Kimberly Dean's Blog, page 35

Lexie is now available in print

Lexie becomes available today in print.  It should be in bookstores everywhere.  If they don’t have it, they should be able to order it.  Just to celebrate, I’m posting another excerpt.

 An Excerpt From: LEXIE

© Copyright KIMBERLY DEAN, 2013.

Published by Samhain Publishing

“What do you think of me, Lexie? Really?”

Her gaze locked with his, and he saw something new in the dark depths. Something that made his heart rate slow down, and the thick pumps sound loudly in his ears.

“You make me uncomfortable,” she said, her voice low.

“Uncomfortable, how?”

She bit into her bottom lip, and her gaze skittered away. “Just…uncomfortable.”

The awareness he’d felt on the elevator came back, heavy and deep. It was the first indication he’d had that she saw him not as a threat, but as a man.

He wanted another.

But he didn’t know when he’d ever get it.

She was skittish around him. Guarded. The closest he could get to her was in meetings. Stuffy, mind-numbing meetings. Right now, her defenses were down. He couldn’t. He shouldn’t, but he wanted to know…

He reached for her.

Ever so gently, he ran his fingertips down her bare arm, all the way from shoulder to elbow. As he watched, goose bumps popped up on the warm flesh. She shivered and her breath caught. When she looked at him, her gaze was a little wild.

“You make me uncomfortable too,” he said gruffly.

They stared at each other, the music throbbing and the air hazy around them.

“Really uncomfortable,” he muttered.

Closing the distance, he sank into her. He watched her closely as their bodies pressed from chest to knee. The heat was intimate, the contact electric. For a moment, she was stunned still. Then all those emotions she’d kept tempered for so long rushed forward to meet him. Her anger. Her heat. Her sweetness. He felt it in the way her body melted. He heard it in the catch in the back of her throat.

“Lexie.” He kissed her. Firmly, fully, mouth locked on mouth. He sealed their lips tight, and the sensation was so good, it damn near made him groan aloud.

Her lips were soft, velvety and they clung. The kiss deepened, their mouths opening wider for more contact. For a woman who was as strapped in and lashed down as she was, she knew how to kiss.

And then some.

That hard-on he’d gotten when he’d seen her dancing atop the bar came roaring back to life. He kissed her harder, letting his tongue slide over hers. A sound left her throat, and her fingers bit into his shoulders. He did it again, loving her heat, loving the way she responded. She moved restlessly, her body grinding against his. Softness against hardness. Heat against heat.

Cam wanted to pick her up and carry her right out to his car. He could feel her nipples poking him and her hips rolling sexily. Her arousal was like every other emotion the alcohol had freed. Hot, immediate and right on the surface.

What had started as an exploratory kiss was quickly turning into a blistering-hot make-out session. They were hidden together in the corner. Music pounded around them and bodies shifted nearby. They were in public. Anyone could see them.

And he didn’t care.

He moved closer, rocking his hips into her. She let out a soft whimper as her hands glided from his shoulders to lock around his neck. Their bodies fit together like yin and yang. Her breasts pressed tighter against his chest, and he settled his growing erection right where it wanted to be, in the warm nook at the top of her legs.

He tangled his fingers in her hair as he nuzzled the feminine curve of her jawline. God, her hair… He clenched his fist in the dark curls. If the rest of her was this silky, he’d never last. Hungry for more, he sent his other hand down her side. His blood thundered hard when he found the not-so-professional slit in her oh-so-professional skirt.

“You want the truth?” he whispered into her ear. “The billboard wasn’t pretty enough.”

“Cam,” she gasped as he slid his hand around to the back of her thigh.

But her knee bent. And she arched back against the jukebox.

It took their weight as he caressed smooth, warm flesh, until the tips of his fingers brushed against panties.

“Ahem.”

The sound barely registered. Lexie rubbed the tip of her tongue against his, and Cam’s reaction was immediate. He was hard and ready.

“Maybe I should make that ‘Hey!’” The word was accompanied with a none-too-gentle shove to the shoulder.

Cam’s first instinct was to protect Lexie. His grip tightened on her as he turned, yet he was met with the sight of a woman identical to the one in his arms.

“Should I get you two a room?” Roxie asked, her eyes narrowing.

————————————–

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Reminiscing

I posted just the other day about my writing process where I need to plot out stories first.  As luck would have it, I was cleaning out my office this weekend, and I came across my plotting notebooks.  I found my very first one where I plotted a story called Innocent Appeal.  It was never published, but all my work was right there.  Afterwards were all my notes on Tiger Lily, followed by On The Prowl, a short story idea, a haunted house story (that I am determined to publish at some point), Wanted, and so much more.  It was like looking through an old photo album.  It’s amazing how time flies by.

I also found one of my favorite old(er) movies at the bottom of the box.  Ever seen Ladyhawke?  OMG, I loooove that movie!  I promptly plugged it into my old DVD/VCR player.  Yes, VHS videotape.  I think I bought it for a dollar at a rummage sale.  Know what?  The old technology didn’t matter.  I loved the movie just as much as when I saw it for the first time.  It is THE classic shape-shifter romance… maybe one of the first.  Alas, the music is dreadful, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s short hair doesn’t match the time period, but the story itself is unforgettable.  And Matthew Broderick?  This is my favorite role for him ever.

So yesterday was a good day, although I spent it in the past.  Sometimes it’s good to look back.

Finding your Groove

I read an article yesterday in an industry magazine that got me a bit riled up.  The article was pretty militant about telling writers how to write.  The theme was that writers must write every day, because it’s their job.  You mustn’t coddle your muse!  It was a one-size-fits-all approach, and I honestly didn’t make it all the way through because I felt like I was getting my butt chewed.

Do I write every day?  No

Do I do something every day that moves my writing forward?  Absolutely

Just because I’m not putting words on paper every day doesn’t mean I’m not working.  I’m a plotter.  If I were to sit down at the keyboard and try to start writing a book without doing my prep work first, I would be dead in the water.  I know.  I’ve tried.  My brain just doesn’t work that way. On top of that, there are all kinds of other things authors need to do this days:  keep up their website, engage in social media, create a marketing plan, work with designers on covers, go to conferences, go to book signings, put together contests, and a hundred other things to keep them in touch with their readers.

So when it comes to writing, each author has to find their own approach.  That’s what they “must” do.  Just because Nora writes every day doesn’t mean that I have to.  Not everybody does their job the same way.  Once I get into my story, I do tend to write every day because the words just need to get out.  But I cringe when someone gives advice to new writers saying that they need to chain themselves to their laptops if they want to be in the business.

If you’re a writer or a plumber or a school teacher or a computer programmer, find what works for you.  Filter through all the chaff of information that’s thrown at you and determine what is helpful and what is harmful.  Once you’ve got it sorted out, jump in with both feet.  Don’t mess around and play spider solitaire.  Don’t judge others who don’t follow the same process as you.  Just find your groove and rock it out.

Bonus excerpt from Maxie

 An Excerpt From:  MAXIE

© Copyright KIMBERLY DEAN, 2013

Published by Samhain Publishing

 

He watched her closely. “People all over town are talking, you know. Not only about them, but about us.”

Her hair tumbled forward over her shoulder as her chin dipped. “I know. Becky was asking questions.”

Zac took a step closer to her. The noise and chaos of the crowd drifted away until it was just the two of them. The falls weren’t that far away. The crash of the water against the rocks was a low rumble, and a fine mist of cool water hung in the air.

“I’m not sure what to tell them,” he admitted.

“I don’t know either. I didn’t expect… I just wanted you to go to dinner with us.”

But things had gone way beyond that.

He waited, but she’d gone quiet on him again. It made him uneasy. Had they gone too fast for her? He’d thought she’d been with him last night, but did she have regrets now? “I don’t mind giving them something to talk about as long as I know what’s really going on.”

But he didn’t know what was happening between them. Not really. At least not on her side.

Her gaze shied away from him towards the water rumbling down the hill. She was back to that reserved girl who stuck to the sidelines, away from all the noise and action. She looked so bashful and vulnerable, totally opposite of the role she’d just played.

He ran his finger over her cheek. “Things have been kind of crazy the past two days, haven’t they?”

She nodded, and her gaze went to their joined hands. She touched the bandage on her finger. “We’ve been doing crazy things on the spur of the moment, haven’t we?”

“I’d say. Skinny-dipping. Multiple Maxies.” Crashing after climaxing…

That pretty brown gaze locked with his. “You’re making me forget to be a timid sort.”

Zac wasn’t sure what that meant, but she stepped towards him. Her hands settled at his waist. He looked down sharply, but then she was pressing up against him and lifting her mouth to his.

Timid sort, his ass. The inhale he took was sharp and deep. It burned in his lungs when she kissed him. Slow and sexy, her lips glided over his. The act was so sensual, he forgot to exhale. He was afraid to move, afraid to do anything that would make her stop. He wasn’t sure what was going on inside her head, but he wasn’t going to do anything to discourage or distract her.

Because this felt real.

Keeping the kisses long and drawn out, she lifted her shoulder and curled into him. Her hands slid under his T-shirt, and her palms pressed flat against his flesh.

Zac caught her bare waist. Her skin was like velvet, and he wanted to kick himself for not touching her more last night.

As it was, his heart was pounding hard against his rib cage. They’d both been playing parts over the past few days, but right now it was just the two of them, and he’d never felt anything so erotic as her hands on him. Her touch slid higher, hiking up his T-shirt. Her fingers were small and feminine against his chest, but her fingertip trailed fire as she traced his abs down to his belly.

Holy. Hell.

“Maxie,” he hissed. Cupping the back of her head, he deepened the kiss. He held her tightly, and it was a good thing he did, because his knees went a little wobbly when she drew across the lines of his six-pack.

His lungs worked like bellows. She seemed entranced by what she was doing, but she wasn’t hurrying. Everything was slow and soft. Rich and pleasurable.

Mind-blowing.

Her finger dipped into his belly button, and his brain nearly exploded.

“It’s okay,” a voice said from nearby. “We’ll find her.”

They both flinched when they heard Lexie.

“I think I saw her go around this corner.”

Maxie sprang back, but Zac refused to let go of her. His hand was still fisted in her hair, and he pulled her back to him. Her eyes flared, and those hands that had been so inquisitive spread wide over his stomach. She didn’t push him away, but she bounced on her toes.

She didn’t want people to catch them together.

“Son of a—” Zac swore. They weren’t done with this. That had not been for show.

MAXIE releases today!

Maxie, Book 2 in the Triple X series, is now available at online bookstores everywhere.

MAXIE

Triple X, Book 2

Genre:  Contemporary romance

Release:  August 20, 2013

ISBN 9781619217331

It’s just pretend…but nobody wants to stop.

Maxie’s quiet, predictable routine is shattered when she steps outside her flower shop and almost runs into two women. It’s not the near collision that’s startling. It’s the strangers’ faces. It’s like looking in a mirror times two, and it sends her into a dead faint.

Sheriff Zac Ford sees three identical copies of the woman who’s caused him more sleepless nights than he can count, and it stops him in his tracks. Maxie’s buckling knees snap him out of his trance, and he catches her before she hits the cement.

Two sisters she never knew she had? Maxie can’t deal with this turmoil, not on her own. She needs a shield, a rock. For the first time in her life, she takes a wild leap of faith.

When Maxie calls him her boyfriend, Zac has no trouble playing along. It’ll give him time to figure out what these “sisters” want. Soon, though, for-show kisses get hotter and playacting touches grow bold. And Maxie must choose to stay in her safe little world, or grab life by the horns.

Maxie excerpt

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Busy time

Writing is a slow process.  A book takes forever to write and, once an author is finished, they wait for the editing, the copy editing, the cover, lots of other things, and eventually the publishing date.  It seems like a book will never come to fruition, but then all of a sudden, it’s here.  Then things start to move very fast.  Right now, I’m in the amazing position of having three books coming out in a very short time.

Maxie, Book 2 in the Triple X series, releases next Tuesday the 20th.  Then Lexie, Book 1, comes out in print form on September 3.  Finally, I’ve got a brand new erotic romance from Mischief coming out on September 26.  It’s titled Solace in Scandal, but I haven’t been able to talk to you much about that yet.  Soon.  I hope.  Soon!

It’s an exciting time, and I’ve been waiting for this all year!  I hope you like the books.  Post your reviews so I know what you think.

Maxie-mize your Summer

I’m running a contest over at the Fresh Fiction website.  The winner will receive a beautiful tri-color diamond pendant necklace.  Hurry and submit your name today.

  

Maxie is coming!

Only a few weeks until Maxie (Book 2 in the Triple X series) releases.  It will be here on August 20.  Here’s a tiny blurb for those who can’t wait!

 

An Excerpt From:  MAXIE

© Copyright KIMBERLY DEAN, 2013

Published by Samhain Publishing

Maxie felt the sheriff’s gaze click onto hers, and she forgot her plan. It flew out of her mind and into the wind. She stared at him, unable to look away.

He’d caught her.

As well as if he’d put his hands on her, he’d caught her. She hadn’t seen him come outside. She’d taken one glance away and he’d appeared. She’d known because she’d sensed him. Waves of attention had floated over her, warm, bold and undisguised. Her nipples had hardened, and her thighs had clenched.

Now that she’d looked his way, she felt well and fully pinned.

She lowered the watering can to her side, but then his gaze was captured by something behind her. The loss of eye contact brought her back to earth with a rude bump, especially when it didn’t return. He stood in front of her, a look of confusion settling onto his handsome face.

She shifted uncomfortably. Her sandals slid against the cement, and she rocked one back onto its heel. Had she gotten the wrong idea? Maybe he’d been walking back to his car. Maybe he’d been being friendly with that hi.

Or maybe he wanted to buy a garden gnome.

Footsteps clicked behind her, and embarrassment ran through her like hot lava. He’d been greeting someone else. She’d just assumed and had gotten in the way. Desperate to get out of the awkward situation, she turned to see who she’d stepped in front of. She kept her weak smile plastered on her face, ready to welcome a customer, a friend or, God forbid, his coffee date.

What she found was nothing she would have expected. Herself.

No, make that two of herself.

Maxie’s brain stutter-stepped. Two women were approaching her shop, and they looked like clones of each other. And of her.

What did they have to do with Zac?

No, that didn’t make sense.

She stopped and tried again. There were definitely two women in front of her, two women who looked like her. How could that be?

“Oh, my God,” one of them whispered.

“It’s her,” the other one said.

Unable to process anything, Maxie frowned at one stranger and then the other. They were the same height as her, and they all had the same, what she’d thought was unique, auburn-highlighted hair. Their faces could be interchanged and nobody would notice. The only thing that was different was their style. One woman was in a lavender sheath dress, while the other wore a silk tank and short shorts. Lavender girl looked like she’d stepped out of a boardroom. Her jewelry was understated, but gold. Her makeup was subtle, except where her mascara was starting to run. Short shorts, conversely, was total rocker chick. A chunky sterling silver necklace hung to her waist and leather bands circled her wrists. The only thing that didn’t fit her tough look was the way she clutched at her doppelganger’s hand, while alternately fisting and opening her other hand at her side.

Still not computing.

“Maxie?” one of the reflections said.

She sucked in a short gasp. The voice even sounded like hers. How did they know her name?

Maxie’s brain tripped again, this time falling flat on its face. It was like looking into a funhouse mirror and having two reflections stare back at you—only there wasn’t a carnival in town. Was this some kind of practical joke? She shook her head to clear it, but they were still there, these figments of her imagination.

Time started slowing down as her brain struggled to get back on its feet. Tap, tap, tap. Water dripped from the watering can onto the sidewalk. A breeze swept through, ruffling her hair and ruffling her reflections’ hair too. She tried to take a deeper breath, but the scent of flowers overwhelmed her. Flowers and perfume and coffee.

Her brain wasn’t going to make it. The edges of her vision started going dark.

The thorn. Something must have gotten into her system when she’d been pricked. A poison. No, a hallucinogen. That had to be it. What she was seeing wasn’t real.

Only Zac had appeared to see it too.

“Damn it, Maxie,” rocker chick said more sharply. “Breathe!”

The thorn. She felt her knees let go. Twin pricks… Twin wounds…

Twice as lucky.

———————–

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Pssst

Hey readers in the UK,

Private Dancer is available for free download at Amazon again. Hurry and go get it.

Don’t forget

The Night Owl Reviews Summer Fun Scavenger Hunt is still going on.  Just click the ad to the right to get there.  Lots of prizes are still available, although the event is half over.  Go learn about some great new or new-to-you authors!