Mari Carr's Blog, page 99

Cowboy Round Up!

This evening from 6-8 EST, Jayne Rylon, Delilah Devlin, Cat Johnson, Beth Williamson and I will be hosting a Cowboy Round Up over at the Samhain Cafe. Hope you can join us for some red hot excerpts, chatter and maybe even a contest or two.

Saturday Snippet

Black Jack has a somewhat unusual setting as the story actually spans two different time periods–switching between a pirate ship in Regency England and a modern day sex club. Don't ask me how, but amazingly enough, they seemed to fit together. LOL.

Snippet

"Let go of me!"

"Take it easy, lass. Come peacefully and no one will be hurt."

"No one will be hurt because I'm not going anywhere with you."

Black Jack Carlysle tightened his grip on the young woman's arm. He wasn't accustomed to backtalk from any of his subordinates and he sure as hell wasn't going to listen to it from a mere female.

"I don't think you fully understand your position here. My men and I have taken over your ship. Now we're seizing our reward."

"Stealing is more like it. You haven't earned anything on our ship. You're a thief and a heathen and— Ouch! You're hurting my arm!"

"I may be all you say and more, my dear, but the fact remains, I am the captain of this ship and you are part of the spoils of war."

The haughty woman slapped him. Hard. "We'll see about that."

Jack was shocked momentarily. He heard a sharp gasp behind him and knew his men had witnessed her assault. He'd intended to take her below deck and lock her in the room next to his. He knew who she was. As daughter of the territorial governor, she'd fetch a fair price in ransom.

Her blow and fiery rage ignited his temper and his final destination changed as he pushed her toward the ladder that would take them to his cabin.

"You will pay for that, my lady. In my bedroom."

His threat pulled her up short and her struggling ceasing. "You can't be serious. Do you know who I am?"

He chuckled mirthlessly. "I think the question that should be asked is, do you know who I am?"

Her gaze narrowed, drawing his attention to light blue eyes surrounded by thick, long black lashes. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely pink due to anger and exertion. Her breathing had accelerated, each hastily inhaled breath thrusting her full breasts forward. She'd fill his hands nicely.

No, Jack thought. It wouldn't be a hardship bringing this hellion to heel.

"I know exactly who you are, Black Jack. And if you think I'll quiver at the mere mention of your dreaded name like the rest of the fools on my father's ship, then I fear you're destined for disappointment."

He grinned, pushing her harder than necessary toward the ladder. She stumbled slightly before catching herself. She was provoking him, daring the devil inside to come out to play. She'd struck him in front of his men. At that point, she'd lost the right to be treated with courtesy. Now he needed to make an example of her. Regardless of how much that idea rubbed against the grain.

He liked to consider himself a gentleman—usually beyond kind with the terrified women they'd kidnapped in the past. More than a few times, he'd had to gently convince the captive ladies to return home once their ransoms had been paid.

Clearly that wouldn't be a problem this time.

She turned to face him once more, but before she could speak, he raised his finger. "Silence, woman!"

He didn't intend to wage this battle in front of his men. It was high time she realized who she was dealing with.

"How dare you speak to me—"

Jack growled. Bending forward, he put his shoulder to the lady's middle and lifted until her upper body hung upside down along his back.

"What the—"

"I've warned you more than once, my lady. Now you're going to pay the piper."

"Awesome," Emma Potter said, wiggling loose from Jack's hold. "That was perfect."

Jack pulled the bandana off his head and stuffed it in the pocket of his jeans. "I feel like an ass."

Emma laughed. "I owe you a big one for this, Smacker."

Jack ignored her use of the annoying nickname. After years of friendship, she still persisted in calling him by the silly name. She'd given it to him after they'd gotten more than a bit tipsy at a bar the night Emma turned twenty-one. She'd tripped and spilled her strawberry daiquiri down the front of his shirt. He'd spent the evening smelling like a little girl's tube of Bonne Bell lip gloss. Emma had teased him the entire night, calling him Lip Smacker. Sadly, fourteen years later, the shortened version of the name still stuck.

"I don't think there's a favor big enough in the world to repay me for this." Jack leaned against the railing of the fake ship, looking out at the empty tables and chairs of the nightclub as he considered the fact they'd soon be filled with clubgoers, all watching his weak attempt at piracy.

"True that," Emma conceded. "You're a lifesaver, Jack. Really. I was at my wit's end this morning. I bet I made at least fifty phone calls."

"Glad to know I'm so high on your list," he said sardonically, chuckling.

"Believe me, that call list isn't one you want to be on top of."

He looked around and shook his head. "Still find it hard to believe that you plan fetish fantasy shows for a nightclub. I've got to admit, when you were making your valedictory speech in high school, this wasn't exactly where I pictured you ending up."

"Maybe not, but I bet you knew I'd be organizing awesome parties attended by all the biggest names, right?"

Emma had been the queen of the social scene in high school. Jack thought it had probably surprised more than a few of their peers to discover she had such good grades, given her love of partying. Begrudgingly, he had to admit she was one of the most naturally intelligent people he'd ever met. She had a razor-sharp mind with a quick wit to match. Her photographic memory didn't hurt either. Quite frankly, it had taken very little work for Emma to maintain her position at the top of their class. Not that it had been a very large class.

They'd both enrolled in USC and moved to Los Angeles from Bumfuck, North Dakota, determined to escape their small town. The third in their small gang of friends, Travis, had come along for the ride as well, mainly because he thought living in L.A. would be a lark. Little did Jack and Emma know their unmotivated, antisocial best friend would find his niche in the City of Angels.

"Yeah, I knew you'd plan awesome parties." Jack reached up to rub his cheek. "Hey, did you have to slap me so hard?"

She rolled her eyes. "You big baby. It wasn't that hard. Besides, the sound has to carry through the room to make it authentic."

Jack crossed his arms. "I hope your actress doesn't have your right hook or I'm likely to suffer a concussion."

"Not my fault. If you'll recall, it was you and Travis who taught me how to fight."

"You were supposed to use those moves on the frat-boy assholes at college. Not me."

Emma shrugged. "Looks like I got a bonus from my lessons."

"Yeah, well, you try to lay another one of those bonuses on my face and I'm gonna return the smack. Only I won't be aiming at the cheek on your face."

"Promises, promises."

Black Jack is available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks.

Wanna read about some more unusual settings? Check out these authors!

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

Lacey Savage

Sasha White

Shelli Stevens

Quote of the Day

This was freedom.  Losing all hope was freedom.  ~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

Sneak Peek Week Winner!

The winner of the Sneak Peek Week contest I held over on the International Heat blog is…………Courtney Slater!

Saturday Snippet

When I think of this week's theme–Family–I immediately think of the Wild Irish series. While each story involved romance, heartbreak, and a bit of wicked sex, the ultimate theme was the importance of family. I thought I'd do something a little different this week for the snippet. Rather than give you an excerpt from one book, I thought I'd share a few lines from each book in the Wild Irish series that shows the love of this family.

 Come Monday

"My family lives above the restaurant. I'm one of seven children so I suppose you can imagine it's pretty crowded. My mother was the cook before she died and on special holidays, when the restaurant was closed, she'd go downstairs to the big kitchen to prepare our meals and we'd eat at the tables in the big dining room. Even though the restaurant was basically home, my mother always made it feel like we'd gone out somewhere special to eat."

She paused for a moment, smiling as she recalled the extra effort her mother expended to ensure the holidays were always perfect for her children. The tablecloths, the candlelight, the grape juice served in fancy wineglasses that they all used to make toasts and laugh and pretend they were grown-ups.

Professor Wallace's next question brought her back to the present. "I imagine the restaurant must have smelled lovely."

She started to open her eyes to respond to his question but she realized that, without sight, there was a security, a safety in speaking her mind that didn't exist when she could see his face. If she was looking at him, she would fail to concentrate on her subject and instead spend too much time trying to figure out what he was thinking of her recollections. She kept her eyes firmly shut.

"The smells were incredible, warm and sweet. I know Christmas can't really have a smell, but in my mind, it does. Cinnamon, pine, fresh-baked bread."

"And your mother?" he asked.

Keira smiled. "She had a smell too. Sugar cookies. My mother smelled like sugar cookies." The memory, the brief burst of happiness at recalling her mother's scent, turned quickly to the piercing sadness that had resided in her heart for nine years.

 Ruby Tuesday

"Do you still have the notebook? The one with all our songs?" he asked.

She leaned over to retrieve the small bag she'd carried with them on their walk. "Yes, it's in here."

"It's probably a given whoever did this was looking for them."

"So we'll keep the songs safe. Sleep with them under our pillow," she said.

"I love you," he said, leaning forward to kiss her.

"Protecting the songs only solves one part of our problem," she said as they broke apart.

"I know. For the rest, I think we need to call in the reinforcements."

"Reinforcements?" she asked.

"Yep, I'm afraid we're going to have to recruit that group of wild Irish you call a family."

 Waiting for Wednesday

"You were crying," he said, and her concerns about coming to stay with the Collins family came crashing down on her. Her erratic sleeping was one of the main things she didn't want anyone—especially Tris—to know about. It was embarrassing, weird, disturbing.

"Really?" she asked weakly. "That's strange."

Tristan shook his head. "No, I don't think it is. You gonna tell me about it?"

"Please don't ask me."

He considered her words and she felt the weight of the silence surrounding them crushing her. Then to her surprise he rose and, for a minute, she thought he was going to grant her a reprieve. She should have known better.

He bent down and picked her up from the couch as if she weighed nothing. "What are you doing?" He turned toward the stairs to the third floor, to his bedroom, and her cursed heart starting racing again.

"You don't want to talk, so we won't."

His words left her speechless and he chuckled lightly when he looked down and spotted the nervousness on her face.

"Don't worry, kitten. We're not going to do that, either. We're going to sleep. Looks like you could use about forty-eight hours of it."

"I can't sleep in your bed. What will your family say?"

"They'll probably say it's about damn time."

 Sweet Thursday

"My mom took off when I was three." Lily looked up, surprised by Justin's words. "I don't really remember her…and you know my dad. Conversation isn't exactly his thing. The first time I met your mom was after Little League practice. Sixth grade. She'd made us all chocolate chip cookies. Best fucking cookies I ever had."

Killian nodded and Lily watched him covertly wipe away a tear.

"A bunch of the parents were standing around. My dad was late coming to pick me up—as usual. Somebody asked where my mother was."

Killian grinned sadly. "You said aliens abducted her."

Justin laughed, though it certainly wasn't a happy sound. "Always was a little bastard. After that, your mom sort of claimed me. It was her voice I heard yelling my name from the stands. She baked me a cake on my thirteenth birthday—first cake that had my name on it and wasn't made by the grocery store. Whenever I smart-mouthed somebody, she set me straight in that calm, sweet voice that made me wanna fall on my knees and promise never to be bad again as long as I lived."

Killian laughed. "Discipline by guilt, my sisters call it."

"Yeah. Well, it worked on me and whenever I did something good in school, she made me some of those cookies. I didn't know my mom, Killian, but I'm sure as hell glad I knew yours."

 Friday I'm in Love

Less than an hour had passed since she'd left but Ewan felt like it had been twenty years. He sat at the bar surrounded by his family and marveled over the fact they knew just what he needed. They left him in peace, but they stayed close. It was nearly ten and he knew he should move, knew he should get ready for the day, but his body felt too heavy.

Tris, Sean and Pop were hanging out behind the bar, putting bets on tomorrow's football game. His sisters were sitting at one of the tables behind him, looking at some Bride magazines. None of them were talking to him, but he knew if he gave even the slightest inclination of needing them, they'd surround him in a heartbeat, hold him up until he found his feet again.

Tris came over, stood across the bar from him. "You all right, bro?"

"Yep. Just got kicked in the teeth. It'll pass. In a couple hundred years."

"For what it's worth, I think she'll come back."

 Saturday Night Special

Riley spun around at his words, fury evident on her face. "What are you doing?"

"Telling your family our good news." He knew his response would send her into orbit, but he refused to back down on this subject. If he gave Riley an inch she'd take a mile and he wasn't budging on their marriage. She was his wife and she was damn well going to stay his wife. It was time she accepted that.

"Listen, Tris. Do you mind letting everyone know? I'm sorry about springing it on you this way, but it was sort of a surprise to us too."

"Didn't expect you to go to such lengths when I asked you to take care of her." Aaron recalled Tris and Ewan pulling him aside after Teagan's wedding and asking him to keep an eye on her. He knew of all her siblings, Tris worried about Riley the most.

"Listen, we'll have a big party when we get back. Celebrate in style."

Tris laughed. "Sounds like a plan. Welcome to the family, bro, and, um…good luck. You'll need it."

 Any Given Sunday

"I think you're forgetting Sean is one of seven," Lauren added. "The Collins family is used to lots of kids and noise and activity. You and I are products of the boring two-kid family concept."

"My mom always said she'd had one boy and one girl and there wasn't anything else to go for so she was done." Chad put his hands behind his head.

Sean laughed. "She could've tried for twins."

Chad shuddered. "Twins is no joke. I'm not sure how your brother Tristan manages with those two rowdy toddlers of his."

Sean shrugged. "Tris was a twin. Believe me, besides Killian, there's no one else in my family better suited to raise twin hellions than him."

"I think you could do it," Lauren said, imagining Sean as a father. He was good-natured, fun, easygoing and she had no doubt he'd be an amazing dad.

"I'm looking forward to getting the chance."

The Wild Irish series is available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony and All Romance Ebooks.

Want some more family snippets? Check out these authors' sites.

July writing update

Every month, I try to catch you up on what I'm working on. So, for your July reading pleasure (LOL), I give you the monthly update.

Submissions still awaiting word from editors:

Cocktales! I've proposed a new series to Ellora's Cave and my editor bought ALL four of them!!! Keep checking back for more details. Party Naked has been written and it's on my editor's desk. Next up will be Screwdriver, Bachelor's Bait, and Screaming Orgasm! Each book revolves around one of four girls who own and operate a bookstore/bar (my dream job) in Portland, Oregon.

Because You Love Me  - This sequel to Because of You is another romantic suspense involving Caleb's brothers, the twins, Matt and Mark and the woman they fall in love with, Bridget. Oh yeah, it's also a red hot menage! I finished it yesterday (no lie). It's with beta readers now and I hope to have it on my editor's desk next week. Fingers crossed.

So…what am I writing next?

Other books on my Summer Writing list include A Wild Irish Christmas. I miss the Collins family, so I'm revisiting them. Don't be surprised if Sunday makes a big appearance in this one!

White Knight (sequel to Black Jack) is definitely coming. I've had lots of people asking for Travis's story and I intend to write it next. Travis's whole story is in my head and it's screaming to be told. I've finally met his heroine and I love her! Hope you will too.

 Jayne and I have finished Eastern Ambitions, which means it's time to turn our attention to the last book in the series, Western Ties (Compass Brothers). I'm sort of dreading the writing of this book as much as I'm looking forward to it. There are some very emotional scenes planned.

After that, I plan to tackle my very first m/m book ever. It will be a short story and the final book in the Because trilogy. In it, the youngest James brother will find his HEA.

And looking way out in the writing distance, I see at least two more Black & White Collection books.

Phew! Okay–that's it for now. I'll check back in with y'all in August.

Slam Dunk!

Woke up to a bit (okay, a LOT) of pretty in my inbox. Just got the final cover for Slam Dunk, which releases at Samhain on Sept. 27. Holy hotness! I love it!!!

So Sensitive

My very dear friend, Anne Rainey has a NEW release coming out today from Kensington and I thought I'd take a second to SQUEEEEEE about it. Also–to celebrate the release, Queen of the Night Reviews is holding a contest and one lucky winner will win a copy of this book.

When Fear Crosses The Line

At first, the mysterious emails are flattering. But soon, Gracie Baron can't deny she has a stalker—and it's clear she needs protection…

Into Pure Pleasure

P.I. Wade Harrison admits that his friend's luscious assistant, Gracie, has been tantalizing him for months. So Wade jumps at the chance to offer her the personal protection she needs, free of charge. The only catch is, Gracie must agree to obey his orders—no questions asked.

The Answer Is Yes

Once Wade has Gracie alone, he isn't shy about letting her know what he wants. His fantasies involve erotic toys and a very willing partner—and that's just for starters. Gracie doesn't know what she wants, but Wade is hot and restless—and surrendering to his desires may be exactly what she needs…

Praise for Anne Rainey's Body Rush

"Deliciously naughty, smokin' hot…read if you dare!" –Janice Maynard

"With red-hot sex, hot and heavy BDSM, and three alpha males to make this book almost dangerous. You will not be disappointed!" –Coffee Time Romance, 4 Cups

"Supremely sexy and beautifully emotional, Anne Rainey's writing is intensely relevant for today's woman." –Lucy Monroe

Please Order this book from:

Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com, indieBound.org, borders.com, or your favorite retailer.

Quote of the Day

"The best kind of love is the kind that weakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts, and brings peace to our minds…"  -Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

International Heat

As many of you know, I'm part of the International Heat group. I've been friends with most of these ladies since the very early days of my career and rarely a day goes by when I don't talk to them. We celebrate the highs and console each other during the low times.

I met several of them right after my very first book, Erotic Research, released through the Samhain Cafe. T (of Ebook Addicts Reviews), Jambrea Jo Jones, JR Patrick and Valerie Tibbs quickly befriended me and taught me a gazillion things about yahoo groups, websites, and life in general. I'm convinced there would NOT have been a second book without their encouragement.

Shortly after that, I received an email from Rhian Cahill after she'd read on the Samhain Cafe that I was looking for a critique partner. We were both new authors just getting started and we clicked like peanut butter and chocolate! From there, the group evolved and expanded as Rhian introduced us to fellow Aussies, Jess Dee and Lexxie Couper.

I like to say we "lucked into" Lila Dubois and Jayne Rylon. Several of us attended Lori Foster's Reader Writer Get Together event in June 2009. Jayne was attending as well and ended up sitting at our table. She fit into the group like she'd always been there and we quickly invited her to join IH. There's a scandalous story involving Lila's initiation, but we love a bad girl at IH, so we felt blessed to count her as "one of us."

Anne Rainey is our latest addition, joining IH a little over a year ago. We needed her because she brings genuine kindness to the group–in other words, we figure she'll save all our souls!

Why am I telling you all this? No idea! Snort! Just kidding. I wanted to introduce you to the group and to let you know about a couple of fun places where we IH gals hang out.

We have a yahoo group called Heat Wave that is always open to new members. It's a fun place to hang out and chat with other writers and readers who all share a love of erotic romance books.

We also have an International Heat blog. This week, I'm manning the store and I've dubbed it Sneak Peek Week. Each day, I'll be sharing an exclusive glimpse at my works in progress. There's even a contest slated for the end of the week. Be sure to check it out.