Welcome to my stop on the Sizzling Summer Blog Hop!

BARBEQUES
If it's one thing rockers love to do, it's party. What better way in the summer then a barbecue and beer and a pool?
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Summer nights provide many a chance to step off the beaten path and explore all the options. These bad boys will wonder off the straight and narrow every chance they get!
BLESSED RAIN
One sure way to cool down is a steady summer shower. And who doesn't want to play in the rain? This bad boy definitely does.
As you can tell, these bad boys love to heat things up and keep life cool. I hope you'll consider joining them for an adventure! Speaking of, what's your favorite way to enjoy some summer fun? One lucky commenter will win a copy of Backstage Pass Books 1 & 2, Finding Her Rhythm & Settling the Score, on Sunday.
If you'd like to keep up to date on my book releases and cool happenings, please join my newsletter group here! And don't forget to check out the other blogs in the hop at www.justromance.me!
Sean and the newest Backstage Pass book, Striking a Chord, are making an appearance on the True Story Book Blog today! Drop by and say hello!

There’s nothing an author enjoys more than celebrating a new release with readers. Except celebrating TWO new releases!
Here’s a peek into Sean and Meghan’s story:
Success as a US rock star is payback to Irish drummer Sean Rosslair, whose father insisted music was a waste. Now Sean just needs to see the body to go with the smokin’ sexy voice of his new assistant, and his world will feel complete. But she ends up being the very woman he should never have.
Anxious to do a good deed, Meghan finally exposes her plus-size presence to her boss. Only he doesn’t react the way she expects—to her body or his brother. She takes her punishment for her white lie well—too well. Meghan can’t refrain from begging her boss for another spanking…but can she let go enough to embrace romance with a rockstar?
Can Sean teach Meghan his erotic secrets before a hidden enemy puts him out of commission—permanently?
Hot, hot, hot! And just in time for all that reading you’ll be doing this holiday weekend. Even better? Striking a Chord is only 99 cents through Monday! Grab your copy on Amazon.
Let's get on with the DANCE PARTY! What better way to introduce a rock star's book, huh? I’m sharing the songs that inspired me as I wrote Sean and Meghan’s story. When you’ve danced yourself silly and commented to enter the contest, run on over to Ella’s blog and party with some more awesome music.
* * *
Striking a Chord takes the Backstage Pass series international with its setting in Ireland. What could be sexier than being forced to stay in an old Manor house in the Irish countryside with a 100% Irish bad boy? Nothing that I know of…
Inspiration wasn’t in short supply—I plotted this book while on a trip to Ireland, Wales, and London. Everywhere I turned were castle ruins, stately manor houses, and some yummy, yummy eye candy! But once I was home, I really needed music to help the writing continue to flow.
I found the perfect soundtrack with an international flair in Goo Goo Dolls Magnetic. Sean is a whole hog rebel! He started doing his own thing in his teens and hasn’t looked back. Meghan’s more of a rebel-in-training, and Sean’s the perfect teacher.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUi8gQPsMdw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
One taste and he can’t get enough of her curvy body or intrepid spirit. He aches to teach her the key to setting her sensuality free.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlDAq56viD0?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Meghan grew up in an uber-religious community. A single fall from grace and now everyone is watching to see if her journey away from her home town leads her ‘down the path to sin’. Sean sees the pain in Meghan’s heart and aches to erase the wounds inflicted by others. As she embraces her true self, she sets aside judgment and lets her own wild side come alive. And her redemption just might show Sean a few things he's never let himself see before.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7mKUqidhg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating my Irish drummer! What’s a celebration without prizes? Ella and I have a joint giveaway. To enter, simply leave a comment on both my blog and hers, telling us your favorite party song. Your comment enters you in the giveaway. A comment on both blogs enters you TWICE. Like me on FACEBOOK or SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER and get a THIRD entry.
Thank you so much for joining us for our Double Release Day! Its not really a party all by myself. But with friends? It’s Double the Fun!
Dani
Oh, 1 more thing—if you’ve never read mine or Ella’s books, I’ve got another great way for you to win! We have an interview today on Nice Girls Writing Naughty Readers Group where we’re talking twins, hotties, and of course, prizes! One lucky commenter will win the first books in BOTH the Secrets and Backstage Pass series. So check that out too!
Today its Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun, and DOUBLE THE PRIZES! Because my twin, Ella Sheridan and I, have Double Releases. Today, Striking a Chord, Backstage Pass Book 3, hits the virtual shelves. Ella’s novella Just a Little More also releases today! So its time to PARTY!
In honor of sharing a release day (and a womb for 9 months!), we’re having a release day party and giveaway – a $30 gift card to Amazon or B&N PLUS copies of the first book in my Secrets series and Dani’s Backstage Pass series. We’re talking serious hottie goodness here, people! Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of both our blogs. And remember, the more you participate – on my blog and Ella’s – the more entries you get to the giveaway. * * *
I'm so excited about the next installment of my Backstage Pass series! This book is very special to me, as Sean Rosslair was the first band member to speak to me after the Korvello brothers. A large portion of this book also takes place in Ireland, a country I was privileged to visit while writing this book. That very rarely happens for an author, and I found it incredibly exciting!
[caption id="attachment_592" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dani at St. Stephen's Green Park in Dublin, Ireland[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_593" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dani with Ella Sheridan in Killarney Pub for my first cider[/caption]
To add to the pleasure, my incredible cover artist Elizabeth Wallace, created a cover I absolutely love! I hope you'll love it to. Here's the cover for Striking a Chord, Backstage Pass Book 3, which will release on July 2nd!
Success as a US rock star is payback to Irish drummer Sean Rosslair, whose father insisted music was a waste. Now Sean just needs to see the body to go with the smokin’ sexy voice of his new assistant, and his world will feel complete. But she ends up being the very woman he should never have.
Anxious to do a good deed, Meghan finally exposes her plus-size presence to her boss. Only he doesn’t react the way she expects—to her body or his brother. She takes her punishment for her white lie well—too well. Meghan can’t refrain from begging her boss for another spanking…but can she let go enough to embrace romance with a rock star?
Can Sean teach Meghan his erotic secrets before a hidden enemy puts him out of commission—permanently?
Subscribers to my newsletter will receive an exclusive sneak peek next weekend, along with a special Double Scoop winner! Sign up by Friday to be eligible to win.
And don't forget the first 2 Backstage Pass novels: Finding Her Rhythm and Settling the Score.



I'm hanging out with the lovely ladies at Smile Somebody Loves You (SSLY) and talking about rock stars on this Wicked Wild Wednesday! Join me for some hot talk and goodies!
Also be sure to check out the debut post on the Nice Girls Writing Naughty blog! We'll be having loads of fun with events and prizes throughout the year. I'd love to have you join me there!
Dani

Birthdays are usually fun for me. I love celebrating mine and everyone else’s. But this year was different.
I hit one of those “milestone birthdays”.
The more I thought about the # in the days leading up to it, the more depressed I became. Not for vain reasons (I’ve been fighting the uphill battle with my body for many years), but for more ephemeral reasons, like:
~Am I where I want to be at this point in my life?
~Do I still have time to get where I want to be? (that’s the pessimist in me talking)
~Am I treasuring the important things in my life?
~Am I dismissing the good things and focusing on the bad? (natural for a pessimist)
~How many more years do I have to feel like I’m not measuring up? I thought that was supposed to go away already!
Thinking brought me some answers I wanted, and some I didn’t. Isn’t that always the way? But I have to say my family and friends made the day a very special one without too much fuss. I was grateful to start a new decade surrounded by my loved ones. That’s the best way to do it, right?
WINNER
The winner from my Summer for Love blog hop post is Kelly Thompson. She’ll receive a $10 Amazon card and a copy of my first Backstage Pass book, Finding Her Rhythm.
Because of all the great responses, I’m giving away 2 additional copies of Finding Her Rhythm to Brandi Dagwan and Renata Sbr. I’ll be contacting everyone via email. Thank you for visiting with me on my blog!
Dani
*photo used courtesy of rossvana, Creative Commons


Summer in the South means an abundance of steamy heat. When you’re trying to keep cool, its not so great, but when you’re ready to spice things up—oh, yeah!
The question is, how do we add romance to those sultry summer nights? Here are a few ideas from those of us with experience. :)
*Dancing and drinks at the local bar.
*Skinny dippin’ at the beach or lake.
*Long walks in the dark.
*Lemonade on the front porch swing.
*A private striptease with nothin’ but the crickets for music.
*Settin’ up a radio on the tailgate of a truck and having a personal dance party.
*Bonfires.
*Playin’ in the pool (with or without swimsuits).
*Long nighttime drives with the windows down.
What’s your best idea for a hot summer date? One lucky commenter will win a $10 Amazon giftcard! Sign up for my newsletter here for an extra chance to win!
Happy Reading!
Dani
Out now: Settling the Score. One hot rocker. One determined woman. Many hot southern nights!
For more Summer for Love blog fun, check out the list of participants on The Romance Troupe.


A SUMMER FOR LOVE BLOG HOP JUNE 4-8
Check out the GRAND PRIZES! (6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards
Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning. Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th using random.org to determine each winner.It’s finally here!
I know Daniel’s story has been a long time coming, but he’s bursting off the pages, I promise! As I shared with my newsletter subscribers, I’ve been living with Daniel’s story for a long time. When he first revealed he wasn’t the player he had shown himself to be in Michael’s book, I was shocked. Then enthralled. His and Becca’s history is complicated and makes their HEAs that much sweeter.
From SETTLING THE SCORE, Backstage Pass Book #2
“You’re far too concerned about things outside of yourself—you can’t turn your brain off and simply focus on the pleasure.” Pleasure he desperately wanted to give her. Tears welling into her eyes told him he was on track, even if her mouth wouldn’t admit it. He held up the blindfold once more. “Which is why I need to teach you to shut all that shit out. To concentrate on how good you feel, not what I want from you. Not how you look.” She started, obviously surprised by his insight. Oh yeah, he’d known about her obsession with her looks for years. He wasn’t going to let that get in his way either. He brushed the length of material along her jawline. “Let me do this, Becca. For you.” For me. Those oh too vulnerable eyes closed once more, her chin tilting up in surrender. This close he could see her hard swallow as she awaited his next move, the pulse at the base of her neck picking up speed. The beauty of her in that position took his breath away. If he could get his hands on Rockin’ Reno, he’d break every bone in his sleazy little body. Way past time for Becca to find out what it was like to be with a man who put her needs before his own. SETTLING THE SCORE is Available from Amazon and Smashwords.
I’ve gotten in a big rush lately.
It makes sense. My life is chaotic and my To Do List never ends. Sometimes you get in that mode of pushing through to the next task, desperate to simply have something completed. Checking things off a To Do List can be oddly addictive when the tasks seem neverending.
But I recently realized quantity doesn’t equal quality. Or rather, I was reminded. :) I’d forgotten in the mad rush to “complete” things.
That frustrates me. As much as I want Daniel’s book on the virtual shelves, rushing to complete his book won’t result in a good book—a book I can be proud of. My most recent Harlequin, Book 2 in the Mill Town Millionaires series, took longer than I anticipated to finish. To do it (and Daniel's book) justice, I have to put off releasing the next Backstage Pass book, Settling the Score, until later this Spring.
I’m trying to remember that my current chaotic state won’t last forever. I’d rather please my readers with a good story, rather than a quick read. (Hopefully my readers will agree.)
These are all decisions that have to be made as an Indie writer. Harlequin sets my deadlines for their books. And I know Awesome Editor would put me through another round of revisions if he wasn’t happy with the story. I can do no less for books of which I alone serve as author, publisher, and promoter.
But to make up for the wait, I want to give you a peek at the cover! My newsletter subscribers have already seen it, but they’re the only ones. I’m so thrilled with it! My cover artist, Elizabeth Wallace, has done a fantastic job. The cover echoes the opening scene of the book, when Daniel finally let’s go of years of control and shows Becca exactly what she’s been missing.
Pretty sexy, huh? I’ll be releasing an excerpt in a few weeks, again first in my newsletter, so be sure to sign up to catch the first sneak peek! And watch here and my FB/Twitter pages for first news on the rescheduled release date.
Dani
Takeaway: What’s one thing where you prefer to have quality over quickness?
