Mari Carr's Blog, page 114
October 16, 2010
Saturday Snippet
This week's theme, "In-betweens" is one of those that I think is open to interpretation. I played with the idea for a while and decided my favorite in between is that of a heroine in the middle of a hunky hero-menage sandwich. So…today, for your red-hot reading pleasure, I'm sharing a snippet from my latest release from Samhain Publishing, Happy Hour.
Excerpt:
Jamie refused to have his night with Grace ruined by Carmen and he reacted before he thought. He leaned over and kissed Grace, a hard, full-on, open-mouthed kiss. He half expected her to pull away and slap him, so he was pleasantly surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.
He wasn't sure how long he inhaled the sweet scent of her breath and tasted the tang of beer on her tongue. He gripped her waist and held on, reveling in the moment. Their first kiss and it was better than he'd ever imagined. Her lips were soft against his, but her response proved she wouldn't be a passive or timid lover. She touched his tongue with hers, exploring his mouth while her fingers tugged his hair, pulled him closer.
The kiss betrayed her true feelings and had his mouth been free, he'd have shouted his happiness to the entire bar. She was as hungry for him as he was for her. For a moment, the rest of the world faded away, leaving just the two of them, lost in their own private Eden.
And then reality intruded.
"Jamie?" Finally, the female voice penetrated his lust-clouded mind and he regretfully pulled away. "Jamie?"
He turned to find Carmen standing beside the table, looking confused—and shit—upset. He hated hurting her, but she didn't understand when he said he wasn't interested in dating her. When faced with the idea of listening to her nonstop boring conversation another night, he'd acted on instinct. "Hey, Carmen," he said, forcing a nonchalant tone to his voice.
"Hi," she said. "I thought I spotted you over here." An awkward silence fell, and Jamie decided it was time to carry the subterfuge to the next level.
"Have you met my girlfriend, Grace?"
"Girlfriend?" Carmen asked.
He nodded and was grateful when Grace smiled kindly. "I think we may have met a few months ago. At another happy hour, maybe?"
Carmen shrugged and Jamie saw Trey roll his eyes. No doubt Carmen didn't remember the fact she'd met Grace at least three times in the past. She wasn't exactly bright and she certainly never paid a bit of attention to the other women at the table, usually saving all of that mind-numbing banter for him or Trey.
"Isn't she a little old for you?" Carmen asked.
Jamie fought back the urge to tell the woman off for her cruelty. "No. She isn't." His words were clipped and halting and any fool could see he was furious. Unfortunately, Carmen was the queen of fools.
She looked Grace up and down and then dismissed her as a serious threat. "What are you guys doing tonight?" she purred, thrusting her breasts forward as if the mere sight of her big tits bursting out of her too-tight top would make him come to his senses and fall madly in love with her.
"We're having a few drinks together."
"That's cool," she said, looking around for an extra chair. Mercifully, they'd given their extra seats to a large group at the next table.
"Well, it was good to see you again, Carmen. Maybe I'll see you around sometime." Jamie's dismissal was curt and he silently prayed it would be enough because if she persisted on hanging around, they'd have to leave. After the kiss he'd just shared with Grace, he'd rather cut off his left nut than cut this evening short.
Carmen hovered by the table for a moment until Trey and Grace both added their goodbyes, then she left.
"Damn, man," Trey said. "Quick thinking on that kiss. Well done."
He nodded, though he was still fuming over Carmen's insult. He glanced at Grace. "I'm sorry she was so rude to you."
Grace reached over and grasped his hand. "That's not your apology to make. Besides, I think we've already discussed her lack of intelligence."
Trey laughed, but Jamie continued speaking. "With any luck, that will be the last time I have to deal with her."
Grace squeezed his hand. "Oh, I think you made your point. You've tried to break things off with her gently at least a dozen times, Jamie. Sometimes, you just have to be less subtle, more direct."
"That kiss was pretty fucking direct," Trey said.
Grace looked at him and smiled. "Have to admit I didn't mind pretending to be your girlfriend for a few minutes. Wow."
"Few minutes? Felt like you were swallowing each other's tonsils for hours."
"Shut up, Trey," Jamie said with a grin, pleased by Grace's compliment.
"You know, Grace, I think I see an old stalker girlfriend of mine over there. Mind giving me one of those kisses?" Trey asked.
Grace shook her head. "Don't you guys have anything better to do tonight than harass this old woman?"
"Carmen's a fucking idiot. I don't see any old women at this table," Jamie said, hating for her to feel the sting of the insensitive woman's words.
"Maybe not, but I still don't get why you two are here. Despite my fears of pumping up your already overinflated egos, you're both totally hot. Why are you sitting here with me tonight rather than going out on dates? Getting laid?"
Jamie shrugged. "Spending the night with you is a hell of a lot more fun than spending all our money, buying drinks and trying to get into the pants of some stranger."
"We'd rather buy drinks and try to get into your pants," Trey teased. The image of the three of them in bed together floated through Jamie's mind and he silently cursed the denim cutting into his rock-hard cock as he was reminded of Trey's proposition.
"Ha ha. God. I can't tell you how glad I am I'm not still out there, trying to maneuver my way around the dating scene." Grace picked up the pitcher and freshened up all their drinks, clearly dismissing their come-ons as harmless teasing. When Jamie considered how often they'd made sexual jokes in the past, he could understand.
"Why aren't you out there, Grace?" Trey asked. "You're single, hot, young."
Grace looked as if she wanted to refute his friend's words and Jamie felt something inside snap. "And before you call Trey a liar, you might want to consider the consequences."
Grace and Trey both turned to him, astonished by his sharp tone.
"Consequences?" Grace asked.
"Everything Trey said is true. I'm sick of hearing you put yourself down, angel."
"I don't put myself down," she argued.
"Tell me you weren't about to tell Trey he needed to get glasses, that you're old, past your prime or some other stupid shit like that."
She closed her mouth and he could see he'd hit the nail on the head. His eyes narrowed. "Say anything else like that again tonight—or any night for that matter—and I'll be forced to punish you."
His words provoked a nervous laugh from her and he could see Trey's scowl from the corner of his eyes.
"And just how would you punish me?"
She stressed the wrong words and Jamie felt his hibernating grizzly bear begin to wake. "I'd pull down those skin-tight jeans of yours, lay you out and bring you to orgasm with just my hand. Over and over."
Grace flushed and he could see in her eyes she was struggling like mad to read in his face whether he was joking or not. He made sure she saw the veracity of his words. This was no joke.
"I'm pretty sure that's physically impossible." Leave it to Grace to find her footing quickly. She took the middle ground, not giving away anything and once more, he was left to try to decide if she was interested or horrified by his comments. Damn woman never made anything easy.
Fuck it. He was going to lay it all out for her tonight. He was tired of holding back because of their age difference, because of Maddie, out of respect for her dead husband, because he was afraid of rejection or losing her friendship. All his excuses faded away as he looked at her lovely face.
"Clearly you've never been finger-fucked. I'd have you begging for my cock in minutes," he replied, leaning closer to her.
She flushed as he added the last statement, but her suddenly shallow breathing and the turgid nipples poking through her blouse answered the most pressing question in his mind. He didn't have to wonder about her sexual interest in him anymore. Her body was screaming Yes! loud and clear. Now he needed to clear the hurdle of her mind.
Trey's voice broke the silence surrounding them. "You two do realize I'm sitting here and can hear everything you're saying, right?"
Grace laughed, but it had a breathless quality that sent a fresh surge of blood to Jamie's cock as he imagined that sound in his bed as he came into her body. "I hope you're driving tonight, Trey. I think maybe Jamie is a little drunk."
Jamie reached down and pulled her chair roughly toward his until she was sitting between his outstretched legs. "You had to go there, didn't you? You couldn't help yourself. It's easier to make a joke than admit to yourself that there's a guy sitting at this table who wants to fuck himself to death inside you."
Jamie saw Trey move his chair closer to Grace and as he looked away from her astonished face, he saw his friend's hands resting on Grace's waist.
"Two guys," Trey added. "There are two guys who want you, Gracie."
Happy Hour is available at Samhain, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony and All Romance Ebooks.
Why not check out how these wonderful authors interpret "in betweens"?
October 14, 2010
Reviews – Waiting for Wednesday
Waiting for Wednesday is book three in my Wild Irish series and I will admit of all the stories in the series, it's a bit more serious, a little less funny. The heroine sort of broke my heart–she'd been so abused throughout her life–and I wanted her to have to have a happy ending…and Tris! Needless to say, I was worried about the reviews on this one. I'm relieved to say…they were very, very nice. Phew.
From Dark Diva Reviews
"The compassion, heart and passion you have put into this series is just beyond amazing." 5 Divas. A Recommended Read - Deb
From Whipped Cream.
"From the heart-breaking opening pages to the passionate conclusion, Waiting for Wednesday is a superb tale of love lost and found, betrayal and danger, and lots of steamy scenes along the way." Best Book! – Holly
From The Romance Readers Connection
"The passion is intense and hot and grows along with the story and the relationship between Tristan and Lane. There is a strong theme of the long term emotional effects of abuse and neglect on women which I found to be credible." – Jeri Neal
From Night Owl Reviews:
"This is a perfect book for a lazy afternoon." Top Pick!
From Romance Junkies:
"WAITING FOR WEDNESDAY, the third story in author Mari Carr's WILD IRISH series, is the most heart-wrenching and breathtakingly emotional yet." – Cheryl McInnis
From Book Binge:
"If you're looking for a contemporary read that might push a few of your buttons than this would be a great read for you." – Tracy
October 12, 2010
A Little Bit Naughty
Anne Rainey has a fantastic new story coming out with Samhain. I met Anne a year and a half ago at Lori Foster's Get Together weekend and became a fan instantly. I'd heard of her because I'd read (and loved) her book Haley's Cabin. Meeting her in person solidified that liking. She's just so darn nice! Her new book, A Little Bit Naughty, hits the shelves today, so I thought I'd do a shout-out for this great writer and dear friend.
Resistance is no longer an option…
A Tahoe Nights story.
Faced with the annual family reunion in Lake Tahoe, Amanda Harding cringes inwardly like the awkward teenager she used to be, not the successful bookstore owner she is now. Once again she'll be bombarded by questions about her dreadful status as a single woman. And, like always, she'll feel the weight of her parents' disappointment that their only child isn't happily married and pregnant with their first grandchild.
As she relates her troubles to her good friend Leo, she's shocked to the core by his offer to pose as her soon-to-be fiancé. Then all she can think about is getting tangled up in the sheets—and with Leo's deliciously hard body.
Leo Prentice has always wondered what his quiet, bookish Amanda looked like beneath the conservative suits, but the prospect of wrecking their friendship has kept his dirty mind in check. Until their first fake kiss. Playing Amanda's lover seemed like a win-win. But the little bookworm stirs a fire in him unlike any other woman.
Soon, the teasing touches and sensual looks are all too real…and not nearly enough.
Warning: this title contains a yummy construction man, a shy bookstore owner and a very naughty weekend filled with sizzling friends-turned-lovers sex.
October 9, 2010
Saturday Snippet
This week I had my debut novella with Carina Press, Do Over, release. The story tells of a couple as they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. So many of the romance novels out there show love at the beginning of the couple's story. It was nice to be able to write about a couple who've been there, done that, and still love each other. It's true these two are destined to be together til the end and I think that this snippet shows this week's theme of Last Loves.
When the parking lot was almost completely clear, he turned to her. "Happy anniversary, Faith."
Her brows lowered. "Our wedding anniversary isn't until next Tuesday."
He shrugged. "It's close enough. I wanted to celebrate it with you here."
"At the high school?"
He chuckled. "No, here. In Carlylse. Home."
She smiled at his words. "This place hasn't been home in nearly thirteen years."
"It'll always be home. Too much of our lives happened here for it to be anything else."
She nodded, knowing he was right. Then, he picked up the present and she blushed. "I feel terrible. I didn't get you anything yet."
Truth be told, she hadn't planned on buying him much more than a card. After twenty-five years of marriage, a simple card exchange and dinner out had sort of become their standard routine. There wasn't too much that either of them really wanted and with two kids in college, spending money on anything frivolous seemed like too much of a waste.
"You give me plenty, Faith," he said, tapping her nose playfully, and she had to take a quick breath to fight back the tears at his unexpected, sweet comment. She loved her husband and she knew for a fact that he loved her, but neither of them spoke in flowery phrases. Every night of their lives together, they'd kissed good-night and said the words, "love you," but after awhile, the meaning behind the words was lost in the rote pattern.
Looking down, she carefully opened the beautifully wrapped package. Pulling off the lid and digging into the tissue paper, she was surprised to find a photo album. She started to open the cover, but Troy's hand covered hers.
"You can only look at the first page," he said.
She looked up, the question in her eyes, but he didn't give her time to voice it.
"This is only the first stop in our celebration. One page for each place. I'll tell you when you can turn the page."
She looked at him for several moments, trying to assimilate this man and this incredibly romantic gesture with the easygoing guy who'd been leaving wet towels on her bathroom floor year after year.
Opening the photo album to the first page, she saw a picture of her and Troy the night of their senior prom. They hadn't come to the dance together, but they'd certainly left the gym hand in hand. His original date had come down with the flu, canceling the morning of. She'd come with Travis Scottsdale, her first semi-serious boyfriend and asshole of the century. Ten minutes after arriving at the dance, he told her he wanted to break up with her, leaving her sitting alone while he proceeded to make out in the corner with Amber Cooper.
"Oh my gosh. Look at us. We're so young."
"And sweaty," Troy joked. "We danced our asses off that night."
"It didn't help that the AC in the gym didn't work." Faith grinned at the memory.
"Must've been at least a hundred degrees in there."
Faith looked back at the photograph. "Where did you get this picture? I've never seen it."
"It was in the pocket of that letter jacket. I can't remember exactly where I got it. I think Judy Hayes gave it to me a couple weeks after the dance. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to pass it along to you."
"And obviously you forgot." Forgetting little things was a special talent of Troy's. She always had to remind him it was garbage day or to stop on the way home from work to pick up the dry cleaning.
Troy shrugged. "I was a teenage boy falling in love for the first time. Believe me, I was not about to give up that picture. I looked at it all the time."
This time, she couldn't hold back the tears his kind words provoked.
"Troy," she whispered.
He bent forward. "Kiss me," he murmured. Their lips touched. They'd kissed a million and twelve times in their lives, but this kiss, gentle and sweet and innocent, reminded her of their first. It was in this parking lot after the dance and she could still remember the excitement she felt when Troy Wainwright offered her a ride home. They'd gotten into his car and before he started the engine, he'd turned to her and said the exact same words.
Kiss me.
The request and the action had taken her breath away that night and she was feeling the same lightheadedness now as she had then. As soon as the memory entered her mind, she pulled away with a gasp and looked around. If she wasn't mistaken, this was very nearly the same parking spot.
"Our first kiss."
He grinned, pleased she'd remembered. "Yep. Right here. In front of the school." He turned on the radio and slid in a CD. Pushing Play, he pointed back down to the photo album as the sounds of Fleetwood Mac drifted through the speakers.
For the first time, her gaze traveled from the picture on the left page to a letter protected under the plastic film on the right page. It was written to her in Troy's handwriting.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Read it."
Faith,
You and I have known each other nearly our entire lives, traveling the same path through elementary, middle and high school. While we were acquaintances through those early years, I feel like I never really knew you, never saw you until the night of our senior prom.
Betsy Jordan coming down with the flu was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, even though I didn't realize it at the time. I remember how pissed off I was after her mother called and said she couldn't go to the dance with me. I almost stayed home that night, but my mom insisted I put the rented tux to use. You know my mom— waste not, want not.
I came late and by the time I got there, that dickhead, Travis had left you sitting all alone. I knew you all had been dating, so I was surprised when I saw him with Amber. I can still remember the look on your face as you watched him dancing with that other girl. You were so pale and yet, so strong. I could see how hard you were fighting not to cry, to hold on to your dignity. It was like a light went on inside me. I'd passed you in the hallways for years and never really looked at you, but that night, you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen and I wondered why in the hell I'd never noticed it before.
I was nervous as shit when I walked over to you and asked to sit down. You smiled at me and I felt like somebody had punched me in the gut. Talk about an instant attraction. We talked and laughed and after awhile, we started dancing. The last song of the night was "Landslide" and I took you in my arms and we slow danced while Stevie Nicks sang. After the dance, you said I could drive you home and we had our first kiss in the parking lot. I fell in love with you that night even though I was too stupid at the time to know it. When I dropped you off at your house, I asked if I could call you again and you said yes. I smiled the whole way home, thinking about you.
Even after all this time, I only have to think about you and I smile.
Love, Troy
Do Over is available at Carina Press, Amazon and Sony.
Why don't you check out more Saturday Snippets from these great writers?
October 8, 2010
Guess where I am…
I'm at the Romanticon conference in Richfield, Ohio! This is the second annual event sponsored by Ellora's Cave! Tonight is the Roaring 20′s party and on Sunday, there will be a huge book-signing that is open to the public from 12-3. There are swag tables, cavemen everywhere you look, and a slew of EC authors (like Jayne Rylon, Jambrea Jo Jones, Desiree Holt, Samantha Kane, Nicole Austin to name just a few).
If you live near the Richfield area, I hope you'll consider making the drive up on Sunday. I'd love to meet you!
October 7, 2010
Reviews – Rough Cut
Today I'm sharing reviews from book three in the Black & White Collection, Rough Cut. While Tequila Truth focused on a menage and Erotic Research explored role playing, Rough Cut delves into a BDSM relationship.
From Book Wenches.
Rough Cut brings home the fact that light BDSM can belong in a loving relationship and that it is not just one person shoving another person around and whaling blindly on them. I found this to be a very sexy and surprisingly sweet read, and I also enjoyed the Hollywood fantasy aspect.
From Whipped Cream.
"The BDSM themes provide something deeper as both Ty and Gwen are forced to come to terms with their sexual identities. The result is a journey to submission, acceptance, and love. Mari Carr has tackled histories of ridicule and self doubt and turned them around, creating acceptance, understanding, and most importantly, peace with one's self. Ty is fantastic as Dom, but Gwen is unforgettable as submissive. Their intimate scenes are both sexy and tense, and it makes for some hellacious reading." – Fern
From Joyfully Reviewed.
"It's a hot time in Hollywood with Rough Cut. Mari Carr takes readers on an explosively sexual journey with two protagonists who work hard and play harder." – Shayna
October 6, 2010
Meet Cindy Spencer Pape!
Cindy and I shared a release date at Carina on Monday and we decided to celebrate together by interviewing each other!
Cindy: Thanks so much to Mari for having me here tonight. Please hop over to my blog when you're done here, and check out my interview of Mari!
Motor City Witch
Urban Arcana, Book 2
By Cindy Spencer Pape
from Carina Press
Blurb: She'd left magic behind.
Once upon a time, Elise Sutton had been a powerful witch and paranormal enforcer. Once she'd been madly in love with Fae lord Aidan Greene. But when Aidan had considered his duties more important than their relationship, the love affair ended badly. Shortly after, while on the hunt for a rogue demon, Elise was brutalized and almost killed. Months later she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. To protect her child—and her heart—Elise decided to live a nonmagical life.
Until she meets Aidan again, and he assumes Dina is his daughter. When Dina is kidnapped by a racial purity movement, Elise turns to Aidan for help. The icy facade she has built around herself shatters at Aidan's touch. Together they have to hunt through the human and faery worlds to find Dina…and to discover whether or not they have any kind of chance at a happily ever after.
The interview:
What inspired this story? Mostly, the previous book in the series (Motor City Fae). I'd created these two characters that seemed so at odds, they had to go together.
What was your favorite part of the book to write – the beginning, middle, or ending? I always like writing the beginning and the end. But with this book, there was one scene in the middle that just took my breath away. I totally fell in love with Aidan at that moment!
Is there a message in your book that you want the reader to grasp? Just that love is a universal concept. Human or not, that search for a partner is one of the things that makes us real.
How long have you been an author? Family is important in this book too—both the kind created by shared genes and the kind you create through friendship and shared experience, but one way or the other, it's all about love.
Do you have any other upcoming releases or projects? I have another book that came out yesterday from Ellora's Cave. You can click here to check out Just for Jess, a vampire/shapeshifter ménage. In March I have a steampunk romance coming from Carina Press, and I'm at work now on book 3 in the Urban Arcana series, along with a Valentine story for Ellora's Cave.
What do you do to recharge your batteries? Read. Watch TV or DVDs. Thrift-store shopping, and occasionally indulge my inner geek with a role-playing game.
Who is on your "keeper" shelf? In no particular order: Jayne Ann Krentz, Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell, Lora Leigh, Christine Warren, Christine Feehan, Anny Cook, and Roberta Gellis.
What are you reading now? Just finished Virginia Cantra's latest and have Kresley Cole's new one waiting on my nightstand.
Where can readers find Cindy?
Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com
Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cspapenewsgroup/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000270304390
October 5, 2010
Happy Hour!
Hee hee–two of my most favorite words in the world! And now they're even more special to me. My latest book with Samhain Publishing comes out today. It's the fourth book in the Black & White Collection, a series of wicked fantasy stories.
Last call? She'll take a double. Straight up, please…
For six years, widow Grace Wright's days have been filled as a single working mother. Now, with her daughter graduating, her nest is yawning before her, wide and empty. And so is the upcoming weekend. Invited out by her coworkers, she decides it's time to turn that corner and get on with her life.
Jamie's had his eye on Grace for years, but it never seemed the right time to approach her. Tonight, something's different. The sexual signals she's giving off are unmistakable—and he's not the only man in the bar who's noticed. His best friend, Trey, is breaking a sweat just looking at the delectable English teacher.
The two men make her the offer of a lifetime, and Grace doesn't hesitate. For one night, Jamie and Trey indulge her every desire, every fantasy, every naughty craving. In the morning Trey is gone with the wind, but Jamie his holding on to every moment as if he never wants to let go. Leaving her wondering if another chance at forever is too much to ask…
Excerpt:
"I'll never let you touch her," Jamie said. His words were true.
"You'll never let me touch her alone."
Jamie's eyes widened. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, but no sound emerged. He could see Trey taking a perverse bit of pride in leaving him speechless.
"A threesome?" Jamie whispered.
"Do you think Grace would go for it?"
Jesus. Jamie wasn't sure he'd go for it, but now that the idea was out there, he had to admit it was a secret fantasy of his.
"I don't know. Are you serious about this, Trey? Would you really go through with it?" He knew Trey, knew this was uncharted waters for both of them.
Trey considered the question. "Yeah, if she wanted to and you were okay with it, I think I would."
"I'm in love with Grace." The words flew from his lips, but he wanted them said, wanted Trey to understand.
"I know that, man. I've known that forever."
Jamie nodded, but Trey's answer wasn't enough. He would never risk Grace's emotions, her feelings on something that Trey might consider just a lark. "I need to know how you feel about her."
Trey grinned. "I'm fucking crazy about her, but I'm not in love with her. She's an awesome friend and I think she's one helluva woman. Let's just say my feelings reside in the 'friendship with healthy bit of lust' realm."
"That's not good enough."
Trey ran his finger around the rim of his glass. He was silent for a few moments and Jamie sensed his friend was struggling to explain his feelings. Finally, he looked up. "She's a good friend, Jamie. Probably one of the best I've ever had. I'd never do anything I thought would jeopardize that relationship. I may not be in love with her, but I care about her. A lot. There's an attraction between us. I don't wanna fuck up anything between you two, but I'm pretty sure I'd spend the rest of my life wondering what it would be like to be with her. Just once. And, at the risk of sounding cocky as shit, I sort of think she'd wonder too."
October 4, 2010
Overnight Contest
This is a super quick 12 hour contest to celebrate the release of TWO books in TWO days! The winner will receive their choice of Do Over or Happy Hour and I'll announce the winner at 6 a.m. EST on Tuesday morning. The contest is quite simple. Read the blurbs and excerpts and in the comments section tell me which book you'd like to win and why.
Do Over. Available now at Carina Press.
Sometimes once is not enough…
After twenty-five years of marriage, Faith Wainwright wonders what she'll do next. Her kids have moved out and sometimes she feels so distant from her husband, Troy.
Right before their anniversary, Troy gives Faith an unexpected gift: a journey through their hometown to reenact all their "firsts." Their first date. Their first kiss. And especially the first time they made love—only better.
Each stop on their tour becomes an opportunity for Faith and Troy to rediscover how explosive their passion can be. Now Faith knows exactly what she's going to do: Troy, over and over again…
Excerpt:
When the parking lot was almost completely clear, he turned to her. "Happy anniversary, Faith."
Her brows lowered. "Our wedding anniversary isn't until next Tuesday."
He shrugged. "It's close enough. I wanted to celebrate it with you here."
"At the high school?"
He chuckled. "No, here. In Carlylse. Home."
She smiled at his words. "This place hasn't been home in nearly thirteen years."
"It'll always be home. Too much of our lives happened here for it to be anything else."
She nodded, knowing he was right. Then, he picked up the present and she blushed. "I feel terrible. I didn't get you anything yet."
Truth be told, she hadn't planned on buying him much more than a card. After twenty-five years of marriage, a simple card exchange and dinner out had sort of become their standard routine. There wasn't too much that either of them really wanted and with two kids in college, spending money on anything frivolous seemed like too much of a waste.
"You give me plenty, Faith," he said, tapping her nose playfully, and she had to take a quick breath to fight back the tears at his unexpected, sweet comment. She loved her husband and she knew for a fact that he loved her, but neither of them spoke in flowery phrases. Every night of their lives together, they'd kissed good-night and said the words, "love you," but after awhile, the meaning behind the words was lost in the rote pattern.
Looking down, she carefully opened the beautifully wrapped package. Pulling off the lid and digging into the tissue paper, she was surprised to find a photo album. She started to open the cover, but Troy's hand covered hers.
"You can only look at the first page," he said.
She looked up, the question in her eyes, but he didn't give her time to voice it.
"This is only the first stop in our celebration. One page for each place. I'll tell you when you can turn the page."
She looked at him for several moments, trying to assimilate this man and this incredibly romantic gesture with the easygoing guy who'd been leaving wet towels on her bathroom floor year after year.
Opening the photo album to the first page, she saw a picture of her and Troy the night of their senior prom. They hadn't come to the dance together, but they'd certainly left the gym hand in hand. His original date had come down with the flu, canceling the morning of. She'd come with Travis Scottsdale, her first semi-serious boyfriend and asshole of the century. Ten minutes after arriving at the dance, he told her he wanted to break up with her, leaving her sitting alone while he proceeded to make out in the corner with Amber Cooper.
"Oh my gosh. Look at us. We're so young."
"And sweaty," Troy joked. "We danced our asses off that night."
"It didn't help that the AC in the gym didn't work." Faith grinned at the memory.
"Must've been at least a hundred degrees in there."
Faith looked back at the photograph. "Where did you get this picture? I've never seen it."
"It was in the pocket of that letter jacket. I can't remember exactly where I got it. I think Judy Hayes gave it to me a couple weeks after the dance. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to pass it along to you."
"And obviously you forgot." Forgetting little things was a special talent of Troy's. She always had to remind him it was garbage day or to stop on the way home from work to pick up the dry cleaning.
Troy shrugged. "I was a teenage boy falling in love for the first time. Believe me, I was not about to give up that picture. I looked at it all the time."
This time, she couldn't hold back the tears his kind words provoked.
"Troy," she whispered.
He bent forward. "Kiss me," he murmured. Their lips touched. They'd kissed a million and twelve times in their lives, but this kiss, gentle and sweet and innocent, reminded her of their first. It was in this parking lot after the dance and she could still remember the excitement she felt when Troy Wainwright offered her a ride home. They'd gotten into his car and before he started the engine, he'd turned to her and said the exact same words.
Kiss me.
The request and the action had taken her breath away that night and she was feeling the same lightheadedness now as she had then. As soon as the memory entered her mind, she pulled away with a gasp and looked around. If she wasn't mistaken, this was very nearly the same parking spot.
"Our first kiss."
He grinned, pleased she'd remembered. "Yep. Right here. In front of the school." He turned on the radio and slid in a CD. Pushing Play, he pointed back down to the photo album as the sounds of Fleetwood Mac drifted through the speakers.
For the first time, her gaze traveled from the picture on the left page to a letter protected under the plastic film on the right page. It was written to her in Troy's handwriting.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Read it."
Faith,
You and I have known each other nearly our entire lives, traveling the same path through elementary, middle and high school. While we were acquaintances through those early years, I feel like I never really knew you, never saw you until the night of our senior prom.
Betsy Jordan coming down with the flu was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, even though I didn't realize it at the time. I remember how pissed off I was after her mother called and said she couldn't go to the dance with me. I almost stayed home that night, but my mom insisted I put the rented tux to use. You know my mom— waste not, want not.
I came late and by the time I got there, that dickhead, Travis had left you sitting all alone. I knew you all had been dating, so I was surprised when I saw him with Amber. I can still remember the look on your face as you watched him dancing with that other girl. You were so pale and yet, so strong. I could see how hard you were fighting not to cry, to hold on to your dignity. It was like a light went on inside me. I'd passed you in the hallways for years and never really looked at you, but that night, you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen and I wondered why in the hell I'd never noticed it before.
I was nervous as shit when I walked over to you and asked to sit down. You smiled at me and I felt like somebody had punched me in the gut. Talk about an instant attraction. We talked and laughed and after awhile, we started dancing. The last song of the night was "Landslide" and I took you in my arms and we slow danced while Stevie Nicks sang. After the dance, you said I could drive you home and we had our first kiss in the parking lot. I fell in love with you that night even though I was too stupid at the time to know it. When I dropped you off at your house, I asked if I could call you again and you said yes. I smiled the whole way home, thinking about you.
Even after all this time, I only have to think about you and I smile.
Love, Troy
Happy Hour. Available at My Bookstore and More now.
Last Call? She'll have a double. Straight up…
For six years, widow Grace Wright's days have been filled as a single working mother. Now, with her daughter graduating, her nest is yawning before her, wide and empty. And so is the upcoming weekend. Invited out by her coworkers, she decides it's time to turn that corner and get on with her life.
Jamie's had his eye on Grace for years, but it never seemed the right time to approach her. Tonight, something's different. The sexual signals she's giving off are unmistakable—and he's not the only man in the bar who's noticed. His best friend, Trey, is breaking a sweat just looking at the delectable English teacher.
The two men make her the offer of a lifetime, and Grace doesn't hesitate. For one night, Jamie and Trey indulge her every desire, every fantasy, every naughty craving. In the morning Trey is gone with the wind, but Jamie his holding on to every moment as if he never wants to let go. Leaving her wondering if another chance at forever is too much to ask…
Excerpt:
"Take off your clothes," Jamie murmured against her flushed skin. "I want to see you."
She reached for the buttons on her blouse, noticing that neither man seemed inclined to give her much room to move. Trey's hands covered hers as he tried to hurry her up. Jamie's hands only left her for a moment as she removed the material, then he quickly returned to exploring the bare skin of her waist. As soon as her blouse hit the floor, Jamie's hands moved up to unhook her bra. In mere seconds, she was bare to the waist as well. She waited for some response, some hesitation when they realized what they were asking for by inviting an older woman to bed. It never came.
Neither stopped their assault on her senses and her sensitive flesh. Trey's hands returned to her breasts, his fingers plucking at her nipples until she was squirming against Jamie's covered cock. She was on fire and nothing short of being completely consumed by the flames would suffice. She pulled her lips away from Trey's kiss, sucking in some much-needed air.
"Please," she said, not sure what the hell she was pleading for—air, sex, more touching, more kissing, more everything. Her legs threatened to give way and Jamie's hands grasped her more firmly, pulling her back against his chest.
"Just relax," Jamie whispered.
"Relax?" Her voice betrayed her and she knew relaxing was the last thing she was going to be able to do. They both chuckled.
"Let us take care of you tonight, Gracie. We know what you need," Trey assured her.
"Well, that's comforting, considering I don't have a clue." She wanted far too much.
Trey's hands drifted from her breasts to the clasp of her jeans she'd quickly changed into before heading to Tully's and she sucked in a nervous breath. Moment of truth.
"You're so beautiful," Jamie said. "I can't wait to see you naked. I'm going to lick every inch of this soft skin."
She trembled, but felt relief at his words. She and Jamie helped Trey—six hands working her jeans and panties over her hips. She toed off her sandals, kicked off the denim and held her breath.
Trey's gaze raked her from head to toe while Jamie started to make good on his licking promise, his tongue and teeth toying with her earlobe as he reached around her chest to grip her breasts in his large hands.
"Jesus," Trey muttered. He licked his lips as his attention remained riveted to her chest and Jamie's hands. Before she could wonder whether his response was good or bad, he bent down and captured one of her hard nipples in his mouth. Her hands flew to his head and she ran her fingers over it, marveling at the rough texture of his short hair.
As Trey sucked, bit, devoured her breasts, Jamie's hands found their way to her ass. He cupped the cheeks, squeezing firmly before dragging one finger along the slit. She turned her head, anxious to see Jamie's face. She needed to know, to reassure herself that he was okay with this.
He smiled when he caught her looking, and then placed a quick kiss on her lips. "You're incredible, Grace. Perfect. I knew you would be."
She blinked back the happy tears his words provoked. "Jamie—" She paused, uncertain what to say, how to express to him what this night truly meant to her. She knew for them it was a one-night stand, a one-time deal and she was okay with that. A threesome was a fantasy, but definitely not something she wanted more than once. Jamie's hand touched her face gently and she fought back the realization of what she did want.
Him.
She wanted Jamie, alone, for way more than one night. The answer seemed so obvious, she wondered how she could have missed it.
"Stop worrying," he murmured against her lips. "Everything will be fine."
She nodded, wondering if he could somehow read her thoughts. She dismissed that thought. No, he clearly thought she was worried about the sex. Sex with two virile, healthy, young men.
Well, that thought certainly washed away every other worry. What was she doing here? How could she possibly satisfy both of them?
Jamie grinned. "Trey. I think we better move this show to the bed. Grace's head is starting to catch up with her body. We must not be doing something right."
She laughed at his jest. "Believe me, you're doing everything right."
Trey rose as Jamie took her hand and led her to his bed. He gently pushed on her shoulders, urging her to sit. She watched both men glance at each other and she giggled, suddenly sensing there were parts of this night that were just as uncomfortable for them.
"You guys okay?" She lifted her eyebrows to prove she knew what was holding them back. While they'd removed their shirts, she wondered how they felt about shucking their jeans and standing side by side with matching erections. "It's not a contest, you know."
She hoped her words would put them at ease. Jokes and teasing were second nature to their relationship.
Jamie shrugged. "I'm not gonna pretend I'm not worried about that myth surrounding black guys." His words were spoken lightly and she watched Trey grin at the joke.
"Who says it's a myth?" Trey challenged.
She laughed, her concerns about the evening drifting away. These guys were her friends and they always would be. The rest would just have to be sorted out come morning.
Do Over!
My very first book with Carina Press, Do Over, releases today. I'm thrilled to be a part of this new and exciting publisher. Do Over is actually loosely based on the experiences of my best friend and the anniversary surprise her husband planned for her.
Sometimes once is not enough…
After twenty-five years of marriage, Faith Wainwright wonders what she'll do next. Her kids have moved out and sometimes she feels so distant from her husband, Troy.
Right before their anniversary, Troy gives Faith an unexpected gift: a journey through their hometown to reenact all their "firsts." Their first date. Their first kiss. And especially the first time they made love—only better.
Each stop on their tour becomes an opportunity for Faith and Troy to rediscover how explosive their passion can be. Now Faith knows exactly what she's going to do: Troy, over and over again…
Excerpt:
Looking down, she carefully opened the beautifully wrapped package. Pulling off the lid and digging into the tissue paper, she was surprised to find a photo album. She started to open the cover, but Troy's hand covered hers.
"You can only look at the first page," he said.
She looked up, the question in her eyes, but he didn't give her time to voice it.
"This is only the first stop in our celebration. One page for each place. I'll tell you when you can turn the page."
She looked at him for several moments, trying to assimilate this man and this incredibly romantic gesture with the easygoing guy who'd been leaving wet towels on her bathroom floor year after year.
Opening the photo album to the first page, she saw a picture of her and Troy the night of their senior prom. They hadn't come to the dance together, but they'd certainly left the gym hand in hand. His original date had come down with the flu, canceling the morning of. She'd come with Travis Scottsdale, her first semi-serious boyfriend and asshole of the century. Ten minutes after arriving at the dance, he told her he wanted to break up with her, leaving her sitting alone while he proceeded to make out in the corner with Amber Cooper.
"Oh my gosh. Look at us. We're so young."
"And sweaty," Troy joked. "We danced our asses off that night."
"It didn't help that the AC in the gym didn't work." Faith grinned at the memory.
"Must've been at least a hundred degrees in there."
Faith looked back at the photograph. "Where did you get this picture? I've never seen it."
"It was in the pocket of that letter jacket. I can't remember exactly where I got it. I think Judy Hayes gave it to me a couple weeks after the dance. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to pass it along to you."
"And obviously you forgot." Forgetting little things was a special talent of Troy's. She always had to remind him it was garbage day or to stop on the way home from work to pick up the dry cleaning.
Troy shrugged. "I was a teenage boy falling in love for the first time. Believe me, I was not about to give up that picture. I looked at it all the time."
This time, she couldn't hold back the tears his kind words provoked.
"Troy," she whispered.
He bent forward. "Kiss me," he murmured. Their lips touched. They'd kissed a million and twelve times in their lives, but this kiss, gentle and sweet and innocent, reminded her of their first. It was in this parking lot after the dance and she could still remember the excitement she felt when Troy Wainwright offered her a ride home. They'd gotten into his car and before he started the engine, he'd turned to her and said the exact same words.
Kiss me.
The request and the action had taken her breath away that night and she was feeling the same lightheadedness now as she had then. As soon as the memory entered her mind, she pulled away with a gasp and looked around. If she wasn't mistaken, this was very nearly the same parking spot.
"Our first kiss."
He grinned, pleased she'd remembered. "Yep. Right here. In front of the school."
