Nicole R. Locker's Blog, page 7
July 14, 2017
#FlashFiction – Fairy Tale Romance
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This wasn’t some fairy tale story with a happy ending. The fact Mila was wandering these darkened woods had nothing to do with a trail to grandmother’s house, and the so-called, big bad wolf wasn’t going to be found lurking in the shadows out here.
No, that ghastly, pompous, arrogant, egotistical… you get the picture… he was the guest of honor at the Burkshire Spring Gala, the event of the year for this uppity, small, mountain town.
Everybody who was anybody was there, and they’d all bared witness to the disaster she had just endured at the hands of Rupert St. Cloud.
Okay, so she’d been out with the guy once or twice, but she would have much rather forgotten the whole thing and pretended none of it had ever happened, much like the horrendously public display she’d just left.
The sound of her phone ringing the tune of Justin Bieber singing about being the one started playing in muffled tones, so she reached into her cleavage to pull her cell from its admittedly moist hiding place. Another less-than-brilliant idea she could add to the list for the night.
“Charlie, don’t even say it. I don’t want to hear it. I already know what you’re going to say, and… just don’t.”
She heard her friend’s melodic chuckle through the phone before Charlotte Johnson, endearingly called Charlie, said, “Oh my God, Mi, you just got the proposal of the century.”
Mila’s hand went to her forehead and covered her eyes. “I told you not to say it,” she grumbled.
“Though, I have to admit, as unexpected as it was, you bolting out the door… nobody saw that coming. I think he’s about to send his posse out looking for you.”
Mila groaned.
“Oh, God, I’ve got to get out of here. And who says the word ‘posse’ anymore?” she added.
Mila looked around, trying to decide which way to go. The sun was already starting to go down, so wandering the woods all night probably wasn’t the best idea. Going back toward the Gala was out of the question, but she knew if she went south a little way, she’d come out on the main road.
“Charlie, tell my dad to send the car for me. He can find me on Red Oak Highway in about fifteen to twenty minutes. And don’t you dare tell anyone else where I am. I’m never going to live this down.”
“Suit yourself, sister,” Charlie sang before hanging up.
Mila stuffed her phone back down into the cup of her strapless bra and hefted the layers of her long, satin skirt to maneuver through the terrain. The heels of her strappy shoes sank down into the earth with each step, and the sticks, rocks, and leaves made for a trek that was anything but smooth.
What had Rupert been thinking? The dates they had been on hadn’t exactly been awe-inspiring, to say the least. Once she had gotten past his long lashes, dimples, and British accent, she’d found there just hadn’t been much to the guy.
Nothing she had found interesting, anyway, which wasn’t saying much, she supposed. She had yet to find any guy half way interesting in this town, and had it not been for Charlie, she’d have probably gone crazy with boredom by now. It was like all these townspeople were the same – walking, talking clones of each other, like they didn’t have minds of their own but one, dull, collective mind.
The sky was getting darker by the minute, and she realized it was taking longer than she’d thought to get to Red Oak Highway. She pulled her phone out again, thinking she’d better call her dad to see where he was and let him know she would be a little longer getting to the road than she had initially thought.
She rubbed the screen of her phone against the fabric of her dress at the waist, removing the moisture it had accumulated from the sweat she had worked up, pillaging through the woods in heels and a long gown. She brought the phone to life and tried to dial her father.
“Crap,” she cursed under her breath. No signal.
With her eyes on the phone screen instead of the path, she didn’t see the dip in the ground ahead as her foot stepped down, her ankle twisting at a painful and awkward angle, and it sent her toppling straight to the ground.
“Ow!” she cried, pushing herself up to sitting and reaching for her now throbbing ankle.
She sucked in a hissing breath between her clenched teeth as she tried to barely rotate her foot, but the shooting pain made her think better of it.
The panic crept up in her chest as she took a look around at the darkening forest. Nightfall was already settling upon her, and the canopy of trees overhead lent their shadow beneath, darkening her path even further.
She looked around for her phone that had plummeted to the ground at some point during her fall. It was her only hope at this point of getting anywhere, and the chances of it magically having service now when it hadn’t only a few seconds ago was undoubtedly slim – if she could even find it.
She scraped her hands along the leaves, dirt, and grass of the forest floor, feeling for any sign of the phone.
“Where are you? Where are you? Come on, don’t do this to me, not now.” She tried to widen her radius, shifting so her throbbing ankle was out of the way.
Finally, her fingers grazed over the smooth surface of the device, and she clutched it tightly in her fist, rejoicing with her victory. Her excitement, though, was short lived once she brought the phone to life, only to see it still had no signal.
She thought for a moment, taking a look around as her eyes adjusted to her darkened surroundings. She had to keep her head. If she gave up, that would be as good as Rupert St. Cloud winning, and she would be damned if she let that arrogant prick get the upper hand on her.
She would have to suck it up and find her way out. The trouble now was, she had somehow gotten herself turned around and couldn’t tell which direction was which with the sun no longer showing in the sky to indicate any semblance of a hint of which way she was going.
Her gaze traveled from left to right, desperate to recall any landmark that might give away the direction she had come from, but it was just no use. She couldn’t very well sit here on the floor of the forest all night, though, either, so she braced herself and pushed off the ground to stand.
Dusting herself off, mostly to stall walking, she made up her mind. This was the way she needed to go.
She put her lame foot in front of her and quickly stepped forward, pain lancing up through her leg until the other foot stepped down and accepted her weight again. This was not good. She would have to rally her strength and push through this. Camping had never been her thing, much less alone, knowing her dad would be waiting for her and probably already was.
One step. Ow!
Another. Then another. Each step she took felt more painful than the last, and she felt the tears begin to spill down her cheeks, not realizing she had been crying.
When the shock finally took over her, stealing her consciousness, she toppled, a dead weight, and her head hit hard on the solid root of a massive oak tree when she met the ground.
*
His wolf picked up an unusual scent as he passed through the darkness in pursuit of his secluded, mountain home. He’d been making his usual rounds, checking the perimeter and the boundaries of his territory, letting his animal run free, when the scent drew him near to see what it was.
A woman.
Who was she, and where had she come from? These woods were no place for a woman, especially at night, and he could smell the lingering scents of fear and pain on her.
He shifted into his man form and slowly approached her in the shadows, remaining hidden.
He noted the slow, rhythmic, rise and fall of her chest and the way the air pushed from deep within her lungs that she was asleep. He moved in closer to see her better. He observed the formal dress, the heels, and the dark, silky curls that fanned out on the ground like the halo of a beautiful, sleeping angel.
Something wasn’t right. Had she been dumped here? Her clothes showed no signs of being dragged. Nothing was torn or tattered that he could see. There were no signs of struggle, other than her swollen, right ankle. He could sense its heat like a fever.
What to do with her, though? He couldn’t just leave her out here in the wild. It wasn’t safe. Taking her home would be a mistake, though. He could just see her reaction at first glance of him, but what choice did he really have?
He shifted back to wolf form. He would need the speed and grace of his animal to get her there as quickly and smoothly as possible. He nuzzled his way beneath her and lifted so she rested on his back. He waited for a moment in case she woke, but after several seconds, she remained un-moving.
He began at a slow pace to adjust to moving beneath her weight while balancing her so she didn’t slide off him, until he managed to work his way up to full speed.
Within an hour, he slowed as he came upon the stoop of his home tucked deep within the woods.
He knelt his large frame to the ground with the woman still lying across his back. He eased out from beneath her and shifted again to man form so he could carry her inside. He spared a final glance over his shoulder before he pressed his foot against the door, pushing it closed.
*
When she awoke, the sunlight colored the backs of her eyelids, and she squinted them tightly to keep the intrusive brightness at bay. When she thought she was ready, she opened her eyes.
A high ceiling with exposed, wooden rafters came into focus first. The next thing that registered was the smell of bacon cooking. She turned her head, looking to one side, then the other.
Where am I?
She leaned up onto her elbows. There had to be someone here, or she wouldn’t smell food. Delicious-smelling food, at that, she thought, as her stomach reacted with a growl.
“Hello?” she called, but the sound came out low and timid. No one could have heard that, not from another room.
She took a breath to try again, but instead, she was startled by the sight of a man who appeared in the doorway of the room.
He was tall, unusually so with a thick, solid frame. He wore a tee-shirt that hugged his form, and a pair of dark jeans hung low on his hips.
His arm and shoulder muscles were showcased as he gripped each side of the door frame. He had more than a few days’ worth of stubble cover his jaw, and a thick mane of unruly hair fell around his face. His eyes were hazel, an intense mixture of brown and green, and they looked severe and intimidating as he eyed her from across the room.
She recoiled, unsure of who he was or whether he could be trusted.
“Wh-who are you?” she stuttered.
His voice came out deep and growly when he replied, “Brody.”
Her eyes dared to leave him for a moment to look around. “Where am I?”
He didn’t move from the door. “You’re in my home. We’re… a few miles outside of town.”
She looked out the window and saw an incredible view of the horizon, as though they were high up somewhere.
She looked back to him, appraising him and whether he seemed like a threat.
“And how did I get here?” she asked, defensively.
He dropped his arms to the side, and she flinched. He held his hands up and waited for her to give him the okay to move closer.
When she nodded her permission, he came into the room and stood at the foot of the bed.
“I found you last night, passed out, alone in the woods.”
She looked downward to the blanket that rested over her, trying to think.
“Do you remember how you got there?” Brody asked.
She looked up at him with a near blank expression. She shook her head, no.
“Where were you going?” he asked.
“I was… I… don’t know,” she admitted.
His lips formed a straight line as his brows furrowed. “What’s your name?”
Her eyes met his and her mouth opened as if to answer. Nothing came. The words had evaded her. She tried to clear the fog from her brain, but there was no answer.
She became afraid. “Oh, God, I don’t remember my name.” She held her hands to her face as realization hit her. “I don’t know who I am.”
June 23, 2017
My Crazy TBR List At the Moment #amreading
I’ve never had so many must-read books on my TBR list at one time. I don’t know where to start! They’re all brand-spanking new, and all from authors I already know I’m going to FREAKING LOVE!! The struggle is real, people! Help me out here?
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#FlashFiction – June 23, 2017 #UF #PNR
[image error]Lizbeth emerged from the shadows of the dock, looking down into the depths of dark, murky waters below. The lights of the city burned in the distance, and a temporary calm settled inside her knowing she was miles away from the chaos that had come to define her everyday life.
She crouched at the edge of the lift and watched as the waters swayed beneath her, light dancing off the oscillating ripples. It reminded her of the lights that danced in a pair of smiling, jade eyes that had come to frequent her thoughts in quiet moments such as these.
“Where are you?” she muttered into the night.
Of course, the night didn’t answer. It was a fickle bastard like that. The night only served to hide, trick, and deceive what the light wanted to reveal, and it was all she knew, all she would know of the world.
The hope was a useless one, she knew, because finding him would have meant disastrous implications. He’d been gone for over a year now, and this was how it had to be. It’s what she wanted for him and what she knew he had to do. That didn’t make the ache inside her, the constant reminder of his absence, any easier to endure.
Did he ever long for her in quiet moments like this, or wonder where she was, what she was doing, or if she was safe? Alive?
Her fingers went to the hidden locket she wore that hung close to her heart. She felt the warmth of it as she rubbed its smooth surface, and the memory of the way her fingertips had smoothed over the soft flesh of his tender, languid lips in just the same way intruded into her mind. Her eyes closed as she let the rays of moonlight penetrate her skin and comfort her.
The slightest rustling sound behind her set her senses on alert. She tucked the locket back beneath her shirt as she cast a quick glance over her shoulder in the direction of the nearly inaudible disruption, scanning the shore and the single, center console boat that bobbed and thudded against the wood it was anchored to. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, but saw nothing out of place.
Uneasiness swept over her, and she moved with stealth, backing away from the ledge to take cover in the shadows.
“I thought I’d find yeh here,” a familiar, rugged voice with an Irish lilt called from the boat, startling her.
She gasped, and her arms went up in front of her as she took a defensive stance.
“Brick!” she blurted as recognition set in. “What are you doing here?”
He leaned casually on the ledge of the boat, and the breeze coming off the water sent the overgrown waves of his hair ruffling across his forehead in a messy array.
“Charles is lookin’ for yeh,” he called as he climbed up over the edge of the boat and jumped down onto the dock, landing with a muted thud.
Lizbeth emerged from the darkness to meet him.
“I told Charles I’m done. Tell him to find someone else.”
Her arms folded across her chest as she stood with her feet planted widely apart. She was taking a stand, once and for all.
Brick scoffed. “Come on, Lizbeth, we both know that’s not the way this wurks.”
He closed in toward her and reached to grasp her arm. She jerked her shoulder away and out of his reach.
“I’m sorry, did I stutter? I’m not going,” she reiterated through gritted teeth.
Brick shifted back a few inches to keep from setting her off even further. His dark eyes grew serious and he rubbed his rough, masculine hand over the dark stubble of his jaw.
“Okay, far be it fer me teh force yeh… but I tink yer going to want to be there fer this one.”
His flippant tone wasn’t fooling her.
“Doubtful,” she muttered, keeping her eyes trained firmly on him.
He shrugged. “Suit yerself.” He turned his back to her and retreated unhurried up the path of the dock. He was still within hearing range when he called over his shoulder. “By the way, we’ve found Remy.”
Jade eyes flashed through her mind, intruding on her thoughts for the second time that night, but this time it brought a sense of panicked urgency.
“Remy,” she whispered, then bolted into a sprint to catch up with Brick. “Wait!” she shouted.
If they’d found Remy, there was only one thing for certain. He was either already dead, or he wanted to found. She didn’t like either implication, but there was no question, she had to find out what was happening. More than that, she had to see him.
June 10, 2017
#BookReview – Mister O by Lauren Blakely
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Mister O by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of those books that you’ll end up re-reading time and again because it’s so good, you won’t be able to help yourself. If you’re in a reading slump and need a good, guilty pleasure read, look no further.
Mister O is hilarious, steamy, and delectable. You start out with a hot, ripped guy in glasses, who happens to write a comic book character turned late-night-tv show… so he’s good looking, smart, AND funny… isn’t that like a TP Trifecta (TP=Total Package)?
Now add in his best friend’s nerdy but awesome younger sister whose awkward self happens to need some pointers in the dating department, and who better to help her than Nick Hammer, her brother’s long-time bff who happens to write a tv show about a guy who saves the day by giving women “O’s?”
Yeah, you can imagine how steamy this is going to get, but in a way that makes you want to go back and re-read certain scenes to make sure you milked all the awesomeness out of them the first time around.
The pacing of this book was great. The writing was great. The story was great. If you like contemporary romance and you haven’t read this yet, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. (And P.S. Sebastian York narrating the audio book on this was… yowza!)
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#BookReview – Cockie Roomie by Faleena Hopkins
[image error]Cocky Roomie by Faleena Hopkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Faleena Hopkins has a new uber fan. Someone recommended this book to me, and it was such a good read that I devoured it and the next in the series over the course of a week. I can’t wait to get a dose of Cocker Brother #3 now.
The humor in this book will have you laughing out loud, and the steamy scenes will have you squirming in your seat and searching for something to fan yourself with. This book was well written and highly addictive.
I absolutely loved that the female protagonist was older than the Hero of the story – not quite cougar territory, but definitely an age gap in there. I loved how protective Jake was over Drew, though, and how he quickly developed a soft spot for her, even though he was initially adamant there was no way he was going to have a girl roommate. It was also pretty funny how she threw him off having “two boy names” – Drew Charles. But I think the best part was how… noble?… these Cocker brothers are. They’re totally crush-worthy book boyfriends.
Bottom line… this book is a “highly recommend” from me.
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June 9, 2017
Boss Unyielding Audio Book – Now Available! (With Audio Sample)
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I have some exciting news to share today about Boss Unyielding!
After weeks of quality assurance checks through ACX, you can now find Boss Unyielding in Audio Book format.
Here’s a sneak peek at the Retail Audio Sample:
https://nicolerlocker.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/boss_unyielding_chapter7.mp3
Available on the following retailers:
Want to get the full audio book for FREE?
Find out more about Boss Unyielding.
#BookReview – Egomaniac by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic read. This book was interesting from start to finish. There was instant attraction and instant chemistry, but a slow burn to get together, and the flirtation along the way was delectable.
I found myself highly, emotionally invested in this book, especially where the ex-bitch wife came in. GRRRR, I wanted to punch that woman right in her pretty face. I also thought it was brilliant to pair a marriage counselor with a divorce attorney, and this made for some exciting, believable, and steamy conflict.
The characters were also very multi-dimensional, and even the secondary characters were vibrant with personality and added to the story in a rich, detailed way.
I also cannot forget to mention that the HEA in this story was so satisfying, this book is exactly why I love reading romance.
Vi Keeland will be added to my list of “Must Read” authors. This is the first book of hers I have read, but I’m already heading over to grab another.
(I listened to the Audio version of this book, and the narration was also fantastic.)
May 28, 2017
Influences of Nicole R. Locker – Author of Contemporary Romance
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As a writer, there are certain books from other Contemporary Romance Authors I’ve read that have really resonated with me and played a key role as what I call an “early influencer” in my writing, in both style and content.
They each have similar tropes – Alpha heroes, most have some type of tortured hero/heroine (or both), and most have a psychological angle that gives their characters a depth that makes them really interesting and relatable. Each book/series also has a “steam” factor without sacrificing an actual story line, which is something that resonates strongly with me, both in what I like reading and what I like to write.
Here is a list of some that really stand out. If you read Contemporary Romance, you’ve undoubtedly heard of most, if not all of these, but if you haven’t, they are all highly recommended!
Laurelin Paige – Fixed Trilogy
I can’t remember how I even stumbled upon Fixed On You, I’m pretty sure it was one of those “what to read after Fifty Shades” memes, but I’m glad I did. The plot in the Fixed series was so addictive, and the main characters were both so flawed, I found myself devouring these books, binge-style. The conflict was very realistic and well done, with just the right balance.
Jana Aston – The Cafe Series
The Alpha hero, forbidden love, older man/younger woman, Wrong was such a good story. Aston did a good job with the secondary characters to make way for follow up books.
Sylvia Day – Crossfire Series
I mean, if Gideon Cross (Bared to You) isn’t the hottest Alpha Hero I’ve ever read… The history of the characters and their tortured pasts, the lengths they are willing to go to for each other, the secondary characters and their issues, the natural progression of the relationship between Hero and heroine, these were all things that resonated with me. I also appreciated that Eva was written to be a short, curvy woman as opposed to the typical, tall, willowy beauties we normally read about.
E.L. James – Fifty Shades Trilogy
Just to be clear, I have not written any BDSM books (and don’t have any plans to – sorry!), and yes, I know these books could use a thorough editing. With that being said, the psychological aspect of this series, beginning with Fifty Shades of Grey, was actually pretty profound. I say this having a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Psychology, and having been in the Social Services field for 9 years. Erotic elements aside, this story had a depth that I think was lost on the vast readership these books deservedly amassed.
Other Authors I’m Loving/Learning From Currently
There are some newer (to me) authors that I’ve started reading after I actually started writing my own books (fiction, anyway) who I’m loving and hoping to learn by example going forward. Some are not necessarily Contemporary Romance authors, but they are still influencers of my work, nonetheless. These are:
H.P. Mallory (The Peyton Clark Series and the JolieWilkins Series) – I love the semi-realistic paranormal elements in the Peyton Clark Series, and the mystery aspects of her books. They are so fun!
Dannika Dark (The Mageri Series and the Crossbreed Series) – Dark is my all time favorite author. This woman has mastered the art of character building, and if she weren’t primarily a PNR/UF author, she would have been at the top of this list. Her world building is phenomenal.
Lauren Blakely (Mister O) – Blakely is basically my goal as a writer. I want to be her, she is just that good. I’m definitely devouring more of her work to take away as much as I can.
Books By Nicole R. Locker
If you find that these authors and/or books have resonated with you, then definitely give my books a try. See how they measure up to some of the top ladies in Romance! Here’s a couple to get you started!
Preview the first 6 chapters of both books here.
Cover Reveal – Boss Unavowed (plus 2 #Giveaways)
Hey everyone! I have some exciting things going on at the moment. First of all, let me reveal to you the cover of my next release – Boss Unavowed: A Wedding Romance Novella. Farren and Rogan’s story continues…
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Find out how things are going with the new baby, a new Head of the Marketing Department, Edith Underwood, that’s causing a bit of a stir, and a surprise visit from someone in Farren’s past she thought was long gone and out of the picture… someone whose presence has unexpected consequences! Boss Unyielding ended with a HFN (Happy For Now). Will Farren and Rogan get their Happily Ever After in Boss Unavowed?
Enter a Giveaway!
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Enter to win a Kindle Fire and 10+ Hot Romance Ebooks – ends June 30, 2017.
Win My 6 Book Bundle on Bookfetti!
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Enter now! 3 Winners will be chosen June 30, 2017.
April 9, 2017
#CoverReveal – Boss Unyielding: A Secret Baby Office #Romance (With free preview!)
Happy Sunday, Romance book lovers! I’ve got some exciting news for you. My latest book, Boss Unyielding: A Secret Baby Office Romance is complete, is now in the hands of my Street Team, and officially available for Pre-Order on all major ebook retailers!
Farren Fields shouldn’t be attracted to her hot, older boss… But she is.
Farren is a lot more than just a young, innocent beauty. She’s a tech genius with a brilliant mind, though no one would ever know it. She’s dreamed of working for the illustrious, Houston-based technology firm, Rayner Technologies, since she was a sophomore in high school. So what if that was only six years ago? She knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to go after it. That is, until the sexy-as-hell, mysterious, brilliant, Alpha playboy who owns the company becomes the object of her innermost desires.
Rogan Rayner knows his new, star employee is off limits… But when have limits ever stopped him? This time, he may have finally met his match, and it’s nothing like he ever expected.
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Some of the Romance Tropes you’ll see in this book include: Alpha Hero, Billionaire, May/December (older man, younger woman), Forbidden Love (boss/employee), Office Romance, Playboy, Scars, Secret Baby, and Tortured Hero.
Heat Level is a Steamy 4 out of 5.
Want an EARLY PREVIEW of Boss Unyielding? Click Here!
PreOrder Now for only $0.99
