Anne Rainey's Blog, page 8
December 20, 2015
Contest and a Hunk!
Hi Readers,
Body Shots--out now**CONTEST** In case you missed it, I'm having a new contest. This time I'm giving away a Kindle copy (or Nook copy) of
BODY SHOTS
. All you have to do is:
1.) like my Facebook page
2.) share my Facebook page with friends/readers
3.) comment on my Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/anneraineyfanpage/
You can do ONE of the three or if you do all three then you are entered three times. I'll pick one winner on December 23rd, Wednesday. Contest ends Tuesday, December 22nd at midnight EST.
Also, because I'm a sharing is caring kind of gal, here's something to get you're heartrate going today!
Happy reading (and drooling),
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.comhttp://www.amazo...
December 19, 2015
Lazy Saturday Read
Hi Readers,
I thought I'd share my lazy Saturday read with you. Into His Private Domain by Janice Maynard is the first book in her Men of Wolff Mountain series. I bought it for my Kindle and I can't seem to put it down. It looks like there are 7 books in the series, which makes me very happy! :) If you click the Amazon link below you will find a nice long excerpt. Check it out:
Into His Private DomainJanice Maynard
About the book:
Alone in his fortress, Gareth Wolff hides from the world. Until Gracie Darlington scales his mountain and lands at his doorstep—with cuts, bruises…and amnesia. But the reclusive billionaire knows her type. She wants something from him. Something he's spent a lifetime trying to forget….
Gareth won't let the sexy interloper leave. Not until he learns her angle and sates his desire in her arms. Gareth always gets what he wants…but this time, once Gracie regains her memory, it may be too late. Because not only has she invaded his lair…she's invaded his heart.
Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Into-Private-Domain-Wolff-Mountain-ebook/dp/B0068479OW/
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 18, 2015
Wade's Way--Installment 3
Hi Readers, As we head into the weekend, I wanted to say that I hope everyone attending the Star Wars movie premiere has a great time and stays safe! These days you just never know, right? Here's the next installment of Wade's Way. I hope you enjoy it!
Wade's Way by Anne RaineyAfter a car accident leaves Bride Donner badly scarred and her boyfriend dumps her, she’s more than ready to retreat from the pain of living. When she inherits her dear grandmother’s large, old home in the country, Bride knows it’s the perfect place to do some serious soul searching. But when she hires arrogant contractor Wade Jackson to restore the regal beauty, hiding is the last thing on his mind. In fact, the dangerously sexy man proves—over and over—that it’s not just the house he has designs on. Very soon, Bride lets down her defenses and finds herself doing things...Wade’s Way.
(please be aware that these installments are freshly typed and unedited)
Part 3 Wade took the familiar path through woods behind his house. Every morning as the sun came up, he ran the five miles that would lead him to the only place he could truly think clearly. When he arrived in the clearing of trees that was a part of his property, he stopped and raised his head toward the sky. He breathed in the crisp morning air and the smell of the wildflowers blooming around him. Sweat trickled down his back as he stretched his aching muscles. He respected nature and surrounding himself with pine trees, ferns and the many creatures that took up residence on his property gave him a sense of peace deep down that he would need throughout the day.
A squirrel scurried along a branch above his head and a woodpecker meticulously began to bore a hole in a large, dead walnut tree nearby. Wade sat beneath a giant maple tree and searched in his backpack for a water bottle. He unscrewed the cap and as the fresh, cold water poured into his mouth, rehydrating him almost instantly, Wade took a few minutes to recover. He let himself enjoy the interesting show that nature had to offer.
Several minutes later, Wade’s mind was still saturated with the sounds and scents of the woods when he reached the back door to his house. A sense of pride came over him as he stepped into the kitchen. He’d built the ranch-style home himself, with his brother Garrett’s help. The large kitchen with the butcher block island and rich cherry cabinets was a thing of beauty. As was the big master bedroom. It took up the entire right end of the house. Wade liked his space. Small rooms made him feel as if he were being suffocated. Which also explained the giant shower, complete with massaging jets and a marble bench.
He strode toward the refrigerator for more water, when his brother’s voice calling his name stopped him short. “In the kitchen,” Wade yelled back, as he grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge. As Garrett entered, Wade tossed one of them his way. “What brings you by?”
“Our sister,” Garrett grumbled as he took a long drink. “She’s a pain in the ass.”
Wade raised an eyebrow at his brother. Melanie and Garrett had never gotten alone. He suspected it was because the two of them were too much alike. With the exception of their appearance. Garrett was a six-foot mass of muscles with midnight black hair and an attitude. Actually Wade and Garrett resembled their dad, while Melanie was maybe five-four and as slim as a ballet dancer, thanks to her days of running track in high school and college.
“What did you do now?” Wade asked as he leaned against the counter and waited for Garrett’s tirade to begin.
“Me?” Garrett pointed back at himself. “Why do you always think it’s something I did?”
Wade chuckled. “It’s always you.” He thought of Melanie’s penchant for revenge and added, “If I were you, though, I’d watch my back.” A zing of approval shot through Wade as he thought of his spunky little sister. She could be as vicious as a lioness, but every bit as loving as he remembered their mother ever being. Melanie was the very image of their mom. It warmed his heart whenever he looked at Melanie, it was as if a part of their mother lived on. As if the cancer hadn’t taken her from them.
“She had it coming this time,” Garrett groused. “She parties too much. And she hasn’t dated a respectable guy in months.” He threw his hands in the air. “Is she ever going to take life seriously?”
“Parties?” Wade quirked an eyebrow at his brother’s censure. “Are you really one to talk?” Before Garrett could get a word in, Wade added, “Besides, you realize this is the year 2016, right? There are no laws that say Melanie has to settle down and get married.”
“And obviously our sister uses that fact to her full advantage,” he argued. “She’s annoying.”
“What happened? Did you two run into each other at the same nightclub again?” Wade asked. It’d happened before and Garrett hadn’t liked seeing his sister flirt and dance. It’d put a damper on his own intentions of finding a woman to take to his bed.
“Why do I bother telling you these things?” He asked, “All you do is take her side.” Garrett sat up straighter, as if indignant all of a sudden.
“Christ, Garrett, you are way too old fashioned. Melanie is never going to fit into the mold you’ve created for her. Nor should she. She’s independent and always has been. I’m proud of her and you should be too.”
Garrett heaved a heavy sigh. “I am proud of her. I just wish she’d meet a nice guy and get married. Maybe have kids. She’d be a great mom. And I want to be an uncle.”
"Maybe she will, but in her own time.” Wade said as he tossed his water bottle into the trash. “What else did you want to talk about. I know you didn’t just come here to complain about Melanie.”
“I’ve met our nemesis,” Garrett admitted as he rolled his eyes. “And he’s every bit as annoying as we imagined.”
Wade straightened abruptly. The only person Garrett could be referring to was Dane Bridges—the new man in town taking all remodeling business. He’d arrived six months ago and ever since, Dane had been outbidding Wade and Garrett’s Building and Remodeling left and right. He was getting jobs done faster and charging less. Wade’s business was seriously hurting because of it.
“In what way did you meet him?” Wade asked, worried Garrett had let his temper get the best of him.
Garrett left his seat and walked to the fridge. He took out a yogurt and said, “As I said, I was at a bar last night checking out the ladies when I heard a few men talking. They were talking about doing some work on their house, adding a two-car garage. I stepped up and offered our services, but of course they were already talking with another company. Right about then Dane with his dyed hair and fake smile walks up and introduces himself.” Garrett rolled his eyes. “He had no idea who I was. The dipshit even handed me a business card.”
“Garrett, what did you do?” Wade’s stomach sank. He had a sneaking suspicion Garrett hadn’t walked away graciously.
“I told him my name and explained that he’d been stealing jobs from us by offering outrageously low prices.”
Wade had to grit his teeth. “And?”
“He laughed. Actually laughed.” Garrett cursed. “I told him to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine and left.”
His hopes rose. Maybe Garrett had turned the other cheek. Miracles have been known to happen. “That’s it? You didn’t hit him or anything?”
“Nope.” He smiled as if proud of his self-control. “I was the picture of civility.”
Wade snorted. “Oh, I’ll just bet.” He rubbed one calloused palm over his face and wondered if Garrett knew how easily things could’ve gone bad. Their business was on shaky ground, the very last thing they needed was some sort scandal.
Garrett sat down at the table and looked over at him as he started in on the yogurt. “Wade, this guy is killing our business. What are we going to do?”
Wade sighed. “I don’t know. If we don’t get a big job soon, something to keep us afloat a while longer, we might have to call it quits.”
“We can’t compete with the sheer size of his operation.” His brows drew together. “There’s got to be something we can do.”
“Uh, yeah, we need a friggin’ miracle.” Wade replied, feeling his peaceful mood vanish into thin air.
“I have been hearing some rumors surrounding Dane and his not-so-amazing business skills” Garrett said as he finished off the last of his yogurt and got up to toss it in the trash.
“What sort of rumors?”
“Stuff like Dane using second rate material. Also, some of the men that work for him aren’t’ exactly legal.”
“So he pays them less,” Wade surmised.
Garrett nodded. “Yep. That must be how he’s keeping his bids so low.”
Wade hated guys like Dane. Using shitty material and hiring illegals to get the job done cheap and fast was as underhanded as it gets. “Of course, none of that helps us now,” he said, feeling his worries grow by leaps and bounds. When he noticed Garrett’s troubled expression, he added, “Look, we can stay afloat a little longer. In the meantime, we need to pray something comes our way.”
"Damn straight," Garrett replied. "Let's just hope God's in a listening mood."
Have a great weekend, Anne Rainey A Touch of Amber-- February 2016! http://annerainey.com
Wade's Way by Anne RaineyAfter a car accident leaves Bride Donner badly scarred and her boyfriend dumps her, she’s more than ready to retreat from the pain of living. When she inherits her dear grandmother’s large, old home in the country, Bride knows it’s the perfect place to do some serious soul searching. But when she hires arrogant contractor Wade Jackson to restore the regal beauty, hiding is the last thing on his mind. In fact, the dangerously sexy man proves—over and over—that it’s not just the house he has designs on. Very soon, Bride lets down her defenses and finds herself doing things...Wade’s Way.(please be aware that these installments are freshly typed and unedited)
Part 3 Wade took the familiar path through woods behind his house. Every morning as the sun came up, he ran the five miles that would lead him to the only place he could truly think clearly. When he arrived in the clearing of trees that was a part of his property, he stopped and raised his head toward the sky. He breathed in the crisp morning air and the smell of the wildflowers blooming around him. Sweat trickled down his back as he stretched his aching muscles. He respected nature and surrounding himself with pine trees, ferns and the many creatures that took up residence on his property gave him a sense of peace deep down that he would need throughout the day.
A squirrel scurried along a branch above his head and a woodpecker meticulously began to bore a hole in a large, dead walnut tree nearby. Wade sat beneath a giant maple tree and searched in his backpack for a water bottle. He unscrewed the cap and as the fresh, cold water poured into his mouth, rehydrating him almost instantly, Wade took a few minutes to recover. He let himself enjoy the interesting show that nature had to offer.
Several minutes later, Wade’s mind was still saturated with the sounds and scents of the woods when he reached the back door to his house. A sense of pride came over him as he stepped into the kitchen. He’d built the ranch-style home himself, with his brother Garrett’s help. The large kitchen with the butcher block island and rich cherry cabinets was a thing of beauty. As was the big master bedroom. It took up the entire right end of the house. Wade liked his space. Small rooms made him feel as if he were being suffocated. Which also explained the giant shower, complete with massaging jets and a marble bench.
He strode toward the refrigerator for more water, when his brother’s voice calling his name stopped him short. “In the kitchen,” Wade yelled back, as he grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge. As Garrett entered, Wade tossed one of them his way. “What brings you by?”
“Our sister,” Garrett grumbled as he took a long drink. “She’s a pain in the ass.”
Wade raised an eyebrow at his brother. Melanie and Garrett had never gotten alone. He suspected it was because the two of them were too much alike. With the exception of their appearance. Garrett was a six-foot mass of muscles with midnight black hair and an attitude. Actually Wade and Garrett resembled their dad, while Melanie was maybe five-four and as slim as a ballet dancer, thanks to her days of running track in high school and college.
“What did you do now?” Wade asked as he leaned against the counter and waited for Garrett’s tirade to begin.
“Me?” Garrett pointed back at himself. “Why do you always think it’s something I did?”
Wade chuckled. “It’s always you.” He thought of Melanie’s penchant for revenge and added, “If I were you, though, I’d watch my back.” A zing of approval shot through Wade as he thought of his spunky little sister. She could be as vicious as a lioness, but every bit as loving as he remembered their mother ever being. Melanie was the very image of their mom. It warmed his heart whenever he looked at Melanie, it was as if a part of their mother lived on. As if the cancer hadn’t taken her from them.
“She had it coming this time,” Garrett groused. “She parties too much. And she hasn’t dated a respectable guy in months.” He threw his hands in the air. “Is she ever going to take life seriously?”
“Parties?” Wade quirked an eyebrow at his brother’s censure. “Are you really one to talk?” Before Garrett could get a word in, Wade added, “Besides, you realize this is the year 2016, right? There are no laws that say Melanie has to settle down and get married.”
“And obviously our sister uses that fact to her full advantage,” he argued. “She’s annoying.”
“What happened? Did you two run into each other at the same nightclub again?” Wade asked. It’d happened before and Garrett hadn’t liked seeing his sister flirt and dance. It’d put a damper on his own intentions of finding a woman to take to his bed.
“Why do I bother telling you these things?” He asked, “All you do is take her side.” Garrett sat up straighter, as if indignant all of a sudden.
“Christ, Garrett, you are way too old fashioned. Melanie is never going to fit into the mold you’ve created for her. Nor should she. She’s independent and always has been. I’m proud of her and you should be too.”
Garrett heaved a heavy sigh. “I am proud of her. I just wish she’d meet a nice guy and get married. Maybe have kids. She’d be a great mom. And I want to be an uncle.”
"Maybe she will, but in her own time.” Wade said as he tossed his water bottle into the trash. “What else did you want to talk about. I know you didn’t just come here to complain about Melanie.”
“I’ve met our nemesis,” Garrett admitted as he rolled his eyes. “And he’s every bit as annoying as we imagined.”
Wade straightened abruptly. The only person Garrett could be referring to was Dane Bridges—the new man in town taking all remodeling business. He’d arrived six months ago and ever since, Dane had been outbidding Wade and Garrett’s Building and Remodeling left and right. He was getting jobs done faster and charging less. Wade’s business was seriously hurting because of it.
“In what way did you meet him?” Wade asked, worried Garrett had let his temper get the best of him.
Garrett left his seat and walked to the fridge. He took out a yogurt and said, “As I said, I was at a bar last night checking out the ladies when I heard a few men talking. They were talking about doing some work on their house, adding a two-car garage. I stepped up and offered our services, but of course they were already talking with another company. Right about then Dane with his dyed hair and fake smile walks up and introduces himself.” Garrett rolled his eyes. “He had no idea who I was. The dipshit even handed me a business card.”
“Garrett, what did you do?” Wade’s stomach sank. He had a sneaking suspicion Garrett hadn’t walked away graciously.
“I told him my name and explained that he’d been stealing jobs from us by offering outrageously low prices.”
Wade had to grit his teeth. “And?”
“He laughed. Actually laughed.” Garrett cursed. “I told him to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine and left.”
His hopes rose. Maybe Garrett had turned the other cheek. Miracles have been known to happen. “That’s it? You didn’t hit him or anything?”
“Nope.” He smiled as if proud of his self-control. “I was the picture of civility.”
Wade snorted. “Oh, I’ll just bet.” He rubbed one calloused palm over his face and wondered if Garrett knew how easily things could’ve gone bad. Their business was on shaky ground, the very last thing they needed was some sort scandal.
Garrett sat down at the table and looked over at him as he started in on the yogurt. “Wade, this guy is killing our business. What are we going to do?”
Wade sighed. “I don’t know. If we don’t get a big job soon, something to keep us afloat a while longer, we might have to call it quits.”
“We can’t compete with the sheer size of his operation.” His brows drew together. “There’s got to be something we can do.”
“Uh, yeah, we need a friggin’ miracle.” Wade replied, feeling his peaceful mood vanish into thin air.
“I have been hearing some rumors surrounding Dane and his not-so-amazing business skills” Garrett said as he finished off the last of his yogurt and got up to toss it in the trash.
“What sort of rumors?”
“Stuff like Dane using second rate material. Also, some of the men that work for him aren’t’ exactly legal.”
“So he pays them less,” Wade surmised.
Garrett nodded. “Yep. That must be how he’s keeping his bids so low.”
Wade hated guys like Dane. Using shitty material and hiring illegals to get the job done cheap and fast was as underhanded as it gets. “Of course, none of that helps us now,” he said, feeling his worries grow by leaps and bounds. When he noticed Garrett’s troubled expression, he added, “Look, we can stay afloat a little longer. In the meantime, we need to pray something comes our way.”
"Damn straight," Garrett replied. "Let's just hope God's in a listening mood."
Have a great weekend, Anne Rainey A Touch of Amber-- February 2016! http://annerainey.com
December 17, 2015
Thursday Thirteen--Cookies!
Hi Readers,
I found these delicious treats on Pinterest. Don't they look amazing? If you type in the name of the cookie into the Pinterest search bar you'll be able to locate recipes for most (if not all) of these. My personal favorites are numbers 12 and 13. Yum!
Also, don't forget that tomorrow I'll have the third installment of Wade's Way up for you all. So, be on the lookout for that! :)
In the meantime, drool all you want, I won't judge.
1.) Apple Pie Cookies
2.) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffle
3.) Chocolate Kiss Powder Puff
4.) Cutout Christmas Cookies
5.) Loaded Christmas Cowboy Cookies
6.) Meltaway Cookies
7.) No Bake Peanut Butter Crunchies
8.)No-bake Peppermint Bark Cookies
9.) Red Velvet Santa Hat Cookies
10.) S'mores Cookies
11.) Snowball Cookies
12.)Twixt Thumbprint Cookies
13.)Oreo Ornament Cookies Happy Baking! :)
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
I found these delicious treats on Pinterest. Don't they look amazing? If you type in the name of the cookie into the Pinterest search bar you'll be able to locate recipes for most (if not all) of these. My personal favorites are numbers 12 and 13. Yum!
Also, don't forget that tomorrow I'll have the third installment of Wade's Way up for you all. So, be on the lookout for that! :)
In the meantime, drool all you want, I won't judge.
1.) Apple Pie Cookies
2.) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffle
3.) Chocolate Kiss Powder Puff
4.) Cutout Christmas Cookies
5.) Loaded Christmas Cowboy Cookies
6.) Meltaway Cookies
7.) No Bake Peanut Butter Crunchies
8.)No-bake Peppermint Bark Cookies
9.) Red Velvet Santa Hat Cookies
10.) S'mores Cookies
11.) Snowball Cookies
12.)Twixt Thumbprint Cookies
13.)Oreo Ornament Cookies Happy Baking! :)
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 16, 2015
An Upcoming Book I Must Have
Hi Readers,I'm a huge fan of Christine Feehan. I love ALL her book series. I don't know how she manages to write such engaging characters and such fast-paced plots book after book. The woman is simply amazing. Spider Game releases on January 26th. I can't wait for this to release. I love the GhostWalker series. They're always a perfect mix of action and sexual chemistry. Amazon Kindle
In the new GhostWalker novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Viper Game, a trained killer meets his match in a woman whose very kiss can stop a heart.
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
In the new GhostWalker novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Viper Game, a trained killer meets his match in a woman whose very kiss can stop a heart.
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 15, 2015
An Excerpt--Body Shots
Hi Readers,
Before I head out to do some last minute Christmas shopping, I thought I'd share an excerpt from Body Shots. Enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/Body-Shots-Masters-Pleasure-Book-ebook/dp/B00J7W1E98/
Trent cupped her face in his large, calloused palms. “I don’t want to keep picking at this wound. You’re here now, and I want to show you something.”
Crystal looked around and realized Brad had disappeared. “Yes, I’m here. I’m not sure why I haven’t walked out yet, though.”
“Come with me,” he said as he led her to the private apartment upstairs. Once inside, he flipped on the light and said, “I’ve missed you.”
“Trent,” she said his name in warning as she crossed her arms over her chest.
His expression was one of comfort, as if he was trying to let her know that everything would be okay. His anger dissipated, and he was once again in control of his emotions. She wished she was so quick to bounce back. But then his heart wasn’t breaking with every sliver of time she spent with him. He didn’t know that she was deeply, madly, helplessly in love.
Trent reached out for her hand, and Crystal stared at it a moment as if in a daze, then finally she took it. He held it tight and pulled her over to the bed. He gently sat her down on the side of the bed, then to her utter shock, he knelt in front of her and said, “I’m sorry for what I said. I’ve been slowly dying since you left me.”
In that moment, Crystal saw a vulnerable side to Trent. He’d seemed so confident and in control. Watching him now, she knew she wasn’t the only one with their emotions in overdrive. It went a long way to soothe her ravaged heart.
“You don’t want any other men except Mac and me,” he whispered. “You sure as hell don’t want Brad.”
It wasn’t a question, but she answered him anyway. “No, and it’s frustrating, believe me.”
He frowned. “Why does this bother you, baby?”
“Because you’re no good for me, Trent. You insulted me, and still here I sit.” She covered her face in her hands and groaned.
Trent pried her fingers away and brought them to his lips, where he kissed each fingertip with relish. Crystal opened her eyes to see Trent staring at her hands.
“You were slipping through my fingers, like water. I thought to capture you before you were gone completely.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I reacted badly with you,” he explained as he looked back up at her. “I wanted you to stay and you made me feel...needy. I’m not real good at feeling needy. It goes against my very nature.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb and murmured, “You send me out of control every time you’re near me.”
She understood because she felt the same way. “This may come as a shock, but you aren’t the only one who hates that feeling.”
Trent’s eyes held hers captive as he wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck and drew her close. “Mm, so I’m beginning to see,” he murmured, then he kissed her. It was so brief and soft, she barely had time to take in his scent before he pulled away. “This evening is for you.”
She had no idea what he meant by that, but when he released her and pushed her backward until she was sprawled atop the cool blankets, she forgot everything she was thinking. Her worries flew out the window as erotic images of her gorgeous lover filled her head.
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
Before I head out to do some last minute Christmas shopping, I thought I'd share an excerpt from Body Shots. Enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/Body-Shots-Masters-Pleasure-Book-ebook/dp/B00J7W1E98/
Trent cupped her face in his large, calloused palms. “I don’t want to keep picking at this wound. You’re here now, and I want to show you something.”Crystal looked around and realized Brad had disappeared. “Yes, I’m here. I’m not sure why I haven’t walked out yet, though.”
“Come with me,” he said as he led her to the private apartment upstairs. Once inside, he flipped on the light and said, “I’ve missed you.”
“Trent,” she said his name in warning as she crossed her arms over her chest.
His expression was one of comfort, as if he was trying to let her know that everything would be okay. His anger dissipated, and he was once again in control of his emotions. She wished she was so quick to bounce back. But then his heart wasn’t breaking with every sliver of time she spent with him. He didn’t know that she was deeply, madly, helplessly in love.
Trent reached out for her hand, and Crystal stared at it a moment as if in a daze, then finally she took it. He held it tight and pulled her over to the bed. He gently sat her down on the side of the bed, then to her utter shock, he knelt in front of her and said, “I’m sorry for what I said. I’ve been slowly dying since you left me.”
In that moment, Crystal saw a vulnerable side to Trent. He’d seemed so confident and in control. Watching him now, she knew she wasn’t the only one with their emotions in overdrive. It went a long way to soothe her ravaged heart.
“You don’t want any other men except Mac and me,” he whispered. “You sure as hell don’t want Brad.”
It wasn’t a question, but she answered him anyway. “No, and it’s frustrating, believe me.”
He frowned. “Why does this bother you, baby?”
“Because you’re no good for me, Trent. You insulted me, and still here I sit.” She covered her face in her hands and groaned.
Trent pried her fingers away and brought them to his lips, where he kissed each fingertip with relish. Crystal opened her eyes to see Trent staring at her hands.
“You were slipping through my fingers, like water. I thought to capture you before you were gone completely.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I reacted badly with you,” he explained as he looked back up at her. “I wanted you to stay and you made me feel...needy. I’m not real good at feeling needy. It goes against my very nature.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb and murmured, “You send me out of control every time you’re near me.”
She understood because she felt the same way. “This may come as a shock, but you aren’t the only one who hates that feeling.”
Trent’s eyes held hers captive as he wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck and drew her close. “Mm, so I’m beginning to see,” he murmured, then he kissed her. It was so brief and soft, she barely had time to take in his scent before he pulled away. “This evening is for you.”She had no idea what he meant by that, but when he released her and pushed her backward until she was sprawled atop the cool blankets, she forgot everything she was thinking. Her worries flew out the window as erotic images of her gorgeous lover filled her head.
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 14, 2015
Wade's Way, installment 2
Hi Readers,
I'm sorry for the delay on getting the second installment up. I've had a busy weekend. First the dentist, which left me down for the count, then we put up our tree (finally!) and made Christmas cookies. At any rate, I hope you enjoy the second part of Wade's Way. On Friday you'll get a taste of Wade. He's been nudging me to get to his part of this love story and I just can't say no to him any longer. He's very persistent. :)
Wade's Way by Anne Rainey
After a car accident leaves Bride Donner badly scarred and her boyfriend dumps her, she’s more than ready to retreat from the pain of living. When she inherits her dear grandmother’s large, old home in the country, Bride knows it’s the perfect place to do some serious soul searching. But when she hires arrogant contractor Wade Jackson to restore the regal beauty, hiding is the last thing on his mind. In fact, the dangerously sexy man proves—over and over—that it’s not just the house he has designs on. Very soon, Bride lets down her defenses and finds herself doing things...Wade’s Way.
(please be aware that these installments are freshly typed and unedited) Part 2Two months later…
After Bride’s accident had left her with a sprained ankle, a concussion and a bandage on her face, Bride had decided to make a few necessary changes in her life. The first on the list was kicking Ron to the curb. He’d taken it about as well as he handled everything. He’d thrown a temper tantrum and gotten himself escorted from the hospital. Yeah, dumping the guy had felt like the right decision.
Now, as Bride stared at her reflection in her bathroom mirror, a tear trickled down her cheek. The crooked line that traveled along her cheek stopped half an inch from her chin. It appeared to be straight out of a horror movie. She’d never been a vain person. More often than not she rarely even wore makeup. She’d always been content with her looks. She was no model, but she wasn’t hard on the eyes either. The scar had taken that from her. Along with her confidence.
She didn’t even recognize the woman staring back at her. She lifted a finger and touched the pink flesh. The doctor had told her it would lighten over time. He’d given her ointment to help reduce the scarring, along with instructions to keep the area clean. She should be glad that there was rarely any pain. Just a twinge now and then if she smiled or laughed. She hadn’t done much of either though.
“Bride,” her mom called to her from the other room. “Dinner’s ready.”
Her mother had come to stay with her after she’d gotten out of the hospital, even though Bride had explained that it wasn’t necessary. As helpful as the woman had been, Bride had just wanted to be alone. To wallow in self-pity her mother had said. The frustrating thing was; her mom was right. She had wanted to wallow. A woman had a right to wallow under the circumstances, right?
When she entered the kitchen, Bride could smell the familiar scent of her mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce. “You’ve been busy,” Bride said as she reached into the cabinet to get plates.
Her mom turned and smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I always cook when I’m stressed or upset about something.”
As Bride set the table, her mom’s words registered and she frowned. “What are you upset about?”
Her mom didn’t speak. She merely dished out their spaghetti and instructed her to sit and eat. Her mom always dealt with bad news the same way. She cooked and she didn’t speak until she was good and ready.
At sixty-years-old, Bride’s mom still had a smooth face and brilliant blue eyes. Her figure had filled out a little with age, but Bride’s dad always teased that his wife only got better with age. Even after thirty-two years of marriage they were still very much in love. Bride wanted that someday. With her face scarred, though, Bride’s confidence in finding that sort of all-consuming love waivered.
Halfway through their meal her mom finally spoke up. “Your grandmother died.”
Bride stopped chewing as her mom’s words hit her. “You mean, your mom?” The woman had never been a part of their lives. Her mom rarely talked about it, but alcohol had ruined any sort of relationship her mom had had with the estranged woman.
Her mom nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid alcohol finally won. She had a stroke.”
Her mom bit her lower lip, as if attempting to hold back the tears. Bride reached across the table. “Are you okay?”
Her mom smiled, but it was clearly forced. “I’m fine, dear.” She shrugged and pushed her spaghetti around on her plate. “She made her choice years ago when she chose that foul drink over her own kids.”
“Yeah, but she was still your mom,” Bride said softly. Her mom might have come to terms with her mother’s total lack of love toward her children, but that didn’t change the fact that her mom still cared for the woman.
She rubbed her eyes. “It’s difficult,” she admitted. “But your Aunt Joan and I both knew that your grandmother had a heart of stone.”
Bride could see the topic hurt her mother and she didn’t want to drag out old wounds. “When is the funeral?”
She took a drink of her water. “Saturday. But there’s something I need to tell you before we get into all that.”
Bride cocked her head to the side. “Uh, okay.”
“Well, it seems that mom left her house to me,” she replied as anger began to replace the hurt in her mom’s eyes. “I want nothing to do with that place. It holds nothing but bad memories for me and Joan.”
“That’s understandable,” Bride replied. “Will you sell it then?”
Her mom’s gaze snagged hers. “Actually, we wondered if you might like to live in it.”
Bride dropped her fork. “Me?” she asked. “But why?”
“You said the other day that the lease on your apartment is nearly up and I know you’ve wanted to get away.” Her mom reached across the table and touched the scar on Bride’s cheek. “This hasn’t been easy to accept and I get that,” her mom said with a kind of understanding only a mother possessed. “Maybe some time in the country would be good for you.”
To Bride’s surprise, the idea held a modicum of appeal. Living in the city had been difficult. The stares she’d gotten from strangers on the street. The rude questions from the clerks at the grocery store and the bank. She choked back a curse. God, every time she went into town Bride had had to force a smile and pretend the horrified looks people sent her way didn’t bother her. “The change of scenery would be nice.”
She nodded. “Joan and I aren’t ready to sell the old place, but we’re not quite up to dealing with all the terrible memories either. A few months to gather our courage, that’s all we’re asking.”
Bride imagined a quant two-story Victorian with a wraparound porch. “What sort of shape is it in?”
“Oh, I’m sure it could use a repair or two” she bit out. “Mom wasn’t very good at keeping up on things.” She cringed. “And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she was something of a hoarder.”
Bride had the sneaking suspicion that her mom’s offer wasn’t quite so black and white. “Are you doing this because you think I need the distraction?” Bride tapped the scar. “You’re worried about my state of mind, is that it?”
Her mom looked down at her plate. “That is part of it, yes,” she admitted. “You’ve shut yourself off from the world, sweetheart.”
Bride snorted. “And shipping me off to the country is going to fix that how?”
Her mom tsked. “I’m not shipping you off, Bride. I just think what you need is a project. Something to take your mind off the lousy hand fate has dealt you.”
Bride couldn’t fault her mom’s logic. An old house in need of repairs did sound appealing. Maybe she’d even find out more about her mom’s past. Bride had always wondered what had taken place to cause her mom and Aunt Joan to cut themselves off so completely from their mother.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Bride answered, suddenly feeling better than she had in weeks.
Her mom smiled. “I’m glad to hear that, because I’ve booked a flight back to Florida right after the funeral and I was worried about leaving you here alone.”
Bride chuckled. “Uh, I’ll be just as alone in grandmother’s house as I would be here.”
“Yes, but at least there you’ll have something to distract you,” she replied. “Something to sink your teeth into.”
“Well, let’s hope I find something truly exciting out there,” she said. “I need it.”
“Oh, I have a feeling you will, dear,” her mom said with a small, secret smile. Bride wanted to ask her about that smile, but she was too distracted by the excitement filling her to really care. It felt good to be excited. It felt good to concentrate on something other than her scar and all the pain that came with it.
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
I'm sorry for the delay on getting the second installment up. I've had a busy weekend. First the dentist, which left me down for the count, then we put up our tree (finally!) and made Christmas cookies. At any rate, I hope you enjoy the second part of Wade's Way. On Friday you'll get a taste of Wade. He's been nudging me to get to his part of this love story and I just can't say no to him any longer. He's very persistent. :)
Wade's Way by Anne RaineyAfter a car accident leaves Bride Donner badly scarred and her boyfriend dumps her, she’s more than ready to retreat from the pain of living. When she inherits her dear grandmother’s large, old home in the country, Bride knows it’s the perfect place to do some serious soul searching. But when she hires arrogant contractor Wade Jackson to restore the regal beauty, hiding is the last thing on his mind. In fact, the dangerously sexy man proves—over and over—that it’s not just the house he has designs on. Very soon, Bride lets down her defenses and finds herself doing things...Wade’s Way.
(please be aware that these installments are freshly typed and unedited) Part 2Two months later…
After Bride’s accident had left her with a sprained ankle, a concussion and a bandage on her face, Bride had decided to make a few necessary changes in her life. The first on the list was kicking Ron to the curb. He’d taken it about as well as he handled everything. He’d thrown a temper tantrum and gotten himself escorted from the hospital. Yeah, dumping the guy had felt like the right decision.
Now, as Bride stared at her reflection in her bathroom mirror, a tear trickled down her cheek. The crooked line that traveled along her cheek stopped half an inch from her chin. It appeared to be straight out of a horror movie. She’d never been a vain person. More often than not she rarely even wore makeup. She’d always been content with her looks. She was no model, but she wasn’t hard on the eyes either. The scar had taken that from her. Along with her confidence.
She didn’t even recognize the woman staring back at her. She lifted a finger and touched the pink flesh. The doctor had told her it would lighten over time. He’d given her ointment to help reduce the scarring, along with instructions to keep the area clean. She should be glad that there was rarely any pain. Just a twinge now and then if she smiled or laughed. She hadn’t done much of either though.
“Bride,” her mom called to her from the other room. “Dinner’s ready.”
Her mother had come to stay with her after she’d gotten out of the hospital, even though Bride had explained that it wasn’t necessary. As helpful as the woman had been, Bride had just wanted to be alone. To wallow in self-pity her mother had said. The frustrating thing was; her mom was right. She had wanted to wallow. A woman had a right to wallow under the circumstances, right?
When she entered the kitchen, Bride could smell the familiar scent of her mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce. “You’ve been busy,” Bride said as she reached into the cabinet to get plates.
Her mom turned and smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I always cook when I’m stressed or upset about something.”
As Bride set the table, her mom’s words registered and she frowned. “What are you upset about?”
Her mom didn’t speak. She merely dished out their spaghetti and instructed her to sit and eat. Her mom always dealt with bad news the same way. She cooked and she didn’t speak until she was good and ready.
At sixty-years-old, Bride’s mom still had a smooth face and brilliant blue eyes. Her figure had filled out a little with age, but Bride’s dad always teased that his wife only got better with age. Even after thirty-two years of marriage they were still very much in love. Bride wanted that someday. With her face scarred, though, Bride’s confidence in finding that sort of all-consuming love waivered.
Halfway through their meal her mom finally spoke up. “Your grandmother died.”
Bride stopped chewing as her mom’s words hit her. “You mean, your mom?” The woman had never been a part of their lives. Her mom rarely talked about it, but alcohol had ruined any sort of relationship her mom had had with the estranged woman.
Her mom nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid alcohol finally won. She had a stroke.”
Her mom bit her lower lip, as if attempting to hold back the tears. Bride reached across the table. “Are you okay?”
Her mom smiled, but it was clearly forced. “I’m fine, dear.” She shrugged and pushed her spaghetti around on her plate. “She made her choice years ago when she chose that foul drink over her own kids.”
“Yeah, but she was still your mom,” Bride said softly. Her mom might have come to terms with her mother’s total lack of love toward her children, but that didn’t change the fact that her mom still cared for the woman.
She rubbed her eyes. “It’s difficult,” she admitted. “But your Aunt Joan and I both knew that your grandmother had a heart of stone.”
Bride could see the topic hurt her mother and she didn’t want to drag out old wounds. “When is the funeral?”
She took a drink of her water. “Saturday. But there’s something I need to tell you before we get into all that.”
Bride cocked her head to the side. “Uh, okay.”
“Well, it seems that mom left her house to me,” she replied as anger began to replace the hurt in her mom’s eyes. “I want nothing to do with that place. It holds nothing but bad memories for me and Joan.”
“That’s understandable,” Bride replied. “Will you sell it then?”
Her mom’s gaze snagged hers. “Actually, we wondered if you might like to live in it.”
Bride dropped her fork. “Me?” she asked. “But why?”
“You said the other day that the lease on your apartment is nearly up and I know you’ve wanted to get away.” Her mom reached across the table and touched the scar on Bride’s cheek. “This hasn’t been easy to accept and I get that,” her mom said with a kind of understanding only a mother possessed. “Maybe some time in the country would be good for you.”
To Bride’s surprise, the idea held a modicum of appeal. Living in the city had been difficult. The stares she’d gotten from strangers on the street. The rude questions from the clerks at the grocery store and the bank. She choked back a curse. God, every time she went into town Bride had had to force a smile and pretend the horrified looks people sent her way didn’t bother her. “The change of scenery would be nice.”
She nodded. “Joan and I aren’t ready to sell the old place, but we’re not quite up to dealing with all the terrible memories either. A few months to gather our courage, that’s all we’re asking.”
Bride imagined a quant two-story Victorian with a wraparound porch. “What sort of shape is it in?”
“Oh, I’m sure it could use a repair or two” she bit out. “Mom wasn’t very good at keeping up on things.” She cringed. “And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she was something of a hoarder.”
Bride had the sneaking suspicion that her mom’s offer wasn’t quite so black and white. “Are you doing this because you think I need the distraction?” Bride tapped the scar. “You’re worried about my state of mind, is that it?”
Her mom looked down at her plate. “That is part of it, yes,” she admitted. “You’ve shut yourself off from the world, sweetheart.”
Bride snorted. “And shipping me off to the country is going to fix that how?”
Her mom tsked. “I’m not shipping you off, Bride. I just think what you need is a project. Something to take your mind off the lousy hand fate has dealt you.”
Bride couldn’t fault her mom’s logic. An old house in need of repairs did sound appealing. Maybe she’d even find out more about her mom’s past. Bride had always wondered what had taken place to cause her mom and Aunt Joan to cut themselves off so completely from their mother.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Bride answered, suddenly feeling better than she had in weeks.
Her mom smiled. “I’m glad to hear that, because I’ve booked a flight back to Florida right after the funeral and I was worried about leaving you here alone.”
Bride chuckled. “Uh, I’ll be just as alone in grandmother’s house as I would be here.”
“Yes, but at least there you’ll have something to distract you,” she replied. “Something to sink your teeth into.”
“Well, let’s hope I find something truly exciting out there,” she said. “I need it.”
“Oh, I have a feeling you will, dear,” her mom said with a small, secret smile. Bride wanted to ask her about that smile, but she was too distracted by the excitement filling her to really care. It felt good to be excited. It felt good to concentrate on something other than her scar and all the pain that came with it.
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 10, 2015
Holiday Hotties!
Hi Readers, I found a few tasty holiday treats for you all. 'Twas the night before Christmas...okay, so Christmas came early. What can I say? ;)Enjoy unwrapping these lovely gifts!
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016! http://annerainey.com
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016! http://annerainey.com
December 9, 2015
Sophia's Pleasure--Free Read
Hi Readers,
As I promised, I've posted a new free read to my website. Sophia's Pleasure is part I of a series. I hope you enjoy Sophia and Cooper's ongoing story! http://annerainey.com/free-reads/
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016!
http://annerainey.com
December 8, 2015
A Collection of Steamy Christmas Reads!
Hi Readers,
I thought it'd be fun to list a few of my favorite Christmas romances, new and old. In no particular order (because all these books are awesome):
All I Want for Christmas, which has stories by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Lori Foster. Two of my all-time faves!
I'm always a fan of Harlequin Blaze and Nice & Naughty by Tawny Weber was no exception.
I originally Bought Hot for the Holidays because of Lora Leigh, but I truly loved all four stories.
Lucy Monroe is my absolute favorite author. I love ALL her books.
A Christmas Baby Surprise has a bonus prequel story by Janice Maynard.
If you haven't read A Very Gothic Christmas by Christine Feehan then you really are missing out.
And of course one of my own! What She Craves is uber-hot! Read if you dare!
Happy reading,
A Touch of Amber-- February 2016! http://annerainey.com
