Stacey Joy Netzel's Blog, page 15

Sunday Share: Blue Jeans and Stilettos + giveaway

Today I welcome fellow WisRWA member Jordyn Meryl and her co-authors C.Deanne Rowe and Maggie Rivers.  They're they creators of Blue Jeans and Stilettos, an anthology of three romance stories.  They also have a second book in the series: Mrs. Clause Wears Stilettos.

Jordyn, C.Deanne, and Maggie are not only sharing excerpts below, but one lucky commenter will win their choice of an ebook or autographed print copy.

Blue Jeans andStilettos - Adult Romance
JordynMeryl-When Dreams Change-(Hot) Jessica's dream was a smallcafé' in Italy.  But when her husbandwalked out the door, so did her dream. But dreams changed when Alejandro walked in to be her bartender.
C.Deanne Rowe-It's Better in the Dark-(Hotter) This birthday could change SofieEdwards' life forever as she finds hot desire in a mystery man that she hasnever seen.
MaggieRivers-Take a Chance on Love-(Hottest) Jennifer Sinclair doesn't wantsex on her fantasy island vacation. Caleb Hollister wants Jennifer.  Who will win?





When Dreams Change
CHAPTERONE
 "Youstupid-cheating-mother-fucking-son-of-a-bitch!"
Theheavy stoneware plate hurled from Jessica's hand headed towards
her husband.
Sweatlingered over her eyebrows running in her sea green eyes.  So infuriated she didn't even pause to wipeit away.
Charles,a middle-aged, non- athletic nerd, jutted to his right at the last second as ithit the wall behind his head shattering into pieces.
Raisinghis hands out in front of him to block her onslaught, his wire-rimmed glassestwisted on his nose. "Damn it, Jessica. Buying the café was a mistake.  Ijust can't stay here and work all the time. I feel stifled." 
           Her words came athim in a blaze of pure rage. "What the hell do you mean, mistake
Wesold everything we owned to get the money to buy this café."
          "Well I just don't think this business venture is going towork."  Charles still had his arms up ina defensive block.
          Jessica grabbed two more plates, angrily releasing one."What do you mean it's not going to work?" Charles dodged the first plate.
Hertone of voice seethed with white fury. "What's the real reason, Charles?"
Thesecond one soared at high speed.  Itnicked his forehead, just above his eye. Blood oozed from a cut.
          "Okay!  I wantsomeone else.   Bambi and I want to havea life together."  He held his hand overthe wound.  "Enough!  I'm leaving. It's all yours honey.  Do whateverthe hell you want.  I'm done, finished,out-of here."
          With another plate in her hand, Jessica watched as Charlestwisted around and did a hasty escape out of the door.  Blonde Bambi was waiting for himoutside.   Dragging his little sex kittenbehind him, Charles exited indubitably out of her life.


It's Better in the Dark
CHAPTERONE


IT'S BETTER IN THE DARK.   Spendan evening rediscovering your senses. Let us give you a fantasy night toremember in a perfectly safe environment.
"Thisis it.  Lindsey, come here.  Hurry!" Emma frantically waved her free hand in Lindsey's direction trying notto spill the coffee occupying her other hand. "I found the perfect birthday present for Sophie."
"What?"Lindsey asked.  "What are you screamingabout?"
"Lookat this."  Emma pointed to theadvertisement on the bulletin board placed strategically on the wall by thedoor of the Morning Brew Coffee Shop. "That's perfect for Sophie.  Youknow how hard she is to buy for and she's been complaining about her boringlife lately."
"OurSophie?"  Lindsey patted her chest andlaughed.  "So we are going to hire a maleprostitute to spend an evening with our Sophie for her birthday."  Lindsey laughed.  "Classy. You know she'd never go for that. You've had some crazy ideas Emma, but this one takes the cake."
"Stopit,"  Emma said.  "It's not a male prostitute.  That's not what it says."  Emma put her hand on her hips and let out ahuff making Lindsey aware she was a little miffed she would think that ofher.  "I wouldn't think of doing that atall.  This sounds different.  I'm going to call and see what it's about."
"Youdo that Emma."  Lindsey sipped hercoffee.  "Just leave my name off if it'ssomething creepy." 
"Ifmy weird alarm goes off, I'll make sure and tell you."  Emma took one of the brochures and placed itin her purse as they headed for the door of the Morning Brew Coffee shop.  "It sounds like fun."
Lindseywalked ahead, throwing Emma a look over her shoulder.  "If you are really serious, maybe someonehere knows something about it.  Afterall, they let them leave flyers."
"Goodidea.  I'll ask."  Emma turned and headed back to thecounter.  "Can you tell me anything aboutthis business?"  She laid the brochure infront of the young girl running the register.
"Letme get Duncan.   Just a sec."  The girl disappeared into the back room. 
She,Lindsey and Sophie had been coming to this coffee shop several times a week thepast few years.  They knew just abouteveryone who worked there even the guy Sophie had a crush on, but she wasn'tsure who the young girl had gone to retrieve.  She and Lindsey were positive if Sophie became involved with the guybehind the counter she might have some fun but she would be paying for most ofthe dates.  So far they had beensuccessful convincing her and Sophie had kept her distance. 
Sophie'shandsome attraction came walking through the doorway.  "I'm Duncan Tait.  Can I help you?" 


Take a Chance on Love
CHAPTERONE


          Caleb Hollister sat behind his mahogany desk studying thefour profiles lying in front of him. Numbers one, two and three were a definite no.  They wanted sex in every shape, form andfashion imaginable.  He didn't.
          "Let's see what kind of sexual fantasy this last one cancome up with," he said aloud to himself as he opened the last folder.
          His gaze rushed over the form until he came to the sectionwhich would describe what this particular woman had in mind for a week ofsexual indulgence limited only by her imagination.  She was paying for it and had the right toask for any fantasy she wanted. 
Mostof the women who came to the island were aggressive, jaded females so he hadbeen totally unprepared when his partner, James, announced his marriage to oneof the ladies he'd "serviced".  But thatwas the difference between the two friends. James enjoyed servicing the females who visited the island.  Caleb did not.  He managed the business.  He didn't participate. 
James'replacement wouldn't arrive for another week and these four women expectedtheir fantasy to come true.  Three wouldbe taken care of with no problem.  It wasthe fourth one he was concerned about. Now he would have to step up to the bed, so to speak.
          His gaze stopped on the first words. 
"Absolutelyno sex."
Calebreread the sentence.  There had to bemore to this woman's fantasy.  He readon.
"Iwant romance.  I want to be talked to, tobe held, to have a man be attentive to me, the person that I am.  I don't want sex.  I want an intelligent conversation, somebodywho's funny and can make me laugh.  Underno circumstance is sex to be brought up. If it is, then my money is to be refunded in total."
Thiswas definitely a stroke of pure luck.  Aweek of having some female companionship without having to perform some kinkysex act for some woman he had no feelings for was just fine with him.  He didn't like having sex with femaleswithout emotion behind it.  That justwasn't in him.  Never had been.  He wrote the names on the covers of thefolders, putting his on the last one, and tossed them in his "out" basket forNigel.


***


Bios-Threewriters became friends. Together they created anthologies to tempt the senses,stir the imagination and leave you wanting more.
http://www.writersofthelake.com
http://www.jordynmeryl.com
http://www.cdeannetore.com
http://www.maggierivers.com
Anautographed copy can be ordered at any of the websites.
Price$15.85 plus $3.00 shipping.
Oran e-copy at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=jordyn+meryl&sprefix=jordy
 ~*~
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Jordyn (and C.Deanne & Maggie)! I wish you all the best of luck with your books!
Readers, remember, the ladies are giving away winner's choice of an ebook or print copy, so make sure to leave a comment and email address so Jordyn can contact the winner!
Stacey Joy Netzel  

Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest at LASR

There's still a few days left for the Stuff Your Stocking with Books Blogfest going on over at The Long and the Short of It Review (LASR) site.

I'm guesting on Dec. 28th at 6pm and giving away 3 copies of DRAGONFLY DREAMS.  Remember, all sales of that title for the month of December will be donated to the White Family (featured on my blog earlier this month).  These three giveaways will count toward my sales goal, so make sure you head over to LASR to leave a comment.

DRAGONFLY DREAMS was nominated for BEST SHORT EBOOK at LASR in 2007.  I've re-edited and added to the book for it's re-release this December.

Thank you very much for your support and Hope you get a stocking full of books!

Sorrow and Joy at Christmas

On this Christmas day, we found out my cousin Jimmie passed away this morning after a brief battle with cancer. He is now with the Lord and his son Nate, no longer suffering as he watches over the rest of his family.

Love you, Jim! We will miss you!

In honor of Christmas and family, I'd like to share with you a couple of recent photos that reminded me to be so very thankful for what I have.


Becky, Bridgette, Nikki, Dawn and meEvery year we have a cookie bake with my two sisters (Becky and Bridgette) and my two cousins (Nik and Dawn). We have a great time every year and bake a crazy amount of cookies. This year marked our 12th annual Cookie Bake. My favorite part was finishing early and visiting until 2am.


We woke up to a foggy haze along the ground Christmas Eve morning and as I was getting the fruit tray ready to take to my sister Becky's house for the day, a glance out the kitchen window left me in awe.  The 'speck' on the right third of the picture (above the '4' in the date) is actually the top of some trees about a 1/4-1/3 mile down the road.


We couldn't get the kids away from the cousins long enough for a family picture (and they'd had enough of them in Colorado this summer), but my mom did get this one of me and Wayne.

I have many other things to be thankful for, but not so many pictures, so I hold the others in my heart.

My wish for you is a very Merry Christmas with loved ones, family and friends alike.

Take care and we'll see you in the New Year!

Stacey Joy Netzel

Sunday Share: Shrike, by Jeff

Welcome to Jeff Carlson today, who's sharing an excerpt from his book SHRIKE .  Enjoy!

SHRIKE, by Jeff Carlson

Genre:  Women's Crime Fiction

Heat Level:  Sensual

Set in present-day Raleigh,North Carolina, Shrike is the story of one young woman's overcomingtremendous physical, emotional and logistical adversity to defeat evilincarnate. When Taryn Spire and her best friend learn that some bankingexecutives plan a cybercrime to embezzle funds from the North Carolina StateFair, the adventure begins. A botched attempt by the perpetrators to silencethem permanently leads to a dramatic transformation for Taryn - watching atelevision program featuring a video clip of a shrike with its prey destinesher to become a crime fighter. With the help and the love of an unlikely ally(a motorcycle salesman), Taryn, as her alter ego, dispenses a unique type ofjustice.

EXCERPT:
"Ms.Spire?  This is Smith Worley from the North Carolina State Fair.  Ihope I'm not bothering you on a Sunday." 


           Between having to drive a vehicle foreign to her and the horrifying vision shehad at her parents' house, Taryn had forgotten all about COMDEP812 and the factthat Smith Worley had yet to return her call about the offshore bank.  Sheswitched to her professional mode.  "No sir!  No bother at all! Thank you for calling me back."


           "A thousand apologies.  I made a note to call you on Friday, but I hadseveral meetings that were called in a hurry, and the reminder to call you gotburied in my briefcase until I went through it today."


           "That's quite all right, sir.  I bet you have been busy lately."


           "In any event, in answer to your question, I did some digging and we do notdeal with nor have we had any business relationship with The Premier Bank ofMicronesia."


           Taryn's blood ran cold and the phone quivered in her hand and against her earas the worries she had left on her doorstep when she left for Graham crept backinto her psyche like nerve gas.  She moved her lips but the import of theinformation she had just received did not allow her to form words.


           "Ms. Spire?"  Worley was wondering if the call was dropped when she didnot respond. 


           "I'm sorry, sir," stammered Taryn.  "I was making some notes in my projectlog."  It was not totally a lie - most of what she did on any project waskept in her head. 


           "I hope that answer was helpful."


           "It was.  Thank you."  She was troubled by the lack of feeling in hervoice and tried again with all the excitement she could muster in her disturbedstate.  "It was very helpful.  Thank you.  I'm grateful for yourhelp."


           "I'm glad I could be of assistance.  I hope to see you at the Fair!"


           Taryn's mind was screaming and she hoped her voice wasn't doing the same. My GOD!  Don't you know what's going to happen?  Gripping thephone with both hands, she replied, "I hope to see you there too.  Thankyou very much again."  She ended the call and her hands, still clutchingthe phone, fell into her lap. 


           Miranda sat up.  "What was all that?"  She had forgotten more aboutCOMDEP812 than Taryn had.


           Taryn's attention was fixed on a random piece of Miranda's thick carpet. "They're going to rip off the State Fair," she mumbled. 


           Miranda scooted to the edge of a cushion and leaned closer to Taryn. "What did you say?"


           Slowly raising her gaze to meet Miranda's, Taryn repeated, "They're going torip off the State Fair."


           "What?  Who is?"


           Trembling arms struggled to push her off the chair, but in time she wassuccessful in accomplishing that and in securing her phone back into itsholster.  "Tatum, Mounce and probably Mike Peebles.  They are goingto run COMDEP812 twice.  The first time it will move the money like thestate wants.  The second time the same amount will go offshore. They'll get it whenever they want."


           Scarcely able to hear Taryn speak, Miranda got off the sofa to move closer toher.  She knelt and gently took her irmã by the hands. "Taryn, honey, how do you know all this?"


           "That was the fellow I spoke to last week at the State Fair headquarters. One of the numbers on the test output we looked at belongs to a bank in theSouth Pacific.  COMDEP812 showed money leaving the State Fair account andgoing to that bank.  The State Fair isn't dealing with an offshorebank."  Taryn gripped Miranda's hands just a little more tightly. "That's why Tatum wanted us to give all the COMDEP812 work to Mike. That's why Tatum is retiring.  That's why Mike is being so nice to us, tothrow us off.  It's all part of the plan."


           Taryn was starting to make some sense and that began to bother Miranda. Still, she believed she could make it all better by being positive andupbeat.  "C'mon, irmã, you've been working too hard and you'retired from the trip to see your folks.  There's no way they could stealthat kind of money, even electronically.  Internal Control would catch thedouble post and fix it.  That's what they do."  Miranda made sureTaryn saw her smile. 


           Taryn sighed and shook her head.  "Nancy Mounce gets the report fromCOMDEP812.  They have to have her help.  She can do all kinds ofthings to cover any error up.  And she can talk circles around anyauditors or anyone in that bank.  She's been there forever.  They'llbelieve whatever crap she slings.  No one will be the wiser.  Andthey'll all get away with it.  And you and I know about it."


           It was Miranda's turn to be chilled to the bone.  She slowly let go ofTaryn's hands, got to her feet and turned away, crossing her arms over herchest to get even just a little reassurance.  Taryn's last sentencefrightened her the most.  If Taryn was right, they indeed had uncoveredsomething huge.  She took a few small steps and then spun to ask aquestion.  "How much money are we talking here?"


           "Millions, Miranda!  Millions!  The fair lasts ninedays!  People from all over the state and probably the whole Southeast andGod knows where else come and spend millions!" 


           Taryn's answer was replete with misplaced anger and the words stungMiranda.  As her eyes filled with tears, Miranda whimpered, "My God,Taryn!  I'm scared!  What are we going to do?  What are wegoing to do?" 
~*~


SHRIKE can be found at:
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Shrike-ebook/dp/B005OSYHXO/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shrike-jeff-carlson/1105870275?ean=9781618421937&itm=1&usri=shrikeSony Ebook store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/dennis-carlson/shrike/_/R-400000000000000530560
Jeff can be found at: www.facebook.com/jarthurcarlson"I haveaspired to be a writer since my grade school days. Shrike is my first novel. Ilive in North Carolina's Triad. When I'm not thinking about writing, I like icehockey and traveling. I've tried stand-up comedy too. A cat owns me; in fact,she has helped me pen three picture books featuring her and her friends (maybeshe will let me publish them someday). I have a few more novels in variousstates of inception; I hope Shrike's success will give me the impetus to finishone of them."

Thanks for the great excerpt, Jeff!  Wishing you much success with SHRIKE and your future works as well.
Good luck with the cat. *grin*
Stacey Joy Netzel

Sunday Share: Barbary Point, by Alan Nayes + Giveaway!

Today I welcome Alan Nayes with his book Barbary Point. I met Alan on the Facebook page Indie Writer's Unite and discovered he also writes thrillers and horror.  You can find his other titles at:  http://anayes.com/  (I definitely recommend checking them out!)

Alan has graciously offered to share a free copy of his book with 3 commenters...so make sure to leave him a comment after reading the excerpt. And please leave your contact information so he can reach you if you're a winner.

BARBARY POINT, by Alan Nayes
Heat level: sweet

Amazonhttp://amzn.to/jwaVbNBarnesandnoble.com http://bit.ly/j4mUlk
Smashwords http://bit.ly/kZwoq7

When Kelly Englishflies back to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to close out herfather's estate, the last thing on her mind is
falling in love. Again. Kelly is twenty-eight and engaged to an olderman who is quite wealthy. She's happy, and only desires to make the trip back brief, sell her deceased father's place, and return to her stable life in Los Angeles. However, while taking care of business in Oshkosh, Kelly meets a fishing guide, launching her on an emotional journey she never could have predicted or foreseen. BARBARY POINT is Kelly's story of what happened that one magical week in May on the shores of Lake Winnebagowhen the ducklings hatch and the walleye run.

EXCERPT:


Chapter 19
                                                           ROCKAWAY ISLAND


     Mitch cancelledhis clients for Monday. He would later tell me he would have willinglycancelled his clients for the entire summer just to spend time together. Hethat much had fallen for me. And I for him.
      I called myoffice as soon as I thought Gwen would be in, adjusting for the two-hour timedifference.
     "Kelly, where thehell have you been? That Seagram account executive's been buzzing all morning,"Gwen ripped off immediately.
     "I'm still in Oshkosh," I said,picturing the company man with hair just a little too much in place, and asmile a little too phony. Last week I would have flown to Nepal, ifthat's what it took to nail down the liquor conglomerate's ad business. Today, all that seemed to matterwas getting out on the water with Mitch and Sam. What had changed?
     "Kelly?" Gwen'stone had softened considerably. "What's going on?"
     "Don't worry."
     "Now I am worried," Gwen said. "Seagram'snot the only one's been calling."
     "Thomas?"
     "Only say, fivetimes."
     "I'll call him,"I said.
     "Kelly?"
     "Yes."
     "Take care ofyourself."
     "I will. See yousoon," I said, and disconnected. For a long moment, I stood in front of the baywindow and looked out over the lake. The chop was less than yesterday,definitely no whitecaps, but the water's blue shade had been replaced by a grayundertone, reflecting the overcast of the sky. Mitch had listened to theweather before breakfast. The forecast called for a forty percent chance ofrain, with intermittent local thundershowers. The Mako had a top we could putup so the rain would be no problem.
      I didn't relishcalling Thomas, he would be angry, yet I knew it was the right, the only thingto do. Watching Mitch and Sam loading the boat, I supposed I should have feltat least a modicum of guilt about the last couple of days. I didn't, and thisbothered me more than feeling any remorse at all.
     As time passedforward, I would come to justify these feeling as an acceptance of a decision Ihadn't really made, but had been made for me by circumstances beyond mycontrol. An emotion as strong and powerful as love had divided thrones and startedwars. What chance did a young woman have? None. I would never, could never,tell Thomas this, though. At least, not today.
     "Hi, Thomas," Isaid as soon as he answered.
     "Kelly." NoKell-bee this time. "I tried calling you all afternoon yesterday. I've beenworried sick. When's your flight?"
     "Oh, Thomas..."
     "Are you in somekind of trouble?"
     I'm introuble all right. "No, hon. It's just taking me longerthan I thought to close out Daddy's estate. How's the magazine? Gwen said Seagram'sup in arms."
     "To hell withSeagram's." His exasperation was clearly evident. "I'm flying out there today.We'll—"
     "No, Thomas."
     "What do youmean, no?"
     "I'm handling it.Thomas, you have to..." I caught myself wanting to say trust, but chose believeinstead, "believe me. I'll be home... soon."
     "When?"
     I was caught. Ihad to say something. "Thursday," I said, calculating that would give me atleast tomorrow and Wednesday for... what? I'd gone insane, that was it. Emotionallyinsane.
     "We'll talk whenI get home," I finished.
     When I hung up, Iknew the engagement was on the ropes. I just couldn't come out and say it. Notyet. I gazed at the huge rock adorning my finger. How could events change sorapidly? Why can't I just pack up now and leave? Take the rental straight to Appleton, catch the nextflight out, and get the hell on with my life. Just do it. Save yourself a tonof heartaches, girl.
     Mitch and Samwere walking off the dock. Mitch saw me in the window and gave a little salute.Ship's set for sailing, ma'am. I smiled and saluted back, my effort not near ascrisp or sharp. Maybe because this is my life. The here and now.
     The ice chest wasloaded with beer, sandwich meat, cheese sticks for snacking, a couple ofapples, and candy bars. I brought along the bread and a bag of chips I'd foundstashed in a cabinet above the dishwasher. We also took along the net, twofishing poles, and Gene's tackle box, just in case, Mitch said.
     I sat on acushion seat in front of the console, facing the bow, as the Mako sped northalong the shoreline. The air whisking my hair off my face was cool and moist,and left me feeling clean and pure, as if I'd just been baptized. Mitch stoodbehind the wheel, a Packer's cap turned backward on his head. He looks like amerchant marine, I thought, strong and handsome. I felt his finger tap the topof my head, and saw him pointing. Not thirty yards off the starboard side, aflock of at least a dozen ducks were streaking parallel to the boat in perfectlinear formation.
     "Mallards?" Ishouted.
     Mitch grinned."See, you're a waterfowl expert now."
     The mallardsveered away after the Mako zipped past Roe Point for more open water. The hullbounced some, but not enough to make me or Sam, curled just behind the bow,uncomfortable.
     I pulled a lightjacket I'd borrowed from my father's closet tighter across my front. I heardMitch rev the engine and felt a surge in acceleration.
     Off my leftshoulder I watched us pass the Pioneer Resort Marina, and then the mouth of theFox River.
     Mitch named offlandmarks—Bray's Point, Miller Bay, Doemel Point, Menomenee Park,—aswe sped north.
     I saw boatsfishing, sailboats, and several water skiers in wet suits.
     I heard Mitchsay, "You want to ski?"
     "What's the watertemperature?"
     "Sixty-two."
     "I'll pass."
     "Wanna pilot?"
     I waved. "I'mfine here. I just like watching the lake."
     "You sound likeyour dad."
     His words touchedme somewhere deep in my chest, and I turned and leaned up on my knees andkissed Mitch. The choppiness of the water made my first attempt fall short,landing on his chin, but my next effort was right on the money. The kiss wasbrief, yet warmed me inside out.
     "You'rebeautiful," he said.
    I didn't think I looked beautiful, with my hair all over the place, yetfelt like a princess when Mitch told me.
~*~

Again, you can find Barbary Point at:

Amazonhttp://amzn.to/jwaVbNBarnesandnoble.com http://bit.ly/j4mUlk
Smashwords http://bit.ly/kZwoq7


Alan Nayes was born in Houstonand grew up on the Texasgulf coast. He lives in Southern California. Heis the author of the critically-acclaimed biomedical thrillers, GARGOYLES and THE UNNATURAL. His most recent releases are BARBARY POINT, a love story, and SMILODON, a science thriller. GIRLBLUE, an erotic horror story will be released by Samhain Publishing in2012.         An avidoutdoorsman and fitness enthusiast, he is one of only a few individuals to  ever swim across Wisconsin'schilly Lake Winnebago. When not working on hisnext project, he enjoys relaxing and fishing at the family vacation home in Wisconsin.
Thank you for being here today, Alan!  Lake Winnebago...wow. Impressive.  I, too, have swam across a lake, but it was the much smaller Little Newton Lake in Crivitz, WI, where I grew up. 

Love the cover for Barbary Point, and after checking out your website, I think I'm going to have to purchase myself a copy of Smilodon. Not a genre I normally read, but that's what I absolutely love about Indie Writer's Unite--I'm discovering a bunch of new authors and their great books!

Don't forget to comment with your contact information for your chance to win a copy of Barbary Point.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Stacey Joy Netzel