Julie Kenner's Blog, page 44
March 4, 2015
Hump Day books from Erica Ridley, Evangeline Anderson, Kitty Bucholtz, Suzanne Rock, Deb Marlowe, Delilah Devlin, Ava Stone, and Seressia Glass!
Please enjoy eight new Hump Day books, including Erotic, Historical, and Contemporary Romance!
The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress (Dukes of War Book 2)
New Regency Romance for 99¢!
Find out more at Erica Ridley’s website!
A warrior sold as a slave against his will… bought by a woman forbidden to love him.
Visit Evangeline Anderson at her website!
A Very Merry Superhero Wedding (Adventures of Lewis and Clarke)
A new superhero urban fantasy novella in the Adventures of Lewis and Clarke series!
Connect with Kitty Bucholtz at her website!
At His Service is a new eserial that has been called the modern-day, erotic, Downton Abbey. Get the first installment for only $1.99!
Visit Suzanne Rock’s website!
A Waltz in the Park: A Half Moon House Novella
New Release! Regency Historical in the Half Moon House series!
More at Deb Marlowe’s website!
Something’s on the rise in Two-Mule, Texas and it ain’t just the temperature…
Find out more at Delilah Devlin’s website!
Live Like You Mean It (Desolate Sun Book 1)
New NA Contemporary Romance!
Be sure to visit Ava Stone’s website!
SPICE (SUGAR AND SPICE NOVEL #1)
Temptation comes in many flavors….Spice, now available in audio!
For more from Seressia Glass check out her website!
Would you like to submit your book to be included in our Hump Day feature? Click here for more information!
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
March 1, 2015
Beware of the Ides of March $.99 SALE (14 Books)
The authors of Red Door Reads are celebrating the Ides of March with a $.99 SALE!!
Check out all the titles that are on sale for only $.99
Finally Finding Faith by Tammy Falkner - http://amzn.to/1ECJif9
Wish for You by Marquita Valentine - http://amzn.to/1aH9zxn
A Waltz in the Park by Deb Marlowe - http://amzn.to/1M0Mql8
Miss Wheaton’s Whiskers by Susan Gee Heino - http://amzn.to/18B6dv6
Find Me in Darkness by Julie Kenner - http://amzn.to/1EYa6Eq
Heroes Returned Trilogy by Ava Stone - http://amzn.to/17Ifoce
The Farmer’s Wife by Lori Handeland - http://amzn.to/1vO8P32
To Walk in the Sun by Jane Charles - http://amzn.to/1wE4Hh4
Lady Mistaken by Aubrey Beck - http://amzn.to/1E68EBp
Much Ado About Dutton by Claudia Dain - http://amzn.to/1zv9Qbo
Tiara Wars by Caren Crane - http://amzn.to/1GDc2Ds
Hell Fire by Dee Davis - http://amzn.to/1zvatlk
The Daring Debutantes Box Set by Jerrica Knight-Catania - http://amzn.to/17IgzbF
Knave vs Spy by Michelle Marcos - http://amzn.to/1wE7vuy
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
February 25, 2015
Hump Day books from P. T. Michelle, Melanie Marchande, Brenda Hiatt, Alice Bramley, Julianne MacLean, C.J. Archer, Lynn Raye Harris, and J. Kenner!
Please enjoy eight new Hump Day books, including the third novel in J. Kenner’s Stark Ever After Series!
Mister Black: A Billionaire SEAL Story (In the Shadows, Book 1)
Get it now for only .99c
Be sure to visit P. T. Michelle’s website!
Enjoy 16 brand-new stories from your favorite NYT Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller romance and romantic comedy authors, plus a few fresh new faces.
More at Melanie Marchande’s website!
Feb 24 release! The electrifying conclusion to the Starstruck series, pre-order and week of release just $2.99.
Find more info at the Starstruck Series website!
Stephanie’s in for the wildest, weirdest, dreamiest Valentine’s date ever!
Be sure to visit Alice Bramley at her website!
The Color of Joy (The Color of Heaven Series Book 8)
New Release!
More at Julianne MacLean’s website!
New release! 9 books, all free!
See more at CJ Archer’s website!
Hot Shot (A Hostile Operations Team Novel – Book 5)
Only $.99 For A Limited Time!
Connect with Lynn Raye Harris at her website!
Play My Game: A Stark Ever After Novella
I never imagined that anything could top our honeymoon, but life as Mrs. Damien Stark is sweeter than any fantasy. Yet no matter where we go, the ghosts of our pasts follow. Even on Valentine’s Day, neither of us is safe.
The third novel in the Stark Ever After series!
For more visit J. Kenner at her website!
Would you like to submit your book to be included in our Hump Day feature? Click here for more information!
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
February 18, 2015
Hump Day books from Julia Gabriel, Dee Davis, Kate St. James, Crystal Green, Lauren Hawkeye & Tawny Stokes, Barbara Meyers, Lacy Williams, and Lisa Mondello!
Please enjoy these eight scintilating Hump Day books, including all of The Last Chance Trilogy by Dee Davis, and an Inspirational Romance boxed set!
Sexy New Romance!
More at Julia Gabriel’s website!
All three Last Chance books for one low price! Plus bonus novella!!
Be sure to visit Dee Davis at her website!
Sugar Rush (TEASE Sizzling Romps Book 2)
New Release! Super-hot erotic novella!
Connect with Kate St. James at her website!
Hot new adult romance, available now!
Be sure to visit the Aidan Falls website!
The Other Brother Part 1: Forbidden: Stepbrother Billionaire Romance
99 cents preorder, price goes up when it goes live on Feb 24th!
Visit Lauren and Tawny at their websites!
New Romantic Comedy!
Visit with Barbara Meyers at her website!
First Kisses: inspirational romance boxed set (Inspy Kisses Box Set Book 1)
Discounted for one week only – from NYT and USA Today bestselling inspy romance authors!
Visit the First Kisses website!
The Knight and Maggie’s Baby, a contemporary romance (Fate with a Helping Hand Book 3)
A New York Times and USA Today Bestseller! Only 99¢ for a limited time.
For more info check out Lisa Mondello’s website!
Would you like to submit your book to be included in our Hump Day feature? Click here for more information!
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
February 17, 2015
Damien Stark is back!! PLAY MY GAME #StarkEverAfter by J. Kenner Available NOW!!
Damien Stark is back and celebrating Valentines Day with is new wife… find out what games he has in store for her in PLAY MY GAME #StarkEverAfter Available NOW!!
I never imagined that anything could top our honeymoon, but life as Mrs. Damien Stark is sweeter than any fantasy. We are forever bound by our love and our desire. His touch is my greatest treasure—and is purely mine alone.
Yet no matter where we go, the ghosts of our pasts follow. We can’t escape our secrets, or the people who desperately want to bring us down. Even on Valentine’s Day, neither of us is safe.
I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Damien, to fulfill his every need. His kiss is my calling, his passion my truest bliss. The dangers we face, we now face together—and nothing can make me run.
Read the Newsletter - http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameNewsletter
Read Chapter 1 - http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameCh1
Amazon/Kindle http://amzn.to/1z1pXTC
AmazonUK http://amzn.to/1qE4qHZ
Amazon AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameAmazonAU
B&N/Nook http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameNook
Kobo http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameKoboUS
Kobo UK http://bit.ly/KoboPlayMyGame
iBooks http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooks
iBooks UK http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksUK
iBooks AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksAU
Google Play http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameGooglePlay
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
February 15, 2015
How does Mr. #DamienStark spend his first Valentines with the Mrs.? PLAY MY GAME by J. Kenner – Feb. 17th
PLAY MY GAME #StarkEverAfter – Only 2 days away!!
How does Mr. #DamienStark spend his first Valentines with the Mrs.?
By playing a game of course!
I never imagined that anything could top our honeymoon, but life as Mrs. Damien Stark is sweeter than any fantasy. We are forever bound by our love and our desire. His touch is my greatest treasure—and is purely mine alone.
Yet no matter where we go, the ghosts of our pasts follow. We can’t escape our secrets, or the people who desperately want to bring us down. Even on Valentine’s Day, neither of us is safe.
I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Damien, to fulfill his every need. His kiss is my calling, his passion my truest bliss. The dangers we face, we now face together—and nothing can make me run.
Read Chapter 1 - http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameCh1
Amazon/Kindle http://amzn.to/1z1pXTC
AmazonUK http://amzn.to/1qE4qHZ
Amazon AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameAmazonAU
B&N/Nook http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameNook
Kobo http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameKoboUS
Kobo UK http://bit.ly/KoboPlayMyGame
iBooks http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooks
iBooks UK http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksUK
iBooks AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksAU
February 11, 2015
Play My Game #StarkEverAfter J. Kenner – EXCERPT
Play My Game Stark Ever After by J. Kenner
Who is ready for Valentine’s Day with Damien and Nikki?
Amazon/Kindle http://amzn.to/1z1pXTC
AmazonUK http://amzn.to/1qE4qHZ
Amazon AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameAmazonAU
B&N/Nook http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameNook
Kobo http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameKoboUS
Kobo UK http://bit.ly/KoboPlayMyGame
iBooks http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooks
iBooks UK http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksUK
iBooks AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksAU
Play My Game - J. Kenner
Chapter 1
Sunlight pours into the kitchen from the east-facing windows, and through the open glass doors on the west side of the house, I can hear the rhythmic pounding of the Pacific as it batters the Malibu shore.
It is just past seven on a Sunday morning in February, and though I had awakened with both a smile and a plan, the smile is fading and my plan is floundering. I fear that it is time to face the terrible, horrible, inescapable truth—I can’t cook my way out of a paper bag. And my plan to treat my husband to breakfast in bed is crashing and burning.
Or maybe just burning, I amend, as I realize that my waffles are doing just that.
I use the built-in handle to flip the waffle iron over, then open the top with the tines of a fork.
The thing inside doesn’t resemble any food product I’ve ever seen. It’s black and bumpy and looks vaguely like the underside of a hiking shoe.
“Well, shit,” I say, then add on an even more colorful string of curses when I realize that the eggs are burning and that smoke from the bacon is going to set off the fire alarms any second now.
I lunge sideways toward the stove and hit the button for the vent, then narrow my eyes toward the ceiling, daring the alarm to start screeching. Because even if breakfast consists of black coffee and dry toast, I am going to manage it. And nothing—not a smoke alarm, not the scent of burning batter, not even my muttered curses—is going to roust my husband of almost three weeks out of bed before I am ready to surprise him.
A heartbeat later, I know just how wrong I am.
I have not yet turned around, but I don’t have to. I know that he is awake, and I know that he is standing behind me. I didn’t hear him approach. I didn’t catch his scent. There is nothing tangible to announce his presence to me. But that doesn’t matter.
I simply know.
Maybe it’s a shift in the density of the air.
Maybe it’s the way that the heat from his body makes the molecules around him spin faster.
Maybe it is the simple fact that he is Damien Stark, my husband, my love, and I could no more be unaware of his presence than I am of my own body.
For a moment, I simply stand there, my back still to him. I had wanted to surprise him, and so I will admit to a small tingle of disappointment. But that is quickly conquered by the desire to see him. To savor him. To let the image of him that fills my mind now fill my reality.
I turn slowly to find him leaning against the half-wall that separates the third floor kitchen from the rest of the open area. He is wearing a pair of thin gray sweatpants tied loosely at his hips and absolutely nothing else. His athlete’s body glows with a lingering tan, courtesy of the island that was the last stop of our honeymoon, and the light on his burnished skin highlights the sculpted planes of his chest and abdomen.
Damien’s prowess in business came after his fame as a professional tennis player, and looking at him, it is easy to see how he excelled at both. He is power and strength and beauty combined, and I stand like an idiot, absorbing the sight of him, then sigh with the same kind of full, sensual pleasure brought on by a sunset or a symphony or the stars filling a country sky. Damien Stark is a feast for the eyes, a concerto for the senses. And though I know him intimately—though he is mine, and I am his—I still go weak at the sight of him.
“This is an exceptionally nice sight to wake up to.” His eyes skim over my inappropriate cooking attire. Bare feet, one of his dress shirts, and a white apron with a rather unoriginal Kiss the Cook logo.
“Funny. I was just thinking the same thing.” That’s an exaggeration, because the truth is that I’m having a hard time thinking at all. Or, rather, my thoughts are all primal in nature. Need. Want. Take.
He closes the distance between us in three long strides, then slides his arm around my waist. His grin warms me like sunshine, but when he pulls me to him and closes his mouth over mine, I am warmed by a much more dangerous kind of heat. “Good morning, wife.”
My lips tingle from the intensity of his greeting, but I respond in kind, loving the way these words sound. “Good morning, husband.”
He trails his fingertip along my jawline. “You have batter on your face,” he says, before slipping his finger in his mouth. “Tasty.”
I roll my eyes as he leans in to kiss my ear.
“And flour in your hair.”
“I would have managed eventually,” I say. “You’re the one who got out of bed and spoiled my surprise.”
He glances behind me to the brick of a waffle. “Believe me, I’m surprised.”
“Careful, mister,” I say, but I’m laughing. We both know that my cooking skills are non-existent.
“It’s the thought that counts,” Damien says. “And I like this thought very, very much.”
He pulls me in for another long, slow kiss. The kind that makes me think that getting up early on a Sunday morning was really not one of my more stellar ideas.
“I know how to fix this,“ Damien says.
“Does it involve getting naked and going back to bed, and you assuring me that you didn’t marry me for my culinary skills?”
“Actually, no, though I think that should definitely be added to the day’s activities.”
“Oh, really?” I lean closer, relishing the way his arms tighten around me, pulling me against him so that I can feel him hot and hard and close. “And what else is on the agenda?”
He slides one hand down over his shirt until he finds my bare thigh, then slowly trails his fingers up, under the light cotton. “It’s our last day before we get back to the real world.” His voice is as soft as his caress, and I moan softly as his hand moves between my thighs, and his fingers stroke and tease me. “I want to spend it making love to my wife. Touching her. Caressing her. Burying myself deep inside her.”
My knees are weak, and it’s a good thing that Damien is holding me up. “I approve of your plan for the day. I approve so much, in fact, that I think we should get started on that right now.”
The tip of his tongue traces the curve of my ear, sending shivers racing through me. “But first, we’re going to go get breakfast.”
It takes a moment for my fuzzy brain to register his words. “Go?”
“I told you. I can fix this.” He kisses me lightly, then releases me. I sigh in disappointment at the loss of contact even as Damien nods at the rather unappetizing mess I’ve made in the kitchen. “Pastries and coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice. After all, we’ll need energy to survive the rest of the day I have planned.”
“I like the sound of that,” I admit. We’ve been back home from our honeymoon for a few days, but neither one of us has gone back to work officially yet. I’ve done some coding at home, but not much. Just minor tweaking of a few of my smartphone apps. And Damien, of course, has fielded dozens of phone calls and read god only knows how many emails. But considering all he usually handles in the course of running the universe, his work activities over the last several weeks have been nonexistent by comparison.
He takes my hand to lead me out of the kitchen and toward the bedroom, then pauses in front of the stack of cat food that I’ve moved from the pantry to the counter.
“Please tell me that’s not your secret ingredient.”
I know he expects me to laugh, but I just can’t manage it. Instead I lift a shoulder. “I’m going to box it up to take to Jamie.”
Damien presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, obviously understanding my mood. “I know, baby. I miss the fluff ball, too.”
Technically, Lady Meow Meow belongs to both Jamie and me. More technically, she belongs to Jamie, who was the one who actually rescued her from the shelter when she was a one month old ball of white fur. I’d taken temporary custody when Jamie rented out her condo and set off for Texas to get her shit together.
That didn’t work out as planned, though. Texas turned out to be more of a pitstop than a relocation, and not long after she’d moved in with her parents, she was back in LA. She’d come for my wedding. She’d stayed because of Ryan Hunter, Damien’s security chief, who as far as I can tell is head over heels for her. And the feeling, thank goodness, is mutual.
Now, it’s the two of them and the cat living in the tiny Venice beach house that Ryan has rented for years. According to Jamie, it’s a temporary arrangement until her tenant moves out in a few months. Then she’ll move back to the condo.
She hasn’t said as much, but I expect that Ryan will go with her. We had drinks with them the day after we got back to California, I’ve seen the way he looks at her. More important, I’ve heard the way she talks about him. And I couldn’t be happier for both of them.
But that doesn’t mean I’m not sad about losing the cat.
I tilt my head back and smile up at Damien. “I’m fine. It’s all fine. I just saw all the food in the pantry and it made me sad. Besides, it gives me an excuse to have lunch with Jamie,” I add with a devious lilt in my voice. “I haven’t seen her alone since we got back, and I have to fill her in on just how spectacular our honeymoon was.”
Damien laughs. “Two best friends discussing a honeymoon. Why do I feel like I’m facing a performance review?”
My grin is pure wickedness. “Don’t worry, Mr. Stark. As always, you scored a perfect ten.”
He kisses me again, long and lingering, then pulls me close. I sigh happily and lean against him, trying as always to absorb the fact that this is my life now. He is my life now.
“I love you,” I say softly, then feel the tightening of his arms around me in response to my words.
“You’re my everything, Nikki. And I love you desperately.” He takes my hand and leads me back to our bedroom. He tugs the apron over my head, then slowly unbuttons the shirt I am wearing. He eases it off my shoulders, and it falls gently to the floor behind us. I’m naked beneath it, and the material caresses my back as it falls, making me shiver from both the sensuality of the moment and in anticipation of Damien’s touch.
He doesn’t disappoint. He tilts his head down as if to kiss me, but then only brushes his lips across mine in the lightest of touches. I want to protest, but the words die in my throat as he moves to trail kisses down my body. The curve of my neck. The sensitive skin along my collar bone.
He pauses at my breast long enough to tease my nipple with his tongue. It is as if he has opened a conduit, and threads of electricity go racing through me, making my nipples tighten with need and my clit throb with demand. I close my eyes and part my lips, concentrating on breathing. On not losing all control and begging him to just take me right there.
But then his kisses move lower, and his tongue dances down my abdomen, then over my pubic bone, and then—oh, dear god—his tongue flicks over my clit, and I have to reach back and grab the iron footboard of our bed in order to remain upright.
I spread my legs, wanting and expecting more, but he pulls away, letting his fingers trail sensually up my body as he stands. I am gasping. Hot and needy. But when I reach out and brush my fingers over the erection that is straining against those goddamn sexy sweatpants, Damien just takes a step back and shakes his head. “Later,” he says, making the word sound like both torture and a promise.
“Christ, Damien. How am I supposed to do anything today other than want you?”
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing else today that you need to be doing.”
I take a moment to gather myself while he heads into the bathroom. I find him in the closet, where he hands me a pair of capris and my favorite light sweater.
“I should grab a shower,” I protest as I watch Damien slide into a pair of jeans and a threadbare Wimbledon T-shirt.
“Casual Sunday morning,” he says. “And you look amazing as always. Besides,” he adds with a wicked gleam in his eye, “if you want a shower later, I’ll be happy to help you out. Make sure you get very thoroughly clean.”
“I bet you would.” And though I’m laughing, I already know that’s an offer I absolutely will not refuse.
We’re both hungry, and so we drive to the Upper Crust, a charming local bakery about a mile up the beach. It’s one of my favorite places in Malibu, and while Damien orders, I find a table on the wooden deck with a wide-open view of the ocean.
Damien’s house—our house—has an equally stunning view, but is set much further back from the beach. One thing that I love about the bakery is that it is built practically on top of the dunes, so that all you have to do is descend the stairs at the back of the deck to be on the sand.
I mention that to Damien when he returns with big mugs of coffee and two flaky chocolate croissants.
“Then we’ll build a bungalow right at the edge of the property. I’ll talk to Nathan about drawing up plans,” he adds, referring to Nathan Dean, the architect who designed the main house.
I gape at him. “I was just making conversation.”
He looks almost confused. “So you wouldn’t like that? I would.” He reaches out to wipe a stray bit of chocolate from the corner of my mouth, then licks his fingertip. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to strip you naked on that beach, and yet I had to wait until we were all the way up the hill. But if there was a conveniently located bungalow …”
I shake my head in mock exasperation. “Clearly I’m going to have to watch what I say around you, Mr. Stark. I mean, what if I’d said that I wanted a pied a terre on the moon?”
“I’m certain that can be arranged.” He twines his fingers with mine, then kisses my knuckles. “I think this is my favorite part of being married.”
“Croissants?”
“Spoiling my wife.”
I only smile. As ridiculous as Damien building a bungalow because of an offhand comment might be, I can’t deny that it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. Then again, simply being with the man makes me feel that way.
“Do you want another?” I ask, nodding at his chocolate-stained plate.
“Offering to wait on me?”
“Anything you want,” I say. “Anything you need.”
He squeezes my hand. “I have everything I need.”
My smile is so wide that it almost hurts. Around us, I see other customers watching us and grinning, too, as if our passion is infectious. I recognize a few as neighbors, who undoubtedly know that we are newlyweds. Then again, considering how much the tabloids and social media report on our every move, I imagine that the whole world knows we’re newlyweds.
I swipe my finger through the chocolate that is left on Damien’s plate, then lift it to his lips. His brows rise ever so slightly, and then he draws my finger in, lightly sucking and sending such sparks of ecstasy through me, that it’s a wonder I don’t moan with pleasure.
When I pull my finger gently away, I can’t help my smile of victory. I’m quite certain that at least someone on this deck has a smartphone and a Twitter account, and that picture will be all over social media within the hour. Normally, that would bother me.
Right now, I not only don’t care, I want it.
I want the world to see us in love. To see the way we look at each other. The way we complete each other.
I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and if I can’t shout it from the rooftops, then I’ll just let the world shout it for me on social media.
“You’re smiling,” Damien says.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Good point.” He stands. “Ready?”
I nod, then start to head for the door into the bakery. He tugs me to a stop and nods for the stairs. “I’ll come back for the car when I go for a run later. Right now, let’s walk home.”
I love Southern California. Although it is technically winter, the temperature is already in the mid-sixties, with the forecast expecting highs in the seventies. I take off my shoes, and Damien does the same, and we walk in the surf, where the water is frigid no matter what the season.
We hold hands and talk about everything and nothing as we walk home. “Hard to believe we’re already into the second week of February,” I say, thinking that we’ve just come back from our honeymoon and now it’s almost Valentine’s Day. I feel a bit like a kid whose birthday is the week before Christmas. “I wasn’t even thinking about the timing when we picked our wedding day.”
“You mean the weather? It’s usually a bit colder this time of year, but it’s always comfortable.”
I glance sideways at him, wondering if he’s really that clueless. His expression, however, is entirely unreadable.
“I just mean—“ I cut myself off, frustrated.
His brow furrows. “What?”
Communication, I think. Marriage is all about communication.
“I was just thinking that our first Valentine’s Day is almost here.”
“Not even close,” he says.
“Um, less than a week. That’s right around the corner.”
I don’t realize that he’s stopped until I’ve gone a few more steps. I turn back. Damien actually looks a little worried, and I confess I’m surprised. This will be our first Valentine’s Day together, and knowing Damien and romance, I’d anticipated him doing it up big. I tell myself it’s stupid to get my feelings hurt, especially since there’s a week to go, and Damien could pull off amazing with only five minutes notice.
Still, I can’t help feeling disappointed. Which is completely and totally unfair, but there you go.
I draw in a breath and plaster on one of my best pageant smiles. “Actually, you’re right,” I say. “As far as you and I are concerned, a week is a practically a lifetime.”
“Nikki. Come here.” His voice is low and apologetic, and I keep my face bland because now I am certain that he forgot. He just … forgot.
People forget things, though, right? Even newlyweds.
Even Damien Stark.
I move into his arms, in part because he asked me to, but also because I want to be close enough to him that if I tilt my head down he won’t see the stupid, foolish, idiotic tears that are starting to well in my eyes.
He slides his hands over my arms, moving them until I’m cupping his ass—along with the small, square box tucked into his back pocket.
“Take it out.” His voice is firm, but I think I hear a faint hint of amusement.
I blink, then do as he asks. It’s a small, white cardboard box, the kind that department stores use to package jewelry. Confused, I look up at Damien, and I no longer wonder if he’s amused. It’s very clear that he is.
“Open it.”
I’m starting to feel very foolish, but I do as he asks and gently tug off the lid to reveal a necklace on which hangs a tiny glass bottle. Inside the bottle is a rolled up piece of paper.
I look up at Damien, confused. “It’s lovely.”
“Take out the scroll.”
“Really?” I don’t wait for his reply, but use my fingernails to pull out the tiny cork. The paper is harder to get out, but Damien fishes a little army knife out of his front pocket, then passes the tiny pair of tweezers to me. I realize as he does that he’d brought the knife in anticipation of this moment.
Even with the tweezers, it takes some skill to fish out the paper. I finally manage, though, and I unscroll it, then squint at the tiny writing.
For my wife for Valentine ’ s Day,
A proposition, if I may —
Three clues for you,
You know what to do —
And if you want your present to claim,
You ’ re going to have to play my game
Now here ’ s the clue that I speak of:
Tell me, darling Nikki, what is sweeter than Love?
“Damien.” My voice is soft, muted by the happy, astounded tears that have clogged my throat.
“I can’t claim to be a poet,” Damien says, though I think the poem is charming, and all the more wonderful because Damien wrote it.
He hooks his finger under my chin and tilts my head up so that there is no way I can hide my tear-filled eyes. “Three clues. Six days. I think you’ll make it.”
My heart has swollen so much it seems to fill my chest, cutting off my ability to breathe. “You didn’t forget.”
The softness I see in his eyes just about slays me. “Oh, baby. I could sooner forget my own name than our first Valentine’s Day.”
“I love you.” The words seem thin compared to the emotion that pours through me.
“And I you. But Nikki,” he adds, and now his voice takes on a harder edge, belied only by the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. “You doubted me. I think that deserves a punishment.”
I cock my head, wary, then squeal when he smacks my bottom. I laugh, and take off toward the house at a run.
But not too fast. After all, I’m hoping that Damien will catch me.
Amazon/Kindle http://amzn.to/1z1pXTC
AmazonUK http://amzn.to/1qE4qHZ
Amazon AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameAmazonAU
B&N/Nook http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameNook
Kobo http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameKoboUS
Kobo UK http://bit.ly/KoboPlayMyGame
iBooks http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooks
iBooks UK http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksUK
iBooks AU http://bit.ly/PlayMyGameiBooksAU
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
Hump Day books from Laurie London, Dana Marton, Dee Davis, Summer Daniels, Jennifer Saints, Kelly McClymer, Sierra Cartwright, and Patricia McLinn!
Please enjoy these eight new fantastic Hump Day books, including a twelve tale hot alpha hero set and The Matchmaker Chronicles from Dee Davis!
Assassin’s Touch: Iron Portal Series (Paranormal Romance)
99c for a limited time!
More at Laurie London’s website!
Pre-Order now for just 99c! Publication Date: March 3, 2015
Be sure to visit the Dangerous Passions website!
Manhattan, moonbeams and happily ever after all at a special price just for you!
Connect with Dee Davis at her website!
Who To Read After Fifty Shades of Grey
New Release!
More at the What to Read After Fifty Shades of Grey website!
Hot Irish Lass (Weldon Brothers Book 4)
HOT IRISH LASS is the long-awaited, stand-alone 4th book in the contemporary romance Weldon Brothers series.
More from Jennifer Saints at her website!
The Fairy Tale Bride (Once Upon a Wedding Book 1)
Get Book One of the Once Upon a Wedding series FREE!
And find out more at Kelly McClymer’s website!
The highly anticipated third book in the Bonds trilogy is now available!
Be sure to visit Sierra Cartwright’s website!
Prelude to a Wedding (The Wedding Series, Book 1)
Enjoy this wedding romance free. The first in a series of contemporary romantic comedies. FREE now through 2/21.
And check out Patricia McLinn’s website!
Would you like to submit your book to be included in our Hump Day feature? Click here for more information!
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
February 4, 2015
Hump Day books from Laura Griffin, The Naughty Literati, Jeana E. Mann, Ella Grey, V. S. Morgan, Carolyn Faulkner, Mysti Parker, and Claudy Conn!
Please enjoy these amazing Hump Day books, including twelve naughty Valentine stories from The Naughty Literati!
Beyond Limits (Tracers Book 8)
An FBI agent and a Navy SEAL race against time in New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin’s newest Tracers novel!
See more at Laura Griffin’s website!
Naughty Hearts: Twelve Naughty Valentine’s Stories
New Valentine’s Day boxed set! Twelve Naughty Valentine’s Stories including Contemporary, Dark Fantasy, Menage, M/M, M/M/F, New Adult, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Steampunk, & Time Travel erotic romance from Amazon bestselling authors.
Be sure to visit The Naughty Literati website!
Vindicated (Felony Romance Book 2)
This new adult erotic contemporary romance. Warning: contains hot bartenders, sexy bouncers, and lots of steamy romance.
Visit Jeana E. Mann’s website!
Clayton Heaton, a mechanic with a love of music, doesn’t believe in long term relationships. Lily Collins, a baker with a past she can’t forget, can’t risk having her heart broken again.
More at Ella Grey’s website!
What’s a cowboy to do when a sweet and sassy chef gets under his skin, only to be told by her overprotective cousin she’s off limits?
Connect with V. S. Morgan at her website!
Sparks flew between Retrieve Jensen and Jayne Clarkson immediately, and although they were dynamite in bed they both knew that she wasn’t really what he was looking for. Or was she?
Be sure to visit Carolyn Faulkner at her website!
A Ranger’s Tale: Tallenmere, Book One
In the high elf city of Leogard, an elven noblewoman longs to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wants nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done… Exciting first book in the standalone Tallenmere series!
For more see Mysti Parker’s website!
One goal consumes Chazma Donnelly: find the dark sorcerer who murdered her parents. Will Chaz’s need for revenge take her from the edge of evil into a black pit where she can no longer find herself? Or can she find love in the midst of darkness?
Visit Claudy Conn at her website!
Would you like to submit your book to be included in our Hump Day feature? Click here for more information!
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
January 29, 2015
“Thank YOU… for loving me” The Sexy conclusion to the Find Me series by Julie Kenner – Find Me In Passion – Available NOW!
“Thank you… For loving me”
Don’t miss the sexy and exciting conclusion to the Find Me trilogy by Julie Kenner aka J. Kenner
A doomed woman. A dangerous and mysterious man. And an epic passion that cannot be denied…
Part 3 and conclusion of Mal & Christina’s story
Available NOW!!
FIND ME IN PASSION #DarkPleasures
Amazon
Amazon UK
B&N/Nook
iBooks
Kobo
Part 1 – Find Me In Darkness -On SALE for $.99
Amazon
Amazon UK
B&N/Nook
Kobo
iBooks
Google Play
Part 2 – Find Me in Pleasure
Amazon
Amazon UK
B&N/Nook
Kobo
iBooks
Google Play
ENTER THE RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY: http://bit.ly/FMIPassionGiveaway
Where do you want to go next?
The Stark Series ... bestselling, swoonworthy erotic romance. Have you been Damienized?
The Most Wanted series ... dark, edgy, sexy badboys. Need we say more?
Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom ... oh, come on. The series title says it all!
The Dark Pleasures Series ... dark, dangerous ... and immortal.
Protector Superhero series ... fun, flirty paranormal romance.
The Blood Lily Chronicles ... dark, sensual urban fantasy.
The Shadow Keepers ... edgy and sensual paranormal romance
Devil May Care ... who will the next ruler of Sin City be?
and more stories to come ...
Looking to meet JK?
Got a question for JK?
You'll find contact info and FAQs here!
Subscribe with your email address:
