Lily Graison's Blog, page 11
October 9, 2015
Friday First Kiss #80 :: Much Ado About Mustangs by Jacquie Rogers (Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Much Ado About Mustangs (Hearts of Owyhee #5) by Jacquie Rogers
Set up: Pearl is the leading lady of Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice. Josh plays Benedick, the leading man. Josh swears he won’t kiss Pearl in Act V rehearsals, and in fact might not kiss her at all, even though the stage directions call for it. This excerpt is from Gunnar Linstad’s (Pearl’s grandfather) point of view—talking to Pearl’s twin brother, Jasper.
Much Ado About Mustangs (Hearts of Owyhee #5)
By Jacquie Rogers
Copyright © 2016 Jacquie Rogers
“Maybe we’re getting somewhere,” Gunnar said. “Act V should be even more interesting.”
“They both swore they wouldn’t kiss. Vivvie talked to me right after they all got to the hall. Her money’s on Thursday.” Jasper shook his head and grinned. “Said they looked downright besotted with one another while they were on the floor in the confectionery.”
“I heard about that from Phineas. He heard about it from someone else who heard about it, and who knows where they heard about it. Next thing you know, I’m gonna be a great-grandpa and they won’t even have kissed yet. We might have to have a little meeting with Vivvie and Iris to see what actually happened.”
“The kiss is coming up,” Jasper said. “We better pay attention—if there is one at all, it might not last long. She has a line, then he has a short line, then wham.”
Pearl and Josh, as Beatrice and Benedick, faced each other holding each other by their waists. Her line was, “I would not deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion; and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption.”
Then his line was, “Peace! I will stop your mouth.”
And then…
Josh laid one on her. Gunnar had never seen a stage kiss like that before. He might have a great-grandbaby sooner than he thought. Josh continued with his lines but Pearl stood there like a statue, and when the dancing started, he had to yank her into the circle.
“Damn,” was all Jasper said. He stood and headed for backstage.
* * *
Pearl thought she might faint when Josh kissed her. That was no stage kiss. He’d started gently, then pulled her close and deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing her lips. She thought it had gone on for hours, but then it was over too soon, leaving her wanting more.
The blessing was that she had no lines after that, because she’d never have remembered them, and even forgot to dance. After the rehearsal, everyone was abuzz about one thing or another. Often she heard partial remarks like, “I think I’ll put a dollar on Wednesday.” Made no sense to her.
“Better get changed, duchess,” Josh said. “You have another engagement, you know.”
“Yes, I’ll be just a minute.” She wondered how he could be so unaffected. Her innards still tingled.
“I’ll walk you to the dressing room.”
She took his arm when he offered it. “You were quite good tonight. I rarely perform with such talented actors.”
“We have a long-standing tradition of theater here. When Silver City first sprang up twenty years ago, a theater group was formed almost immediately. We put on three or four plays a year, not counting the plays that the school kids do.”
By then, he’d deposited her at her door and left for the other dressing room. She changed quickly, all the while wondering why he’d given her a history lesson when all she could think about was his lips on hers. Maybe she should ask for extra rehearsals.
And she definitely had to rethink the meaning of kisses. That kiss had rattled her from her lips to her toes. She had no idea a kiss could be so devastatingly wonderful.
Iris knocked and came in. “Need help with your hair? My brother-in-law made a mess of it.”
He certainly had. And stirred her insides with a butter churn while he was at it. “Thank you.”
Iris put on her spectacles and took a brush out of her reticule. “I don’t think it’ll need much, just put back in place. We won’t have to take down your twist—it’s still fairly secure. Might poke a few more pins in it.”
“Is Josh always this way around women?”
“No, he’s usually a flirt. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” Iris dragged a brush through Pearl’s bangs. “Most women would give their right arm to be in a play so they could get a kiss from him.”
“I’m not most women.”
“You’re surely not. But I have to say after our chat at the confectionery, I didn’t think he was going to kiss you in Act V.”
“It’s neither here nor there—a stage kiss is a stage kiss.”
Iris put in a couple finger curls on Pearl’s temples. “I think we’re ready for your bonnet. Take a look in the mirror.”
Pearl’s reflection stared back at her, looking the same as it had earlier in the evening. But she wasn’t the same. Not at all. And she didn’t have a single soul to confide in.
Much Ado About Mustangs by Jacquie Rogers
Secret lives, hidden dreams, and forbidden sex in the Old West—what’s a woman of nobility to do when a handsome rancher tears through her world like an Owyhee dust devil?
A British Aristocrat
Or is she? Lady Pearl Montford has performed in theatres all over the West for crowds of all sizes, but what would the world say if her secret was found out—that she’s really plain old Pearl Jane Evans from Kentucky. To make matters worse, Pearl’s past life as a professional trick rider is floating to the surface thanks to an unsavory suitor from her past who wants either her—or $10,000.
A Frustrated Rancher
Rugged Josh McKinnon has a ranch to build and blooded horses due in any day, but there’s one problem standing between him and his dream—Lady Montford, a high-falutin’ diva actress. Wrangled into playing opposite the snooty Brit in Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing,’ Josh has to put his ranch on hold and put up with her nonsense for two weeks. Only thing is—how can he focus on his ranch when all he can think about is the way Pearl sits a horse?
Much Ado About … Love?
With a slew of critters causing stirs left and right, meddling family members and townsfolk playing cupid, and horse rustlers causing a ruckus, Pearl and Josh have a heck of a time keeping their minds on the play and their hands off each other. When the dust settles and the curtain falls, will Pearl and Josh be able to overcome the odds working against them and find love in the wild Idaho countryside?
Purchase your copy at the retailer listed below.
Much Ado About Silver City. We’re having a fun event for readers in Silver City, Idaho, where many of the scenes in the Hearts of Owyhee is set. Stay in the Idaho Hotel—you might be in the same room in which Pearl stayed! This is the true Old West, not a tourist town. We’ll have music and other entertainment, historic tours, and trail rides. For more information, go to the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/16357...
About Jacquie Rogers
Jacquie Rogers grew up on a dairy farm outside of Homedale, Idaho, in Owyhee County. She has fond memories of riding horseback all over the hills where her western historical romance series, Hearts of Owyhee, is set. Those hills held exciting adventures both real and imagined. She currently lives in suburbia with her IT Guy (also has a license to sleep with him), daughter, and four grandsons. Their home is ruled by The Cat Annie, a feral rescue, who enjoys tromping on the keyboard in the midst of action or love scenes.
Besides the Hearts of Owyhee series, Jacquie also writes a traditional western series, Muleskinners. Under the house name of Ford Fargo, she writes collaborative westerns with Western Fictioneers. She also writes fantasy romance and whatever else tickles her fancy.
Jacquie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Western Fictioneers. Her books have garnered several awards, the including the LASR Book of the Month for Mail-Order Tangle, a duet with Caroline Clemmons. In the Hearts of Owyhee series, Much Ado About Marshals won the RttA Award for Best Western Historical Romance, and Much Ado About Mustangs won the Laramie Award for Western Romance/Comedy.
You’re welcome to subscribe to her newsletter, the Pickle Barrel Gazette, and join her Facebook group, Jacquie Rogers’ Pickle Barrel Bar & Books.
Website | Pickle Barrel Gazette | Pickle Barrel Bar & Books | Amazon | Twitter
Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tsu
The post Friday First Kiss #80 :: Much Ado About Mustangs by Jacquie Rogers (Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
October 2, 2015
Friday First Kiss #79 :: The Gunslinger and the Heiress by Kathryn Albright (Sweet Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
The Gunslinger and the Heiress by Kathryn Albright
Anger over that day had simmered inside him for five long years. The frustration he’d felt at not knowing why she’d suddenly turned her back on him had crystallized into a hate for anything Lansing. “I thought I’d done something….”
She shook her head. “Oh, no. Never. I never wanted you to feel that way! It was all my doing. Mine alone.”
But it wasn’t just her doing. Her grandfather, Dorian, had more than a hand in it. He was the one who had made her choose between Caleb or a specialist to regain her voice.
Hannah glanced away, fidgeting with her hands. It took her a long while before she spoke again, her eyes focused on the waves. “Knowing the truth now…can you…do you think you can ever find it in yourself to forgive me?”
Could he be that big of a man? Because of that day, the course of his life had changed drastically. He’d thought to settle there near family, but Dorian’s goons had escorted him to the wharf and onto one of his ships. Dorian hadn’t trusted Hannah’s promise. He’d taken the matter into his own hands.
Hannah waited for Caleb’s answer. He could feel her waiting in the sudden stillness of her stance. “If you had it to do over, would you make the same choice again?”
His question took her by surprise, her eyes widening. “Yes,” she said softly. “If I had to, I would.”
He let that sink in. It made him angry—but not at her. Dorian was the madman here—the one who’d insisted it was either/or.
“I’ve never been without my voice. What right do I have to judge you?”
Slowly she turned to him.
“Yeah,” he heard himself say. “I can forgive you.” He met her gaze. “I do forgive you.”
Her chin trembled.
He realized then that he hadn’t been the only one hurt. What had the choice she’d made done to her over the years? “However, I will never forgive Dorian.”
“No, I can see that you wouldn’t.”
“He had no right to ask that of you.”
“He was afraid…because of my mother.”
“Your mother? How does she figure into this?”
Hannah pressed her fingers to her forehead. “When she ran off and married my father, it broke my grandparents’ hearts. Then it turned out that Father wanted only one thing—to gain access to the Lansing estate. When Grandfather cut them out of his will, Father took out his frustration on Mother. It was Stuart who stepped in, who stopped him. I was too young to remember…but I overheard Stuart arguing with Grandfather once and questioned them. And certain images have disturbed me ever since my voice has returned. I think they may be memories.”
It sickened him to think what Hannah had been through—as a child and then again, reliving it as her memory came back. “So, Dorian didn’t want it to happen again,” he said quietly. “He saw me as that big of a threat?”
She nodded. “I’m like her. At least, that is what he has always told me.”
Caleb waited for her to explain herself.
“Mother…let her emotions rule her. I can’t let that happen to me.”
Good Lord. That’s what she was afraid of? Dorian had pounded the idea into her head until she was afraid to trust her feelings? “Hannah, your mother made a mistake, and she paid for it. That doesn’t mean you’ll repeat it. You are not your mother. This marriage you are contemplating benefits Lansing Enterprises and Dorian.”
She nodded.
“But not you.”
She glanced away. “With Thomas, I know what to expect. He’ll treat me well. And he has promised to build two more ships as a wedding present.”
“Then, why bother coming here to find out about the two that are missing? Why put yourself though all of this?” Couldn’t she see the reason standing right in front of her?
Comprehension spread slowly over her face. “No, Caleb. My trip is to find out about the safety of the route and, if possible, the merchandise. The company can’t afford to have more ships disappear.”
Caleb wanted to shake her. “I’d like to believe you. It would make things neat and tidy for the both of us. But I don’t. Not totally. There is another reason you’re here. You just can’t face up to it.”
She shook her head, avoiding his gaze. “No, there’s no other reason. You’re wrong.”
“Am I? You’re selling yourself, Hannah.”
“That’s ridiculous! It’s how things are done.” She started across the sand toward the buggy.
He snorted. “Not in my world.”
She turned away. “Now you’re being ugly. Just…don’t!”
He swung her around to face him. “Don’t…what? Don’t…care? I can’t stand to think of you living the rest of your life with a man you don’t love.”
“I may grow to love him.”
“You won’t be happy.”
“I’ll be content. And that is important. I’ll be keeping my promise. To want more, after all that Grandfather has done for me, is selfish. I don’t expect you to understand about family loyalty. How could you? Your father left.”
“I understand loyalty…and family. I have my sister,” he growled. “But she doesn’t control my every decision.”
“Grandfather is not like that.”
“He’s not? Listen to yourself! You said you were weak. Well, I don’t see the choice you made as weak. You cared about me then. It was in everything you did that night, everything you said. It took strength to end what we could have had. It was a terrible thing Dorian did, making you choose, but you did it. And look—you’re speaking now. But he’s doing the same thing again—making you choose his way. How many more times will you let him control you? He’s got you so scared to listen to your own feelings that you can’t see the beach for the sand!”
She shook her head, near tears. “I know what you’re saying. But I made a promise—a promise I can’t go back on.”
“You’re an adult now. And you’ve already broken your promise. You’re here. So, renegotiate. It’s time.”
“Not with this promise.”
He wanted to shake some sense into her. Instead, he turned and paced the width of the beach. When he stood before her again he’d calmed somewhat, but not enough to heed the warning pounding in his head. “If you won’t listen to your own heart, your own conscience, then listen to mine.” He lowered his head, and before she could fathom his intent, he kissed her soundly on the lips.
Her hands flew to his chest. He thought she would push him away. It made him kiss her that much more fervently. This was his only chance to convince her of what she’d miss. But she didn’t push against him; instead she grasped the edges of his vest and held on tight as if he were a lifeline. He splayed his hand across her upper back, gently but firmly holding her against him, and poured his feelings into the kiss.
Her rigid frame softened in increments until she pulled him closer. His pulse kicked to a faster gait. He hadn’t expected this! She was letting him kiss her, actually wanting him to kiss her! He stole his hand up to the nape of her neck where her skin was warm and satiny smooth, drawing her closer—close enough that he felt the beating of her heart. Slanting his mouth across hers, he deepened the kiss. A soft moan emerged from her.
The sound cautioned him. What was he doing? Forcing her to see things his way? If so, he was no better than Dorian.
Reluctantly, he pulled away and set her from him.
She stumbled back, her eyes big. One hand covered her swollen lips.
“You may be safe with Thomas,” Caleb said, frustration teeming inside him. “But understand this. He won’t kiss you like that. Your heart won’t pound inside your chest. You won’t plaster yourself against him the way your body did to mine just now, wanting more. You’ll feel nothing.”
She stood there—shaken, her eyes still wide.
Didn’t she understand what was happening? The woman could frustrate a saint—and he was no saint. “What you’re contemplating…” He let the thought go unfinished. What right did he have to tell her anything?
“Caleb. Please.” She closed her eyes. “We should go. We need…to go.”
He bent down and snatched his hat from the sand. He turned it in his hands, giving his pulse a chance to slow to halfway normal.
She turned toward the buggy, took a few unsteady steps.
“Hannah.”
She stopped and looked at him, her expression a mix of confusion and shock.
He shoved his hat on his head, kept his distance. “You might want to think on this. You don’t love Thomas. The man you love—is me.”
The Gunslinger And The Heiress by Kathryn Albright
Years ago, heiress Hannah Lansing was forced to give up the man she loved. Now to save the family business, her grandfather demands she marry someone she feels nothing for. Torn between duty and desire, there’s only one man Hannah can turn to…
Gunslinger Caleb Houston is shocked when Hannah arrives in San Diego—he never expected to see her again! In the eyes of society, they’re worlds apart, but can Caleb finally convince Hannah to put her own happiness first and trust in the power of the love they share?
Purchase your copy at the retailer listed below.
Harlequin Books
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
About Kathryn Albright
From her first breath, Kathryn Albright has had a passion for stories that celebrate courage and hope with a dash of grit thrown in. She writes western historical romances for Harlequin.
Find Kathryn around the web at the following links
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The post Friday First Kiss #79 :: The Gunslinger and the Heiress by Kathryn Albright (Sweet Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 25, 2015
Friday First Kiss #78 :: Natural Attraction by Catherine Haustein (Historical Sci-Fi Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Natural Attraction by Catherine Haustein
(In this scene, Clementine is posing as a man named Calvin, a scientist. A mysterious tonic has given her the appearance of a man.)
He wrestled me to the ground and lay on top of me. We assumed stereotypical mounting courtship behavior, and the sweat of our chests mixed. My legs fell apart and the force of Wesley’s penis pressed between them, shrouded in our clothing. I envisioned being a woman with my hands on the reins of a man, driving him, in control of a powerful beast. Something new ran through my veins. I became amorphous. I was a body of water flowing beneath him. I could go wherever I wished. The sensation grabbed me and shook me like a badger with a snake. It was lust. This whole notion of copulation without conception was giving me a heady feeling. I abandoned my plan to deflate him once aroused. A shudder ran through me, and we spoke as in a dream:
Wesley: Do you feel like the better man now?
Me: I’m not afraid. Are you?
Wesley: I’m trying not to be, but there’s a strange look in your eyes and the wind through the grasses is making my head spin.
Me: Only your mind is afraid. Some of you is not afraid. I feel you pressing on me. You are a big man. Do you have something extra in there? (I laughed at my own joke.)
Wesley: Don’t laugh when I am lying on you. I can feel the vibrations.
Me: If you were a little drummer boy, you should pick up the rhythm easily.
Wesley: I never said I was a little drummer boy.
Me: Why don’t you let go of my wrists? You’re not a person to take what you want by force, are you? Besides that, your hands are sweaty.
Wesley: You are cocky for such a small man. And you, too, have sweaty hands.
Me: You’re the cocky one, and your chest is too hairy. It’s tickling me.
Wesley: If you’re grown and a man, where is your chest hair? I thought that Malachite Overland Mining didn’t employ children. There’s something wrong here. We need to get up.
Me: We don’t need to get up. Children don’t have beards.
Wesley: (touching my cheek): Your beard seems to be coming off in my hand. It’s not real.
Me: I have another one. And two beneath my arms.
Wesley: Your heart is telling mine how to beat. Stop it.
Me: Bah. I must admit, this heart thing is alarming me as well. There’s too much thumping. I feel ready to explode.
Wesley: How is this happening? Who are you?
Me: Call me Calvin.
Wesley: I already call you that. I want to know your complete name.
Me: When I know you better, I’ll tell you.
Wesley: How can I know you better?
Me: (seeing my chance to establish if he favored the Word or the flesh): How do you prefer to know someone?
Wesley: Talking. Disclosing one’s dreams and hopes. Revealing things. Telling the truth to each other.
Me: There are deeper ways of knowing. We both see that.
Wesley: The deeper knowing you refer to is shallow knowing. Knowing is a mingling of souls. We shouldn’t do this again. It is a sin.
Me: Nature gives us no value judgments. It’s only that fucking book of yours that’s holding you back from knowing me better.
Wesley: The Handbook of Infidels?
Me: No. The Bible.
Wesley: It is not a fucking book. It is the Word of God!
Me: It has fucking in it.
Without much warning, we kissed each other, swirling together as sugar in water, attracted to each other until they became one solution. He had a firm strong mouth like a good horse. I wondered if this was the way two men kissed. If so, I would never change back. The kiss didn’t last long enough. He pulled away.
“It was a sin. Forgive me.” We buttoned each other’s shirts. His hands shook. “Something’s come over me. I have thoughts a man shouldn’t have.”
Natural Attraction by Catherine Haustein
To get ahead she’ll have to become a man—and a man, she always thought, never lets love get in the way…
Clementine dreams of being a naturalist—a career that leaves no time for romance. To sneak on an adventurous prospecting expedition, Clementine will have to convince everyone she’s a man. A mysterious tonic offers her just that disguise.
But “Calvin,” as she calls herself now, had no idea what she was giving up. When Wesley, the expedition’s gentle preacher, catches her eye, she can’t get him out of her head; not his lush lips, wide brown eyes…or broad chest. Dare she reveal her secret to him? Can she keep her career if she does?
Among run-ins with cowboys, natural disasters, and traveling shows, Wesley’s most fascinating adventure is meeting Calvin. Though Wesley’s betrothed to another, the cute, clever naturalist threatens to make him fall into temptation…
Purchase your copy at the retailer listed below.
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Lybrary
Apple iBook Store
About Catherine Haustein
After a year of pursuing her graduate degree in chemistry at The University of Iowa, Catherine Haustein couldn’t get fiction writing out of her system. She was accepted into the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and enrolled in the MFA program there without telling her chemistry adviser. Thus her career as a writer of scientist characters was launched.
She’s written plenty of short stories. Her latest will appear in the anthology The Female Complaint to be released this fall by Shade Mountain Press. Natural Attraction is her first novel.
Most of her life has centered around science and raising a family. She barely wrote a word of fiction when her kids were teenagers–but put her efforts into writing for encyclopedias and companies. Her scientific research focuses on analytical chemistry and biologically active chemicals in plants. She hopes to release a series of novels with scientific women as protagonists. She’s a professor at Central College where she teaches chemistry and short story writing.
Find Catherine around the web at the following links
The post Friday First Kiss #78 :: Natural Attraction by Catherine Haustein (Historical Sci-Fi Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 18, 2015
Friday First Kiss #77 :: Never Had A Chance by Angela Raines (Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Never Had A Chance by Angela Raines
Then this man, lying here, captured a kiss. He’d been rude and demanding as the kiss started, but it soon changed to a gentle probing, a request for a return kiss.
Pulling her hand away from her lips, she gasped, staring at his lips in repose. Leaning in, her lips brushed his. She whispered in his ear, “Thank you, I enjoyed it.”
She didn’t know if he heard her or not, but it seemed important that he know. That she tell him before someone caught her in his room. It might be different if he were awake, but she wasn’t waiting.
“What do you look like without your beard, what color are your eyes? Why or what brought you to our door?” she asked the unconscious man lying so still. He looked dead, except for the rise and fall of the sheet covering him.
Never Had A Chance by Angela Raines
Thomas Heath felt abandoned when his sister left him to the mercy of the people who were raising them. When he finally found her, she was on her way to getting married. Feeling left out again, Tom left to find something he didn’t know he was looking for.
Maria Berñal lost her mother while still a young child. Pampered and coddled by her wealthy father, Maria is on the verge of becoming a woman. As her eighteenth birthday celebration approaches she feels the loss of her mother as she navigates her new insight of what it takes to catch and keep a man.
The deadly joke that brings these two young people together ignites both growth and love that neither Maria or Tom expected.
Purchase your copy at the retailer listed below.
Amazon
About Angela Raines
Angela Raines in the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris has always loved telling stories. From an early age she was writing and producing plays for her neighborhood. This allowed her to follow both of her loves, writing and acting/performing, that continued into adulthood. Finding a home with Prairie Rose Publications, she now gets to share the stories dreamed she would be telling growing up in the midwest. In her copious spare time she also researches and writes non-fiction. Her current project is early women doctors in Colorado prior to 1900.
Find Angela around the web at the following links
What may we look forward to in the future? I have a Paramormal Western Historical Romance that will be released sometime in the future. It is currently with the publisher.
Additionally, I’ve just finished a Medieval short story romance for possible inclusion in an upcoming Christmas anthology. Watch my author page for release dates and more information.
Authors, would you like to see your romance book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.
The post Friday First Kiss #77 :: Never Had A Chance by Angela Raines (Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 11, 2015
Friday First Kiss #76 :: Cinch Your Saddle by Megan Michaels (Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Cinch Your Saddle by Megan Michaels
“I think it’s time we just sit and talk, find out more about each other. Hold hands, and such. The way couples do when they court.” He looked uncomfortable, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands or feet. He seemed to dwarf the tent. She knew he was large, but in the great expanse of the outdoors he didn’t seem as imposing as he did in the confines of his quarters.
“Let’s start with talking about our families, our spouses. How they died. Things like that.” He pulled his chair closer to her. “You share first.”
Clara shared how Matthew had died from dropsy. How they had known he’d been declining in his health. It’d been a rough year for them all. She related how each of the girls had dealt with his death and their excitement at starting anew with a new home and father.
They continued talking well into the night, after the normal evening din of a bustling pioneer camp had long since given way to the silence of the night.
It then became Angus’s turn to relate how his wife and girls had died. He told her how he had cared for them, relating his heartbreak and sitting in that cold cabin for four days after they had died, with no memory of the time lapse. He shared each of the girl’s personalities. The tears flowed when he relayed how sweet and cuddly his Prissy was and how she was Daddy’s girl. And they laughed when he relayed some of the antics of Kat.
She swiped at the tears on her face, her heart breaking for Angus and his loss. Suddenly, Clara became aware how quiet the campsite had become.
“My Lord, Angus. How late is it?” She looked at his wrist to see if he had his watch on him.
He pulled his pocket watch out. “It’s ten thirty.”
Clara jumped up, putting a hand to her neck. Dear Lord, it’s guaranteed the women will gossip now.
“Oh, Angus. This isn’t good. I’ve been in here too long.”
“Clara, sit.” When she continued to stand staring at him, he barked louder. “Now.”
“Don’t yell at me, Angus.” How dare he yell at her when she was only concerned about their reputation?
“Who do you think you’re talking to, girl?” He stood now too, lowering his voice and whispering, which seemed much more frightening than his raised voice. “Sit, Clara. While you still can.”
Her bottom quickly met the cot, she looked up at his hulking form standing over her. “Care to explain why you’re so panicked?”
“No. I’m fine.” She brushed at her skirt. He’d dismiss what she had to say anyway.
“Stand up.” She stood hesitantly, gasping when he jerked her by her elbow and landed two crisp swats to her bottom. “Talk to me.”
She fought the urge to rub her bottom. How his hand could still hurt this much even through her skirts, she would never understand. “The women… will talk. They’ll be whispering while we’re bathing or walking tomorrow. Or even worse, they’ll be quiet and not speaking at all — as women do.”
“So. Ignore them. What we do is none of their business.”
She rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.
“Girl, don’t roll your eyes at me unless you want more of those swats I just gave you.” She didn’t, so she nodded at him quietly. “I like you, Clara, and I like the girls. I’d like to see where this will go, but I think we’ll be moving quickly. It kinda feels like maybe this is more than just luck, like there’s been a divine intervention of sorts. Does that make sense to you? Or is it just me?”
Clara had been thinking this for the past couple days, but had been afraid to feel it let alone form it into words. “I’ve thought the same thing. Do you think it’s too soon?”
“How? Yesterday you were going to marry a man you’d never met. I’ve known you for almost two months now.”
That was the cold, honest truth. She had been prepared to marry a stranger, yet she found herself hesitating with Angus. After listening to his story and how his family died, she had no doubt in her mind as to the type of father and husband he would be to her and the girls.
“I guess, you’re right. I didn’t know Eugene at all. The girls have grown so fond of you — and I have too.”
He enveloped her small hand in his; it felt like the whole of her hand fit into his huge palm. “How about we look for a preacher in the morning and get hitched? Will you marry me, Clara?” He dropped to his knee, kissing the top of her hand. “I know it feels quick, but I believe this union will be blessed. I promise to be the best husband and father I can be.”
“Yes! Yes, Angus. I’ll marry you!” She threw her arms around his neck as he rose in front of her. He picked her up, spinning her in circles.
“I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy.” He kissed her forehead, tilting her chin, pressing her lips to his, the touch soft and feathery. Then with a fevered inhale, he plundered her mouth, kissing her roughly, drawing her closer to his body. She moaned and his tongue slipped into her mouth, poking and rubbing the inside of her. The material of her corset felt rough against her suddenly hard nipples. His hands cupped her bottom, and he pulled her close, growling in her mouth, his hands raking through her long hair, tightly gripping it in his fists, the tugs on her scalp igniting her passion.
He pulled away, sighing in frustration. He traced gentle, slow kisses down her neck, her collar bone, working his way back up to her mouth. She looked at his face — he was so handsome, the dark hair and his dark eyes now hooded with arousal. It was then that she realized the intensity of his stare, almost too intense.
“What? Why are you looking at me that way? I know… I’m not young and beautiful anymore. I’ve been through a lot, so I look worn and—”
He pulled her to his chest and swatted her bottom several times. “If you speak like that again, I’ll spank your backside. Do you hear me? You’re beautiful and I’ll make sure you know it every day.” Then he covered her mouth with his, his lips soft and sensual. This time he kissed slowly and softly, her belly flipping, her sex throbbing with need. He jerked away from her. “We need to stop. I can’t keep going like this.”
His hand raked through his hair. “I gotta get you to bed. We’ll be up early tomorrow, telling everyone about the wedding and you becoming Missus Angus.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Has a nice ring to it, don’t it?”
“What is your last name, Angus?”
“Warren. Angus Warren.”
“Clara Warren,” she whispered. “I like the sound of it.”
He chuckled. “Good, cuz I can’t see myself having a different name.” He pecked her on the lip, then her forehead, his hands cupping her head gently. “Let’s get you to bed.”
As suspected, the women were sound asleep. The only person who awoke as they approached was Sam and he just tipped his finger at Angus like he’d tipped his imaginary hat on his head. A silent acknowledgment.
Once he had her tucked into her bedroll, Angus stroked his knuckles down the side of her face. “See you in the morning, my beautiful bride.”
She felt almost giddy. The thrill of being in love.
Cinch Your Saddle by Megan Michaels
Not even the dry, barren prairie can keep the flower of love from blooming…
Like so many others, tragedy brought Clara to the Widow Wagon. The only life she’d ever known left in ashes, a chance at a new life in the American west was the last option she had. Young and headstrong, Clara wouldn’t let the horrible hand she’d been dealt define her, confine her to the prison of sorrow and loss. No, she’d make a new life, a fresh start in the hardscrabble west, where anything was possible … if you wanted it badly enough. She’d planned for the arduous journey, the unpredictable weather, and the deadly Shoshone. What she hadn’t planned for was one gruff, muscular, heavy-handed Alpha male … who just happened to be the wagonmaster himself.
For Angus, life as the Widow Wagon’s master was an escape — from a life he thought had passed him by, from a past of unspeakable pain and grief. Guarding the lives and hopes of desperate women dreaming of a new beginning in the wide-open west had allowed him the chance to heal, to chart his own course. Doing all he could to give his charges the promise of a brighter tomorrow, he’d never allowed any of that promise, that hope for himself. That is until the day he’d met the fiery, defiant — and gorgeous — Clara.
A grizzled, rough-around-the-edges wagonmaster and a strong-willed, sassy city woman seemed a match doomed from the start, but Angus knew just how to tame that strong will, to bend it to his, to mold, but not break, that spirit that drew him to the beautiful, curvy Clara. It was a journey of a thousand steps — and the first one would be a long, hard bare bottom spanking. But when outlaws kidnap one of Clara’s companions, forcing the widow wagon to halt its journey, the harsh reality of a dangerous, lawless west might prove too much for even new love to overcome.
Publisher’s Warning: Intended for mature audiences. 18 and over only!
This sensuous romance contains explicit sexual situations, spanking, and wax play. This book can be read as a standalone. Enjoyment of the novel will be enhanced by reading the previous entries in the series, but it’s not necessary.
Purchase your copy at the retailers listed below.
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Kobo
Barnes and Noble
Apple iBook – (Link Coming Soon)
Oyster
About Megan Michaels
#1 Amazon Bestseller in Erotic Western & Erotic Historical! Megan Michaels writes Romance and BDSM Erotic Romance that is either Contemporary or Western Historical. Her books delve into Domestic Discipline, Dominance/submission, and all of them have elements of BDSM. Megan Michaels’ books are a sensual exploration into erotic romance. She loves a strong, alpha male who spanks, and if that man is a Dom or a cowboy…well then the perfect situation has been created.
Find Megan around the web at the following links
Instagram | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest
Authors, would you like to see your romance book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.
The post Friday First Kiss #76 :: Cinch Your Saddle by Megan Michaels (Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 8, 2015
Join Me at a Masquerade Party!
Fancy dresses and elaborate masks that lends an aura of mystery are in store this Halloween! Join me October 24th for a day long event that includes a book signing with over 60 authors (including me!) and finish with a masquerade Party afterwards.
The event is being held in Greenville, NC and I have TWO (2) VIP tickets for two winners. All you have to do to enter is comment below with your ultimate costume. It can be a picture or just a description. Here’s the outfit I would love to have!
Isn’t that gorgeous?! Show me yours for your chance to party with me in October! Once you’ve commented, be sure to click that option on the Rafflecopter form saying you’ve done so. Your entry won’t count unless you click that “DONE” button!
*Disclaimer – Winner is responsible for transportation to the event (in Greenville, North Carolina) and for their lodging (if needed). All this giveaway is offering is the VIP ticket into the book signing and after party.
In order to give those able to travel to this event a fair shot, please only enter if you will be able to use the free ticket.
For extra chances, perform any of the other options.
The post Join Me at a Masquerade Party! appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 4, 2015
Friday First Kiss #75 :: Precious Atonement by Melissa Maygrove (Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Precious Atonement by Melissa Maygrove
Jacob smiled at Rachel and took her by the hand. They ambled on in companionable silence until they came to the pond and gazed out over the cold, calm water.
Rachel stared down at their clasped hands with an expression that held puzzlement and something else he couldn’t identify.
“Don’t worry. It’s still there.”
“What is?”
“Your hand.” His was so large, it all but hid hers from view.
The corner of Rachel’s mouth lifted the way it often did when he teased her. “That’s not what I was thinking.”
“What were you pondering, then?” It had occurred to him right as he asked it, she was pondering something.
Rachel still hadn’t looked up. She stayed quiet so long, he thought she wasn’t going to answer.
“I was thinking,” she finally said, “about how nice it feels when you kiss my hand and wondering if it would feel the same–” She touched her lips with the fingers of her free hand. “–here.”
Her comment drew him up short. Of all the things she might have said, he hadn’t fathomed that. “Would you like to know instead of wonder?”
She nodded as her fingers fell away.
Jacob urged her closer. “Look at me, Rachel.”
She did, and he spent several moments studying her face and her eyes. Uncertainty mingled with trust and curiosity, but longing was there, too.
Jacob brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. He gently grasped her chin and touched his lips to hers. When she sighed instead of stiffening or backing away, he grazed her lips a few times in a lazy nibble.
He restrained his kiss so as not to frighten her, but there was no restraining his body’s reaction. He’d been forced to bend at the waist to reach her, which had put space between their lower bodies. He was suddenly glad for their disparity in height.
Rachel sighed again and leaned into his chest. She smelled of roses and tasted of soft, sweet woman.
Jacob nibbled some more, this time not so lazily. Rachel didn’t open her mouth, and he didn’t seek entry. He contented himself with what was given and enjoyed a simple pleasure denied him far too long.
A few moments later, she withdrew, and he let her. Her slender fingers returned to her lips. This time her expression was indecisive, almost troubled.
“Well?” he prompted. “How was it? And take care in your answer. If the look on your face is any indication of my skills, my fragile male pride is in terrible jeopardy.”
She lowered her hand. “It was… nice. More than nice. It was better than I ever dreamed it would be.”
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
Rachel grimaced. “I didn’t think I would like it so much.”
The shame that flitted over her features made everything clear. Genteel women weren’t supposed to lust. En masse, they shunned bodily stirrings in the name of purity.
A fallen genteel woman did so one hundred times more.
“You’re supposed to like it,” Jacob said a little too firmly. He tipped up her face with his index finger. “You’re a married woman, Rachel Evans. You are free to filch as many kisses from your husband as you can—and like it.”
Precious Atonement by Melissa Maygrove
Ruined women don’t hope, killers don’t dream, and the dead don’t feel pain.
Rachel Emerson is resigned to live as a spinster. Her parents keep her shameful secret, and her only brother, Seth, vanished mere days after witnessing her rape, taking her dishonor with him and giving them all an alibi for their grief. But none of that matters. Appearances are useless if she can’t bear the touch of a man.
Jacob Evans welcomes pain as much as he seeks to escape it. The graves of his wife and child remind him of his sins every day. When Lawrence Emerson offers him a job and a chance to move west, Jacob permits himself a fresh start. But letting go of his past is only an illusion. Lawrence’s sweet, shy daughter captures Jacob’s heart and provides him a perfect tool for self-torment.
Despite painful lessons of the past, history soon threatens to repeat itself, and as Jacob’s love for Rachel grows, so does his agony. Giving his precious new wife the life she deserves might cost him the very thing he values most—her.
Content warning: Although the moral context of the story is old fashioned, Precious Atonement contains descriptions of physical intimacy, adult themes including rape, and violence including sexual violence. It is intended for mature readers.
Purchase your copy at the retailers listed below.
Amazon
Amazon Paperback
Barnes and Noble
Come Back, the highly rated novel that inspired Precious Atonement, is on sale for 99c. Grab your copy at the following retailers.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
About Melissa Maygrove
Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she’s not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she’s hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.
Authors, would you like to see your romance book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.
The post Friday First Kiss #75 :: Precious Atonement by Melissa Maygrove (Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
September 1, 2015
Product Review: Pursfection
This has nothing to do with writing or my books but I’m SO in love with this product, I had to share.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who has a purse they love, but can’t find a thing in. I like big bags with no center divider but everything gets tossed to the center and I can’t ever find what I’m looking for, especially my phone and keys.
I ran across this product and bought it, hoping it was as wonderful as it seemed. It was! My big bag went from cluttered to organized in an instant. My large planner even fits with room to spare.
click the photo to enlarge
There’s tons of pockets in this thing. I can separate most everything in my purse now and I never have to search for anything. It’s all right where I put it. Plus, it’s portable!
click the photo to enlarge
It make switching purses SO EASY! You just remove the organizer and place it in your new purse. Check out the video. It can demonstrate better than I can tell you.
I’m thinking I may need a few more of these for make-up and traveling. I bought mine over on Ebay for $16.00 (just search for “Pursfection” to find them) but here’s the Official Website if you want more color combo choices. You can find them on Amazon as well.
I’ve told every person who would listen about these things so naturally I’d let y’all in on it. You’re going to love it, I promise!
*Disclaimer: I’ve not been paid to review, endorse, or promote this product. I just love it enough to share with everyone. The company has no connection to me or my books.*
The post Product Review: Pursfection appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
August 28, 2015
Friday First Kiss #74 :: A Resurrected Heart by Zina Abbott (Historical Western Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
A Resurrected Heart by Zina Abbott
Val also noticed Beth shivering. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her into her embrace.
“Let me warm you up a bit before I take you home, sweetheart.”
Beth relaxed and molded her body to his. She closed her eyes and nestled the bridge of her nose into his neck, realizing this was where she wanted to be. She felt a oneness with Val like she had never felt with any other person.
But, was this love? Beth didn’t know. She only knew that if it weren’t for the cold breeze blowing off the lake and the temperature dropping to remind her there were still patches of snow on the ground she could stay like this with Val forever.
Val’s gentle nudge on her chin prompted her to lift her face to his. Her heart expanding with a longing she couldn’t deny, she slid her arms around his neck and lost herself in his kiss. Whether or not she could fully trust him, could she live without Val Caldwell?
Lost in their kisses, neither knew how much time passed. Finally, Val reluctantly reached for the lantern and prepared to stand. He helped Beth to her feet.
“Big day tomorrow, sweetheart. I need to get you home.”
A Resurrected Heart by Zina Abbott
Gold miners are pouring into Lundy, California for the Resurrection Day celebration. Val Caldwell drives a herd of cattle up from Big Meadows to Lundy—and he can’t wait to see Beth Dodd, the woman he hopes to marry.
Beth unexpectedly finds she must convince the new miners that, though she is a widow, she expects to be treated with respect—and she holds her own amongst the roughest of the bunch with the help of her derringer and her pa’s hunting knife.
A woman of many talents, Beth receives a frantic request from the madam at the Blue Feather to help with the birth of a prostitute’s baby—an experience that calls up emotions from her own past, and reveals her own heart’s desire—something she’s tried to forget.
Val, anxious to convince Beth to marry him, is willing to help her any way he can. But, just how much will the independent woman be able to give of herself after the pain of her first marriage? Can Beth ever trust him enough to give him the love of A RESURRECTED HEART?
Purchase your copy at the retailers listed below.
Amazon
Smashwords
Barnes and Noble
About Zina Abbott
Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press in October 2014 and her novelette, A Christmas Promise, was published by Prairie Rose Publications in November 2014. The first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, Big Meadows Valentine and A Resurrected Heart, are now available.
The author is a member of Women Writing the West, American Night Writers Association, and Modesto Writers Meet Up. She currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys any kind of history including family history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
Please visit the Zina Abbott’s Amazon Author Page by clicking HERE.
Website | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | GoodreadsEastern Sierra Brides 1884 Facebook PageEastern Sierra Brides 1884 Pinterest Board
Authors, would you like to see your romance book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.
The post Friday First Kiss #74 :: A Resurrected Heart by Zina Abbott (Historical Western Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
August 21, 2015
Friday First Kiss #73 :: Courtships and Carriages by Janet Nitsick (Historical Romance)
The moment I crack open a new book, I always rush through the beginning, the budding relationship between the hero and heroine, and anticipate that spontaneous moment when one of them makes their move. The First Kiss. The first turning point in every story.
Every week here on the blog, I’ll be sharing First Kisses from my books and those of other authors.
This weeks Friday First Kiss comes from,
Courtships and Carriages by Janet Nitsick
Gwen stepped around the fountain. Chirping birds flapped their wings. Water splashed on her arms. Laughing, she stepped back and turned to the handsome man with black-wavy hair to her right. “They’re having a lot of fun.”
“You glad I brought you here then?” Nolan asked, his husky voice tender. Grabbing a handkerchief, he patted her face.
“Oh yes, it’s been a wonderful day — the ride and the countryside. I’m so glad I could come.” She hesitated and continued. “If — If it hadn’t been for Russ’ illness, I wouldn’t be here.”
Nolan put the cloth in his pocket and reached for her hand. “It’s great you could come. I’ll have to say I’m not sorry he’s sick. I’ve been wanting to spend time with you.”
“I know. I know. But he’s a dear friend.” She inhaled a long breath. “He means a lot.”
Squeezing her wrist, Nolan gazed into her eyes. “Yes, but how much?”
Gingerly, she pushed her hand away. “You’re making it difficult.”
“Am I? Or does he mean that much to you?”
She turned her head and fixated on the fountain. The water gushed from the top tier to the second before flowing to the bottom tier’s large rock base. She swept her hand over the rippling liquid. Giggling, she stirred her index finger in the cool water and faced him.
He reached for her hand and clasped his fingers around hers. Laughing, he brushed his mouth against her hair. “Your hair smells nice but you didn’t answer my question. How dear a friend is he?”
“Must we talk about the now?” Giving him a teasing smile, she cupped her hand in the water and playfully flicked drops on him.
He leaned over and kissed her.
Shaken, she inched away from him, her heart pounding loud within her eardrums.
“You can’t avoid our attraction to each other forever, Gwen,” he said, scanning her face from her chin to her forehead.
Breathless, her eyes locked his. Trying to control her racing heart, she glanced away to compose herself. “Do you have a penny?”
“Well, yes.”
“Could you give it to me?”
“What for?”
“I want to make a wish.”
He retrieved a coin from his pocket and presented it to her.
Touching his warm palm, she grasped it from him then raised her head toward the fountain. Oh Lord, could Nolan be the one for me? She threw the penny in the water. It sank and clunked to the bottom next to two other coins.
“Your wish?” he asked while his lips nuzzled once more against her blonde strands.
“I can’t say or it won’t come true.” Inhaling his alum balm, she nestled closer to him and said, “You smell nice,” before she pulled herself away. The church bells behind them rang four gongs. She sighed. “It’s getting late. I — I really must go.”
Courtships and Carriages by Janet Nitsick
Courtships and Carriages, a sweet Christian romance, returns readers to the Midwest in 1893, where men who drove fancy carriages like debonair Nolan Bradford could make ladies’ hearts flutter, such as Gwen Ward’s. Her heart raced every time she saw him, especially when these rides included secret rendezvous, pretty flowers and stolen kisses. …
Her decision could be an easy one if only her dear-childhood friend, Russ Knudson, a kindhearted, humble man, a man who works with his hands — a farmer — was not also vying for her hand. He may not be as refined as Nolan, but his feelings were just as sincere and Gwen’s love for him ran deep. And, if only Nolan was not the son of the corrupt mayor and her father, the publisher of a local paper, was not investigating that corruption.
The answer is in her court in Courtships and Carriages, which includes intrigue and suspense when a trunkful of mayoral electoral ballots comes up missing.
Purchase your copy at the retailers listed below.
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Paperback and Nook
About Janet Nitsick
Janet Syas Nitsick is the author of sweet Christian romance, Courtships and Carriages, (two proposals but who wins Gwen’s heart?); uplifting-historical romance, Bride by Arrangement (an anthology) and five-star historical romance, Lockets and Lanterns, and Best of Year book, Seasons of the Soul, which includes a spattering of accounts of her two different autistic sons. Her short story “The Silver Lining” placed 10th in the 2010 Writer’s Digest short story competition.
Janet is a former journalist, language arts teacher, and has four sons (two with autism) and six grandchildren. She loves politics which is a natural for her since her late father was a Nebraska state senator for 26 years. Janet also loves to sing and take leisurely walks.
Authors, would you like to see your romance book featured on Friday First Kiss? Find out how HERE.
The post Friday First Kiss #73 :: Courtships and Carriages by Janet Nitsick (Historical Romance) appeared first on USA TODAY Best Selling Romance Author, Lily Graison.
