Tory Richards's Blog, page 124
April 28, 2014
Something to Lose
What kind of a writer am I?
I write my novels from the beginning to the end, in a straight line. Sure, I might have ideas of where the story is going and I travel in that direction as I write, but I don’t have it all mapped out. My stories ebb and flow and keep me excited to see what happens next.
When I began my writing journey, I had no preconceived notions about how writing should be done. I had never taken a writing class and had no ties at all to the writing and publishing world. I just sat down at my computer and started typing. I had the beginnings of a story in my head and I wrote it down. The next day I wrote some more and after several months of repeating this procedure, I had a draft manuscript.
The next phase was to figure out what to do with my draft novel. I was excited at this point. I had written a book! I began dipping my toe into the writing world and what I learned both scared and depressed me. I did it the wrong way—at least I thought so based on what I had read at the time. I was supposed to have writing software and an outline. No one sits down and writes their story from start to finish. Writers skip around, sometime writing the end before the middle. So frustrating!
It didn’t take me long to figure out that what works for others just didn’t work for me. I still write each story from start to finish, just like you read them. I do keep a notebook for each novel that has notes about different parts of the story so that I don’t forget something that I thought of out of sequence. I do now use Scrivener instead of Word, but I use it mostly for the compile feature. Since I’m self-published, Scrivener makes it easy to convert my work into the different file types that I need.
That said, it is still nice to hear that there are authors out there who write like me. I heard Nora Roberts speak at the RWA Convention last year and was thrilled to hear that she writes her novels from start to finish using WordPerfect. I’m not comparing myself to Nora, but that reaffirms that you can be successful doing things the wrong way.
Something to Loseby Tamra Lassiter
BLURB:
Everyone has something to lose.
Camden Piotrowski is justifiably upset to find her boyfriend in the arms of another woman. But it’s not the end of her world and definitely not something that a bubble bath, good wine, and cookie dough won’t help. Her pity party is interrupted when handsome Seth Vendetti bursts into her bathroom. She soon discovers that her world and those in it are not as they seem. Can she trust Seth’s version of the truth and make him realize that even he has something to lose?
EXCERPT
His hands form fists that rest on his hips. “Are you threatening an FBI agent?”
I hadn’t really thought of it like that, but I’m not backing down. I put my hands on my hips as well and stand on my tippy toes so that my face is close to his. I could use those three-inch heels right about now, but I hold my ground. His body is tight. I see his pulse beating in his neck.
“Call it what you want. Just get out of my house.”
His hands move behind my neck. He pulls me to him and before I even know what’s happening, he’s kissing me and even more surprising, I’m kissing him, too. His strong fingers move up and down my back as his lips work their magic on mine. I thought I’d been kissed before, but never have I been kissed like this. I still don’t see fireworks, instead I am the firework. Heat explodes from my lips down my throat and to the rest of my body. This isn’t the warmth of fairy tales where the prince and princess kiss their happily-ever-after. This is the battle of the dragon and I don’t know what because my brain is no longer working.
His stubble scratches my chin and the sensation kindles the fire even more. My stomach lurches and I feel weightless, light as a feather now, falling from high in the sky. His hands move to my hips and he pulls me to him tightly. He kisses my chin and then my neck and down to the opening of my robe.
It’s like I wake up from some out-of-body experience to find myself full of lust and clinging to a complete stranger. His hand slips into my robe. I startle and jump back, hugging myself with one hand, the other covering my mouth as my eyes go wide in complete disbelief.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Tamra Lassiter lives in Northern Virginia with her supportive husband, two lovely daughters, elegant Great Dane and not-so-elegant, but very sweet, English Bulldog. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and of course, writing.
www.tamralassiter.com@tamralassiter
https://twitter.com/TamraLassiter
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamra-...
Prizes for the tour are as follows:
• One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
• Two randomly chosen hosts will each receive a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/virtual-book-tour-something-to-lose-by.html
Available now!
Book 3 of Serve and Submit, Under Cover is available folks! Yes, it's a few days early. You can pick up a copy at the following places.
Smashwords
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon
Blurb - Vacationing in England, Lucie and her friends are finally at Buckingham Palace. What starts out as a harmless tease in front of one of the stone-faced, palace guards soon turns into the real thing when he hunts her down to finish what she started!
Excerpt - Oh crap! He looked so different out of uniform, but she’d recognize those steely blue eyes anywhere. He was looking at Lucie with intensity, narrowing his gaze as he made a laze sweep of her body. Did he recognize her? She watched him pick up his whiskey glass and down the contents in one swallow before slamming the glass on the table with a loud sound, keeping his interest on her the whole time. Warmth engulfed her senses and she felt her cheeks turn hot, but when he said something to his friends and began to scoot out of the booth Lucie quickly turned to go back the way she’d come.
“Lucie, we’re over here!”
She glanced over to see Anna waving at her from a corner table. She took in the three men at the table with her friends, only recognizing Seth, the one they’d met at Green Park the day before. Lucie waved back. “I forgot something, I’ll be right back!” She didn’t even slow down, consciously aware of the man bearing down on her out of the corner of her eye.
She was nearly running when she reached the elevator and punched the button. “Come on! Come on!” she mumbled beneath her breath. Oh thank God! She felt elation when the doors began to close but before they connected a large hand appeared from nowhere. She caught her breath, her eyes rounding as the doors slowly opened, revealing the man she was trying to avoid. Even out of uniform he was large, and the clothes he was wearing now, a black pull over sweater beneath a black jacket and pants, revealed how truly muscular he was.
As he stepped inside Lucie took a step to go around him. “Excuse me.” Her intentions were to slip out, but he purposely blocked her with his body. Then his hand was on her arm, light enough not to hurt but firm enough to show her he was serious. “I think you and I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
The first thing Lucie acknowledged was that his English accent was very faint, while his tone of voice was deep and raspy, sexy sounding. The second thing was that he couldn’t be serious! Until then she’d avoided his eyes but now that the elevator door was shut and she was alone with him she reluctantly looked up. Lord, he was handsome! His reddish brown hair was cut close to his head. The scar across his cheek actually added to his appeal, making him look dangerous and capable of anything.
It occurred to Lucie that they weren’t moving. She pulled her arm away, hit 4, and moved to the farthest side of the too small elevator. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She crossed her arms and gave him her best defiant look. “You must have me confused with someone else.” He didn’t look at all worried. In fact, he took a step closer. Lucie swallowed nervously, feeling overwhelmed by his sheer size, and, if she was being honest, a little turned on by the look burning in his eyes.
“Oh, don’t you.” He took another step closer, letting his gaze once again roam with unhurried ease down her body and back up again. “You think I don’t recognize you?”
Smashwords
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon
Blurb - Vacationing in England, Lucie and her friends are finally at Buckingham Palace. What starts out as a harmless tease in front of one of the stone-faced, palace guards soon turns into the real thing when he hunts her down to finish what she started!
Excerpt - Oh crap! He looked so different out of uniform, but she’d recognize those steely blue eyes anywhere. He was looking at Lucie with intensity, narrowing his gaze as he made a laze sweep of her body. Did he recognize her? She watched him pick up his whiskey glass and down the contents in one swallow before slamming the glass on the table with a loud sound, keeping his interest on her the whole time. Warmth engulfed her senses and she felt her cheeks turn hot, but when he said something to his friends and began to scoot out of the booth Lucie quickly turned to go back the way she’d come.
“Lucie, we’re over here!”
She glanced over to see Anna waving at her from a corner table. She took in the three men at the table with her friends, only recognizing Seth, the one they’d met at Green Park the day before. Lucie waved back. “I forgot something, I’ll be right back!” She didn’t even slow down, consciously aware of the man bearing down on her out of the corner of her eye.
She was nearly running when she reached the elevator and punched the button. “Come on! Come on!” she mumbled beneath her breath. Oh thank God! She felt elation when the doors began to close but before they connected a large hand appeared from nowhere. She caught her breath, her eyes rounding as the doors slowly opened, revealing the man she was trying to avoid. Even out of uniform he was large, and the clothes he was wearing now, a black pull over sweater beneath a black jacket and pants, revealed how truly muscular he was.
As he stepped inside Lucie took a step to go around him. “Excuse me.” Her intentions were to slip out, but he purposely blocked her with his body. Then his hand was on her arm, light enough not to hurt but firm enough to show her he was serious. “I think you and I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
The first thing Lucie acknowledged was that his English accent was very faint, while his tone of voice was deep and raspy, sexy sounding. The second thing was that he couldn’t be serious! Until then she’d avoided his eyes but now that the elevator door was shut and she was alone with him she reluctantly looked up. Lord, he was handsome! His reddish brown hair was cut close to his head. The scar across his cheek actually added to his appeal, making him look dangerous and capable of anything.
It occurred to Lucie that they weren’t moving. She pulled her arm away, hit 4, and moved to the farthest side of the too small elevator. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She crossed her arms and gave him her best defiant look. “You must have me confused with someone else.” He didn’t look at all worried. In fact, he took a step closer. Lucie swallowed nervously, feeling overwhelmed by his sheer size, and, if she was being honest, a little turned on by the look burning in his eyes.
“Oh, don’t you.” He took another step closer, letting his gaze once again roam with unhurried ease down her body and back up again. “You think I don’t recognize you?”
April 26, 2014
I'm just saying...
Oh my lord, I just read two smoking hot biker books, Lash and Tiny, by the same author. I couldn't put them down and read them straight through. Warning folks...I just might have to write a bikers book! lol
Right now I'm getting ready to write book 5, Lovers, in my Serve and Submit Series.
Right now I'm getting ready to write book 5, Lovers, in my Serve and Submit Series.
April 24, 2014
My unBucket List
Things NOT or will ever be in my bucket list.
body waxingeating brainswearing denturesbody piercingsshave my head doing anything under waterriding a motorcycleplastic surgerygetting married againappearing on America's Got Talent or The Voice dancing on top of a tableskinny dipping
I may add more things to this list as they come up. Do you have an un-bucket list?
body waxingeating brainswearing denturesbody piercingsshave my head doing anything under waterriding a motorcycleplastic surgerygetting married againappearing on America's Got Talent or The Voice dancing on top of a tableskinny dipping
I may add more things to this list as they come up. Do you have an un-bucket list?
April 22, 2014
Dianna Love
AUTHOR Bio
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New York Times bestseller Dianna Love once dangled over a hundred feet in the air to create unusual mareting projects for Fortune 500 companies. She now writes high-octane romantic suspense, thrillers and urban fantasy. Her new Slye Temp romantic suspense series launched its first four books in 2013 to rave reviews and more will follow in 2014. Her books are available in print and ebook. On the rare days she’snot in her writing cave, Dianna enjoys touring the country on her BMW motorcycle. She lives in the Atlanta, GA area with her motorcycle-instructor husband and a tank full of unruly saltwater critters. Read excerpts of her books at www.authordiannalove.com or join her Dianna Love Street Team on Facebook and get in on the fun!
Kiss the Enemyby Dianna Love
BLURBHer only hope is in the hands of her enemy.
Slye Temp operative Margaux Duke is chasing an international terrorist who murdered the last of her family. But her plans go up in smoke when her agency is in the crosshairs of the dangerous killer, forcing her to turn rogue to protect the only family she has left - her team. This is no time to get involved, especially with an enemy who steps between her and the terrorist she has to stop.
Logan Baklanov has been known by many names in the underbelly of international terrorism and will do whatever it takes to shield those he loves from the treacherous world he lives in. When his brother’s life is in jeopardy, Logan takes on a role that places him at the top of the most-wanted lists of government security agencies in every country. He accepts the no-win situation, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice until a long legged beauty draws the attention of his deadly target and screws Logan’s carefully planned mission.
Margaux and Logan must join forces in a dangerous game to save a major city from a powerful psychopath, but their ruse escalates out of control when the heat smoldering between them threatens to explode.~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Margaux gazed around the elegant room, taking in the mundane, wealthy men shopping for an expensive party girl for the night. All of the clients here were middle aged and ordinary.
On the other hand, Dragan’s bodyguard was anything but uninteresting.
He stood off to her right, with Secret-Service-looking eyewear and a coal-black designer suit that had to be custom-tailored to fit shoulders as wide as his.
That was one big man.
Just her flavor, if she had any interest in a taste.
Surprisingly, he still managed to blend into the shadows, motionless as a tiger waiting for his dinner to stroll by. Power rolled off him in silent waves. She couldn’t tell much about his face with that thick, but neat, black beard and his eyes hidden.
Handsome was too simple a word to describe him, too civilized. Like admiring a wolf for its lush coat or a shark for its grace in the water, a woman would find this man attractive in a deadly way.
A woman who enjoyed playing with fire or dancing with lightning.
A woman who was a fool.
Nothing about that man invited sexual banter, which she found even more appealing. No, he was not one to play with and that presented a problem.
Because right now she had to get to Dragan and that bodyguard was her only route.
Links
Website---- https://www.authordiannalove.com
Street team ---- https://www.facebook.com/groups/45601...
Like her on Facebook at--- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dianna...
Follow her on Twitter at -- https://twitter.com/diannalove
Buy Links for KISS THE ENEMY:
Amazon Kindle-- http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Enemy-Slye...
Nook-- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-...
Kobo— http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/book...
iTunes— https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id72...
Google Books-- https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
For other buy links, to read an excerpt, or to purchase an autographed copy, visit the KISS THE ENEMY page on Dianna’s website: http://www.authordiannalove.com/books...
Dianna will be awarding EITHER the ebook box set of the first 3 Slye Temp OR a signed copy of ONE of the first 4 Slye Temp books. (Print Books are Continental US Only - Amazon/iTunes/Nook ebook equivalent for international) to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop during the tour, and a GRAND PRIZE of Signed copies of all 4 Slye Temp books – LAST CHANCE TO RUN, NOWHERE SAFE, HONEYMOON TO DIE FOR – plus a MONOGRAMMED SLING BACKPACK, and swag pack of surprise goodies. (Continental US only for print books - Amazon/iTunes/Nook 3 ebook box set for international) will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Other tour stops
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/03/virtual-super-book-blast-kiss-enemy-by.html
NOTE: On Friday, April 25th, I will draw a winner from the comments on my tour stop for the individual prize and send Goddess Fish you name and email address.
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April 20, 2014
I just got done reading a story that oh my God was so wro...
I just got done reading a story that oh my God was so wrong in so many ways! It took me a half an hour to come up with some semi-positive remarks for the review. It already had 9 reviews, and a two star rating. I couldn't believe it was that bad, which is why I read it, but oh yes it was that bad!
With a couple of exceptions the story was well written (grammar and spelling), and the book cover was nice. But the plot sucked! It was about a workaholic scientist who gets kidnapped by a man who thinks she needs to get laid. They'd only met briefly twice, and she couldn't even remember his name until halfway through the story. Of course, during most of her captivity, which turned into a year, he kept her drugged, naked, bound, and blindfolded.
There was absolutely no emotion between the two. No passion, not even when the man was teasing the scientist and she was left begging him to let her have an orgasm. He'd purposely leave her hanging. Eventually they do more, but again, I didn't feel any kind of emotion between them. It was cold.
By the end of the story she was calling him Sir, and he was training her to be his slave. Yeah, you heard me right. He did a few things that really turned me off. One was that she had to go pee in front of him, and he would wipe her because he kept her arms to her sides. Thank God the author never mentioned how she got cleaned when she went poop. And you know she did because she was held for a year! I felt that the hero was degrading her.
At the end of the year we find out that he'd kept her prisoner in some secret room inside the very building that she worked. Unbelievable!
With a couple of exceptions the story was well written (grammar and spelling), and the book cover was nice. But the plot sucked! It was about a workaholic scientist who gets kidnapped by a man who thinks she needs to get laid. They'd only met briefly twice, and she couldn't even remember his name until halfway through the story. Of course, during most of her captivity, which turned into a year, he kept her drugged, naked, bound, and blindfolded.
There was absolutely no emotion between the two. No passion, not even when the man was teasing the scientist and she was left begging him to let her have an orgasm. He'd purposely leave her hanging. Eventually they do more, but again, I didn't feel any kind of emotion between them. It was cold.
By the end of the story she was calling him Sir, and he was training her to be his slave. Yeah, you heard me right. He did a few things that really turned me off. One was that she had to go pee in front of him, and he would wipe her because he kept her arms to her sides. Thank God the author never mentioned how she got cleaned when she went poop. And you know she did because she was held for a year! I felt that the hero was degrading her.
At the end of the year we find out that he'd kept her prisoner in some secret room inside the very building that she worked. Unbelievable!
April 19, 2014
Under Cover
Just sent the 7000-word script off to my editor. Book 3 of Serve and Submit takes place in England where my heroine, Lucie, is vacationing with some friends. Under Cover comes out May first!
April 18, 2014
Kiss Me!
My very first release, Cupid's Arrow, was with Whiskey Creek Press. It was on their best sellers list for two consecutive months. Kiss Me is the re-release of that sweet, contemporary romance, and probably one of my favorite books. It's available at Smashwords and All Romance Ebooks right now, and other venues in time. Below is an excerpt.
Emma caught her breath, recognizing Mike the second she heard the deep timbre of his sexy voice. He made a hunky Zorro, dressed all in black in a costume that fit his tall, powerful body like it was tailored especially for him. She’d seen him watching her while she crossed the room, ignoring him on purpose because she hadn’t wanted to encourage any unwelcome attention. Now that she knew who he was, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He was what dreams were made of, the handsome hero disguised in a black mask, his steely eyes doing all his talking for him as he leaned insolently against the table with that wolfish grin. The bad boy every woman secretly yearns for. He had to know how he affected women with his mysterious presence. Goodness, she all but placed her hand over her pounding heart. What was wrong with her? It took effort to remind herself he was married.
She was about to step away when a dancer bumped into her backside, causing her to fly directly into Mike’s arms. “Oh!” she gasped, throwing her head back to meet his eyes just as his strong hands curled around the fleshy part of her arms, catching her against him. Their bodies were flush, and suddenly it seemed like they were sharing every breath, every heart beat as they stared intently into each other’s eyes.
Emma felt warm heat spread throughout her body, a heat that had nothing to do with the hot disco lights glaring overhead. Time seemed to stand still. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from his, too caught up in the spell of the moment and feeling way too much in his strong arms, experiencing way too much sensation against his hard body. She was old enough to realize the flow of heat pooling in the lower half of her body was the result of sharp and instant arousal. She tried to ignore the tingling in her nipples as they tightened against his chest, wetting her lips to issue an apology. However, the only thing that came out was a noise that sounded very much like a purr of surrender, a sound of betrayal if she ever heard one.
“Mike,” she began, in a breathless tone that revealed her emotions. She was unable to finish, her body trembling on a sudden wave of weakness. Certain her knees were going to give way, she struggled to put the brakes on the obvious signs of what being in his arms was doing to her. “Please…” she began, intending to ask him to let her go, but there was no denying the invitation she heard in her own voice.
Mike’s eyes darkened with desire; he didn’t want to let Emma go. He’d known he was attracted to her from the start, but he wasn’t prepared for the instant results she produced every time she touched him in some way. Even innocently, only this was hardly innocent. He felt every inch of her. His hands tightened around her arms, a low groan locking in his throat.
The very air around them seemed electrified. He didn’t want to feel the attraction, yet he was powerless to push her away. Instead, he was acting like an adolescent discovering what sex was all about for the first time. Hell, he was breaking out in a sweat! Her sweet scent and softness was more than any mortal could bear.
Glancing down was his undoing. Her lovely breasts, crushed against him, were all but spilling out of their scant covering. The breath hissed from his lungs, lust shooting a direct path for his aching groin. Releasing a low growl of denial, he felt himself turning hard, and realized he should set her away from him at once. But she felt too damn good right where she was. As if she belonged there.
Emma caught her breath, recognizing Mike the second she heard the deep timbre of his sexy voice. He made a hunky Zorro, dressed all in black in a costume that fit his tall, powerful body like it was tailored especially for him. She’d seen him watching her while she crossed the room, ignoring him on purpose because she hadn’t wanted to encourage any unwelcome attention. Now that she knew who he was, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He was what dreams were made of, the handsome hero disguised in a black mask, his steely eyes doing all his talking for him as he leaned insolently against the table with that wolfish grin. The bad boy every woman secretly yearns for. He had to know how he affected women with his mysterious presence. Goodness, she all but placed her hand over her pounding heart. What was wrong with her? It took effort to remind herself he was married.
She was about to step away when a dancer bumped into her backside, causing her to fly directly into Mike’s arms. “Oh!” she gasped, throwing her head back to meet his eyes just as his strong hands curled around the fleshy part of her arms, catching her against him. Their bodies were flush, and suddenly it seemed like they were sharing every breath, every heart beat as they stared intently into each other’s eyes.
Emma felt warm heat spread throughout her body, a heat that had nothing to do with the hot disco lights glaring overhead. Time seemed to stand still. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from his, too caught up in the spell of the moment and feeling way too much in his strong arms, experiencing way too much sensation against his hard body. She was old enough to realize the flow of heat pooling in the lower half of her body was the result of sharp and instant arousal. She tried to ignore the tingling in her nipples as they tightened against his chest, wetting her lips to issue an apology. However, the only thing that came out was a noise that sounded very much like a purr of surrender, a sound of betrayal if she ever heard one.
“Mike,” she began, in a breathless tone that revealed her emotions. She was unable to finish, her body trembling on a sudden wave of weakness. Certain her knees were going to give way, she struggled to put the brakes on the obvious signs of what being in his arms was doing to her. “Please…” she began, intending to ask him to let her go, but there was no denying the invitation she heard in her own voice.
Mike’s eyes darkened with desire; he didn’t want to let Emma go. He’d known he was attracted to her from the start, but he wasn’t prepared for the instant results she produced every time she touched him in some way. Even innocently, only this was hardly innocent. He felt every inch of her. His hands tightened around her arms, a low groan locking in his throat.
The very air around them seemed electrified. He didn’t want to feel the attraction, yet he was powerless to push her away. Instead, he was acting like an adolescent discovering what sex was all about for the first time. Hell, he was breaking out in a sweat! Her sweet scent and softness was more than any mortal could bear.
Glancing down was his undoing. Her lovely breasts, crushed against him, were all but spilling out of their scant covering. The breath hissed from his lungs, lust shooting a direct path for his aching groin. Releasing a low growl of denial, he felt himself turning hard, and realized he should set her away from him at once. But she felt too damn good right where she was. As if she belonged there.
April 16, 2014
Eggcerpt Exchange with Jude Liebermann
Another one of my author friends is having a blog hop. Sort of like Blissemas we did at Christmas time, this one is called the Easter Eggcerpt Exchange and will run from March 5th through April 20th. To push me into finishing Jixit, I’ve set myself a deadline for the second week of April to have it published online. Today I created the cover, which I will unveil in this blog, so enjoy!
Blurb: Colin Jix is a loner. He’s had to be, so he lives in a remote mountain town where he limits his contact with other people. He’s settled into his solitary life and resigned himself to be alone. That is until Dot Tate shows up with a broken down car and needs his help. Neither can fight their immediate attraction, but then he discovers a tragic secret and must step outside his comfort zone to make things right.
And here is the eggcerpt: A persistent knocking woke him early the next morning. Disoriented and still tired from lack of sleep, he rolled off the couch and stumbled to the door. Without thought he pulled it open with a yawn and then froze, suddenly remembering he never opened his door to strangers as well as making sure he was completely dressed first. As the cool air from the hallway hit his naked chest, he realized he still wore the towel from his shower the night before. Her scent on that unwelcome air hit him harder, and he covered his crotch with one hand and slammed the door shut with the other.
Dot was left standing in the hall, staring at the door, but that’s not what she saw. The vision of Colin in only a towel would be forever imprinted on her retinas. Her mouth fell open at those muscles, and the hair lightly sprinkled on his chest and abdomen, disappearing beneath the low riding towel. His tattered uniform and all that grease had hidden much more than she could have hoped for, and she licked her lips.
“Oh my!” The breath rushed from her lungs, before she sucked it back in and knocked on the door again.
“Yeah, hold your damn horses!” His muffled shout replied from a distance.
Her instincts told her to get the hell out of there. She’d already embarrassed him, and she didn’t want to make it worse, but she knew she couldn’t leave without at least apologizing for taking him so unaware. She thought mechanics always got up early. Glancing at her watch, she winced, having read the time wrong. It probably was too early to show up at a man’s home, especially one she barely knew.
Dot took a few steps away from the door and waited. His agitation came through the wood in muffled curses, and she clenched her fingers together behind her back. When the door finally opened again, black covered Colin from head to toe. The only bit of skin visible was the part of his face the knitted cap and matching scarf didn’t cover. She frowned, wanting to see his hair without all that grease, and she missed that opportunity earlier when she couldn’t tear her eyes from his muscular chest and arms.
His whole body blocked the doorway as he glared at her. “How did you know where I live?”
She gave him what she hoped was her most charming smile. “So I guess you’re not going to invite me in?”
His objection to that suggestion shone clearly in his disgruntled features. “I was actually on my way out.” He closed and locked the door behind him and then marched past her to the stairs. “I thought you understood that your car won’t be ready for at least a week.”
Dot stared at his ass, wishing his jeans were a bit tighter. “Of course you made that clear. I was having breakfast at the diner and mentioned how my phone switches off for no reason. The waitress mentioned you. I actually think she has a crush on you.”
Colin stopped half way down the stairs and looked over his shoulder at her. “You mean Rose?” She nodded, unable to keep the humor from showing in her grin. “Rose has a crush on every eligible man in the whole town. I’ll have to talk to her about giving out my address to strangers though.”
Dot raced down the stairs and stopped in front of him. “I’m not a stranger.” He stared down at her, his expression unreadable, and she tried not to fidget under his intense scrutiny. He held out his gloved hand to her, and she stared at it, unsure what to do. Did he want to hold her hand? A warm rush flowed through her body at the thought, even though she wouldn’t be holding his bare hand.
“Your phone?”
“Oh, of course.” She couldn’t stop the nervous giggle that escaped as she scrambled through her purse in search of her cell phone. Once found, she placed it in his gloved palm.
Colin stared at it for a moment, and she saw uncertainty cross his face. Finally, he pulled off one glove and cradled the phone in his fingers. She could only stare in awe as his expression changed, as if he no longer saw the phone but something bigger, and his eyes scanned the empty air above his palm.
He blinked a few times and then refocused on her. “I’ll walk you back to the diner. I should have your phone fixed by then.”
Without another word, he passed her on the stairs, and she had no other choice but to follow him.
Will be for sale shortly on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com. I will post the actual release date and link once it is available. http://www.judesplace.com/blog If anyone would like to be involved, please follow the instructions listed on Tina’s blog. Once you get on her list, she will provide you with the full list of participating authors. Then you can request a spot on my blog (pick a date from the free spots on my Google list here). -
See more at: http://www.judesplace.com/blog/2014/0...
Blurb: Colin Jix is a loner. He’s had to be, so he lives in a remote mountain town where he limits his contact with other people. He’s settled into his solitary life and resigned himself to be alone. That is until Dot Tate shows up with a broken down car and needs his help. Neither can fight their immediate attraction, but then he discovers a tragic secret and must step outside his comfort zone to make things right. And here is the eggcerpt: A persistent knocking woke him early the next morning. Disoriented and still tired from lack of sleep, he rolled off the couch and stumbled to the door. Without thought he pulled it open with a yawn and then froze, suddenly remembering he never opened his door to strangers as well as making sure he was completely dressed first. As the cool air from the hallway hit his naked chest, he realized he still wore the towel from his shower the night before. Her scent on that unwelcome air hit him harder, and he covered his crotch with one hand and slammed the door shut with the other.
Dot was left standing in the hall, staring at the door, but that’s not what she saw. The vision of Colin in only a towel would be forever imprinted on her retinas. Her mouth fell open at those muscles, and the hair lightly sprinkled on his chest and abdomen, disappearing beneath the low riding towel. His tattered uniform and all that grease had hidden much more than she could have hoped for, and she licked her lips.
“Oh my!” The breath rushed from her lungs, before she sucked it back in and knocked on the door again.
“Yeah, hold your damn horses!” His muffled shout replied from a distance.
Her instincts told her to get the hell out of there. She’d already embarrassed him, and she didn’t want to make it worse, but she knew she couldn’t leave without at least apologizing for taking him so unaware. She thought mechanics always got up early. Glancing at her watch, she winced, having read the time wrong. It probably was too early to show up at a man’s home, especially one she barely knew.
Dot took a few steps away from the door and waited. His agitation came through the wood in muffled curses, and she clenched her fingers together behind her back. When the door finally opened again, black covered Colin from head to toe. The only bit of skin visible was the part of his face the knitted cap and matching scarf didn’t cover. She frowned, wanting to see his hair without all that grease, and she missed that opportunity earlier when she couldn’t tear her eyes from his muscular chest and arms.
His whole body blocked the doorway as he glared at her. “How did you know where I live?”
She gave him what she hoped was her most charming smile. “So I guess you’re not going to invite me in?”
His objection to that suggestion shone clearly in his disgruntled features. “I was actually on my way out.” He closed and locked the door behind him and then marched past her to the stairs. “I thought you understood that your car won’t be ready for at least a week.”
Dot stared at his ass, wishing his jeans were a bit tighter. “Of course you made that clear. I was having breakfast at the diner and mentioned how my phone switches off for no reason. The waitress mentioned you. I actually think she has a crush on you.”
Colin stopped half way down the stairs and looked over his shoulder at her. “You mean Rose?” She nodded, unable to keep the humor from showing in her grin. “Rose has a crush on every eligible man in the whole town. I’ll have to talk to her about giving out my address to strangers though.”
Dot raced down the stairs and stopped in front of him. “I’m not a stranger.” He stared down at her, his expression unreadable, and she tried not to fidget under his intense scrutiny. He held out his gloved hand to her, and she stared at it, unsure what to do. Did he want to hold her hand? A warm rush flowed through her body at the thought, even though she wouldn’t be holding his bare hand.
“Your phone?”
“Oh, of course.” She couldn’t stop the nervous giggle that escaped as she scrambled through her purse in search of her cell phone. Once found, she placed it in his gloved palm.
Colin stared at it for a moment, and she saw uncertainty cross his face. Finally, he pulled off one glove and cradled the phone in his fingers. She could only stare in awe as his expression changed, as if he no longer saw the phone but something bigger, and his eyes scanned the empty air above his palm.
He blinked a few times and then refocused on her. “I’ll walk you back to the diner. I should have your phone fixed by then.”
Without another word, he passed her on the stairs, and she had no other choice but to follow him.
Will be for sale shortly on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com. I will post the actual release date and link once it is available. http://www.judesplace.com/blog If anyone would like to be involved, please follow the instructions listed on Tina’s blog. Once you get on her list, she will provide you with the full list of participating authors. Then you can request a spot on my blog (pick a date from the free spots on my Google list here). -
See more at: http://www.judesplace.com/blog/2014/0...
