Tory Richards's Blog, page 150

I just got done watching Hitman for the second time. Late...

I just got done watching Hitman for the second time. Lately I've really been into the military, assassin type movies. Tears in the Sun was another one I watched a couple times. Not sure why except that something is rolling around inside my head, like it's trying to get out. In the way of a story, of course. It's not clear yet but there is something definitely trying to take shape. Anyone seen either of these movies?

Please Help Settle a Debate

My daughter, niece and I have had this debate going on for some time, and I would like clarification. I recently purchased the long Kaftan. I like to wear them around the house, they are so comfortable! Both girls say they are moo moos, but I remember moo moos as the sleeveless short dress below. So what do you say? Are they both moo moos? I see a big difference myself.

Sneak Peek Sunday

LINK to participating authors!
Sneak Peek Sunday is where authors get together to post 6 paragraphs only of either a book they've published, or a work in progress. Below is 6 paragraphs to Yield to Me , my latest romance with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.

As it began to dawn on Sophie that she was being abducted, she strained against Brent’s hold in earnest, dragging her feet in an effort to stall for time. Maybe with a little luck someone had heard the commotion and phoned security. However, she soon realized he was much stronger. Without half-trying, he curled his hand around her upper arm like a steel shackle, forcing her to walk ahead of him. As they moved closer to the door, she realized she had to do some-thing. She couldn’t just go with them without a fight.

As they reached the threshold, desperation forced her into letting her body go limp. Maybe pretending to faint would work to her advantage, but unfortunately her plan was short-lived. She heard Brent release a tisk of annoyance before scooping her up and tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of unwanted potatoes. At least he hadn’t let her hit the floor, but his undignified solution to the problem was no less welcome.

The gag only muffled her groan of protest over the unlady-like position. Frustrated her fainting spell hadn’t worked she began to squirm vigorously, gaining nothing but a grunt of irritation and a hard slap that wounded her pride more than her posterior. She had no idea where they were going. From her vantage point, all she could see was the back of his neatly pressed slacks and the royal blue carpet embellished with little gold crowns.

They hadn’t gone very far when they paused before a door, long enough for Brent’s partner in crime to unlock and open it for them to pass through. The short distance told Sophie they’d entered the vacant apartment next to hers, making her recognize they were the new tenants. They’d obviously thought of everything. The tenants who lived in the building were extremely wealthy, valuing their privacy. Unless they had a good reason, security would think twice before knocking on a tenant’s door to question them.

“Something tells me we aren’t going to get lucky where security is concerned, which means they could show up here any minute. Keep your eye on the peephole. You know what to do if they come knocking.” She heard Brent say over his shoulder as he continued through the room in hurried strides.

“Don’t screw this up, Tom.” He strode into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him and dumping Sophie unceremoniously on the bed.

Bad Boys of Romance Giveaway Hop!

LINK to participating authors!
No one likes a bad boy...or do you? It seems with regard to romance the heroines love to love the bad boy. The rebel who rides through town on a Harley, the one who makes his own rules, the ultimate alpha male who does more talking with his eyes than his mouth, and backs up any unspoken promises with his hands. Whew! I just got a shiver! 

These days bad boys top the list of what we're looking for as a hero. Right along side of the cowboy, fire-fighter, werewolf, vampire, and undercover cop. I'm sure I missed a few, which leads me to my question, and prize information.

What's your idea of the sexiest bad boy hero? Leave your answer in your comment, along with your email addy, and please become a follower of my blog if you aren't already. At the end of the hop one person's name will be drawn for a copy of A Perfect Fit , and Surrender to Desire . That's book #1&2 of the Evans brother's trilogy. When #3 comes out, Burning Hunger , you'll also receive a FREE copy!

More than anything else have some fun! 





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Would you swim in this lake?

The pink and lovely..."Hiller Lake" (Western Australia) Its startling color remains a mystery, and while scientists have proven it's not due to the presence of algae, unlike the other salt lakes down Under, they still can't explain why it's pink.

A Reader Sent Me This Nice Note!

...after seeing a new review I posted for Instant Attraction on one of my groups the other day. Her name is Kate Deveaux , and I found out that she's also a published author, so please check out her site when you get the chance.

Hi Tory,

Congratulations on the five star review for Instant Attraction! I actually read the book a few months ago and absolutely loved it. It is my favorite book on my Kindle and has been for a while. I loved the story, especially James, the smokin' hot motorcycle cop neighbor of Julie's. When those two got together it was red hot. You did an great job!

Reviews

As a published author I'm used to receiving reviews about my work. Usually I take any negative comments with a grain of salt. I don't get that many, but I know not everyone is going to like what I write. I try to take something away from them, and whether it's a good review or bad, I make every effort to respond to everyone. I don't take reviewers for granted.

Once in a while I receive a review that really bothers me, like over the weekend. And I had a headache which didn't help. Did I go off on the reviewer? Maybe a little bit. After I politely, and professionally thanked her for taking the time to read my book, I went on to explain, or defend if you want to look at it that way, some of her comments. 
Here is what the reviewer wrote about Up in Flames: This whole story was full of conveniences the author wrote for herself that simply aren't reasonable. There were lots of vulgar details given, but didn't connect the reader to the characters some how. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, hot story with no plot or connection to the characters.

Here is what I wrote: Hi, thank you for reading and reviewing my book. I appreciate your comments and normally take reviews with a grain of salt, but I wanted to cover a few things. 

Vulgar? It's erotica so what were you expecting? No plot? It's a short, office romance between a boss and his secretary. No connection to the characters? Again, he's the boss, she's the secretary. She's worked for him for three years. And lastly, full of conveniences that aren't reasonable? It's fiction! 
Ever been in a broken down elevator? It's not fun. Ever been attracted to someone you work with? I have. Know anyone who is claustrophobic? Meet Tory Richards. Ever known someone rich enough to have an apartment attached to his office? I knew a man who had the whole penthouse. 
I'm sorry you didn't like my story, but thank you for pointing out that it's a quick, hot story.

I was surprised that I actually heard back from her. It was a long note, and she went into detail explaining what she meant by her comments. I actually felt better after reading it. I was able to understand some of the points she made, and are considering them. You're never too old to learn something new, right? And if it improves my writing, well, that's a no brainer.
I'm not writing this post for validation that Up in Flames is a good story. Some people like it, some don't. I get it, and I'm okay with that. I originally wrote Up in Flames with these thoughts in mind. I wanted to keep it short and hot, a kind of teaser that would entice readers into checking out my other books, or not. I was kind of testing the waters. How it was received, as a self-published work, would help me decide if I would continue to self-publish. The 33-page erotic office romance has done pretty good.
Thank you all for helping to make it a success.

Author Natalie Acres is Visiting Today!

Book Description 

His pain is far greater than his need for love

Master Drew Remington knows pain. He understands its fury. He has walked through its unrelenting terror and remembers the torment in his brother’s eyes as he lay dying in front of him.

His affliction is too vast to overcome

Oh yes, Master Drew knows heartache. He watched as his father was gunned down by a hired assassin. He understands what it’s like to feel helpless and utterly consumed by a harrowing tragedy that left his family in ruins.

Only one woman can heal his soul and mend his wounded heart

A former lover, Suzy Matthews reenters Master Drew’s life. Suzy is determined to win her Master’s heart, but as she plans to embrace the love she and Master Drew share, an emerging war finally erupts. Soon, Suzy is used as a pawn in a very dangerous game set to unfold between old enemies looking to settle one final score.

Available from: http://www.bookstrand.com/natalie-acres


Story Excerpt: 

“He’s got her,” Drew said.

“No shit.” Crue’s voice filled his ears. “Gabe and I have clear shots in the guest room. We can take out all but one of his men. Looks like Esparza’s son is standing at his twelve o’clock.”

“Don’t take those shots,” Drew whispered, easing closer to Esparza and Suzy. He couldn’t risk a complication. Suzy’s life was on the line.

“Damn it, Drew. If we don’t take them out, you won’t stand a chance when they scatter,” Gabe snapped.

“Then I won’t stand a chance.” He tucked his weapon at his waist and walked down the hallway with his hands in the air. This was like déjà vu, only worse. Suzy was on the floor. Esparza’s gun was aimed at her head. Damn if he didn’t know how that felt. He’d been there. He’d done that.

Damn man must’ve liked reliving moments in life. As Drew locked gazes with Esparza, he reminded himself of where he’d been, what heartache he’d suffered, all at the hands of a monster.

This despicable devil had been at the root of all his problems. He’d taken away the heart and soul of his family. He’d killed his father and slaughtered his brother. Now, he had his woman!

He’d be damned if he’d let him take one more person he cared about. And he wasn’t about to lose his life to Esparza so another one of his brothers would face off with him in the future.

It was time to end this. The moment had come. It was time to send a devil back to hell.

“What have we here?” Esparza cocked the gun.

“You’ll never get away with this,” Drew told him, glancing at Suzy. “We have the place surrounded.”

“Really?” Esparza threw his head back and laughed. “My property is twenty-five acres and your team—your team of six or seven men—have my place surrounded?”

“Your surveillance must’ve failed you somewhere, Esparza. We’ve pulled divisions from across the country.” Drew crept forward as he spoke. “I don’t foresee any way out of this for you.”

Esparza sneered. “I don’t see any positive outcome for your girl. Do you?”

Drew flinched. “I still can’t figure out why you have her. She’s been in town for two days and you think there’s some sort of lasting connection between us?”

Suzy shot him a quick glance. He wanted to run to her as soon as he implied she wasn’t important to him. He needed to wrap his arms around her and reassure her.

Again, Esparza tossed his head back. “You’re living in Vegas now. Haven’t you learned the laws of the land, yet? You can bluff a skilled player, a player who cares about the end result more than the temporary win. But you cannot—or at least you shouldn’t—bluff a true gambler. These individuals will go all-in without considering the risks.”

“Let her go,” Drew said, still holding his hands high. Manny was behind him now. Drew had worked with him long enough to feel him like a second skin. Scott was positioned at the other end of the hall. There was a little red dot on the side of Esparza’s head.

“Do you remember the time we spent together in Virginia, Drew?” Esparza grinned. “Of course you do. I’m the reason behind that drive you have now. When you rise every morning, I’m the only excuse you have to get out of bed. I’m your inspiration when you pound the pavement for four or five miles every day, and I’m—me, Drew, and no one else—the very reason you’ll never know a peaceful rest when you lay down at night and go to sleep.”

“You’re fucking insane.”

“And I speak the truth,” Esparza said. “We share a history that can never been separated. Don’t you feel it, Drew? I do. We’re linked together by what I now consider a very beautiful past, one wrought with murder and deceit, fraud and manipulation. Death surrounds us. Your father took away my family. I’ve slowly killed off yours. We meet, separate, and reunite again. We are so much a part of one another’s lives now that we’re almost family.”

Esparza yanked Suzy’s head back. “When families play together, darling, they stay together. You understand that. Don’t you?”



Copyright © 2013 Natalie Acres

International bestseller Natalie Acres is a Tennessee author writing exclusively for Siren Publishing. Prone to pen Western ménage romance and BDSM romantic thrillers, Natalie Acres enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. When she isn’t writing, Natalie is often found at a dice table in Cherokee, North Carolina, or playing poker in Tunica, Mississippi.

http://natalieacres.wordpress.com
http://www.amazon.com/Natalie-Acres/e/B002T575KC/
https://twitter.com/NatalieAcres
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Sneak Peek Sunday

LINK to other participating authors.
Be sure and check out the link above. Sneak Peek Sunday is where authors post 6 paragraphs of either a published book, or something they're working on. This week I'm posting something out of The Cowboy Way.

Lacey probably would have stood there for as long as it took if it hadn’t been for the man walking out of the cattle barn a short distance away. An impossibly tall, well-built man with the most piercing silver eyes she’d ever seen, set in a face that seemed carved from stone. He had the look of an experienced cowboy, from the top of his sweat-stained cowboy hat right down to his old leather boots. The leather chaps he was wearing over his jeans emphasized a certain part of his anatomy that didn’t appear to be lacking in size or length.

She tried to swallow, caught totally off-guard by the animal magnetism he exuded. He looked like a cowboy straight out of the 1800s, only twice as sexy. Was this her surprise? Who was he and when had he started working for her dad?

Lacey’s first instinct was to take her hands off her hips, aware her stance could be considered provocative to any man other than her father. She met the man’s gaze before his cool, slate-gray eyes dropped to take her in from head to foot to head again. Much in the same way she’d been ogling him. To her mortification, having his eyes on her produced an unexpected result. It suddenly felt like there was fire replacing the blood in her veins, and she felt her nipples become taut and tingle with intense awareness.

She had to remind herself to breathe.

Before she had a chance to see if he liked what he saw, she turned quickly and started up the stairs. “I guess I’ll just have to find out for myself, since you seem to have lost your tongue all of a sudden.”

She heard her father chuckle and knew he was right behind her. When they reached the top of the stairs she glanced down just in time to see the cowboy with the piercing eyes disappear around the corner of the barn. She turned to her father, able to breathe easier now.