Mika Lane's Blog, page 7

MORE Men at Work on the way...

Darlings:

Ok, the next 3 Men at Work books have been chosen! Thank you for voting! These babies will come out between now and the end of the year.
I hope you love these new covers as much as I do.
More details to come...

xoxo
Mika

Would you...with your boss?

Her Dirty CEOs is LIVE today! #11 in the sassy, steamy Men at Work Collection.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm a sucker for a sexy boss romance and I bet you are too!


Check out this sneak preview of chapter 1:

“I’m not going back.”

I ate my egg white omelet faster. The sooner I got out of there, the better.

But my mother waved our server over and ordered us a second round of mimosas.

And Dad got another Bloody.

Dammit.

Mom put a hand on my arm, her light pink manicure a ladylike contrast to my own chipped, black one. “Oh honey, you’re just burned out. A nice spring break will refresh you. A little sunshine and some swimming and you’ll be excited about finishing the semester.”

Is that what she really thought we did on spring break? Splashed around on the beach like Bay Watch or something? Was she completely unaware of the copious amounts of alcohol consumed and hooking-up that went on?

Dad sat back in his chair, rubbing his stomach.

Yeah, brunch at the club—my parents’ club, where I was a regular parasite when I was home from school—really was that good. I came most Sundays, when my dad would send a car to my college to transport me back to the city for the day, to sponge and try to get rid of my Saturday night hangover.

But it was time for brunch to come to a close. I had things to do with my day, not least of which was catching up with my other friends who were home for the weekend, as well as my BFF Sandra, who was permanently home for the weekend.

She’d dropped out of college like I was about to do. She’d be so happy to have some company.

My parents, not so much. So I was breaking it to them gently, that I wasn’t home just for the weekend. I was here to stay!

I’d been packing up my dorm room all week. I’d handled the administrative tasks of withdrawing, canceled my room and board contract, told my roommate I was bailing on her, and loaded up the car my dad sent to pick me up. The driver raised an eyebrow, having expected this to be a quick day trip for me, but said nothing, and just packed the trunk.

It was pretty clear to anyone who saw I’d gathered all my belongings that I wasn’t going back. He brought all my stuff to our apartment via the service entrance so the housekeeper could dump it in my room. No reason to alert Mom and Dad any sooner than I had to.

“Hey, how’d you make out in that economics class we got you the tutor for? He came very highly recommended,” Dad said, munching on the celery from his Bloody.

Had he heard what I’d just said?

Besides that, I didn’t know where my dad got his recommendations, but the ‘awesome tutor’ he’d gotten me was a huge pothead, who I also might have slept with once. Or twice.

Not sure we’d ever even discussed econ.

“Um, he was good, Dad. But it really doesn’t matter now.”

My father leaned onto the table once his plate was cleared and folded his hands like he was entering into an important negotiation.

I guess he was.

“Why? What do you mean the tutor doesn’t matter?”

Okay. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. But really?

“Because, Dad,” I repeated patiently, “I’m not going back. Like I just said.”

He frowned at me like I’d claimed the world was flat. As though my dropping out of college was just not consistent with everything he knew and believed about me.

I could see that.

“I gave it a lot of thought. It’s not for me. Just too… institutional. I want to experience life.”

Mom gulped what was left of her mimosa and waved the waiter away when he indicated she might want another.

Her lipstick was still perfectly intact.

Yeah, no. I wasn’t like them. I loved them, of course. But I was a free spirit. I had to find my own path.

Dad sighed deeply. “I understand, honey, that school is not always fun. It can be challenging and a lot of work. But that doesn’t mean you can just up and quit.”

He said the up and quit part between gritted teeth. That’s when I realized he was actually pissed and was trying to keep it together.

“I know you’re disappointed, Dad. I’m sorry. But I have to be true to myself.”

And if I had to sit through another boring-ass lecture on economics—or sociology, history, or biology—I was going to totally lose my mind.

I shrugged. “Not sure what else to say. College just isn’t working for me.”

“Does this have something to do with the guy you were dating?” Mom asked, patting my hand. “Did he break your heart or something?”

I waved away her concern. “Who? Oh, the one I brought to brunch last month? Oh god no. That was really just about sex.”

Great sex, actually. But I’d spare my parents that detail.

Mom looked at Dad. She was letting him take the lead on this one.

“You know, Naya, there are lots of things that don’t work for me. Like getting up at five thirty every morning to go to work. Like paying property taxes. Like getting a colonoscopy. But I fucking do them.”

Mom’s eyes widened. It wasn’t every day that Dad dropped the F-bomb.

“Honey, you don’t have to—” she started to say.

But he held his hand up to stop her. “Yola, I’ve got this.”

I got it, too. They wanted to see me as a responsible adult. I could do that.

He looked around the dining room at the other people having eggs benedict with their children who were not the massive disappointment I was. His silence was excruciating, and if I didn’t get out of there in two minutes, I’d be ordering another mimosa. Or a shot of tequila.

“Naya, if you’re not in school, you’re going to have to work,” he said matter-of-factly.

Mom nodded in agreement, which was lame. The last time she’d had a freaking job was when she was a teenager.

I held my hand up. I had my shit figured out. “No worries there, Dad. I have something lined up.”

I’d known to think this through. I needed them to see my decision wasn’t capricious and that I had something that resembled a plan.

My parents loved plans. Unfortunately, that was a life skill where I often fell short. But hell, I was only twenty-one. I had plenty of time to learn.

So, I was pleased that for once, I’d anticipated their concerns and was prepared to address them.

Adulting. It was exhausting.

“Sandra said I could get a part-time job at her mom’s art gallery. I probably wouldn’t get paid, but I’d be getting great experience.”

They just stared at me.

So I continued. With the plan. “I won’t be starting right away, though. I have some things to take care of, first.”

Mom tilted her head. “Things to take care of? What kinds of things?”

“Spring break is in a couple weeks. I figure I’ll go on that and then start working when I get home.”

I looked between the two of them, expecting… I didn’t know what. Some push-back, for sure, but also eventual understanding. And support. And encouragement. Instead, I was facing an unfamiliar, blank, dead-eyed expression on each of their faces.

They looked at me like I’d killed someone.

Dad folded his hands on the table again and leaned closer, like he wanted to make sure I heard him. “Naya. I was talking about a real job,” he said, enunciating each word carefully. “Furthermore, if you’re not in school, what the hell makes you think you’re entitled to a goddamn spring break—”

“Shhh,” my mother interrupted, looking around.

She knew a lot of people at the club. Actually, she knew most everyone, as did my dad. And they liked to put up a united, peaceful front, especially when I, their fuck-up daughter, was in tow. They never had to worry when my older sister Amalia joined them. She was perfect.

I knew they wouldn’t be thrilled I was bailing on college. Hell, on one level, I wasn’t thrilled, either. But I’d come to them with a plan, however flimsy. I wasn’t going to just sit on my ass all day.

My phone buzzed. I knew it was my friends, looking for me. I started scrolling but thought better of it. I wanted my father to listen. Really listen.

“Dad, the art gallery is a real job. Sandra’s mom runs a successful business. Think of all I’ll learn. And you always said it was important to appreciate the arts,” I added hopefully.

He pressed his lips together and looked at my mother, who put her hand on top of his and patted it like she just had with mine.

“No, Naya. If you’re quitting school, you will be getting a Monday through Friday, nine to five gig. No playing around with part-time. Part-time jobs are for college students.”

“Or mothers,” Mom added.

Yeah, like she’d ever worked part-time, full time, or any time.

“And,” he added with a finger in the air, “there will be no spring break. Spring break is for students.”

Wait. What? Had I just screwed myself out of a week in Florida of partying and hooking up?

Hell, Sandra was going, and she wasn’t in school. She was going to be very upset if I couldn’t make it. We’d already bought new bikinis and scheduled our waxing appointments.

I felt a lump building in my throat, not because I was going to miss out on spring break—yeah, that was disappointing but I could suck it up—but because I got the point my dad was making. If you’re not in school, you have to do something else. The problem was, there wasn’t much I was good at, a menacing belief never far from my thoughts thanks to the words of an asshole guidance counselor from long ago.

“I’m… I’m not sure what else to do. The gallery seemed like a good place to start.”

Now it was my turn to get a pat on the hand from Mom. “Okay, honey. Let’s think about this. What do you like to do best?”

I already knew the answer. My parents did, too. “I love to bake.”

A lot of good that would do me.

Mom looked at Dad. “Well, she is a very good baker. There’s no denying that.”

Dad’s face was laced with frustration. “She is,” he said as if I wasn’t sitting right there. “But that’s not the sort of career path I was referring to.”

Mom nodded. “Right. You’re right.”

Jesus, what did they want from me? To run for freaking president?

Click here to read more...

🥰 The Inheritance is ZERO pennies! 🥰

FREE today

I have 30 days to find a husband.
Problem is, I can't even get a date.

Grab it now












Whew! Men at Work #11, Her Dirty CEOs is LIVE next week, Monday, May 10!

My father's three best friends are my new bosses. They're demanding in the office... and in the bedroom.

Preorder now at the reduced price.

Vote on the next Men at Work books...

Darlings!

So. Much. Happening.
First, I have good news. The Men at Work series has been so well-received that I can't possibly stop after book #12 (out in July).
So, I am compelled to write at least a few more (I think I may be addicted).
This is where you come in...
Your guidance has never led me astray, and now is your chance to speak up again. Vote using the link below, and tell me the top professions you want to see next books.

VOTE HERE

Yup, I'm going to continue with Men at Work... BUT, I will also write some spinoff books related to Her Dirty Teachers , because who doesn't love the student/hot professor trope!
It's one of my favorite romance tropes to write and takes me right back to that cute, blond, bespectacled econ teacher I had when I was a sophomore in college.
Cripes, he was a hottie...

So, please vote!
Love,
Mika

Prepare yourself for an all-nighter...

Darlings!

I can't believe it but today the TENTH book in my Men at Work series, Her Dirty Builders , launched. I'm already hard at work on the ELEVENTH book, Her Dirty CEOs. What a crazy journey.

I hope you enjoy Builders as much as my other Men at Work books. It was so much fun to write about a girl with a horrible money pit house, and the three guys who helped her save it from the bank. Here is what one hilarious reviewer said about the book:

"Prepare yourself for an all-nighter and don't say I didn’t warn you."

Love it!

Be sure to let me know what you think.
Love,
Mika


PS: Add this to your Goodreads or BookBub Want to Read lists and be entered to win a signed copy of Her Dirty Rockers, book #1 in the Men at Work collection. Enter here...

Don't you love a hot construction man?

How does my butt look?”

My best friend since forever—and if I were to be honest, lifeline to sanity—looked me up and down, the ‘eleven’ lines between her eyebrows more pronounced than usual thanks to her worry.

But it was all good. That’s how a BFF does it. No beating around the bush. If my ass were the size of the Titanic, I’d expect her to tell me. I’d do the same.

Fortunately, my backside was not of Titanic proportions. But it was hefty, still. And today, the day I was wearing white, which I never did because it makes you look big, my butt was going to be stared at by two hundred people as they watched me walk down the aisle of a church.

To get married.
AVAILABLE THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 15

Check out a sneak preview of Chapter 1...


Add this to your Goodreads or BookBub Want to Read lists and be entered to win a signed copy of Her Dirty Rockers, book #1 in the Men at Work collection. Enter here...

Her Dirty Builders

💋 Mister Hollywood for 99 pennies! 💋

It's Spring AND a full moon, two of my favorite things. I hope you are well my lovelies, and that your COVID vaccinations are just around the corner (if you haven't already had yours.). Here in California, things are supposed to happen for Mr. Mika Lane and me sometime in April. Fingers crossed. I so miss being around other humans and like many, have not been in a restaurant in a year!

xoxoxo
Mika


Are you new to my Escort Romance Series?
Then check out Mister Hollywood for $.99 today (free on KOBO!).

Mister Hollywood
I’m not your boyfriend. And I’ll never be your husband.
But I will be yours—for one night.
And once that night ends, you’ll never forget the pleasure I gave you.
It will be yours forever.
Even if I’m not.

Her Dirty Rockers is ZERO pennies!

FREE today!

Her Dirty Rockers
Dirty Bandit. The hottest band in the world.
Talented.
Good Looking.
And the biggest jerks ever.

Enjoy!
Mika

What's Next for Men at Work?

Wow. I can't believe I'm up to books 10, 11, & 12 in the Men at Work series. What do you think about these covers for Builders, CEOs, and Jocks? I can't wait to get these babies to you! They've been so much fun to write!

April: Her Dirty Builders
May: Her Dirty CEOs
June: Her Dirty Jocks

New to the series? Start by winning a free signed paperback of Her Dirty Rockers , #1 in the collection. Good luck!

xoxo,
Mika

💋 Books & Coffee 💋

NEWS...

Do you buy books in places other than Amazon? My Mafia Anti-Hero Chronicles series is now available at all retailers, and Dirty Game is on sale for $.99 (it's actually FREE at KOBO)!

KOBO
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
Apple Books
Amazon





BOOKS & COFFEE
Irony: having to choose a Why Choose mug!
These babies are now available in my online store, along with a bunch of other fun things for book lovers.