Can be read as a stand-alone
Author : Adriana Kraft
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Publication Date: April 7, 2023
Length: 70,259 words

Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBT Romance
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM
Tags: Contemporary, Menage, Bisexual, FM, FF,  New York City, Broadway,
Heat rating: four flames

Blurb

Her passion smolders. Will it ignite?

When art student Melissa Hopkins finally unpacks the two boxes her Aunt Phoebe left for her and sees Phoebe’s black and white photos, it’s like opening Pandora’s Box. A simple quest to find a new job morphs into an about face—not just in her art, but in her career and personal life. Short on funds now that her graduate stipend is ending, she applies to work where Aunt Phoebe once worked: a center for sexuality and sex studies.

Sworn off women after a disastrous relationship, Center Director Harry Gage ignores the danger signals and hires the striking young woman who reminds him of his former lover. Her air of innocence will captivate center viewers, so he’s sure she’ll be a hit on camera. What he’s not prepared for is how she pierces his heart.

When the sparks flare up, is it love or just sex—and what must each of them risk to find out?