Cassie's Sheikh has been nominated for the christmas Awards at Red Roses For authors
www.redrosesforauthors.blogspot.com
It is available from www.redrosepublishing and www.fictionwise.com in ebook as well as other outlets. It will soon be available in printand available from amazon.com.
Kasim hates scandal magazines and the people who work for them so what chance does she have of convincing him that her father's racing stables are the best place for his horses?
Enjoy!
"If she's the bitch I imagine she must be, there is no way I shall let my uncle place his horses at her father's stable," Kasim said. "It would be the worst thing he could do."
"But you don't know that," Ben Harrison, his friend, constant companion, and lawyer told him. "She may be a perfectly pleasant woman for all you know."
"A woman who writes for one of those filthy rags?" Kasim's eyes flashed with scorn. His face had the proud, regal lines of his ancestors, the bones angled beneath his olive-toned skin, but his eyes told another story. They were a deep brilliant blue, testimony to his mixed parentage, for he was the son of a desert Sheikh and the beautiful blonde and blue-eyed daughter of an American millionaire.
"Maybe she just does it for a living."
The angles of Kasim's face hardened. "Don't try to make excuses for her, Ben. I've had experience with her kind, remember?"
"Yes, of course I remember," Ben replied. "But you shouldn't jump to conclusions. You were all set for this deal until you found out that Josh's daughter worked for that magazine."
"My uncle thinks it is the best place available," Kasim said. "So I shall keep an open mind, but I want to see what they're like on a normal working day, not when everything is cleaned up for inspection."
"Shall I come with you?"
"Not today." Kasim's face relaxed into an affectionate smile, the angles softened as he looked at the man he trusted more than any other. "If I decide to go any further, we'll keep our appointment tomorrow—but today will be my little surprise."
*****
Cassie rushed out into the hall as she heard the commotion, feeling concerned as she saw everyone gathered about her father. Her mother turned to look at her anxiously.
"Your father thinks his ankle may be broken, Cassie."
"Oh, Dad," Cassie said. "Does it hurt badly?"
"Pretty bad," Josh Livingston said, grimacing. "It may mean I'm stuck in hospital for a few days, and you know who's coming tomorrow, don't you?"
"An important client," Cassie and her mother echoed each other.
Cassie understood what was going through his mind. Josh ran a small but successful racing stable in Newmarket, but the owner who had kept a string of horses with them for the past several years was about to retire from the business.
"Maybe they will let you out, Josh," Helen Livingston said, without really believing it. "You may not have to stay in hospital."
"But what if I do? Who is going to explain the way we work here to our visitor? Joe is great with the horses, but he hates getting involved with owners. It's the reason he doesn't work for himself."
"I suppose I could try…" Helen said doubtfully. "If you helped me, Cassie?"
Cassie hesitated for a moment. She was meant to be back in London the next day, and they had a magazine to get out—but she was due a few days leave and she could email her stuff through to the office.
"Yes, of course. If Dad thinks I'm up to it?" She grinned, tossing back her long pale hair, her greenish-blue eyes sparking with mischief. "You know I'm a walking minefield, Dad—dare you risk it?"
"It looks as if I may have to. This ankle is pretty awful, Cas. Try not to say or do anything daft when Mr. Ahmed comes, won't you?"
"You mean like calling him the Sheikh of Araby and wearing my harem costume?"
"Cassie!" her mother cried, horrified. "Please don't joke about this, darling. Your father has enough to worry him."
"It's all right, Cas doesn't mean it. I know you'll both do your best, but you're too like me, Cas—you'll probably fall flat on your backside just as you go to shake his hand," her father said.
"Shake the Sheikh's hand," Cassie said irrepressibly. "I think I could make up a little song about that…"
"Please spare me," her father begged. "That sounds like the ambulance outside, love." He looked at his wife. "I think I shall need a chair."
"Yes, of course. Stay where you are, Josh."
As his wife hurried out, he looked at his daughter. "You know your mother hates horses, Cas, always has. She can't bear to go near them. I sometimes wonder how she has managed to live with me all this time."
"Because she adores you," Cassie said and smiled at him affectionately. "And because you treat her as if she were special, Dad. Not many women are lucky enough to find a man like that, and Mum knows a good thing when she sees it."
"Bless you, love. I'm relying on you to charm Mr. Ahmed, Cas. He can be a pleasant chap, but they say he is hard to please when it comes to business and we need his horses. Tell him that we shall be able to devote ourselves to his string by next month, and that we are very stringent about security, also discreet—that is important to him. He hates newspapers and magazines…"
"Pity about that," Cassie said. "I might have gained Brownie points with Maggie if I'd been able to get an interview for our rag."
"Mr. Ahmed wouldn't be seen dead in your rag," her father said. "Whatever you do, don't tell him you work for Stars & Their Lives or he will be gone so fast we shan't see the dust."
"I was only teasing, Dad," Cassie said, and for once her famous grin was missing. "I do know how much this means to you, and I promise I shall do my best to pull it off for you. I won't breathe a word about the magazine, and I shall tell him what a wonderful trainer you are. Not that I have to with your record. You had six winners last year and that surely speaks for itself."
"I haven't won a Classic for three years," her father said with a grimace. "That could all change with Mr. Ahmed's string—if he placed them with us."
"Yes, I know." Cassie looked at him curiously. "Why doesn't he like to be addressed by his title?"
"He is a very private man. He never allows photographs, and is furious if the press catches him anywhere but at a race meeting. He can't prevent that, of course, nor being addressed as Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed in public, but he prefers to keep a low profile in private."
"He's extremely rich, isn't he?"
"One of the richest of them all. The thing is that he…" Josh broke off as two ambulance men came in carrying a chair.
Cassie watched as her father was helped into the chair by the paramedics and taken outside, followed by his wife. Helen Livingston cast an agonized glance at her daughter as she left.
"You can manage, can't you, love? I may be with your father for the rest of the day. There are a few letters that need typing. You will find them on the desk in the office."
"Yes, of course," Cassie said. "Don't worry about anything here. I'll be all right until you come home, I promise."
And that was quite a promise, Cassie acknowledged after her parents had left in the ambulance. She had columns to write for the magazine, those letters for her father, and a routine tour of the yard, just to make sure she knew anything she ought to know before the arrival of the Sheikh of Araby the next day. A little giggle escaped her as she pictured him, looking much like Rudolph Valentino, the star of the silver screen in the twenties.
"That's enough of that, Cassandra," she told herself severely. She had no idea what Mr. Ahmed looked like. He could be thin and dashingly handsome or fat, boring, and ugly. And that wasn't important either. He was her father's one hope of keeping the stable going, because without him Josh would probably have to sell everything and that would break her father's heart. He had put so many years into this business.
A determined look came over Cassie's face. If she had anything to do with it, Mr. Ahmed was going to run straight to his lawyers and sign the contract even if she had to—what? Oh no, there were limits, she decided. She'd heard about some of these rich playboys, and the one thing she wasn't about to do was fall into bed with him!
But if Mr. Ahmed was the private businessman he claimed to be, he probably wouldn't be interested in her as a woman. Why should he? Cassie glanced at herself in the mirror and giggled. She wasn't exactly Miss Glamourpants, was she? Wearing her oldest jeans, a faded sweatshirt, her hair decidedly in need of a wash, she wouldn't exactly drive any man to madness with lust for her. That wasn't important. Tomorrow she would be wearing smart jodhpurs, her best riding boots, and her hair would be gleaming. But for the moment she had too much to do to worry about what she looked like!
She walked into her father's office and switched on his laptop. She was just about to insert a disc with the details of the articles she had prepared for The Stars & Their Lives when she heard a loud crunching sound and a car come to a screeching halt in the gravel outside her window. Now who on earth is that? she wondered, getting up to investigate. The car was a very expensive Mercedes sports model in metallic silver with a black leather interior, and the hood had been rolled back, which made it appear even racier.
Oh, no, it couldn't be! Cassie's heart sank as the man got out of the car, standing there in the sunshine for a moment. He was tall but not too tall, strong-looking with powerful shoulders and an air of assurance that made Cassie's heart plummet all the way down to her white, wedge mules. It had to be Mr. Ahmed! He was turning towards her now and her breath caught as she saw that he was better looking than any Sheikh she had seen in old movies on the TV screen. His hair was jet black with a bluish tinge in the sunlight and his eyes—were hidden behind his designer shades. His suit shouted Saville Row at her, his shoes obviously handmade and expensive.
What the hell was he doing here today? She felt like exploding as she glanced down at herself. She looked like something the cat had dragged in and felt worse. Oh, why couldn't he have kept to his appointment as arranged? There was no help for it, Cassie realized. She had to meet him as she was and grovel.
She went swiftly through to the front door, opening it seconds before he could ring the bell. He removed his glasses and looked at her, his eyes going over her slowly in a measured way that made her want to die. This man was used to having the best of everything—and no doubt that included women!—what must be going through his mind? He must think her a poor specimen.
Hang on a minute! Those eyes were blue, bright, clear and devastating. She had always thought men from the Middle Eastern countries had dark eyes—but his were startling. And she was staring like an idiot!
22 November 2008
Cassie's Sheikh Coming soon in print!
20 November 2008
New Releases Nov 20
| Red Rose™ Publishing **Coming in December** 3 New Release Days with 7 New eBooks Each Week New Releases November 20, 2008 |
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Untamed: Sting of the Scorpion by Kenna Fallon Erotic Romance: Historical/Period ISBN: 978-1-60435-261-0 Buy Now Read Excerpt Kidnapped and delivered into the arms of one shockingly handsome warrior, Aleash could not help but admire the man who proclaimed himself her protector. She outright defies his demands, willfully outwitting him as she tries to escape the increasing desire found within the tender embrace of his arms. Fearing her heart will be broken if she does not rid herself of his intoxicating presence, Aleash plans her timely escape in hopes to free her soul from the lust she knows will ultimately consume her. Scorpion is a man who is as dangerous as his name. Enjoying his life of riches and women, he is surprised at the feelings one single hellion can arise in his heart. But he is dealing with no ordinary woman. Amidst many erotic nights spent within her embrace, Scorpion realizes he must tame the one woman who has taken his heart, branding her as his own. Can she be tamed or will the wild women in her let loose? |
Fantasies: Thanksgiving by Cassandra Gold Erotic Romance: Contemporary, GLBT - m/m, Holiday - Thanksgiving ISBN: 978-1-60435-225-2 Buy Now Read Excerpt A vacation in Paradise, but is it? For fifteen years, slacker Teddy Christopher and straight-laced Parker Denton have been best friends, despite the numerous scrapes Teddy has gotten them in. When Teddy invites Parker to come with him on a working vacation to check out a resort his ather is considering buying to add to the Fantasies chain, Parker doesn’t hesitate to go. Then an unexpected and unwelcome visitor from home arrives, and somehow Parker finds himself caught up in another one of Teddy’s wild schemes in order to get rid of her. Now Teddy’s acting strangely, Parker’s feeling things he shouldn’t be, and they’re both forced to play roles. Can their friendship survive this vacation? |
My Best Friend's Sister by Tiffany Parker Erotic Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-188-0 Buy Now Read Excerpt Is Forbidden Fruit always the best? The exceptional beautiful Alexandra Carter wants the philandering Kimble Brown, had since she was old enough to really take notice of her brother's best friend. There are unfortunately two major hurdles standing in her way, her brothers and Kimble. Not only is Kimble a notorious ladies man, he has been friends with her brother’s for years. Unfortunately, because her brothers know so much about Kimble there is no way they going to approve of him dating their only sister. Kimble Brown, a self admitted player is more attracted to Alexandra than even he wants to admit. He feels in his heart that she is the one woman he would gladly turn in his player’s card for, but what if he's wrong? What if once he has had her, she becomes just another conquest to him? Because of his undeniable attraction to her, he has to decide what was more important. The friendship he had with her brothers or the undeniable feeling he has for Alexandra? If he gives in to his feeling and seduces the lovely lady, his friendship might not survive? Unable to contain their feeling for each other Alexandra and Kimble are about to face the consequences of giving into temptation. |
Interlude by Cassidy Ryan Erotic Romance: Contemporary ISBN: 978-1-60435-260-3 Buy Now Read Excerpt Can an encounter be what they need or will it pull them apart? Olivia and Matthew have been married for ten years, but their relationship is as passionate today as it was the day they first met. A warm summer evening, a single red rose and a small oasis in the heart of the city results in an encounter that neither is likely to forget anytime soon. |
Her Royal Protégé by Tamelia Tumlin Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural, Desert Rose - Sheikhs ISBN: 978-1-60435-237-5 Buy now Read Excerpt Vroom, Vroom! Rev up your Engines and be ready to roll! Public Relations Specialist Jada McGuire is on a mission to find a prince. Due to an unfortunate tragedy the Androvian throne sits empty awaiting its next heir- the illegitimate son of the former king. In order to save the monarchy she must find him ASAP. She just doesn't count on him being a sexy tough as nails biker from Texas without a royal bone in his body. Rough around the edges, Luke Hansen, doesn't believe for one second that he is the next heir to the throne, but in order to find out the truth he must confront his past. A past he has been running from all of his life. Can the lovely P. R. transform this biker into the king he was meant to be? |
Slave Girl by Sheniqua Waters Mainstream Romance: Historical/Period, Interracial/Multicultural, Desert Rose - Sheikhs ISBN: 978-1-60435-185-9 Buy now Read Excerpt Kidnapped and sold into slavery, is there to life than what Laila experiences? Kidnapped from her home in Cairo, Egypt, Laila is placed on an auction block in Constantinople and sold to work as a handmaid to a wealthy man and his daughter. Unhappy as a maid and leery of the lustful advances of her owner, Laila dreams of returning to her home. Laila is sold to a Turkish harem where she catches the eye of the handsome yet arrogant palace heir, Kudar al Numan. As Laila fights to deny her feelings for Kudar, their relationship is threatened by the jealous rage of another woman. To keep the couple apart, Laila’s nemesis hatches a plan to force her to make a choice…return to the family she loves or remain in her new life with her new love. Either choice may be seen as an act of betrayal. Which will she choose? And does going back to relive the past mean there is no hope for the future? |
18 November 2008
Dangerous Bet:Troy's Revenge needs your vote.
07 November 2008
New Releases November 06
| Red Rose™ Publishing New Releases November 06, 2008 |
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BOUND BY FATE: BOOK 2 Erotic Romance: Paranormal, Fantasy ISBN: 978-1-60435-169-9 Buy Now Read Excerpt In the world of Aldar, Lucan leads a group of warriors to battle the Conjurer that threatened Tavis and Amber in Bound by Magic. With the eminent approach of the coming battle, Lucan and Kira discover something shocking about themselves and their relationship. Fate has given them a gift. Will Lucan embrace Kira and his fate? Or continue to deny what is in his heart? |
CHAMBERLAIN'S KNIGHT by Skyler Grey Erotic Romance: Action/Adventure, Paranormal ISBN: 978-1-60435-183-5 Buy Now Read Excerpt Chamberlain DeLaura finds herself taking a long awaited vacation and soon gets caught up in a white squall with the sail boat she'd rented. It's not long before she realizes that she's been transported into another time. Caleb Blackthorn of Blackthorn castle finds a strangely beautiful woman running wild across his land and after capturing her, claims her for himself. Can two people from different times find a love neither knew existed or will Veonna, an evil sorceress divide them forever? |
USPEAKABLE by Kayleigh Jamison Erotic Romance: Regency, Historical/Period ISBN: 978-1-60435-262-7 Buy Now Read Excerpt Trevor Caufield has always prided himself on being a consummate rake...until a clandestine meeting with a mysterious, strangely silent woman in a darkened hallway. Setting out to pursue Emma Hatton with purely selfish intentions, he discovers emotions that transcend his formerly uncomplicated existence and teach him that true love has no need for words. |
THE MOUNTAIN TOP by Jennifer Mueller Mainstream Romance: Historical/Period, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-250-4 Buy Now Read Excerpt In ancient Greece men marry for money and land while finding their pleasure elsewhere. When Orestes saves a captured woman from slave traders, just what is she supposed to do when she doesn't feel like sharing? Especially when she's literally ready to fight him over the matter. |
JUNK N' HER TRUNK by Marie Rochelle Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-259-7 Buy now Read Excerpt Teacher or student, who do you want to be? "I would love for her to tutor me." Trent "Hawk" James thought those words the second he walked into his parent's living room and spotted his younger sister's tutor. He wanted her the second their eyes connected…but sometimes things aren't meant to be… Khastity Chase couldn't believe the sexy Hawk James even knew her name. She secretly wondered what it would be like to be with him. However after one bad comment followed by a disastrous night shoved them apart. |
ROCK BOUND by Rochelle Weber Mainstream Romance: Science Fiction/Futuristic ISBN: 978-1-60435-241-2 Buy now Read Excerpt When the US Constitution is abolished and Congress is disbanded, Annie Peterson and Jake Johnsrud are among the thousands of people who descend upon the Mall in Washington, DC, to protest. In a massacre reminiscent of Tiananmen Square, many of the protesters are killed by US troops. The able-bodied survivors are conscripted into indentured servitude by the Luna Mining Corporation--a company owned by the President. Annie and Jake struggle to adjust to life on the Moon--Jake as a miner, and Annie as a doxy to "service" the miners. Jake fights increasing feelings of anger and jealousy as Annie struggles to perform her job. She also resists her increasing attraction to Jake. Along with their fellow inmates, they fight to survive on the lunar "rock" that is their prison. |
| Print |
| Red Rose™ Publishing is celebrating its first print release. |
DANGEROUS BET: TROY'S REVENGE Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural ISBN: 978-1-60435-900-8 Buy Now Read Excerpt In the world of Aldar, Lucan leads a group of warriors to battle the Conjurer that threatened Tavis and Amber in Bound by Magic. With the eminent approach of the coming battle, Lucan and Kira discover something shocking about themselves and their relationship. Fate has given them a gift. Will Lucan embrace Kira and his fate? Or continue to deny what is in his heart? |
How Women Authors Can Sell More Books
By Mark Tewart
You have written a book and are now waiting for the book sales to pour in. Good luck. Writing a book is half the battle, marketing and selling the book is the other half. Unfortunately, unless you are a former best selling author, you may be amazed to find out many publishers will contribute exactly zero to your efforts to market and sell your book. It’s all up to you. The good news is that as a female author you have many opportunities to sell tons of books.
First of all, draw yourself a marketing web. Put your name inside a circle in the middle of a page and then begin to draw others circles all around the outside of your center circle. Each one of these circles consists of a different marketing approach or way to sell your book. Each marketing circle should contain subset circles that are different approaches to that form of marketing which make up your promotional web.
The idea is to create as many marketing circles and subset circles as you can to form a bigger and stronger web. I once heard it said beautifully, “Try to think of one hundred ways to get one customer rather than one way to get one hundred customers.” The more marketing media and approaches you create, the more synergy that will occur. Try to think of what my friend Nido Qubein calls Intentional Congruence. Make sure each marketing media and approach can in some way tie into or support the others to continue to build and strengthen your web.
Once you have created a strong beginning to your marketing web, you can ask questions that will help you tap into the resources available to you as a female author. Ask yourself the following question, “Who does business with who, that you want to do business with?” Look for people and resources that are currently either doing business with women or that have the attention of the female segment of the market. Once you identify these ringleaders and sources, approach them with a winning proposition for them. Think of their goals and problems and how you or your book can be a valuable resource to them. Caution; do not approach these ringleaders and resources with a “me attitude”. Think TLC – Think Like A Customer. In this case these people are your customers. What can you do for them?
Do your research. Find every blog, website, forum, magazine, article directory, newspaper column, product, service, business, association or media that has a high concentration of female customers or followers. Next, think of markets that typically don’t have a high percentage of female customers or followers and make another list. Ask yourself, is there a potential or an untapped market? Offer these resources or businesses a way to reach the female market by utilizing your book. You will want to create an idea for a product, service, premium, contest or giveaway surrounding your book or the target subject of the book.
Ask yourself the following questions. Who is my target audience for this book? What do they do? Where do they go? Where do they live? What do they want? What do they complain about? What are their fears? What are their fantasies? What gets their attention and who is getting their attention already? Is there someone who would buy this book in bulk for their company, group, target audience or members? Is there a company or group that would sponsor a book tour that would create a high profile campaign for their company, product, service or cause? What charities or non-profits would benefit by the affiliation with my book. Think synergistic win-win relationships and triangles. If you can form a two party relationship, there is a strong chance you can form a three party relationship or more.
Women make up more than half the population, they influence an even larger number of purchase decisions and create stronger emotional and logical bonds and relationships to products, services and associations than men do. Because of those factors a female author has huge opportunities to market and sell as many books as they desire.
Mark Tewart is a professional speaker, consultant and author of “How To Be A Sales Superstar – Break All the Rules and Succeed While Doing It” available in book stores and Amazon. You can reach Mark Tewart at info@tewart.com
Mark Tewart’s websites include: http://www.marktewartlive.com/, http://www.marktewart.com/ and http://www.howtobeasalessuperstar.info/
To read the first chapter of How to be a Sales Superstar and to receive several FREE bonuses from Mark Tewart, visit http://www.marktewartlive.com/.
Full virtual tour details are posted at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-be-sales-superstar-by-mark.html
06 November 2008
Friday Flash is up EARLY!
For those who have read "LOST" from Red Rose Publishing, I thank you for enjoying Selene and Marco's story and ensure that more pack members stories are on the way. Until then, enjoy a snippet from "Haunted" which will be the final book in the series. Don't worry, RRP will have all seven :)
The snippet is my Friday flash and can be found here
01 November 2008
La Petite Mort is Now Available on Fictionwise!
La Petite Mort
An erotic urban fantasy
by Carolyn Gregg
Available from Red Rose Publishing:
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=219
Or at Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook75281.htm?cache
Heat rating: explicit (menage a quatre m/m/m/f)
See the video: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=41738197
Blurb:
Bria had just one wish, one desperate desire, and the only place she would be able to have it come true would be at the annual Midnight Fantasies Masquerade Ball. It would be interesting to see if, given enough money, the hosts truly granted everyone’s wildest fantasy, as they promised, or if it was just meaningless hype.
After all, how many women attending wanted to die at the automated “hand” of a sex machine?
