Beth D. Carter's Blog, page 30

Things Only my Family Would Understand

Week #10 Evernighties Writing Challenge

I hear voices.

To most, that would mean a call to a psychiatrist, but for my family they've come to accept when I stare off into space and ask weird questions like: "What's a different way to kill a bad guy?"

If the cops ever confiscated my laptop I promise that I could explain every single one of my internet searches, I swear it!

I ended up asking Mike this question because besides the hearing voices in my head, I basically got stumped with this question. He gave me one of those here we go again looks and replied that I recycle clothes. Which is true. I don't buy new clothes (except socks and underwear). I shop in second hand stores and thrift stores for everything. My clothes, my son's clothes, my mom's clothes...and when they are outgrown or not wanted anymore, I redonate them.

I also recycle plastic bags. We haven't outlawed them yet in Nevada, and I get a ton of them from stores, so I make sure to recycle them and not put them in landfills. Unfortunately, there are so many that blow around outside that they're called Las Vegas jellyfish.

This was a difficult challenge this week for me. Make sure you check out the other Evernighties in the series, and come back next week for another writing challenge!


https://meganmorganauthor.comhttps://katherinewyvern.blogspot.com

Wednesday's Writers Block Exercise

Got Writer’s Block?
Yeah, it happens to the best of us.  Life gets in the way and your brain is taken in another direction and before you know it, it’s been days or weeks since you last looked at that book you’re trying to write.  You’ve forgotten little details.  What eye color did you give your hero?  What town was your heroine born in?  Perhaps you need to jumpstart your creative mojo, and that's what this series is designed for. Not to explain writer's block, but to help you move in a different direction.
#9 Change Relationships
Consider other ways your characters could be related, both now and in the past.
>Picture your hero on a date with each of the major characters in the story. Where would they go? What would the end of the night be like?
> If all the major characters in your story were part of a single family, who would have what role? What would the arguments be?
> Pick two supporting characters and imagine them as dogs or cats. How would the story change?

What if the hero and villain were brothers? Lovers? Neighbors? Childhood friends?
Every two characters in your story have a relationship, even if it’s as strangers. But the most interesting relationship might not be the most obvious one, so consider many possibilities.

While you’re at it, try moving the clock. Is your hero couple newlywed, or nearly-divorced? Could they meet for the first time in your story, or be celebrating twenty years?

Always ask yourself: How could this relationship cause more challenges for the heron?


Happy Writing!

***John August designed these cards to help writers fix plot holes, spice up stock characters and rethink your themes.  They, of course, do not guarantee you’ll get published or that you’ll become the next J.K. Rowling, and of course they are only a tool to help you think outside the box. I make no monetary gain with them nor do I expect anything in return.  I do not own the contents in these cards. If you're interested in them, here's the amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Writer-Emergency-Pack/dp/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502046610&sr=8-2&keywords=john+august 

Music Monday - Addicted by Dan Seals

Music is one of my major inspirations when it comes to writing. I channel the emotions music invokes, whether it's sad or happy into my stories.

For the book "On Call Mistress", one song really tugged me into the thoughts and feelings that my heroine, Lexy, experienced in her relationship with Gio. "Addicted" by Dan Seals (it was covered by Blake Shelton, but I prefer Dan's version best) is about a woman who can't break it off with the man she loves, even though he's using her. She knows she should walk away, and as much as she wants to stand up to him...she can't.

Dan sells the emotional turmoil the Lexy has, and it put me into her shoes. I hope that I was able to translate her turmoil to give her the happy ending she deserved.

Catch the song on YouTube HEREShe says she hates to sleep alone
but she'll do it to night
She wants to grab her telephone
but she knows it ain't right
So if he won't call, she'll survive
and if he don't care, she'll get by
Climb into bed, bury her head, and cryFrom the beginning he was all anyone could have been
They were delirious with love
they were certain to win
Now he's breaking plans more and more
and he's leaving notes on her doorTook a trip out of town, couldn't turn this one down;
He said, "I guess I should have told you before."She says she feels like she's addicted to a real bad thing,
Always sitting, waiting, wondering if the phone will ring,
She knows she bounces like a yo-yo when he pulls her string,
It hurts to feel like such a fool.
She wants to tell him not to call or come a round again,
He doesn't need her now at all the way that she needs him.
She's on the edge about to fall from leaning out and in,
And she don't know which way to move.She wants to be fair, she couldn't say he was ever unkind,
But if she could bear to walk away
she thinks he wouldn't mind
'Cause he just keeps himself
so apart and there's no one else in her heart,
So she's taking a dive from an emotional high and coming down hard.She's determined to try
but she'll still give in when he gives her a call.
She'll ask herself why, but in the end it won't matter at all.
Sure, she could sit at home, stay inside
and sleep alone with her pride
And as she walks out that door, she feels
as weak as before with nothing to hide.She says she feels like she's addicted to a real bad thing,
Always sitting, waiting, wondering if the phone will ring,
She knows she bounces like a yo-yo when he pulls her string,
It hurts to feel like such a fool.
She wants to tell him not to call or come a round again,
He doesn't need her now at all the way that she needs him.
She's on the edge about to fall from leaning out and in,
And she don't know which way to mov
On Call Mistress
For two years Lexy Carmichael has been having a secret affair with Italian director Giovanni Macari. Every time he flies into Los Angeles, he texts her to meet him. And she always goes because she’s fallen in love.
After a night of earth-shattering sex, Gio changes the rules. He asks her for exclusivity. But Lexy comes with a ready made family…a son Gio knows nothing about. When she tells him the truth will that kill his desire for her? Can the fantasy sex they share translate into something real? Be Warned: bondage

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/on-call-mistress-by-beth-d-carter
https://www.amazon.com/Call-Mistress-Romance-Go-ebook/dp/B00IY5EFTK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551076143&sr=8-1&keywords=beth+d.+carter+on+call+mistress

Blast From the Past...Beth D. Carter's "Paper Kisses"

When Alannah’s husband tells her she’s boring and he doesn’t want to be married to her anymore she spirals into a world of hurt and confusion.  She decides to go back to her hometown in Missouri to figure out where she lost the confident girl she used to be.  


Speeding into town, she’s pulled over by her old best friend, Skylar Randall, now the town sheriff.  He’s still mad at her for leaving twelve years ago without a word of good-bye.  But suddenly Sky isn’t just her high school friend anymore, he’s morphed into a man who goes after what he wants, and he’s just declared he wants her. 


But Sky’s private world is one full of bondage and in trying to silence the doubts in her head, he will tie her up as long as it takes for her realize that what she really left behind was faith, hope and whole lot of kisses.

Be Warned: BDSM, anal sex


Q & A 


1.    1. Did you plot this book out or write wherever an idea took you?

This book was from a movie script I had written many years ago, when I lived in Los Angeles and wanted to break into the film industry. I wrote three scripts and realized I didn’t like writing them. They were too structured and formulaic. I have always wanted to be a writer, but I discovered this wasn’t the path I wanted to go.

2.              2. Did you hide any secrets or Easter Eggs?

Yes! This book is set in my own hometown Dexter, Missouri.

3.                  3.Since the publication, what would you say has improved in your writing?

I think I’ve gotten better at writing actively instead of passively.

4.              4. Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?

Definitely. This cover, for Paper Kisses, is absolutely beautiful. I love how it gives the hint of what type of kink Sky is into.



EXCERPT 

He laid a finger across her lips, shutting off any more questions.  He laid the black leather thing on the bed and picked up the blindfold, walking around her and fitting it over her eyes before tying it securely.  Her body practically hummed with anticipation. 

                Sky didn’t say a word as he began to undress her, helping her get her tank top off and then her pants.  This time he took her panties off as well and everything clenched even more.  Oh yes.

                “Now, Alannah, I’m going to bind your arms,” he said.  “I’m going to use a monoglove.  It will enclose both of your arms from fingertips to above the elbow by holding them together behind the back.  It has a harness that will go around her upper torso to hold it in place.”

                She gasped, suddenly unsure, and pulled back.  “That sounds painful.”

                “I don’t plan on keeping you in it for long,” he assured her.  “Yes, it takes a long time for someone to become flexible enough to wear it long term, but I have a reason for securing you like this.  Trust me, Alannah.”

                It took everything in her to agree.  When she nodded, he turned her around.  For several long seconds she was standing, not knowing what he was doing.  The blindfold did exactly what it was supposed to do, took her mind off everything but what he was going to do with her. 

                “Place your arms behind you, straight elbows, palms together,” he commanded.  Okay, this was the moment.  He asked her to trust him so she had to follow through.  She took a deep breath and obeyed the order.  Immediately, she felt the leather slide over her hands and up her arms. 

                “Relax,” he said. 

                And she tried. 

                Next he slid the harness over her head and adjusted the straps, which criss crossed over her torso above her breasts.  The pressure was not uncomfortable.  It wasn’t great either but she could tolerate it.  But then he began to ties up the laces on the glove and each time the leather cinched a little tighter, she couldn’t help but gasp.   He didn’t say anything and neither did she because even though this was weird beyond anything she could imagine, it was still thrilling.  When he was done, she tried moving her arms and couldn’t.  She was completely helpless.

                “I want you to kneel,” he said.  He held her under her armpits and helped her to kneel.  “Spread your thighs a little wider.  Yes, good.  Now, stay right there.”

                She couldn’t see, she couldn’t move even though her legs weren’t bound, so she couldn’t do anything except what he told her to do.  She heard the shower click on in the bathroom.  What? 

              He was taking a fucking shower?



WHERE TO BUY


https://www.evernightpublishing.com/paper-kisses-by-beth-d-carter


https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Kisses-Beth-D-Carter-ebook/dp/B00JX8NR4G/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=beth+d.+carter+paper+kisses&qid=1551510855&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

What Would I Invent if I were Stuck on an Island?

Week #9 Writing Challenge... What would I invent if I were stuck on an island?

I've often thought about what I would need/want if I were stuck on a deserted island. Why have I often thought this?...I haven't a clue. I'm weird. But whether or not it stems from the movie "Castaway" or from reading "Surviving Raine" by Shay Savage, I figured there are a few things that would be absolutely necessary to survive living on an island.

The logical item would be a satellite phone to call for help.

Or a boat.

But my knee-jerk answer is chapstick.  And maybe a book to keep my mind occupied. As a writer there's nothing worse than being impotent on being able to write. If I had a book, at least that would keep me occupied.

Until I memorized the entire thing and then started acting out the scenes. I'd have to play all parts, of course, and if it was a romance then it'd get kinda awkward during the sex scenes.

….But I digress.

That's not what this post is about. It's about what I would INVENT .

I'd invent chapstick, since I would not have any access to writing utensils, paper, and a printing press to invent a book. Somehow...someway...I'd try to invent something to put on my lips so they wouldn't chap. There is nothing worse (as a personal beauty thing) than having dry lips. Maybe I'd use coconuts. Or fish goo.  Or find a plant that would help. Obviously, I will have a lot of time on my hands to figure out the correct ingredients.

To see what the other Evernighties have come up with in their writing challenge this week, check out the other blog posts!

https://meganmorganauthor.com
https://katherinewyvern.blogspot.com

Wednesday's Writers Block Exercise

 Got Writer’s Block?
Yeah, it happens to the best of us.  Life gets in the way and your brain is taken in another direction and before you know it, it’s been days or weeks since you last looked at that book you’re trying to write.  You’ve forgotten little details.  What eye color did you give your hero?  What town was your heroine born in?  Perhaps you need to jumpstart your creative mojo, and that's what this series is designed for. Not to explain writer's block, but to help you move in a different direction.


This one is a difficult exercise for me because I think of my strong points as a writer is dialogue. I take pride in my character’s interaction with each other and talking can give good insight into the thoughts and reasons behind actions. But I agree there is a time and place for action verses talking.


While talking can be a good way for two characters to convey feelings, remaining silent can also give subtle clues. Think of Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights (I, personally, don’t think he’s a romantic figure at all, but this isn’t about romance). Heathcliff is stoic, angry, basically a lumbering brute. His lack of communication is an excellent insight into who he is.


#8 Stop Talking
Actions speak louder than words. If your characters couldn’t talk, what would they do?


>Imagine this moment in a silent film. How would you know what’s going on?


> If your hero could only say five words, what would they be?


> Could the story beats happen in a montage rather than full scenes? What would those moments be?




Dialogue is great, but sometimes your characters need to shut up and do something. Look for ways to take away their ability to talk, and force them to find other ways to communicate.


There are countless ways to make normal speech impossible, from stealth to equipment failure to foreign languages.


Silence can also be a choice. Maybe your hero isn’t saying anything because he’s simply done talking.



Happy Writing!


***John August designed these cards to help writers fix plot holes, spice up stock characters and rethink your themes.  They, of course, do not guarantee you’ll get published or that you’ll become the next J.K. Rowling, and of course they are only a tool to help you think outside the box. I make no monetary gain with them nor do I expect anything in return.  I do not own the contents in these cards. If you're interested in them, here's the amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Writer-Emergency-Pack/dp/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502046610&sr=8-2&keywords=john+august 

Historical Romance Author - Arabella Sheen on her NEW RELEASE!

Hello Arabella!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
Arabella: Hi, Beth. Thanks for having me on Written Butterfly.
So…you want to know how I envisaged the subtleties and undercurrents that were meant to happen to my leading characters between the covers of the book.
Well…I had this story in my head that needed to be told. It went along the lines of: Lord Redfield needs a wife. How was he going to find her? And what were the problems he would face internally and externally before “she” (whoever she was going to be) said yes to his proposal.
And then it came to me… I would tell the story from every characters own point of view.
An individual chapter for an individual character.
Instead of changing mid-scene from the hero’s side of the story to the heroine’s take on things, I allocated them their own chapters. I also worked in the same way when it came to featuring the maids and the footmen, and other family members who also play a vital part in the story.
It made for interesting reading and lots of hot, steamy love scenes!!!
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
Arabella: You might not know this, but as well as writing historical romance, I also write contemporary sensual novels. When my nine-to-five day shift is done, I then sit at the laptop and write. On average, so far, each novel I’ve written has taken me approximately six months to write. This novel, A Bride for Lord Redfield, was like butter on a hot knife. The words just seemed to drip onto the page. It took me two weeks to write. Two weeks to edit. And the rest is history.
When I sent the manuscript off to my American publisher, Beachwalk Press at http://beachwalkpress.com/, to consider, I received a reply saying: “great job” and the contract was signed then and there.
Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …What is your weakest factor as a writer?
Arabella: I believe my strongest asset as a writer is in knowing that I can’t please all of my readers all of the time. I deliver what I hope to be a good romance that will stand the test of time and hope the reader likes it too.
Years and years ago, my debut novel, “Blinded by Desire” (a billionaire romance with a hint of passion…and more), kick started with a few bad reviews. One reader’s review said she wanted more explicit action in the bedroom and another reviewer covered the fact that there were several spelling errors.
I took these comments on the chin realizing my sensual is different from their erotic and that U.K. spelling and grammar check is different to the U.S. way of writing things.
As a consequence, any subsequent novels have been written with these harsh reviewers remarks in mind, and I think I’ve improved.
My weakest factor as a writer is . . . Marketing!!! It takes me away from the time I have to write and I dislike having to promote myself and my books into the spot light. My life is never front row seats…it’s always been back row, upper circle.
Q) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Arabella: A bit of both, I think.
No reader wants to read the same old thing, so an original slant on the classic love story is a must. Irrelevant of the genre, or sub-genre, (m/f, f/f, m/m, mfm or any other combination), a reader wants something different…but something that still delivers the predictable and desired happy-ever-after ending.
Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
Arabella: I’m what we call in the trade…a pantser. Someone who flies by the seat of their pants. Wings it. Makes it up as they go along.
To a certain extent I plot…but it’s minimal. I sometimes draft out the blurb (info that’s found on the back cover of a book) and build the romance, tensions and conflicts from there.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Arabella: I never like to say I’m going to do this or that. It’s a sure way to put a jinx on things. In the pipeline is another sensual and another sweet historical regency romance, but that could all change. I could start work on another billionaire contemporary…



A Bride for Lord Redfield
Arabella  Sheen
A risqué regency romp enjoyed by both servants and masters as love and passion is discovered―above and below stairs―in his lordship’s household.
At Redfield House, everyone is busy with preparations for a ball, and rumor is rife in the servants’ quarters that the master is about to propose.
Lord Thomas Redfield realizes the time has come for him to take a wife and that this duty can no longer be delayed. The only trouble is…he isn’t sure the desire he once felt for Catherine, the woman he was previously betrothed to, is over and a new life with Rosalinda can begin.
Can Lord Redfield take Miss Rosalinda Mills for his wife, and will she agree to an engagement knowing he could still be in love with Catherine?
As the weekend unfolds and the fun begins, a bevy of illicit encounters are enjoyed between maids, footmen, grooms, and guests, while his lordship inwardly struggles with the problem of finding a wife.
Content Warning: contains passionate, sensual love scenes
Genre(s): Historical Romance

Excerpt
A Bride for Lord Redfield
Lord Thomas Redfield intended to marry Miss Rosalinda Mills, but as yet, she was not aware of his wishes.She wasn't a beauty by any means, but she had an attraction of sorts. Refined, polished, and cultured, she also had a conversation that did not bore him. Most women he knew were chatterboxes and windbags or bluestockings and dull. But Miss Mills was neither. She fell into none of these categories, and after several days and evenings spent in her company, Thomas was prepared to discover more.
* * * *
"Which debutante would you have me consider? Which of your many friends will wish to parade their daughters before me?" Thomas asked his mother cynically. "Well, actually, I was thinking about―" "Enough, Mama. I'm afraid I must decline your suggestion. Your attempt at arranging a marriage between Catherine and myself was not exactly a success." He recalled with bitterness the outcome of that proposed union. The fact that Catherine and Harry had married had hurt his pride and ego enormously. "An arranged marriage that is of your making and to your liking is not for me. I refuse, especially after my enlightening experience with Catherine. My lesson, when it comes to taking a wife, has been well and truly learned, and I would be a fool if I were to repeat such an endeavor again." Those were empty words, and he knew it. At some point in time he would have to marry. The difficulty was finding the right woman who was malleable and compliant to tie the knot with. Someone who would obey him without question. Someone who would tolerate his illicit liaisons without too much objection. And that type of woman was hard to find. "But you have to try to find a wife." "If I do, this time, love will definitely not be in the equation." Thomas decided that a marriage of convenience, where he would wed and bed someone without properly wooing her for love, was his best option. And that was what he was going to propose when he offered for Rosalinda. He liked her. They got along. But the all-consuming passion and physical attraction he had once felt when betrothed to Catherine was missing when he thought of Rosalinda. A wife was needed, and she would have to be of good birth and excellent breeding. Someone with whom he could produce an heir. The only question was…with whom and exactly when? So far, by process of elimination, Rosalinda was the best contender. Having compiled a list of potential candidates from the many socialites within his circle of friends and acquaintances, Rosalinda seemed the best option. He had known her for years, and although he had never thought of her as a potential wife until recently, he was now prepared to do so. There was respect between them, and he hoped some sort of convivial relationship could blossom. It was a shame that the all-consuming love he had felt for Catherine was not there. "Your betrothal to Catherine was more than three years ago, and even though I suspect your heart was never truly given to her, your feelings must have recovered. Surely?" That just proved how little his mother knew him. Like many of his acquaintances, she thought his emotions had not been affected by Catherine's decamp. She was so wrong. His wound was still raw. "Mama, the subject is closed for discussion. At least for now. I have to go riding with Rosalinda and―" "So the servants' rumors are true. You are thinking of proposing to Rosalinda!" Thomas approached his mother and bent to place a kiss upon her cheek. "Don't fret. You will be the first to know if and when she accepts my offer." His mother's chin dropped, her mouth open with astonishment. And with that announcement, Thomas left the room and went to change into his buckskins and riding boots.

Buy Links:
Website: http://www.arabellasheen.co.uk/sensual-regency.htmlBeachwalk Press http://beachwalkpress.com/a-bride-for-lord-redfield/ 
Amazon Universal:  http://bit.ly/2tx1VkW  
Barnes & Nobel – Nook:   http://bit.ly/2GIyTYa
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/2U2ETxO
Beachwalk Press:  http://bit.ly/2NrHKhw
                       . . . and other reputable ebook distributors.
About Arabella Sheen Arabella Sheen is a contemporary and regency romance author of sensual, passionate love stories. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was shortlisted for the RNA – Joan Hessayon Award.Having worked for nearly twenty years as a theatre nurse in the amazing city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, she now lives in the southwest of England with her family.One of the many things Arabella loves to do is to read. And when she's not reading or writing romance novels, she is either on her allotment sowing and planting with the seasons or she's sitting on the sofa pandering to the demands of her attention-seeking feline.
You can find Arabella and her romance books at the following places:Website and Blog: www.arabellasheen.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArabellaSheenAuthor Twitter: www.twitter.com/ArabellaSheen

Lynn Burke is Back with a new Devil's Outlaw MC Release!

Bowie’s Angel
Devil’s Outlaws 1
By Lynn Burke
Publisher: Changeling Press

Keywords: MC Romance, May/December, Contemporary, Erotic, Romance, Suspense, Series, HEA
When a barely-legal blonde with a lithe, young body shows up at the Devil’s Outlaw MC strip joint to audition as a dancer, Ian “Bowie” Davies wants nothing more than to burrow between her long legs and claim her. She's too young for his dominant side though, too innocent for the sharp edges of his darker desires. And way too hot to let another man touch her -- a thought that has his hands itching to use his signature knives against any bastard who messes with his angel.

Hannah Harris ran away from home at age eighteen, desperate to escape the prison of her strict parents. Determined to delight in the sins her father preaches against, she puts her ballet talents to work, using a stripper pole to make a living. Dancing for Bowie and his blade has her panting to explore some of the “firsts” she planned to save for her future husband.

But when Bowie and his brothers attempt extortion beyond her parent’s ten-thousand dollar reward for Hannah's safe return, she's left with a difficult choice. Offer up the evidence to put the notorious biker gang behind bars, or protect Bowie and chalk the shit-show up as a lesson learned and begin her independent life anew -- without the lying bastard who owns her heart.

Can Bowie cut through the blindfold of lies on Hannah’s eyes and surrender the truth in his heart to win her back?


*Warning: Spanking, anal sex, knife play

PURCHASE LINKS:
15% Sale at Changeling Press: https://www.changelingpress.com/bowie-s-angel-devil-s-outlaws-mc-1-b-2834
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ND35X1F
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bowies-Angel-Devils-Outlaws-MC-ebook/dp/B07ND35X1F
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130503668
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bowie-s-angel
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1451714897


ADULT EXCERPT:
Too motherfucking young, but it was no wonder she’d gotten past Brewer. Mile-long legs, sexy-as-fuck flared hips, pert little breasts, all wrapped in leather that screamed sex but didn’t match what her pale green eyes revealed.

The young woman who had sauntered into my office like she had every intention of dropping to her knees if I told her to disappeared the second I’d crowded close. Close enough to drop her focus to my chest. Close enough her heartbeat thrummed beneath my thumb. Close enough I could feel the purity of her soul as though her body’s energy rippled across the inches separating us.

An inexperienced submissive for sure, and she had my dominant nature kicking and screaming for release -- along with my dick strangling in my jeans. Fuck, yes.

“Look at me.”

Her eyelids snapped up, those pale eyes letting me see right into the depths of her.

“How old are you?” I asked, my smile long fucking gone.

“Twenty-one,” she whispered.

“Liar.”

She gulped again, but held my gaze.

“Name?”

“H-Hannah.” She swallowed again as I smoothed my thumb up and down over her thumping artery. “Hannah Morris.”

“Hannah. A pure-as-fuck name for a pure-as-fuck little girl who should be with her mommy and daddy rather than in the devil’s playground,” I murmured, and she straightened, tensing beneath my hold.

“I am not a little girl.” Fire shot from her narrowed eyes as she all but spit the words at me.

I pressed flush against her body, grinding my dick against her hip. “Sassy. I like a little backbone in my women.”

She gasped, her eyes going wide. “Get off me.”

To the point words, but nothing other than desire laced her voice. She made no move to escape either, her hands grasping at my shirt as though hanging on for the ride of her life.

“Twenty-one, hmm? Got proof of that?” She shook her head, and I leaned in closer, my lips a breath from hers, so fucking ready to give her that ride. “So you came in here thinking you could get a job baring your tight body and fucking that pole up on stage without an ID.”

“Yes,” she whispered even though I hadn’t asked a question, her sweet breath jerking my dick in its prison.

“Gonna cost you.”

“Wh-what?”

“Not sure yet.” My lips brushed hers like a feather, far from a kiss, and she moaned. “A kiss?” I suggested.

She swallowed, no longer tense but trembling.

“Mmm, I think so,” I murmured when she didn’t answer, lust and satisfaction simmering throughout my body. “But where?”

I pulled back, and her eyelids fluttered open, her pupils dominating the green of her eyes.

“Here?” I asked, smoothing my thumb over her plump, glossed lips.

“Here?” I brushed my knuckles down over the swell of her right tit, my dick jerking again at the hardness of her nipple beneath my grazing caress. “Or…”

I worked my hand between our bodies, down over the front of her leather skirt until I caressed the smooth, warm skin above her knee.

“Here?” I slid my palm up the inside of her thigh.

Another shudder rippled through her, and she fisted her hands in my shirt.

I rubbed my thumb in circles just shy of her pussy, need like I’d never known taking me to the edge of my self-control, a self-control I prided myself on.

“What’s it going to be, Hannah?” Ragged and low, my voice sent a shiver over her body.

“M-my lips.”

I took her mouth in a bruising kiss, tightening my hold on her neck, tilting her head and thrusting my tongue between her lips that tasted of strawberries and cream. Not just innocent, but fucking untried in every way -- she didn’t have a clue what to do with her tongue, so I showed her, sliding alongside hers, tasting, taking until she got the hang of sucking face.

She whimpered, and beyond giving a fuck how old the little temptress was, I cupped her pussy.

Hot and soaked.

Fuck.

She tore her mouth from mine and whimpered.

I licked the sweet taste of her gloss from my lips and pressed the heel of my hand against her clit.

“Oh!” Lower lip between her teeth, she clenched her eyes shut, her brow furrowing as she bucked beneath my touch.

“You like my hand on you.”

She whimpered and ground against me even though she shook her head.

“You’ll like my tongue even more.” I dropped to my knees and shoved her skirt up around her tiny waist. Pink lacy panties -- so fucking virginal, I groaned. Goose bumps pebbled her legs, and I lifted my gaze, sliding a finger along the edge of her panties and pushing them aside while grasping her ass cheek with my other hand.

Hannah still had her lower lip between her teeth, eyes clenched shut, hands fisted at her sides.

“Look at me.”

Like a good little girl, she obeyed, and I held her gaze, flicking my tongue out.

Sweeter than any fucking cotton candy I’d licked before. Addictive honey…


© Lynn Burke 2018




ABOUT LYNN BURKE:
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.


Website: https://www.authorlynnburke.com/
Blog: http://authorlynnburke.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Lynn-Burke-555282497937461/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorLynnBurke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlynnburke/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynn-burke

Spotlight on Laura M. Baird's "Shades of Sepia"!

Shades of Sepia  Cover Model, 2 Tasha Linthrop paved a path all her own by becoming a cover model and opening her own boutique. Marcus Everly is a veteran who isn’t ashamed to put his physique in front of the camera to pay the bills while pursuing his passion of working with other veterans. The two have been friends, dancing around their attraction to one another, and when they finally get together, it’s explosive. But can Marcus move beyond his doubts of being good enough for Tasha? Especially when another shows interest in her? Tasha will have to decide who holds her heart.
EP link: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/shades-of-sepia-by-laura-m-baird/Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW1L7BH?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=K0RKHP6Z8279GZPY6SC1
Amazon tiny link: https://tinyurl.com/y2ru8tje

Excerpt: Shades of Sepia
“What do you think you’re doing, Tasha?” Those slowly whispered words seemed innocent enough, but she knew there was a hint of anger in them.
“Dancing,” she returned. “What are you doing, Marcus?”
“Trying to keep you from making a mistake you’d regret.” He held her tightly to his chest, never halting their movements. And just as her hands came to rest atop his, Marcus spun her around, causing her chest to plaster against his front. Tasha swallowed a gasp as he bent his face close to hers and said, “You’re not ready for what those two have to offer.”
She struggled fruitlessly against his strong hold, her temper flaring as her teeth ground together. “What the hell would you know about what I am or am not ready for? You lost your chance to find out.”
“Is that so?” Menacing didn’t even begin to describe the tone his voice held as his eyes challenged.
“That isso,” Tasha replied, lifting her chin, her gaze never leaving his. Something dark flashed between them, and she wondered where her sanity must’ve gone when she gave him a seductive smile.
Now who’s challenging?
In a split second, Marcus crushed his lips to hers, his tongue demanding entry. Tasha opened on a whimper, surprised at the intensity of this assault on her mouth. There was no escaping as he pressed firmly to her back with one hand, the other reaching for her ass, squeezing none too gently.
But Tasha didn’t want to escape, she wanted more. Rising on the toes of her shoes, she matched his raw passion, suddenly ravenous for the man as she feasted on his rich mouth that hinted of cinnamon. Pressing into him, she clawed at his t-shirt, wishing she had his skin beneath her hands. Tasha took the excitement building from their earlier encounter and let it fuel her, let it propel her to something she knew would be glorious with this man. She managed to remove her hands from between their bodies so she could clutch his head, letting him know not to move his mouth from what it was currently doing.
Marcus growled as he continued to plunder, both hands pawing her ass and grinding their bodies together. There was no doubt his body was aroused, but he pulled away abruptly, staring at her with uncertainty.
“Tasha,” he rasped, “we’re playing with fire.”
“Do you want me or not, Marcus?” She practically panted while she massaged the tense muscles in his neck.
“Do you really need to ask?” He pressed into her, the heat of his straining erection radiating through the barrier of their clothes.
“Then why don’t we do something about it?” She gently pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him sweetly now. As much as she loved the fierce and wild, she wanted a slow burn, a lasting fire with a few explosions now and then. Okay, maybe more than just a few. And it seemed Marcus did as well as his hands gently cradled her face while he returned her kisses with such tenderness she wondered if this was the same man who had nearly come undone just moments ago.
He pulled away and stared, his eyes softening, questioning. Then he said, “Let me take you home.”


Bio: Laura M. Baird Wife, mother, former U. S. Army sergeant, and dental hygienist, I can now add published author to the list. I’m slowly transitioning out of hygiene, hoping to make writing a full-time endeavor. After writing for many years, my publishing dreams came true (at the age of 50!) in August of 2017. Since then, I’ve had the fortune to work with four publishers, connect with fantastic people, and am constantly learning on my journey. A voracious reader myself, I strive to write stories I can be proud of and enjoyed by many; ones that are not only sexy and fun, but thoughtful as well. I grew up on the East Coast and now reside on the West Coast, having lived in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Washington State. Hubby and I hope to fill our passports with stamps from many destinations, Scotland and Fiji being at the top of the list. We’ve raised two sons who make us proud. And when not writing, I’m reading, doing house projects, and simply enjoying time with hubby.
My links:
Website: https://www.laurambairdauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraMBairdauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraMBaird
Amazon page: https://tinyurl.com/y98u9mva
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y7o6a3v6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LauraMBaird
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura-m-baird
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZv584LXPIXBBzK-ERaCtaQ?view_as=subscriber
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/laurambaird
itunes/Apple: https://tinyurl.com/y8qsqa54

Wednesday's Writers Bypass Exercise

 Got Writer’s Block?
Yeah, it happens to the best of us.  Life gets in the way and your brain is taken in another direction and before you know it, it’s been days or weeks since you last looked at that book you’re trying to write.  You’ve forgotten little details.  What eye color did you give your hero?  What town was your heroine born in?  Perhaps you need to jumpstart your creative mojo, and that's what this series is designed for. Not to explain writer's block, but to help you move in a different direction.


I utilize this card a lot. I find writing the everyday routine for my characters boring as hell, but a necessary evil to get to the next interesting point in the story. So to help offset my own hair pulling, I will skip ahead and write all the cool, juicy, adventurous stuff first. If I find inspiration for the fill-in-gaps, I’ll go back and write. Many times, however, when I’m editing through what I wrote, the little details come to me and makes the writing flow better.
Another plus point to this card is that you may stumble onto a plot twist or an idea you hadn’t had, and this gives you a chance to rewrite scenes to support your new vision.



#7 Move Ahead Three Spaces
What would happen if you skipped over the next few scenes/days/years?


>Look for ways to combine scenes and locations. If your hero needs to have an argument and then go hiking, can the argument happen on the hike?


> List three events the reader might anticipate will happen in your story, such as Regionals, prom, or the wedding. Could you skip ahead to one of them?
> Think about transitions: Is there a natural way to make it clear that time has passed (e.g., Christmas trees, sunrise, graduation)?





Jumping forward give you a chance to re-center your characters in the story, and show the effects of their actions. Like a curtain between acts, it lets you change styles and settings and seasons.
Readers can often fill in what they missed, particularly when the overall patters are clear. We don’t need to see every week at Hogwarts, because we know how schools work.
If skipping scenes makes little impact on your story, that’s a clear sign you need to get rid of them.
 
Happy Writing!


  
***John August designed these cards to help writers fix plot holes, spice up stock characters and rethink your themes.  They, of course, do not guarantee you’ll get published or that you’ll become the next J.K. Rowling, and of course they are only a tool to help you think outside the box. I make no monetary gain with them nor do I expect anything in return.  I do not own the contents in these cards. If you're interested in them, here's the amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Writer-Emergency-Pack/dp/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502046610&sr=8-2&keywords=john+august