About Last Night... Belle Aurora

Matt Quinn has been an escort for most of his adult life. He's so good at his job that he's booked months in advance.

An enquiring email from a potential client finds him intrigued about the shy, awkward woman. A back and forth is started and before Quinn knows it, a friendship is formed.

Time passes and Quinn is smitten.

There's only one problem...

The client is his best friends little sister.

She's off limits.

He knows better.

Staying away from one another is easier said than done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Mia is doing something she wouldn't ever do - she's being naughty! And by naughty, I mean she's searching through a male escort site for the perfect man to take her V-Card. She's a self-described "socially awkward" virgin. So when she decides to be brave, come out of her shell, and find someone to help her into womanhood, she knows who the perfect man is going to be...

That perfect man just happens to be her brother's best friend Matt Quinn. 

Before she can chicken-out, she sends him an email through his company's website as "Maya," indicating that she is normally very anxious around men, but his smile put her at ease. When she receives an email back from him asking to meet in person before their 'date', she decides it's a bad idea and tries to cancel.  For some reason Quinn is intrigued, and emails her again, and thus starts their relationship. 

"He responded. Not only had Matt Quinn responded, but he's also flirted a little. Kind of. I think."

She reveals to him that despite a few dates, and close sexual encounters that were less than satisfying, Mia/Maya is still very inexperienced when it comes to men. 

"I wanted Quinn, for sure. But he served a purpose. I needed his help."

She discloses that she's a 26-year old virgin and wants her to teach her the basics, and he suddenly finds he doesn't want to let this one go - he wants her friendship and to help her with her, ahem, situation. 

His friend Harry (and Mia's brother) warns him: "You taking this girl's feelings and reciprocating them, making a friendship, then when you realize it's too much, you're going to cut her off....Girls like that are fragile. Shut it down now, before you become too attached."

Quinn doesn't. 

From witty emails, to text messages, and finally to phone calls, Quinn tries to put her at ease while learning about her needs for their encounter. Told from dual points of view, the novel takes you through both perspectives of their relationship. They end up discovering each other, forming a friendship, and becoming attached to each other. And they haven't even met.

Throw in two hilarious and supportive gay neighbors that give Mia a much needed makeover, her good friend also dealing with dating, a cranky boss at work, and a few other supporting characters and you end up with a charming novel that isn't what you might expect from the blurb. Of course, the truth comes out about who she really is, and you learn just why she selected Quinn to be "the one."*Swoon!* (and I really really want to include the quote but can't...you need to read it and discover the sweetness for yourself!).

Go get this one! It's one of my favorite reads this year! After reading a few duds, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this one.  Much like her prior works, this one has the witty banter of Friend-Zoned, and is an perfect read for those looking for a fun HEA. I have to wonder if there is another story to be told in this series....as I can TOTALLY see a book for Mia's brother Harry. 

 Get your copy at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GIx7KA

Nook: http://bit.ly/1LywmdC

About the Author: 

Belle Aurora is twenty seven years old and was born in the land down under.At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown's Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.

Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.

Humorous romance novels.

Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.

Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February 2013 Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love. With words.With writing.With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.Friend-Zoned is the first in the Friend-Zoned series. Keep an eye out for this cheeky author.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Belle-Aurora/498203013573648

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/BelleAurora1

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6983012.Belle_Aurora

 

Game of Thrones Season 5 Finale: Mother's Mercy. AKA: Have Mercy! How many people are dead??!!

Hang onto your hats folks, it’s about to get bumpy. There’s dead bodies strewn all over the place. Or palace. Whatever. Keep up with the body count, mmkay?

First, Stannis wakes to find Melisandre happy that the gods have accepted his daughter’s sacrifice, and the snow has melted to Winterfell.  As well, her cauldron has shown her that the Bolton banners are burning. Say that five times fast. Except, whoopsie, there’s a problem. Half of his men have left and have taken the horses with them. Then, second problem – his wife was left hanging from a tree. Stannis is unfazed, and forges on! You see Melisandre bailing out as well. Stannis keeps going…To Winterfell! 

Dead = 1

Um, er, except Brienne finds out he’s on his way and surrounds him with the vast Bolton army. Fight, fight, fight. Dead soldiers everywhere. Stannis is in the woods giving it one last shot and kills to Bolton-boys, but takes a nasty cut to the leg. He’s against a tree when Brienne tells him she remembers seeing his shadow as he killed Renly with his blood magic. When he states that he did kill Renly, she announces that she’s Brienne, the big and tall, and her badassness has sentenced him to die by her mighty sword. He’s resigned... “Get on with it” he says, and she swoops down her sword. 

Dead = 2 + gazillion soldiers. 

Sansa escapes captivity with the help of a corkscrew and goes to the tower to light her candle. Except, Brienne doesn’t see it because she’s busy with the whole Stannis invasion. She stays in the tower and watches the battle below, coming out only when she sees the Bolton boys coming back. While trying to sneak back to her room, she is confronted by Myranda who is holding a bow and arrow to her chest. Sansa tells Myranda that she knows what Ramsay is, and that if she’s going to die, she wants to do so when there’s still some of her left. Myranda tells Sansa that she’s only around so that Ramsay can have an heir and a spare, then he’ll toss her bloody carcass aside and she’ll be back on top. Theon finally wakes up, pushes Myranda over the railing where she falls to the courtyard below. Splat. He grabs Sansa and the two of them jump step up to the castle wall and jump. Theon, not Reek, may finally be back in action.

  

 Dead =  3 + a gazillon soldiers. 

Jamie is taking Mrycella home, and along with her, the Oberyn son. As they are saying farewell, Ellaria gives her a giant smack on the lips, one of the Sand Snakes has some words for Bronn, and Ellaria gives Jamie a look. Off at sea, Jamie talks about how strange it is that the children of to families at war actually fell in love. When he starts on his speech about how you can’t help who you love (even if it is your sister), sweet Mrycella lets him off the hook and tells him she knows about him and her mom, and is happy that he’s her Uncle. Er, Dad. Dunkle. They hug it out, and then…she starts to get a bloody nose. Uh-oh. This looks familiar. She bleeds, shakes, and she's down. Seems that kiss was more than just a kiss. Ellaria is seen wiping lipstick from her mouth, drinking a potion (likely an antedode) and walks off. 

Dead = 4 +  a gazillion soldiers

Arya goes after her old foe Meryn. He’s working over three young girls with a whipping stick, and each cries out until he smacks the third. Silence. He wacks her again – and not a peep. Frustrated he vows to break her and punches her in the stomach and she goes down. When she looks up, she whips off her long-haired wig and it’s Arya! She asks him if he knows who she is, at the same time that she’s stabbing him in the eye! She continues to stab him while screaming “I’m Arya (muther-effing) Stark! And you are no one!”, then pulls him up to her and slices his throat. When she returns to creepy face room, Jaqen and the other chick are waiting for her. Jaqen tells her she has stolen a life from the Many Faced God and she must pay her debt. When it appears that Jaqen is going to make her drink poison, he downs it himself and she freaks. She’s crying beside him saying he was her friend, and the real Jaqen comes in and says he wasn’t. He was an imposter with no face. She rips off the ‘face’ on the faqen, and another appears, and another, and another until the face she sees is hers! Suddenly she screams that she cannot see and her eyes are clouded grey. 

Dead = 6 (Meryn and Faqen) +  a gazillion soldiers

In Meereen, Tyrion, Ser Jorah, and Daario are chatting about what to do know. Tyron calls out both men about loving her, and quips “neither one of you is fit consort for a queen, but we always want the wrong woman.” After some bantering about who can do what, Jorah and Daario go north to search for their queen, Worm stays behind to deal with the people as Jorah says he’s “the toughest man with no balls” around. Besides, Tyrion is there to advise him. Later, Varys shows up and it’s the Varys and Tyrion show again. 

Daenerys is off who knows where. Her petulant dragon son Drogon doesn’t want to take her home. She starts to walk off and is confronted by her old people, the Dothraki. First it’s one Doth on a horse, then more, then a bunch more, then she’s completely surrounded. Much like Olivia Pope, she drops her signature ring behind as a breadcrumb for others to find. 

Jon Snow and Sam have a conversation and Sam wants out. He wants to be a Maester, and take his woman Gilly and the child with him. He also shares his sexy times adventures and Jon appears impressed telling him “Glad to know the end of the world’s working out for someone!” Jon agrees to send him off and the three are seen riding out. Melisandre shows up with Jon Show and tells them that the princess is dead with just one look. 

Later, the Lord Commander goes to Jon and Olly rushes in and tells him there’s a Wildings found Uncle Benjen and knows he’s still alive and knows where to find him. Jon runs off and finds he’s cornered and confronted with a sign that says Traitor. He’s stabbed first by Allister, then by others, over and over as they claim “For The Watch” while sticking him in the gut. The last one to stab him is Olly. And that’s the final blow – Jon Snow goes down bleeding in the snow. John Snow in the Snow. NOOOOO. Not Jon Snow!! Shit! 

Dead: 7 + a gazillion soldiers

Cersei is again confronted by the Septa, and when she demands “Confess” this time Cersei says okay. She admits her trist with Lancel to the High Sparrow (but not much else) and is told that since she confessed, there won’t be a trial but she must under atonement – a brutal scrub-down by the maids, followed by the a new razor-cut hairdo.  The High Sparrow announces to the crowd that she’s publicly committed the acts of falsehood and fornication and has confessed her sins and begged for forgiveness. She must now “Cast aside all pride and present herself and the gods hade her” to the city – aka naked, to make her walk of atonement. She’s given a push by the Septa, who walks behind her ringing a bell and chanting: “Shame! Shame! Shame! (ding-ding), Shame! Shame! Shame! (Ding-ding-ding). 

It doesn’t take long before the people start screaming at her: Whore! Slut! Pitiful! Fuck Off! All Hail the Royal Tits! Sinner! Fucker! Bitch! Then throwing of the lettuce and veggies, she’s spat upon, has all kinds of other crap thrown at her.  Somehow this also prompts a few of the city loons to flash her as she goes by. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost. But not really because she’s Cersei and she has been a royal hag. She’s walked to the bottom of her palace where her guards let her in, and she promptly has a break down. Qyburn rushes to her and covers her, while the newest member of the kings guard has picks her up, but he’s take a vow of silence until all her enemies are dead so you don’t hear who it is. 

Final body count:

7 dead. Maybe. You never know! Jon Snow might have some super powers or the cold snow beneath him stops his blood flow and lowers his body temp and keeps him from dying. Or he can be reanimated like the White Walkers. 

Really dead: Stannis, his wife, Myranda, Myrcella, Faqen, Meryn, Plus, a ton of soldiers.

It’s a long 10 months until April 2016 when the show returns people. Really, anything can happen at this point. The show has basically caught up to the books in most all story lines and the new book, Winds of Winter isn't due out this year, despite excerpts that have been posted. There's speculation, guesses, theories, conspiracies, and wishes. Until next year...

I’m off to catch up on Orange is the New Black and a few other goodies. Keep watching!

Game of Thrones, Season 5, Ep 9: Dance of the Dragons. AKA: Fly Dragon Fly!

Camp Stannis goes up in flames! Seems like Ramsay and his 20 merry-men have been in, and have done some damage. Stannis talks to Ser Davos who urges him to go back to Castle Black. Stannis is not convinced, and said they’re not going back, nor are they going to move forward. They’re staying put, but they’re going to need supplies. Davos is then ordered back to Castle Black to get more horses, food, and supplies. Davos tries to get Shireen and her mother to go with them, and Stannis refuses saying he has to keep his family with him. Davos talks to Shireen before he leaves and has her read to him. The story of the Dance of Dragons, and he gives her a wooden horse. She's happy. 

Later, while Stannis is talking to his daughter, Stannis tells his Shireen he must fulfill his destiny and become what he is meant to be, even if he hates it. Sweet Shireen says it’s okay dad, no biggie. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know what you’re up to – I’ll help. Shireen and Stannis hug it out and he whispers “forgive me.”

Shireen is then seen being carted through the show toward the stake. She has no clue what’s coming until she sees Melisandre and the pyre. Shireen calls for her father, and Meli says “It’ll all be over soon, Princess.” Despite her gut wrenching screams for her father, and then for her mother, she’s sacrificed. 

“Cleanse her with your fire and let her light lead our way. Accept this token of our faith and lead us through the darkness” proclaims Meli. Despite her cries, papa Stannis says it must be done – she’s king’s blood. Sadly, there’ no arrow through the heart for this girl to spare her suffering. 

Jon Snow and his Wildling group arrive at the Wall. Ser Allister is not happy to see them. Allister and Jon seem to have a telepathic conversation:

“Who are these dudes?”

“Come on, let me in”

“Seriously, who’s the giant?”

“Oh, that’s just Wun-Wun. He’s harmless. A gentle giant”

“Uuuugh. Fiiiiine. Open the gates”

Jon, always broody and hard on himself, claims he feels like a failure. Sam tries to tell him he’s not, and give him an uplifting speech: “Hey, look. See that dude? He doesn’t think you’re a failure. Nor does that dude. Or that chick over there.” Jon turns to Olly for some dark support, and Olly just turns away from him. Ser Alliser walks by and tells Jon: “You have a good heart, Jon Snow, but it will get us all killed.”

Allister! Way to kick a guy when he’s down! 

The Kingslayer is given an audience with Prince Doran, Ellaria Sand, Myrcella and her fiancé Trystane. Myrcella, sporting some sexy Dorne clothing and Jamie doesn’t approve. He tells her What a lovely dress. You must be cold.” Myrcella tells her Daddy-Uncle Jamie “The Dornish climate agrees with me.” Smirk. When Ellaria questions why Jamie came for Myrcella he tells her they received a threat – the princess’s necklace in the jaws of a viper. Uh-oh. Myrcella says that the necklace was stolen from her room, and Ellaria has a deer in the headlights look. Busted. 

Duncle Jamie says she must go back to Kings Landing, and Prince Doran allows this, as long as she can take Tyrstane with her. Dorne reminds Jamie that Sweet Prince Oberyn once held a spot on the Small Council, and Trystane will now take that place. Jamie agrees. As Doran makes a toast to the new King, Ellaria spills her glass refusing to toast to the Lannister boy. Needless to say, the Prince is not pleased! He threatens her life. 

Jamie then asks about his pal Bronn. Seems Bronn is still locked up across from the Sand Snakes, who are playing a game of slap hands. Bronn is brought back to the fold with Jamie and gang, and Trystane is given the power to determine what happens to Bronn. Trystane wants a bit of payback, and Hotah gets to bitch slap Bronn for payback. He ends up elbowing him in the face and Bronn goes down! 

Doran offers Ellaria the chance to show her loyalty to him, and she bows to kiss his ring. Doran tells her there are no second or third chances. She then goes off to find Jaime. When she finds him in his room, she tells him Myrcella, his daughter, did’t have anything to do with Sweet Prince Oberyn’s death, and maybe Jamie didn’t have anything to do with it either. 

Come on – can’t he come back in some dream sequence or something? Just once? You let Drogo do that! Anyhoots. Here's one more look at the Sweet Prince Oberyn....*sigh*

Arya is off to sell her oysters, and slip some poison, to the Thin Man. While walking through the street, she sees Mace Tyrell and his men coming off a ship. One of them is Meryn, the dude that killed her sword teacher. He’s on her list. She becomes distracted and leaves the Thin Man hungry and follows Meryn and his men. Once they are in a brothel, Meryn is shown women so he can have some fun for the evening. Like Golidlocks, he keeps rejecting them. “This one’s too old. This one’s too old. This one’s too old.” The mistress finds a young gal for him and he says “this one’s just right.” Eww. Arya is looking on and is shooed out by the Mistress, but not before Meryn takes a look at her. Either he recognizes her, or he thinks she’s just young enough to be his toy for the next night. Arya returns to Jaqen who asks about the Thin Man. Arya replies that he wasn’t hungry, and Jaqen quips “Perhaps that’s why the man is thin.” Teehee.

Then, it’s game time!! OMG It’s a roast, Dragon style!!

The games are about to begin, and the announcer states “Free citizens of Meereen! By the blessings of the Graces and her majesty the Queen, welcome to the Great Games!” Daenerys questions Hizdahr and asks where’s he’s been. He says he’s just making sure everything is in order. What is he up to? 

Once the challengers are introduced, they all state “I fight and die for your glory, oh glorious queen.” The first two are the quick and the strong. The crowd waits for the Queen’s command, and she slowly claps her hand to start the game. Daario taunts Hizdahr and tries to goad him into betting on who will win. Hizdahr gives some speech that makes Dany take note: 

“You. Yourself. Have you ever tried to kill another man that was trying to kill you?” she asks him. Crickets. He’s got nothing to say. He continues to argue for violence in the service of greatness, and Dany and Tyrion aren’t in agreement. The Quick is the one to die, as his head is chopped off. 

On to Round 2: It’s the Meereenese champion against a Westerosi Knight. Wait, What? WHAT? Ser Jorah! 

Jorah arrives in the center of the ring to fight for his Queen. Dan looks concerned, and the fight begins with the clap of her hands. Jorah is having a hard time – the other dude is taking some good licks at him. Jorah is down. Looks like it’s all over as he gazes up upon his Queen Dany. Then, with some quick moves he stabs the guy ready to take him out in the gut, steals his spear, and chucks it behind Dany killing a Son of the Harpy that was sneaking up to kill the Queen. Whew, did you get that? You better. It’s a Harpy Ho-Down as they all come out of the crowd and start killing everyone. Daario is freaked and the slaughter begins.

 Daario yells “protect your Queen!” and he goes into battle. Jorah gets Dany out of the way. Hizdahr proves he’s never had to fight for his life, and he goes down. Stabbed. Dany is lowered to the pit and they try to escape through one of the tunnels, only to be blocked by more Harpies. They run to another and it’s the Harpy Horde! They start to attack as the Queen is in the center of a circle, surrounded by her small number of guards, Missandei, Tyrion, Daario, and Jorah. The fighting begins, Dany grabs Messandei’s hand and closes her eyes when she hears a scream in the skies. It’s Drogon! Her baby Dragon all grown up, and coming in to save his mother. 

Drogon lands in the center, spewing fire upon those that were trying to hurt his mommie. The ones not going up like marshmallows in a bonfire are throwing spears at Drogon and a few actually hit their target. Dany approaches and takes out a spear to save her baby-Dragon-Drogon. He turns and roars at her, then calms when he sees mommie dearest. 

She has no choice but to climb on top of him, and with her command “Valahd” they fly away. 

 Valahd. Fly? Save us? Get the Eff Out? Who knows… 

Tyrion saves Missandei, Ser Jorah saves his beloved Dany, and more than a few Harpys are burnt to a crisp. Sheesh. And I thought last week had the epic fight scene. No one told me there was “How to Fame your Drogon” episode this week. I would have saved the Epic comment!! 

What happens now with Meereen? 

Next week’s season finale previews: Cersie is a hot mess! Jon Snow is asked what he is going to do. Will the sacrifice of Shireen pay off, or is Melisandre full of hot air? She claims the Lord of Light has made good on his promise and Stannis roars “The siege beings at sunrise!” Will Stannis make it to Winterfell, where Brienne is waiting…Will Arya get her man? Which one – the Thin Man, or Mace? And… Sansa wants to die while there is still some of her left. I don’t think that next week will be Red Wedding status, but who knows?