Mari Carr's Blog, page 68

Cooking with Heat Day Two

Susan’s back for another day, making more magic with cranberries!

This cranberry orange relish is something I make every year.  Not only is it good the day of the big feast, it works great with leftovers if you make a sandwich with turkey and stuffing on a leftover biscuit or in a wrap – this is perfect on top!

Cranberry Orange Relish

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup orange juice

1/3 cup maple syrup

zest of one orange (or 1-2 tsp. of dried orange zest)

Wash cranberries and pick through to remove any that are starting to get mushy.  In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and stir.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes until berries are tender and syrup has formed.  Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, smashing the cranberries as they get softer.  This also freezes well if you have extra.  I make this the weekend before thanksgiving and just store it in the fridge.

And today’s “thankful” snippet is from Because of You.

“You can keep an eye on me in the guest room.”

He grinned. “I’m not finished yet. There are dark circles under the dark circles beneath your eyes and —”

“Gee thanks,” she said. “Look that good, do I?”

“You look good enough to eat, but damn tired, Jess. There’s some asshole tormenting you and until he’s caught, I don’t anticipate getting much sleep. I can see in your face you’re afraid, that you haven’t been sleeping well. I’ll rest a whole hell of lot easier if I’ve got you within reaching distance and maybe you will too.”

She was floored by his concern, touched by it.

“And the last reason is a purely selfish one,” he continued, “but it’s probably the main one.”

“What reason is that?”

“I want your clothes in my closet and I want you in my bed.”

Because of You is available at Samhain, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo, Fictionwise, and All Romance Ebooks.

Cooking with Heat Day one

Susan’s back for the first of our four-day series sure to make this Thanksgiving “berry” special!

Welcome back, Susan!

Most people have their thanksgiving main dishes set – how they like to do their stuffing, the way they cook their turkey, what kind of biscuits they make (or buy!).  For the next four days, I’m sharing ideas to add some extras to the day.  A lovely decoration, a yummy side dish, a fancy drink, and an amazing dessert.  And who doesn’t want more dessert!

OK – first off is the decoration – I LOVE doing this!  It looks even prettier if you put it in a glass bowl.  You put water in, float a layer of cranberries and drop tea lights into it (they also float!).  Make sure you take off the metal cups they come in so it is just the lights.  This is beautiful lit up – I always get a ton of compliments on it.  You may want to have extra tea lights if you plan on lighting it for a while – they burn fairly quickly.

And in keeping with our Cooking with Heat tradition, I’m going to share a “thankful” snippets from a few of my books. Nothing like a little spice to go with your sweets!

Today’s snippet is from Friday I’m in Love.

“You two get out of here. We can manage this place just fine. And Natalie…”

She turned to look at his pop.

“That’s a hell of a catch you made there.”

She laughed. “Think I should kiss him? Mark him as mine?”

Pop grinned. ”I think you should definitely do that. Welcome home.”

She smiled, tears gathering in her eyes as she reached out to hug Pop. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Now,” Pop said, “go on. Do something special, something fun. It’s times like these when life’s meant to be celebrated.”

Friday I’m in Love is available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony and All Romance Ebooks.

Saturday Snippet

Today’s theme is author’s choice so how about a peek at Fix You. It’s the first book in my new series, Second Chances. It releases on Dec. 11.

Snippet

Rob unlocked the door to the townhouse he’d shared with Zoey for a decade and a half. His band mates gave him shit about living with a gorgeous woman and not sleeping with her, but he wasn’t about to screw things up with his best friend. Zoey was more than an opportunity for sex. She was…everything to him.

As soon as he entered the house, he took a deep breath and sighed. He was home. A grin crossed his lips as he tried to determine the scent. Zoey was a candle addict, burning them constantly. This month’s flavor smelled like cinnamon. She often paired her scents with the time of the year—pumpkin spice in the fall, balsam and cedar over the holidays, beachy smells in the summer. He grumbled whenever she lit one, claiming he felt like he was living in a chick’s place. Truth was he liked the candles. They were one more thing that made their house feel like a home.

He glanced at the clock in the hallway. It was three a.m. Rob hadn’t been able to concentrate during tonight’s show, Zoey’s unusual phone call tugging on his conscience. As soon as the band walked off the stage, Rob got a taxi straight to the airport and hopped on the first flight home. Luckily he’d only been a state away. The up-and-down flight got him here in good time.

Chip, Express Train’s drummer, had gone ballistic when he’d said he was leaving, but he couldn’t ignore the voice that told him something was seriously wrong. He assured the guys he only needed to make sure Zoey was okay and that he’d meet them at the next venue in two days.

Mercifully the tour was winding down. Rob was sick of buses, the road, takeout food and all the crazy after-parties. More than a few times he’d recalled the saying Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. He’d wanted to be a musician since the day he turned thirteen and got his first guitar, but now that Express Train was on the cusp of something big, he was second guessing that choice. Life on the road sucked.

There was a light on in the living room, so Rob passed the stairs and walked toward it. It was way too late for Zoey to still be awake, but it was unlike her to leave a light on. She was the queen of energy conservation.

He saw her the second he entered the room. She was fully dressed and sound asleep on the couch. She was surrounded by tissues. Fuck. He’d been right to come home. Zoey didn’t cry, but her puffy eyes betrayed she’d been doing quite a lot of that tonight.

His first thought was perhaps she’d suffered a broken heart, but she wasn’t dating anyone. Hadn’t had a steady boyfriend in over a year, ever since she finally made a clean break from Drake the Prick. Jesus, he hoped that abusive asshole hadn’t made his way back. Last time Zoey had seen her ex-boyfriend, Drake had given her a black eye. Rob had repaid the favor, only instead of one black eye, he’d left Drake with two, as well as a broken nose and four loose teeth. If Drake had come back—

Then Rob’s breath caught as he considered something even worse. Her parents weren’t exactly old—both of them only in their mid-sixties—but if something had happened to one of them, Zoey would be desolate, devastated. Her dad had been diagnosed with high blood pressure recently and Rob recalled Zoey worrying that her old man would die of a heart attack like her grandfather had. But why wouldn’t she have told him that on the phone?

He walked over and knelt in front of her. Her face was pale.

“Zoey,” he whispered, gently pushing her dark brown hair away from her eyes. He didn’t like seeing her so tired, so frail-looking. A surge of protectiveness rose up inside him. “Zoey. Wake up, baby. I’m home.” God. He must be tired. Where had that term of endearment come from?

Her eyelids lifted slowly. “Robbie?”

He grinned. She was the only person on the planet who still called him by his childhood nickname. The second he hit high school, he’d instructed his teachers and friends to call him Rob. Zoey was the only one who couldn’t make the switch. She’d told him he would always be Robbie to her. He liked the idea, so he didn’t pick a fight about it.

She sat up slowly. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged, then claimed the warm spot next to her on the couch. “I was worried about you.” He gestured to the tissues scattered on the floor and coffee table. “What happened?”

Her response was worse than words. She quite simply fell apart.

Rob reached for her, pulling her into his arms as she cried. “Shhh. It’s okay. Whatever it is, it’ll be okay. We’ll fix it.”

His words, rather than comfort her, seemed to open the floodgate even more. She clung to his shirt, loud sobs wracking her small frame. He held her tighter, each cry slashing through him more sharply than a machete. Twenty-five years of friendship and he could count on one hand the number of times she’d cried in front of him. His heart raced as his mind whirled over what could have happened. Jesus. Whatever it was, it was bad. Really fucking bad.

He tightened his arms around her, desperate for a way to calm her. “You’re killing me, baby. Please. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

She shook her head against his chest.

He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “Say it, Zoey. Fast. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.”

“If I say it out loud, then it’s true.”

He wiped the tears away from her cheeks. “It’s true one way or the other. Tell me and we’ll take care of it together.”

“I have cancer.”

Fix You is available for presale at Samhain, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Five for Friday

Today’s Five comes from Sweet Thursday. And while my Thursday (yesterday) was somewhat sweet, today (Friday) is MUCH nicer. LOL

Prologue

Lily lay on the blanket Killian had spread out for them and looked at the endless sea of stars above. She’d returned home following her graduation ceremony with her two best friends, desperate to escape gushing family members and too many friends who were hell-bent on finding the nearest keg party.

“Gotta admit, I never thought we’d make it to this point in our lives.” Killian was stretched out on one side of her, Justin the other. Killian had actually broken a long silence with his comment as they’d all seemed content to merely reflect on what it meant to be finished with high school.

Justin rolled over and propped his head on his elbow. Lily’s breath caught at his closeness and the heat coming from his body. The evening was uncharacteristically cool for Baltimore in June. “I’m pretty sure you mean you and me, K. I don’t think there was any question our Lily would graduate from high school.”

Lily grinned. They’d taken to adding our before her name halfway through junior year. The sound of it never failed to melt her a bit inside. “There wasn’t any question about you guys either.”

“I don’t know. I sort of thought Mr. Laredo was gonna expel us after that senior prank thing.”

Lily giggled at Justin’s feigned fear. He was ninety-nine percent mischief, compared to her less than one percent. She found that personality trait in him irresistible. “There was no way he was running the risk of getting you two back next year. I think of all our classmates, you were the ones with the best shot of walking across that stage regardless of your grades. I’m pretty sure Mr. Laredo was sobbing tears of joy when he saw that diploma in your hands.”

Justin and Lily burst into fits of laughter, but Killian didn’t. “Guess this is the last time we’ll be together for a while.”

Lily sobered up. Leave it to K to bring up the one subject they’d been avoiding since escaping. They’d come here to say goodbye. She’d been looking forward to and dreading graduation for weeks. While she was excited at the prospect of attending college, she hated the thought of leaving Killian and Justin.

Killian was too sweet, too sensitive to let them avoid facing the truth. It was just his way. She adored his strength, his spirit, his innate kindness. She sat up and looked down at his beloved face.

She’d been in love with her best friends for years. She’d never confessed that her feelings ran deeper than friendship because, for one thing, she was too shy and secondly, it was insane. She was in love with both of them and in her silly schoolgirl fantasies, they were always a trio, never a couple. It was an impossibility and she’d used that excuse to hold her tongue.

“We’ll keep in touch.” Even as she spoke the words, she knew the chances of them holding on to each other while half a world apart were slim. She was heading to California and USC, while they’d joined the Army.

Killian sat up as well and nodded. “Sure we will. We’ll email, write, call.”

Justin grinned crookedly. “I suck at writing letters, but I’d try it for you, Lil.”

She laughed. “Thanks, Justin.” She looked at her watch, knew time was running out. It was nearly midnight—her curfew. Her strict parents, though wonderful and loving, had refused to grant her a reprieve even for tonight. “I guess I should go in soon. We’re heading out pretty early in the morning.”

“Fuck,” Justin muttered and Lily frowned.

“Language,” she said without thinking, her admonition the same one she’d used daily in her attempts to clean up his gutter mouth.

“Dammit, Lil.” Killian shook his head. “Who leaves town the day after graduation?”

She smiled sadly. “My dad got it in his head that we needed to take one last family vacation together. We’re hitting the road with all my stuff for college in a U-Haul and the camper. He’s mapped out a three-week excursion. I have a feeling I’m going to see more of the national parks than anyone has ever wanted to see. Chad’s been complaining about taking this trip for months.”

Her younger brother Chad and Killian’s brother, Sean, were best friends as well, and eleven-year-old Chad wasn’t happy about the prospect of spending three prime summer weeks on the road with just their parents and her.

“I don’t see why you had to sign up for a summer-school course,” Justin interjected. “Aren’t you sick of classes? I mean, we just graduated and you’re already getting ready to start studying again. That sucks.”

“I don’t hate school like you. Besides, this bio course is only offered once every two years. It’s a great opportunity. And it’s not like we would have had the whole summer to mess around. You guys head out to boot camp in two weeks.”

Justin shrugged. “Yeah, but we could have planned a senior beach trip together or something.”

Lily laughed. “Like my parents would have let me go to the beach for a week with you two.”

Killian leaned forward. “Your parents like us.”

“Not that much,” she teased. Her parents did like her friends, but only because they’d come to the realization long ago that neither boy was likely to come on to her. The moment the thought flitted through her mind, she felt the same depression she’d been suffering for weeks assail her again. She’d never given either guy a hint of her feelings. Struck by the reality that this could be her last chance, her rationale about not approaching them seemed silly.

Killian and Justin both rose and Killian reached down to help her up as well. “I guess we should go,” he said.

She nodded.

It’s now or never. Do it!

“Well, looks like this is it.” Her voice was rough with the unshed tears she fought to hold in. Her mind was screaming at her.

Kiss them. Tell them. Do something.

Justin reached over and hugged her. It was a strong embrace but a friendly one—nothing more. When he released her, Killian took his place, wrapping her smaller frame in his giant one. Realizing her shyness would never let her speak the words, her hopes suddenly turned to silent begging.

Kiss me. Just this one time, please kiss me.

“I’m gonna miss you, Lil.” Killian stepped away and she knew the moment had passed. Her chance was gone.

“I’ll miss you guys too.”

She watched them leave, waved as they walked away from her. She didn’t allow herself to crumble on the blanket at her feet until she heard their car pull away. Then she collapsed, giving in to the tears. She’d let them leave without telling them what was in her heart, without telling them exactly what they meant to her. She cried for ages and when the tears finally stopped, she sat up sadly.

So much for a new beginning, a fresh start. Now she faced her future with a heart full of regrets.

Chapter One

Ten years later

“What the hell are we doing here again?” Killian mumbled as he followed his best friend, Justin, into the banquet hall.

Justin shrugged. “Fuck if I know. For some reason, this sounded like fun after a few beers at Pat’s Pub. I think we thought there might be some hot women here.”

Killian nodded and glanced around at the line of people signing in at the table by the door. “Yeah, right. Looks like a bunch of married couples to me.”

“Guess we missed our chance at the five-year reunion. Must have waited too long to come back.”

“Ten years out of high school.” Killian shook his head in disbelief. “Feels like the blink of an eye.”

“And an eternity,” Justin added.

Killian silently agreed. A two-year stint in Iraq definitely skews a man’s perspective of time. “At least Tris and Lane will be here, so we’ll have someone to hang out with.”

“Killian Collins? Justin Porter?” Killian tried to suppress a grimace at the familiar voice, but he knew his best friend had caught a glimpse of it when Justin quickly covered his laugh with a cough.

“Judith Ridley.” Killian tried to paste on a fake smile as he greeted the woman who had served as their class president. If he’d been a betting man, he would have won twenty bucks because somehow he’d known Judith would grow up to look exactly like this. Her hair was lighter than he remembered, with that long-in-the-front-short-in-the-back style so many women seemed to have adopted. She was super-slim with a runner’s build that screamed “ask me how many marathons I’ve run.” She was standing next to a man several years her senior in a Hugo Boss suit his wife had no doubt made him wear in order to proclaim to her former classmates that she had hit the marriage jackpot.

“It’s Judith Rossiter now. This is my husband, Stanley.”

Sweet Thursday is available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo and All Romance Ebooks.

Want five more? Check these out.

Jambrea Jo Jones

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Rhian’s new adventure

Escape Publishing is open for business and I’m thrilled to announce that my holiday novella Christmas Wishes is a launch title. And While you’re busy reading this I’m busy enjoying the launch party. But before we get to that let me give you a little about Harlequin Australia’s newest arm.

Escape Publishing

Our mission: To connect readers all around the world with the stories they want to read.

 

We love romance, all romance, so when we imagined Escape Publishing, we imagined an imprint without restrictions, where romance readers can find the romance they want, in the style they want, at the length they want, whenever they want. In short, you want it – we’ve got it.

 

If it’s science fiction, fantasy, contemporary, historical, erotic, gay romance, inspirational romance, urban fantasy, paranormal, or YA romance – or any mixture of the above, Escape Publishing’s got it. We offer all levels of sensuality from the sweetest kisses to the hottest encounters. We offer different lengths, from short stories through novellas to full length novels. Our novels are standalone, loosely connected, or part of an ongoing series.

 

Escape Publishing is dedicated to bringing talented local voices to a global audience. All stories are DRM free, and available world-wide.

The Escape Publishing website is now live and I have to say I LOVE IT!

http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/

Now let me share a little about Christmas Wishes -

This Christmas, Santa is granting wishes these two friends never knew they had.

Helping his best friend photograph a bunch of hyperactive kids is suddenly the least of Dean Hall’s problems when he sees the costume Talli wants him to wear. No guy in his right mind wants to be seen in a pair of tights.

Talli Jarmen isn’t above a little subterfuge when she’s desperate for help. But getting Dean’s assistance proves to be more than she bargained for when she sees him decked out in the naughtiest Christmas costume she’s ever laid eyes on. She’s never thought about Dean that way, but seeing him practically naked has her questioning their ‘friends only’ status. But wanting more is dangerous. Are they willing to risk all they have for what could be?

Excerpt:-

Chapter One

 

 

The squeak of brakes and the blare of a horn told Dean he was out of time.

“Shit.”

Dean opened the top drawer of his dresser where empty space greeted him. The second drawer proved no better. Frowning, he spun around in search of his laundry bag.

“Shit.”

He’d forgotten to pick it up at the Laundromat yesterday.

The horn blasted again.

Dean tugged a clean pair of jeans from their hanger and stepped into them. In spite of the summer heat, shorts weren’t a good idea seeing how he’d be swinging in the breeze and the last thing he wanted was a wayward little kid’s hand finding its way up his pant leg. Hopefully the bulk of his time would be spent inside the daycare center where the air conditioning would be pumping out cool air. A longer horn blast sounded as his watch beeped.

“Shit!”

Dean grabbed a t-shirt and shoved his feet into runners as he rushed from the room. He picked up his wallet and keys as he passed the kitchen counter, but lost his grip on both when he flung open the front door. On the fly, he exited the house while his wallet and keys flew back inside a second before the door slammed shut.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit.” He spun around to stare at the locked door.

Behind him, Talli tooted her horn again. Dean looked skyward. This day was going from bad to worse. And for the first time in history, Tallitha Jarmen wasn’t running late.

 

Dean unlocked his fingers and let go of the oh-shit handle in Talli’s car. She wasn’t a good driver at the best of times, add in some heavy traffic due to the Christmas rush and a deadline that meant kids would be disappointed if she didn’t show up, and Talli was downright dangerous.

“Jesus. We’ll be lucky if we get there in one piece,” he mumbled under his breath.

“I heard that.” She swung the wheel to the left and he grabbed the handle again. “As much as you dig at my driving, I’ve never had an accident that was my fault you know.”

Dean snorted. “Might not have been by the law, but woman, you’re like an oil spill. Get just a little too close and the shit hits the fan.”

“Just for that you can walk home,” she huffed.

He laughed. “Now where have I heard that one before…?”

Talli looked away from the road long enough to poke her tongue out and give him heart failure.

“Watch the damn road, woman!”

“I’m watching, I’m watching.” He cringed as she zipped around a slow car without indicating. “Anybody would think I’d barely passed my driver’s test.”

“You did barely pass and if you hadn’t worn a low cut blouse and mini-skirt you wouldn’t have.”

Their birthdays were a week apart so they’d gone for their licenses together, just one of many milestones they’d shared over the years. When Talli turned up at his house in a black leather mini and white tie-front shirt he’d known right then regardless of her driving skills she’d be the one coming home with a license. He’d been right too. Dean had failed and had to re-sit the test the following week. The memory put a smile on his face and distracted him long enough for them to reach their destination without any more heart palpitations.

“We’re here.” Talli braked hard, sending them both jolting forward. “Now once we get inside, I’ll show you where to get changed.”

“Changed?”

“And then we’ll get down to taking the pictures.”

She was out of the car and heading for the trunk before he could get another word out. Changed? What did she mean by changed? Dean tried to recall the original conversation as he climbed out of the car, but for the life of him he didn’t remember anything about changing. He didn’t have any more time to dwell on it though; as soon as he reached the back of the car, Talli began shoving small boxes of equipment at him. Left with the choice of dropping them or holding on, he did the only thing he could and held on tight. With arms full, he followed Talli into the building.

And walked into utter chaos.

The noise level was deafening and there were kids running everywhere. Dean tensed, waiting for impact. He clamped his arms tighter around the boxes, the cardboard squashing a little under the pressure, but nothing happened. It was only after peering around his armload that he noticed the conveniently place pool fencing just inside the front door. Someone had obviously thought the kids needed a corral and, while that might not be politically correct, it certainly seemed true.

Glancing around, Dean could see only four adults in the room. They were outnumbered by at least twenty children ranging from crawlers to those racing full speed on tiny legs. He shuddered at the thought of going in, but knew he had no hope of escape now he was here. His knowledge of kids came from television and the occasional encounter at the supermarket. The next few hours would certainly prove to be an education. A harried looking woman rushed over, dodging kids as she made her way towards them.

“Oh, good. You’re here.” The woman leaned over the fence and took one of the boxes from Dean.

“Sorry we’re late.”

“No worries, Talli. This way. I’ll show you where to set up and where you can get changed.”

With enviable skill, the woman juggled the box, then took a couple of bags from Talli, and popped the child-proof lock on the gate. Talli nudged him through ahead of her. Smart woman. He was more than ready to bolt back to the car and lock himself inside. At that moment one of the kids lying on the floor let out a blood curdling scream, but as none of the adults rushed to his side Dean figured there wasn’t an imminent medical emergency. He’d taken another couple of steps when two boys raced past him, the first cutting in behind him to run full circle around him.

Dean dodged, stumbled, and the boxes in his arms teetered. It took no more than a second, but seemed like a lifetime. The top box slipped. He lunged forward with a grunt just as the woman in front turned around. Demonstrating an athletic ability to rival any Olympian, she scooped the top box from the pile and steadied the remaining ones with her shoulder.

“Sorry about that.” She turned to the boys playing tag around his legs. “Joshua Bowmen and Nathan Bicknell, take yourselves outside if you’re going to play tag.”

To Dean’s surprise, both boys took off across the room, hollering and hooting as they went out the open doors. He could see more kids outside and again fought the urge to flee. Talli nudged him from behind; there was no getting out of what he’d agreed to do.

“Keep going. It’ll be a rush to be ready before the parents get here as it is. Don’t need you dawdling.” She bumped him again. “C’mon, Dean, move it.”

With only one choice, he followed the woman in front. They crossed the room full of kids and moved into a larger one filled with rows and rows of seats. The area in front of the chairs was set up with a large Christmas tree and a throne that was obviously meant for Santa. A rock settled in Dean’s stomach and he turned his head to look at Talli.

“Tell me I am not dressing up as Santa,” he growled.

Her eyes rounded as her gaze darted to meet his. Talli shook her head. “No. You’re n-not Santa.”

Okay, that was good. So why did the look on her face make the rock sink deeper? They reached the front of the room and there was no more time to press for details.

“I thought you could set up over here behind the tree.” The woman put the bags and boxes down. “That way the little ones won’t get into any of your equipment and you’re close to it for when we do the Santa pictures. You can use my office and the storeroom to get changed.”

“Thanks, Em.” Talli moved passed him. “Speaking of Santa, did he arrive yet?”

“Yeah,” Em grumbled. “I cannot believe that man is going to hold me to my promise.”

Talli laughed. “C’mon, one date with Wade won’t kill you.”

“No, but it might kill him.” Em smiled. “I’m sure I’ll survive. You know where everything is, but yell if you need something.”

“I think I’ve got everything, but thanks. We’ll get set up.”

Dean placed his load of boxes on the floor behind the tree. A closer look at the branches showed the decorations were handmade and he smiled at the misshapen, brightly colored snowmen, reindeer, and Santas. On the very top was an oversized star made of tinfoil. Smiling, he turned to point them out to Talli, only she didn’t give him a chance.

“Here.” She shoved a plastic bag at him. “That’s a storeroom. You can get changed in there and I’ll use Em’s office.”

He took the bag, but before he could look inside Talli moved behind him and placed both hands on his back. She gave him a hard shove and he had to step forward or fall on his face. Pushing until she’d maneuvered him into the small room, Dean found himself shut in before he could spin around and protest. Resigned to the inevitable, he open the bag and pulled out the item on top. Dean sucked in a breath.

“No.” She hadn’t.

Dropping the red and green bundle on the floor, he reached into the bag for the next piece.

“Hell no.” She couldn’t have.

Dean tipped the bag up and stared as a pile of red, green, and white velvet and fur at his feet. What the hell was Talli thinking? There was no way he was putting that thing on. Especially seeing how there didn’t appear to be enough material to cover his extra large body. He used his foot to spread the costume out and almost choked when he got a good look at the pants, or more accurately – tights.

“Talli!”

Christmas Wishes is available from -

ESCAPE PUBLISHING ~ AMAZON ~ iBOOKS

Now let’s get back to the launch party. I’m going to do a detailed post later in the week but I can tell you it involves make-up, hair, interviews, photo shoots, red carpet and a limo ride! OMG! Talk about excitement. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you’ll see snippets of today leading up to the launch party and of course, the cocktail party itself. So if you’ll excuse me there’s a glass of champagne calling my name.

Rhian Cahill

www.rhiancahill.c

Quote of the Day

“Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we seek too late the one that is open.” – Alexander Graham Bell

Cocktale Party winner

Roxanne Elmlinger is the winner of the Box ‘o Fun in my “Cocktale” Party contest. I will be in contact with you soon!

Thanks to everyone who participated. The response was overwhelming. I really appreciate everyone coming out to help me celebrate the release of Bachelor’s Bait. I turned the final book in the series, Screaming Orgasm, in to my editor yesterday, so I’ll have more details (blurb, excerpt, cover and release) to share in the coming months. Right now, I’m guessing (and this is just a guess) it will come out around June 2013 because I have two more releases with Ellora’s Cave between now and then–Misplaced Lessons and Misplaced Hands.

I hope everyone has a restful Sunday!

Scoundrels

Scoundrels – the print anthology of Black Jack and White Knight is available now! I cannot tell a lie. These two stories are two of my personal favorites. Mainly because I ALWAYS wanted to write a pirate book. Regency romances were my first love (bodice rippers, in particular), so it was a lot of fun for me to try my hand at penning two. Plus…well…Travis is just so wounded in White Knight. That hero owns a big part of my heart.

Black Jack

When pirate Black Jack captures a ship at sea, he considers the territorial governor’s haughty daughter part of the spoils of war. Tying the fiery beauty to his bed, Jack claims Emma as his…over and over again.

Jack has a secret. One he’s kept hidden from his best friend Emma…

When she calls in a favor, asking Jack to perform in a pirate fetish fantasy at the nightclub she manages, Emma inadvertently opens Pandora’s box—for both of them. As portraying a dominant pirate forces more of Jack’s secret desires to light, Emma finds herself enmeshed in sensual explorations of BDSM, wax play, bondage and sex in public that leave her questioning her vanilla existence.

When a second heated interlude on the stage finds her submitting to Jack, Emma suspects she’ll never find her way back to her simple missionary lifestyle. But with Jack in control…she’s not sure she wants to.

AND…

White Knight

Shea Landon knows this is a bad idea. But when you’re broke, tired and homeless, you do crazy things. She decides to crash in her new place of employment, a fetish club, borrowing the big, comfy bed that’s used as a stage prop. She doesn’t realize she’s not alone…

Travis Knight knows this is a bad idea. As he views his new waitress sneaking around the club after hours, he realizes he should fire her, call the police. Instead, captivated, he watches her on the same security monitors that separate him from the world. Until watching isn’t nearly enough…

Two people—one desperate, one broken, both hopelessly alone. Two people assuaging their needs through spanking and sex games, bondage and taboo fantasy. It’s enough. It has to be—when the biggest secret between them might be a tragedy neither can overcome.

Bachelor’s Bait

It’s here! Bachelor’s Bait releases TODAY! Today’s final recipe in the “Cocktale” Party contest is…Bachelor’s Bait! If you’ve been following along this week, that’s the last drink recipe. Now all you need to do is email me the seven drink names and email them to carmichm1@yahoo.com by Saturday night. Good luck! I’ll announce the winner on my blog this Sunday.

Bachelor’s Bait

1 1/2 oz. gin

1 dash orange bitters

1/2 tsp. grenadine

White of one egg

Shake and strain into 4 oz. cocktail glass.

Cocktales, Book Three

Sophia Kennedy is determined to chase her own success, rather than ride her father’s coattails. She’s devoted herself to Books and Brew, the business she owns with her three best friends. She doesn’t feel the need to explain herself to anyone, least of all the free-aid lawyer who’s determined to judge her as a society princess. She’d ignore him altogether…if it were up to her mind. But nooooo. Her body just has to have its say—and it’s using words like “gorgeous”, “hot” and “sexy”. Soon, annoyance turns to attraction, verbal sparring to physical satisfaction as the couple is drawn together by a common cause.

Marc Garrett has no time for a relationship. And he certainly doesn’t want a rich society fixture, though the damning evidence below his belt suggests otherwise. The more he comes to know his hardworking princess, the more he wants her, again and again. Marc’s falling hard, but after holding Sophie’s wealth against her, how will she react when she learns of his own rather prosperous roots?

Excerpt:

“Charlotte?” Sophie was annoyed to find the coat-check room unattended. She’d been an idiot to trust Charlotte to keep an eye on it. The woman was too flighty to take the task seriously. She was a regular at the bookstore and when Sophie had foolishly mentioned her problem finding volunteers to help work the event, Charlotte had stepped forward. Sophie had accepted the offer, ignoring the voice telling her Charlotte only wanted to help so she could ogle the cream of society’s crop in a glitzy setting.

Now she was staring at an unprotected room full of expensive shawls and jackets.

“Shit,” she muttered. “Can anyone say liability?” She stepped behind the check-in counter and into the room, intent on finding the extra flyers. Then she’d track down her “volunteer” and read her the riot act for leaving her post unattended.

Spotting the box in a corner, she crossed the small space and bent to retrieve it.

A wolf whistle sounded from the doorway.

Sophie rose quickly but the damage was done. Clearly she’d given someone an eyeful of her ass wrapped in its tight skirt.

Marc leaned against the doorframe, looking far too pleased with the view she’d offered.

“Wow. Sexist much?”

He gave her a seductive grin. She wished her body would stop responding to him so forcefully. Her stomach clenched, her pussy dampened and she was grateful for the box in her hands or Marc would see them trembling.

He was unapologetic. “When I see something beautiful, I feel the need to appreciate it.”

“And being the classy guy you are, you thought you’d whistle at me like a construction worker.”

“I thought you might prefer that response over the first idea that popped into my head.”

“Which was?”

“Stroking my hands over that gorgeous ass you just displayed for me.”

The battle between Sophie’s head and body flared. Her ass cheeks clenched, longing for that caress. Her less visceral side offered a reply. “Then you made the right call because I would have kneed you in the balls. Hard.”

He nodded. “That’s what I thought. Hence my whistle from all the way over here.”

His tone was light and friendly, making it impossible to take offense at his comments. The closet wasn’t that large but his assessment was correct. Several feet protected his balls from her knee.

Sophie subtly pressed her legs together and tried to force air into her lungs. Apparently the space between them wasn’t that safe after all. She flushed as her body heated at their proximity—and semi-privacy.

The observant man’s dark-blue eyes narrowed.

He must be hell on juries. He notices far too much.

He stepped into the room. She tried to hide her shock when he closed the closet door behind him. The darkness was cut by a mellow glow provided by the low-watt fixture hanging in the center of the ceiling, and instantly she was reminded of nights spent beside a dying fire in her family’s large living room. She was a sucker for a fireplace.

Marc’s deep voice cut through the silence. “Maybe I was wrong.”

Her eyes tried to adjust to the dim lighting as he continued to move closer. “About what?” Her throat tightened, making her words sound thick and far too loud in the small room.

Marc didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took the box of flyers out of her hands, setting it on the floor. “You know I’m going to start coming by the bar, right? I feel the need to become a regular.”

“Why? You get some sick pleasure out of annoying me?”

He shook his head, his voice laced with humor. “No. That’s just a bonus.”

The answer was completely unsatisfactory, even though Sophie liked the idea of him stopping by. Despite her better judgment, she wanted to see him more too. “Then why?” she repeated.

“Because I’ll want to do this again.”

He leaned forward and kissed her.

Bachelor’s Bait is available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Oh…and here’s a picture of the prize. Turns out I’d collected LOTS of cool stuff at conferences this fall. Couple of print books, nice tote bag, candy, Caveman calendar, deck of Ellora’s Cave playing cards, measuring spoons, shot glass, two t-shirts, and lots of SWAG from some amazing authors like Lexi Blake, Joey Hill, Lora Leigh and others. I’m calling it the Box o’ Fun! LOL

 

I love Lexxie!

My writing partner-in-crime, Lexxie Couper, has a super fantastic amazing incredible book out today! You must, must, must buy it. Seriously. You must.

Tame their desire? Better to try and tame the wind.

Four years after her father’s tragic death, Ali Graham is still trying to piece together her shattered life. However, with her mother’s worsening illness and mounting medical bills, Ali is in danger of losing her inherited yacht-chartering business. Things can’t possibly get worse—until the man who broke her heart sails back into her life.

After that night when desire to comfort spilled over into lovemaking, Jackson McKenzie’s crushing guilt drove him to say things he didn’t mean, to leave when he wanted to stay. But when he discovers Ali is partnered with Sydney’s most notorious entrepreneur, he has no choice but to step in.

If Jackson thinks Ali is going to let him swoop in and claim Wind Seeker as his own, she has a news flash for him. She can take care of herself, and as much as her traitorous body still craves Jackson’s touch, she’ll fight for her father’s legacy, tooth and nail.

Suspicion and distrust slice through their reignited passion like a gale force wind through the rigging. But failing to weather the storm risks more than a second chance at love. Their very lives could be at stake.

Product Warnings

Love is never easy. Especially when revenge, guilt and scorching desire all fight for control of the helm.

Excerpt:

“I have to say, that’s some colorful language you’ve got there, Ms Graham.”

Ali froze, cold terror slamming into her at the deep, smooth and entirely too-familiar male voice sounding behind her. Her heart smashed into her throat and she squeezed her eyes shut, terror turning to stunned disbelief. You’ve got to be kidding, she thought. He can’t be back in Australia. He can’t be.

Entirely uninvited, an image of the owner of the voice filled her head and her pulse quickened. She hadn’t seen Jackson McKenzie in four years, but that made little difference. His image was just as clear and sharp and vivid as if she’d only seen him an hour ago. And just like it had four years ago, her body was reacting as if she was a silly teenage girl with a sillier crush—her nipples pinching hard, her breath growing rapid and her mouth going dry.

Maybe that’s because four years ago you were a teenage girl. Well, three months out of being a teenage girl. Now, however, you’ve got no excuse. You’re twenty-four years old and—

“Are you going to turn around any time soon and say hello?”

The voice—his voice—caressed her senses some more, each word thrumming with sardonic humor. The same sardonic humor she’d loved so much back when she’d been a naïve idiot.

She ground her teeth and closed her fist tighter on the cleat. Am I going to turn around and say hello? How about I turn around and break your nose instead?

“Ali?”

She dropped her gaze to Wind Seeker’sdeck, following its line to the bow. It was a beautiful boat, a majestic forty-five-foot sloop designed and built by her father ten years ago—a gift for her mother as a wedding-anniversary present. The yacht had been her father’s passion. Since his death, it had been her passion too. And her livelihood.

“Ali?”

He’s not going away. You know that, don’t you, Ali?

With a sharp sigh and a muttered “shit”, Ali turned, directing her churlish glare away from her still-throbbing toe to the tall man standing on the jetty beside her boat. She jutted out her chin, letting him see her contempt. “What the hell are you doing here, Jack?”

Jackson McKenzie, her father’s best friend and once business partner, cocked a thick golden-honey eyebrow. “That’s an interesting way to greet your old sailing buddy.” Sea-green eyes pinned her from behind thin gold-framed glasses and a small grin played over lips that were entirely too kissable. He chuckled. “Anyone would think you haven’t missed me.”

Ali scowled. “You were my father’s sailing buddy, Jack. Not mine. And I haven’t missed you. Not in the slightest.”

Jack’s chuckle met her ears again, the relaxed, somehow far-too knowing sound igniting a flare of anger in her chest and—God help her—a blossom of heat deep between her thighs. His grin stretched wider, flashing white even teeth at her. “Liar.”

Ali bit back a scream. “What are you doing here, Jack?” she repeated, fighting like hell to ignore the unnerving sensation stirring in the pit of her belly. He didn’t turn her on any more. He didn’t. “And don’t tell me it’s a social visit, because I’m not that gullible anymore.”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “It’s been a while, Ali.” He ignored her question—again. “You’ve grown up.”

She gave him a flat look. “You’re right. It has been awhile. Four years in fact. My father’s funeral. I wore black, remember?”

As if she hadn’t mentioned the horrible day, Jack’s mouth played with a smile some more. “Are you going to invite me aboard?”

Ali raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms across her breasts. “Hmmm, let me think… No.”

Jack’s smile turned mocking and he shook his head, those green eyes of his never leaving her face. “Still the spoilt teenager, I see.”

Renewed frustration and anger rolled through Ali. She jutted out her chin some more. If she wasn’t careful, the way she was carrying on she’d put her neck out. “I’m twenty four, thank you very much,” she snapped. “Not a teenager.” Damn him, why did he make her so flustered so fast?

Jack suppressed a laugh. “And yet so easily provoked. Nothing has changed.”

Ali’s breath caught in her throat. Goddamn it, Ali Graham. She gave herself a savage mental rap. Get a grip. Do you want him to see you like this? Do you want to give him the satisfaction?

With forced bravado, she turned her back on him, her heart a wild trip-hammer slamming against her breastbone. “I’ve work to do,” she flung over her shoulder, determined to sound indifferent as she pulled on the boom’s rigging. “It was…nice…to see you.”

There was a moment of silence long enough for Ali to decide he’d left. She let out a soft sigh. Oh man, why did she wish he’d stayed? Why did she wish he’d ignored her and climbed aboard her boat? Why did she wish he’d slid his arms around her waist and drew her close to his body like he had all those years ago?

Damn it. He still did it to her. Still messed her up even after what he’d done.

“Two missed payments, Ali?”

A chill cut straight to Ali’s heart at Jack’s soft question. She tightened her fists on the rigging, the steel rope biting into her flesh.

Damn it. He knows. He knows about the loan.

Of course he knew. Why else did she think he was there? To say sorry for four years ago? To beg her forgiveness? To make love to her again?

Available today at Samhain.

And in honor of Lexxie’s set in Sydney release, I give you today’s “Cocktale” party recipe.

It’s called the Australian Siesta.

250 ml beer (I’m thinking the creator of this recipe would not support me on this, but Miller Lite goes well with everything! LOL)

lime juice

lime wedge

1 shot silver tequila (my fave tequila is Patron!)

Remember–keep track of the drink titles to enter to win a Cocktales Care package including a signed copy of Scoundrels, my latest print release. There is one more recipe tomorrow (bet you can guess what that is–lol). Contest ends on Wednesday, Nov. 7.