Nikki Duncan's Blog, page 2
March 25, 2014
March 21, 2014
A TASTE ME DEADLY Excerpt
Taste Me Deadly"You belong here, even if you prefer not to share a room with me.” Offering no other explanations he pivoted on the ball of his left foot and walked away.
Heart heavy, Grey went into her room. Her doubts followed.
Unlike the downstairs that started with pale palettes, the bedroom was brilliantly bright. The walls were teal green, but one had been painted with fat lines in a slightly darker teal. Baseboards and crown molding as glossy and smooth looking as white chocolate added elegance the space didn’t really need.
The bed frame, tables and dresser were the same color as the molding, but the bedding, seating area chairs and decorations pulled in shades of teal with touches of pink. On the floor at the end of the bed sat her brown bag with its slight tear at one corner.
Standing in a bedroom that could fit her entire apartment, Grey was surrounded by perfection and wealth. Liam was going out of his way to welcome her. He’d offered protection, privacy, comfort and no pressure in regards to sleeping together. She should be grateful, and she was, but every gesture was shadowed by reality.
Fed or not, married or not, Liam did not need to take on her problems.
She’d promised not to leave in the middle of the night, and she’d meant it. She’d thought she would stay, but looking at the clock, seeing that it was nearing midnight, she knew differently. Hands cold and shaking, she wrapped her fingers around the handle of her bag.
She was out the door and down the stairs before his earlier words smacked her back a step. Let’s not pretend you haven’t mastered your disappearance act.
Grey spun, expecting to see him descending the stairs. He wasn’t there. Shaking off the idea of being watched, she turned for the front door. She turned the first deadbolt. Her fingers were on the second.
“Unless you’re leaving Ruby again, too, I’ll track you down in a few hours.”
She’d never been easily startled or prone to screams, not even when she was moments from being discovered by Karl Jessup, but she felt one rising. Closing her eyes, Grey froze, unable to face Liam. “I can’t be here.”
His fingers encased hers on the bag. She flinched. Where had he come from and how did he move so soundlessly given his size?
She wouldn’t ask any more than he’d answer if she did. “Why, Grey? Why can’t you be here? Why do you keep running?”
He took her bag and without its weight in her hand she lost the resolve she’d barely been gripping.
“Your world is too different from mine." She hated the squeak in her voice, but she went on. "My apartment can fit in that bedroom.”
He relocked the door and then, taking her hand in his, led her back to the stairs. They were at the top landing before he finally spoke. “You’re judging the book cover. This is just a house chosen because it’s big enough to accommodate my family without us tripping over each other when they visit.”
“Ruby’s my only family.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.” He led her past the teal room, past a few other doors and around the corner he’d turned earlier.
He was going to his room. She tugged at her hand but he didn’t grant the freedom she sought. She’d made a promise and decided to break it in a span of five minutes. He had as much reason to trust her as Thor did Loki.
March 18, 2014
It's Release Day!
Under the knife, under the gun…and under no illusion he’ll sacrifice everything for her.
Sensory Ops, Book 5
After five years in Witness Protection, Greycen Craig’s life of careful routine is upended when she learns her sister is the victim in a hit and run, hospitalized, unconscious, and needing a kidney only Grey can give.
Despite warnings that this “accident” is a ruse to draw her out into the open, Grey risks everything to race back to Miami—where she comes face to face with the one man she aches to trust.
FBI agent Liam Burgess thinks he’s prepared for the moment Grey walks into her sister’s hospital room. But the moment the woman who holds his heart appears, his tongue is almost too tied to remember to ask one burning question—why she disappeared in Las Vegas two years ago.
As Grey struggles with what to tell him—everything or nothing—the danger that drove her underground resurfaces, threatening everyone she loves. And the only safe place to run is the arms of the one man she can’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Warning: This title contains a hero who knows who he wants and isn't afraid to fight for her and a heroine with secrets she fears hold the power to unravel all their dreams.
March 12, 2014
It's Cover Reveal Time - With Prizes!
Visit these blogs, make note of the word used to describe the cover, and then enter the RaffleCopter contest.
~ Reading Room Blog
~ Saph's Book Blog
~ Book Liaison Blog
~ Book Sniffers Anonymous Blog
~ Julie's Blog
~ The Revolving Bookcase Blog
~ Live Laugh Romance Blog
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Taste Me Deadly
May 22, 2013
WANTED: NDcent Dames
I promised to blog when I had news. Well, I have news from the NDcent Dames, my book launch team. We are looking for a few awesome peeps to join our small group. Details can be found here! Are you up to the challenge?
March 15, 2013
An Anniversary Giveaway & Cover Reveal!
Four years ago today, on a day not unlike today, Nikki Duncan signed her first publishing contract with Samhain Publishing.
That story was kicked off by a one sentence story idea tossed out as a challenge. With its inception, the Sensory Ops series was born.
Since that story, Nikki was also challenged, by her first editor, to write contemporary novellas. Now, with 13 books available, she’s revealing the cover of what will be her 14th books. To celebrate the anniversary and the cover reveal, Nikki is also sponsoring a giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And now, for the awesome cover…
March 7, 2013
BLOG AND BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS
So, you’ve possibly noticed that I haven’t blogged in awhile. A long while. There are a few reasons for that. First, we moved for the first time in 17 years so the month of January was spent getting ready for that. The month of February was spent getting settled. Second, I have been teaching creative writing classes for a local college and that’s taken up more of my “free” time than I’d expected, not that I had much while moving and getting settled. So, during all of this I’ve been thinking. I’ve thought about shutting down the blog all together, but instead I’ve come to another decision. I am only going to blog when I have news to share, because in the grand scheme of things would you rather I write a regular blog post or spend that time writing more books?
So, for the first news related blog, here we go. There’s quite a bit.
A MARCH CONTEST
Hosted through Fresh Fiction, I’m giving away the digital backlist of the Sensory Ops. If you’re behind on those, here’s your chance.
A WHISPERING COVE GIVEAWAY
Celebrating the print release of WILD, WET, WICKED, Mackenzie McKade, Cathryn Fox and I are giving away a Whispering Cove mixer glass. To be eligible to win, visit our Facebook Page. If you haven’t already like us, but then you need to post on the page ”I’ve just discovered Whispering Cove and OH MY! Come see for yourself” or ”Living in Whispering Cove would be an erotic fantasy come true. Come see for yourself.”
And now, the book release news!
SENSORY OPS BOOK 4 IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Buy the eBook.
Samhain | Amazon – Kindle | Barnes & Noble – Nook
He’s everything she craves. She’s everything he dreads.
Journalist Lana Quinn has a way with hard-hitting news. The story she’s uncovered has potential, but she needs the help of her best friend’s FBI team. She’s been rescued by them, worked with them, and partied with them, but convincing the second in command to believe her theory—that a killer’s touch sets off a lethal allergic reaction—is a frustrating challenge.
Especially since he excites her, body and mind. He’s a danger she shouldn’t indulge.
Aidan Burgess is resistant to helping Lana, but not for the reason she thinks. She has a knack for landing herself in trouble, which means she needs protection. Protecting her means staying near her, a journalist, who like all journalists uses whatever—and whomever—it takes to get her story. It’s a case he wants to refuse.
Especially since she lights a fire in his blood. She’s a danger he can’t afford.
As Lana follows up on lead after deadly lead, learning to trust and rely on each other becomes their only lifesaving hope. If their pride doesn’t become their final pitfall.
ALSO AVAILABLE – A SENSORY OPS SHORT AND TWO PRINT RELEASES!
January 7, 2013
Guest Author: Jerrie Alexander
The summer I went temporarily insane.
I’m often asked what I do to relax and rejuvenate. How do I refill the well? I figure if doing crazy things doesn’t qualify, I don’t know what does.
For the past seven years my daughter, granddaughter and I have left the husbands at home while we girls traveled the world seeking adventure. And I do mean girls, the baby was seven when we went in search of our first big exploration. She’s like one of the fish now! We’ve snorkeled with almost every species of fish, my granddaughter being the brave one of the bunch, she’s held varieties I can’t even pronounce.
Seven years – seven different countries, and it was time to visit one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Belize and its barrier reef offered more fish and some of the deepest water we’d ever ventured into.
So I pulled on my mask, inserted the snorkel mouth piece, nodded at the guide, and dropped from the side of the boat into the warm water. We’d already watch dolphins playing a few feet off the boat dock at the hotel, but now we were venturing into new territory.
The water got colder as we moved further away from the boat into deep water. Peering down into the abyss a huge black shadow passed under me. OMG. We’d arrive in shark alley.
Me? In shark alley? What the hell was I thinking? Not to worry, one of our guides reminded me, nurse sharks aren’t interested in eating people.
Sharks were everywhere. They were magnificent, long, sleek, and cold eyed. Even though they seemed perfectly content to let us human beings handle them, I admit to being intimidated.
It was the experience of a lifetime. Not one I’m likely to repeat for a while, but trips like these free the mind from day to day chores. While I’m on the girls trip, I don’t work for six days. I eat, relax, read, and enjoy my girls. Without fail, they bring me home ready to get back to work.
The Green-Eyed Doll blurb:
Catherine McCoy is on the run. For the past year, she’s been on the move, hiding the secrets and guilt in her heart. When she lands in small-town Texas and meets Sheriff Matt Ballard, he ignites a flame she thought lost forever.
Matt has scars of his own. He left the big city after an undercover operation went bad and his partner was killed. Now, as Matt hunts for a serial killer who paints his victims’ faces like porcelain dolls, Catherine becomes a safe haven for him. Two tortured souls finding comfort in each other’s arms—until he uncovers her secret, and their bond of trust is broken.
When Catherine disappears, Matt races to find her, fearing the murderer has found his next green-eyed doll. But the killer has a surprise coming. Catherine will fight to the death before she’ll be a victim again. Will her determination be enough?
Excerpt:
Catherine paced and argued with herself. Should she stay or go home? She’d told Matt he’d need a friend after the first woman went missing and now this. She couldn’t imagine the pressure he must be under. Her plan was to have a hot supper waiting for him. She’d basted and basted until the roast withered and fell apart. The once firm potatoes? Mush. The gravy was a light brown paste.
Benedict Arnold stood and trotted to the back door before Catherine heard Matt’s pickup. The dog was glad to know Matt was home, too. She leaned back against the kitchen counter and waited.
“Hey.” A lame greeting, but seeing him stunned her speechless.
Dark circles and cold, weary, blue eyes marred his Michelangelo face. His black hair fell in disarray and looked like he’d raked his fingers through a number of times today. His chiseled jaw and chin were dark with a long day’s stubble. With a couple of long strides, he pinned her between him and the counter. He framed her face with his hands, closed his eyes, and lowered his forehead to hers. They stood in silence for a long time, unmoving, their bodies not touching. Fear for the missing woman radiated off him.
His anguish, more than she’d planned for, hit her hard. His dedication and concern, traits she admired, shook her conviction that no man could be trusted. His tenderness, something she’d never had, touched a long-neglected place in her soul.
In that small space of time, where no one else in the world existed, Catherine’s heart found hope. Tears, she’d promised herself never to shed again, slid unchecked down her cheeks. But these tears weren’t because of her pain or grief. She cried because Matt suffered and grieved for the missing woman. She slid her arms around him, stroking his tense muscles.
“Hey, yourself.” He leaned back and studied her face. The warmth behind his eyes returned as he wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. “Were those for me?”
She nodded and emotions swirled in her head. Catherine struggled to regain her perspective. “I have to remove no more tears from the Never list.”
“Why would you hold yourself to such a never?”
“The only thing crying gets you are red eyes.”
“Okay, tough guy. Maybe someday you’ll trust me enough to explain. Why’d you break a rule for me?”
“The worry for Annie Travers in your eyes broke my heart. I’ve never known anyone with your compassion and dedication.”
“Careful.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “You’ll be calling me John Wayne again.”
“Same soul.” She pushed a lock of black hair off his face. He caught her wrist in his hand.
“Stop, Catherine. I’m nobody’s hero. I failed miserably in that department.”
My bio:
A student of creative writing in her youth, Jerrie set aside her passion when life presented her with a John Wayne husband, and two wonderful children. A career in logistics offered her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful locations in America, and she revisits them in her romantic suspense novels.
But the characters went with her, talked to her, and insisted she share their dark, sexy stories with others. She writes alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other. She likes to torture people, make them suffer, and if they’re strong enough, they live happily ever after.
Jerrie lives in Texas, loves sunshine, children’s laughter, sugar (human and granulated), and researching for her heroes and heroines.
Website: http://www.jerriealexander.com
Blog: http://www.jerriealexander.com/category/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jerriealexander
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JerrieAlexanderAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jerriealexander
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jerriealexander/
December 18, 2012
700 Miles to Santa
If you keep up with me on Facebook you’ll know I’ve confessed about not really being in the holiday spirit this year. We’ll say I’ve been busy and have a lot going. I’ve struggled to get in the mood, which is bizarre for me because I LOVE Christmas. There’s a feeling in the air that’s… cheerful. I’m missing it this year, but then I find stories like this one that make me remember why I do in fact love this holiday.
This story was originally posted by Steve Woods on Technorati, Dec. 5, 2011. It’s told again this year at www.times-standard.com. Rather than copy it verbatim, I’ve summed it up.
In 2011, Helen, an obviously sweet 5 year old from Washington, released 2 balloons into the air in early December. Her hope was that they would catch a Northern wind and find their way to Santa. She didn’t realize that Santa was South of her.
See, she lived in a mill town that had recently known some hard times and her family was seriously struggling. One of her balloons made it’s way more than 700 miles where it landed in the path of a woman and her son. All she requested was a doll and some clothes. The simplicity of her request told the woman finding the note that the girl was in need.
Julie, the woman finding the note, reached out to a number on the note and learned more about the little girl. She then went shopping and shipped those special gifts to friends of the girl’s family who made sure they were under the tree for Christmas.
I don’t know about you, but it’s stories like this that touch me. It’s also these stories that have me telling my children that yes, I still believe in Santa as much as I believe there is a spirit of giving in all of us.
December 14, 2012
Making Moments
We’ve all been told, probably several times, that we should stop and smell the roses. Embrace life. Enjoy the little moments. Maybe it’s the holidays, maybe it’s just that we have a lot of changes going on in our family right now, but I’ve been thinking about this stuff lately. The more I think about it, and the more hubby and I talk about our plans, the more clear things become in my mind.
Hubby and I have always talked about where we stand and what we want out of life. We’ve talked about my goals as an author, about what I want to get from my writing and how those goals impact our family. We’ve talked about his goals, which are often more logical than mine but not always. After 18 years of marriage, and after spending the last several years focused on my goals, we’re at a point where we can begin making his goals a reality.
It’s been scary to actually implement the changes we’re talking about, but it’s created a kind of energy for us that we haven’t had in awhile. It’s been stressful and exciting and that excitement is bleeding into other things. Our oldest is gearing up for a big interview for a special committee at school next week. Hubby is opening himself to possibilities I think he’d almost given up on. And I opened my email to find something that put me a step closer to my ultimate goal. No, I’m not telling what it is yet.
This all has me wondering.
Can you make a moment happen? Can you think and talk and dream about a big moment in your life so much that it really happens?
On another note about moments, I’m talking about the Power of Dancing Dolphins at my friend Jerrie Alexander’s blog today. That was a moment from life that became a moment in Her Miracle Man.
