Lady Leo Publishing Blog Tour

The Author



Nathasha Brooks-Harris is the author of several published books. Her debut novel, Panache, earned her the prestigious Emma Award, and she was named Best New Author in 2002. Her second novel, an anthology called Can I Get An Amen Again, was published last year by Kimani Books (now Harlequin). It is the follow-up to Can I Get An Amen--which earned a place on four bestseller lists before it even hit the shelves! A third book in the Amen series is in negotiation. Her second full-length novel, Sins of The Past, is scheduled for publication in March 2009. She is the former editor of three national women’s confession/romance magazines: True Confessions, Black Romance, and Bronze Thrills magazines. She was a Contributing Editor to Today’s Black Woman magazine. She is a member of Romance Writers of America National, the local New York City RWA chapter, Author’s Guild, and the New York City chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. In addition, she teaches writing at the Frederick Douglas Creative Arts Center, and travels across the country teaching writing seminars and workshops. She can be reached at nabrooks@aol.com or writernbh@yahoo.com. Brooks-Harris may be found on MySpace and her website.

The Book



Sabrina Jackson, a housekeeper and single mom works for the uppity Mrs. Boardraye, the wife of the city’s most successful canning company owner. Barely scraping by on the paltry salary Sabrina’s paid, she lives in the projects raising her young daughter, Kayla. One day, the finest tall and handsome man Sabrina ever seen catches her eye when he comes to the Boardraye home to present his new spring line. Where Sabrina sees poor, Quentin sees incredibly sexy, sassy, and vibrant. Despite her reservations about their different backgrounds and Mrs. Boardraye's forbidding her to fraternize with Quentin, the starry-eyed couple begins to date. Will their love win out over their station in life? Will they give in to what’s in their heart and love each other despite all of their differences?



Opposites Attract …So Good, So Right is available at Lady Leo Publishing.

EXCERPT of Opposites Attract …So Good, So Right


“Wow, what an incredible story. Now, I see why my being a housekeeper doesn't bother you."

It was getting late and neither of us wanted to go, but we needed to get some rest for work the next day, so Quentin took me home and came around to open the car door. Putting his arm around me, he walked me to my apartment. I had such a lovely time that I don't want you to go. We're from two different worlds, but I sure wish we could try, I thought.

Within minutes, Quentin claimed my lips, crushing me to him. I felt my knees weaken as his lips descended upon mine. His tongue traced the fullness of my lips, then explored the inner recesses of my mouth. His lips demanded answers that I wasn't sure I could give. But I did because Quentin's lips demanded a response. I returned his kiss with the same intensity of heat that joins metal. Spirals of ecstasy rippled through my body setting it aflame. Quentin Maxwell had rendered me senseless.

"Would you…like to…come in for…a cup of coffee?" I asked, unable to speak a sensible sentence.

"I had a wonderful tine with you, tonight, Sabrina, and I would welcome the chance to spend more time with you," he said, planting sweet kisses on my neck.

"Yes, I'd love a cup of coffee, thanks."

We drank the java and was working on the second cup, but we never finished it. Quentin drew my lips to his in a renewed embrace, kissing me with a hunger that belied his outward calm. I was shocked at my wanton response to the touch of his lips. At that juncture, no words needed to be said and none were. . .

Order your copy of Opposites Attract …So Good, So Right today!

KARMA new ebook ready for download

Here is my new ebook Karma. Download your copy today for $1.95 from http://www.ladyleopublishing.org/

KARMA-Byata Simpson is self-centered, an all about the bling. She is on the prowl for a man to take care of every material need. Her latest boy-toy, Sean, isn’t making it happen, and is rudely dismissed. But Byata; will learn the hard way that it isn’t all about her, when her self-destructive behavior and wicked motives back fire on her.

Excerpt:

I have that thing; whatever the ingredients is for the IT Factor I have it. Exotic beauty, luxurious locks, a sexy svelte body, 6 feet in heels and a catwalk swagger men notice from a distance. It’s all about me so please keep on stepping if it’s not. I have no time for haters. So here’s my story straight up no chaser.

Unintentionally I struck a pose waiting outside of a mom and pops café. A place I considered raggedy and beneath my standards. I was all about the bling, fancy cars, designer clothes, the lifestyle of the rich and famous but on a smaller scale, AND looking for a man to take care of me. No scrubs allowed! The only reason I came here is because one of my boy toys: Sean, told me he had a gift for me. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have given this place a second look; never mind being seen by someone I knew standing in front of it.

My patience started to shot circuit. I kept glancing at my watch. I cut and rolled my eyes at the people passing by me because they were gawking and I was not in the mood for the attention. I was irritated. Byata waits for no one, so he would hear my mouth as soon as he showed up.

“Hey baby,” said Sean sneaking up behind me.

I swung around,” You’re late!”

“Calm down it’s what two minutes,” Said Sean leaning in for a kiss.

I rudely palmed his face and pushed his head back, “My time is valuable Sean, and you said twelve o’clock.”

“Will you chill out? Don’t put your hands in my face.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I said mean grilling him, “I wait for no one.”

“Byata could you please stop creating a scene let’s just go inside,” Pleaded Sean, “People are staring at us.”

“I don’t give a damn about these people. They stare at me all the time.”

“All right, can we just go inside?” he asked holding open the door for me.

“I never told you I was going inside. I told you I would meet you here to get my gift,” I said through clenched teeth. I waited while Sean stared at me. I guess he was lost for words. I could tell I was getting on his nerves but I didn’t care.

Sean sighed, “Byata they really have great food here.”

“I can’t believe you would bring me to a place like this,” I said standing in the doorway blocking customers who kept saying excuse me only to have me peer down on them giving them the evil eye.

Sean continued to apologize for my rudeness as he moved around letting the people inside the café.

I ignored their name calling because to me they were just small-minded people. If they were angry, it’s because they couldn’t get in this raggedy ass place. Most women hated me anyways and if I didn’t talk to a guy he hated on me too. I’ve grown accustomed to their insults and all that other yang, yang.

“Could you come in? If you don’t want anything on the menu we can go somewhere else,” Sean suggested.

“This is the last time you can ever invite me to some little roach diner. I like high class restaurants and I’m not going to tell you again.” I told him still ignoring the remarks from the onlookers who kept telling Sean to kick me to the curb. I followed him to a table at the back. I grabbed some napkins from the napkin holder and wiped off the seat, “This is a five hundred dollar dress,” I said sitting down.

Update

Consequences of a Temptress my first ebook is now available at:

http://www.ladyleopublishing.org/

http://www.mobipocket.com/

http://www.amazon.com/ the Kindle store.

You can find all the fabulous Ladies of the Lady Leo's Blog Tour ebooks also. You can get to know these lovely and talented ladies by visiting their blogs and websites.

Empress LaBlaque (Blog) www.empresslablaque.blogspot.com

Rae Winters (Blog) www.rae154.wordpress.com

Nathasha Brooks-Harris (Blog) www.nabrooks.wordpress.com

Caramel Vixen (Website) www.caramelvixen84.webs.com

Shonell Bacon (Blog) www.chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com

Lady Leo Publishing Blog Tour

The Author



Rae Winters is a native New Yorker and her love of romance books started at the age of ten. Many days she was locked up in the bathroom reading a book, instead of doing her chores. Rae Winters, pseudonym for D. F. Mitchell has published book reviews, short stories, and sensual poems for Dorchester Media. Her work has appeared in True Confessions, Jive, Black Confession, Black Romance, and Bronze Thrill magazines.

She studied the craft of writing at the Frederick Douglas Creative Arts Center. She also studied Fiction and Mystery writing through an on-line distance learning program. She continues to study her craft at every available opportunity. She’s currently working on several short stories including her first romance novel, and she can be reached at DFMitchell138@aol.com.

The Book



The first in Winters' Girlfriend’s Series, Unfinished Business is the story of Sydney Harris who is ten days from walking down the aisle when her fiancé, Lance Edwards, develops cold feet. He skips town taking a transfer to the Washington, D.C. office. She's devastated, but sometimes trouble is a blessing in disguise.
Two years ago, Sydney dropped handsome Phoenix Sanders, a construction worker. She believed she'd been wasting her time with him, and he wasn't serious about marriage. But when she proposes a marriage of convenience she will find out just how wrong she'd been.




Unfinished Business as well as Undeniable are available at Lady Leo Publishing.

EXCERPT of UNFINISHED BUSINESS


Nix came to the door, towel draped against his sculptured body, moisture from his recent shower dripping down his chest. He looked good enough to eat. My fantasy from yesterday’s business meeting came back in real time, as I stood there mesmerized by his body.

“Sydney, what are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you, Nix.”

“Make this quick, I’ve got an early call tomorrow morning,” he said, opening the door wide enough for me to pass through.

My nose honed in on his after-shower-scent and I found myself wishing to join him in the shower as we had done many times before: showering, making love, and then showering again.

“This is a beautiful house, Nix. You just moved in?” I asked. We were surrounded by unopened boxes.

“Yeah, I moved in on Saturday.”

“May I see the house, Nix?”

He didn’t answer me, but he did shake his head which I took as a “yes.” I went exploring. The basement level was unfinished, and the main floor had a spacious kitchen, formal dining room, and a huge living room. Eagerly, I climbed the stairs to the second level, and found three bedrooms. Two of them were big enough for a nursery and a combination library-study.

I walked into his master bedroom—which was the largest of the three bedrooms. It was elegantly furnished, and the walls had crown molding.

“Is this your work? I like what you’re doing to it, celery green wall paint, and my favorite is the French doors. Where does that door lead to?”

“Sydney, did you come here to talk, or to see my new home?”

I could hear the annoyance in Nix’s voice.

“I’m sorry. You know my passion for decorating a room. I think if you put the sleigh bed against the right wall, and not the left, it will give you even more space.”

“I’m a foreman now, and I have to be in Staten Island at five A. M., so say whatever you have to say, now!”

Nix was now standing in front of me; his sherry-chocolate eyes smothered me, and stopped me in my track. I slowly backed away from him, feeling sexually threatened. He smelled so good, his chest glistened, and I wanted—no needed to touch him. I fought my inward desires, because I was wet with need, and I needed to talk to him…

Order your copy of Unfinished Business today!

Lady Leo's Blog Tour

The Author




Empress’ writing career started as the results of domestic violence. In order to escape the harsh reality of abuse she would read, True Confessions, Bronze
Thrills, Jive and the entire line of Romance Stories produced by Sterling McFadden. As she read, she realized her life was similar to the heroines in the
stories. One day, she decided to write her own romance stories. She wrote about men who were tender, affectionate and romantic. Soon she owned several
stories of her own. Empress has published on many levels. She is very proud of her accomplishments as a speaker for Prevention of Family and Domestic
Violence.

The Book




Porter Stewart teaches Greek Mythology at the university. Jorey Jeffers is the busy owner of a successful café. When Porter visits Jorey’s café she
doesn’t acknowledge his existence. Porter longs for her affections. His feelings are so intense he has realistic dreams about her. During these dreams,
Porter leaves his body and steals Jorey’s soul. Suddenly, Jorey is plagued with vivid nightmares of passionate encounters. Meanwhile, Porter continues to
call and his calls go unanswered. Jorey insists he has the wrong number.



Sorry, Wrong Number - as well as What Color is Love and My Brother’s Keeper - are all available at Lady Leo Publishing.

EXCERPT of SORRY, WRONG NUMBER


The phone continued to ring and there was no doubt--I was totally pissed. As I tossed debris I gritted my teeth and searched for the source of the dreadful ringing phone. Couldn’t he at least give me one night off? This idiot had called for a solid week, and this time, Jorey was not going to be so polite. Finally, I located the phone beneath the bed. I snatched up the phone and plopped down on the comforter. Without giving the guy a chance to speak I spoke first. “Look, Mister. You have called me every damn night this week. You are disturbing my rest! I told you--you had the wrong number.”

From the phone, a calm male’s voice said, “Believe me, I am sorry, but I simply must talk with you. Your name is Jorey, right? Jorey Jeffers.”

I gnashed my teeth. “Yes! My name is Jorey, Jeffers. I don’t know who you are and at this hour, I don’t care to know!”

“Ah, what a shame. I’m sorry to hear that.” The voice remained calm. “You do own the little café down on Compton and Third, right?”

Seething, I held the phone to my ear, stood up and impatiently paced beside the bed. “Of course I do.” As if poking the man in the chest, I pointed my finger and stabbed at the air. “I know your kind. You came in, saw me on the menu and now you’re stalking me, right?”

Although, I was angry enough to chew nails, I did notice that the voice seemed refined and well bred. His foreign accent was amazingly sexy. “Well, not really,” he haggled. “However, you can relax. I’m not a stalker. . . ”

I was not going to be swayed by a sensual male voice. After all, I was supposed to be pissed, right? “Look. I’m a very busy woman.” As if the guy was standing in my bedroom, I pulled my robe together. “I don’t even know you and you’ve gotten off to a bad start, got that.”

The voice chuckled. “I’m sorry. I guess my methods for meeting you were a bit childish.” He paused briefly. “May I start all over and introduce myself properly?”

My hair was sopping wet; droplets of water ran down the side of my face and moistened the phone. I blotted my ear with the damp towel. “Mister. You could try, but I’m a little annoyed with you right about now.”

“I didn’t mean to make you angry,” he admitted sorrowfully.

I threw my hand into the air. “Well, you did.” Water started to stream down my neck and chest. “I was just about to lather my hair when you interrupted my personal ritual.”

The voice was crisp, rich and refreshing. “I’m sorry, Jorey. God forbid I interfere with the maintenance of that gorgeous red hair. Would you at least talk with me over the phone? That’s pretty safe, don’t you think?”

“That depends.” I walked toward the window, pulled the curtains apart and peered out the blinds. For all I knew this guy could be on a cell phone directly beneath my window. “I don’t know what you could possibly want. This is not 1 800-PhoneSex.” I tried to calm my nerves and rationalize with the man. “Look, this is none of your business, but I’m coming out of a really nasty relationship. I’m trying to mend—I need my space. You do understand, right?”
After I didn’t see a car parked near the curb, I closed the curtains and sat down on the side of the bed.

The voice took on an enduring tone. “You’re coming out of a dreadful relationship? I can’t say I’m sorry to hear that. I’m too selfish.”

Although the voice was deep, sensual, and intelligent, I stood my ground. “Oh. So you have no regard for my feelings.”

The voice paused then sighed. “You’re kinda hard to please. I meant that as a compliment.”

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was getting late and I needed to shut this conversation down. “Look. I’m not in the mood for idle conversation. Plus, weirdoes call me all the time.”

The mellow voice became seductive. Almost in a whisper he uttered, “I can’t say I blame them.”

I shrugged hesitantly; his voice was pleasant—very pleasant. But, I wasn’t going to let a passionate voice influence my coveted PMS attitude. “Wel1 anyway, good night--whatever your name is?”

Being surprised, the voice droned, “Please excuse my behavior, Jorey. My name is Porter—Porter Stewart.”

Although, I was still slightly annoyed, the sensual vibrations of the voice melted over me. “If you were a gentleman you would have introduced yourself at first. Good night, Porter Stewart.”

Order your copy of Sorry, Wrong Number today!

Top 3 Sellers for the month of August at LLP

Here are the 3 topseller titles for the month of August at Lady Leo Publishing.

Unfinished Business-Rae Winters
Consequences of a Temptress-Letitia P. Blount
Undeniable-Rae Winters

Congrats to Rae Winters! Keep doing your thing and wishing you many sales.