Cheyenne McCray's Blog, page 4
October 12, 2015
Take a little Trip to Tucson, AZ
Take a little Trip to Tucson, AZ where SLOW BURN from the “Lawmen”series makes a rendevous!When you think of Tucson, AZ, you probably think about heat–and it’s true, the temps will get up there in the summer. The mountains are a great place to escape!
Now that it’s fall, we’re talking gorgeous weather, perfect for exploring the National Forests surrounding Tucson. After all, nothing beats spending an adventurous day with nature. A few friends or your significant other, and you’re set!
In the Santa Catalina Mountains, you can hike in everything from lowland desert sites teaming with wildlife and blooming flowers to mountains covered in pine and sycamore trees. Head out on a nice easy trail or take a hike with your S.O. for a private and romantic view of the mountain range. Birdwatch or fish in one of the many lakes located in the Santa Catalinas. You can ride a bike through the forest on one of the numerous bike trails, and even arrange to go on a horseback ride.
You can always explore the three scenic drives in the area. If you’re up for some adventure (and have a four wheeled drive vehicle), be sure to check out the Charouleau Gap Mountain Road, which begins in the grassy hills of the lowlands and takes you all the way up the mountain. Along the way, you can stop to take in the view of the Upper Sonoran Valley or relax at the desert oasis. Reach your peak at the top of the mountain and privately take in the stunning Cañada (Canyon) Del Oro, which contains rock formations and even an ephemeral stream.
All that physical activity has probably given you an appetite, so grab some lunch at the Iron Door Restaurant, which is located near the former gold mine founded by Jesuit Priests in the 1700s. The gold is gone, but the pictures scenery remains. On the weekend, dine and listen to birds sing love songs and enjoy the view.
Finished for the day? Head to the Rose Canyon Campground, one of the best places to “rough it” in the Catalina Mountains. The Rose Canyon Campground isn’t generally crowded. The campground features a lake that offers fishing and even a pier.
Because of it’s elevation, it never gets too hot in Rose Canyon–in fact, the Rose Canyon Campground may even get a little chilly, so be sure to bring a sleeping bag.
Nothing brings a couple together like nature, and whether you are looking for a desert drive or a mountain rendezvous with your S.O., the Santa Catalinas are the place to go. Put a spark in your relationship here as mountains and lakes provide a romantic backdrop for you and your sexy loved one.
~Cheyenne
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED January 19, 2016
October 11, 2015
Sunday Guest Star: Sharon Hamilton!
Hello out there in the land of Cheyenne McCray! I want to thank the talented Cheyenne for having me, and letting me “litter” (lol) her site today.
I’m Sharon Hamilton, and I write in two different genres. What I’m known for are my SEALs, but I also write hot Guardian and Dark angels, as well as Golden Vampires of Tuscany. My website that has EVERYTHING on it, Newsletter signups, samples and audio samples, including booktrailers, is there for you to watch, read and listen. You can sign up for my street team there as well. We’ll have lots of things going on next week with the launch, so it’s a good time to join. I try to have a jam-packed Newsletter each month you’ll love, full of stories outside the stories and pieces about SEALs, the writing process, and anything else that strikes my fancy.
Since next week I want you all to jump on board and support my new launch for Band of Bachelors: Lucas, (preorder available now), I’m going to tell you a little about this hero.
Lucas has been a SEAL for nearly five years. He joined the training while he was single, but, like so many of the real SEALs out there, he soon fell in love and got married to a spitfire of a woman, Connie, and boom! He fathered two kids as easy as brushing his teeth. More and more over the brief years of their marriage, while his career as a Special Operator (SEAL) has advanced, his marriage has been failing. And Lucas was the last to know.
SEALs aren’t trained in the personal arts, and if being a devoted husband and father doesn’t come naturally, with their intense natures and intense training, it’s a skill that can be elusive to many SEALs. In real life, they have an over 60% divorce rate.
Lucas’ only problem is that he thought his communication challenges at home were only temporary. Used to one or two word sentences with his buddies, this didn’t work with Connie.
Connie hires a realtor to liquidate everything they own together, and that’s where the real problem starts. Lucas and Marcy fall for each other “and threaten to ignite the whole forest.”
We add some sexy scenes, some terrorists who have a plot to kidnap SEALs and take trophies back to the Iraq, the appearance of former SEALs who now have a winery in Sonoma County, and the presence of a terrorist training camp near their base in Tennessee, and the stew gets complicated and very dangerous.
Here’s a fun excerpt:
He opened the front door and leaned into the frame, arms crossed, until she looked up and saw him.
“Oh. It’s you!”
“Yes, Miss Gelland. I do own this cabin—at least for a little while longer, anyway.”
Her oversized satchel was slung over her shoulder. She had on a pair of forest green recycled ankle gardening boots, and a big white, silk shirt with a pocket stitched over one breast, covering long, tan slacks that were going to be way too warm in a couple of hours. She’d done her hair up in a clip, and she wore no makeup. He liked her better that way.
“You following me now?” he asked, not moving from the spot, daring her to try to gain entry into his private domain. “I told you I wasn’t going to sell this place.”
She turned around, glancing at the tree line before her eyes at last landed on the thatched roof of the cabin. Then she tilted her head and spoke to him. “Beautiful here. I don’t blame you a bit.”
“So, you’ve seen it. Now, you can go, Miss Gelland—or is it Mrs. Gelland?”
Her lips parted slightly, one side turned up, amused. “Marcy. You can call me Marcy. Unlike you, I’ve never been married.”
“Touché.” The sting in her comment hurt like a pinprick, but it sucked him back into his impending court battle with Connie. He dropped his arms at the sides, suddenly not knowing what to do with them. “Well, that’s it. Show’s over. I have nothing else left to offer, unless you like strong coffee and scrambled eggs.”
“I love strong coffee and scrambled eggs. I’m afraid I can’t make either one successfully.”
He didn’t know why he said it, but before he could take it back, found himself whispering, “Well, perhaps you’re better at other things.”
“I should hope so,” she said timidly. “I guess, according to you, I rob people for a living.”
“Ah, an honest woman who admits her vices. How refreshing. Do you ask for forgiveness before or after you fleece them?”
At first, she didn’t smile, just stared back at him. She wasn’t afraid, which was such a turn-on. “I solve problems. Most of my day is spent solving other people’s mistakes and problems. And I’m damn good at it.” She narrowed her eyes, as if taunting him to say something nasty.
Lucas was struck with the inability to fight with her. Whatever was going on, he couldn’t dislike her, and he wanted to, perhaps needed to.
Marcy still didn’t move an inch. There she was in the middle of the fuckin’ forest, way far away from anyone who could hear her scream. He was trying to stand up to her, trying to hate her and everything she stood for. He wanted to blame her for what his life was going to become. She was a willing accomplice to his wife’s selfish attitude.
She remained standing, as if waiting for instructions. Defiant, almost petulant, daring him to cave in and show his ungentlemanly side. She hugged her file folder and oversized purse, looking way more desirable than she probably knew. But when she broke a smile and stepped closer to his perch, she finally dropped the hand with the folder, catching it at the side of her hip, and giving him the view of her chest he’d wanted to see. Although he wasn’t going to let her catch him at it, his peripheral vision took in the whole lovely sight of her.
She glanced up, recognizing something, and gave him a playful, narrowed look. “I think we got off to a bad start. I’m not here to cause you any pain, or to rob you. Mr.—”
“Lucas. If I’m calling you Marcy, you’re calling me Lucas.”
“Yessir,” she said as she straightened her spine, her pert little lips doing that pouty thing.
What a blessing she was. What a fresh piece of something he’d never had and wanted desperately.
“Like I was saying, Lucas…”
Her large brown eyes smiled up at him, and his heart melted. He hadn’t realized he was so starved for mature female attention, the kind that wasn’t tipped or bought and paid for.
“I think you misunderstand my intentions. I’m not here to sell your cabin. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I can, or that Connie has the right to order either of them sold. That will have to be worked out in a settlement agreement between the two of you.”
He could see that the longer he watched her speak and focused on her lips, the more talkative she became. Words were nervously stringing together, and all he could think of was her light pink tongue darting out behind her white teeth, and the way she licked her lips and nervously bit her bottom one.
“You haven’t taken my suggestion and gotten an attorney yet, have you?” she finished and took in a deep breath.
“That was only a little over a day ago, Marcy.” He was thinking to himself that his perspective was changing by the minute. “But I’m all ears. Perhaps you can recommend someone for me.”
The double meaning seemed to make her blink very slowly, considering what he’d said. She quickly looked downward toward her ridiculous boots.
“Where’d you get those?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Costco.”
“No socks. Can’t go into the woods without socks. You’ll get ticks on your ankles, or worse, traveling up your pant legs.”
Marcy cocked her head and frowned then gave him that full gaze that did him in. She forged her response. “You going to continue to defend the perimeter, or am I invited in for those scrambled eggs and strong coffee? Or have I said something to cause you to change your mind?”
There was an exchange between them without words. It fell to him to speak up first, perhaps acknowledge what was going on inside him, hopefully inside her, too. He knew when a woman liked what she saw, and she was definitely transmitting it. “On the contrary. But enter at your own risk.”
He let his words linger there until she dropped her gaze again. Stepping aside, he turned and opened the door for her to walk into his life.
Once inside, she slowly took stock of the place, carefully examining the pictures on the walls, the cabinets, the hooked rug in front of the fireplace, the kitchen area, and the sparse furniture of the living room with one table lamp he’d made as a Boy Scout.
“It’s lovely. I can see why it has special meaning to you. Lots of memories here. I can feel them, I think.”
He’d been holding his breath. “Thank you.” He stepped closer to her, and slowly brought his palm to her cheek and cupped it. Letting his fingers brush against her flawless skin, and then dropped his hand. He wanted to be careful, not push his boundaries, but the granite in his pants was making him very uncomfortable.
She turned once again, and he wanted to lace his fingers through her hair, take that damned clip out and muss it all up real good, before he gave her the kiss she so deserved. Hell, he deserved that kiss. It had been a long, insane dry spell.
She set her folder down on the table, placing her bag on top of it. “Can I help you with something?”
Oh, yeah, darlin’. You can help me heal that big wound in my soul. Get me feeling right about myself again, about the world. “Let’s see. Can you crack eggs?” he asked as he brought out a carton from the refrigerator and set them next to a green bowl from the cupboard. “I even have the right implements.” He drew out a wire whisk from one of the drawers.
Her fingers wrapped around the base of the whisk, and for a moment, their fingers touched. It would have been so easy to curl her into his chest, kiss the top of her head, and feel her blood pumping in her neck as he nibbled there. She smelled divine, and he was fairly sure her temperature had risen, since there were tiny beads of sweat on her upper lip.
He moved away from her to light the propane stove and pulling out an iron skillet. As she cracked several eggs, he brushed behind her to get the butter. He felt her jump at his proximity, and it gladdened him. He would take the whole day cracking eggs and eating breakfast if she’d let him. Suddenly, he wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything.
He poured water from a gallon jug into a saucepan on the stove, and after boiling it and cooking the eggs, filled the coned coffee filter to the top and watched as it drained into a ceramic pitcher.
He added cheese and some spices to the eggs, made toast in the frying pan, poured their coffee, and put the cream on the table.
“Breakfast is served, Madame,” he said with a bow, placing the two plates on the table across from each other.
“So how often did you come here growing up?” she asked.
“Some of the best times of my life. My grandfather and father used to bring me up every summer. Sometimes my mom, but only occasionally. Learned to hunt and fish. They told stories about being a man that scared this little boy to death.”
Lucas worried he’d revealed something perhaps he shouldn’t.
The silence was awkward and in need of filling. Marcy beat him to it. “Wow. These eggs are terrific—I think the best I’ve had.”
“Not my best skill,” he said, smiling into his coffee mug.
She answered him with a smile. “You want an update on the house?”
“I don’t care about that right now, really.”
“Okay.”
“No offense.”
“None taken,” she said breathlessly. “Lucas, this property was yours before your marriage, from what I can see. Unless you encumbered it in some way.” Her eyes were soft.
“The bank asked me to use it as additional collateral on the loan, because Connie had a couple late payments on her student loan.”
“But you didn’t borrow against it, right? Pull any money out of it?”
“No. Just used it as a kind of guarantee for the house loan.”
“So, if that’s paid off through escrow, then this house would be, what, free and clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m no attorney, but I understand that if it was yours before you got married, it remains your sole and separate property. I don’t think you can be forced to sell it.”
“That’s good news,” he said, letting out a breath. “So, I have a question for you, Marcy, since we’re talking about business sorts of things.” He was about to risk a little more, feeling suddenly comfortable and intrigued.
“Shoot,” she said as she finished her eggs and took a gulp of coffee.
“Why are you here?” Her eyes widened at first, and then she returned his honest gaze.
“Well, you’ll probably have to submit a valuation for this place during your divorce proceedings, when they start. And, I don’t know.” She shrugged, brushing some crumbs from her lap. “I guess I was looking for something. Not sure what.”
Those eyes again searched his face.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked as he covered her hand with one of his.
She hesitated a bit, giving a jolt as their fingers wove together, and then he drew her hand to his face and kissed her palm.
She swallowed hard. “Yes. I think I did.”
“Is this wise, Marcy? You’re going to have to stop me, you know, because I can’t.”
She closed her eyes again, as if searching the back reaches of her mind. “I don’t want you to stop,” she said, her eyes still closed.
I’m going to give away an ebook of your choice, any of my SEALs, if you leave a comment. Here’s the question I’m asking: What would you do if you could spend the day with a Navy SEAL? You don’t have to go into great detail, if you don’t want, but everyone who leaves an answer and their email address will be sent an ebook (please specify which one), or an audio book of any of my series. ANY! Put your email address in a coded form like this: sharonhamilton2001 (at) G mail (dot) com, so we can avoid the automatic spammers.
Thanks for joining me, and if you have questions, please also leave them here. I’ll check back during the day and comment.
Thanks for joining me. Thank you Cheyenne for letting me be here today!
Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USA/Today bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series.
Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t have to go to ground, and can walk around in the full light of the sun.
Sharon’s Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.
All of Sharon’s books are available on eBooks (most formats), print and Audible.
A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.
Sharon Hamilton
Life is one fool thing after another.
Love is two fool things after each other.
Author Page ** Sharon’s Blog ** Sharon’s Website ** Facebook**Twitter
October 8, 2015
High Tea
About three times a year, some of my amazing friends and I go out for high tea around the Valley in Phoenix AZ. Kayce Lassiter, Tina Gerow, Jordan Summers, Jennifer Ashley, and myself. This time we missed Jennifer ::sniffle:: because she was buried under a deadline. We usually take pictures, but I think we were too immersed in the experience to remember!
This afternoon we had High Tea at the Arizona Biltmore. We had an exceptional experience with a man who attended to us. Service is too trite a word–he was amazing. I have never had such exceptional… Well, I guess service is the only word I can come up with.
Kevin’s picture is on the Arizona Biltmore website under High Tea, so I swiped it to show this amazing man. I recommend the experience, especially with Kevin, to anyone who makes it to Arizona.
~Cheyenne
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED January 19, 2016
October 7, 2015
Reading is dreaming with open eyes
Reading is dreaming with open eyes 
~Cheyenne
October 6, 2015
Tuesday’s Teaser! Slow Burn from the “Lawmen Box Set”
Tuesday’s Teaser! Slow Burn from the “Lawmen Box Set”
It was all so crazy. Christie’s heart pounded as the next ordeal started. She hadn’t fully grasped the trouble she was in or the mess she had caused until now. She had never realized that her ex-husband could be as powerful and well connected as he apparently was.
According to Agent Stillwater and Trace, Salvatore’s ties with the Jimenez Cartel were significant, and he’d been, and still was, a valued part of their organization. The cartel apparently didn’t plan on letting him go to prison if it could be prevented.
Now it was time to leave to go to what would hopefully be a safe location.
Christie had been told that agents had cleared the way, making sure no employees or guests were nearby as Christie, Trace, the decoy agents, and the protection detail left the room. The weight of the body armor seemed to grow as they went. Her whole body felt heavy, which had little to do with the vest. It had more to do with a frozen feeling that had sunk into her bones.
They went down in the service elevators. Christie stood beside Trace, having to look up at him as always because he was so tall and she was so petite. “If the cartel knows we’re here, are you sure no one can follow us?”
“The FBI has secured the area.” Trace sounded confident, but she wondered if he was as confident as his tone would lead her to believe. “No one is getting near you.”
Christie bit the inside of her lip. Her skin prickled, an uneasy feeling making the Chinese food not sit so well with her any longer.
“Reservations have been made at multiple hotels under various names.” Trace looked thoughtful. “We’re hoping that will throw off the cartel.”
Everything became a blur as agents escorted Christie through the back of the hotel and out to one of three waiting vans. Each van looked different—none of them were black like agency cars or SUVs.
On the older-looking vans were different decals. One had “Harper’s Plumbing,” on it, another had “Professional One Day Dry Cleaning,” and the third advertised “Valley Landscaping Services.” Each vehicle could easily get lost in Phoenix, unnoticed, which was obviously the idea.
Christie was glad they had dressed her like the agents. She blended in well, especially since the decoy female agents were close to her size and weight, and all three of them wore matching sunglasses.
Trace was at her side every step of the way. She met his gaze as they reached the white paneled van with “Harper’s Plumbing” on it. The door was open. She noticed that Trace didn’t help her into the vehicle, as was his normal habit. It was probably to keep from making her stand out from other agents who would not be receiving the same treatment.
She climbed inside the dim interior of the almost empty windowless van and saw that there were no seats. The only thing in the van was a big wooden box, the size of a coffin.
The floor was cool beneath her as she settled herself on the ridged metal.
“Not much for comfort.” A man sitting in the driver’s seat looked over his shoulder at them. “But we’ll get you to your next location safely, Ms. Simpson.” He, too, wore sunglasses and a jumpsuit, and he also wore a Bluetooth earpiece.
“Thank you.” Christie shifted so she was closer to Trace who had sat down beside her. His presence was a comfort even when she didn’t feel like she deserved it.
She wanted to apologize for putting everyone in so much danger, but she held her tongue. What good would apologies do? She’d screwed up and good. Trace had told her not to play the blame game, and that this was all on Salvatore. No matter what Trace had said, she did blame herself.
After a few moments, the agent put the van into gear and pulled away from the building. “On the move,” he said as the van jostled them while it went down the back alley. She guessed he was talking to whoever was on the other end of the Bluetooth.
Downtown Phoenix was full of one-way streets. The only time Christie had come to this area she had gotten totally turned around and almost went the wrong direction on a street. She was glad she wasn’t the one driving.
She and Trace swayed as the van turned a corner.
A metallic sound startled her.
Trace threw himself on her, slamming her onto the van’s floor. “Down!”
Her skull struck the ridged metal floor. The sunglasses skittered away. Pain shot through her head and her mind spun.
In a flash she realized that what she heard was the sound of bullets piercing the side of the van.
Terror ripped through her like knives flaying her skin.
“We’re under fire!” the driver shouted as he gunned the engine. Despite the terror, Christie registered that he had to be shouting the information over his Bluetooth.
The van’s tires squealed.
Another vehicle’s tires echoed the sound.
Light came through round perforations in the white panels.
Christie and Trace were thrown around the back of the van as the driver took tight turns.
The driver shouted for backup as he drove.
A pause in the rapid-fire.
Trace started toward the coffin-sized wooden box.
The metallic pings started again and Christie wanted to scream to Trace to get down, too.
Oh, God. They were all going to die.
Kindle: http://amzn.to/1Fgf8Rv
Nook: http://bit.ly/1JbPQiG
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KgaFgU
iBooks: http://apple.co/1KRZsGM
All Romance eBooks: http://bit.ly/1UWpu00
Hope you enjoyed this week’s teaser!
~Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s BMG logo
Angels of Darkness: Chained January 12th 2016
October 5, 2015
Cheyenne’s Illustrated Fun FAQs
Cheyenne, August 2015
Cheyenne’s Fun FAQs
Today I offer up an expanded “Fun FAQs.” You’ll see some familiar ones, but there is new stuff, too. :) Especially the adorable baby photos!
Cheyenne at 3 months old, 1965. Same smile, right? :)
Thanks for stopping by to take another peek into my world. I hope you enjoy the trip, and as always, feel free to ask more questions in the comments section below!
Now for the most important question I’ve been asked:
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: It used to be pink, but I grew up, oh, a few years ago. Now purple. Definitely purple. Hence the purple office .
Q: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
A: Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Garcia. Duh! Here I’m enjoying our favorite treat with my fellow newbie Butterscotch Martini Girl, K.T. Roberts. She clearly has great taste.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A paranormal romance series titled “Angels of Darkness.” This is the journal I use to make notes in and jot down ideas for this series.
The first book in the series, Chained, will be released January 2016! This is the magnificent cover!
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED
January 12, 2016
Q: Is Cheyenne your real name?
A: I don’t think many people my age are named Cheyenne. By the pic you now have a clue, not to mention what birthday I just celebrated on August 1st 2015!
(BTW, J.K. Rowling and I were born one day apart. Just hours and $1 billion between us. ;) )
Q: What kinds of cool things did you get for your birthday?
A: Many incredible things from my generous friends and family members.
One of the most amazing is a quilt my mom made for me. The squares are embroidered fairies reading books, along with a typewriter, writerly sayings, and even my crescent moon logo.
My dad gave me a gorgeous fiddle. I don’t play the instrument, but he collects and has even made them!
The back of this fiddle is stunning, and the front is gorgeous as well. By the way, I grew up on a ranch so it’s “fiddle” and not “violin.” :)
My adorable grandson lives in another state with his mom and wasn’t able to come to the party. So he made a giant 50 for my birthday. I’d have to say he is the cutest grandson ever. Of course I’m not biased or anything like that.
Q: What is the funniest or oddest birthday gift you received?
A: This sugar skull! Everyone claimed innocence when I unwrapped gifts. Days later, we figured out the gift-wrapped skull had been sent instead of a gorgeous leather-bound journal from my friend Jordan, who hadn’t been there when we opened gifts. She did get in the item she’d wanted to give, and the company let her keep the sugar skull. I have it in my office and its eyes light up eerily red every time someone passes it! Ha!
Q: Do you have pets?
A: Three dogs, In order in the pyramid shown Daisy (world’s most adorable dog), Nikki (usually world’s least photogenic dog) and Checkers on the bottom (never stops wagging her tail and is one of the happiest dogs ever. Here she’s a little squished. :)
My grandson is pretending to be a fourth puppy in this picture, and his uncle, my youngest son, is clearly thrilled. No, I don’t count Evan and Matthew as pets. They’re not well trained enough. 
And here are my the three crowded between my feet while I’m writing in my writing recliner. They tend to do this during the winter when I have a light blanket on.
This is a cute picture of my middle son with Nikki. My son is clearly hiding. LOL.
When I first started writing and my boys were young, sometimes I’d put up this sign just to keep an uninterrupted flow of writing. I think I need to use it again. 
Q: Who’s that wonderful woman beside you, who clearly takes after you?
A. This is my amazing mom, Karen, also one of my best friends.
You are dangerously close to being killed off in my novel
Q: What’s your favorite writer’s saying?
A: Take a look, read it, and weep… 
It could be you.
Q: Where is one of your favorite places to go on a writer’s retreat?
A: Sedona. Ommmmmmm….
Q: Do you like to travel?
A: Yes! I admit I’m somewhat of a homebody, like most full-time writers, but I like to take one big trip a year. I also do enjoy traveling to conferences.
I’ve been to France, Italy, and Monaco. Mexico doesn’t count when you grew up close to the border. ;)
In 2016 I will be traveling to Ireland and London! I am excited about the trip!
Q: Where else in the world would you like to travel?
A: There are SO many places I want to travel to. Spain; more of Italy (such as Venice, Murano, Rome); Greece; Scotland; Germany; Austria; more of France; Thailand… Enough places to keep me busy for the next 50 years!
Q: What did you do before writing?
A: I Majored in journalism at Cochise College and the University of Arizona.
Weirdly enough, I ended up in the mortgage business during the big refi boom in 1986; I also sold Princess House Products, a DSA for 7 years
; and later I sold accounting software and made enough money to pay off all of our bills and write full time. Fortunately for me, quitting my day job did work out, although not advisable.
Q: When did you know you would be a writer?
A: Kindergarten, when I scribbled my first poem. School projects always turned into stories, books, poems.
Q: Do you have cute pictures from when you were young just for the sake of showing cute pictures?
A; I have adorable pics. Who doesn’t? In this first one, I’m a year old. My parents were so young!
I’m four in the second photo with my mom and three brothers. There’s almost exactly 3 years between myself and my youngest brother, so my parents were busy with three of us in three years. :)
The third one is with my dad and brothers when I was five. I’m wearing my favorite red shoes!
This last photo is of my brothers, mom and dad, on their 50th wedding anniversary in December of 2013. 50 years is amazing! Can you tell my family is country and I grew up on a ranch? I am the only one who went city.
Guess who’s the oldest. Looking at the pictures from when we were younger kinda gives it away. LOL. I’m always told I look the youngest, and I’m happy to go with that.
I now live in a nice, quiet neighborhood in the suburbs in the Arizona metro Phoenix area. My parents are still on the ranch that we moved to when I was seven. So 43 years ago!
And here’s where I grew up, taken a few years ago. My dad has so many trees you can’t even see the ranch house!
I have three sons, awesome guys I am very proud of. Here I am with my boys. Not a cowboy among these city boys.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my fun FAQs. As always, feel free to ask me anything you’d like and I’ll add it.
Almost anything. ;)
~Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s BMG logo
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED January 12th, 2016
Join me every day for our daily theme:
Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars
October 4, 2015
Sunday Guest Star: Calista Fox!
Calista Fox
I’m so excited to be back here with Cheyenne and all of her fun fans! I was thrilled to unveil my last release WHAT LOLA WANTS to you all, and do the cover reveal for book two in that series—the Leave Your Shoes On series from Grand Central Publishing/Forever—WHAT MAXI NEEDS. Now, I’d like to share with you a sexy couple that fall in love under extremely dangerous circumstances. Please meet Ari & Dane—two very independent, career-driven people who spark from the beginning and can’t get enough of each other! Psst.. I also have another cover reveal for you, this time for book two in the BURNED DEEP trilogy, FLASH BURNED, and some giveaways!
Burned Deep
“Hot. Thrilling. Dangerous.” —Cynthia Eden, New York Times & USA Today Best-selling Author
“There’s hot. And then there’s Calista Fox. Prepare to have your heart Burned Deep.” Erin Quinn, New York Times Best-selling Author
5 Stars from Affaire de Coeur Magazine—“…This reviewer seldom gives a full five stars, but this one deserves it.”
4.5 Stars & Reviewer Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews—“I fell in love with this book from the very first chapter. I was completely sad to see it end but loved the way it ended … I cannot wait until the next book in this series comes out…” M Whelehan
4 Stars from Romantic Times Book Reviews—“Fox’s new trilogy starts off with a bang… Fox paints an impressive picture of two individuals struggling to be honest with themselves and each other in the face of danger.” Donna M. Brown
“He demands that she face her intimacy issues, just as she forces him to reveal his secrets.” Kilts and Swords
It was a little scary how my body trembled and my breathing wouldn’t return to normal. But I couldn’t escape the intensity of our desire for each other—and how vibrant and alive he made me feel. Like I’d merely existed before. Gotten by. Now I was acutely aware of my surroundings. Of myself. Of him. Of every sensation blazing inside me…
Ari DeMille has spent her life focusing on the details and planning down to the minute. Haunted by her parents’ ugly divorce, Ari believes the only way to prevent emotional scars is to always maintain control. But when the devastatingly handsome—and powerfully dominant—Dane Bax, her new boss, pushes Ari’s boundaries, she must learn to shatter the ties that bind her if she is to sate her newfound desires… But giving into insatiable lust comes with a price. Dane’s luxury hotel business is threatened by a consortium of dangerous men who threaten everything Ari holds close. And as the stakes are raised, Ari is treacherously close to losing all control of her life…and her heart.
From St. Martin’s Press—Preorder NOW! (Release date: Oct. 6, 2015)
Excerpt:
The quick setup: Ari DeMille is a wedding planner in Sedona, Arizona. Her most extravagant event is being held at a popular local resort. An outdoor affair during monsoon season. There’s a storm moving in and the groom and his men are…MIA! Ari tracks them down in the bar—only to stumble across three men who will forever change her life…
“How many has he had?” I asked Kyle.
“Going on his second one. Sean won’t slur his vows, I promise. Just needed a little fortification so he doesn’t sphincter up when the I now pronounce you man and wife part comes.” He winked. “Couple of wedding day jitters, that’s all. Nothing to worry about.”
“Hey, I love Meghan,” Sean assured us. “But come on—she’s only two months pregnant. What’s the rush?”
Kyle snickered. “You’re a lucky SOB and you know it. Meg’s a knockout and you’re marrying into a crazy-rich family. Too bad she doesn’t have a sister. But, hey, if I catch the garter, that means I’ll find my own pretty little love slave, right?” His gaze swept over me.
“Use a condom,” Sean lamented. “That’s all I’m saying, man.”
Kyle leaned in close—too close for comfort, making me flinch. I didn’t like anyone invading my personal space unless invited.
I sensed he was harmless, yet Kyle exuded enough self-confidence to convince me he had a way with the ladies. So my nerves jumped to attention when he gave me a suggestive look.
“I’d be your love slave,” he mused good-naturedly. “You can even tie me to the bedposts, if you want.”
“That’s, um…not really my thing.”
“You’re not married, are you, Ari? Or otherwise spoken for? ‘Cause there’s a whole night of dancing ahead of us—”
“Dude.” Sean fake-punched his best man in the arm. “She’s my wedding planner. Don’t hit on her. At. My. Wedding.”
Kyle said, “Weddings are the perfect place to meet new women, amigo. And this one’s beautiful and smart. Possibly single. So why wouldn’t I find out if there’s something to pursue here?”
I suddenly felt another set of eyes on me. From behind. It was an eerie, unmistakable feeling.
As they bantered like I wasn’t standing next to them in earshot, I glanced over my shoulder. And lost my breath.
The argument faded into oblivion as my pulse echoed through me, drowning out all other sounds, thoughts, everything.
In the corner up front sat two men, paperwork sprawled across their table. One salt-and-pepper-haired, distinguished looking, older. The other dark-haired and dressed all in black—button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to reveal impressive forearms, jeans and boots. Late twenties, maybe thirty. He had a very mysterious air about him, and he was staring at me.
Right at me.
His onyx hair was sexily tousled as though he’d just rolled out of bed with a woman who’d enjoyed mussing the thick, silky looking strands. His piercing green eyes held a hint of intrigue and a hell of a lot of don’t mess with me. Contradictory signals that sparked my interest.
His face was a chiseled masterpiece. He had strong features with a stone-set jaw, balanced brows, not too thick, not too thin, and a nose that might have been punched a time or two, given the slight bump close to the eyes, but which still managed to look specially crafted to keep harmony with all the sculpted angles. A mouth that easily drew my attention, my gaze lingering on it until I caught myself.
All in all, he was devilishly handsome. Darkly beautiful.
It struck me that I would never consider a man beautiful, thinking it would undermine his masculinity. Not so with this one. He was beautiful and virile. Downright heart-stopping.
I felt a peculiar stirring deep within me. An innate reaction to his edgy perfection.
It seemed as though the blood moved a bit slower through my veins. Thicker, warmer. Molten.
My gaze lifted, our eyes locked and I was riveted. Still couldn’t breathe.
Something flickered in those hypnotic emerald pools of his. Something curious like a warning to be heeded. Not menacing, but…definitely intimidating.
Unnerved and surprisingly, intensely aroused, I tore my gaze from the sexy stranger just as Grace brought my shot.
“So, bottoms up,” I said as I reached for the tequila, my voice a bit shaky from the unexpected encounter. I finally pulled in a long breath, then gave a quick toast, brevity being the order of the moment. “May the new Aldridge family be blessed with a lifetime of health and happiness.” We all touched rims and threw back the booze. Even the burn of alcohol couldn’t compete with the simmering inside me created by that heated gaze. But I had business to focus on and resisted the temptation to look over my shoulder again. “Okay, guys. Showtime.”
“Damn, you love to crack the whip.” Kyle chuckled. “Maybe you ought to rethink your stance on bondage.” He raised a hand as though to rest it at the small of my back and escort me out. I instinctively leapt a bit too far out his reach—and stumbled into a trio of men just coming through the door.
One of them caught me around the waist and held on tight. “Hey, hey there, pretty lady.”
Behind us, I heard the scrape on the stone floor as a chair shoved back. A powerful sense of awareness jolted me. I knew exactly who was about to intervene if anyone got too touchy-feely.
But why?
And here’s the cover reveal for book 2, FLASH BURNED! I think it’s darn pretty! ;-)
Finally, what’s a blog visit without gifties??! I’m giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter and two autographed, print ARCs for FLASH BURNED (U.S. delivery or the electronic version for international delivery). Please email me if I don’t email you first, once I’ve announced winners. Some emails are hard to track down! Not me! Calista(at)calistafox(dot)com
Happy October, everyone, and thanks for stopping by!
Calista
About Calista
Calista is a former PR professional, now writing fast-paced, steamy books to set your pulse racing! Her publishing houses include St. Martin’s Press, Grand Central Publishing and Harlequin. Her debut SMP trilogy opens with BURNED DEEP and concludes with a new book four, starring the trilogy’s secondary hero! She is an Amazon bestseller and has won many Reviewer’s and Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as Best Book Awards and other competitions with publication as first prize. Calista is a college graduate and teaches online writing classes. She is also a Past President/Advisor of the Phoenix chapter of the Romance Writers of America national organization. Visit her at: www.calistafox.com
October 3, 2015
Saturday fun: Killing off Characters #becauseitisfun
Reader responses…
But Stephen King says…
~Cheyenne…off to kill another character
Cheyenne’s BMG logo
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED
January 12, 2016
October 2, 2015
Friday Freebie…KADE: Armed and Dangerous! #bookgiveaway
Originally titled “Wild Borders,” KADE was the first romance I wrote. It was published after the other books in the series, but it is one of my favorite books. Kelsey has bits of me in her. A struggle with self-confidence and body image. She’s strong but a little on the shy side at times.
Kelsey was married to a verbally and emotionally abusive man, but Kade shows herjust how special she is. He’s strong and sexy and the kind of man Kelsey deserves.
I hope you enjoy reading KADE as much as I enjoyed writing the book!
Don’t miss the excerpt!
**Author note below
After a bitter divorce, reporter Kelsey Nichols has erected a border around her heart too strong for any man to cross. She’s not ready for a relationship of any kind with any man. But when Kelsey meets Kade she can think of nothing but being in his powerful arms.
Intelligence Agent Kade Owen is hot on the trail of a notorious smuggler when the sensual blonde reporter comes into his life. Once he gets a hold of Kelsey, nothing will stop Kade from winning her heart.
**Please note: “Kade” was published in print only with St. Martin’s Griffin. “Kade” was originally published in eBook and print with Ellora’s Cave under the title “Wild Borders”. Character names were changed at St. Martin’s request.
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~*~
Here’s an excerpt of KADE just for you!
“I want to see you again.” Kade flicked on a light as he drew Kelsey through the door, and it slammed shut behind her.
Her throat tightened and went as dry as the Arizona desert. “I—I…”
But her words vanished, her mind blank, as Kade took her face in his palms and captured her gaze with his.
“Kade, I—” But she no longer knew the meaning of up or down, and she melted against him, wanting him. His earthy scent intoxicated her, filling her senses, confusing her beyond the effects of the alcohol.
“Darlin’, what you do to me,” Kade said against her lips. “Let me taste you.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He brushed his lips over hers. Just a whisper kiss. The light touch of his lips and the feel of his fingers on her skin made her nipples ache. A wave of longing crested, then crashed within her soul.
She pressed herself closer to him and heard a soft moan.
Coming from her.
The tip of his tongue outlined her bottom lip, a feather caress that sent desire spiraling within. She parted her lips and his tongue met hers, a velvet softness that she savored like golden honey. “You taste so good,” he murmured.
Citrus from the margarita was still sweet on his tongue and she wrapped her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened. She smelled the light apple fragrance of his hair and slid her fingers into the soft strands, knocking his cowboy hat off.
With a jolt, Kelsey became aware of Kade’s erection against her belly. A voice inside her shouted, telling her she couldn’t go any further. Not with someone she barely knew. But her mind and body refused to listen.
As if he heard her thoughts, he let out a ragged breath and stepped back, leaving her feeling almost empty. Alone.
Kade traced one finger along her cheekbone and she shuddered with longing. “Say you’ll see me again.”
He looked so handsome, his chestnut hair in disarray, passion in his eyes.
“I—I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” It took all her willpower not to throw her arms around him and tell him to spend the night. She had never been with a man other than Davis in a sexual way, and it frightened her how much she wanted Kade.
Right here. Right now.
Kade caught both her hands in his. “Have breakfast with me.”
She shook her head. “I have a meeting, and then I’m going out of town.”
He brought her hands to his mouth and trailed his lips over her knuckles, sending shivers throughout her, those intense blue eyes never leaving hers. “How do I reach you?”
Trying to regain even a modicum of self-control, Kelsey freed her hands and absently rubbed the scar on her upper thigh through the material of her dress. “I’ll sleep on it. If I see you before I leave, I’ll let you know.”
“All right.” He kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss. He smiled and caressed her cheek, then turned and slipped out the door.
And she was really alone then.
Dazed, Kelsey moved toward the bed and almost tripped over Kade’s cowboy hat. She picked it up, wondering if she should take it to him.
No. Tomorrow morning would be soon enough.
Kelsey ran a shaking hand through her hair. What had she just done? She’d experienced the most incredible kiss of her life—from a virtual stranger.
She sat on the edge of the bed, then flopped onto her back, Kade’s hat still cradled to her chest. She inhaled deeply, drinking in the intoxicating smell of him that clung to the felt Stetson. That masculine scent that made her ache for him.
What would it have been like to make love to Kade? The thought caused a thrill to skip around in her belly.
Kelsey closed her eyes, still holding Kade’s hat close to her chest. She imagined actually letting herself go and being with that tall, dark, sexy cowboy who managed to break through the ice of resistance coating her heart and soul since her divorce. She couldn’t let him all the way in, but it wouldn’t hurt to fantasize about him, right?
Heat filled her body and her cheeks flushed. No, that was ridiculous.
Still clutching Kade’s Stetson, she slipped into a restless sleep and dreamed of cowboys, mustangs, and the Arizona desert.
<> Forgot to include the prize!
One lucky, randomly drawn winner will receive a print copy of ZACK with the St. Martin’s cover. :)
Good luck!
~Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s BMG logo
Angels of Darkness: CHAINED January 12th, 2016
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