Friday, August 23, 2013

Secret Cravings Publishing Blog Hop



WELCOME!

Needless to say the picture above certainly stirs some romantic and sensual ideas. I love the way one picture, one song, one scent or one flavor can just as easily create a memory as it can resurrect it. There are times I hear a song and it transports me right to the moment I first heard it. The same with a scent or a flavor...like pierogis. Everytime I taste them, I can picture myself with my grandmother sharing a plate after school.

I know there are 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, Whisper Sweet Nothings, an erotic contemporary short story, as well as a $15.00 Secret Cravings Publishing Gift Certificate to purchase a few more new books!

All you need to do is share with me your favorite sense -- either taste, sound, touch, scent, etc., for a chance to win!

The contest will run through Midnight, Sunday, August 25th. Winner will be announced and notified by 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! Winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all of the authors participating in the
 

Here's a peek at Whisper Sweet Nothings ...

     Sarah Cole never expected to find herself divorced and nearly broke at the age of thirty-four, no less working part-time as a phone sex operator for Whisper Sweet Nothings.  

Solely responsible for the care of her grandmother, she's willing to do whatever she needs to care for the woman who raised her, even if it means foregoing her dream to sing.

 News of his impending deployment turns Lt. Samuel Meade's world upside down, and he finds himself alone to face the unknown when unexpectedly abandoned by his girlfriend.  

 Eager to help him shake the blues, friends set him up with Whisper Sweet Nothings for a little fun before deployment. Not wanting to seem ungrateful or endure the merciless ribbing of his buddies, he goes ahead with the call, expecting the worst.

 Instead, he finds Sherry (aka Sarah Cole), a kindred soul as seemingly lost as he is.

Neither could have imagined the instant bond forged that night, the foundation for a friendship that would span nearly a year. Sharing heartfelt letters with a woman he's never met, Sam finds himself falling for her.

 Scarred in more ways than one during his deployment, Sam returns stateside suffering from PTSD and a painful leg injury. Convincing himself that he is as broken as his dream of pursuing her, he gives himself over to despair. 

 Unbeknownst to them, with the help of a friend, they find themselves face to face, embarking on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance and a once in a lifetime love.

 

 
Here's an excerpt ...


Sarah jumped when the phone finally rang, staring at the console like a deer caught in headlights, unable to move. What the hell was she doing?  This was insane, an introverted, thirty-something, afraid-of-her-own-shadow architect-wannabe trying to pass herself off as a phone sex operator? She'd lost her mind.

"Are you going to get that or what?" Rachel chided. Sarah looked helplessly to her designated trainer.

 "You can do this. Remember why you are doing this, sweetie. It makes it easier. I'll be nearby," the woman reassured her.

Sarah nodded, adjusting her headset and reaching over to press the flashing button—the button that would lead her down a path she'd never pictured herself traversing, especially not at this point in her life.

When she began training, she'd been asked to pick a name for herself and had chosen Sherry. It had a sweet, girl-next-door quality to it unlike her actual name. Her eccentric, literary-minded mother had thought it a wonderful idea to name her only daughter Scheherazade, although most of her friends called her Sarah. Tonight, though, she was Sherry, a sexy voiced seductress on the other end of a telephone entertaining horny men and perverts and…

Stop! You can do this Sarah. If you could live through one of the most brutal divorces in recorded history, you can do this.

"Hello, this is Sherry. Welcome to Whisper Sweet Nothings…have you called us before?" she asked sweetly even though her hands shook and her heart pounded painfully within her chest. Quickly, she glanced at the computer screen to scan a few details about her caller.

 "Uh, no…this is…well, this is my first time calling."

Given she was new she'd been told she would get the undecided first-timers or the clients who wanted a more vanilla experience. Most of the women here had a specialty…BDSM, fetish, gay/lesbian, etc. As she trained, she could add to her repertoire if she chose which would increase her moneymaking potential.

"Not to worry. That's why they put you in my very capable hands. I will take care of you. What's your name?" she asked, pulling out the scripts she had studied ad nauseum.

"Sam. My name is Sam. Know what…this was a mistake. I…I should go. I'm sorry, ma'am…I didn't mean to waste your time and…"

 She could hear his voice trembling and her heart went out to him. He was as nervous as she was. "Sam…listen to me. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but would it make you feel better to know that this is my first time too?"

 She caught the look of disdain from Rachel who shook her head from side to side, obviously a mistake and likely not to be her first. Sorry, she mouthed, turning her attention back to Sam.

 "I think you are just saying that to keep me on the line."

 She smiled. "No, this really is my first time. I'll make you a deal. We take this one-step at a time…together. How does that sound?"

There was a moment of silence and she thought she'd lost him. Her heart sank.

 "That sounds fine."

 "So tell me…what is it you were looking for when you called me tonight?"

 
Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about Secret Cravings Publishing Blog Hop! As always, the more the merrier!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
www.laylahunter.com

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Doggone Blog Hop for Charity


Hello all! I am so excted to be participating in the Doggone Blog Hop for Charity!


Meet Maggie Moo! This endearing 8 year old greyhound/lab mix literally trotted into our lives on Easter Sunday of 2012.



Our journey began Good Friday , the plan had been to get our feet wet looking for a dog. St. Hubert's in North Branch had many dogs available for adoption, especially seniors. Given our schedules, an older dog would be a perfect fit.

As we were getting ready to leave we took one last walk out back and looked at the dogs in the outdoor runs when this gorgeous lady, lying so nonchalantly in a huge sunspot, glanced over her shoulder and took us in. After sizing us up, she stood gingerly, so thin and cautious, and came over, liquid brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

Those eyes reminded me so much of our first dog, also a greyhound/lab mix we'd adopted many years ago from St. Hubert's in Madison … our first beloved Maggie.

Yes, their names were the same. When the volunteer told me her name was Margaret but they called her Maggie, I looked over at my husband and saw the coincidence wasn't lost on him either.

We asked to take her out and as we walked to the outdoor meet and greet area, she followed close at my side, nudging my hip as we strolled along as if to hurry me up. Once inside and off the leash, she took one look at us and then the cool, green grass and … the grass won out. *laughs*

Grass is her catnip. She loves to lie in the grass; to roll in the grass; to breathe deeply of the grass; to sleep in the grass.

Of course, it was love at first sight but since we had cats, also seniors, we needed to think about how she would fit in with that dynamic. Besides, adopting a dog is a huge commitment and we wanted to take the time to sleep on it. Morning came and we were back at the shelter, giving Maggie the 'cat' test. She passed with flying colors and the decision was unanimous … she was coming home with us! Mellow and sweet, she would be a wonderful addition to our family.

Saturday was spent preparing the house for her arrival and Sunday we picked her up and brought her home.

Eager, friendly, yet cautious cats awaited her arrival and after a carefully supervised meet and greet, a couple of our cats began to groom her. Then she licked one of them and we noticed her spotted tongue … both sides! She chose a bed of her own and made herself at home and it was as if she'd always been there.

A visit with the vet a couple of days later led to a clean bill of health except for her being considerably underweight at only 44 pounds. The stress of being in a shelter had taken its toll on her and the plan was to add some weight over the course of a few months.

Fortunate to be able to take her to the office with me those first few weeks, we were able to bond quickly and settle into a routine. Co-workers nicknamed her 'Maggie Bag of Bones' and 'My Little Pony'.

Over the next few months we did what we needed to do in order for her to gain weight and we took her on frequent, short walks so as not to tax her obviously achy joints. We loved seeing the spring in her step and the sparkle in her eyes as we went on our daily walks. We quickly learned that Maggie loves walking almost as much as she loves grass.

A year later, with even brighter eyes, a shiny coat, and 66 pounds to call her own, Maggie is thriving and much to our surprise has the energy of a puppy! So much for a laid back senior dog! *laughs* She is quick to remind us when its walk time with what we'll call her 'inside voice' … she doesn't bark but she'll try to 'talk' and never fails to make us laugh.

I think she knows she's making us laugh too because I swear this dog smiles. She prances and hops like a kangaroo to where her leash is and waits patiently for the walking shoes to go on. Wonderful in the house and always eager to snuggle on the couch with us, she seems to find her greatest joy in the great outdoors.

We've always adopted our animal companions and we've been blessed over the years to have some truly remarkable souls come into our lives. Everyone comments on how we saved Maggie from the shelter but the truth is we saved each other. Life is all the better with a dog named Maggie Moo.

*****

In honor of Maggie, I'm giving away several prizes including a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella; a PDF copy of my newest release, Whisper Sweet Nothings, a short erotic contemporary; and a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing.

All you need to do to be entered for these prizes is vote for Maggie Moo and leave a comment with the words TOP DOG! 

In addition to the above prizes, I will donate $1.00 to St. Hubert's in Branchburg, NJ for EVERY comment left in honor of Maggie and all the dogs (and cats *winks*) who bless our lives!

The contest will run from June 19th through June 21st and end at midnight. The winner will be announced and notified on Sunday. Be sure to leave your e-mail address at the end of your comment so I can contact you if you're a winner! The winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all the authors participating in the
Doggone Blog Hop for Charity at
Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about our Doggone Blog Hop for Charity event! The more the merrier!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
www.laylahunter.com


Friday, May 17, 2013

Cuddle Up with A Contemporary Romance Blog Hop




WELCOME TO OUR "CUDDLE UP WITH A CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE" BLOG HOP!

I know there are 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 $15.00 Secret Cravings Publishing Gift Certificate to purchase a few new books for the summer!

All you need to do is share with me your favorite thing about summer for a chance to win! For me, I love the longer days, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables (especially tomatoes and corn!), and the smell of honeysuckle.

The contest will run through Sunday, May 19th. Winner will be announced and notified by 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! Winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all of the authors participating in the

Here's a peek at 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 this intimidating 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 …


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

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


 
Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about Secret Cravings Publishing Cuddle Up with a Contemporary Romance Blog Hop!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
          www.laylahunter.com

Friday, March 8, 2013

Just Desserts Blog Hop


Welcome to SCP's Just Desserts Blog Hop!
 
I am excited to share with you my grandmother's (a.k.a. Cookie Grandma) Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. She was infamous for her cooking and baking talents, and it wasn't uncommon for her to make dozens of cookies, package them up and ship them off to her grandchildren.
 
Sadly, we lost her several years ago and the untimely departure left a surreal void in our lives. We'll always have the memories of Sunday family dinners where she was only too happy to share incredible stories of her Russian heritage, along with her recipes and cooking tips, and every time we re-create one of her dishes, she continues to live on in our hearts.
 
Fortunately, she had the foresight to include this recipe in the last batch of cookies she made for her great-granddaughter and partner in crime, and it's our honor to share it with you today ...
 
Cookie Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
 
1 stick of butter – softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons cocoa
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped pecans*
 
 
Preheat over to 375 degrees
 
In a large bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
 
In another bowl sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, then add to wet ingredients and mix well.
 
Fold in chocolate chips and pecans*.
 
Using a spoon, drop cookie dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (in whatever size you prefer), being sure to leave cookies 2 inches apart.
 
Bake 8 to 10 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Makes about 4 dozen two-inch cookies.
 
*The beauty of these cookies is the room for creativity. Don’t like pecans? Use walnuts. Don't like nuts? Add another ½ cup of chocolate chips for a super-chocolaty cookie. Sometimes she would press a Hershey’s Kiss on top or a handful of M&M’s … have fun!

 
I know there are 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 $25.00 Visa Gift Card to purchase the ingredients you'll need to make any of our author's delicious desserts, all you need to do is leave a comment!

The contest will run through Sunday, March 10th. Winner will be announced and notified by 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! Winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Be sure to visit all of the authors participating in the

Here's a peek at 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 this intimidating 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 …
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 Secret Cravings Publishing Just Desserts Blog Hop!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
           www.laylahunter.com


Friday, January 4, 2013

Secret Cravings 2nd Anniversary Cruise!

 

Welcome! All aboard for Secret Cravings Publishing
2nd Anniversary Blog Hop!

Thank you for joining me on this stop of the SCP Cruise! I don't know about you, but after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I needed this little getaway.

One of my favorite escapes when I can't go on vacation is to write! Writing allows me to go places I've always wanted to see or experience. Reading is another favorite escape of mine; when I read, I am transported to another place and time, and when I come back I am refreshed and ready to face the world.

For the most part ...*winks*

One of my favorite escapes was writing Skin Deep, my first erotic novella with SCP! Here is a little peek ...

     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

Want to read more ... http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=10&zenid=483445c63971225f7fd1a0620785520a

MY LOCATION IS:  ALASKA

 be sure to visit the other authors participating in the SCP Cruise at http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/ 
for a chance to win ...

Grand Prize- iPad2
First place- Kindle Fire
Second Place- $50 SCP Gift Card
Third place- $25 SCP Gift Card

As a souvenir, I am going to give away a a PDF copy of my e-book, Skin Deep, an erotic contemporary novella, as well as a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below and share with me one of YOUR favorite travel destinations!

Be certain to leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you are a winner. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by Tuesday, January 8th!

Thank you again for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about Secret Cravings Publishing 2nd Anniversary Cruise event!

XOXO Layla Hunter XOXO
www.laylahunter.com

Friday, December 14, 2012

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

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 …


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 



Thursday, December 6, 2012

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

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