Karen Michelle Nutt's Blog, page 16
August 17, 2019
“My dear sir, I don’t kiss and tell.” Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Jewel's POV.
This Week's Snippet Below:
***
Thaddeus Stanfield
the third, and owner of the Triangle S Ranch, had a temper—
and most tried not to end up on his bad side.
"Do you mind telling me what you think you are doing?"
Nash's voice was a low timbre that vibrated with meaning.
"This room is occupied and paid in full to the end of the week."
Stanfield sputtered taken aback by the stranger's harsh
words, but the gun pointed in his direction could have been a
factor, too. Stanfield couldn't see her, but he had to know Nash
wasn't in bed alone. "What do you think you're doing with two
of Maribel's saloon girls?" Suspicion laced his words.
Nash chuckled, but only a buffoon would mistake it as
humor. "My good sir, I don't kiss and tell."
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
August 10, 2019
One heck of a kiss… Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Jewel's POV.
This Week's Snippet Below:
***
He smiled, and his eyes became alarmingly darker in hue. She had the urge to jump from the bed, but then the door crashed open, and she grabbed the stranger by the arm, pulling him on top of her as she rolled, then planted her lips against his. Thank goodness, he followed her lead and didn't put up a fuss.
"Where the hell is she?" Stanfield obviously surveyed the
situation and then confronted Lulu who sputtered in fear and
didn't utter one coherent word. Jewel's heart jumped to her
throat, but she had a hunch it wasn't just because Stanfield
posed a threat. The man she was in bed with removed his hot,
tantalizing lips from hers and gave her a devastating grin that
made her think of the big, bad wolf—but instead of feeling
afraid, she felt a thrill of excitement at being devoured by him.
Almost, that was, until reality hit her full force and the cocky
son of a gun winked at her. He whirled around so fast to face
Stanfield the retort she had on the tip of her tongue fizzled to
a squeak.
Shielding her behind his broad back, so that Stanfield
didn't have a clear view, the bloke met the man's gaze head-
on with his gun drawn. She wondered where his weapon had
come from, but there it was, as though it had been an
extension of his hand, and glad she was for it, but she had to
wonder if he was thick in the head or if he was possibly the
bravest man alive to come to her rescue.
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
August 3, 2019
A fine specimen of a man… Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Jewel's POV.
This Week's Snippet Below:
***
At first, Jewel Murphy had dismissed the stranger in Lulu's room as another potbelly, middle-aged man she was prone to give comfort to, with soft caresses and lullabies. Sometimes, men were all cuddly babies beneath their hard exteriors and just needed to be hugged...or so Lulu told her. However, this man appeared healthy and fit and might even put up a right fuss if Lulu wanted to coddle him. He was a good-looking cuss if she said so herself. Broad shoulders, and a firm chest that was bare to her eyes, and those arms of his sported a thick bunch of muscles. A fine specimen of a man, she thought of the words Maribel was so found of articulating when a good- looking man entered her establishment.
Jewel's eyes met his, golden brown with just a tinge of
green. He sported a trimmed mustache and beard, and his hair
was long and thick, a dark brown bronzed by the sun. Streaks
of lighter shades of brown weaved through the locks with a
shimmer of gold. Yes, indeed, a fine specimen of a man.
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
August 1, 2019
Lean into Love #bkwrapt
All-Genres Romance Giveaway August 1-21. You'll have a chance to win: Kindle Fire 7 • Coach Wristlet • Amazon Gift Cards • Ebook Prize Packs
Romance means leaning into someone you
love and knowing they’ll be there for you. Over forty romance authors are here
for you, too…with an amazing giveaway!
Plus, don’t forget to shop our book fair
and play our scavenger hunt game for your chance at yet another prize. While
you’re there, score a fab freebie, a short story download by A.K. Shelley
exclusive to this event!
Lean Into Love Romance Book Fair
( This giveaway is sponsored by the authors listed below)
A.K. Shelley • Aileen Fish • Allyson Lindt •
Amanda Uhl • Amy Knupp • Angelica R. Jackson • Anna Durand • Aubrey Wynne •
Bernadette Rowley • Betty Shreffler • Callie Bardot • Connie Dave • Crystal
Dawn • Eichin Chang-Lim • Em Petrova • Inge-Lise Goss • Isabella Thorne •
Jacqueline Diamond • Jami Denise • Jean Jacobsen • Jennifer Faye • Joanne
Dannon • Josie Riviera • K.A. Servian • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kristy Tate •
Linda Mooney • Lori Sizemore • Margaret Tanner • Mariah Stone • Melissa Belle •
Michelle Jo Quinn • Mona Sedrak • Naleighna Kai • Nikki Lynn Barrett • Nina
Crespo • Penelope Wylde • Soraya Naomi • Susan Jean Ricci • Tamara Ferguson •
Theresa Paolo • Tracy Ellen • Zoe Forward
July 27, 2019
Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Nash's POV. Last week's episode: "Don't worry, I'll leave the pleasing part up to you. I'm just going to pretend, and hopefully convince Stanfield I'm just one of the girls so I can escape without a hassle. You know, give him time to settle down. Now, put these somewhere." She shoved her clothes at Lulu.
This Week's Snippet Below:
***
She stalked right over to Nash with only her chemise and drawers as though it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be parading around in such attire. "Move over darlin'," she drawled in a deep, whiskey-worn voice. A voice that didn't quite match the pixie features with her looking innocent and mischievous at the same time.
He could barely resist the temptation of making her his just
for the inconvenience she caused him. She must have read the
look in his eyes, for she gave him a reprimanding shake of her
head and clicked her tongue. "This is just for show, honey. So
don't get any ideas."
Lordy, she was gorgeous. She crawled into bed with barely
a stitch of clothing, and she told him not to get any ideas. She
definitely had a wicked sense of humor.
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
July 20, 2019
Sweet, Charming, and Not Shy. Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Nash's POV. (A little creative punctuation for the last paragraph.)
***
She couldn't be more than 5' 4" in height, but she sure had
some long, graceful limbs. He didn't mind one bit that she
wasn't shy in showing them off.
"What do you have in mind?" Lulu had seemingly
forgotten he was there, too, and strode over to the woman. The
pixie turned and looked right at Nash, as brazen as any saloon
girl would gander. "No, no, Little Miss." Lulu grabbed at her
arm. "You ain't going to climb in bed with Nash. I won't let
you."
Her laughter rang like bells, sweet and charming and said, "Don't worry, I'll leave the pleasing part up to you.
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
July 15, 2019
Malibu Ghost Story by Karen Michelle Nutt #endoftheroad @KMNbooks
In End of the Road, Lars Gunner, Nordic godlike, rock star haunts his house located in Malibu, California where movies stars, rock legends, and the rich and famous have oceanfront homes. Dead at 27 years old, he's not pleased to have his life cut short, leaving behind a wife and daughter. However, he isn't one to give up and his efforts pay off 23 years later when his now grown-up daughter comes across his journal.
My ghost story is fictional but there is a true haunting in Malibu where witnesses have spotted a beautiful blonde woman, wandering at night near a historic sidewalk cafe. At one time, the Hollywood elite frequented the place, enjoying the exotic location that happened to be only minutes from the surf. This beautiful apparition is believed to be Thelma Todd. 
Thelma Alice Todd was born July 29, 1906, and died tragically on December 16, 1935, at 29 years old. She was an American actress and appeared in about 120 pictures between 1926 and 1935, and best remembered for her comedic roles in films such as the Marx Brothers' Monkey Business and Horse Feathers, also a few Charley Chase's short comedies, and she co-starred with Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in Speak Easily. She had roles in Wheeler and Woolsey farces, and several Laurel and Hardy films too.
She lived on the second floor of the building above the cafe, next to Roland West, her married lover, and business partner. West was a film director, who ran the nightclub Joya's on the second floor.
Photo of Thelma ToddThe night she died, Thelma Todd had attended a Hollywood party thrown by Ida Lupino. Thelma's ex-husband, Pat DiCicco was also there.
After a few drinks, the two exchanged heated words. She continued to drink throughout the night, and when she decided to leave, witnesses claimed she was drunk. Sid Grauman called Roland West, who was at home and told him Thelma might need help when she arrived there. But sometime between that phone call and Monday morning, Thelma had died.
Photo of Jewel CarmenOn the morning of December 16, 1935, Thelma Todd was found dead in her car inside the garage on Posetano Road. West owned the house but Jewel Carmen, a former actress and former wife of Roland West, lived there. However, at the time of Todd's death, Jewel Carmen's parents were in residence. One could reach the house from the highway by taking the steeps steps up the side of the hill.
Was it suicide? All who knew her said she was in good spirits and wouldn't have done anything of the sort. To add to the shock of losing Thelma in such a manner, on the morning that she died, her maid received a Christmas card from her, and throughout the week after her death, gifts kept arriving at friends' houses, which only added to their grief and disbelief that she was truly gone.
December 18, 1935, a Coroner's Inquest into Todd's death began. The autopsy surgeon testified that there were "no marks of violence anywhere upon or within the body" with only a "superficial contusion on the lower lip." However, other accounts stated that there had been significant signs of injury.
At first, the authorities believed Roland West had something to do with Todd's death. Some witnesses saw Thelma in her gown and mink coat kicking at her apartment door and screaming obscenities. Some wondered if she was so drunk, how did she manage to climb the steep stairs to the house on Pasetano Road?
West claimed later that he and Thelma had words about her drinking and he had locked her out of the apartment. He claimed he woke up about 3:30 when he heard running water and assumed Thelma had found a way inside.
Photo of Lucky LucianoIn the end, the jury announced the verdict as 'death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.' But Thelma's attorney was sure the police were looking at the wrong man. He believed Lucky Luciano had her killed. Luciano was a gangster and someone you wouldn't cross. However, Thelma had turned down Luciano's offer to convert her cafe into a gambling parlor.
There were plans for a second inquest, but Hal Roach had it stopped. He was terrified to cross the mobster. Reluctantly, the DA, in the end, closed the case, and the mystery of her death went unsolved.
Perhaps the unsolved mystery surrounding her death is why her ghost still lingers. Was she murdered or had it been an unfortunate accident?
In later years, the building was owned by a production company until recently, and the staff members would sometimes spot a filmy apparition that resembled Thelma Todd at the top of the staircase and then it would float down the stairs and outside to the courtyard area. Perhaps she is a residual ghost and is reliving the last night of her life. In the garage of the house on Posetano Road, people claim to have heard a car engine running when the place is empty. Others claim they could smell exhaust fumes coming from the garage when there was no car present.
The historic Thelma Todd building got a facelift from the new owner, who is Robert Hayman of Hayman Properties. He restored the place to the way it looked in the 1930s when Thelma Todd lived and operated her sidewalk cafe on the first floor.
Questions: Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen one? Please share if you have. If you haven't, share a ghost story that you've read and enjoyed.
End of the Road
A rock legend never dies. Sometimes, he comes back as a ghost...
Lars Gunner, the frontman for Silent Plaids, died 23 years ago and his death was ruled an unfortunate accident. Despite the fact he can't recall what happened to him in his last moments of life, he is convinced he was murdered.
He has been trapped in limbo until his daughter, Cecilia, unearths his journal and is able to see him.
She seeks help from Kaleb, a psychic, but as they resurrect the past, the secrets and lies surrounding Lars' rock and roll life just may be the death of them too.
Available in Print and eBook formats.
Amazon AmazonUK BN iBooks Smashwords
End of the Road is coming soon to Audible:
Enjoy a sample narrated by Kelly Jackson.
http://www.kmnbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/End-of-the-Road-Audition_Kelly-JacksonRx.mp3
July 13, 2019
Without so much as a Howdy-do… Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Nash's POV.
***
She closed the door slowly so not to make a sound then
looked around the room as if trying to decide what dark
corner would suit her best to hide. Then, without so much as
a howdy-do, she started taking off her clothes. He sat up
straighter in bed. He almost wanted to pinch himself to make
sure he was, indeed, awake.
"What are you doing, Little Miss?" Lulu's eyes nearly
bulged out of her head. He was glad he wasn't the only one
seeing this.
"What does it look like?" She continued to throw off each
article of clothing without a care that a half-clad man sat on
the bed watching her.
Nash concluded the gal must not be one of Maribel's girls
by the way Lulu fussed, though she definitely had potential.
***
Hot Western Nights
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
July 8, 2019
Summer Love- July 9-29. #romance #bkwrpt #love #books #kindle
Summer Love- All-Genres Romance Giveaway
When: July 9-29
Your chance to win: Kindle Fire 7 • Kate Spade Book Tote • Amazon Gift Cards • Ebook Prize Packs
Summer Love Romance Giveaway
Who hasn’t dreamt of a summer romance? Enter our giveaway and you could win a Kindle Fire to load up with a dozen new summer flings, Amazon gift card, ebook prize pack, or a sweet Kate Spade book tote!
Then, shop our book fair and you’ll definitely find that next summer crush. All ebooks priced at 2.99 or less, some FREE. We even have a bonus scavenger hunt giveaway! And don't forget to download the FREE shortie story I'm offering for a quick summer read.
( This giveaway is sponsored by the authors listed below)
A.K. Shelley • Amanda Uhl • Bernadette
Rowley • CB Samet • Clarissa Lake • Debbie White • E.B. Black • Eichin
Chang-Lim • Eliza Watson • Elizabeth Rose • Em Petrova • Emberly Hart • Grace
Roberts • J. L. Campbell • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jami Denise •
JC Andrijeski • Jina Bacarr • Joan Reeves • Karen D. Bradley • Karen Michelle
Nutt • Koko Brown • Lane Hart • Laura A. Barnes • Leslie Scott • Linda Mooney •
M.C. Cerny • Mary Morgan • Michelle Dalton • Mimi Barbour • Naleighna Kai •
Penelope Wylde • Regan Walker • Rhondi Ann • River Ames • S.L. Sterling •
Samantha Holt • Shaylin Gandhi • Soraya Naomi • Stella Marie Alden • Stephanie
Queen • Suzanne Jenkins • Tamara Ferguson • Theresa Paolo • Tracey Cramer-Kelly
• Vivien Jackson
July 6, 2019
Hot Western Nights #8sunday #snippetsunday
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire, my western novella, will be featured in Hot Western Nights.
This is in Nash's POV, but Lulu is speaking first.
***
"He's going to kill you good this time."
"Yeah? Well, he has to find me first." Little Miss turned her
attention to the door she had kept slightly ajar and peeked out
when she heard a man bellowing at the top of his lungs.
"Where is that cheating little snipe? I'll throttle her with my
bare hands." The doors down the hall were being opened and
slammed shut again as the man did his search.
Nash's brow lifted. He could only assume that the pretty
pixie that flew into his room was the cheating little snipe the
man wanted to throttle.
Nash kept his gun close.
Hot Western Nights
Fake Marriage with a Dash of Desire Book Trailer:
There are a total of six, sexy, sizzling western love stories in the collection to get you through those HOT WESTERN NIGHTS!
Authors: by Karen Michelle Nutt, J. Arlene Culiner, Angela Raines, Elizabeth Clements, Julie Lence, Kay Spencer
Order Today. Available in Print and eBook.
Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
