Starla Kaye's Blog, page 9

Holly’s Big Bad Santa – Special holiday price

At this time of year I love reading holiday stories, and I love writing them, too. HOLLY’S BIG BAD SANTA is one of my favorite stories that I wrote for Black Velvet Seductions.

We’re offering a special treat for December: The novella is on sale for .99c at Amazon.

BUY LINK:   Amazon

 

In addition I am having a contest for some fun holiday items.

Dec 1-15 – Contest in connection with HOLLY’S BIG BAD SANTA. A fun Santa-themed kitchen set with a hand towel, hot pad, and a mitt. See a photo on the contest link.

 

BLURB – Holly’s Big Bad Santa

Jared had left Danville, Kansas, a confused and angry teenager. The black sheep of his family, he’d done his best not to look back. Then a letter from home made it impossible for him to stay away.

Holly was leaving Danville for a new life in California. Suddenly he was desperate to return home, to convince her to build a life with him.

But convincing Holly proved to be more difficult than he’d thought. Holly had always loved Jared, but after fifteen years she’d given up hope of him returning to Danville and she’d decided to move on with her life, a life which didn’t include Jared.

 

PG 13 EXCERPT – Holly’s Big Bad Santa

Even though it wouldn’t officially be Christmas season until the day after tomorrow, his parents had already put up the usual thousands of tiny white lights along the roof’s edge and up and down the turrets. When he’d been a teenager, he’d tried to help with putting up those lights. All youthful macho man, he’d gotten careless and rolled off the roof from a high spot. He’d broken an arm, sprained a leg, and badly bruised his pride. That had pretty much ended his holiday decorating.

And he’d stopped celebrating Christmas altogether after he’d left here following his high school graduation.

He squeezed his eyes shut on that raw memory.

Pain. His upper left chest and his lower ribs on the same side throbbed from too many hours sitting in one position and from trying to help steer with his left arm when his right arm got too tired. He needed to lie down, although he probably should take one of the pain pills first. Which he really didn’t want to do. He hated feeling weak, mentally or physically.

Disgusted, he opened his eyes. He shifted his gaze toward the cottage-style house next door. Holly Jacob’s home. How many times had they sat snuggled together on that porch swing? How many kisses had he stolen there with her mother inside the house? Her kisses had been so sweet and yet filled with youthful passion. God, he missed them. Missed her.

Smoke curled lazily up from the fireplace. Christmas lights twinkled in the towering Scottish pine tree in the center of the yard. The three-foot tall plastic Santa and Mrs. Claus with two slightly smaller elves had been put out this time of year for as long as he could remember. They looked worn by age, but they were a Jacob’s family tradition, one that would stop after this season. The worn Santa and Mrs. Santa and the elves would probably be thrown out as Holly thinned her belongings.

His gaze hardened and moved to the For Sale sign only a few feet away from the Santa scene. His jaw tightened. He thought about the much read and sadly wrinkled email message he’d received from his dad just over three weeks ago. His friends had printed it out to bring to him in the hospital. The timely contact had been uncanny. It had come when he’d been thinking about selling out of the private security business. After having broken up with yet another woman he’d considered asking to marry him. Just when he’d been balanced in the precarious state of “there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll make it,” according to what his doctors had told his partners in the ICU while his body fought back infection from the gunshot wound and the collapsed lung from the fractured ribs. As if they’d known how much he really needed them, his dad had sent him another of his quarterly emails checking in. This one had gone a step further, with a request, a plea: “Come home for the holidays, son.”

Something pinched in the region of his heart. Here he was after all these years. Home.

He’d never thought this would happen. He’d left during a rainstorm in the middle of the night. Now he’d returned just after a snowstorm. The remnants of it were all around him. Cold. He felt chilled to the bone even in the heated car. Frustrated, too. “Holly is leaving us. You’d best come back and say your good-bye before it’s too late.”

The post Holly’s Big Bad Santa – Special holiday price appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Mariana Gabrielle with Shipmate

I am excited to have Mariana Gabrielle on my blog today with SHIPMATE. This is A Royal Regard Prequel Novella and it is FREE. Yes, you read that right: FREE.

 

BLURB – Shipmate

The heavy hands and sharp tongues of Bella Smithson’s family have left her almost too timid to converse with a gentleman, much less conduct a husband hunt. Unfortunately, her overbearing aunt and managing cousin are determined to help her escape her black-hearted father and brothers.

Thanks to the Prince of Wales, retiring shipping magnate Myron Clewes has an ever-growing fortune, a fresh-minted peerage, a brand-new flagship, and an impossible set of requirements for a bride. Not least, she must be willing to leave England and everything she knows, possibly for good, in less than two months’ time.

Bella’s Happy-Ever-After in Royal Regard had its origins in a Happier-Than-She-Expected with her first husband, Baron Holsworthy, who gave her the confidence to steady her sea legs, take her life by the helm, and command her own voice, empowering a shy, young girl and unlikely adventurer to grow into one of King George IV’s trusted advisors.

LINKS:   Amazon     Smashwords     Barnes & Noble     iBooks     Kobo

EXCERPT – Shipmate

Effingale reined in his fuming temper, evidenced by his clipped words and a throbbing, blue vein in his temple. “Lord Holsworthy,” he began, “Sir Jasper Smithson, Bella’s father.”

Myron’s tea cup clattered into the saucer. This surprising introduction posed more questions than it answered; most notably, why her uncle had been negotiating Miss Smithson’s marriage settlement. When asked about her family, Bella had spoken only of the Firthleys and Effingales, all of whom had been present at both meetings with Bella. No one had, at any time, mentioned a father.

Both men nodded shortly, Sir Jasper with a malicious gleam that would have set Myron’s teeth on edge had he not already been grinding them, trying to keep from tossing the man against a wall for his ill treatment of Miss Smithson. Eyes like this in a sailor denoted personal storms that would wreak havoc on a ship; in gamblers, they indicated men who dealt from the bottom of the deck. He could not imagine leaving a dog in the care of such a man, to say nothing of a daughter. Myron would rather have no offspring at all than leave a child at the mercy of such a windowless soul.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“At your service, Sir.”

 

AUTHOR BIO

Mariana Gabrielle is a pen name for Mari Christie, who is not romantic–at all. Therefore, her starry-eyed alter ego lives vicariously through characters who believe in their own happy-ever-afters. And believe they must, as Mariana loves her heroes and heroines, but truly dotes on her villains, and almost all of her characters’ hearts have been bruised, broken, and scarred long before they reach the pages of her books.

She is a professional writer, editor, and designer with almost twenty-five years’ experience, and a member of the Bluestocking Belles, the Writing Wenches, and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has written two Regency romances, Royal Regard and La Déesse Noire: The Black Goddess, and will soon release three Royal Regard prequel novellas and a mainstream historical, Blind Tribute.

 

AUTHOR LINKS:  Website/Blog     Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest     Goodreads     Amazon Author Page

 

The post Mariana Gabrielle with Shipmate appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Vicky Burkholder with Queen of Hearts

I’m welcoming Vicky Burkholder to my blog today with her novella QUEEN OF HEARTS. It’s a quick read, but not lacking in adventure and romance.

This is the third book in her Gambling on Love series. All three books take place in outer space, on other worlds, and, in some cases, with handsome or beautiful aliens. Like most authors who write fantasy, futuristic, or paranormal romances, she loves creating her own worlds. She hopes you enjoy reading about them.

BLURB – Queen of Hearts, Book 3 in the Gambling on Love series

Adam Chalmers has one hard and fast rule when it comes to passengers on his ship—no lone women. Ever. But when Admiral Keeley Reed of Fleet requests a special service from him, he can’t very well refuse. Adam nearly refuses as his “cargo” approaches him. Amanda Ki. The woman who’d tugged at his heart two years ago. But she’d left him without a word and he’d been transferred as far from her as possible. However, if he doesn’t take her on, the kidnappers who took his sister may get away because she has a way to find the answers he’s been seeking.

Tiny, silver-eyed Mandy is part Halo, a race of warriors known for their deadly ferocity. When Adam left her, she suspected her mother, queen of the Halo world, and Admiral Keeley of setting their separation up. But Adam is her true mate, and she can prove it. Unfortunately, he’s an undercover Fleet agent, and she’s heir to the throne of the Halo world. It will take the two of them working together to overcome politics, danger, and each other in order to have a chance at real love.

BUY LINKS: LS Books     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     All Romance eBooks

EXCERPT – Queen of Hearts

Adam Chalmers paced the ramp outside his ship. “This is a bad idea. I know this is a bad idea. I can feel it. Something’s not right.”

“Excuse me, boss?”

Adam jumped as his ship’s AI whispered in his ear. He’d forgotten about the damned implant. The scar itched every time he thought about it. The implant was only a few months old. Still, it was much better than the stupid little button he used to wear. Damned thing was always getting lost or caught in cleaning. “Sorry, Thor. I was just thinking out loud.”

“Understood.”

Adam ran his hands over his head, disturbing the tied-back locks. As an undercover agent for Fleet, he hated this part of his job. He wanted action, not this shuffling of cargo and passengers from one planet to another. Though, if he was honest, he and Thor were responsible for bringing in several lowlifes who would otherwise still be out there terrorizing honest people. “I don’t like taking on unknown passengers or cargo. Are you sure the admiral said this is legit?”

“Yes. The credentials and credit background check out, though the information was surface only and the admiral wasn’t forthcoming with details.”

Adam didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”

“When I dug into the background, I found nothing more than the surface profile we were given. There was no depth to the information. The admiral didn’t even give me a name beyond what I gave you.”

“M. Ki. Which could be anyone. Ki’s not exactly an uncommon name on some planets. Did you check everything?” Even as Adam asked, he knew the answer. Thor was nothing if not efficient. And, though Ki wasn’t unusual, it had connotations that worked on his stomach. There was one particular M. Ki he hoped he never saw again.

“You know I did,” the AI said to his question.

“Yeah. Sorry. But Admiral Reed doesn’t usually use us for official Fleet stuff. Word could get out and we’d be sunk. So why us? Like I said, something about this doesn’t feel right.” He patted his ship. Although the exterior had been carefully crafted to look like it could use maintenance, within the walls were the latest upgrades in technology, and a few that weren’t even on the market yet.

“The admiral’s reasoning has not been made clear to me.”

“Which makes this even more curious. Will we be carrying anything more than the passenger?”

“I’m sorry, boss, but that’s also unknown. The manifest says one passenger to be picked up here, a second to be picked up at our next stop, destination to be given at departure. Both are to be delivered to Tairis Station. Do you want me to contact headquarters and request more information again?”

“No. It’s from the admiral so I can’t exactly refuse. And if she’s being tight-lipped on this, there has to be a reason.”

“Understood.”

Adam glanced at the time. Their passenger was late. The directive had specified that they be ready to go at exactly two and it was now ten after. He paused in his pacing as he watched a woman toting a regulation-sized carryall enter the docking bay, knowing she wasn’t his fare. He had one hard and fast rule—no lone women on his ship. They were nothing but trouble and this one looked like a catastrophe. He took a second look and his heart stopped. He knew that profile, maybe better than he knew his own. Or he had a couple of years ago. But it had been two years. Maybe his memory was faulty. He looked closer. Nope. His memory, as always, was dead-on. And he had a horrible feeling who the M. Ki was. But why would Admiral Reed do this to him? And why now?

The woman was tiny. Her head barely reached his shoulders when they stood side by side. The only difference between this woman and the one he knew was the color of her hair. Instead of the pale, almost white-blonde hair he remembered, she had dark hair that swung loose at her shoulders. She wore a regulation cut jumpsuit, but on her, it was anything but customary. The cut of the cloth and draping of the fabric showed it to be expensive rather than a generic one like most spacers wore. But then, his black trousers, heavy shirt, and knee-high boots weren’t exactly standard issue either.

What her jumpsuit didn’t hide was the lush body underneath. She was definitely not heavy, but nicely rounded. At least, that was what he’d seen on the surface. She had curves in all the right places and just enough of them to draw the attention of every man, and more than a few women, in the place.

Which was unfortunate, as one of the people whose attention she drew stepped out from a ship that had seen better days. Titus Harman wasn’t much better than his ship. Unfortunately, probably due to blackmail, Titus had connections high up in the hierarchy of the station, which gave him the choice jobs. It also made him a dangerous man to cross. Though Adam couldn’t hear much, he could tell from the woman’s demeanor that she wasn’t happy. She tried several times to sidestep Titus, with no luck. If Titus weren’t such an ass, he’d feel sorry for the slob. Adam leaned against his ship to watch the scene he knew was coming.

Titus grabbed the woman. Instead of frantically fighting back, she calmly kneed him in the groin and executed a perfect round-kick to his head. He went down like a sack of discarded spare parts and she wasn’t even breathing heavy. Interesting how everyone else in the bay had disappeared. She looked up at Adam, her eyes narrowed.

“Friend of yours?” she asked as he joined her.

“Not mine.” Adam glanced down at Titus. He was out cold. Then he looked back up. “Hello, Mandy. Been a while.”

“Adam.” She nodded once at him. They were all so civil. It had been two years since he’d seen her. He’d been working on Cygnus II when they’d met. She’d been his planet contact, but he never found out exactly what she did, just that she seemed to have unlimited funds and everybody danced to her tune. They’d had an immediate and strong connection, but, as his boss had so pointedly informed him, she was off-limits. After a month working closely together, she was in his blood like no other woman had ever been before or since. They’d grown very close, even with the admiral’s restrictions. Their last night together had been so hot he’d nearly combusted, but before anything more than heavy groping could happen, they’d been interrupted. And that’s when everything started to shut down. A day later, he got the message that she was gone and he was being transferred to a planet so far away, it was nearly another universe. Even though he’d tried contacting her, he’d never heard anything back. So that was that. End of story. Over and done with.

Shit. Could he come up with any more clichés for the ending of something he’d thought held promise?

“Can I help you find someone?” Adam asked. “I know most of the ships in dock. I can point you in the right direction.”

The tiniest of grins ran across her face as she stepped over Titus. “Point me and not escort me?”

“Sorry. I’m waiting for a fare. So…?”

She’d been studying him almost as intently as he’d looked at her. He was glad he’d at least put on a clean—or cleaner—shirt this morning. “I’m looking for the Dealer’s Choice, Captain Adam Chalmers.”

Adam’s tongue stuck in his mouth. No. It couldn’t be. He prayed to every deity he’d ever heard of that she wasn’t his fare. “What do you want with me?”

“I’m your fare.”

His stomach sank to a new low and his mouth dried up like the deserts on Arieal I. “You’re M. Ki? Why the subterfuge?”

“No subterfuge. Ki is one of my names, just not one I use very often.”

“Try never.” Well, almost never.

“Would you have taken me if I’d announced who I was?”

“No, and you know it.” Damn. Damn. Damn. Three weeks with her on his tiny ship would be an eternity. He tried a different tack. “My contract states no lone women. Period.”

“And yet, the contract is signed, witnessed, and unbreakable. If you didn’t read the changes, that’s not my problem.” She stuck her toe in Titus’s side. He didn’t move. “As you are well aware, Captain Chalmers, I am perfectly capable of handling myself.”

“That’s not the point.” He glanced at her eyes as they flashed silver at him. That was odd. He remembered her eyes as being gray, like a stormy sea, not this luminous shade of silver. He loved her eyes. And her lips. And… Damn. He forced his gaze away from her and stared at the wall behind her.

“Then let me tell you this,” she stated. “There will be no problem on your ship because I won’t allow it. I can control myself, Captain. Can you?” She glanced around as several security people entered the bay, looking in her direction. “I suggest we continue this discussion on board your ship.”

“Hey, lady, you’re the one with the fast feet. Not my business if you’re in trouble.”

“Adam, there are things going on here that are deeper than you know. Please. Can we at least get on board and talk? Keeley said you’d understand.”

Adam’s instincts kicked in as she named his boss, Admiral Keeley Reed. Very few people knew who she was, and who he was. It was enough to make his decision, though he still didn’t like it. “Welcome aboard the Dealer’s Choice, Miss Ki. Thor, fire up the engines. We want a fast exit.”

 

AUTHOR BIO

Vicky Burkholder resides in Pennsylvania near the area where her ancestors settled in 1741. She lives in a three-generation home and is lucky enough to have two other writers in residence. At various times in her life, she has been a journalist, writer, editor, teacher, short-order cook, computer specialist, DJ, and librarian. Her writing spans the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance lines from YA to adult. No matter the age or genre, all of her books have a touch of romance in them and have to have a happily ever after ending.

AUTHOR LINKS:  Website     Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest

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Spotlight: Jacqueline M. Sinclair and Renegade

I am welcoming Jacqueline M. Sinclair to my blog today with RENEGADE, the Prequel to the Steele Standing Series. Before we get into the details of the book, let’s talk to the author.

 

What can you share with the readers about yourself, maybe something fun that they wouldn’t guess?

I have an almost laughable fear of spiders, to the point where I’ve had to get coworkers to ‘save me.’

What drew you to being a writer?

I’ve always loved books. My mother was an avid reader and there were always books around our home when I was growing up. It seems to be a natural progression.

Do you do anything special to get in the mood to write?

I love music as much as I love to read. I usually have music playing in the background while I write.

What is in your To Be Read pile?

I love finding new authors. Geri Glenn, who has put out the first book, Ryker, in her Kings of Korruption MC series. I’m hooked. True crime. Some autobiographies. A few classics.

How do you come up with a story line?

That’s a funny question because I find that I work a plot out, and then the characters develop and completely change the game plan. I’ve found that I just have to let them have their way.

Are you an outliner, a write by the seat of your pants author, or a combination?

I definitely write by the seat of my pants.

What are you currently working on for your next book?

The first book in my Steele Standing series, Mercy Denied. With the prequel, Renegade out December 1st, I’m focusing on getting that draft where I want it to be. It’s the heartbreaking story about Trinity Steele and how a poor, drunken decision brings the wrath of Merrick Kincaid down on her-and by association, the rest of the Steele family.

What was your favorite scene in this book?

The ending. I’m a sucker for a happy ever after!

What was the hardest scene to write in the book?

That has to be a tie between the scene in Renegade where William is racing with Margaret in the car and the scene where William comes up early in the draft, practically guaranteeing he’ll get sent to Vietnam.

Do you have a favorite character and why?

It would absolutely have to be Margaret. Don’t let her sheltered life fool you. She’s strong, mischievous and she has the backbone to be William Steele’s perfect polar opposite.

 

BLURB – Renegade

Renegade is the prequel to the upcoming Steele Standing series.

Margaret Wilson is eighteen years old in 1969. The Vietnam War is raging. Her mother is dying and her father is drowning in pain. She is sheltered, religious and completely unprepared to fall in love with William Steele.

William has it all. A product of his family’s legendary reputation, he’s rich, reckless and known for pushing boundaries. He stands up to gossip by upping the ante, one rebellious night at a time.

The reality of his world sweeps away Margaret’s innocence and puts her in the middle of a place she’s never known. With William at her side, she can’t help but question her own boundaries and the temptation to ignore them is running high. Then, one night, one poor decision and Margaret becomes the one with everything to lose.

Will their young love be strong enough to hold it all together?

BUY LINKS:     Amazon US     Amazon UK     Goodreads

About Jacqueline

Jacqueline grew up in the rural southeast and is the youngest child of a large and rowdy family. Reading was an escape when there wasn’t much else around to do. She loves everything from classical literature to true crime and everything in between. With her two children grown and gone, she’s surrounded by a menagerie of adopted pets and a two-legged thief who refused to give her heart back after a night of karaoke.

With a day job and a dream job, her writing is a steamy combination of real life and seeking to answer the age-old question of what would happen if…and then characters come along and completely derail the plan. Letting them have their say provides plenty of sleepless nights and an endless combination of coffee and wine, but she hopes you enjoy their stories.

Social Media Stalking

Facebook

Author Page

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

The post Spotlight: Jacqueline M. Sinclair and Renegade appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Recent Contest Winners

I am pleased to announce the winners in two of my recent contests.

Rafflecopter Giveaway Nov 5-Dec 1 – A fun surprise gift package of 3 items

WINNER: Ally Swanson

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway Nov 11-Nov 30 – A high heel cake server and a fun hand towel

WINNER: Mina Gerhart

The post Recent Contest Winners appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Rose Anderson and Exquisite Quills

Today I’m welcoming Rose Anderson to my blog to talk about Exquisite Quills.

First off, I’d like to say thank you for having me, Starla!

I’d like to tell you a little about Exquisite Quills and an exciting project we’ve completed just in time for the holidays.

What is Exquisite Quills?

Three years ago, an idea come to me out of the blue—build a reader/writer community unlike anything available online, a community to foster camaraderie between readers and writers. Authors often live solitary lives and frankly, it gets lonely sometimes. In this community, authors could interact with readers and build their fan base. Readers could get an insider’s view on just how and why authors create our fictional worlds. And, authors could build peer relationships and find support with others who understand this weird drive to tell stories. I named my idea Exquisite Quills and created a Yahoo group. Then I opened the doors. It was exciting to see how many people wanted the same thing as I. Interested people came from all over the world and we filled up fast. We expanded too. EQ is also on Facebook and other social media.

Promotion is the monster we authors must feed constantly or we quickly fall to inconsequence. That’s a fancy way of saying our needle drops to the bottom of the haystack. But that said, we are bombarded by so many commercials of all sorts that we’ve basically tuned out the noise. People may be blind to it, but promotion is a necessary evil in the author’s world. This gave me another idea! I created the EQ blog. The EQ blog gives fiction authors one steady high-profile place to promote. With six fun memes to follow each week and Saturdays left for guest bloggers, I’m proud to say EQ is quite the little hot spot—more than 101, 000 visitors and counting over the last two years! Yes, I see EQ expanding in the future. Ours is an ever-expanding industry and EQ will grow right along with it.

EQ is a community populated by a terrific bunch of readers and writers. We invite you to join us.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ExquisiteQuills/info

http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExquisiteQuills/

The newest EQ project~

For the last two holiday seasons, EQ authors put out collections of free holiday stories. This year we went big with our first-ever anthology of holiday love stories and recipes!

Exquisite Christmas ~ 21 Romance Authors Share Holiday Stories and Recipes

Exquisite Christmas will soon be in ebook and paperback at Barnes&Noble,

Kobo, All Romance Ebooks ( ARe), and iBookstore.

 

Buy it on Amazon right now!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018F4ACSC

 

About Rose~

Rose Anderson is a multi-published, award-winning author and dilettante who loves great conversation and delights in interesting things to weave into stories. Rose also writes across genres under the pen name Madeline Archer. She lives with her family and small menagerie amid oak groves and prairie in the rolling glacial hills of the upper Midwest.

 

 

Rose Anderson on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004XDGWL6

Madeline Archer on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B015Z08XW6

Blog

http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/

 

The post Rose Anderson and Exquisite Quills appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Jessie Clever with To Be a Spy

I’m welcoming back Jessie Clever to my blog today with a short story in her Spy Series, TO BE A SPY.

BLURB – To Be a Spy

Samuel Black must make a decision: to be a spy like his father or follow his heart.

Either is likely to give his mother chest pains.

For Samuel is no longer a lad with the ambitious and noble wish of being a lamplighter to keep the seedy streets of London safe.  About to embark on university, his mind stirs with the thoughts of creating a policing force in London to safeguard its citizens.  Held back by his family’s legacy as spies, Samuel does not make his ideas known.

But when he stops a would-be purse-snatcher, his path unexpectedly veers into that of one Miss Penelope Paiget, and suddenly, Samuel must make a choice.

The short stories in the Spy Series:

To Be a Spy
To Be a Duke
To Be a Lady

The Spy Series short stories take place after the conclusion of the Spy Series.

BUY LINKS: Amazon US     Amazon UK     Nook     iBooks

Google Play     Kobo     All Romance eBooks

Goodreads Link

EXCERPT – To Be a Spy

London, 1822

 

It happened on Marlborough Street a little past two o’clock two days before Christmas.

Samuel had just returned from Eton the day before as his Greek studies had compelled him to stay longer than the rest of the students.  It all sounded rather dull, but honestly, it was quite thrilling as one of his tutors believed he had stumbled upon an undiscovered Biblical text.  The ramifications could be enormous, and so when asked to assist him in analyzing the text, Samuel had stayed on, of course.  It wasn’t as if he would miss the opportunity.

And thus two days before Christmas, he found himself on Marlborough trying desperately to find a present for Jane and Elizabeth.  He wondered briefly if any other man of ten and eighteen was stricken with not just one headstrong sister but two for whom to shop, and if those sisters were raised by an equally headstrong mother.  All three of them would not settle for the customary ribbons or baubles or fabrics that other ladies would surely drool over.  If it were anything less than divine, the Black women would not find it at all appealing.

Samuel stared in one window after another hoping inspiration would strike.  It was while waiting for inspiration that the crime was committed.

He was standing innocently enough outside of Rugbottom’s Books admiring a particularly ornate illustration of Shakespeare’s sonnets when the commotion began behind him.  Having been raised in less than ordinary circumstances, the time that lapsed between when the commotion began and when Samuel noticed it was rather exaggerated.  But commotions were quite common in the Black family, and he thought nothing of it.

Until Lady Delia Witherspoon screamed.

“He’s stolen my reticule!”

Samuel turned at this in time to see Lady Witherspoon pointing at a fleeing figure clutching the offended reticule under his arm.

And then Lady Witherspoon screamed again.

“That man!  He’s stolen my reticule!”

The fleeing man charged at Samuel directly, as it was previously noted, Samuel merely stood in the middle of the pavement staring into a window.  He was obviously ripe for any interaction with a passerby on the pavement, even should that passerby be a thief.

As he watched the thief approach, Samuel’s mind took that opportunity to think on matters.  He wondered briefly if other gentlemen stepped out of the way of fleeing criminals or if they advanced.  He wondered if they cowered at the thought of getting their waistcoat ruined.  And then he wondered what the wives of said gentlemen would think if their noble husbands did not act to avenge the slight against a lady.

Samuel thought none of that likely as the gentlemen of the ton that he had had the pleasure of meeting were all sopping idiots.  The apprehension of criminals was not something that suited such personalities.

And then Samuel sighed.

He sighed because he quite liked his waistcoat.  It was a fine cranberry color that went well with his breeches, and if he had learned anything from his Uncle Alec, it was that a man who showed care for his dress showed care in every aspect of his life.  And that was why Samuel was rather despondent to put his cranberry waistcoat in danger.

AUTHOR BIO – Jessie Clever

In the second grade, Jessie began a story about a duck and a lost ring.  Two harrowing pages of wide ruled notebook paper later, the ring was found.  And Jessie has been writing ever since.

Armed with the firm belief that women in the Regency era could be truly awesome heroines, Jessie began telling their stories in her Spy Series, a thrilling ride in historical espionage that showcases human faults and triumphs and most importantly, love.

Jessie makes her home in the great state of New Hampshire where she lives with her husband and two very opinionated Basset Hounds.  For more, visit her website at jessieclever.com.

Connect with Jessie…

Facebook     Twitter     Google+     Pinterest     Goodreads

The post Jessie Clever with To Be a Spy appeared first on Starla Kaye.

My Holiday Contests

I love the holiday season and I love giving away special prizes.

You can enter each of the contests daily during their run. One lucky winner will be randomly picked the day after the contest ends. Read the contest instructions and leave your comment ON THIS POST.

Dec 1-7 – Contest in connection with TRUSTING LOVE AGAIN. An adorable holiday owl kitchen hand towel, hot pad, a holiday pen, and a $25 Amazon card. See a photo on the contest link.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dec 1-15 – Contest in connection with HOLLY’S BIG BAD SANTA. A fun Santa-themed kitchen set with a hand towel, hot pad, and a mitt. See a photo on the contest link.

 

 

 

 

Dec 1-15 – Contest in connection with COWBOYS IN CHARGE. A fun “Santa Being Good is Boring” Christmas stocking and a squeezable cat stress toy. See a photo on the contest link.

The post My Holiday Contests appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Jean Joachim with Champagne for Christmas

Today I am welcoming Jean Joachim to my blog with her holiday story, CHAMPAGNE FOR CHRISTMAS.

BLURB – Champagne for Christmas

Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater keep a summer romance sizzling through a freezing winter? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina, a former actress, is now a beautiful and wealthy widow…and more than a little lonely, especially during a glorious Christmas in New York City.

A chance meeting brings them together. Their passion for the stage joins their minds while love blossoms, despite their age gap. The theater, that once united them, may be the one hurdle they can’t clear. A steamy romance with a happy ending you’ll never see coming.

BUY LINKS:  Amazon     Barnes & Noble     iTunes     Kobo     Amazon UK

REVIEWS

This is a wonderful, feel good story. A widow for over three years, Nina is comfortable in her life. She doesn’t realize what she is missing. Then she meets her next door neighbor, a somewhat younger Clint and the sparks fly. You will start to care about these two very quickly and hope for a happy ending. The author describes Christmas in New York City so that you think you are really there.

Ms. Joachim’s holiday book is a joy to read from beginning to end. I was instantly swept up and into the story. Many a time I could imagine myself standing on the streets of New York and seeing what had been so wonderfully described. The romance between an older woman and a younger man was tastefully and sensually penned. This may be one of the author’s best to date. I simply could not put it down. At one point near the end of the book, I begged off chatting with friends on Facebook so that I could find out how things ended! Of course Ms. Joachim delivered a perfect happily ever after just as she always does. If you enjoy Christmas romances you will love CHAMPAGNE FOR CHRISTMAS. VLLocey

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Jean Joachim

Jean Joachim, wife and mother of two sons, is owned by a rescued pug, named Homer. She’d been writing non-fiction for what seemed like forever until she got up the nerve to try fiction. It was love. Now she spends her days in New York City in the company of her characters, with a cup of tea and a secret stash of black licorice.I write contemporary romance in two heat levels: sweet and spicy (or sensuous).

AUTHOR LINKS:   Website     Newsletter     Blog     FaceBook     Twitter

The post Jean Joachim with Champagne for Christmas appeared first on Starla Kaye.

Melissa McClone with A Christmas Homecoming

I’m happy to welcome USA Today bestselling author Melissa McClone to my blog today with her holiday story, A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING. She is having a giveaway and she is sharing a character interview.

 

BLURB – A Christmas Homecoming

A kiss is just a kiss…

Unless it’s under the mistletoe.

Ellie Smith is determined to make up for Christmases past by spreading holiday cheer throughout the Bar V5 dude ranch, but tech “bah, humbug” billionaire, Josiah Whittaker, refuses to bask in the spirit of the season.

Unwilling to let the geek-to-gorgeous Josiah win, Ellie plans to give him a Christmas he’ll never forget. But after a simple kiss under the mistletoe, Ellie and Josiah both start questioning everything. Can Christmas really bring the gift neither one of them were expecting: true love?

BUY LINKS:  Kindle     Nook     iBooks     Kobo     Kindle UK     Google Play

GIVEAWAY: One lucky winner will receive a Christmas themed prize pack. Leave your email address in a comment to be eligible.

 

 

 

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Ellie: I’m Ellie Smith. I work as a housekeeper at the Bar V5 Dude Ranch outside Marietta, Montana. I grew up on a small ranch on the outskirts of town and have lived in the area my entire life.

Josiah: I’m Josiah Whittaker. I grew up in Marietta, but now live in the Bay Area in California where my company Whit Tech is located.

What are a couple of random thoughts about yourself that will surprise the readers?

Ellie: Breakfast for dinner is my favorite meal. I start my Christmas shopping on December 26th.

Josiah: I hated growing up in Marietta and haven’t been back to Montana in eleven years. I sometimes leave hundred dollar bills in random places for people to find.

Ellie: I didn’t know you did that. That is so sweet.

What makes you blush?

Ellie: He does.

Josiah: I haven’t blushed since I was…

Ellie: Eighteen.

Josiah: Sounds about right.

What brought you into contact with each other?

Ellie: He should answer this one.

Josiah: I was zip-lining and cut my leg. I ended up getting a blood infection and spent time in the ICU. My company’s board of directors forced me to take December off to rest and recover. I was staying at the dude ranch where Ellie works.

Ellie: He’s still recovering, but doing so much better than he was when he first arrived.

What was your immediate reaction to each other?

Ellie: I thought he was gorgeous. Very different from the geeky boy I remembered years ago.

Josiah: She looked like one of Santa’s elves with her red and green clothes and Christmas jewelry. But she was still pretty and had a great smile.

What do each of you think about “love and romance”?

Ellie: Love and romance are two things I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl, but I’ve never had much luck with relationships until now.

Josiah: I always thought love and romance were overrated. My priority has always been work, so I avoided getting serious with anyone until I met Ellie.

Who took the first step in heating things up between you?

Ellie: I guess that would be me. I happened to have a sprig of mistletoe in my pocket so made the most of it.

Josiah: Ever since then I’ve been carrying around mistletoe. You never know when it’ll come in handy.

Would you rather be caught in a wild moment of passion or tied down and taken?

Ellie: Caught in a wild moment, most definitely.

Josiah: There’s no wrong answer here. Either works for me.

What is the kinkiest sexual thing you’ve ever done?

Ellie: Well… our creator is a sweet romance author. Kissing is as far as we go.

Josiah: Yeah, really sucks. Maybe we’ll get to take a honeymoon in a sequel.

Ellie: More likely I’ll just show up pregnant.

Who made the first compromise in your relationship?

Ellie: Me.

Josiah: Her.

 

EXCERPT – A Christmas Homecoming

“It’s good to see you again, Josiah.” Ellie removed a glass and napkins from the wet bar’s cabinet. She faced him. “You’ve done well for yourself. Everyone in Marietta is so proud.”

“Have we met?”

Typical. She bit back a sigh.

“A long time ago.” Truth was, most people forgot about her. She tried not to let that bother her. Sometimes she succeeded. “I’m Ellie Smith. You tutored my brother Buck in math.”

“Buck Smith. I remember him. Great guy. Loved cows as much as I loved computers.”

Josiah’s friendlier tone was how she remembered him. “The two of you were obsessed.”

“No kidding.” He stared at a painting of a cattle drive hanging on the wall. “I couldn’t believe Buck wanted to teach me how to rope in exchange for tutoring him in geometry. I figured I’d get a glimpse into how cowboys live. Never imagined I’d win the roping championship that year, and he’d bring his D up to a B plus.”

“Buck was excited about his grade, but thrilled you won the trophy.”

“That was your brother. Putting others first when he was sick. Telling me I was the best out there that day, even though I wouldn’t have won if he’d been able to compete.”

Buck’s rare immunodeficiency disease with a name she still couldn’t pronounce properly had worsened by that point. He’d attended the rodeo in a wheelchair. Five months later, he’d died. Josiah had attended the funeral dressed like a cowboy in Buck’s hand-me-downs and been a pallbearer. “You won for both of you.”

“That’s what Buck said. I’d forgotten. And you…” Josiah’s gaze narrowed, then recognition flashed, followed by surprise. “You’re little Eleanor.”

“Yes, but I go by Ellie now. I’m not so little anymore.”

Josiah’s gaze ran the length of her. “No, you’re not.”

The appreciation in his eyes sent a burst of feminine pride through her. That hadn’t happened in months. She wasn’t sure she wanted it happening now, but her heart was beating like a horse pulling a sleigh through freshly fallen snow.

His smile reached his eyes, crinkling the corners, making her mouth go dry. Looks weren’t everything, she reminded herself. A pretty face didn’t make a man. Neither did a few billion in the bank.

“I remember three things that little Eleanor was never without.” His playful tone seemed out of character for the man she’d just met, but not the teenager who would describe video games in detail. “Blue glasses, lollipops, and books.”

So much for thinking she’d been cute and charming.

Laughing, she stepped closer to him. “Exactly how a woman wants to be remembered. A four-eyed, candy-addicted bookworm. Of course, you’re right.”

She was thrilled he recalled her at all. Sometimes she felt invisible. Her brother’s friends called her Buck’s little sister, even though he’d died in high school. She had a feeling none remembered her name.

“Endearing for sure.” Josiah leaned against the sofa. “Your spying, however, was annoying. Buck got so mad.”

She hunched her shoulders, fighting the urge to step back. “You saw me?”

“Being ninja-like and stealthy were not your best skills.”

Bet her cheeks looked like red circle brand marks. “I thought I was being clever. My grades were only slightly better than my brother’s, so clever is a relative term.”

“You were clever for staying quiet. We made sure you didn’t hear anything too juicy….”

 

AUTHOR BIO – Melissa McClone

USA Today bestselling author, Melissa McClone has published over thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

AUTHOR LINKS:  Website     Facebook     Twitter

The post Melissa McClone with A Christmas Homecoming appeared first on Starla Kaye.