Tibbs Design

New Ally Blue covers

Valerie Tibbs — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:15:43 +0000

I was asked to re-design some of the older Ally Blue covers. These just got approved and finalized today. Whatcha think?

Meet the Heat – Mari Carr

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:53:14 +0000

This week’s spotlight is on Mari Carr.

I discovered Mari at the Samhain Cafe about 2 years ago. She was my online drinking buddy, and we’ve been friends ever since. I finally got to meet her in person last year at Lori Foster’s and had a blast. Mari is the funniest, friendliest, and sweetest person you’ll ever meet. If you do get to meet her in person, you’ll know what I mean.

My favorite Mari Carr book is very hard to pick. I haven’t read a bad one of hers. Even ones she doesn’t like, they’re still good books. But if I had to pick one now, it has to be Do Over. This is her first book with Carina Press, and it’s not out yet, but I was fortunate enough to be able to be a beta reader for Mari. Trust me when I tell you that you’ll need a box of tissues – and some ice water when you read this.

Do Over – Coming to Carina Press on October 4.

Sometimes once is not enough…

After twenty-five years of marriage, Faith Wainwright wonders what she’ll do next. Her kids have moved out and sometimes she feels so distant from her husband, Troy.

Right before their anniversary, Troy gives Faith an unexpected gift: a journey through their hometown to reenact all their “firsts”. Their first date. Their first kiss. And especially the first time they made love—only better.

Each stop on their tour becomes an opportunity for Faith and Troy to rediscover how explosive their passion could be. Now Faith knows exactly what she’s going to do—Troy, over and over again….

Don’t forget to head over to International Heat - Mari’s up all week and she’s got prizes too!

Meet the Heat – Lila

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:03:03 +0000

The lovely Lila Dubois is up at the International Heat blog. Stop by and show her some love.

Meet the Heat… Errr…. It’s ME

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:13:17 +0000

OK, so it’s about me this week.

Hop on over to the IH blog and see what’s up.

I’ll have a prize or something at the end. A custom banner? Gift card? Hmmm…

Meet the heat – Jess Dee

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:36:02 +0000

Meet the heat – Jess Dee

Today’s International Heat member spotlight is Jess Dee. I ‘met’ Jess online at the Samhain cafe when I first discovered e-books. She was so friendly and very encouraging when I wanted to start a graphic design business. I was just playing around one night and made a little signature banner for her, and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship – and the launch of a second career for me. I wouldn’t be in this place in life as far as graphic design if it hadn’t been for her encouragement and support. Jess – I can’t tell you how much your friendship, guidance, advice, has meant to me over the last couple of years. Be prepared for some seriously sloppy kisses next year if I can make it to RT. :*

My Jess Dee book is Boys Down Under. I know, I know, it’s all about me. I was lucky enough to get to create the cover for this anthology, but that’s not the only reason I’m showcasing this book. It’s really good. Jess has created such a fun couple of characters and it’s a great escape – especially for those of us who’d love to go to Australia.

Visiting Paradise

Beth Brown needs a holiday. She’s burnt out, single, and madly in love with the man who pays her salary, Joe Bastion. Much as she’d like to act on her feelings, Beth’s learned the hard way not to sleep with men she works for. Far as she’s concerned, Joe is off limits. Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to chase hard. And Joe wants Beth. He’s organised a trip of a lifetime for her. Beth’s about to set sail into paradise, and she has no idea that Joe’s the one who’ll be taking her there.

An Excerpt

What did you expect? That you’d reveal your erection to me, and hey presto, I’d fall into your arms, and we’d make wild, passionate love?”

Well…!

“There’s something between us, Beth. A spark. It’s been there all along.” He watched her face cloud over. “You can deny it, but we both know you’d be lying.”

She stood a little straighter, pulled her shoulders back. “I’m not going to deny it. But it’s irrelevant. I’d never act on it.”

“Why?” he asked, at a loss for any reasonable explanation.

“I work for you. I’m merely trying to maintain a professional distance.”

“Why,” he asked again. “What’s so important about keeping me at arm’s length?”

Indecision flashed across her face. “I’ve already explained that. I have my own issues. Issues I haven’t told you about.”

Nothing they couldn’t get through together, he was sure. “So tell me now.”

She shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”

“It’s as simple as you allow it to be. Talk to me. Help me understand.”

She sighed. “I…you see…it’s…I can’t. I’m sorry. Not yet.” Her gaze wondered off. “Maybe you could show me the rest of the Island? We could explore a little?” She turned slowly and trudged towards the thicket of greenery lining the beach.

Only he wasn’t ready to let her go. He grabbed her hand, and yanked her back.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

He tugged again, and she lost her balance. As she tippled over, he twisted her around. He braced to catch her weight, and she landed with a gentle thud against his chest.

She gaped at him. “Joe-”

There was no time for explanation. Her breasts cushioned his ribs, her legs pressed against his, and her mouth was open. He could see flashes of pearly white teeth and the tip of her pink tongue, and he couldn’t answer. He lowered his head to hers.

“Joe,” she gasped again, just before their lips met, and it did him in. She said his name in the same breathless, fuck-me voice she’d used the night before. He molded his lips to hers, and slid his tongue into the hot wet cavern of her mouth, taking full advantage of her open-mouthed surprise.

The shockwave of awareness that jolted between them almost bloody electrocuted him. The instant his tongue touched hers she melted. Literally collapsed against him. Tiny purring sounds escaped her as her body relaxed. Her lips softened and she responded to his kiss with a hungry acceptance of inevitability.

This was where their relationship had been heading from day one.

Her kiss reverberated through him. Heat curled through his stomach, and inched lower; its fire consuming his oxygen. He could hardly breathe. It wasn’t just his physical response to her. Something else was happening, something deeper, something more personal. Much more personal.

The loneliness that had been his lifelong companion began to crumble, and Joe, unused to experiencing anything beside the dull hollow in his heart, felt emotion churn in his chest. This was right. This was meant to be.

He pulled back, needing to look at her, to see if she was feeling the same way.

Her eyes were dazed; her chest rose and fell unevenly. “Joseph…” she breathed his name.

“Jesus, Beth. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

“You shouldn’t have,” she said, and had she not been so languid in his arms, he might almost have believed she meant it. But her fingers toyed lazily with the nape of his neck, and her nipples had pebbled into tight beads beneath her damp top, her response at odds with her words.

“I can stop,” he offered reluctantly, as her luscious lips parted and her eyelids drifted shut.

“You should,” she answered, but he could hear ambivalence in her voice. She took a deep breath. “Please…don’t.”

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This week, Jess is the hostess with the mostes at the International Heat blog. I think there might be a contest involved. Come check it out!

Meet the heat – JR Patrick

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:24:16 +0000

This week’s spotlight is on JR Patrick. I ‘met’ JR online a couple of years ago. Time sure does fly. I’ve had the immense pleasure of talking with her over the phone several times, and I just love her accent. She’s a fabulous lady and very talented. Her book Only Yours is available with Dreamspinner Press.

They switched and the second returned the favor. Tall and well-muscled, both men had huge cocks, although the first dancer was a bit shorter.

Dre adjusted his slacks to accommodate his hardening cock. After not so much as a twitch for the past six months, he was primed. He spoke to S.J. in an undertone, “I don’t know if I should hug you or kill you for this.”

S.J. whispered back, “You can hug me. Not everyone in here is on a date. I’m sure someone will be more than happy to help you with your lit” She looked down into his lap. “Big problem. Don’t worry, Mama brought condoms.” Dre groaned. “It’s decided. I’m gonna kill you.”

S.J. snickered. “Not yet. Things are heating up even more.”

Click here to go to the next one: T’s ebook addict

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AND of course, there’s a contest! All you have to do is travel over to the International Heat blog and leave a comment on one of JR’s posts this week. The winner will be drawn next weekend. Good luck everyone!

Meet the Heat – Jambrea

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:24:43 +0000

This week’s spotlight is on Jambrea Jo Jones. I “met” Jambrea online two years ago. I discovered the Yahoo groups and found a kindred spirit. We found lots of groups and realized we were both on the same ones. We also ended up working at Joyfully Reviewed together as well. We met in person at the Lori Foster event in 2008, and have been friends ever since. We’ve been roomies a couple of times and spent many hours on IM.

My favorite Jambrea book is Runaway Man. Not only because I got to create her cover, but because it’s a great love story. Jambrea’s tagline is “Love is love, no matter the gender”, and that is a applicable to all her stories.

An Excerpt from: Runaway Man

Lost in thought, Butch settled in his seat on the train, shook his head, and glanced around at the others occupying his space. His gaze landed on an attractive man who sat a few seats up. It couldn’t be who he thought it was, but something tickled his thoughts and brought back memories. He continued to stare at the handsome man and gasped as the stranger looked up. Butch became absorbed in the man’s dark brown eyes; a spark of recognition flared, but it was jolted away by a loud screeching noise. As darkness descended, he thought, it’s Mitch.

Butch tried to blink away the fuzz.

What happened? Where…oh, my God. The train…oh no, Mitch.

His vision wouldn’t cooperate, so he closed his eyes to focus his other senses. He took a deep breath and then gasped in shock at a sharp pain in his side. His hand hovered over the area. He explored the wound and felt something wet and sticky. He didn’t apply much pressure for fear he would make the injury worse.

“Baby, please don’t move.”

A small kiss fluttered on his forehead.

“Mitch? Is that you?” His injury forgotten for the moment, he waited for an answer.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m here. Just don’t move. You can’t—” Mitch choked on his words.

“What is it, Mitch? What’s wrong?” He didn’t want to panic, but he heard the fear in Mitch’s voice.

A hand rested on Butch’s forehead, and he stopped questioning. He remembered those hands; he’d dreamt of them—missed them. Now they stroked his hair away from his face in an attempt to calm him.

Why did I run?

“I don’t know much. The train crashed into something, and then the conductor came over the PA and made an announcement to ask us to sit tight until the rescue crews get here.”

“Mitch, I have to sit up. Would you help me? I don’t want to lie here and…why can’t I feel my legs?” Panic laced his voice. “And what’s that noise?”

Butch struggled to sit up, only to have Mitch hold him down.

“Butch, stop moving. I said stop, damn it! Listen to me.” Mitch paused. Butch heard the catch in his voice again.

Things must be worse than I realized.

“Your legs are caught under some rubble and—”

“And what, Mitch? Tell me. I can take it.”

“You have something stuck in your thigh.”

Blood dripped down his leg, splattering on his hand as Butch moved to grab the object that protruded from his leg.

Buy now!

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AND of course, there’s a contest! All you have to do is travel over to the International Heat blog and leave a comment on one of Jambrea’s posts this week. The winner will be drawn next weekend. Good luck everyone!

Meet the Heat – Jayne

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:15:16 +0000

This week’s spotlight is the lovely Jayne Rylon.

I was fortunate to meet Jayne at the Lori Foster event in Cincinnati in June 2009. It was a great time and she’s a great lady. I also got to stay with her at her house at RT, and she was a gracious hostess.

Here’s more about her:

Jayne Rylon’s stories usually begin as a daydream in an endless business meeting. Her writing acts as a creative counterpoint to her straightlaced corporate existence. She lives in Ohio with two cats and her husband who both inspires her fantasies and supports her careers. When she can escape her office, she loves to travel the world, avoid speeding tickets in her beloved Sky and, of course, read.

Jayne is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Central Ohio Fiction Writers (COFW) and Passionate Ink.

My favorite Jayne book is Nice and Naughty:

2009 EPPIE WINNER

2nd Place winner of Ignite the Flame

3rd Place winner of Stroke of Midnight

#1 Best Seller at My Bookstore and More

2008 CAPA and Ariadne Nominee

A thrill seeker at heart, Alexa Jones has learned to contrain her adrenaline rushes to intense boardroom negotiations after a disastrous lesson in heartache. But when she cracks, and indulges in a high-octane encounter on the hood of her sports car, she becomes involved in more than a simple affair. Can one man

appease Alexa’s nice and naughty sides?

Justin Winston got more than he bargained for on his refreshing summer drive, but now he’s entangled the woman of his dreams in a web of murder and corporate espionage. That’s not the way to convince her scarred heart to trust him. He needs assistance from someone practical, controlled… safe. Luckily, he knows just the man to call on for help.

Or will it take two?

“She’s beautiful,” he murmured reverently.

The car. He’s talking about your car. She tried to convince herself, but the rationalization rang false. While he admired the convertible, something more arced between them. Attempting to shake off the unusual reaction inflaming her senses by focusing on her vehicle, Alexa stepped a little closer.

“I’ve done a lot of work on it.”

“Can I touch her?” His implicit understanding of her dislike for people handling her vehicle made her confident he would treat it with the respect it deserved.

“Sure, go ahead.” Plus, she got to watch the way his broad finger stroked the defined contour in the flawlessly waxed side panel, which inflamed her senses nearly as much as if he’d placed the caress on her skin instead.

Before she could stop to analyze what her subconscious offered, she asked, “Would you like to take a look under the hood?”

“Hell, yeah.”

She had to laugh at the look on his face. “You look like a kid on Christmas.”

“It’s not every day I come across an opportunity like this.” The dark undercurrent of the statement and his piercing green stare made it clear he referred to more than a fancy sports car.

Oh God. He feels it, too.

Alexa should have been freaked out. Alone with a stranger, on a deserted stretch of highway, in the mountains far from the city, sounded like an unwise situation to put herself in. She should be nervous but a remarkable calm surrounded her instead. In fact, she just now realized she’d stopped on the side of the road without a second thought to safety. Today, she threw caution to the wind. The chemical reaction between them affected her like a drug.

As though he sensed her train of thought, the man backed away a few steps, displaying his non-threatening intent. He left the path clear for her to get in her car and drive away but her instincts shouted that she could trust him. She wanted to explore this attraction just a little bit further.

She leaned over the door and rested her fingertips on the hood release. The man’s gaze tracked her movement yet he didn’t encroach on her space. For a moment, the only sounds breaking the silence were the babble of the stream below, the gentle rustle of leaves from the tree branches overhead and a soft birdsong.

The air between them crackled with tension.

Then, the metallic click of the hood’s latching mechanism disengaging relayed her decision to stay. A broad smile spread across his face, raising faint dimples that heightened his attractiveness. Alexa inclined her head in a “come here” gesture as she circled around to the front of the car.

He ambled to her side with a steady gait that made her cognizant of his confidence she wouldn’t run. Reaching for the edge of the hood simultaneously, their hands met. Sparks shot up her spine and she jerked. His arm wrapped around her waist in a protective hold. The solid strength kept her from losing her physical footing, but not her emotional balance. This close she could smell the unique combination of his leather gear and subtle, earthy cologne.

“Easy.” His hand smoothed down her side and across the top of her ass as he went back to lifting the hood. The blatant touch imbued her with respect for his natural ability to handle a woman. However, she retained enough rationality to admire the gleaming chrome of the engine that she cleaned with painstaking diligence each weekend she could manage the time. Together they leaned forward, caught by the lure of a ridiculously overpowered motor.

“This is an aftermarket addition. Did you do this yourself?” His raised eyebrow conveyed his surprise.

“Yeah.”

“I’m impressed. Are you a mechanic?”

“Nope, this is just a hobby.” She smirked.

“Some hobby. I am a mechanic. This is a damn fine job.”

Alexa basked in his appreciation for details. None of her friends understood her devotion to this machine. They couldn’t comprehend why she spent the majority of her precious free time refining each tiny part until it was flawless. This man obviously did.

He ran his hand along the connections, searching with deft flicks of his fingertips for imperfections where none existed. His satisfied nod had her beaming.

“Jesus, woman. If someone told me I’d have the chance to play with a car like this today, I’d have said that nothing could distract me. But the way you’re looking at me…”

His voice trailed off as she reached up to do a little exploring of her own. Her hand moved on autopilot, following her desire, cupping the side of his stubbled face.

Is this guy for real?

The wet heat of his lips on her palm rasped against her nerves, stronger than any dream. She whimpered as he turned his head to lick the center of her palm before catching the sensitive skin between her thumb and index finger in his teeth in a gentle nip. The move set her ablaze, destroying common sense.

“Kiss me,” she demanded.

He didn’t need to be told twice. With a low groan, he closed the narrow gap between them, sealing his mouth over hers. He dropped the hood in place and put his hand to better use, wrapping it around her hip, yanking her tight against the hard plane of his chest. His height made Alexa strain on tiptoes to return his kiss. Eager to help, he tucked his other hand around her thigh, just beneath the curve of her ass, and hoisted her up higher on his body.

They fit perfectly together.

Her hands tangled in his hair, loving the way the silky strands teased the sensitive crevices between her fingers. She kneaded his scalp, urging him to take her mouth deeper. His head angled over hers, intensifying the kiss as his tongue lashed playfully against the seam of her lips. She drew it inside her mouth and sucked. He tasted like peppermint.

She moaned with regret when he pulled away.

“I’m going to set you on the hood.” He rumbled in her ear in between nibbles of her neck.

“No! Wait.”

Though he looked disappointed, he stopped without hesitation.

The heat suffusing her face highlighted her discomfort with being so brazen. “I…I don’t want to scratch the paint. Take my shorts off first.”

Strained laughter burst from his chest. It transformed his features from rugged to unbearably handsome.

“Honey, you’re my every fantasy.”

AND of course, there’s a contest! All you have to do is travel over to the International Heat blog and leave a comment on one of Jayne’s posts this week. The winner will be drawn next weekend. Good luck everyone!

Meet the Heat – Week 4

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:07:26 +0000

This week’s spotlight is on T at ebookadict.

T will be hosting the International Heat blog this week and holding a contest for Bath and Body Works goodies. Details can be found there.

T is the International Heat’s resident reviewer. She’s got a major love of books and doesn’t hesitate to tell you what she really feels. If ever you’re in doubt whether or not you’d like a book, then check out her site. She won’t lead you astray. She’s always there with a kind word or a push to help promo an author (or a struggling graphic artist).

Happy blogging!

Meet the Heat – NEW MEMBER!!!

Valerie Tibbs — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 04:17:16 +0000

Our newest member to International Heat – drumroll please…. Dadadadah…

Anne Rainey

The lovely Anne joins IH and is having a great contest for her special announcement! Check it out here.

I first “met” Anne online at the Samhain cafe. She was such a great person to talk to that when I had the chance to meet her in person at Lori Foster’s, I just walked right up to her and introduced myself. She’s beautiful (inside and out), and a great author and I’m proud to call her my friend. I’m also very fortunate to be one of her beta readers, so I get all her juicy books ahead of time. :D

There are a few people that were instrumental in getting my graphic design business off the ground. I can honestly say that without her encouragement, I would not be doing this professionally.

Anyway, this is about Ms. Anne, not me. And the book I’d like to feature is Burn.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd

Burn

ebook

A woman scorned…can be damned delicious!

Ally Ryan and Blake Steele were high school sweethearts. In love and inseparable. Ally always assumed she’d be his wife. Raise his babies and live happily ever after. Those dreams were shattered the day Blake left her and his small town life for the bright lights of New York City.

Now, ten years later, Blake is back. He wants to pick up where they left off. Ally has other ideas. Naughty ideas. With the help of her kinky girlfriend, Heather, Ally shows Blake her wild side. When her little plan backfires though, Ally’s very much afraid that she may lose the only man she’s ever loved, for good.

Buy From:
Samhain | Books on Board | Amazon Kindle | Nook

Read an excerpt here.

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AND of course, there’s a contest! All you have to do is travel over to the International Heat blog and leave a comment on one of Anne’s posts this week. The winner will be drawn next weekend. Good luck everyone!