Tory Richards's Blog, page 99

Scent of a Wolf's Mate - excerpt

Serena left the bedroom quietly, unsure of what she was going to find. Deciding to follow the aroma, she made her way to a kitchen equipped with every modern appliance you could imagine. Standing at the stove in low hanging pajama bottoms was a man. He was flipping bacon. Didn’t he know it was dangerous to cook without a shirt on?

She stood in the entranceway, slightly afraid and very confused. He was a big man. His dark hair was thick and wild, stopping at the top of his shoulders, shoulders that were wide and muscular. The muscles rippled in his back as he moved, and she could see his well-developed biceps and forearms.

A breeze rushed in through the open window over the sink. Serena watched the curtains dance wildly. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply when the cool mountain air reached where she was standing. Wisps of hair moved about her face, and something else carried on the wind, something that spiked her awareness, flowing together with the scent of pines and wild lavender, and him, an untamed and basic entity that reached into her soul.

“I know you’re there,” he said without turning around. “Don’t come any closer.”

Well, that’s not very friendly. Serena didn’t know what to do at that point. She clutched his robe tighter against her. Without warning he turned, pinning his dark eyes on her. His rugged face was set as though in anger. “I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your robe. I couldn’t find my clothes.” She tried not to let her gaze wander, but there was no way she could ignore his hard, defined Pecs and six-pack abs. The man was powerfully built and sinfully sexy.

His gaze moved over her. Serena took note of the tic moving in his tense jaw, and she tried to imagine what she’d done to upset him. What did he expect that she would walk out there in her birthday suit?

“That’s okay,” he finally spoke.

“Where am I?”

“Do you remember anything about last night?”

“Some of it. I was running and tripped on something. The last thing I remember is a wolf pinning me down. Did you kill it?”

“I took care of it.” His tone was short and to the point.

“There was another wolf—”

“I took care of him, too.” He moved to the sink, put the plug in, and turned on the water, then turned back to face her.

“What?” She was confused. “But how? I, I…” She didn’t know what to say. “I never saw you.” She hadn’t seen anyone. “I guess I owe you my life, then.” Serena offered him a smile, hoping to erase the unfriendly look on his face. “My name is Serena.” She stepped further into the kitchen and held out her hand.

He just stared at it for a long moment as if it were a snake, and then finally said his name. “Connor.”

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Weekly Book Focus

Accepting a job as a wildlife veterinarian at the Savage Hills Wolf Sanctuary is Serena's dream job. Finding out she's the mate of Savage Hill's alpha werewolf turns her world as she knows it upside down. Trying to resist the sexy man is impossible. She's in heat, and he's more than ready to claim what's his.
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BASS by Georgie Tyler

BASSGeorgie Tyler
Book 2, Undercover SeriesRomance/erotica, Romantic suspense
Momentum Publishing Pan MacMillan


In a nightclub called HellFire, things are bound to get hot.
When a girl is gruesomely murdered after a night clubbing at notorious nightspot HellFire, it hits too close to home for the club's bewitching house DJ, Elizabeth Jones. Already shaken, she must make sure of her priorities when the victim's sexy ex-boyfriend Kurt starts asking questions.
Kurt Roberts is convinced that someone at HellFire knows something about the murder, and has embarked on a personal crusade to find justice. But Kurt has entered a world not his own – a dangerous, savage world, where drugs and money drive people to violence and extortion. The only beacon of light? Elizabeth Jones, mesmerizing clubbers with her music and Kurt with her looks.Trusting men doesn't come easily to Elizabeth, and Kurt isn't too ready to trust her either. The murder only makes them more hesitant, but they can't help but be drawn to each other. For the first time in their lives, neither can tell which of their instincts is right.
What secrets did Kurt's dead girlfriend keep from him? And what doesn't Elizabeth know about the club she calls home? With their eyes locked on each other, they may not see the danger until it's too late.
Perfect for fans of Kylie Scott, Shiloh Walker and C.J. Roberts

Amazon Pre-order Link

About the Author:Romance is what I read.   Romance is what I write.   Romance is what I love.A mother of three busy children and an English teacher wasn’t enough of a workload for me, a suburban housewife from Sydney, Australia. I wanted more. I wanted to be an author. For many years I thought it was pie in the sky dreaming until one day I sat my butt down and began to write. Really write.It’s been a steep learning curve at times but with the support of my loving husband and children, family and friends along with the readers who have joined me on this journey, I’m having way too much fun to ever stop!

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgieTylerAuthor/likes
https://twitter.com/GeorgieTyler2
http://www.georgietyler.com

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Pulled Over Excerpt - rated R

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“Officer!” Sunny said in a rushed tone to get his attention. She knew once he started writing it would be all over. “Please don’t give me a ticket.”

He hesitated. “And why not?” He cocked his head to the side, and waited.

“Well, I, um,” Once again Sunny wished he’d remove his glasses. “I promise to take care of the tag and light by this weekend.”

He shook his head slowly. “Not good enough.” He prepared to write a second time.

“Wait, I, surely there’s something I can do in exchange for you, ah, just giving me a verbal warning this time.” Sunny couldn’t see his eyes but he sure as hell could see hers. To make sure there were no doubts to what she meant she slowly ran her gaze down the front of him. She couldn’t believe she was acting so brazenly.

“Are you bribing me, ma’am?” Officer Steele removed his sunglasses, and fixed his stony black eyes on hers.

Sunny was mesmerized by the look on his chiseled face. It was all hard, and there was a muscle twitching in his jaw, yet there was something about him that said he wasn’t immune to her charms either. She feigned innocence. “I would never bribe an officer of the law.” Once more she let her gaze move down his body, this time stopping on the front of his pants.

A river of molten heat enveloped her when she realized he had an erection. Going by the size of the bulge behind his zipper he was thick and long. Liquid warmth slid into Sunny’s panties as she imagined Officer Steele ramming his cock into her cunt. What would it take to make him lose control?

Without warning she saw his gaze narrow on something on the seat next to her. “Is that pot?”

Sunny glanced at what he was looking at. She couldn’t help it, she laughed. “No, I don’t do drugs. That’s catnip.” She made a move to pick up the small plastic bag.

“Don’t move!”

Officer Steele’s harsh command caused her to freeze. “Step out of the car, please.”

“But–”

“I said step out of the car!”

He backed up as Sunny opened her door and got out. She was small compared to him, and had to glance up a long way to meet his sharp gaze. A breeze picked up her long hair, bringing it forward to rest against her breast. At the same time her blouse separated even more where she’d unbuttoned it. Officer Steele’s gaze moved over her, from her exposed cleavage, down to her cut off shorts, naked thighs, legs and back up again. Then without warning he grabbed Sunny, swung her around and slammed her up against the front of her truck.

She gasped loudly. “What are you doing?”

His tone was close to the back of her neck. Sunny could feel his warm breath stir the fine hairs there. “I’m going to frisk you.” He moved, and suddenly his mouth was against her ear. “And then I’m going to fuck you.”

Leigh Archer

A peek at my mood board


Take a well-deserved break. Make a cup of tea, hot chocolate or a steaming coffee, pull up a chair and I’ll share with you my mood board for The Alpha Match and the other stories to follow in The Untamed Safari Series.


Books and films
Where better to begin but fiction? Traveller To The East by Thomas Mofolo definitely gets the travel juices flowing – an enchanting novel with all the intensity of poetry and myth. Or Paul Theroux’s Dark Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town, detailing his experiences and mishaps along the way.

The classic Circles in a Forest by Dalene Matthee, about the elephants and woodcutters in the forests of Knysna, South Africa is magical. And Out of Africa, of course – the book by Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen) and the film starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. Another book along similar lines is I Dreamed of Africa – Kuki Gallman’s memoir of her childhood fascination with the continent and her relocation to Kenya where she managed a farm with her husband and son.

Then there’s the inspirational Born Free that gave birth to a film and a famous song. Jock of the Bushveld was the first grown-up book I ever read and still one of my all-time favourites. It’s the true story of Percy Fitzpatrick’s travels through the former region of the Transvaal with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier. For a unique voice that is both poignant and funny, the memoir about growing up in Rhodesia, Malawi and Zambia – Alexandra Fuller’s Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.


Music

The beautiful sounds of Freshlyground and their haunting love songs like I’d Like.


Places


Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa’s North West province close to the Botswana border features in The Alpha Match – this is one of the reserves in which Ben, Caro and their team of conservationists release a group of African wild dogs. The plunge pool at Madikwe Hill’s Main Lodge gives a taste of some of the exciting settings in the Untamed Safari Series.



Food

When offered refreshment in South Africa it generally goes something like this: ‘Would you like coffee or tea – ordinary or rooibos. The rich, red tea has been used for thousands of years, not only for pure enjoyment as a beverage, but for its cosmetic and medicinal properties.

Sweet, sticky koeksisters are a delicious inspiration when energy and creativity need a boost. It’s a South African traditional treat present at most social
gatherings and in delis all over the country. Here’s the recipe for you to try at home.

Ingredients:
500 ml (2 cups) Cake Flour
20 ml (4 tsp) Baking Powder
3 ml (½ tsp) Salt
25 ml (5 tsp) Butter
125 ml (½ cup) Sour Milk OR Buttermilk OR Water and Lemon Juice
Oil, for frying

Syrup –
1 kg White Sugar
500 ml (2 cups) Water
2 pieces of Ginger, bruised
2 ml Cream of Tartar
Pinch of Salt
Grated rind and juice of ½ a Lemon

Method:
Sift together the dry ingredients and rub in the butter using your fingertips, or cut it in with a pastry blender.
Mix with the liquid to a soft dough, which can easily be kneaded. Use more liquid if necessary.
Knead thoroughly until small bubbles form under the surface of the dough, cover with a damp cloth and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
Roll to a thickness of 5 mm and cut into 5 mm strips 7 cm long. Place the ends of three strips on top of the other, press together and plait. When plaited, press the ends together again.
Fry in hot, deep fat (170°C) until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper for a moment and then immerse in ice cold syrup.
Remove, allow excess syrup to drip off, and leave to dry on a wire rack.


Syrup –
Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Heat, while stirring, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Cover and boil for one minute.
Remove the lid and boil for a further 5 minutes. Do not stir.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool thoroughly in a refrigerator if possible.


Flowers

I’ve fallen in love with the moonflower. Now the title of book #2 in the Untamed Safari Series. Here is Sophie’s explanation of the Moonflower (available for pre-launch order - Moonflower):

‘I thought there was something special about those flowers,’ Sophie told him. ‘Didn’t you feel intoxicated whenever you breathed in their scent? He told me that those magnificent pure white flowers give off their intoxicating scent only at night. They are the embodiment of the romance of night’s darkness. A siren song of narcotic sweetness used by traditional healers and diviners to draw you deep into sacred dreams. He told me that weak infusions of their leaves are used as an aphrodisiac, but if the dosage is wrong, they’re deadly poisonous. You’re my moonflower, Reuben.’


Share your inspiration

I’m sure you have your own go-to items that energise and inspire you when your energy or spirits lag. I’d love to hear about them. Who knows – I might be able to add to my own mood board.


EXCERPT
Caro took her grape juice, tinkling with ice, to a cushioned wicker chair beside the wooden rail. She felt a deep peace as the bushveld settled down in the shade to wait out the afternoon heat. She closed her eyes and breathed in the still air.

‘You look right at home, Caroline Hannah.’

Was there a hint of irony in Ben’s voice as he pulled up a chair to sit beside her? He rested one ankle over the knee of his khaki-clad leg and balanced a glass dripping with condensation on his thigh.

Caro looked at the golden hair covering his powerful forearms with their muscle and twisting sinew. She used to run her hand lightly along his arm, making him shiver and reach for her. She looked away. ‘I’d forgotten how tranquil it is here.’

‘Hmm. The last Eden,’ he said.

Caro could see out of the corner of her eye that he was watching her. ‘You always were in love with all this, weren’t you?’ she motioned towards the veld, then turned her head against the cushion to look up at him.

He was still watching her, and as he held her gaze she could summon up none of the usual anger towards him. He was about to speak when they were interrupted.

‘Hi guys. You two getting to know each other?’

They both looked up as Sophie came to stand in front of them. She leaned her back against the railing, one leg crossed over the other.

‘Actually, Caro and I go way back. How old were we when we met?’

Ben was watching her closely.

You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? she thought sardonically. But she couldn’t snub him in front of Sophie. ‘About twenty, I think.’

‘We proposed this project together five years ago,’ Ben said.

‘I never knew that!’ Sophie sounded delighted.

‘All in the past now.’ Caro did not want to have to explain their relationship.

‘So come on guys, tell me all about it. How did you meet?’

‘At university,’ Ben said. ‘Took most of the same classes.’

‘Were there many women studying conservation then?’

‘It wasn’t that long ago,’ Ben countered.

‘There were only three women in our year,’ Caro explained. ‘Back then, it was even more of a male-dominated sector than it is now; really tough for women to break into.’

‘So what was the great Dr Duval like as a student? Any interesting anecdotes?’

Caro glanced at Ben. He was beginning to look uncomfortable. ‘Oh, I’m sure I can remember one. Let’s see. He once wore his swimming trunks for an entire summer holiday. Didn’t take them off for a month. They were blue with beach balls on them.’

‘They weren’t beach balls,’ Ben said, indignantly. ‘They were anemones. My aunt bought them in Malawi for me.’

‘The great Dr Duval had flowers on his bather,’ Sophie said, in a scandalised voice.

‘They were sea flowers. And you’ll remember, Caro, I did take them off.’

Caro’s face heated.

‘So the two of you were dating then?’ Sophie looked from one to the other as the silence stretched out.

‘Yes, we dated,’ Ben eventually said.

‘An alpha male and female. Sounds like the perfect match. I’m surprised you didn’t go on to have a litter of your own.’

Caro felt as if someone had plunged a knife through her heart. She mumbled an apology, got up quickly and walked across the wooden deck.



BLURB AND BUY LINKS

English conservationist, Caro Hannah, and South African, Ben Duval, must work together to introduce endangered African wild dogs to a game reserve four years after their love affair ended. The challenges of their profession pale into insignificance beside the personal obstacles they must overcome to either bring closure to the events of four years before, or reignite a passion hot enough to burn up the African bush.

The Alpha Match at Amazon.com

The Alpha Match at Amazon UK

The Alpha Match at Tirgearr Publishing

The Alpha Match at Smashwords

The Alpha Match on Apple

The Alpha Match on Kobo

The Alpha Match on Nook


AUTHOR BIO AND LINKS
Leigh writes romance novels set in her native South Africa. She has always had a love affair with Africa’s wild open spaces, the intensity of its people and sunsets. Her love of storytelling began as a child when she spent every spare moment playing barefoot in golden grass, watching wild creatures, learning to track spoor and dreaming up heroes and heroines dynamic enough to stand out in all the beauty and drama of the African landscape.

Always in search of adventure, Leigh’s journey as a writer has taken her from journalism through communications, to working as a novelist.

Website - http://leigharcher.net/

Blog - Leigh Archer

Twitter - Leigh Archer

Facebook - Leigh Archer

Tirgearr Publishing Author Page - Leigh Archer

Amazon Author Page - Leigh Archer



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Weekly Book Focus

Check back daily because this short, erotic story will be free, one day only!

What starts out as a normal afternoon drive home for Sunny turns into a steamy altercation between her and a cop after she's pulled over for an expired tag, and burned-out taillight. She can't afford a ticket. What's a girl to do?

FYI

I've recently joined the Coffee Time Romance and More crew to help out by doing author interviews, usually one a month. So far I've completed three and I just turned in my fourth questionnaire to the author to fill out. My interview page is really cool so I thought you might like to check it out. I have to say that I've enjoyed doing the interviews because it's given me the chance to meet authors I didn't know, as well as learn interesting things about them and their books.

My third interview won't be up until July, and it's with Desiree Holt!