Roxanne D. Howard's Blog, page 15
June 2, 2017
Guest Post: Diana Cosby’s Forbidden Knight
Today I’m pleased to have Diana Cosby on the blog, talking about her new novel, Forbidden Knight. I met Diana in the RomVet’s group, a group of fellow female romance authors who also served in the military! You can learn more about Romvets here: RomVets
Enjoy Diana’s novel!
Knights Templar – The Unsolved Mystery
Regardless if hundreds of years have passed, questions remain of where the Templars fled, what treasure they took, and how so many valiant knights were able to disappear without a trace. As a major plotter, I enjoy weaving in my character’s journey, where they face challenges and in the end fall in love, around these mysteries and more along with my speculation as to where their fleet and many of the Brotherhood could have escaped to prior to the arrests beginning in France on the 13th of October, 1307.
Book ideas come to me in numerous ways. With Forbidden Knight, the 2nd in The Forbidden Series, it occurred during a visit to Louisiana. I was listening to stories of World War II and how back then, women used to write letters of encouragement and support to deployed soldiers. If the recipient had a pen pal or girlfriend, he’d pass the letter on to a person without someone to correspond to. I was fascinated by this detail, which ignited the thought of, “What if the hero isn’t the recipient of the letter, but he pretends to be that person?” This translated into the premise for Forbidden Knight.
With an alpha hero, I knew my heroine needed to be strong, and Alesone Elyne MacNiven, a resilient and independent woman, was born. I upped the tension to the story by placing her and Thomas on the run in a setting with Scotland at war.
I hope you enjoy Thomas and Alesone’s journey. Take care, and I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby
AGC(AW) USN, Ret.
About the Author
A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.
After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, The Oath Trilogy, and Forbidden Legacy, book #1 of The Forbidden Series, she is now working on book #2, Forbidden Knight which will be released in June 2017.
Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.
The post Guest Post: Diana Cosby’s Forbidden Knight appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
May 24, 2017
Guest Post – Maggie Tideswell’s Goodbye, My Love
Today I’m pleased to have author Maggie Tideswell on the blog to talk about her new paranormal romance, Goodbye, My Love. Maggie, welcome! It’s lovely to have you here. Check out Maggie’s new novel today!
Roxanne’s Ghost Saga, a new mystery series from internationally acclaimed author Maggie Tideswell, is set against the stunningly beautiful backdrop of modern day South Africa. It is a compelling ghost story of identical twin sisters’ love for the same man, and the magical connection the women share.
And the theme? Nothing is what it seems.
Here, we move into the realms of the mists of time that could either reveal or conceal.
Book 1, Goodbye, My Love, sets the scene. It introduces country vet, Ben, his four-year-old autistic daughter and the would-be nanny, Jessica James. Jess’ interview with Ben for the nanny position takes place on Friday the 13th. An attraction between the two is immediate, which by all accounts isn’t entirely normal.
Ben’s three oddball sisters-in-law descend on him for the anniversary of his wife Roxanne’s death. They try to convince Ben that Roxanne isn’t dead, more than likely to put an end to whatever might develop between Ben and Jessica. But Ben knows that no one could have survived what led to Roxanne’s death.
His daughter, diagnosed as autistic, only sometimes does she display the symptoms that led to her diagnosis. Autism is not a disease, it’s a condition. A condition with symptoms that can’t be turned on and off at will. So…what is the child really suffering from?
Ben’s wife’s twin sister, Millicent, is accompanied by an over-board caricature of a psychic to Ben’s home in order to help them find Roxanne. Of course, Millicent isn’t happy to find Jess already in Ben’s house—trouble is imminent. But only as far as Ben’s ancient housekeeper, will allow her to. What does the housekeeper know that will keep Millicent’s ruffled feathers under control?
More importantly…
Where is Roxanne?
Excerpt:
Does anyone live here?
The house looked deserted, kind of spooky. Jess couldn’t see any other houses nearby. Sally had not been kidding—this was a rather isolated place.
Dilapidated outbuildings behind the sprawling house looked as unused as the house itself. Some sort of creeper covered most of the buildings except the house—it looked far too fragile to bear the added weight.
There were what looked like turrets on each end of the house, and a domed one in between. That might be a skylight. Jess worried her bottom lip. What century was this place built?
Lightning played over the majestic mountains behind the house, silhouetting it against the darkening sky, but down here in the valley, the late sun cast long shadows over the overgrown garden.
It all fit so well with Friday the thirteenth, because this was creepy. What had she been thinking? She should have postponed the interview until Monday. One weekend surely wouldn’t have made that much of a difference.
Jess studied the map on her tablet, which she held propped up against the steering wheel. This could be the right place, but she had thought that about both the previous two places, and neither had turned out to be Weltevreden. Neither had been as eerie as this place, either.
No, this couldn’t be it. Tapping her finger against the edge of the tablet, she studied the house again. This whole thing smacked of a Friday the thirteenth Sally-prank.
Sally, her bestie since high school, ran a very successful employment agency. The professional image notwithstanding, she still loved pranks of any kind—she would never outgrow them.
Her eyes had lit up that morning when Jess sat in front of her desk, mugs of coffee steaming on the polished wood between them. The platter of doughnuts had been for Jess’ benefit. Sally and her perpetual dieting.
“Something different,” Sally mused, tapping her pen against her front teeth, then pressed a button on her laptop, and reached for the sheet of paper the printer spewed out. “This might be just the thing. It came in just now.” She’d tossed her platinum curls over her shoulder, grinning at Jess.
Another thing Sally would never outgrow, her Barbie-doll looks.
“It has my name on it, then.” Jess leaned her forearms on Sally’s desk. “Tell me, tell me, tell me.” She grinned back, barely able to contain her excitement. “Does it involve a man?”
Neither Sally nor Jess had found their Mr. Full Potential yet, although both had been ready for wedded bliss, the kids and the house in the suburbs thing, a long time ago.
“As a matter of fact it does, but he doesn’t seem to be in the market. It says here that a nanny is required for a four-year-old autistic girl. Dr. Arnold specifically requested that only older women be put forward for the position.”
“How old-fashioned. Where is this job?”
“In the Wellington area.” Sally frowned at the monitor.
“There you go. He won’t find anybody qualified to work that far from Cape Town. It is his child, I presume?”
“It is, but do you seriously want to give this a go?” Sally looked worried as only she could. It went with the Barbie look. “I’m intrigued. What kind of doctor is he?”
“A veterinary surgeon. And a widower, it says here. That is all the information I have for you, I’m afraid.” Sally sat back in her chair. “I shouldn’t disregard so specific an instruction, Jess, but just this once, I’ll make an exception. Then it’s up to you to change his mind for him. It’ll be in his own best interest in the end.” She passed an information sheet across the desk. “I’ll tell Dr. Arnold to expect you at four. I’d pack an overnight bag if I were you. Call me, okay?”
Now, sitting in front of the house that might or might not belong to Dr. Ben Arnold, Jess didn’t feel all that confident anymore. And it didn’t really sound like a prank, unless Sally had kept some information to herself.
There was only one way to find out, and that was to knock on the door and ask.
If there was anybody in the house to ask.
Switching the engine off, she consulted the rear-view mirror to apply some color to her lips and pat her shoulder length bob into place. She took a moment to admire the rich auburn color in the late afternoon sunshine and sighed.
I don’t know about this. It was a long way from Cape Town.
What did people do around here for fun?
Trying her best to ignore the goose bumps on her forearms, she opened the car door and stepped out. Her heels sank into the gravel, her shadow stretching all the way back to the gate.
Only when she turned toward the house did she see the man sitting on the top step in the shadows, his shoulder against the railing, one knee pulled up with his arm resting on top of it. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and it looked as if his feet were bare, too.
Was he there a moment ago? Why didn’t I see him?
Smoothing her palms down her red pencil skirt, she started toward the house and the man on the steps. If he wasn’t Dr. Arnold, maybe he could give her directions.
Taking a deep breath, Jess reminded herself that she wasn’t superstitious about this Friday the thirteenth nonsense. People liked to scare themselves with the silliest things. What was supposed to happen on this day? It was a day like any other.
That certainly looked like a real man on the steps. He wasn’t going to bite her. Today being a Friday and the thirteenth meant nothing, but now that she’d thought of it, the idea would stick with her like the taste of garlic.
Leaving the car door open for a quick escape should she need it, she’d gone no more than a few steps when she heard something other than the crunch of her shoes on the gravel. It sounded suspiciously like a dog whining.
She slowly turned her head, curling her fingers into the fabric of her skirt. It couldn’t be a dog. She hadn’t seen any dogs when she drove through the gate.
I don’t do dogs!
Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw them. They were right next to her car, beside the door she’d deliberately left open, a whole pack of them. Their lips curled away from their teeth, their tongues lolling out the sides of their mouths, dripping saliva onto the gravel. Yellowish eyes watched every move she made.
Where did they come from?
How many were there?
They cut her off from the safety of the Fiesta!
Now she had only one way to go—into that house. Why hadn’t that man called them off? Why wasn’t he helping her?
Slowly, making no sudden moves, she took another step toward the porch. The dogs followed her. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Another couple of quick steps toward the house. The dogs did the same. She broke into a trot, her scream shattered the still of the afternoon.
Missing the first step, she stumbled, recovered her balance, and took the rest of the stairs two at a time. The dogs were on her heels, whining and yelping, their breaths hot on the backs of her legs.
Just as a sharp whistle rent the air, but looking at the dogs, she careened into the man before the noise had even died down. Her momentum sent them both crashing to the floorboard. She landed on top of him, but with the dogs all around them, she hid her face in his neck. Another whistle— right in her ear—made her cringe, but the dogs were gone.
He lifted his head off the floorboards to glare at her, his hands at her waist, as if he was about to lift her off him. Stubble covered his jaw, his lips pressed into a tight line. A muscle jumped in his cheek. He dragged his eyes out of her gaping blouse to meet her stare.
They had to be the greenest pair of eyes she’d ever seen, and he was clearly not amused.
Then she noticed how much leg was exposed by her skirt bunched around her hips and she quickly scrambled to her feet, pushing her skirt back down her legs.
“Sorry,” she muttered, her face on fire. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, but from the corner of her eye, she saw the stranger slowly unfold himself from the floor. Up and up he went, until she felt him looking down at her. Even in her heels, the top of her head barely reached his nose.
With fists on his hips, he glared at her. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she lifted her chin and stared back.
Despite her bravado, she was intimidated and she had no idea if she had reason to be. She didn’t have a clue who he was. For all she knew, he was a vagrant taking advantage of an abandoned house.
She quickly looked him up and down, hoping he wouldn’t notice. A vagrant—looking like that? This man looked too strong, too well-fed, and clean, to be homeless. He smelled good too, of soap and sunshine. Wide shoulders tapered to a flat stomach and slim hips in a pair of well-washed denim cutoffs. The button was undone and the zipped half down. And he had a hard-on!
Jess swallowed with difficulty, forcing her eyes to the garden. Maybe he was the gardener or something.
If he was the gardener, he wasn’t very good at it, judging by the state of the place. The flowerbeds were overgrown with weeds, and grass seeds reached for the sky. With a bit of care, it could be a rather pleasant garden.
Her attention whipped back to the man when he spoke. “What’s wrong with you, woman? Those are lap dogs.” His voice was deep, the timbre vibrating on her skin. “They thought you were playing with them.”
She’d forgotten about the dogs. Erections did that to her, they made her forget everything else. She took another look at the animals. There were only four of them, and now that they were at a safe distance and there was a man on hand whom they seemed to obey, they didn’t look all that fierce, or even very big. By panicking, she’d unnecessarily gotten them both in a rather embarrassing situation.
The veranda was shadowed, despite the lightning dancing over the mountains, yet the peeling paint was clearly visible. She should ask this man for directions so that she could be on her way, but at that moment her nose itched and she sneezed instead. She just barely managed to get her hand across her nose. The dust from the floorboards, and she most likely had it all over her face now. She needed to freshen up before she met with Dr. Arnold. Rubbing her hands over her face was probably making matters worse.
“Bless you,” the man said, his jaw clenched. “Explain yourself.” Fists planted on his hips, his bare chest rose and fell. Jess’ fingers itched to test the contours more fully before she realized that the man was actually angry.
Who was he? And what was he so angry about? Knocking him over had been an accident, which he could have avoided it if he’d controlled the animals sooner. His annoyance didn’t stop him from giving her a thorough inspection, though.
Barely suppressing the urge to stamp her foot, Jess snapped, “Those animals should be locked up.” The hand she pointed at the dogs was streaked with dust. Dropping it, she rubbed at the smudge with her other hand.
“They were, until a few minutes ago. When the visitor I expected didn’t show up, I let them out again. Who are you and what do you want?”
“How rude!” Jess gasped. “Do you welcome all visitors half naked?” His arousal was disturbing her.
“Uninvited visitors never come into the yard,” he growled. He knew she knew about his condition. “That’s what the clinic entrance is for. And I’m not half naked, I’m shirtless because I took it off when my visitor failed to show up for her four o’clock appointment. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hot. If you’re Jessica James, you’re way too late—”
“The directions weren’t very clear,” she interrupted. “I got lost.” Hesitating only a moment, she stuck her hand out to him. “You’re Dr. Arnold?”
He ignored her hand and question, reaching instead for the shirt draped over the railing behind him and shrugged it on. Doctor or not, the man has no manners.
Buttoning the shirt, he leaned in closer. “So, it’s my fault you can’t follow a set of simple instructions? Look, miss, you might as well go back to wherever you came from. The position has been filled. Good day.” He started to turn away.
“What? When? I had an interview for this afternoon!”
He glanced at his wristwatch. “You missed the appointment. You wouldn’t have gotten the job anyway. Sorry for the inconvenience. It was nice meeting you. Goodbye, Ms. James.”
She noticed his eyes on her lips as he dismissed her. “Just a minute. You’re going to disregard my application because I’m a few minutes late? I have excellent credentials, and the agency—”
“Had been told that only older women need to apply.”
“So you’re dismissing my application because of my age, is that it?”
“Yes. And you’re more than a few minutes late. The appointment was for four o’clock sharp, and it’s nearly six now. Take your gripes up with your agent, Ms. James. Your timekeeping actually has very little to do with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re wasting my time.”
Jess narrowed her eyes. “I pity the person you’ve employed, if that is in fact the truth. You are a very rude man,
Dr. Arnold.”
He wasn’t exactly what she’d expected—in his early to mid-thirties and attractive, in a wildly blond caveman kind of way. And hot.
If only he had some manners.
It had sounded quite romantic when Sally first told her about this position, but the reality was far from romantic. She didn’t need this man or his job, and especially not his erection. There had to be other positions available in Cape Town. Sally would find her a good job, with interesting work. She would get into her car and drive away without a backward glance.
Not being given a fair interview had nothing to do with Friday the thirteenth. A damp gust of wind blew her hair into her eyes as she turned toward the stairs. It had everything to do with him being turned on by her.
Jess remembered the dogs when they jumped to their feet, tails wagging.
She froze, clutching her skirt. They might be small, but they were dogs. They had teeth. Damn it, she was going to need his help to get back to her car. Gnawing the corner of her mouth, she glanced at him. Would he help her, or would he cross his arms and enjoy the spectacle from the veranda?
Before she could do anything, the door behind them creaked open and pale, gnarled fingers curled around the edge of the wood. Jess took an involuntary step closer to the doctor, goosebumps covering her entire body, her hand to her throat. Oh, God.
About the Author
Maggie lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with hubby Gareth. Over the years she’s worked in everything from nursing to catering, and then she started writing love stories. With three kids, a girl and two boys, and eleven cats at that time, life could become quite interesting.
The paranormal, things that happen for which there are no logical explanations and ghosts, are of particular interest to Maggie. What events in a person’s life would prevent that person from ‘resting’ after death? The ‘Old Religion’ is another special interest.
And love, of course. Why do people fall in love? What keeps them together for a lifetime when so many relationships fail?
The post Guest Post – Maggie Tideswell’s Goodbye, My Love appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
May 22, 2017
Costa Mesa e-Boxed set on Loose Id
Did you miss out on the Costa Mesa series? Not to worry; now you can own all three books for the price of one! Loose id is packaging all three books into one low-priced e-bundle! It’s currently reduced, so get it while it’s hot!
Roxanne D. Howard’s holiday trilogy, the Costa Mesa series, is now available in a convenient e-boxed set!
Batten Down the Hatches
Piper Goldhirsch is the head reporter for Business Buster, an Undercover Boss-esque tabloid exposé show. While it was never her dream job, it pays the bills. When she attends a masked Halloween Ball and meets a sexy costumed pirate captain who calls himself Captain Jack, what starts out as a few kind words and exchanged kisses in the billiards room quickly becomes the greatest sex of her life, leaving her haunted by the powerful magic between them. Piper’s not sure what she wants or even if she’ll ever see her mysterious stranger again… until he becomes her job’s next target.
Captain Jack Spencer runs his own brand new whale watching company, Ahoy, Matey, on the outskirts of Costa Mesa and Balboa Island. He’s so good at it he’s garnered the attention of rival companies. Piper is called in by Jack’s nemesis to go undercover on an ocean tour to expose him, and reveal the alleged illegal tricks that have made his business so successful in a short amount of time. But when Piper realizes he’s the same sexy man she slept with at the Halloween Ball, she’s emotionally conflicted. Plus, Jack has been unable to forget the woman from Halloween, so when they do meet up again, they can’t keep their hands off each other.
It’s time to Batten Down the Hatches, because the waves are about to get wild!
Toe the Line
After two months apart from Jack and working in desolate, war-torn Syria, Piper is on her way home to California for Hanukkah. The tides have turned dramatically, and she is now an established journalist with Channel Four News. Though she’s proud of where she’s at with her career, her heart aches for the painful way she left things with Jack.
Jack is determined to make things right with Piper, no matter what. When he receives a cash settlement from Business Buster, he uses his newfound wealth to whisk her away on his new yacht for a romantic getaway to Catalina Island. In no time at all, the two lovers reignite the fiery blaze between them, and their steamy passion rekindles out on the open ocean. But when a dangerous, hidden stowaway hijacks the yacht and holds them both captive, Piper and Jack find themselves at his mercy. With nowhere to run, they must work together if they want to escape alive.
This holiday season, it’s time to Toe the Line.
Overboard
At the end of their romantic holiday getaway, Piper is one loved-up woman. She can’t get enough of the sizzling passion she’s found with Jack after all they’ve been through. The two lovers board Jack’s yacht and leave the idyllic hamlet of Catalina Island, California to head home for New Year’s Eve, and it seems nothing could be more perfect… until the day turns on a dime, and the waters rise. When Jack receives a radio distress call from an old friend out on the open ocean, their initial efforts to free a trapped, massive blue whale soon becomes a dangerous struggle for life or death – their own.
It’s a New Year’s Eve fraught with harrowing danger, narrow escapes, daring rescue missions, and heart-pounding passion. Top it off with one shocking discovery, and suddenly the boat isn’t all that’s rocking. With the weight of the knowledge pressing down upon Piper, can their love survive? This New Year’s Eve, get ready for some fireworks, because it’s all going Overboard.
Excerpts:
Batten Down the Hatches
“Help me down?”
He ignored the hand, scooped her up, and lifted her bridal-style off the pool table. He helped her find her feet. She smoothed down her costume. “My, my. Chivalrous and everything. Thank you. I’m glad we waited to have sex, Jack. Really.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I hope it was worth the time.”
“Oh, it was.”
She crinkled her nose up at him, and he wanted to gobble her up. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?”
“So they tell me.” She looked around the floor. “Where are my panties?”
In my trouser pocket, Legs, but you’re not getting them back. He blinked a little too innocently. “I have no idea.” Her surly smirk told him she’d sooner believe in the Headless Horseman.
“Right. Well, Captain, that was one hell of a pleasure cruise. I’ll have to hop aboard some other time.” She smoothed down her hair and looked around.
Ouch. He stepped forward. “Piper, listen, I’m not some sleazy—”
She patted his shoulder—patted it, as if he were her puppy. Her eyes were soft, but her tone meant business.
“No. It was a nice ride. Amazing. The best I’ve ever had, actually. But let’s not kid ourselves or pretend this is more than an incredible quickie, okay? A nice memory we’ll both hold onto and never forget, remember?”
He frowned. He didn’t want it to end like this. Hell, he didn’t want it to end. But it was too late, because with a gentle kiss on the lips and a whispered good-bye, she slipped out of the room.
* * * *
When Piper walked out after the best sex of her life, she thought she’d feel empowered at having taken control of the situation. She was by all rights an alpha female, and that’s how she liked it. But a wave of regret hit her as she slid into the seat in the back of the company limo. Had it been a mistake? What if she never saw him again? Her mom always said a person’s soul was in their eyes, and he had rich, compassionate eyes, like a deep sea. She leaned against the limo headrest and folded her arms, the feel of him buried inside her so fresh they might as well still be fucking. And he’d felt good, phenomenal, like he’d been designed to be a part of her.
She wrestled with her thoughts on the way back to her condo. She almost signaled the driver to turn around but never did. It turned out to be the biggest regret of her life.
* * * *
A knock rattled her dressing-room door.
“Goldhirsch! Get in the conference room,” Larry Gunn barked.
Piper removed her crossed ankles from the top of her vanity tabletop and glanced at the door, annoyed. She’d been focused on an article in Psychology Today about the pros and cons of one-night stands. Try as she might, she couldn’t get Captain Jack out of her head. Hell, she could still smell him, a whiff of sheer masculinity and sex. Sometimes, it felt like he held her close, like he was a phantom lover.
“Why?” she called out.
“I’ve got one for you.”
She stood up and took her jacket off the back of her chair. “Last guy said that to me got his nuts kicked in. Couldn’t walk for weeks.” She opened the door. Larry worked his gum like a cow chewing cud and looked bored.
“Yeah, look at me. I’m petrified. Get in the conference room, kid. This one should be good.”
“Weeks,” she hissed as she passed him.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Whatever it was must be serious. They had Tim Chidester, Business Buster’s private investigator they brought in for the heavier pieces, already seated, and another middle-aged man she didn’t know was also in attendance. She considered the stranger. He wore khaki shorts and a dark-blue polo shirt. She put him at somewhere in his midforties, with a red, receding hairline and thick glasses.
“Piper Goldhirsch, this is Peter Newman, owner of Newman Whale Watching Tours on Balboa Island.”
She shook the man’s hand across the table. “Nice to meet you, Peter.”
“Same here.”
She took a seat across from him and Tim and crossed her legs. “All right, let’s hear it.” Tim leaned forward and rubbed his hands together with glee, as if someone had handed him the world’s best Christmas present.
“So, to cut to the chase, Peter here says another tour company is stacking the deck.”
“That’s not what I said,” Peter snarled.
Piper leaned back and crossed her arms. “All right, why don’t you tell me what you said, then,” she said neutrally. The guy obviously had a stick up his ass about something.
“Okay. Well, on Balboa Island, there’s about eight of us whale-watching companies. We all have guidelines and laws we have to abide by, you know?”
Piper nodded, not sure where he was going.
“So, our job is to take people out and see as much wildlife in the ocean as we can within the limits of where we go. On a normal day, people will see a pod or two of dolphins, a group of sea lions, and sometimes if the gods smile on us, a whale. Ahoy, Matey is a new company. They started up less than a year ago by this young marine biology flunky.”
Spittle flew out of Peter’s lips as he talked about the man. Did this come down to some sort of personal vendetta? She steered clear of exposé pieces like that, as they were usually masked cat fights.
“Within eight months, the company went from obscurity on the bottom rung to land the best reviews and the most bookings on the island.”
Piper frowned. “So, how is it you think he’s corrupt? What if he’s just a good businessman?”
Peter rubbed his forehead and looked pissed. “Because out there, on the water, it’s not about business politics. It’s how capable you are as a boat captain. They claim they spot whales every single day, on every single outing, which is unheard of. Look, whales, they migrate, okay? You’re lucky to spot one or two a day, on a good day. This guy’s claimed to see blues, minks, and humpbacks, which are an endangered species and rarely come inland. He’s luring them, mark my word. My bet is he’s got buckets of krill he uses—”
Piper furrowed her eyebrows, confused. “What’s krill? I know next to nothing about marine biology.”
“Shrimplike plankton.”
Larry supplied her with the info as Tim slid an 8×10 glossy photo of what looked like cocktail shrimp across the table at her.
“This is krill. Peter thinks the Ahoy, Matey captain has his first and second mates pour buckets of these guys into the water while the boat’s in motion to attract more whales and up the stakes. The California Whale Watching Guidelines state it’s illegal to interfere, feed, or harass marine mammals. If this guy does, or he has a way to get the whales up close to spotlight his business, he could be sued for animal endangerment, and it goes against countless state and federal laws.”
“Yes, exactly,” Peter squeaked. “Exactly. Thank you.”
Piper curled her finger around her chin and contemplated what she’d heard. “Do you have any evidence of this?”
“No, but I’ve been around. Listen, I’ve been a tour guide on Balboa Island for over fifteen years now. No way is this guy that good. If you go out there and record him like you do on your shows, I bet you’ll get something.”
Larry put his hand on the table. “Peter, would you step out of the room for a few minutes? We need to discuss this with Piper. There’s an espresso machine down the hall and some pastries, if you want to help yourself.”
Peter looked between them. “Sure.”
He stood and leered at Piper. She inwardly cringed as he checked her out.
“I love your show, Miss Goldhirsch. I’ve seen every episode.”
“Thank you,” she said thinly.
When he was gone, she looked at Tim across the table. “I don’t think there’s enough of a story here, and I’m getting weird vibes off this guy. This is complete speculation on his part and what amounts to legal hearsay. Most people at least have texts, videos, an audio recording, something. This guy has no evidence other than an obvious massive chip on his shoulder.”
Tim held up a finger with a sharklike grin. “I don’t disagree, Piper, but hear me out. I did some digging, and there’s more to the Ahoy, Matey captain than meets the eye.”
He slid a closed manila folder across the table to her. She opened it, and Larry leaned over her shoulder to peer at it.
“Do you mind?” she sassed. She often had to assert the upper hand with Larry. Thank God for her take-no-prisoners Jewish backbone. “Or does my personal space mean nothing?”
Larry put his hands up and backed off.
“Thank you.” She looked down at a black-and-white photo, a side profile of a very handsome guy in an open-throated denim shirt. He leaned over a metal rail and stared out at the ocean with a soulful look about him. He appeared to be around her age in his midthirties, clean shaven with a strong jawline, straight nose, and short, thick brown hair tousled from the wind. “He’s cute.”
“That’s Captain Jack,” said Tim.
Piper’s imagination went into overdrive as memories of last night crashed over her, the way he’d pounded into her and caressed her. She stared hard at the photo. Was it him? The side profile made it hard to tell. “If you start singing ‘The Princess Pat,’ I might have to join in.” Her voice shook as she tried to decipher from the features if it could be him. The crooked, sexy smile did look familiar. Very familiar. Oh, shit.
Copyright © Roxanne D. Howard
Toe the Line
Hanukkah was always an emotional time of year for anyone. This year especially, after meeting Jack and getting a taste of the passion they could have together, then losing it—it had made a huge impact on her life. Still, this was the time of year for family, reconciliation, miracles, and love. Maybe there was still a chance.
She thought of Amira, a little girl who’d captured her heart. Amira liked to draw and would often give Piper crayon pictures she’d drawn of happier thoughts with green grass, blue skies, trees, and stick-figure people. Amira had found a home before Piper left. A physician at the local hospital and his wife had adopted her, which was such a relief to Piper to know she’d be safe and loved.
Piper had never quite grasped how lucky she was to have been born in the United States. Her grandma Yetta didn’t talk about the Holocaust very often. She’d always said she preferred to focus on the beautiful elements in life rather than the uglier times. But to know what life was like in a war zone now gave her a more profound respect than she’d ever had before for Yetta.
Piper’s close friends, Stefan Delgado and his husband Lance, had kept an eye on her condo for her while she’d been overseas. When the shuttle dropped her off in front of the complex, she unlocked the front door and stepped inside for the first time in two months. It threw her off guard with how well kept it appeared. With a pang, she remembered the cleaning spree she’d gone on right around the time Jack had ripped into her. Afterward, she’d gone to the studio to tell the truth on air and then had come home and blitzed the hell out of the place to quell her shattered nerves.
She walked into the kitchen area, where Stefan and Lance had left a sticky note on the fridge: Stocked you up on a few essentials. Welcome back, P!
She smiled and shook her head. “You guys.” She’d missed their zesty presence in her life. In the fridge was a gallon of cold milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, and kosher food. She retrieved a glass from the cupboard and poured some water.
Once the brunch was over tomorrow, she could relax and take some well-needed time to get her personal life sorted out. She slipped out of her shoes and changed into a soft lacy nightgown from her closet. It was the first sexy attire she’d worn since she left. She rubbed her favorite scented lotion into her hands and savored the sweet floral scent she’d missed. What would Jack say if she went to see him? It was the holiday season, after all. Even if he still resented her, perhaps they could at least mend fences?
One thing was certain, though—her heart needed to heal and move forward.
* * * *
Hakeem had mentioned in her initial interview over the phone that one perk to her job at Channel Four was the catering. As she’d missed out on it while over in Syria, she looked forward to seeing how good the food was. She and her taste buds weren’t disappointed. Whether it was served in the studio or at special off-site locations, like this holiday awards-ceremony brunch, the food was high quality. Because of the diversified staff members, there was kosher food. She didn’t always eat kosher, but she liked to honor her family’s tradition and heritage as often as she could.
Piper sat down at a table with her fellow anchors, who greeted her with hugs and praise for her time in Syria. Hakeem sat next to her and introduced his wife, Nadia, a beautiful woman with wide, dark eyes. She wore a pretty hijab. Nadia had an earthy, warm kindness about her.
No sooner had she dug into her breakfast than they surprised her by calling her up to the podium. She wiped her lips with a napkin and adjusted her necklace.
“What is this?” she asked Hakeem.
He shrugged in his sage-like way, though his dark eyes sparkled as he and Nadia watched her stand. She walked to the podium, where Richard Johnson, the Channel Four news director, stood and beamed at her. She kept her head high, as her mom always told her.
Chin up, my girl. Always chin up.
She’d put on a pair of black pants and a white wraparound blouse with a nice Empire waist for the occasion. They presented her with a beautifully crafted glass award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Journalism. Her hands didn’t shake when she took the award, but despite her confidence, tears welled up. A year ago, she would have considered this a pipe dream. Richard stood aside and indicated she should say a few words.
Piper took a deep breath and moved toward the microphone. She cleared her throat and looked up. “Thank you. I—”
The first person she saw when she looked up was Jack Spencer. He was leaning against the wall on the other side of the room wearing dark jeans, a dark-blue T-shirt, and a black sports jacket. Time froze, and so did she as she stared at him. His face beamed with pride, and it hit her right in the heart. Piper blinked, and a few tears escaped. Maybe he’d come to make amends?
She looked around at the audience of her peers, who appeared to notice the exchange. “My time in Syria taught me about what it means to be grateful for what we have here. Thank you so much for this award. I’m grateful to my fellow anchors, Hakeem Patel and Melinda Schaffer, who were my home front throughout the whole experience. This award means a lot to me, more than any of you could ever know. I hope our segments we did in Syria have stoked enough awareness about the crisis with the refugees. Not everyone will always agree about a decision, but when it involves children, I feel like we have an obligation to do our utmost to help. Thank you.”
She stepped away to applause. But instead of going back to her table, she kept right on walking. Straight toward Jack.
* * * *
Before Piper made it two feet in front of Jack, he seized her hand and led her out of the banquet hall. He half expected her to slap him, but the fact that she hadn’t so far was a good sign. Jack found a secluded hallway area and stopped. He let go of her hand and watched her.
Piper’s mouth hung open. She assessed him with her dark eyes and then put a hand on her hip.
“Jack, why are you here?”
He quirked an eyebrow “Aw, come on now, Legs. I thought it’d be pretty damn obvious. I’m here to whisk you away.”
She blinked in alarm. He knew he was pressing his luck, but the best defense was sometimes a good offense.
“What! What do you mean? We haven’t even been in touch. You never responded to my e-mail.”
He frowned. “What e-mail? I sent you an e-mail.”
“No, you didn’t. I sent you an e-mail, a few days after I got to Syria. You never responded.”
“Piper, I never got it! I sent you an e-mail the same day Hakeem gave me your address. You never responded to mine.”
“Well, I never got yours, did I?” She blinked furiously.
He drew closer to her, cautious as a lion tamer. “Okay, so apparently e-mail sucks. How about we set that aside and chalk it up to miscommunication? Let’s give it another shot.”
Copyright © Roxanne D. Howard
Overboard
They cleaned up, and she moved to a nearby sofa and flipped over onto her front while Jack retrieved their discarded clothes. He set hers down on a small table nearby. She rested her head on her arms over a cushion as she watched him pull on his shirt. The delineations of his shoulder muscles shifted, illuminated by the golden streaks from the skylight. She sighed and basked in the warmth against her bare back. He kissed her forehead, took a sip of the water, and handed her the glass. He went to restart the boat.
Before Jack had entered her life, she’d never been out on the ocean before other than to walk along a shoreline or wade in the shallow surf. But the sound of the seagulls and musical tempo of the waves gave her comfort. The ocean had a primal sense as ancient as the earth itself. She loved the pleasant, hypnotic sensation of being adrift after their sex.
“Make sure you don’t fall asleep over there,” he called. “You might get a sunburn.”
She tipped the captain’s hat up so she could see him and smiled against the pillow. “After what we just did, I’ll be lucky if I can peel myself off of this anytime soon. Mmm, this is so comfortable.” She bent her knee, wriggled into the sofa, and lifted her backside.
“You keep it up over there, and I’m going to come join you,” he growled. “Then that sensational ass will be really red.”
She sat up and reached for her bra. Enough teasing. “As much as I love that idea, I am a little hungry.”
“There are those sandwiches we bought at the market in the small fridge and some food in the pantry.”
“Great. I’ll rustle something up. Would you like a plate?”
“Sure. I wouldn’t say no to a chocolate either.”
“Oh, good call.” She got dressed and went down the stairs to the stateroom. She’d put the box of chocolates he’d gotten her back in the nightstand drawer. There were still some rosehip petals scattered prettily around the bed, and some long-stemmed bouquets dotted the room in secured vases. Jack had gone out to check the yacht during their time in Catalina and had watered the surrounding roses while he was at it. Most of the petals were open, and the sweet fragrance permeated the room. She retrieved the chocolate box and headed back upstairs.
JACK SET THE yacht to coast and joined Piper at the bar for a light lunch. After their meal, they fed each other chocolates, and he took a bit of liberty because he could. He rubbed her inner thigh as she licked around the edge of her chocolate and bit into it, her large, dark eyes shining.
“Can we just stay like this? Feasting on chocolates as we sail across the Pacific? Of course, I’d have to join an oceanic Weight Watchers at some point, but—”
He grinned and trailed his finger along her thigh. “If you like.”
He’d just leaned in to kiss her when a horn blared in the distance. They parted and looked in the direction of the sound. A smaller yacht sailed toward them about half a mile away.
* * * *
Piper stood. “Do they need help?”
Jack walked to the helm and pulled out a pair of binoculars from a drawer. “No. There’s a distress signal they’d use if they were in danger. That might just be a hello. Why don’t we respond in kind?” He tooted the horn twice. Hello. Yes, we see you.
“Can you see what they look like?”
The view from the binoculars caught two blurred images on the deck of the small yacht. “Not yet. I can just see their figures. Might be a man and a woman. They’re coming closer. Wait, their image is clearer.” He could make out a tall sandy-brown-haired man and a blonde woman with shoulder-length hair. The couple waved.
“Do you know them?” Piper asked.
Jack zoomed in on their faces, then chortled. “I don’t believe it.” The world sure was a small place. He waved back and leaned down to the helm to adjust his radio frequency to 6352.1.
Piper stayed glued to his side. “What are you doing? Who are they?”
“Mark Young. He’s an old friend of mine from time I spent in Australia many years ago. He’s a pediatric neurologist and works with kids with epilepsy. It looks like his wife, Katrina, is with him. We have a set radio frequency we always communicated on. It’s kind of a code among adrenaline junkie divers back in Sydney. I’ll bet he remembers it.” He thumbed the speaker button. People popped up in the most peculiar of places. “Butterfly Eyes to Crusty Old Timer. Butterfly Eyes to Crusty Old Timer. Come in, Crusty Old Timer.”
The radio hissed, and a deep Australian voice spoke. “Nice to see you too, Jack. How the hell are you, mate? The boat’s called the Rose Marie, by the way, you wanker.”
“Duly noted. What are you doing out here? I thought you two were down under.”
“I flew out here with the missus for a medical conference in San Francisco after Boxing Day. Our flight home got delayed, and I’ve got no appointments set up at the clinic until January fourth. Katrina and I rebooked our flight; thought we’d stay a while and go sailing, then head back after the New Year. I wondered if I might run into you out here. Looks like I did. Who’s the sheila?”
Piper grinned at Jack. The corner of his mouth lifted. “This is my girlfriend, Piper Goldhirsch. We’re on our way back from a holiday on Catalina.” He still got a buzz every time it dawned on him Piper was, in fact, his woman.
“Jack Spencer on an actual holiday? With a steady girl? Now there is an anomaly. When I realized it was you, I thought you were headed out on a rescue mission for that poor whale.”
Jack lowered his brow and met Piper’s look, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s a blue whale. Just saw him. Big son of a bitch, about eighty feet long. He’s caught in some crab-trap lines. It looks like he’s been trapped for a while.”
“Where?”
“About twenty nautical miles east of here, mate. He’s floating upside down with his chin on the water.”
“Upside down?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a bad sign.”
“I know. I tried to report it on the radio and get help, but they said NOAA has their hands full with an oil spill earlier today off the West Coast from an inbound rig, and it takes precedence over the whale, since it’s a danger to all wildlife. And you’re the only one from the Inland Nautical Society I know here. Good spot of luck we ran into you, eh?”
Mark’s boat had come close enough to be able to make out the features of his good-natured face, now turned down in a frown. Jack stared at Mark across the water.
Piper put a hand on his arm. “Jack?”
The radio crackled. “I can almost hear that mind of yours working over there, Jack. You always did have a hero complex. Good to see it’s still up and running. You think you and I could handle it? My foot’s still on the mend from metatarsal surgery, so I can’t go in the water right now. But you and I both know how long it takes to clean up an oil spill. The whale will either be dead or long gone if they ever do get out here, and either way, it bodes badly for him. Do you want to give it a go? See if we can free him, or at least take a look?”
Jack glanced at Piper. She nodded.
“I don’t have to be at the broadcast until ten, Jack. We could go. I’ve never seen a blue whale before.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He clicked the mic. “Okay. Yeah, we’re in. Let’s give it a shot. At least see how bad it is, and we’ll go from there. Did the whale appear in distress?”
“No, but we stayed pretty far back. Didn’t want to trouble him. When we came upon him, he didn’t move, like he’d given up. Who the hell knows how long he’s been out there? At first we wondered if he was dead, but we didn’t see any sharks trying to feed off him, so we went in closer to check him out. He looked alive.”
“All right. If you take us to where you saw it, we can follow you. Give it a good distance when we get there, though. Let’s keep him nice and calm. We’ll coast alongside you and come aboard.”
“Sure thing, mate. Out.”
Copyright © Roxanne D. Howard
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Writing Prompt WIP: Paranormal Romance
Hi Everyone,
In a Facebook group I’m a part of, each month a collection of words is given to the authors to create a writing prompt, and we’re supposed to come up with a 100-400 word story based on the words. I created one today and I thought it might be fun to add to it monthly until it’s a proper-length story. So that everyone has a hand in creating it, if you have any prompt words to add to the story, please submit them (and you can do so anonymously) in my Ask Box. This story WILL eventually be NSFW, so please be aware of that. Enjoy. We’re going to go with the tentative title Coveted.
Rose slid the rolled, yellowed parchment carefully home inside the nook on the top shelf. She glanced behind her, and climbed down the long ladder. Her position in the Sacred Archives was highly coveted and sought after by many of her colleagues, but she’d landed the job through hard work and dedication. Her sister, Iris, had said Rose got the job simply because she was awesome, but the Elders didn’t want anything but competent Mystics working in the Archives. Handling the sacred scrolls required a certain magical panache that most Mystics had to work years to obtain, but the intuitive rarity that always set Rose apart as a child became the catalyst for her career.
A deep, gravelly voice interrupted her reverie. “Look lively, little one.”
She gasped, a few feet from the ground, and looked over her shoulder to find herself at eye level with a scrumptiously handsome man. Sapphire eyes gleamed at her, framed by a wild, dark mane. This man was rugged and smelled of the forest. Her treacherous eyes tore free from her brain, and she glanced at his impressive form. He had a hard body with prominent muscles, the kind men had to work for, and from his leather breeches to his armored vest over a white shirt, he must be one of the bounty hunters who just got in from the airship the other day.
His full lips parted, and his eyes clamped on her. Apparently, he liked what he saw. “You’re… Rose, yes?” A silver light sparked in his eyes, and oh, shit. She knew that look. That was an ovary-wrecking, fertility-hunting look. In the three seconds it took for the hot blood to pool in her belly and for her to get a grip on the endorphins coursing through her, she gulped, and nodded.
The post Writing Prompt WIP: Paranormal Romance appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
May 16, 2017
Costa Mesa Boxed Set and Autographed Paperback Giveaway!
Hey Guys and Gals,
I have some terrific news. Loose Id Publishing is looping my Costa Mesa Series into an e-boxed set, and get this – it’s 1/3 of the cost! So you can get all three holiday books with Jack and Piper for only $4.99! They tend to chop the price in half when it’s available for pre-order, so keep an eye peeled at the following link, as it might get as low as $2.00 for the whole series! This is a total steal, so grab it while you can and make sure to leave a rating/review on Goodreads – they help us authors bigtime!
http://www.loose-id.com/costa-mesa-e-...
My other bit of cool news is that I’m also running a giveaway on Goodreads for three autographed paperbacks of Sonnet Coupled! Be sure to enter to win. The paperbacks are large and beautiful!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Sonnet Coupled
by Roxanne D. Howard
Giveaway ends June 04, 2017.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
I also just wanted to give a very fond thank you to everyone who has supported me and my writing. I’m so lucky to have such amazing and loyal friends and readers. Whether you’ve bought my books, read them, rated/reviewed them, or simply cheered me on, thank you. It means more than you know. I’m knee deep in rewrites of a paranormal romance I wrote over a year ago. I’m shifting some things a bit and making it an interracial novel, which I think works really well for it. More to come on that! I love you all. Be sure to check out the boxed set of the Costa Mesa Series. I couldn’t be happier they’re selling it at a lower price. Help me get it noticed!
Love,
Roxanne
The post Costa Mesa Boxed Set and Autographed Paperback Giveaway! appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
April 27, 2017
Luciana Correa’s New Website and Book!
My fellow author Luciana Correa’s new website goes live today! Luciana is a very seasoned reviewer for The Readers Review Room, where she regularly reads and reviews new novels. Luciana is also an author! She is guest blogging today to tell you a little more about her new exciting site and book. Luciana, take it away.
The site will go online on April 28th.
I give a short story for the subscribers and I will send them one chapter a week of my book, Warlocks, Angels, and Warriors. It is a new version, adapted to American-English. The subscribers will receive it before anybody else.
A Red Flower on a White Gown is a paranormal short story.
My site is about my books and my work as a reviewer, a critique, a beta reader and a translator.
Have a look, and be sure to subscribe!
http://lucorreaauthor.wixsite.com/lucianacorreaauthor
The post Luciana Correa’s New Website and Book! appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
April 24, 2017
Holy Reviews, Batman!
Hola, Everyone!
Well, the Blog Tour for Sonnet Coupled is off to a kicking start! The novel releases tomorrow, and reviews have been rolling in on Goodreads from ARC Readers (several of whom I don’t even know), 5 Stars all across the board! Read what people are saying about Sonnet Coupled!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34857409-sonnet-coupled
The paperback of the novel is still half-off at only $3.99 for today only if you pre-order on Amazon, then it will go up to full price tomorrow when it releases, so it’s a steal for a print book! Get it while you can!
https://www.amazon.com/Sonnet-Coupled-Roxanne-D-Howard-ebook/dp/B071RCN2NX/
This is the paperback front and back cover. I just saw the back cover the other day, and I was blushing six ways from Sunday! Boroughs Publishing must be clairvoyant, because that actually does look like Sonnet and Griffith!
I hope you will all check out Sonnet Coupled. Please remember that reviews help the novel to get noticed in a big way, and they really help the author out in making or breaking the success of the book. So if you enjoy it, please leave a review!
April 22, 2017
Upcoming Parties, Giveaways, and Links
Hey Guys,
With release day approaching on April 25th, I wanted to let you all know about upcoming events and some cool things you won’t want to miss out on.
Okay, first bit of news is that I now have an Instagram! Follow along, I will always follow back provided it’s not spam or porn.
April 21, 2017
Guest spotlight on Desiring Lacey by Erica Lynn
Disclaimer: The following article contains NSFW content which may be unsuitable for some readers. Read at your own discretion.
It’s my pleasure to welcome fellow Loose Id author Erica Lynn to the blog today! I’ll be bound and tied in the corner while Erica tells you all about her sizzling new release! Erica, welcome!
Hi, y’all!
Thank you so much to the wonderful Roxanne D. Howard for letting me crash her website. She’s the absolute *best*.
My name is Erica Lynn, and I write books filled with yummy, erotic goodness.
I wanted to take a moment to talk with y’all about my new novel, Desiring Lacey, as well as give y’all a sexy little excerpt from chapter 1.
Desiring Lacey is the first book in my 3 book Fantasies Unmasked series, and it really holds a special place in my heart. Why, you ask? Well…
It’s my first full length novel. Admittedly, it’s on the shorter side of novels, but it’s a full length novel nonetheless.
It’s the first thing I’ve written that’s dived into some of my own personal fantasies. Things I’ve thought of or been curious about, so in that way it’s more personal than my novellas.
It’s the first book I’ve really thought long and hard about. My other ones I whipped out for funsies, but Lacey has been a character in my head for close to a year now, and she finally led me down the right path on how to tell her story.
While my other books have had a little mystery and suspense in them, Desiring Lacey is the first thing I’ve written where I feel like she could be any of us. She’s twenty-nine, fresh out of a relationship she’s been in since she was eighteen, and she’s on an adventure of self discovery. What does she like? What does she fantasize about? What are her desires? Who is Lacey? I wanted Lacey to dive into an unknown world (a world that happens to take place in a mansion where sexy men and women in masks can play) and find out what really makes her tick as a person. As a woman. As a sexual being. And boy does she find it… *fans self*
And probably the most scariest of all… It’s my first time venturing into the self-publishing arena. My novellas were all published with Loose Id, LLC, but I’m ready for a change. So I’ve got my helmet and my sword, and I’m channeling my inner Maximus. Let’s do this! *insert intimidating gladiator roar*
Desiring Lacey is currently up for pre-order on Amazon at a DISCOUNTED PRICE of $2.99 (will go up to $3.99 when it goes live, May 3rd).
It’ll also be FREE on KU!
I LOVE chatting with everyone through social media, so do not be afraid to hit me up!
Website: http://msericalynn.com/
Loose ID: http://tinyurl.com/zvj36j7
Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/j7uguyw
Author Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/jycgtag
Erica Lynn & All Things Sexy (Private Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/EricaLynnGroup/
Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/hhmbcf9
Instagram: http://tinyurl.com/zxjz7x9
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/z38hehq
Snapchat: MsEricaLynn85
Now for that sexy excerpt I promised y’all… Here you go! (Oh, and maybe go to my website and listen to my crazy hot playlist I put together for this book. Song #1 is specifically for chapter 1. Just sayin… [image error]
http://msericalynn.com/2017/04/desiring-lacey-super-sexy-playlist/
Chapter One
Lacey sucked a deep breath of cool air into her lungs as she knocked on the large, black door with an unsteady fist. A quick glance down the empty street told her she was alone, which made sense, since she was officially late. Most of the guests were no doubt already deep in the, um, festivities. She heard music drift from inside, something soft and sensual, but couldn’t quite make it out.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she took in the many mansions that surrounded her. The neighborhood stood in the ritzier part of Houston, the houses and grounds simply beautiful, and the one in front of her proved to be no exception. She looked up at the two story, red brick monster that towered over her and noticed a white balcony off to the side. She closed her eyes and imagined herself in a fluffy robe, a cup of coffee to her lips, as she watched the sunrise.
Her phone interrupted her thoughts as it rang inside her purse, and she hurried to switch it to silent. She couldn’t believe she’d actually shown up. Her friend, Stassi, had pulled some strings to get her an invitation, but wouldn’t arrive until later that night. She’d insisted Lacey go without her so she could get used to the vibe. Stassi had begged for months for Lacey to come with her, she’d been to many of these parties, but this was Lacey’s first time. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but after all the nonsense that had gone down with that fucker, Trent, what did she possibly have to lose? If he calls me one more time tonight I swear on all that is holy-
The creak of the door opening shook her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see a tall, deliciously built man in a black suit directly in front of her. She couldn’t help but take in his dirty blond hair, and even though it was too dark outside to make out his eyes, she could tell they were a beautiful green. The top part of his face was hidden by a black mask, but his chiseled face and strong jaw told her all she needed to know. The man was perfection. He stared at her for a moment, then cleared his throat and stuck out his hand.
“Hello,” she squeaked. When he still didn’t move, she placed her hand in his and gave it a shake.
The man raised an eyebrow and chuckled, then brought her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips along her knuckles. “Your skin is like silk, sugar.”
His deep and gravelly voice rumbled through her tummy as he took in her simple black dress, black pantyhose, and black heels. Stassi had said to dress as if she were attending a cocktail party, although she feared she looked more like she was ready for a funeral. Stinging heat climbed up her neck and cheeks as he pulled his lower lip between his teeth.
“Are you this soft everywhere?” he asked as he sucked her finger into his mouth, his tongue swirling in gentle circles.
“I’m…uh…I’m not sure. I guess so?”
“You are aware panties are prohibited, correct?” He reached out with his other hand and ran his finger up her thigh, his touch gentle as a feather beneath the fabric that covered her skin.
“I am. These are pantyhose.” She tried to hold her head high as she swatted his hand away from her leg. “They’re two totally separate things.”
His mouth curled into a grin as he chuckled. “I guess you have it all figured out, and as much as I’d love to stand here and taste your skin all night long, I need your invitation.”
“My what? Oh!” Lacey quickly drew her hand away from his perfect lips and reached inside her purse. “Of course, I’m so sorry.” She finally found the requested document and handed it over.
“Lacey Wilson…” He looked up from the invitation and into her eyes. “That’s an incredibly sexy name. Well, Lacey, come on in. As you were informed, phones and cameras of any kind are not allowed. You can leave your purse in the closet behind me. Feel free to try to sneak something in, but make no mistake, someone will see you and let me know.” He moved to the side and held the door open for her. “Oh, can’t forget this.”
Lacey nodded and accepted the dark purple mask he held out, then started to move into the house until his fingers curled around her arm.
“Sorry, but you have to put it on before you can go any farther.” Lacey shifted from one foot to the other as she looked at the fabric, then back at him.
The man sighed, then took the mask from her, turned her around, and slipped it over her eyes. Her body shivered as his chest came into contact with the top of her shoulders. Her breasts rose and fell with her labored breath as he tied the mask around her head. His fingers tickled her scalp as he fastened it, then turned her back to face him. “Look, if you want to take it off later, if you decide to go into one of the private rooms, you can ask your partner if they mind. But if they want you to keep it on, you have to do so, okay? People come here to enjoy a little anonymous fun. Lots of them would rather keep their masks on. I don’t want to have to kick you out, so please don’t make me.”
Lacey gave him a tight smile as she nodded, struck by the way he spoke to her. He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t roll his eyes. He was gentle. Sweet. She hadn’t really known what to expect when she came here, but for some reason, kindness hadn’t been it. “Thank you for being so nice to me. I’m nervous. First time and all. Anyway, I’m Lacey. Well, I guess you know that from the invitation. And you are?”
He simply stared, and God help her, she felt his gaze. It started in her toes, then crept up her body, inside her. It was like fire, licking every inch and crevice until her skin burned with need. Jesus, Lacey, the actual party is inside and here you are, all hot and heavy for the freaking doorman.
Lacey gave him one last smile, then turned and walked further down the hallway. The first thing that struck her was how cold it was. Freezing, was more like it. She hung her purse in the closet, then wrapped her arms around herself.
“I’m Cameron. My name. Uh…it’s Cameron. Cameron Jennings,” he called after her.
Cameron. Lacey turned her head and gave him a smile, then continued toward the music. She swallowed the lump in her throat as goose bumps covered her arms. I should leave. Turn around, go home, and watch a movie like I do every night. I don’t belong here. She shook her head against the negativity. No. I’m a twenty-nine year old woman who is desperately trying to find herself and build confidence, emotionally and sexually. I do belong here. Her mind continued its assault, but somehow her feet carried her deeper into the hallway, until she finally arrived in the living room. Holy motherfucker…
The room was quite large with gray walls and dimmed lights. Black sofas and chairs were spread throughout, and on the end tables were flutes of what she assumed to be champagne. The music played just loud enough to drown out one’s thoughts, and people were scattered throughout the room. Men and women, their faces partially covered by their masks, purple for the females, black for the males. The vibe from the room screamed mystery. Intensity. Sex.
Lacey took a shaky breath and concentrated on keeping a normal pace as she walked to one of the tables, grabbed a glass of champagne, then went and sat in an empty chair in the corner of the room. She crossed her legs and raised the glass to her lips for a small sip. As the bubbles glided along her tongue, she felt herself relax. The hardest part was the drive over, Lacey. Now you’re here, so watch and enjoy.
She glanced around the room, a little unsure of what she should do. She wished Stassi would hurry up and get here. She’d promised she’d be in right behind her, and of course, here she was. Alone.
The music changed as Lacey raised her glass to take another sip of champagne. She closed her eyes and let the melody and lyrics wash over her. The woman’s voice rang out over the speakers, scratchy and passionate, the lyrics deliciously explicit as she sang about desire. Hot, achy, needy desire.
She heard a movement in front of her and opened her eyes to find a couple had made their way to a large, circular cushion. As the man sat down, Lacey noticed the chatter around her had died, and everyone seemed to watch them eagerly. As the music continued to play, the man leaned back on his forearms and nibbled his bottom lip while he watched the woman reach up and unclip her hair. Her long, blonde locks fell down her back, and her hands roamed over her curves as she smiled. Her hips swished back and forth as she glided toward him. She grabbed his shirt by the collar, then tugged him until he slid down and sat on the floor, his head resting on the cushion.
Lacey swallowed as she watched the woman place her knees on either side of his head. Short bursts of excitement burst from her lungs, and her breasts pushed against the top of her dress. He’s not going to…surely not right here. That’d be…
She didn’t have time to finish her thought, because the next second the man pushed up the woman’s black dress, used his hands to spread her thighs, and buried his face in her sex. Lacey slowly inhaled as the woman pulled off the garment, her large and perfect breasts spilling free. She moaned as she ground against him, one hand supporting her weight as she leaned over him, the other hand between her legs, her fingers curled in his hair.
The people around her began to move, too. Some made their way to the next hallway in groups of twos and threes, and others began to kiss and explore each other right where they were. Lacey couldn’t have moved if she wanted to. She couldn’t think, hell she could barely breathe. All she could do was watch the couple in front of her. She’d never seen anything like this in her life. Typically she didn’t even care for porn, but the scene in front of her made her entire body tingle. She pulled her legs up onto her chair, and a small gasp escaped her throat as she felt her excitement pool in her center. A moan slipped through her lips as her juices leaked out and dripped down her sensitive, swollen flesh. Holy hell, holy hell, holy hell. She squirmed in her seat as desire overtook her. Her rapid heartbeat pulsed in her head, her neck, her clit. She wanted nothing more than to touch herself. She hurt so badly, she needed to touch herself, to make herself come.
She glanced around at the few people who hadn’t gone to the private rooms. A couple to the side of her, both still fully clothed, ravished each other in one of the chairs. The woman straddled him, and Lacey pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as his hands explored every inch of her body. With each move, her skirt slid a few inches higher, a little more of her thighs exposed each time. A few of the other couples were already naked on the sofas. Some had sex, and some simply enjoyed each other as fingertips ran up and down arms and legs, over breasts and along their sex.
As everyone allowed themselves to experience the naughty fun, Lacey’s thoughts continued to rage a war in her head. She knew if she gave in to her body and pleasured herself it would be the least shocking thing taking place in the room, but even as that knowledge swirled in her head, she still couldn’t believe she was actually considering it. This wasn’t her. She didn’t go to sex parties and masturbate while she watched others screw. And yet, here she sat. A shivering, achy mess.
She swallowed the rest of her champagne and put the glass on the floor beside her. She didn’t have time to think of how she normally behaved. All she knew was she was in desperate need of release, and with every second she didn’t give into the urge, her head pounded harder. Not from the alcohol, but from her body’s unrelenting ache. Every tremble, every shudder was her body begging her for an orgasm. She quickly glanced around, then inched up her dress and glanced down at her legs. Fuck! My pantyhose. Should I take them off? Just do it over them? Dammit, dammit, dammit…
“And that, sugar, is why you aren’t supposed to wear panties.”
The post Guest spotlight on Desiring Lacey by Erica Lynn appeared first on Roxanne D. Howard, Author.
April 17, 2017
Quirky Habits of a Hunky Hero
The term Himbot has always held a dear place in my heart since I heard it a few years ago.
Top definition
The male version of a Fembot. That is, a stereotypical, hyper-masculine male, often portrayed in media, who fit masculinity standards to an unrealistic degree and are often presented, or present themselves, as superior, successful and supremely popular with the ladies
While it’s a hilarious term, it’s not so hilarious to read an entire full-length romance novel with a dude who knows he’s a dude and is out to prove he’s a dude to everyone. When I write heroes, I like them to be real, and something I enjoy doing is giving them quirks that set them apart.
In my new release with Boroughs Publishing, Sonnet Coupled, Griffith Parker is a definite Alpha male, fresh back from a tour in Iraq and attending the police academy while pulling graveyard shifts as a security officer to pay his way through. He’s the strong, silent type, but one thing that comes out during the novel is his hilarious ability to do impersonations. Check out this excerpt from Sonnet Coupled to see what I mean:
Griffith arrived an hour earlier than she expected. She’d finished making sorrentinos—a delicious ham and mozzarella-based ravioli recipe with Abuela’s special added spices—when the doorbell rang. Still in her Star Wars Yoda adult onesie, she ran to open the door. Griffith stood there, dressed casual in dark jeans and a gray V-neck sweater. He held a boxed security system in his hands.
He laughed and did a Yoda impression. “Nice jammies they are. Look good in them, you do, hmm.”
“Oh my God, you sound just like him. Say something else.”
“My thing doing voices sort of is. Strong with the Force is my mimicking. Mmm.”
Sonnet cracked up and shut the door behind him as he came in. “Wow, I’m blown away. I wouldn’t have thought you could do that.”
“Thanks. I spent so much time being quiet as a kid and listening to other people, until one day I realized I could imitate them.”
“Well, you’re good at it.” She flattened down her hair as he looked at it. The curls were a bit out of control. “I was about to hop in the shower. I just made dinner.”
Griffith sniffed the air. “Smells great.”
“Well, with any luck, it should be. Go ahead and make yourself at home. I’m going to finish getting ready.”
He set the box on the coffee table. “Do you care if I just get started? I brought my tools. I also got a fuse for the dryer.”
“No, knock yourself out, Master Yoda.”
Since I’m admittedly a Star Wars geek, check out these impersonations by John Boyega, who plays Finn in the new Star Wars episodes. I dare you not to laugh.
