Release Day Book Review: Dragon Heart (Rocky Mountain Shifter Series 0.5) by Susan Arden + exclusive giveaway

Dragon Heart

Best Selling Rocky Mountain Shifter Series

Book 0.5
By: Susan Arden
Print Length: 277 pages
Publisher: Crimson Romance (November 10, 2014)

Leopardess Shay Barclay has a choice: go along with her family's political plan to marry her to a ruthless shifter older than her grandfather or categorically claim her life and sensual nature as hers to rule.

She wastes no time in choosing freedom, but in her haste to establish her own boundaries, she just may have trusted her heart to the wrong man--a dragon shifter who's too dangerous to resist . . .

Former Navy SEAL Drake O'Connor personally guaranteed he'd protect his buddy's daughter to the death. But when his explosive chemistry with Shay finally boils over and they end up in bed, her family's political enemies are the least of their problems.

Because although Shay doesn't know it, she's crossed a line with Drake that will alter their future for an eternity . . .

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Dragon Heart is the first book in the RMS series.

REVIEW: 

Dragon Heart is an awesome opening to a new PNR world from author Susan Arden. I was  drawn into this world of alpha-male dragon shifters and couldn't wait to read what would happen next!   

Drake is one smoking hot male, no really he can breath fire. Yikes. But it's all worth it when he falls for the wildly fun Shay. She's a bit too naive at times and it gets her into some hot water. This aspect of her bugged me, but that aside she was well written and had plenty of heart. Living a sheltered and pampered life can do that though, so I brushed off those bits and kept going. 

There's tons of entertainment in this story and in-depth dialog, so if you like character interaction you wont be disappointed! Attention to details and setting a stage are all displayed in each chapter. Susan makes you feel like you're right in the mix with each scene!  

Things get heated up between these two love birds, so hold on and get ready for the romance! Overall, this was a very satisfying read that had me rushing to the end! 

Getting 4 "don't have a cow!" Sheep

KD 

Excerpt

“Do you have the slightest inkling of what you’re asking for … I’m an alpha dragon, Shay.”

Even if her experience was nil, sex was sex. Sure Drake was frickin’ hot. Sex with him was probably off the charts … but still sex. Wasn’t it?

She stammered, “We’re not mating. So you’re wrong about lasting out the full moon. We can do it once. We’re hardly two shifters falling head over heart hard. No one said anything about you claiming me as your mate. As long as you keep your fangs clear of my neck, we’re kosher. Okay?”

He stared back at her like she’d just announced she had the power to walk through walls. “Shannon, there are still irrefutable issues. This is a no-win situation for both of us,” he whispered, closing his eyes as though that might sever the bond between them.

“Why?” she demanded. “Because you served under my dad a million years ago. So what? And now, who gives a rat’s ass if you work for my parents? I’m not looking for forever, just once.”

He opened his eyes; fire and heat swirled in their depths. “Is that what you’re telling yourself or trying to get me to believe? What would you have me do? You don’t understand the gravity of us in bed. We’d be on the run. Penniless.”

“I get that this is going to torrentially rain on some plans. I don’t care about the money. I’ve got my own destiny.”

“Kitten, with your Prada purses, designer lattes, and chauffeur driven Bentley, how far do you think you’ll get without your daddy’s credit card? Ever made your own bed, fixed your own meal … shot a gun?”

Her eyes widened. “Stuff. Details. I’m not afraid.”

“Your parents—hell, the justice councils on two continents would hunt us down. Not to mention Shawn and Richard. Collectively your brother and father will go ballistic.”

What Drake said had a sliver of truth, but eventually Mom and Dad would get over her not marrying Dimitri. And the justice councils didn’t matter diddly-swat. She and Drake weren’t breaking any laws. In six months, this would blow over and la-de-da, everyone would forget about this idiot idea of using her as leverage to join forces with the Mediterranean Council. Let them find another leopardess to broker—someone who actually had political aspirations. She would be happy, single, and have her accounting career. And Shawn, he’d understand. They were close as siblings—felt each other’s life force.

No way she’d marry Dimitri. This was her life—her way. A one night fling and voilà. That was her happy ever after, minus the lovey-dovey goo. Getting hitched—in love or not—was so not her plan. Leave that to the other leopardess shifters in her family.

“I’ll learn to take care of myself. You can teach me.”

“Big talk for a little girl who goes around with a security team. Sweetheart, wake up and smell the Folgers.”

Susan Arden (AKA Susan D. Taylor)
Blog-Website-Twitter-FB-Playlist
Pinterest-Goodreads-Amazon

"I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes hot love stories across romance genres including contemporary erotic, Western, and fantasy/paranormal. Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor.

Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake. A mother, RYT200 Yoga Alliance (registered yoga teacher), and avid gardener.

GIVEAWAY
Exclusive to I Smell Sheep

an awesome tote bag that celebrates dragons and sheep!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alpha Male Diner: BDSM Cowboy - Collared by the Cowboy by Susan Arden + Giveaway

Got something a little different, but still edible. We don't get many human males cooked up at the diner, but we made an exception for this cowboy because...cowboy! Go ahead and take a bite—if you dare—because this dish bites back! *hands out napkins*

Brandon McLemore (Collared by the Cowboy) 

BDSM Recipe retold by Susan Arden

SAVE A HORSE ~ RIDE A COWBOY

INGREDIENTS

√INVOLVES a road trip
Visit your local Western market and search out one badass cowboy. You know the type: Stetson wearing, pantie-melting, and whip smart comments coming from his totally suckable mouth

Break eye contact and you’ll notice his tall, long, & rock-hard body. Bring a hanky or bib. This hawt cowboy is drool worthy.

Take a moment and enjoy staring into blue flames~ sapphire eyes that is, and his are like two angry oceans ready to set your hunger on F-I-R-E!!

Snap your fingers ‘cause he’s probably checking you out. The man is insatiable when a woman is around. You might have to poke him in his rock-hard chest. Just do it!

√ TIME TO GET BDSM serious

Consent to one rule: he has total control over you and in return he’ll bring you to the edge. Again and again.

Choose a safe word. You can trust him…but just in case.

Wear his collar. What have you got to lose except your mind? So what. We’re here to save horses. Right?

√ SERVE HIM BY doing the following

Surrender to him completely

Yank his dark thick hair until it stands up straight.

Kiss him until you both are breathless. Panting and primed.

Relish his skin-scraping stubble along a granite jaw as it skims across your body. SCREAMING ENCOURAGED!

Roll under him in bed for an hour or three.

Ride him like there’s no tomorrow. He likes it rough.

Tell him your secrets and he’ll tell you his.

Unleash his need to protect you, cherish you, and love you like no man you have ever known. Ever imagined.

√ WHAT TO KEEP in mind with a cowboy DOM

Brandon will show up when you least expect it and most need him.

Beware: Brandon is equal parts bark and bite but that’s only because you push him to the brink.

√ EROTIC BOOK BOYFRIEND best enjoyed late at night with a glass of wine and COLLARED playlist

COLLARED BY THE COWBOY

(I SMELL SHEEP exclusive excerpt)

“We’ll need some rules,” he said. “Something we can both agree to. Black and white and in writing.”

“That makes sense,” she replied, her voice coming out hoarse. Suddenly she craved getting closer to him and forgetting about her project, or the fact that they were standing in a sex club. Just put everything aside except their mutual attraction. She tried to stop the shiver overtaking her body, but the more she tensed the more tremulous she shuddered.

“If it’s not the weather, something has got you wound-up. Are you always this easy to excite?” His eyes lowered to somewhere around her mouth.

“Don’t go counting your subs before they’re collared. This is business, remember?”

“If you say so, Miss Santero,” he mocked, and then turned on his heel and went to the bar in the corner. He removed a pad from behind it. “Do you have a pen or pencil?”

“You mean we’re going to write the rules out right now?”

“Is there a better time?” he retorted. “You seem like the type of girl who needs a few rules and some firm reminders.”

She inhaled, refusing to take the bait, and opened her purse. “Here,” she said, crossing the living room.

He began to write, then stopped. “Pink? Who uses pink ink?”

“You didn’t specify a color. Hold on.”

“I can see we’re going to need some time to get adjusted,” he muttered, and held out his hand. “Answer me honestly…how much kink experience do you have?”

“Real face-to-face?” She hesitated, wondering if he’d back out after hearing the truth that hers was all theoretical.

He returned her unblinking stare, then frowned. “Are you tallying? Not asking for names and dates. Darlin’, just round up.”

She swallowed. “I don’t have to. The answer is zero.” She laid a blue pen in his palm and touched his skin. The electrical current zapped her fingertips and flew up her arm. His eyes widened and she knew it wasn’t her imagination.

“This is your first experience outside vanilla sex?” He straightened, and took hold of her arm. “You have had sex, haven’t you?”

A heat wave overtook her. “Yes. Of course.”

“Just checking.” He released her, a muscle twitched along his jaw. Pressing his lips together, he turned his attention to the pad and she leaned against the bar.

“What is this place?” she asked. “One of the private rooms?”

“You might say that.” He turned the pad to her. “There. That should cover it.”

Grabbing hold of the pad, her brows knitted together. Agreement Contract. Rule: What Brandon McLemore deems appropriate stands and Mia Santero will follow. With two signature lines below. “Wait. Are you nuts?”

“I think that rule covers everything that will go on between us.”

“That rule isn’t a rule. It’s a diktat. How am I supposed to abide by a command that gives you complete freedom to do as you see fit? You’ll have all the power…over me.”

“Mia, you asked if I’m good,” he began, incrementally leaning over, until they were less than a few inches apart and he stole the thoughts right from her brain. His gaze sprinted to her mouth, then rebounded to her eyes. “No, darling’, I’m not good. I’m mind-blowing, fan-fucking-tastic. I’ll make it my job to know what you want, but more importantly, what you need. There’s a huge difference, and that’s what distinguishes who commands and who pretends. I don’t pretend.”

“But…” She swallowed, believing every word he said. “You’d have to pretend with me.”

He reached out and cupped her face in his warm hand. “Only until I believe that’s not what you need.”

“Then what will you do?” Her body hummed from the heat in his eyes. “I need to be certain I know what to expect.”

“That’s fair,” he said softly. “I intend on giving you everything until you tell me to stop. Between you and me, there’s something brewing. You said you wanted to be honest. Then let’s. I could fuck you right now. God, I want to, and eventually I’m going to spread your legs, lick and suck on you and then I’m going to make you come like you have never come before, baby. And that’s a promise I intend on keeping.[…]”

Collared by the Cowboy
by Susan Arden

Kindle Edition, 360 pages
Published March 10th 2014
Silver Sprocket Publishing 
The following story is intended for an adult audience and contains mature themes, strong language including graphically detailed sex, violence, and drug use portrayed in a fictional setting.

The room at the end of the hall in Spurs & Leather, a private club in Paris hasn't seen any action of late. Brandon as head Dom locked the doors after his last lover burned him good. Diving into his work at Evermore Ranch, he's got his hands filled with taming wild horses until a red-leather wearing woman crosses his path. Tempted back into the saddle, he sets his sights on taming a different type of filly...one with a sassy little mouth, a mind of her own, and hot body that won't quit. He's got the goods, if she willing to let him take the lead both in and out of bed.

Last semester of grad school and all Mia needs is a stellar thesis that will skyrocket her chances of landing a therapist job somewhere far, far away from small towns and small minds. Case studies in female sexuality sure as hell aren't the ticket out of Texas and Mia sets her sights on learning all she can about why women enjoy being dominated--thank you fifty shades of I'm out of here by May! Undercover, she enters the secretive BDSM world within a club known to offer decadent delights. With one minor SNAFU: she becomes the target of the head Dom, a man with a reputation of equal parts bark and bite. When the door marked no is thrown open by one commanding cowboy, Mia can't resist temptation waiting on the other side.

Now, Mia is wearing Brandon's collar, calling him Sir, and loving every minute of being dominated by her powerful lover. Yet Mia can't have her cake and eat it too. Torn, she must decide if her future involves walking away from Brandon when her heart is telling her to stay, stay, stay.

AMAZON US AMAZON UK

Susan Arden (AKA Susan D. Taylor)
Blog-Website-Twitter-FB-Playlist-Pinterest-Goodreads-Amazon

"I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes hot love stories across romance genres including contemporary erotic, Western, and fantasy/paranormal. Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor.

Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake. A mother, RYT200 Yoga Alliance (registered yoga teacher), and avid gardener.

Alpha Male Diner: Midnight Lycan by Susan Arden + giveaway

Quinn Rothschild (Midnight Lycan) 

Recipe retold by Susan Arden

Her Lycan Lover (Book 3, Rocky Mountain Shifters)

Ingredients:

-Start with a rare as hell Midnight Lycan spelled by Fae
-Pack tightly with explosive savagery and tenacity
-Add a mouth that just won’t stop
-Blue black hair with graying at temples, thigh rasping beard stubble, poetry inspiring body, shit-eating grin
-Handle with TLC
-Whatever you do, DO NOT unleash his elite fighting skills

Fold in the following:
-A dram of off the charts sensuality
-Sprinkle liberally with a dry wit
-Score with a driving urge to find his mate
-Stand back as he roams about for two thousand years

Upon a breach in the ley line, rapidly douse with:
-A ton of protectiveness for his mate
-229 lbs. of raging testosterone
-Refusal to back down
-Temper with perfected tantric arts

Grill on HIGH heat. Best served smoking hot and with two fingers of Bourbon.

BEWARE: A Midnight Lycan breaks the mold for badass every time

Taste Test

HER LYCAN LOVER (Exclusive excerpt)

“What’s it to you? A warehouse. This offer is generous.” He stabbed his finger into Quinn’s chest. “You don’t need the land.”

“That’s not your call, is it?” Quinn asked.

“We’ll double it.” Carrigan leered. “We’re flush now. Have as much money as you and your partner. Only an idiot would say no to my offer.”

“Then call me stupid.” Quinn got to his feet. “I’m busy. As you said.”

Carrigan’s eyes narrowed. His mouth pinched and he stared back at Quinn, a muscle flexing at the corner of his jaw. He picked up the envelope and stuck it back into his pocket.

Smirking, he lifted his glass and took a gulp. “Met with the sweetest thing before you showed up. Sherry Delacroix. What a minx. She ever on the menu here?”

Quinn gazed across at the tosser, forcing down his hunger to shift into Lycan form, and rip out Carrigan’s throat. He wasn’t asinine. Carrigan traveled with his brothers and cousins. Goons, who were than likely outside hiding. The man, fuck his whole family, was connected to the Chief of Police and Mayor’s office. They’d come here and shut the Den down.

Still, he wondered where in the world he could hide a body. No. He reeled in his thoughts. This wasn’t the time to react or give Carrigan any ammo. Carrigan was part human and part shifter, but human enough to warrant protection and rights. Unlike Quinn. If he touched the arsehole, he’d be locked away pending destruction. Shifters weren’t charged with murder. They were exterminated as unstable.

Her Lycan Lover (Rocky Mountain Shifter series #3)
by Susan Arden
An ancient law permits a Midnight Lycan to bond with spellcaster. A woman who he will protect until the end of time.

Sherry Delacroix is a third level spellcaster. Quinn Rothschild, a rare wolf shifter; a purebred Midnight Lycan. They work together at the Downtown Den and unknowingly are fated as mates in a mystical union. To unleash the power of this liaison requires a precarious event, unlocking their instinct to bond.

A rip in the energy shield within the Denver ley line have Dark Fae crossing realms, hungry to harness enough power to bring down the worldwide shield. It's up to Sherry to repair the break before the Fae find her. And it's up to Quinn to keep her safe.

When Sonya, a friend and manager at the Den is kidnapped, Sherry comes out of hiding to face the enemy. Only the person lurking in the shadows isn't who she expected to find as the face of evil.

Never mind about keeping enemies near when the person Sherry least suspects wants her dead.

Susan Arden (AKA Susan D. Taylor)
Blog-Website-Twitter-FB-Playlist-Pinterest-Goodreads-Amazon

"I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes hot love stories across romance genres including contemporary erotic, Western, and fantasy/paranormal. Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor.

Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake. A mother, RYT200 Yoga Alliance (registered yoga teacher), and avid gardener.

Author Guest Post: Susan Arden

Help Susan Arden celebrate the release of Collard for a Night! There will be a Facebook party tonight (July 22) from 9:00PM - 11:00PM. There will be prizes and games and she says Leopard party attire optional.

click here to go to the party!

Sweaty T-shirt Contest or Science?

By: Susan Arden

Ever see one of those contests?

What? Did I just see you shrug your shoulders as though you don’t know what I’m referring to? Oh, come on. You know what I mean! Hot bodies in shirts that appear as if poured onto glowing, sweat-dripping flesh.

Well, if you’ve only had the pleasure of the two-dimensional view, you’ve missed out on something S-P-E-C-I-A-L. And I don’t mean special weird.

In reality, those contests on a face-to-face plane (as if anyone is gazing at the eyes-nose-mouth of the contestants) may be one way to find your DNA mate. Earthy yes, ethereal…maybe not.

Why? It’s all in the genes. That’s right. Not the tightly clad JEANS but the ones you were born with and it would take a nuclear-reactor explosion to change.

That’s poppycock you say.

No, it’s science. Pheromones to be exact. These are the power punches of attraction really.

Get out the Greek Geektionary aka Wikipedia at it’s best: “from Greek φέρω phero "to bear" and hormone, from Greek ὁρμή "impetus"

Sound familiar yet? It is if you read paranormal shifter romances. Whether fiction or real, animals and animal-like characters respond primaly to each other. We humans aren’t far behind snakes or wolves or leopards. Pheromones act as a signal for such things as warnings, food and yes, S-E-X. Repeat after me: SEX, SEX, SEX. The fashion shaker and movers with a gazillion-dollar perfume industry found that out ions ago. Sure they use hot models—can I get an amen for David-Dolce&Gabanna-Gandy candy?—but that’s only to get you to buy the stuff. What they know is we, on an instinctual level like many creatures, respond to the allure of scent, or those pesky pheromones produced in the body. Perfume attempts to mimic what pheromones do naturally with a come-hither-response.

Back to sweatsville and hot bodies. During such events as perspiration in humans, the body releases chemicals into the environment. If we are standing in close proximity to a dripping man or woman, we are evaluating on a subconscious level this creature next to us using such scent regardless of how far your eyes have popped. Scientists have shown that we may be attracted to those with immune systems, opposite to ours[i] as well as near to our fathers. (Again, another case of science confusing the facts.). [i] http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/love/senses.shtml

All it takes is one mistake to be marked. One bite, she crosses a line...into forever.

Diana Hambre's body is blazing. For days, this leopardess shifter has spun through a body-searing heat cycle. Alone. Her senses reel when Shawn Barclay, her boss, walks into her reserved room at the Downtown Den, a stud club for shifters. He gives Diana a choice: spend the evening with him, give into his every desire, and she'll find out what it means to quench her heat-crazed thirst—or try her luck with a stranger, one of the club bangers. 

Shawn hates when his back is against the wall. One sip of Diana’s pheromone-laced scent is enough to force his alpha hand. The tables have turned and it's Diana's back he wants up against a wall or any other surface for that matter.
As the moon rises toward midnight, Shawn and Diana come to understand the difference between sex and bonding. For a night, neither resists their primal instincts, blindly giving into carnal desire. Her wild nature fights being subdued and she risks spontaneously shifting without warning.
Now, bearing Shawn's bite marks, she can’t simply walk away from him; not when he has the means to teach her to harness her leopardess nature. Shawn accepts the challenge of training Diana to control her untamed cravings. While employing every method available in and out of the bedroom, he discovers he's the one on the verge being ensnared.

Buy links

Amazon-Barnes & Noble-All Romance ebook

Susan Arden (AKA Susan D. Taylor)
Blog-Website-Twitter-FB-Playlist-Pinterest-Goodreads-Amazon

"I love to laugh. More than anything in the world, humor is food for the spirit."

Susan Arden is a third generation Floridian. Previously, a teacher in the field of special education and biology, now Susan pursues her dream of writing fiction with several releases this year. Crafting sweet and spicy tales, she writes hot love stories across romance genres including contemporary erotic, Western, and fantasy/paranormal. Susan also writes under the name of Susan D. Taylor.

Susan currently lives in TN along with husband, two cattle dogs, two crazy cats, a gecko and a corn snake. A mother, RYT200 Yoga Alliance (registered yoga teacher), and avid gardener.