Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop

Welcome! Christmastime has always been my favorite time of the year! I love everything about it ... the cooler weather; snow; gatherings with friends, family and loved ones; sharing good food; exchanging meaningful gifts; decorating the house and the tree; the smell of woodsmoke in the air ... the list goes on.

Having a multitude of heritages (Italian, Russian, Irish, English, French and Spanish) in our family, we share several traditions during this time of year ... from St. Nicholas Day on December 6th to Eastern Orthodox Christmas in January!

I love learning about various holiday traditions so I thought this would be the perfect venue to share our own with one another.

I know there are so many of blogs to visit, so I won't keep you long. I'm happy you stopped by and if you'd like a chance to win a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella, as well as a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing, all you need to do is share with me one of your family tradition ... old or new!

The contest will run through Monday, December 17th at midnight. Winners will be announced and notified by Tuesday evening. Be sure to leave your e-mail address at the end of your comment so I can contact you if you're a winner! Winners will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all of the authors participating in the

Blog Hop at http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

Here's an little bit about Skin Deep ...

Emily Monroe, a statuesque high school English teacher, is convinced that getting a tattoo to cover the remnants of her brush with Morphea is the only option left to open the door to self-acceptance, allowing her to finally move on with her life after the devastating diagnosis left more than physical scars in its wake.

Rick Sutton, owner of Skin Deep, a successful tattoo shop, has his own cross to bear. Crippling guilt and the specter of unrequited justice overshadow every aspect of his life, trapping him within the haunted corridors of his heart and soul; until the day Emily walks into his shop.

Instantly, he recognizes a kindred spirit in Emily, and a tenuous bond is formed. When the intimidating yet teddy-bear of a man offers her a glimpse into his passionate side, she is moved by what she sees and takes a leap of faith. Together they traverse the physical and emotional journey of freeing themselves of their perceived flaws, an erotic undertaking that proves to them beauty is only Skin Deep.

 

If you have a moment to watch the trailer for Skin Deep …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Dr9IM1csQ

Want to read an excerpt or two … I have one Sweet and one Sexy! http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/files/Skin_Deep_Excerpts.pdf

Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about Purrrfectly Giftastic Christmas Blog Hop!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
           www.laylahunter.com 

Wounded Warrior Blog Hop / Christmas Is a Time for Giving

Welcome! I am honored to be participating in the Wounded Warriors Blog Hop with Secret Cravings Publishing! First and foremost, to all of our brave servicemen/women, I want to say  ...

 

Thank You!

These two simple words never feel as though they are enough considering the sacrifices made, yet simply saying them can mean so much!

I know there are many blogs to visit, so I won't keep you long. In honor of our Wounded Warriors, I am giving away several prizes including a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella; a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing; and three (3) copies of The Call of Duty, a military anthology with Secret Cravings Publishing.

All you need to do to be entered for one of these prizes is leave a comment ... but not for me.

Instead, I want all who participate to leave a comment for our beloved and brave servicemen and women. Consider this a special place to leave a message in honor of, or on behalf of a loved one, or to any of our servicemen/women in general. Take as much space as you need ... there's no limit one can put on words from the heart!

In addition to the above prizes, I will donate $30 for 30 comments to Wounded Warrior Project!

The contest will run through Sunday, December 9th and end at midnight. Winners will be announced and notified on Monday evening. Be sure to leave your e-mail address at the end of your comment so I can contact you if you're a winner! Winners will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all the Secret Cravings Publishing authors participating in the

Blog Hop at http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/

If you'd like more information about the Wounder Warrior Project, be sure to visit their website! https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=66

Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about our Wounded Warrior Blog Hop!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
          www.laylahunter.com

Sweet Swap Blog Hop!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by today on the Sweet Swap Blog Hop!

Summer is officially here and although I am, without question, a 'Winter' (I do sometimes dabble in Autumn) I find Summer has its own gifts to offer. In fact, I was able to match a few favorites to each of the five senses ... Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste and Touch.

For Sight ... Fireflies; fireworks; the explosion of flowers in bloom.

For Smell ... Honeysuckle; the scent of roses from my garden; barbeques.

For Sound ... Outdoor music festivals; birds singing; crickets at night.

For Taste ... Fresh tomatoes; sweet corn and homemade ice cream.

For Touch ... The feel of cool, green grass beneath bare feet; damp sand shifting between my toes; the velvety feel of the petals from the roses in my garden.

To be entered for a chance to win a PDF copy of my novella, Skin Deep, and a $10.00 gift certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing, all you need to do is leave a comment below, along with your e-mail, and include at least one of each of your favorite Senses of Summer!

Be sure to visit the other blogs on our Sweet Swap Blog Hop ... links below!

Dawne Prochilo
Sherry Gloag
Kathleen Ball
Front Seat Romance
Michael Charton
Lizzie Black
Jean Joachim

Layla Hunter
Secret Cravings Publishing – Every Night Erotica – XOXO Publishing
www.laylahunter.com
http://www.facebook.com/people/Layla-Hunter/1173090819
www.twitter.com/Layla_Hunter

The Romance Review gave SKIN DEEP by Layla Hunter a 5 Star Review and it’s a Top Pick!

“SKIN DEEP left me speechless. It swept me away, left sweet tears in my eyes and a smile on my heart.”

“… a beautiful tale that will warm your heart and light your fire.” Michelle R

http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1531

BLURB:

Emily Monroe, a statuesque high school English teacher, is convinced that getting a tattoo to cover the remnants of her brush with Morphea is the only option left to open the door to self-acceptance, allowing her to finally move on with her life after the devastating diagnosis left more than physical scars in its wake.

Rick Sutton, owner of Skin Deep, a successful tattoo shop, has his own cross to bear. Crippling guilt and the specter of unrequited justice overshadow every aspect of his life, trapping him within the haunted corridors of his heart and soul; until the day Emily walks into his shop.

 

Instantly, he recognizes a kindred spirit in Emily, and a tenuous bond is formed. When the intimidating yet teddy-bear of a man offers her a glimpse into his passionate side, she is moved by what she sees and takes a leap of faith. Together they traverse the physical and emotional journey of freeing themselves of their perceived flaws, an erotic undertaking that proves to them beauty is only Skin Deep.

If you have a moment to watch the trailer for Skin Deep …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Dr9IM1csQ

Want to read an excerpt or two … I have one Sweet and one Sexy! http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/files/Skin_Deep_Excerpts.pdf

Skin Deep - Secret Cravings Publishing - http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/LaylaHunter.html

~ Tuesday Tales ~

Hello all! First, let me welcome you to my blog and thank you for coming by. This is my first Tuesday Tales and I am excited and nervous. I am in the company of some truly amazing authors here!

This week's theme is RED.  The color alone invokes so many images and it was hard to choose just one. Finally I opted for the beginning of a current WIP, an erotic paranormal entitled Immortal Ink, that's been sitting on the back burner for much too long.

IMMORTAL INK

“Hey, isn’t that the chick on the posters? The one that’s been missing for a coupla months? Had a weird name…Amaranth or something like that.”

“That ain’t her. Can’t be. The woman on the flyer looked like Miss High Society. This one…nah. She's a mess. Looks like a damned mummy or something wrapped in all those bandages like that. I think she's dead."

“No, I think it is her dude. Same weird ass red hair…like blood. And look at her earrings. Each one must be a coupla carats. I noticed them in her picture on the poster and wondered what they were worth.”

“Really? You look at the poster of a missing woman and wonder what her earrings are worth? You’re fucked up dude.”

******

Her skin felt as if it were on fire, burning with a searing intensity unlike anything she’d ever experienced; the pain threatening to consume her, drag her back to blissful unconsciousness.

The incessant banter of the two boys kept pulling her back to waking and Amara wanted to scream for them to shut up. The simple act of breathing hurt and the only way to escape the pain was to slip back into the blanket of darkness awaiting her. She struggled to speak.

“Shut…up…” Her voice was barely a whisper.

******

One of the boys shrieked, the shrill noise sending a jolt of searing pain through her skull.

“Shit! She’s like…alive. We should call 911 or something.”

“Fuck that! They’ll think we had something to do with this. We gotta get out of here. Pretend like we didn’t see her. Come on!”

“That’s messed up…the chick needs help man. Look at her. How about we leave and then call…hey, whatta ya doing?”

“What? She’s half-dead anyway. I can pawn these rocks for a few thousand bucks.”

“Get the hell away from her. You’ll leave evidence and shit like on those crime shows. Don’t touch anything man!”

******

Cold, unfamiliar hands brushed against her temple, moving over her ear. She wanted to scream. Leave me alone! Leave me alone! But words wouldn’t come; only a pathetic moan managed to escape dry, cracked lips.

I hope you enjoyed my contribution and please make sure to stop by Tuesday Tales to read the other stories being offered by some remarkable authors!

I'd love to hear what you thought so feel free to leave a comment!

~ My Soul to Keep Contest ~

I'm hosting a contest for the month of May. Of course, no purchase is necessary, but you do need to download my FREE read from SCP, My Soul to Keep, an erotic paranormal (ghost). 

Below are several questions from My Soul to Keep. Answer any one of them correctly and you'll be entered into a contest to win your choice of a $30.00 Amazon or Secret Cravings Gift Card…winner's choice! Answer two correctly, you'll earn two chances to win, and so on. Contest ends midnight, May 31^st and the winner will be announced by Saturday, June 2^nd!

BLURB:

Special Agent Analiese Valentine – aka "Val" – lived and died for her career. Possessing a sixth sense for as long as she could remember, Val always knew she was different – and so did everyone else. So different, in fact, her own mother – apparently unable to tolerate her daughter's unusual gifts – abandoned her, forging internal scars so deep most relationships, if any, were cultivated at a safe distance. A near-tragic accident opens unexpected doors – some otherworldly – changing her life in ways she'd never imagined possible.

Dr. Maxwell "Max" Thornton, a psychiatrist, ironically lives an almost reclusive life except for his practice. Although his empathic abilities allow him to help his patients in ways most practitioners never could, the effort is taxing, at times debilitating. Keeping a limited and selective clientele, he manages to pursue a career and maintain his sanity, convinced normal relationships are out of the realm of his reach.

When a guarded agent and a reluctant empath cross paths, unexpected revelations occur and a delicate thread binds them to one another as a predetermined Fate begins to unfold, sending them plummeting into a war between good and evil.

*** UPDATED LINK! *** 

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=7&products_id=121

 Now for the questions ...

     1.  What is the name of the ghost that 'haunts' Val?

     2.  What city does Val get shipped off to after the incident in Atlantic City?

     3.  What is the name of the movie theater owned by Max?

     4.  What does the dark entity that attacks Val in her apartment want from her?

There you go! Good luck to everyone! My greatest hope is that you'll enjoy the story so far and realize you just have to find out what happens next!

Layla

Naughty After Dark Blog Hop

Welcome everyone! I am so excited to be participating in the
Naughty After Dark Blog Hop.

Visit the either of the Blog Hop Pages for quick links to all the blogs!

http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/

http://natashablackthorneblog.blogspot.com/

My first novella, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary romance is now available at Secret Cravings Publishing and explores the adage, is beauty only Skin Deep?  

Emily Monroe, a statuesque high school English teacher, is convinced that getting a tattoo to cover the remnants of her brush with Morphea is the only option left to open the door to self-acceptance, allowing her to finally move on with her life after the devastating diagnosis left more than physical scars in its wake.

Rick Sutton, owner of Skin Deep, a successful tattoo shop, has his own cross to bear. Crippling guilt and the specter of unrequited justice overshadow every aspect of his life, trapping him within the haunted corridors of his heart and soul; until the day Emily walks into his shop.

Instantly, he recognizes a kindred spirit in Emily, and a tenuous bond is formed. When the intimidating yet teddy-bear of a man offers her a glimpse into his passionate side, she is moved by what she sees and takes a leap of faith. Together they traverse the physical and emotional journey of freeing themselves of their perceived flaws, an erotic undertaking that proves to them beauty is only Skin Deep.

If you have a moment to watch the trailer for Skin Deep …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Dr9IM1csQ

Since this is a Naughty After Dark Blog Hop, here is an except from Skin Deep (18+ Please!)

Still shaken from the overt sexual reaction to his touch as well as the sight of the breathtaking canvas of her back, she let him guide her back to the table and help her up. With legs swinging nervously over the edge, she watched anxiously as he dipped the brush into the powder, tapping it against the side of the jar before returning to stand before her.

Her feet stilled as the brush swept over her breasts again and again until she lost herself in the resultant rush of heat, responding with a soft cry before stopping herself.

"God, Em…you're driving me crazy."

"I…I could say the same." Her voice caught and made a small noise that sounded almost like a purr.

"Do you trust me, Em?"

"Yes."

He rid himself of the jar and brush. Then, placing the pillow behind her, gently urged her back against the table until she was lying down, all the while searching her gaze for any sign of dissent. Apparently confident she wanted him to proceed he sat on the stool and rolled himself into position in front of her.

Those large hands hid the gentler truth of a tender touch as he eased her legs open, sliding his palms underneath her backside and raising her towards him.

As his tongue grazed the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs, she drew in a sharp breath before releasing a deep sigh, followed by a deeper moan.

"It's been a long time Rick." You just might want to let me dust the cobwebs off first, she was tempted to suggest but remained quiet, curious.

"That's a real shame. You don't mind if I remedy that unfortunate situation," he replied playfully, lowering his head between her thighs.

About to protest, the first rush of warm breath against the silky fabric of her panties quieted any objections. Moving his mouth along the outline of her mons, he seemed in no rush, intent on exploring her fully. Following the contours of her outer lips, he gently nipped and pulled against the fabric, rousing a scintillating need within.

A soft cry escaped her lips when he nuzzled her, his nose brushing against the swollen pearl nestled in damp folds. Undulating waves of warmth and wanting rippled over her from head to toe and her hips arched instinctively as the ache for something more began to grow.

Damn, it had been so long, too long. The intimate feel of his mouth refreshed her memory, reminding her first and foremost of the passionate woman within, before revealing with stunning clarity that she was still sexy and desirable, despite her perceived flaws.

Reaching down, her fingers moved through his hair, his locks slipping over her skin, tickling as if she’d just passed them through a spider's web. When she urged him against her, he stilled, lifting his head.

"Rick…" Her voice filled with an almost desperate pleading and when he didn't respond immediately, she panicked, the old fears creeping back in to steal this moment from her.

Lifting herself on her elbows, she looked into his eyes, her gaze searching his.

"You want more, Em?" He grinned at her mischievously.

She smiled despite herself. "Yes! Tease.”

 

 

 The Romance Review gave SKIN DEEP by Layla Hunter a 5 Star Review and it’s a Top Pick!

 “SKIN DEEP left me speechless. It swept me away, left sweet tears in my eyes and a smile on my heart.” Michelle R

 http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1531

I know there are many blogs to visit, so I won't keep you long. I'm happy you stopped by and if you'd like a chance to win a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella, as well as a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing, leave a comment below to my question ...

True beauty wears many faces and is said to be in the eye of the beholder. I make it a habit to look for the ‘beautiful’ in each person who comes my way … whether a sparkle in lovely eyes; or an infectious laugh; a genuine smile; a giving heart; a kind word for someone else; a sharp mind, and even an equally sharp wit; a wry sense of humor; all these traits and more are what define beauty for me.

What is true beauty in your opinion?

With Love, Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to my stop on the

With Love, Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

My love of romance began at age of eleven when my Nanny (referred to lovingly as 'Nanns') slipped me a couple True Romance comic books, along with my first romance, and it was love at first sight. Before long, I was writing my own stories and have been doing so for over three decades. 

I am a hopeless romantic ... always have been, always will be!

Although Valentine's Day is purportedly a day for 'lovers' I personally enjoy viewing it as a day to reconnect with the one's you love, whether they are your partners, friends, family, etc.

I believe letter writing is becoming a lost art, replaced with e-mails, texts, and posts on the walls of Facebook. I don't know about you, but when I receive an actual letter or card in the mail, it makes my day. There is a nostalgia in the act of reading anothers personally penned words and sentiments.

I've been cultivating a little known hobby of mine recently. Over the years I've been collecting love letters from WWI and WWII but I'm open to letters from any era. With a letter being the only way to communicate with a loved one, the detail and emotion contained within these long letters is rich in its intimacy. Reading these long lost letters is an experience unto itself.

Regardless if you are in a romantic relationship or not, use the day to tell someone you care about how much they mean to you! Pick up a pen ... pick up card, or better yet, make your own Valentine ... and WRITE them a little note (or a long one)! Sure, you can send an e-mail if that is the only way to connect with them BUT if you can write something, it's my suggestion you do just that.

I know there are tons of blogs to visit, so I won't keep you long. I'm happy you stopped by and if you'd like a chance to win a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella, as well as a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing, leave a comment below to my question ...

When was the last time you physically wrote a letter to someone near and dear to your heart?

or ...

If you had a choice, would you rather receive a love letter via e-mail or one penned on paper?

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL AT THE END OF THE COMMENT!

And speaking of Secret Cravings Publishing, join us for an ALL WEEKEND CHAT on all weekend chat on our Facebook Readers page for tons of give-aways, chatting and fun! I will be there all weekend partaking in the merriment and the giving of booty! *winks*

Find us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/256038187798868/#!/groups/256038187798868/

Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Be sure to visit the hundreds of other participating author's blogs for a chance to win

tons of prizes!

Visit the Blog Hop Stop Event Page for quick links to everyones blogs!

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop

Join me for the With Love Valentine's Day Blog Hop! Stop by the Blog Hop Spot for a complete list and links to all 265 participating authors!

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/

Welcome to the Last Stop of SCP Blog Hop!

Secret Cravings Publishing is celebrating their One Year Anniversary! Come join in the fun and win some great prizes too!

First prize - Kindle Fire
Second prize - Amazon GC $50
Third prize - SCP GC $25

Every participating author is having their own give-way, so make sure to stop by every blog and comment for more chances to win.

YOU MUST comment on EVERY blog over the next month to be eligible for the main prizes listed above - no purchase is necessary and please leave your email address.

SPECIAL during the SCP Blog Hop Anniversary...

For those who leave comments on the blogs, they'll receive a 25% off coupon for the SCP website. All purchases during the contest time will receive 10% off purchases on the website.

From December 16, 2011 through January 19, 2012 visit the below listed author's blogs and websites for your chances to win great prizes.

http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/

I have the pleasure of being the last author on SCP's Blog Hop and I wanted to do something special. As a member of the SCP family, I've had the privilege to work with not only the amazing staff at SCP but to be amongst the remarkably talented writer's who call SCP home.

Whether you are a romance author or a romance reader, have you ever wished to be the heroine (or hero) of your very own story?

If so, now is your chance! By leaving a comment, you will have a chance to win your very own CUSTOM short story (approx. 2500 words) starring none other than YOU!

This story will be yours and yours alone and after answering a few questions (the answers of which will be kept quite confidential), decide on the heat level and genre, I will craft a personalized romance just for you.

To qualify for SCP's Blog Hop prizes, you simply need to leave a comment with your e-mail address.

In order to qualify for a chance to win my contest, you need to answer the following question:

If you could 'star' in your own romance, what would your ideal heroine (or hero) be? A detective? A vampire or ghost hunter? The owner of a specialty shop? A small town girl or a big city professional? The possibilities are limitless and I've often fantasized about a few myself, so I'm quite interested in your fantasy character! PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS at the end of your comment!

Best of luck to all those who've visited each blog on SCP's Anniversary Blog Hop! And to Secret Cravings Publishing ... a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY with best wishes for years to come!

Layla

Join Me for Last Stop of SCP Blog Tour & Win YOUR own romance story!

Join me and Secret Cravings Publishing as we celebrate their One Year Anniversary! Come join the fun and win some great prizes…

 

First prize - Kindle Fire

Second prize - Amazon GC $50
Third prize - SCP GC $25

Every participating author is having their own give-way, so make sure to stop by every blog and comment for more chances to win.

YOU MUST comment on EVERY blog over the next month to be eligible for the main prizes listed above! No purchase is necessary and be sure to leave your email address with your comment.

For those who leave comments on the blogs, they'll receive a 25% off coupon for the SCP website. All purchases during the contest time will receive 10% off purchases on the website.

From December 16, 2011 through January 19, 2012 visit the below listed author's blogs and websites for your chances to win great prizes.
http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com

I have the pleasure of being the last author on SCP's Blog Hop and I wanted to do something special. As a member of the SCP family, I've had the privilege to work with not only the amazing staff at SCP but to be amongst the remarkably talented writer's who call SCP home.

Whether you are a romance author or an avid reader, have you ever wished to be the heroine (or hero) of your very own story?

Come back and visit my blog on January 19^th and leave a comment for a chance to win your very own CUSTOM short story (approx. 2500 words) starring none other that YOU!

This story will be yours and yours alone and after answering a few questions (the answers of which will be kept quite confidential) I will craft a personalized romance just for you. Details will be posted January 19th!

Layla Hunter