M. Leighton's Blog, page 10
March 4, 2014
Letting Go
Good morning, everybody! I hope your Tuesday is starting out with all the beauty and hope that Mondays usually lack. LOL
As many of you may know, today is the release day of SOME LIKE IT WILD. It's actually the second book in the Wild Ones series, the very first contract I signed with Berkley in 2012. That was the day one of my biggest dreams came true. There still aren't words for how grateful I am for the opportunity to see my books in stores, on real shelves. I got to touch them and take pictures of them. I got to cry in the aisles and laugh in the checkouts (yes, I have bought my own book more than once, LOL). It's surreal and awesome, and I have all of you to thank for that.
Of the many things that I wasn't prepared for in this literary world, however, was the stress of it all. The pressure to put out winners every time (mostly self-imposed pressure BTW--I'm a terrible over-achiever), the need to please everyone, the desire to put out as many books as I could, as fast as I could. I didn't realize how little I knew of this whole process, but I'm learning it now.
So here I am today, enjoying my second "new" release with Berkley. I've been obsessively watching the rank bob up and down, driving myself crazy wondering what I could do to make it fly, when really I've already done everything that I can. It's easy to get caught up in distress over things you can't control, especially when you're a control freak like me. But after several sleepless nights that changed absolutely nothing, this is what I know today: God has smiled on me in ways that I couldn't have expected in a million years. He has given me a job that I love, He has seen to it that I witnessed my books in bookstores all over the world, He has given me a wonderful husband, an amazing family, friends who care, readers who encourage, good health, a brain that works (mostly). So really, today, no matter what happens with my book, I still have everything in the world to be thankful for. And to be anything LESS than thankful would be an insult and a travesty.
So here I am, world, smiling because I have countless reasons to smile. I hope that you have countless reasons to smile, too, despite the stresses and uncontrollable things this life has to offer. We have to take the bad with the good, but we don't have to focus on it. We can choose to let it go. Let it go--that's my wisdom for the day. Enjoy it because it only happens about once every six years or so:) LOL As for me, I'm letting go, too. I'm letting go of the stress and the pressure, letting go of the need to control things that I have no hope of controlling. Because this is the ONE thing that I CAN control.
*happy sigh* It feels good to be free. If I can just hold onto this resolve... LOL Maybe we can remind each other if and when we slip. Deal?
As always, I thank y'all for being who and what you are to me. Be blessed. Be thankful. Be happy.
As many of you may know, today is the release day of SOME LIKE IT WILD. It's actually the second book in the Wild Ones series, the very first contract I signed with Berkley in 2012. That was the day one of my biggest dreams came true. There still aren't words for how grateful I am for the opportunity to see my books in stores, on real shelves. I got to touch them and take pictures of them. I got to cry in the aisles and laugh in the checkouts (yes, I have bought my own book more than once, LOL). It's surreal and awesome, and I have all of you to thank for that.
Of the many things that I wasn't prepared for in this literary world, however, was the stress of it all. The pressure to put out winners every time (mostly self-imposed pressure BTW--I'm a terrible over-achiever), the need to please everyone, the desire to put out as many books as I could, as fast as I could. I didn't realize how little I knew of this whole process, but I'm learning it now.
So here I am today, enjoying my second "new" release with Berkley. I've been obsessively watching the rank bob up and down, driving myself crazy wondering what I could do to make it fly, when really I've already done everything that I can. It's easy to get caught up in distress over things you can't control, especially when you're a control freak like me. But after several sleepless nights that changed absolutely nothing, this is what I know today: God has smiled on me in ways that I couldn't have expected in a million years. He has given me a job that I love, He has seen to it that I witnessed my books in bookstores all over the world, He has given me a wonderful husband, an amazing family, friends who care, readers who encourage, good health, a brain that works (mostly). So really, today, no matter what happens with my book, I still have everything in the world to be thankful for. And to be anything LESS than thankful would be an insult and a travesty.
So here I am, world, smiling because I have countless reasons to smile. I hope that you have countless reasons to smile, too, despite the stresses and uncontrollable things this life has to offer. We have to take the bad with the good, but we don't have to focus on it. We can choose to let it go. Let it go--that's my wisdom for the day. Enjoy it because it only happens about once every six years or so:) LOL As for me, I'm letting go, too. I'm letting go of the stress and the pressure, letting go of the need to control things that I have no hope of controlling. Because this is the ONE thing that I CAN control.
*happy sigh* It feels good to be free. If I can just hold onto this resolve... LOL Maybe we can remind each other if and when we slip. Deal?
As always, I thank y'all for being who and what you are to me. Be blessed. Be thankful. Be happy.
March 3, 2014
SOME LIKE IT WILD chapter two
And here is Jake... *swoon*
TwoJakePresent dayThe screen door bangs shut behind me. After having been out in the fresh air of the orchards, the sweet, fruity smell of the house is even more pronounced. My family’s farmhouse has seen too many harvest seasons not to smell like peaches.It smells exactly the same as it has my whole life. In fact, very little about the house has changed at all over the years. Except for the dwindling of its occupants, of course.First Mom, now Dad. It took a few years for it to feel like home after Mom died, but it finally did. With Dad, it’ll be different. I can already tell. Although his death was sudden and accidental (he fell off a ladder out in the orchard and hit his head on a rock), I don’t mourn him like I did Mom. Or like Jenna mourns him. She can barely come into the driveway, much less spend time indoors. Then again, she was always his favorite. But that’s understandable, all things considered.Feeling the sting of old wounds, I walk to the fridge for a beer. I jerk the door open with much more force than what’s necessary. It feels good to get a little of my aggression out, though. It’ll do until I can get back to work, making a living at staring death in the eye. Adrenaline—it’s my drug of choice to numb the pain of the past. And of the present, if it decides to act up and give me shit.But right now, I have to shower before the bloodsucking douche paralegal from the estate attorney’s office arrives to start cataloging all our family holdings.I pop the top on the bottle and down half of it before I even reach the stairs. I try not to think of the good ol’ days, just a few short weeks ago, when I was living the life I chose rather than the life my father left behind when he died.What the hell was I thinking, coming back here?Less than half an hour later, I’m freshly washed, cleanly shaved, and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that reads: SKYDIVING: THE GROUND IS THE LIMIT. I grab another beer from the fridge and sit in the den, waiting for the tight ass from the attorney’s office. The only sounds are the dog, Einstein, barking at something out back, the tick of the grandfather clock in the dining room, and the wind whistling through the crack in the screen door. It takes exactly seven minutes for this quiet combination to drive me nuts. Finishing my beer, I decide to get some stuff from the garage and wash my Jeep while I wait.And if this straightlaced asshole doesn’t like it, he can kiss my puckered ass.Twenty minutes later, I’m rinsing soap off the Rubicon when I see the flash of sun on a windshield, drawing my eye to the far end of the driveway. A little dusty blue car is making its way slowly along the path, moving in and out of the dappled patches of shade thrown onto the pavement by the trees stretching overhead. Every now and then, the sun will shine through the glass and hit the platinum blond hair of the driver. The long platinum blond hair of the driver. This immediately piques my interest. I never considered they might send a female.I continue spraying, keeping an eye on the car as it comes closer. I watch as it rolls to a stop a few feet from where I am, parking in front of the house with its rear facing in my direction. The engine shuts off, and I see the driver reach onto the seat beside her. She fiddles with something before opening the door.The first thing that comes out is legs. Two-mile-long, perfectly toned ones capped in a pair of high, high heels. I wait anxiously to see the rest. She pauses for a second before scooting out of the car.I see her first in profile as she reaches down to tug on the rising hem of her slim black skirt and then tucks her hair behind one ear.When she finally turns toward me, her head is down as she looks at something in her hands. That’s fine by me. It just gives me time to ogle the shit out of her without getting a nasty glare for it.The long legs were only the beginning of the package. Narrow hips curve into a tiny waist and lead up to what looks like a nice-sized rack. Not too big, not too small, although it’s hard to be sure through her loose-fitting blouse.She walks gracefully toward me and, when she’s a couple of feet away, she looks up.Just as my jaw drops in surprised recognition, the spray of the water hose hits the front bumper of the Jeep and shoots water all over my chest and stomach.“Shit!” I yelp, jumping back when the cold water makes contact.I redirect the hose and glance at the girl standing just outside spray reach. She’s smiling down at my wet shirt.My mouth waters when I look at the lush pink lips spread over her perfect teeth. I remember the way they taste—sweet and innocent.Like peaches.
And like a challenge.
Some Like It Wild
How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?
Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. With the betrayal of two people closest to her, Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.
Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. And so is Jake.
Preorder links:Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Playlist for Some Like It Wild (scroll over list to view in its entirety)
TwoJakePresent dayThe screen door bangs shut behind me. After having been out in the fresh air of the orchards, the sweet, fruity smell of the house is even more pronounced. My family’s farmhouse has seen too many harvest seasons not to smell like peaches.It smells exactly the same as it has my whole life. In fact, very little about the house has changed at all over the years. Except for the dwindling of its occupants, of course.First Mom, now Dad. It took a few years for it to feel like home after Mom died, but it finally did. With Dad, it’ll be different. I can already tell. Although his death was sudden and accidental (he fell off a ladder out in the orchard and hit his head on a rock), I don’t mourn him like I did Mom. Or like Jenna mourns him. She can barely come into the driveway, much less spend time indoors. Then again, she was always his favorite. But that’s understandable, all things considered.Feeling the sting of old wounds, I walk to the fridge for a beer. I jerk the door open with much more force than what’s necessary. It feels good to get a little of my aggression out, though. It’ll do until I can get back to work, making a living at staring death in the eye. Adrenaline—it’s my drug of choice to numb the pain of the past. And of the present, if it decides to act up and give me shit.But right now, I have to shower before the bloodsucking douche paralegal from the estate attorney’s office arrives to start cataloging all our family holdings.I pop the top on the bottle and down half of it before I even reach the stairs. I try not to think of the good ol’ days, just a few short weeks ago, when I was living the life I chose rather than the life my father left behind when he died.What the hell was I thinking, coming back here?Less than half an hour later, I’m freshly washed, cleanly shaved, and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that reads: SKYDIVING: THE GROUND IS THE LIMIT. I grab another beer from the fridge and sit in the den, waiting for the tight ass from the attorney’s office. The only sounds are the dog, Einstein, barking at something out back, the tick of the grandfather clock in the dining room, and the wind whistling through the crack in the screen door. It takes exactly seven minutes for this quiet combination to drive me nuts. Finishing my beer, I decide to get some stuff from the garage and wash my Jeep while I wait.And if this straightlaced asshole doesn’t like it, he can kiss my puckered ass.Twenty minutes later, I’m rinsing soap off the Rubicon when I see the flash of sun on a windshield, drawing my eye to the far end of the driveway. A little dusty blue car is making its way slowly along the path, moving in and out of the dappled patches of shade thrown onto the pavement by the trees stretching overhead. Every now and then, the sun will shine through the glass and hit the platinum blond hair of the driver. The long platinum blond hair of the driver. This immediately piques my interest. I never considered they might send a female.I continue spraying, keeping an eye on the car as it comes closer. I watch as it rolls to a stop a few feet from where I am, parking in front of the house with its rear facing in my direction. The engine shuts off, and I see the driver reach onto the seat beside her. She fiddles with something before opening the door.The first thing that comes out is legs. Two-mile-long, perfectly toned ones capped in a pair of high, high heels. I wait anxiously to see the rest. She pauses for a second before scooting out of the car.I see her first in profile as she reaches down to tug on the rising hem of her slim black skirt and then tucks her hair behind one ear.When she finally turns toward me, her head is down as she looks at something in her hands. That’s fine by me. It just gives me time to ogle the shit out of her without getting a nasty glare for it.The long legs were only the beginning of the package. Narrow hips curve into a tiny waist and lead up to what looks like a nice-sized rack. Not too big, not too small, although it’s hard to be sure through her loose-fitting blouse.She walks gracefully toward me and, when she’s a couple of feet away, she looks up.Just as my jaw drops in surprised recognition, the spray of the water hose hits the front bumper of the Jeep and shoots water all over my chest and stomach.“Shit!” I yelp, jumping back when the cold water makes contact.I redirect the hose and glance at the girl standing just outside spray reach. She’s smiling down at my wet shirt.My mouth waters when I look at the lush pink lips spread over her perfect teeth. I remember the way they taste—sweet and innocent.Like peaches.
And like a challenge.
Some Like It Wild
How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?
Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. With the betrayal of two people closest to her, Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.
Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. And so is Jake.
Preorder links:Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Playlist for Some Like It Wild (scroll over list to view in its entirety)
March 1, 2014
SOME LIKE IT WILD chapter one
I'm getting SO. FREAKIN'. EXCITED. about my release on Tuesday. Oh my goodness! So, for those of you who haven't gotten to read the first chapter of Jake and Laney's story, I'm posting it here. On Monday, I"ll post chapter two for you as well. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeep That way you'll get a little taste of both Jake and Laney, since it's written in alternating POVs:)
Okay, so here we go! I hope you love it!
OneLaneyFour years ago, Summer“Come on, Laney. You gotta live a little. You’ll be eighteen in a few weeks and then you’ll be leaving for college. This is the last fair you’ll ever attend as an adolescent. Don’t you want this summer to be memorable?”“Yes, but that does not include getting busted for drinking under age.” My best friend, Tori, gives me that look that says I’m hopeless. “What?” I ask defensively. “Daddy would kill me.”“I thought preacher’s kids were supposed to be wild as hell?”“I can be wild,” I tell her, avoiding her disbelieving blue eyes. “I just don’t want to be wild right now.”“Then when? When are you gonna do something? Anything? You won’t make it a single semester away at college if you don’t learn some of this worldly stuff now, Laney.”I chew the inside of my lip. I do feel ill-prepared for college. But the thing is, I don’t want to do wild things. All I’ve ever really wanted out of life is to find the perfect man to sweep me off my feet, get married, have a family, and live happily ever after. And I don’t have to get wild to achieve any of those things.Looking at Tori’s expression, however, makes me feel like some kind of freak for not wanting to break the rules. At least a little. But she doesn’t understand my dreams. No one does, really. Except my mother. She was the same way when she was my age, and she found everything she wanted in life when she met my father.“Come on, Laney. Just this once.”“Why? What is the big deal about getting it here? Getting it now?”“Because I want to get it from him.”“Why?” I ask again. “What’s the big deal?”“I’ve had a crush on him for years, that’s what the big deal is. He went off to college and I haven’t seen him since. But now he’s here. And I need a wing woman.” When I don’t immediately relent, she presses. “Pleeease. For meee.”I sigh. I have to give Tori credit for being one seriously gifted manipulator. It’s a wonder I’m not wild as a buck. She talks me into doing things I don’t want to do all the time. It’s just that, so far, they’ve been fairly innocent. Being the preacher’s daughter and living with such strict parents makes it hard for me to get into too much trouble. Tori ought to be happy about that. If it weren’t for the restrictions being my friend has placed indirectly on her, she’d probably be a pregnant, drug-addicted criminal by now.But she’s not. Partly because of me and my “taming” influence. And it’s those stark differences in our personalities that make us such good friends. We balance each other perfectly. She keeps me on my toes. I keep her out of Juvie.“Fine,” I growl. “Come on. But so help me, if he tells on us, I’m blaming you.”Tori squeals and bounces up and down, her ample boobs threatening to overcome the extremely low neckline of her shirt.“Why don’t you just go over and do that in front of him a couple of times? I’m sure he’d give you anything you want.”“That’ll come later,” Tori says, ruffling her blond bangs and waggling her eyebrows.I roll my eyes as we start off across the fairgrounds. As we near the farm truck where the shirtless guy is unloading crates, I ask Tori again, “Now who did you say he is?”“Jake Theopolis.”“Theopolis? As in the peach orchard Theopolises?”“Yep, that’s his family.”“Why don’t I remember him?”“Because your hormones slept through your freshman year. He was a senior. Jenna Theopolis’s older brother. Played baseball. Dated pretty much all the hot girls. ““Except for you,” I add before she can.She grins and elbows me in the ribs. “Except for me.”“And you’re sure he won’t try to get us into trouble?”“I’m positive. He was a bad boy. I’m sure there’s nothing we could think of that he hasn’t done ten times over.” We stop a few feet behind him, and I hear Tori whisper, “Good God, look at him.”So I do.I can see why Tori would find him appealing. His tanned skin is glistening in the hot Carolina sun. The well-defined muscles in his chest and shoulders ripple as he picks up a crate from the back of the truck, and his washboard abs contract as he swivels to set it on the ground. His worn blue jeans hang low on his narrow hips, giving us an almost-indecent look at the way the thin trail of hair that leads away from his navel disappears into the waistband.But then Tori’s words come back to me and I’m immediately turned off. She said he’s a bad boy. And I’m not interested in bad boys. They don’t figure into my plans. At all. In any way. That’s why I don’t have to worry about being attracted to him.Even though he’s hot as blazes.Tori clears her throat as we move closer. “Hi, Jake.”Jake’s dark head turns toward us as he pauses in his work to wipe his brow. He looks first at Tori. “Hi,” he replies around the toothpick stuck in one corner of his mouth. His voice is low and hoarse. His smile is polite and I think to myself that he’s handsome enough, but nothing to warrant Tori’s insistence on talking to him.But then he looks over at me.Even with him squinting in the bright sun, his eyes steal my breath. Set in his tan face and framed by his black hair and black lashes, they’re striking. The amber color is like honey, honey I feel all the way down in my stomach—warm and gooey.“Hi,” he says again, one side of his mouth curling up into a cocky grin.For some reason, I can’t think of one single thing to say. Not even a casual greeting, one that I would give a perfect stranger. I stare at him for several long seconds until, finally, he chuckles and turns back to Tori.“What’s wrong with her?”“Uh, she’s just shy.”“Shy?” he asks, turning his attention back to me. I almost wish he hadn’t. My belly is still full of hot liquid and I’m starting to feel breathless. “Hmmm, I don’t meet shy girls very often.”From the corner of my eye, I see Tori wave her hand dismissively. “Eh, she’ll loosen up in a minute. In fact, that’s sort of why we’re here.”Jake glances back to Tori, releasing me from the prison of his strange eyes. I take a slow, deep breath to settle my swimming head.“Oh, I’ve gotta hear this,” he says, leaning back against the tailgate and crossing his arms over his chest. I can’t help but notice how his biceps bulge with the action.Tori steps closer to him and whispers, “We were sort of hoping you’d sell us a bottle of that peach wine. You know, on the down low.”He looks from Tori to me and back again before he bends to pick up one bottle. “One of these? To loosen her up?”“Yep. It’s sure to do the trick.”His golden eyes return to me as he slowly straightens to his full height. “I don’t believe you. I don’t think she’ll drink it.” His gaze drops to my mouth and then on down my neck and chest, to my stomach and my bare legs. I wonder what he’s seeing—just the light green strapless sundress that sets off my tan? Or is he imagining what’s underneath? What’s underneath my clothes? Underneath my skin? “I think she looks like a good girl. And good girls don’t drink.”The fact that he so accurately pegged me stirs up my temper for some reason. Immediately defensive, I pull in my stomach, puff out my chest, and jack up my chin. “What? I’m just some simple, one-dimensional country girl? Is that it?”He shrugs, his eyes never leaving mine. “Am I wrong?”“Yes,” I declare defiantly, even though it’s an outright lie. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”One raven brow shoots up in challenge. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”Too proud to back down, I reach out and snatch the bottle from his fingers, unscrew the lid and tip it back, taking one long gulp.It’s just local, homemade wine from his daddy’s peach orchard, but that doesn’t mean the alcohol doesn’t sting the throat of someone who’s not used to drinking.As I lower the bottle and swallow what’s left in my mouth, my eyes water with the effort not to sputter. Jake watches me until my cheeks are no longer full of the wine.“Satisfied?” I ask, shoving the bottle into the center of his broad chest.“I’ll be damned,” he says softly.Ignoring the way his voice makes my stomach clench, I reach for Tori’s hand. “Come on. We have to get back for our shift in the booth.”Tossing my hair, I turn and stomp off with as much dignity as I can muster. Tori is reluctant, but when I tug, she follows along.“What the hell are you doing? You just totally screwed that up for me. Not to mention that you left the wine.”“We don’t need that jerk’s wine.”“Uh, yeah, we do. And what’s this about the shift at the booth? We aren’t supposed to be there for another forty minutes.”“Then we’ll go early. It’s just a kissing booth, for Pete’s sake. It won’t kill you to work another forty minutes. In fact, you’ll probably like it.”“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks indignantly.I pause in my mad trudging to look at her. I shake my head to clear it. I don’t know how that Jake guy managed to get under my skin so quickly, but he did.“Sorry, Tori. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just aggravated.”“I can see that. But why? What did he ever do to you?”“I don’t know. Nothing, I suppose. I just hate it when people assume the worst about me.”“Assuming you’re a good girl is not a bad thing.”“He sure made it seem like it was.” I start walking again and look back at Tori until she catches up. “Besides, weren’t you just fussing at me for not living a little?”“Yes, but this is not really what I had in mind.”I smile and loop my arm through hers, hoping for a quick reconciliation so we can leave the topic of Jake behind. “Be careful what you ask for then, right?”She sighs. “I guess.”“Now then, let’s go.”Twenty minutes later, I’m regretting my rash decision. I’ve kissed the cheek of every pimple-faced boy in town. Tori has jumped in front of me to take all the cute guys that have come. Not that I have a problem with that. I guess I owe her since I messed up her plans for Jake. Besides, I’m not interested in any of the boys from Greenfield. The only reason I’m working the booth at all is to raise funds for the church.I smile politely as I take two dollars from the next boy in line. He looks like he can’t be a day over twelve. I bend forward to give his cheek a peck. I press my lips to it and then offer mine. He kisses it sweetly then looks shyly away. “Thank you for the kiss,” I say for the hundredth time. I look down as I put the money in my till. When I glance up, prepared to ask for the next person in line, my heart stops and the words die on my tongue.Standing in front of me, smiling like he knows I can’t breathe, is Jake Theopolis. He’s wearing a T-shirt now, a blue one that fits snugly over his wide shoulders. His pecs shift beneath the material as he digs in the front pocket of his jeans. I see him toss a ten dollar bill onto the counter in front of me. Confused, my eyes flicker back up to his. The bright, liquid orbs are intent on mine.“I came for the peaches,” he says quietly. He reaches up to take the toothpick from between his lips. I watch, spellbound, as his face gets closer and closer. “I need a taste before I go,” he whispers, his sweet cinnamon breath fanning my lips.And then his mouth is brushing mine. I don’t even think to resist. In fact, I don’t think at all. I only feel.His lips are soft against mine and he smells like soap and clean sweat. His touch is featherlight until he tilts his head to the side and deepens the kiss. I feel his tongue trace the crease of my lips until I part them to let him in. In long, leisurely strokes, his tongue licks at mine, like he’s savoring the flavor of it. I savor him right back, drinking in the hint of cinnamon in his mouth. I lean toward him, bracing myself on the counter, afraid my legs won’t hold me up much longer.Finally, he leans back and looks down into my stunned face. “Mmmm, that’s the sweetest peach I’ve had in a long time,” he purrs. When he winks at me, I feel a gush of heat pour into my stomach like hot lava.
Without another word, he turns and walks away.
Some Like It Wild
How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?
Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. With the betrayal of two people closest to her, Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.
Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. And so is Jake.
Preorder links:Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Okay, so here we go! I hope you love it!
OneLaneyFour years ago, Summer“Come on, Laney. You gotta live a little. You’ll be eighteen in a few weeks and then you’ll be leaving for college. This is the last fair you’ll ever attend as an adolescent. Don’t you want this summer to be memorable?”“Yes, but that does not include getting busted for drinking under age.” My best friend, Tori, gives me that look that says I’m hopeless. “What?” I ask defensively. “Daddy would kill me.”“I thought preacher’s kids were supposed to be wild as hell?”“I can be wild,” I tell her, avoiding her disbelieving blue eyes. “I just don’t want to be wild right now.”“Then when? When are you gonna do something? Anything? You won’t make it a single semester away at college if you don’t learn some of this worldly stuff now, Laney.”I chew the inside of my lip. I do feel ill-prepared for college. But the thing is, I don’t want to do wild things. All I’ve ever really wanted out of life is to find the perfect man to sweep me off my feet, get married, have a family, and live happily ever after. And I don’t have to get wild to achieve any of those things.Looking at Tori’s expression, however, makes me feel like some kind of freak for not wanting to break the rules. At least a little. But she doesn’t understand my dreams. No one does, really. Except my mother. She was the same way when she was my age, and she found everything she wanted in life when she met my father.“Come on, Laney. Just this once.”“Why? What is the big deal about getting it here? Getting it now?”“Because I want to get it from him.”“Why?” I ask again. “What’s the big deal?”“I’ve had a crush on him for years, that’s what the big deal is. He went off to college and I haven’t seen him since. But now he’s here. And I need a wing woman.” When I don’t immediately relent, she presses. “Pleeease. For meee.”I sigh. I have to give Tori credit for being one seriously gifted manipulator. It’s a wonder I’m not wild as a buck. She talks me into doing things I don’t want to do all the time. It’s just that, so far, they’ve been fairly innocent. Being the preacher’s daughter and living with such strict parents makes it hard for me to get into too much trouble. Tori ought to be happy about that. If it weren’t for the restrictions being my friend has placed indirectly on her, she’d probably be a pregnant, drug-addicted criminal by now.But she’s not. Partly because of me and my “taming” influence. And it’s those stark differences in our personalities that make us such good friends. We balance each other perfectly. She keeps me on my toes. I keep her out of Juvie.“Fine,” I growl. “Come on. But so help me, if he tells on us, I’m blaming you.”Tori squeals and bounces up and down, her ample boobs threatening to overcome the extremely low neckline of her shirt.“Why don’t you just go over and do that in front of him a couple of times? I’m sure he’d give you anything you want.”“That’ll come later,” Tori says, ruffling her blond bangs and waggling her eyebrows.I roll my eyes as we start off across the fairgrounds. As we near the farm truck where the shirtless guy is unloading crates, I ask Tori again, “Now who did you say he is?”“Jake Theopolis.”“Theopolis? As in the peach orchard Theopolises?”“Yep, that’s his family.”“Why don’t I remember him?”“Because your hormones slept through your freshman year. He was a senior. Jenna Theopolis’s older brother. Played baseball. Dated pretty much all the hot girls. ““Except for you,” I add before she can.She grins and elbows me in the ribs. “Except for me.”“And you’re sure he won’t try to get us into trouble?”“I’m positive. He was a bad boy. I’m sure there’s nothing we could think of that he hasn’t done ten times over.” We stop a few feet behind him, and I hear Tori whisper, “Good God, look at him.”So I do.I can see why Tori would find him appealing. His tanned skin is glistening in the hot Carolina sun. The well-defined muscles in his chest and shoulders ripple as he picks up a crate from the back of the truck, and his washboard abs contract as he swivels to set it on the ground. His worn blue jeans hang low on his narrow hips, giving us an almost-indecent look at the way the thin trail of hair that leads away from his navel disappears into the waistband.But then Tori’s words come back to me and I’m immediately turned off. She said he’s a bad boy. And I’m not interested in bad boys. They don’t figure into my plans. At all. In any way. That’s why I don’t have to worry about being attracted to him.Even though he’s hot as blazes.Tori clears her throat as we move closer. “Hi, Jake.”Jake’s dark head turns toward us as he pauses in his work to wipe his brow. He looks first at Tori. “Hi,” he replies around the toothpick stuck in one corner of his mouth. His voice is low and hoarse. His smile is polite and I think to myself that he’s handsome enough, but nothing to warrant Tori’s insistence on talking to him.But then he looks over at me.Even with him squinting in the bright sun, his eyes steal my breath. Set in his tan face and framed by his black hair and black lashes, they’re striking. The amber color is like honey, honey I feel all the way down in my stomach—warm and gooey.“Hi,” he says again, one side of his mouth curling up into a cocky grin.For some reason, I can’t think of one single thing to say. Not even a casual greeting, one that I would give a perfect stranger. I stare at him for several long seconds until, finally, he chuckles and turns back to Tori.“What’s wrong with her?”“Uh, she’s just shy.”“Shy?” he asks, turning his attention back to me. I almost wish he hadn’t. My belly is still full of hot liquid and I’m starting to feel breathless. “Hmmm, I don’t meet shy girls very often.”From the corner of my eye, I see Tori wave her hand dismissively. “Eh, she’ll loosen up in a minute. In fact, that’s sort of why we’re here.”Jake glances back to Tori, releasing me from the prison of his strange eyes. I take a slow, deep breath to settle my swimming head.“Oh, I’ve gotta hear this,” he says, leaning back against the tailgate and crossing his arms over his chest. I can’t help but notice how his biceps bulge with the action.Tori steps closer to him and whispers, “We were sort of hoping you’d sell us a bottle of that peach wine. You know, on the down low.”He looks from Tori to me and back again before he bends to pick up one bottle. “One of these? To loosen her up?”“Yep. It’s sure to do the trick.”His golden eyes return to me as he slowly straightens to his full height. “I don’t believe you. I don’t think she’ll drink it.” His gaze drops to my mouth and then on down my neck and chest, to my stomach and my bare legs. I wonder what he’s seeing—just the light green strapless sundress that sets off my tan? Or is he imagining what’s underneath? What’s underneath my clothes? Underneath my skin? “I think she looks like a good girl. And good girls don’t drink.”The fact that he so accurately pegged me stirs up my temper for some reason. Immediately defensive, I pull in my stomach, puff out my chest, and jack up my chin. “What? I’m just some simple, one-dimensional country girl? Is that it?”He shrugs, his eyes never leaving mine. “Am I wrong?”“Yes,” I declare defiantly, even though it’s an outright lie. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”One raven brow shoots up in challenge. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”Too proud to back down, I reach out and snatch the bottle from his fingers, unscrew the lid and tip it back, taking one long gulp.It’s just local, homemade wine from his daddy’s peach orchard, but that doesn’t mean the alcohol doesn’t sting the throat of someone who’s not used to drinking.As I lower the bottle and swallow what’s left in my mouth, my eyes water with the effort not to sputter. Jake watches me until my cheeks are no longer full of the wine.“Satisfied?” I ask, shoving the bottle into the center of his broad chest.“I’ll be damned,” he says softly.Ignoring the way his voice makes my stomach clench, I reach for Tori’s hand. “Come on. We have to get back for our shift in the booth.”Tossing my hair, I turn and stomp off with as much dignity as I can muster. Tori is reluctant, but when I tug, she follows along.“What the hell are you doing? You just totally screwed that up for me. Not to mention that you left the wine.”“We don’t need that jerk’s wine.”“Uh, yeah, we do. And what’s this about the shift at the booth? We aren’t supposed to be there for another forty minutes.”“Then we’ll go early. It’s just a kissing booth, for Pete’s sake. It won’t kill you to work another forty minutes. In fact, you’ll probably like it.”“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks indignantly.I pause in my mad trudging to look at her. I shake my head to clear it. I don’t know how that Jake guy managed to get under my skin so quickly, but he did.“Sorry, Tori. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just aggravated.”“I can see that. But why? What did he ever do to you?”“I don’t know. Nothing, I suppose. I just hate it when people assume the worst about me.”“Assuming you’re a good girl is not a bad thing.”“He sure made it seem like it was.” I start walking again and look back at Tori until she catches up. “Besides, weren’t you just fussing at me for not living a little?”“Yes, but this is not really what I had in mind.”I smile and loop my arm through hers, hoping for a quick reconciliation so we can leave the topic of Jake behind. “Be careful what you ask for then, right?”She sighs. “I guess.”“Now then, let’s go.”Twenty minutes later, I’m regretting my rash decision. I’ve kissed the cheek of every pimple-faced boy in town. Tori has jumped in front of me to take all the cute guys that have come. Not that I have a problem with that. I guess I owe her since I messed up her plans for Jake. Besides, I’m not interested in any of the boys from Greenfield. The only reason I’m working the booth at all is to raise funds for the church.I smile politely as I take two dollars from the next boy in line. He looks like he can’t be a day over twelve. I bend forward to give his cheek a peck. I press my lips to it and then offer mine. He kisses it sweetly then looks shyly away. “Thank you for the kiss,” I say for the hundredth time. I look down as I put the money in my till. When I glance up, prepared to ask for the next person in line, my heart stops and the words die on my tongue.Standing in front of me, smiling like he knows I can’t breathe, is Jake Theopolis. He’s wearing a T-shirt now, a blue one that fits snugly over his wide shoulders. His pecs shift beneath the material as he digs in the front pocket of his jeans. I see him toss a ten dollar bill onto the counter in front of me. Confused, my eyes flicker back up to his. The bright, liquid orbs are intent on mine.“I came for the peaches,” he says quietly. He reaches up to take the toothpick from between his lips. I watch, spellbound, as his face gets closer and closer. “I need a taste before I go,” he whispers, his sweet cinnamon breath fanning my lips.And then his mouth is brushing mine. I don’t even think to resist. In fact, I don’t think at all. I only feel.His lips are soft against mine and he smells like soap and clean sweat. His touch is featherlight until he tilts his head to the side and deepens the kiss. I feel his tongue trace the crease of my lips until I part them to let him in. In long, leisurely strokes, his tongue licks at mine, like he’s savoring the flavor of it. I savor him right back, drinking in the hint of cinnamon in his mouth. I lean toward him, bracing myself on the counter, afraid my legs won’t hold me up much longer.Finally, he leans back and looks down into my stunned face. “Mmmm, that’s the sweetest peach I’ve had in a long time,” he purrs. When he winks at me, I feel a gush of heat pour into my stomach like hot lava.
Without another word, he turns and walks away.
Some Like It Wild
How far will a good girl go for the bad boy she loves?
Laney Holt is a preacher’s daughter. A good girl. Her only goal was to get married, have babies and live happily ever after, just like her parents. Only that didn’t happen. With the betrayal of two people closest to her, Laney’s dreams came crashing down. Now she’s left with an empty space she doesn’t know how to fill. Until she meets Jake Theopolis, a daredevil with a death wish who has heartbreaker written all over him.
Jake has no interest in thinking beyond the here and now. All he wants out of life is the next rush, the next “feel good” thing to keep his mind off the pain of his past. His latest rush? Showing Laney there’s more to life than being a good girl—and that going bad can be so much fun. Her only concern now is how she can ever hope to satisfy the wild side of a boy like Jake. She’s looking forward to trying. And so is Jake.
Preorder links:Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo
February 20, 2014
Some wonderful people who fill my life
So, last year, I impulsively decided to start a street team. They were (and still are) all the rage, so I thought I'd jump on that bandwagon. So I did. It was filled with some of the loveliest people I've met since becoming a writer. I wasn't able to maintain the page like I wanted to, so within a couple of months, the group was "disbanded."
*giggles*
That makes me sound like an outlaw:D #MichelleLeightonOutlaw I like it!
Anywho, I digress.
So, some of those wonderful ladies became good friends during our short "minxy" stint, and they went on to start their own group. It's a fun and amazingly supportive little piece of heaven. You don't believe me? Well, I brought proof!
A box arrived in my mail and this was inside. A box within a box.
It was beautifully wrapped and now I wish I'd snapped a picture of it before I undid it:( But I'm a goober like that. Dang it! Anyway, there was a note inside and this is what it said.
Each of those little pieces of paper in the box has something that one of my "minxes" thinks is wonderful about me. Can you believe that? I can't think of FIVE wonderful things about myself, much less a whole box full! But they did. And they took the time to write them out and send them to me for inspiration.
Life is a long road full of trials and pot holes, disasters and tragedies. But it's also an incredible journey full of miracles and blessings, mountain tops and sunrises. I never would've imagined three years ago that I would be where I am today--blessed with a job that I love, readers who make my dreams come true and women like this who I am honored to call my friends.
Thank you, minxes! You will never in a million years know what you mean to me. Maybe I'll make a box like this for you. And probably cry all over the little strips of paper before I can get them out the door. LOL Ewwww! :)
I'm grateful. I'm humbled. And I'm so, so fortunate to have your support. It means the world to me.
Love you to infinity!
*giggles*
That makes me sound like an outlaw:D #MichelleLeightonOutlaw I like it!
Anywho, I digress.
So, some of those wonderful ladies became good friends during our short "minxy" stint, and they went on to start their own group. It's a fun and amazingly supportive little piece of heaven. You don't believe me? Well, I brought proof!
A box arrived in my mail and this was inside. A box within a box.
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It was beautifully wrapped and now I wish I'd snapped a picture of it before I undid it:( But I'm a goober like that. Dang it! Anyway, there was a note inside and this is what it said.
.JPG)
Each of those little pieces of paper in the box has something that one of my "minxes" thinks is wonderful about me. Can you believe that? I can't think of FIVE wonderful things about myself, much less a whole box full! But they did. And they took the time to write them out and send them to me for inspiration.
Life is a long road full of trials and pot holes, disasters and tragedies. But it's also an incredible journey full of miracles and blessings, mountain tops and sunrises. I never would've imagined three years ago that I would be where I am today--blessed with a job that I love, readers who make my dreams come true and women like this who I am honored to call my friends.
Thank you, minxes! You will never in a million years know what you mean to me. Maybe I'll make a box like this for you. And probably cry all over the little strips of paper before I can get them out the door. LOL Ewwww! :)
I'm grateful. I'm humbled. And I'm so, so fortunate to have your support. It means the world to me.
Love you to infinity!
February 6, 2014
The Minaldi Legacy by Courtney Cole
So, y'all probably know my BFF Courtney Cole. If not, you totally should:) She's releasing the sequel to Luca's story (Of Blood and Bone) today and you Luca fans reaaaaaaaaaaally need to read it! And if you don't know Luca...well, what are you waiting for?? I love books with a little mystery. Add to them a hot, dangerous guy with a beautiful accent and...yeah. Sign me up! LOL
Below is the cover, blurb and an excerpt graphic. *swoon* Oh, Luca! I'll update the purchase links at the bottom as they come online:)
Happy reading, happy Thursday and CONGRATS, COURT!
“I’m a monster, Eva. There’s no saving a monster. But I love that you want to try.”
Luca Minaldi is rich, powerful and mesmerizing. He’s also a reclusive enigma. He lives in Malta, a fairy-tale place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best-kept of them all.
Eva Talbot moves to Malta to finish her doctoral dissertation in Psychiatry. When she meets Luca, there is a very real and instant attraction that she has never felt before. But even still, she senses the darkness that lives within him.
Eva is hired to care for Luca’s mother, a woman who suffers from dementia. It is Luca, however, that Eva will eventually risk everything to save… as the legacy that plagues him continues.
As the darkness swirls ever more tightly around her, Eva realizes that no matter how hard she tries, she might not be able to save Luca without losing herself.
Eva and Luca are thrust into a world where their love is tested and darkness reigns. Amid chaos and treachery, love and hate, Luca and Eva learn one important thing.
Love is dangerous.
But it also might be the one thing that can save them all.
AmazonBarnes and Noble
Below is the cover, blurb and an excerpt graphic. *swoon* Oh, Luca! I'll update the purchase links at the bottom as they come online:)
Happy reading, happy Thursday and CONGRATS, COURT!
“I’m a monster, Eva. There’s no saving a monster. But I love that you want to try.”
Luca Minaldi is rich, powerful and mesmerizing. He’s also a reclusive enigma. He lives in Malta, a fairy-tale place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best-kept of them all.
Eva Talbot moves to Malta to finish her doctoral dissertation in Psychiatry. When she meets Luca, there is a very real and instant attraction that she has never felt before. But even still, she senses the darkness that lives within him.
Eva is hired to care for Luca’s mother, a woman who suffers from dementia. It is Luca, however, that Eva will eventually risk everything to save… as the legacy that plagues him continues.
As the darkness swirls ever more tightly around her, Eva realizes that no matter how hard she tries, she might not be able to save Luca without losing herself.
Eva and Luca are thrust into a world where their love is tested and darkness reigns. Amid chaos and treachery, love and hate, Luca and Eva learn one important thing.
Love is dangerous.
But it also might be the one thing that can save them all.
AmazonBarnes and Noble
February 3, 2014
ALL THE PRETTY POSES--the tour continues and a giveaway
So, today begins a new leg of Reese and Kennedy's tour, this one hosted by the ever-awesome Autumn from The Autumn Review and Wordsmith Publicity. There will be reviews and fun posts and, of course, a big ol' beautiful giveaway. This one will feature a $100 Amazon Gift Card as well as the ORIGINAL COVER signed paperbacks of The Wild Ones, Down to You, Up to Me and...UNTIL I BREAK! Details are below.
Follow along and give Reese and Kennedy some love:) Y'all are the best!
Feb 3Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews-ReviewKindle Crack Book Reviews-Review
Feb 4Love N. Books-Review Book Drunk Blog-Review
Feb 5Always YA at Heart-Review Seeking Book Boyfriends-Review Into the Night Reviews-Review Literary Nook -Guest/Promotional Post
Feb 6 StuckInBooks -Review 2 Bookaholics -Guest/Promotional Post Tiffany Talks Books-Review
Feb 7#BookNerd-Review Booklovers LaceyCat -Guest/Promotional Post.Mary Elizabeth's Crazy Book Obsession-Review Nomi’s Paranormal Palace-Review
Feb 8The Book Bellas-Review the book enthusiast-Review Reading My Escape-Review As the Pages Turn-Review
Mick Loves Books-Review
The Giveaway:
What you’ll win:
1. Signed ORIGINAL COVER The Wild Ones2. Signed ORIGINAL COVER Down to You3. Signed ORIGINAL COVER Up to Me4. Signed Until I Break (VERY LAST COPY)5. $100 Amazon Gift Card
What you have to do:
1. Like my M. Leighton, Author page on Facebook (once per promotion)- 5 pts2. Follow me (@mleightonbooks) on Twitter (once per promotion)- 5 pts3. Tweet the giveaway graphic (up to once per day)- 10 pts4. Flood my FB wall (post giveaway graphic to my author page wall and tag three of your friends in the post)- 10 pts
When: Giveaway starts at 12 am EST February 3, 2014 and ends at midnight on February 23, 2014. See official rules in Rafflecopter.
Giveaway Graphic:
Follow along and give Reese and Kennedy some love:) Y'all are the best!
Feb 3Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews-ReviewKindle Crack Book Reviews-Review
Feb 4Love N. Books-Review Book Drunk Blog-Review
Feb 5Always YA at Heart-Review Seeking Book Boyfriends-Review Into the Night Reviews-Review Literary Nook -Guest/Promotional Post
Feb 6 StuckInBooks -Review 2 Bookaholics -Guest/Promotional Post Tiffany Talks Books-Review
Feb 7#BookNerd-Review Booklovers LaceyCat -Guest/Promotional Post.Mary Elizabeth's Crazy Book Obsession-Review Nomi’s Paranormal Palace-Review
Feb 8The Book Bellas-Review the book enthusiast-Review Reading My Escape-Review As the Pages Turn-Review
Mick Loves Books-Review
The Giveaway:
What you’ll win:
1. Signed ORIGINAL COVER The Wild Ones2. Signed ORIGINAL COVER Down to You3. Signed ORIGINAL COVER Up to Me4. Signed Until I Break (VERY LAST COPY)5. $100 Amazon Gift Card
What you have to do:
1. Like my M. Leighton, Author page on Facebook (once per promotion)- 5 pts2. Follow me (@mleightonbooks) on Twitter (once per promotion)- 5 pts3. Tweet the giveaway graphic (up to once per day)- 10 pts4. Flood my FB wall (post giveaway graphic to my author page wall and tag three of your friends in the post)- 10 pts
When: Giveaway starts at 12 am EST February 3, 2014 and ends at midnight on February 23, 2014. See official rules in Rafflecopter.
Giveaway Graphic:
January 29, 2014
ALL THE PRETTY POSES is live everywhere!
I'm so sorry to be late in posting, but here are all the purchase links:) I hope you adore this story as much as I adored writing it! And as always, THANK YOU from the very bottom of my heart! Y'all continue to make my dreams come true with every day that passes!
Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
Amazon UK
iTunes
Kobo
Smashwords
Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
Amazon UK
iTunes
Kobo
Smashwords
January 22, 2014
ALL THE PRETTY POSES- Chapter one teaser
I wanna be the girl who struts out on stage and totally FLOORS a guy like Reese...and then walks away with his heart. This is the last half of chapter one, when Reese sees Kennedy for the first time in fourteen long years.
...I’m thinking of making my excuses and leaving when the music changes yet again, stopping me. The sexy thump of Madonna’s Justify My Love strikes me as an interesting yet odd choice for a dance, and it draws my attention back to the platform.From the left side of back stage, a girl emerges. She walks slowly along the runway. The spotlight follows her and I see that she’s wearing a man’s dress shirt and tie. And nothing else. Her legs are long—with the stilettos she’s wearing, even longer—and perfectly toned. Dancer’s legs. Strong. Graceful. Sinful. Each step she takes is a sexy, sensual movement of them. Slow. Deliberate. I sit up a little straighter in my seat. I’m immediately catapulted from mildly interested to extremely intrigued and I don’t really know why. I’ve seen hundreds of dancers do hundreds of dances. But I’ve never seen this one. And something about this one has all my senses on point.As she draws closer, I can see that her rich brown hair is covered by a hat that sits at a cocky angle on her head. In her hand is a shiny black cane. When she gets to center stage, she stops, swinging the cane once before propping it out in front of her body. In one excruciatingly measured movement, she stiffens her legs and bends forward, showing off the length of her perfect thighs as they ease into the curve of her perfect ass.Before I’m finished looking, she straightens, twirling the cane up over her head and taking one end in each hand. She arches her back, forcing what looks like some luscious tits up and out. Then, still moving slowly, she eases the cane down the front of her body.Each action is smooth and unhurried. Each movement is sexy and fluid, her body melting from one into the next in perfect time to the music.I glance up at her face. Beneath the shadow of her hat, all I can see is her mouth. But damn, what a mouth it is! Her lips are painted bright red and are probably the lushest ones I’ve ever seen. They’re what I’ve always called dick-sucking lips—plump, pouty and perfectly formed to slip down over the head of my cock.Not having been overly enthused about coming tonight or about the entertainment, I’m surprised that my dick twitches when she pulls her lower lip between her teeth and bites down. But damn if it doesn’t.I feel a groan build in my chest when she drops slowly to her knees, sliding the cane away from her body like she’s doing a push-up, slinking down onto her stomach. After a few beats, she abandons the cane and eases over onto her back, her hips turning last, like a cat that’s getting ready to stretch. I can almost feel the purr.Legs flat on the stage, she runs her hands from the tops of her thighs to her stomach, pulling the hem of her shirt up just enough to give a teasing glimpse of what she’s wearing underneath before moving on to her breasts and throat. Her nimble fingers work loose the tie, dragging it slowly from around her neck. Purposefully, she twists her hands, winding the silk around her wrists. For a few seconds, it’s just me and this girl. Alone in this room. With nothing between us but this music. And that damned tie. All too clearly, images of me tying her up with that scrap of red material flit through my mind, making me throb behind my zipper. Languorously, she stretches one leg straight up into the air, the other lying flat on the stage. She reaches up and grabs her ankle, skimming her bound hands to her knee, pulling that leg toward her face. Her thighs widen into a perfect split that reveals little black, satin panties. When I see them, all I can think about is kneeling between those legs and kissing that silky material. I see her lips pucker as she puts one chaste kiss on her knee. I’m enthralled. But it’s when I see her tongue flicker out that I feel like I could punch a hole through the bottom of the table with my hard-on. There’s something about her that’s so understatedly sexy. It’s like she doesn’t even know we’re here, like she’s lost inside her own head. And God, how I’d love to be part of what she’s imagining! I feel a hand on my arm, interrupting the scene. I’m instantly aggravated by the intrusion. I jerk away, not even bothering to turn around until I hear a voice.It’s my brother. And he’s determined to get my attention. Finally, I turn, not even trying to hide my agitated glare.“What?”“Can you take us back home? Sloane’s not feeling well. Something she ate earlier maybe.” He gives me a meaningful look. It takes me a second to fully disengage from the girl that had me so rapt, but eventually (reluctantly) I do. And I remember that Sloane didn’t drink her shot of tequila. Then I remember why. Hemi told me she’s pregnant, but that they haven’t told her family yet, so he asked me not to say anything.“Oh…right,” I respond a bit too sharply. “Yeah, I can take you.” Hesitant to leave just yet, I glance back toward the front of the room in time to see that the dancer is on her knees again, throwing off her hat. A mane of silky chestnut curls falls down. I only get a brief flash of her face. Her hair swirls around to obscure her features. But not before I get a glimpse of one pale green eye. And the way it widens when it meets mine. Instantly, I’m transported back in time. Years and years ago. To the soft grass of a clearing in the woods. And the smooth skin of the girl beneath me. I remember those eyes. That mouth. I remember a slightly ganglier, less mature version of this woman’s body. How it felt to touch her, to hold her. How she laughed, how she tasted. How it ended. And how I could never forget.Holy god!
It’s Kennedy.
...I’m thinking of making my excuses and leaving when the music changes yet again, stopping me. The sexy thump of Madonna’s Justify My Love strikes me as an interesting yet odd choice for a dance, and it draws my attention back to the platform.From the left side of back stage, a girl emerges. She walks slowly along the runway. The spotlight follows her and I see that she’s wearing a man’s dress shirt and tie. And nothing else. Her legs are long—with the stilettos she’s wearing, even longer—and perfectly toned. Dancer’s legs. Strong. Graceful. Sinful. Each step she takes is a sexy, sensual movement of them. Slow. Deliberate. I sit up a little straighter in my seat. I’m immediately catapulted from mildly interested to extremely intrigued and I don’t really know why. I’ve seen hundreds of dancers do hundreds of dances. But I’ve never seen this one. And something about this one has all my senses on point.As she draws closer, I can see that her rich brown hair is covered by a hat that sits at a cocky angle on her head. In her hand is a shiny black cane. When she gets to center stage, she stops, swinging the cane once before propping it out in front of her body. In one excruciatingly measured movement, she stiffens her legs and bends forward, showing off the length of her perfect thighs as they ease into the curve of her perfect ass.Before I’m finished looking, she straightens, twirling the cane up over her head and taking one end in each hand. She arches her back, forcing what looks like some luscious tits up and out. Then, still moving slowly, she eases the cane down the front of her body.Each action is smooth and unhurried. Each movement is sexy and fluid, her body melting from one into the next in perfect time to the music.I glance up at her face. Beneath the shadow of her hat, all I can see is her mouth. But damn, what a mouth it is! Her lips are painted bright red and are probably the lushest ones I’ve ever seen. They’re what I’ve always called dick-sucking lips—plump, pouty and perfectly formed to slip down over the head of my cock.Not having been overly enthused about coming tonight or about the entertainment, I’m surprised that my dick twitches when she pulls her lower lip between her teeth and bites down. But damn if it doesn’t.I feel a groan build in my chest when she drops slowly to her knees, sliding the cane away from her body like she’s doing a push-up, slinking down onto her stomach. After a few beats, she abandons the cane and eases over onto her back, her hips turning last, like a cat that’s getting ready to stretch. I can almost feel the purr.Legs flat on the stage, she runs her hands from the tops of her thighs to her stomach, pulling the hem of her shirt up just enough to give a teasing glimpse of what she’s wearing underneath before moving on to her breasts and throat. Her nimble fingers work loose the tie, dragging it slowly from around her neck. Purposefully, she twists her hands, winding the silk around her wrists. For a few seconds, it’s just me and this girl. Alone in this room. With nothing between us but this music. And that damned tie. All too clearly, images of me tying her up with that scrap of red material flit through my mind, making me throb behind my zipper. Languorously, she stretches one leg straight up into the air, the other lying flat on the stage. She reaches up and grabs her ankle, skimming her bound hands to her knee, pulling that leg toward her face. Her thighs widen into a perfect split that reveals little black, satin panties. When I see them, all I can think about is kneeling between those legs and kissing that silky material. I see her lips pucker as she puts one chaste kiss on her knee. I’m enthralled. But it’s when I see her tongue flicker out that I feel like I could punch a hole through the bottom of the table with my hard-on. There’s something about her that’s so understatedly sexy. It’s like she doesn’t even know we’re here, like she’s lost inside her own head. And God, how I’d love to be part of what she’s imagining! I feel a hand on my arm, interrupting the scene. I’m instantly aggravated by the intrusion. I jerk away, not even bothering to turn around until I hear a voice.It’s my brother. And he’s determined to get my attention. Finally, I turn, not even trying to hide my agitated glare.“What?”“Can you take us back home? Sloane’s not feeling well. Something she ate earlier maybe.” He gives me a meaningful look. It takes me a second to fully disengage from the girl that had me so rapt, but eventually (reluctantly) I do. And I remember that Sloane didn’t drink her shot of tequila. Then I remember why. Hemi told me she’s pregnant, but that they haven’t told her family yet, so he asked me not to say anything.“Oh…right,” I respond a bit too sharply. “Yeah, I can take you.” Hesitant to leave just yet, I glance back toward the front of the room in time to see that the dancer is on her knees again, throwing off her hat. A mane of silky chestnut curls falls down. I only get a brief flash of her face. Her hair swirls around to obscure her features. But not before I get a glimpse of one pale green eye. And the way it widens when it meets mine. Instantly, I’m transported back in time. Years and years ago. To the soft grass of a clearing in the woods. And the smooth skin of the girl beneath me. I remember those eyes. That mouth. I remember a slightly ganglier, less mature version of this woman’s body. How it felt to touch her, to hold her. How she laughed, how she tasted. How it ended. And how I could never forget.Holy god!
It’s Kennedy.
January 14, 2014
ALL THE PRETTY POSES blog tour and giveaway
Okay, so this is the first leg of the blog tour, hosted by the beautiful and gracious Kelly Simmon with Inkslinger PR. I hope you'll follow along and check out each of these amazing blogs. Also, there's a giveaway going on that begins today. What's up for grabs? TWO $250 Visa Gift Cards! How do you enter? Well, that's easy:)
Via the Rafflecopter posted here and on each participating site, you may:
· Like the M. Leighton, Author Facebook page (5 points, can only do once)
· Follow @mleightonbooks on Twitter (5 points, can only do once)
· Share the giveaway graphic on Twitter along with one reason that you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)
· Tag three different friends in the comments under the graphic on the M. Leighton Author Facebook page with one reason you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)
The giveaway begins at 12:00 am EST on January 14, 2014 and ends at 12:00 am EST on February 3, 2014. Winners will be randomly selected by 5:00 pm EST on February 5, 2014. For a complete list of rules, please see the “Rules” section of the Rafflecopter.
And finally, here are the fantastic participants who had me from the word GO. Give them some love when you stop by:)
All the Pretty Poses TourJan. 14Cocktails and Books-ReviewJust Booked Blog-ReviewTSK TSK What to Read-Review
Jan. 15Love N. Books-Dream CastA Life Bound By Books-Review3 Girls & A Book Obsession-Review
Jan. 16I Read Indie-PlaylistGive Me Books-ReviewSchmexy Girl Book Blog-Review
Jan. 17Made For You Book reviews-ReviewMomma Romance-ReviewNestled in a Book-Review
Jan. 18Spare Time Book Blog-ReviewComfort Books-Excerpt
Jan. 19Into the Night Reviews-ReviewRomance Readaholic-ReviewMake My Day Book Club-Review
Jan. 20Book Boyfriend Reviews-ReviewSeeking Book Boyfriends-Excerpt
Jan. 21True Story Book Blog-ReviewForever Me Romance-Review
Jan. 22Globug and Hootie Need A Book-ReviewTiffany Talks Books-ReviewFabulously Girly Book Blog-Review
Jan. 23A Bookish Escape-ReviewKrista's Dust Jacket-Review
Jan. 24Hesperia Loves Books-ReviewTreatise & Tea-ReviewShawna's Survey-Review
Jan. 25Sofia Loves Books-ReviewRoxy's Reviews-Review
Jan. 26Stories and Swag-ReviewMovies, Shows & Books-Author InterviewBooks to Breathe-Review
Jan. 27Reviews by Tammy & Kim-ReviewBook Angel Booktopia-ReviewThe Book Beacon-ReviewThe Geekery Book Review-Fun & Different Idea!
Jan. 28Readers Live 1000 Lives-ReviewWhirlwind Books-ReviewNerd Alert Book Love-ReviewHolly’s Hot Reads-ReviewNot Just A Reader- Review
Jan. 29Book Bitches Blog-ReviewRead This Hear That-ReviewBJs Book Blog-Review2 Bookaholics-Excerpt
Jan. 30Books Books Books-ReviewLove, Words & Books-ReviewRipe for Reader-ReviewMommy’s Late Night Book Up-Review
Jan. 31Three Chicks & Their Books-ReviewMean Girls Luv Books-ReviewSassy Girl Books-ReviewBare Naked Words-ReviewLustful Literature-Review
Feb. 1Nose Stuck in a Book-ExcerptBestSellers & BestStellars-ReviewThe Hopeless Romantics Book Blog-ReviewSubmit and Devour-Review
Feb. 2My Favorite Things-ReviewBooks Unhinged-ReviewThe Book Blog-ReviewMia’s POV-ReviewReading Between the Wines-Guest PostBook Addict Mumma-Book Trailer
Via the Rafflecopter posted here and on each participating site, you may:
· Like the M. Leighton, Author Facebook page (5 points, can only do once)
· Follow @mleightonbooks on Twitter (5 points, can only do once)
· Share the giveaway graphic on Twitter along with one reason that you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)
· Tag three different friends in the comments under the graphic on the M. Leighton Author Facebook page with one reason you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)
The giveaway begins at 12:00 am EST on January 14, 2014 and ends at 12:00 am EST on February 3, 2014. Winners will be randomly selected by 5:00 pm EST on February 5, 2014. For a complete list of rules, please see the “Rules” section of the Rafflecopter.
And finally, here are the fantastic participants who had me from the word GO. Give them some love when you stop by:)
All the Pretty Poses TourJan. 14Cocktails and Books-ReviewJust Booked Blog-ReviewTSK TSK What to Read-Review
Jan. 15Love N. Books-Dream CastA Life Bound By Books-Review3 Girls & A Book Obsession-Review
Jan. 16I Read Indie-PlaylistGive Me Books-ReviewSchmexy Girl Book Blog-Review
Jan. 17Made For You Book reviews-ReviewMomma Romance-ReviewNestled in a Book-Review
Jan. 18Spare Time Book Blog-ReviewComfort Books-Excerpt
Jan. 19Into the Night Reviews-ReviewRomance Readaholic-ReviewMake My Day Book Club-Review
Jan. 20Book Boyfriend Reviews-ReviewSeeking Book Boyfriends-Excerpt
Jan. 21True Story Book Blog-ReviewForever Me Romance-Review
Jan. 22Globug and Hootie Need A Book-ReviewTiffany Talks Books-ReviewFabulously Girly Book Blog-Review
Jan. 23A Bookish Escape-ReviewKrista's Dust Jacket-Review
Jan. 24Hesperia Loves Books-ReviewTreatise & Tea-ReviewShawna's Survey-Review
Jan. 25Sofia Loves Books-ReviewRoxy's Reviews-Review
Jan. 26Stories and Swag-ReviewMovies, Shows & Books-Author InterviewBooks to Breathe-Review
Jan. 27Reviews by Tammy & Kim-ReviewBook Angel Booktopia-ReviewThe Book Beacon-ReviewThe Geekery Book Review-Fun & Different Idea!
Jan. 28Readers Live 1000 Lives-ReviewWhirlwind Books-ReviewNerd Alert Book Love-ReviewHolly’s Hot Reads-ReviewNot Just A Reader- Review
Jan. 29Book Bitches Blog-ReviewRead This Hear That-ReviewBJs Book Blog-Review2 Bookaholics-Excerpt
Jan. 30Books Books Books-ReviewLove, Words & Books-ReviewRipe for Reader-ReviewMommy’s Late Night Book Up-Review
Jan. 31Three Chicks & Their Books-ReviewMean Girls Luv Books-ReviewSassy Girl Books-ReviewBare Naked Words-ReviewLustful Literature-Review
Feb. 1Nose Stuck in a Book-ExcerptBestSellers & BestStellars-ReviewThe Hopeless Romantics Book Blog-ReviewSubmit and Devour-Review
Feb. 2My Favorite Things-ReviewBooks Unhinged-ReviewThe Book Blog-ReviewMia’s POV-ReviewReading Between the Wines-Guest PostBook Addict Mumma-Book Trailer
January 13, 2014
ALL THE PRETTY POSES-- Cover reveal, blurb and excerpt
I feel like I've been waiting for years for this day to arrive! OMG When I wrote Hemi and Sloane's story, I knew that Sig would be popular and I knew that I would write his story, but it was Reese who took my breath away right from the start. Once I dove into his story, I knew I was right.
Reese is like a cobbler of some of my favorite things. He's strong and confident, teasing and flirtatious, successful and driven. He's a bit naughty and a bit possessive, and when someone steals his heart, it's hers forever. He was deeper than I thought he'd be, more complex than I could've hoped and he gave me the most amazing ride! OMG I'm still reeling! I've waited for weeks to be able to share bits and pieces of him and Kennedy with you and today means that I can start. Wahooooooooooooo Beginning with the cover and blurb, and a little teaser to get the week started.
The cover is a picture of Kennedy. Reese turned her world upside down once, threw it into darkness, and it took her years of clawing and climbing to find her way back up to the bright light of day. Still, she never recovered from the love of her life quite as much as she thought she did. There's still a piece of her that is broken and vulnerable, and seeing Reese again reminds her of that. She's a broken dancer, just like this girl.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and feel free to share any of this out in the world. I'd love nothing more than to see y'all fall for Reese and Kennedy as hard as I did. It's a weird author thing. hehe It's like introducing you to my children and finding out that you love them as much as I do:)
Okay, so here we go! ALL THE PRETTY POSES, releasing January 26, 2014.
ALL THE PRETTY POSES
He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.
Strength…It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.
That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?
Weakness…Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one. It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?
But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.
Add to Goodreads here
Now, below is a graphic teaser. It is one of three you might find scattered across the amazing blogs that are helping me to reveal this cover. I hope you enjoy them all! And a special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who participated today. You'll never know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you!!!
That's it for today. I hope y'all have an amazing Monday!
Reese is like a cobbler of some of my favorite things. He's strong and confident, teasing and flirtatious, successful and driven. He's a bit naughty and a bit possessive, and when someone steals his heart, it's hers forever. He was deeper than I thought he'd be, more complex than I could've hoped and he gave me the most amazing ride! OMG I'm still reeling! I've waited for weeks to be able to share bits and pieces of him and Kennedy with you and today means that I can start. Wahooooooooooooo Beginning with the cover and blurb, and a little teaser to get the week started.
The cover is a picture of Kennedy. Reese turned her world upside down once, threw it into darkness, and it took her years of clawing and climbing to find her way back up to the bright light of day. Still, she never recovered from the love of her life quite as much as she thought she did. There's still a piece of her that is broken and vulnerable, and seeing Reese again reminds her of that. She's a broken dancer, just like this girl.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and feel free to share any of this out in the world. I'd love nothing more than to see y'all fall for Reese and Kennedy as hard as I did. It's a weird author thing. hehe It's like introducing you to my children and finding out that you love them as much as I do:)
Okay, so here we go! ALL THE PRETTY POSES, releasing January 26, 2014.
ALL THE PRETTY POSES
He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.
Strength…It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it. But she did. Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater. Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.
That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse. In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe. All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese. That sounds easy enough, right?
Weakness…Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy. Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one. It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan. It’s simple: Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life. That sounds easy enough, right?
But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her. To save her. Even if he has to save her from himself.
Add to Goodreads here
Now, below is a graphic teaser. It is one of three you might find scattered across the amazing blogs that are helping me to reveal this cover. I hope you enjoy them all! And a special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who participated today. You'll never know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you!!!
That's it for today. I hope y'all have an amazing Monday!
