Beth D. Carter's Blog, page 56
August 13, 2015
Ravenna Tate Returns with The Weathermen 3!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!
Thank you for having me here today! J
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
I’ve always been fascinated with the Mafia. It’s rumored my maternal grandfather was part of them, but I have no concrete proof of that. Still, I am Sicilian, so it’s possible they are part of my ancestry. THE PRICE OF SECRECY is set over 100 years in the future, but that doesn’t mean organized crime can’t still exist, or in this case have enjoyed a resurgence during the chaos before everyone was forced to move underground in order to survive. So I thought it would be interesting to have both my hero and heroine hiding from the same crime family, but for very different reasons. Neither one can let the other know about their secret, but of course it has to come out at some point.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
This is a futuristic world in which both organized crime and WITSEC still exist.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Not really. I sneak in my writing when and where I can. I’d be writing all the time if I could.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
Plenty of real life experiences make it into my books, at least in part. Sometimes I’m influenced by things I’ve seen on TV or in a movie, or have read in a book. Most of it I simply make up.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
ONE NAUGHTY FANTASY is under contract with Evernight Publishing. This is part of their Romance On The Go Line and features the same three characters as in my book SNOWBOUND – Nina, Cameron, and Alex.
The Weathermen 4 – EXCLUSIVE ACCESS is also under contract.
I’ve submitted The Weathermen 5 – A SLOW-BURNING DANCE, and I’m writing a third book with Nina, Cameron, and Alex that I hope to submit to Evernight within a few days.
THE PRICE OF SECRECY -The Weathermen 3
***Click HERE to purchase directly fromEvernight Publishing***
BLURB
Angela Davidson lands her dream job with Greco Communications, but quickly learns her new boss, the enigmatic Dominic Greco, has a dark secret he works hard to conceal. Angela understands secrets because she’s been hiding one of her own for sixteen years and if it’s discovered, she will end up dead.
Dominic is part of a group of friends financing the efforts to put a stop to The Madeline Project. The program now has a mind of its own, thanks to a virus called Tommy Twister. These men have power, resources, and money, but they’re as ruthless and possessive as the storms ravaging Earth.
They call themselves the Weathermen…
ADULT EXCERPT
Angela moaned loudly into Dominic’s open mouth as his tongue parted her lips. Holy fuck this man can kiss! Her pussy was soaked, and every inch of her skin ached to touch him. She forgot where they were and pushed closer to his warm, hard body, going so far as to rub her abdomen across his erection. Holy shit. This was nothing like she’d imagined it would be, and she didn’t care if he was her brand new boss, or that they’d just had a two and a half hour lunch. She wanted to be horizontal with him in the worst fucking way.
She’d even take semi-upright. She’d bend over this table and lift her skirt if that’s what he wanted. Fuck it all. It had been way, way too long since she’d been kissed and held, and no man had ever moved his lips and tongue over hers like he was doing now. She wanted more. So much more.
When he released her mouth, she stared at him until he finally picked up her purse and handed it to her. Then he took her hand, and she simply walked, letting him lead the way. Her legs felt like jelly. His hand was so warm it made her entire body hot. She could only imagine what the rest of his skin would feel like next to hers.
They said nothing on the walk back, but she felt the lust and heat coming off him in waves. Inside the elevator, they were alone, and this was the same private elevator she’d taken before her interview. He keyed in a code, and then the floor she now worked on. It wouldn’t stop for anyone else. They had it all to themselves.
He turned toward her, and then he cupped her face and stared into her eyes with so much intensity she thought her heart would stop. “This is madness,” he whispered. “But I can’t stop.”She didn’t have a chance to ask him what his cryptic comment about this being madness meant because he pushed her up against the wall of the car and kissed her like he might never do so again. She reached for his hair, and he caught her wrists, pinning her arms overhead. The gesture was so damn sexy and dominant that she nearly came. He moved closer to her, grinding his bulge against her body until she was so damn wet she knew she’d need to change her panties.
***Other Buy Links***
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August 11, 2015
Welcome to Raven McAllan...and Cursed Treasure!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today! Thanks for inviting me over. I have cookies…gluten free, home made and tasty.
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
They shouted at me. I'm very much a pantster at the beginning and they tell me what to do and explain themselves to me. I have learned to ignore them at my peril. Sometimes, like in Lord Suitor they kindly give me a rough plot. Other times I wing it. Places I visit will sometimes give me an idea and it goes from there
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
The details about Devon are based on a village I love to visit for holidays. The whippet is based on my friend's whippet who visits and tries to push my lap top away and take its place. Also called Brodie.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Nope. I'm lucky that I can write anywhere at any time. I just open my laptop and block out what's going on. I swear one day I'm going to write a book called hotel bathroom floors I have sat on to write. I admit I travel quite a lot and they bathroom scenario is so I can write and not wake hubby up in the early hours. Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I guess it depends on what you mean my real life. I do try to think how I, or people I know would rect in certain situations. I'm writing about 200 years ago in my Regency ones so it's not real life as we know it. I do research extensively to make sure I get my facts as correct as I can.
In my present day ones there's quite a lot of my real life slips in. For instance there seems to be a lot of gluten intollerant or people who are coealiac in my present dy books, like myslef and another member of my family. Left handedness as well.
And in all my books, I often (okay most of the time) set my books in places I have either lived, live now, or visit a lot.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Where to start? I have another five books in this series, of which two more are written and three to be written. I have a Christmas contemporary short story to be published by Evernight, and have just had another Regency short accepted. My first of a two book series, The Scandalous Proposal of Lord Bennett is due out on September 9th, from Carina, and the second book as yet untitled in the New Year. Oh and I have two more books in my Diomhair series with Totally Bound to finish. Then there's the next in the Their Wives series and one more Dommissimma that's shouting loudly, both for Evernight, that I must write and the next challenge book for Siren. That doesn't include anything else that shouts at me and jumps the queue. And I really am slowing down.
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog. I consider myself very lucky. I write what I love, Evernight publish it, and people buy it and (hopefully) read it. What more can I ask for?I couldn't not write and I especially love to write Regency Romance. And oh yes, Evernight lets me. So we have the Cursed Treasure series.A family whose fortune is cursedA family whose fortune is almost gone, and have to manage very carefully.A family whose grown up children decide to ignore the curse and make their fortune grow once more. They don't want to be a burden.Strangely ( or not) this isn't a paranormal story. Only the treasure is said to be cursed. As the parchment with it says… The heart of ye child be lifting the curse—dare ye risk it…
Lord Suitor is Tessa's storyA smuggler and an aristocrat. Who should Tessa chose?Both professed their love for her, both intrigued her. How could she pick one over the other?When Tessa was accosted by a smuggler her life took a turn for the better. Or so she thought. Until Nathaniel, Lord Fenniston indicated his interest in her. She had to marry to help her family, but her loyalties are torn. Either man could be the one, but how can she decide? Torn between them, Tessa must think hard and fast.Luckily, fate has it’s own way of deciding, and Tessa had no option but to do as it dictates.
A wee tease…
Her one night of bliss, her initiation, as she thought of it, had given her a very definite opinion of what she wanted, expected, from any marriage. However, and there was the rub, how could she say to someone, I’ll only marry you if you satisfy me in the way my smuggler did? You need to make my skin tingle, my insides quiver, and my body react in a way I never thought possible, so I shout and scream my release and beg you for more? Oh and your body, when it gains its own satisfaction inside me, has to react in the same way? It was not something she could introduce into everyday conversation. It wasn't something most men would appreciate hearing. Men were such touchy creatures they wouldn't see it as a compliment on their prowess, just the opposite.Tessa stirred uneasily in her chair. During those long hours of enforced darkness, her highwayman had taught her some very interesting ways to satisfy herself. After the first few fumbling—and embarrassed at her temerity—attempts, she was happy with how to touch and tease herself until she was panting and sated. However, it wasn't the same. It is not him.Tonight though, she knew nothing she did would ease the ache deep inside her. The unexpected offer from Lord Fenniston had thrown her somewhat.Why her? Oh, they were neighbors in Devon, but he had never shown any interest in her. In fact she hadn't noticed him singling her out in any way, exactly the opposite. One occasional country dance did not show a partiality for anyone. They'd never waltzed, he'd never asked for her hand into supper, and never solicited her company at a picnic or to the theater. No, if anything, she would have thought he preferred Lady Elizabeth Cantor or Frederica Stowe. Nor did Tessa think he chose to spend time with those ladies as a smokescreen for his desire to have her as a wife. They were both too much all woman for that, and she was well aware neither would put up with such cavalier behavior.Nor would I.Somehow, Tessa accepted, as she stirred the glowing coals back into flames, Nathaniel Fenniston was not the sort of man to dissemble in that way. It wouldn't be kind to either lady, and she didn't think he would ever be deliberately unkind. No, he was an honorable man, but did that mean he was the man for her? Somehow, she needed to find out. On that sobering and complicated thought, she put the fireguard in place and took herself to bed.Yet again she dreamed of her smuggler. She felt his hands on her as he showed her how to please both him and herself. Heard his voice as he praised her efforts and moaned his appreciation. Recalled and recreated in her dreams how his body stiffened and he shouted out his completion as he spilled onto her skin. Shivered and writhed as his lips met her quim and sucked on the soft flesh there and then drew the hard nub into his mouth. She gasped as her juices gathered, ready to help her fall over the edge of sanity and reason.Tessa woke with a gasp to see the thin light of dawn creep around her curtains, and to feel the warmth and dampness of her arousal slick her skin. Her body tingled with awareness. Should she?A quick glance at the timepiece on the mantel told her she had time enough to assuage her needs.Tessa stretched out to fumble in her nearby sewing basket, to retrieve something she had secreted there.A few days after her encounter with the smuggler she'd found a package in her bedside cabinet. She had no idea where it had come from, or who had placed it where she would see it so readily. The outside wrapper merely had her name on, and the cryptic message "for your eyes only."Puzzled she ripped the paper and unwrapped the fine lawn material that covered the contents. It was a smooth, wooden darning mushroom, with a note attached to it.When she read the words, Tessa didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Inscribed in a very elegant hand it said: Close your eyes and run your fingers over this. Now imagine what it feels like and use it accordingly until we meet again.Intrigued, Tessa had done as directed and discovered it was the perfect facsimile of a male staff. "Pego" her smuggler had called it as he taught her how to fondle and taste. At first she'd held it and stroked it, until her mind played games on her. A few nights later, her dreams included him, his pego, and his hands showing her how indeed a humble darning mushroom was the perfect substitute for a man. No, not perfect, she amended, adequate.
where to buy... http://www.evernightpublishing.com/lord-suitor-by-raven-mcallan/http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Suitor-Cursed-Treasure-Book-ebook/dp/B013JE0MY2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1438917267&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Raven+MvAllanhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Suitor-Cursed-Treasure-Book-ebook/dp/B013JE0MY2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1438917267&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Raven+MvAllan
(the prequel, Compromised, tells how Mijo escapes from France with the treasure, it's a free read.) www.evernightpublishing.com/compromised-by-raven-mcallan/
you can find me at www.ravenmcallan.com
Happy Reading
Love R x
August 9, 2015
Q & A with L.D. Blakeley
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!
Thank you for having me back to talk about Opportunity Knocks. This release means so much to me since, not only is it the first novel in my Laissez Faire series, it’s actually my FIRST full novel.
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
My characters are actually based on two people I encountered last summer. I was selling jewellery at a music & art fair and a young man came into my tent who simply sparkled with personality – he was an absolute charmer. His look and his demeanor very quickly became Tommy, my MC#1. The other young man, I only saw from a distance. But his look (and his security guard uniform) didn’t take long evolving into a full-fledged MC#2, Gill.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
Fun Fact #1: the Laissez Faire is based on a real life event, The Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Northern Ontario.
Fun Fact #2: the Townehouse (where our gorgeous boys officially meet for the first time) is a real bar, where my husband’s band used to play, many moons ago.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Beyond complete and total caffeination, not really. I prefer to write in silence, which is supremely ironic if you ask anyone who knows me. And I tend to send a lot of emails (from my phone) to myself with snippets of dialogue of bits of story ideas. I also keep a notebook in my purse because I’m pretty bad at keeping my phone charged.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I people-watch like nobody’s business. So I’m always taking something from real life and adding it into my stories. Usually, it’s just a personality quirk, or a speech pattern, something small. I think Opportunity Knocks has quite a bit more, though, as the entire series sprang to life while I was actually at a music & art fair and had the chance to watch so many different types of people milling about all weekend long. From there, the people I saw, and the locale itself, easily became part of the narrative.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I have a short story, titled Destined, coming out August 22 in Evernight Publishing’s Bad Alpha Manlove anthology. And I’m currently working on Laissez Faire #2, which is as-of-yet untitled. I also have at least one (possibly two) more stories that need to be told in this series. So, hopefully, folks will love these characters as much as I do. J
Opportunity Knocks (Laissez Faire #1) by L.D. Blakeley
Available: August 5, 2015Publisher: Evernight PublishingISBN: 978-1-77233-450-0
BLURB
Small-town security guard, Gill Martin, has lived in Mystique Pointe his entire life. His dating prospects are non-existent and he doesn't particularly like his job, but at least it's better than unemployment. Besides, he hasn't got any better ideas.
Big-city artist, Tommy Hearne, knows exactly what he wants out of life: a successful art career and a successful relationship. He also knows that living in Liberty City is his best chance for pursuing both. Unfortunately, for him, neither of these pursuits seem to be panning out quite to his liking.
When Tommy and his misfit band of friends roll into town for the Laissez Faire, Mystique Pointe's annual music & art festival, worlds definitely collide. A fiery tryst sparks more than just a lust connection, but what happens when the weekend is over?
EXCERPT
Tommy followed closely behind Gill as they made their way out to the parking lot. He did a quick head count and realized that there were only five of them and that lap-sitting wasn’t going to be on the menu after all. But when Kat took out her keys to trigger the unlock remote and Tommy saw the responding lights on a tiny Fiat 500, he almost cheered. There was barely room for two grown men in the back seat. Good thing he was willing to make the sacrifice and let the others ride in comfort.
“Amy, why don’t you sit up front?” Kat had opened the driver-side door and was about to climb in when she added, “You can pull the seat forward and let the two leggy boys have a bit more room. Sorry, Tommy—looks like you’re gonna have to squeeze in on top.”
Tommy had never been so happy to be the short man out. He waited to see which side of the car Alec chose, and made sure he was at the opposite door. And when Gill climbed in, his T-shirt rucked up slightly, giving Tommy the most delicious glimpse of skin above the most perfect denim-clad bubble butt he’d ever seen. Oh, thank goodness for well-lit parking lots.
“You getting in?” Gill had an expression on his face Tommy was unable to read. Although, if it they’d been working with a bit more than car lot lights, he was sure he’d be able to see another blush staining that handsome face.
Poking his head inside the car, he carefully leaned across Gill’s lap and braced himself on Alec’s leg before climbing in entirely and sitting carefully on top of Gill. There really wasn’t a lot of room in Kat’s car. Despite only being five-foot-eight, Tommy still had to keep his head ducked down to avoid bashing his skull against the roof. He also used it as more excuse to snuggle down closer to Gill. But, hey—not my fault the girl drives a Fiat!
“Sorry it’s such close quarters guys. The car was a graduation gift from my grandparents. I wouldn’t have picked it, but who says no to a free car, right?” Kat caught Tommy’s eye in the rearview mirror and winked. Yeah. Definitely not his girlfriend. Tommy didn’t get the feeling she was upset about his crawling all over Gill. Potential matchmaker, maybe? “Luckily the campground isn’t that far, so you won’t have to suffer long.”
“I don’t mind. Really.” Tommy wriggled slightly and rested his fingers at the back of Gill’s neck. It couldn’t be classed as a grope. He still wasn’t a hundred percent sure if that would even be welcomed. But it was a touch, and a delicate one at that. And it was enough for Tommy to feel the shiver that it elicited from Gill.
“Sorry, Gill. Hope I’m not crushing you.”
“Oh. No. You’re fine.” Gill’s voice was low and slightly hitched. His glasses had started to creep down his nose and Tommy reached up, without thinking, to adjust them.
“Don’t want to lose those.” They were so close that, had it been a colder night, Tommy’s breath would have fogged Gill’s lenses. And, fuck, didn’t that send indecent thoughts straight to his groin. Images of fogging up the car windows with Gill or, to be precise, images of what they might be doing in order to cause said situation, sent a message straight to Tommy’s dick. He fidgeted slightly, not wanting to reach down and adjust the hard-on he’d hoped he could keep at bay.
He was about to fidget again when the sound of Gill clearing his throat distracted him slightly from the problem at hand. And alerted him to another. Of course, describing the feeling of Gill’s answering erection under his ass as a problem couldn’t have been further from wrong. Gloriously, heroically magnificent, perhaps. But not a problem.
Tommy turned slightly to make eye contact with Gill but found the other man uncomfortably looking in the other direction. He twisted slightly, making sure his ass did a slow grind into Gill’s crotch as he did so. Yep. That got his attention.
WHERE TO BUY
✽ Amazon Canada
✽ Amazon UK
✽ Amazon US
✽ ARe
✽ BookStrand
✽ Evernight Publishing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A pragmatist with a romantic soul & a dirty mind, L.D. is a fan of horror movies, hot sex, and Happily Ever Afters. Easily distracted by shiny things, she’s a slightly neurotic, highly ambitious dreamer who enjoys dabbling in photography & pretending she can carry a tune.
In another life, L.D. was a newspaper reporter, an entertainment & music writer, travel writer, website content editor, and a marketing shill. Now she prefers to spend her time writing hot, steamy fiction (with a healthy dose of romance) about intriguing, sexy men. Of course, whether these pretty boys end up between the sheets with other gorgeous lads or up against a wall with a spicy and spirited heroine, all depends on which direction her imagination takes her on any given day.
Although she dreams of living some place isolated with an endless supply of wine and an infinite number of titles on her eReader, she currently lives in down-town Toronto with her husband and their rock star cat.You can find her online pretty much everywhere: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Goodreads, her Amazon Author page, her blog, and her official website.
Thank you for having me back to talk about Opportunity Knocks. This release means so much to me since, not only is it the first novel in my Laissez Faire series, it’s actually my FIRST full novel.
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
My characters are actually based on two people I encountered last summer. I was selling jewellery at a music & art fair and a young man came into my tent who simply sparkled with personality – he was an absolute charmer. His look and his demeanor very quickly became Tommy, my MC#1. The other young man, I only saw from a distance. But his look (and his security guard uniform) didn’t take long evolving into a full-fledged MC#2, Gill.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
Fun Fact #1: the Laissez Faire is based on a real life event, The Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Northern Ontario.
Fun Fact #2: the Townehouse (where our gorgeous boys officially meet for the first time) is a real bar, where my husband’s band used to play, many moons ago.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Beyond complete and total caffeination, not really. I prefer to write in silence, which is supremely ironic if you ask anyone who knows me. And I tend to send a lot of emails (from my phone) to myself with snippets of dialogue of bits of story ideas. I also keep a notebook in my purse because I’m pretty bad at keeping my phone charged.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I people-watch like nobody’s business. So I’m always taking something from real life and adding it into my stories. Usually, it’s just a personality quirk, or a speech pattern, something small. I think Opportunity Knocks has quite a bit more, though, as the entire series sprang to life while I was actually at a music & art fair and had the chance to watch so many different types of people milling about all weekend long. From there, the people I saw, and the locale itself, easily became part of the narrative.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
I have a short story, titled Destined, coming out August 22 in Evernight Publishing’s Bad Alpha Manlove anthology. And I’m currently working on Laissez Faire #2, which is as-of-yet untitled. I also have at least one (possibly two) more stories that need to be told in this series. So, hopefully, folks will love these characters as much as I do. J
Opportunity Knocks (Laissez Faire #1) by L.D. Blakeley
Available: August 5, 2015Publisher: Evernight PublishingISBN: 978-1-77233-450-0
BLURB
Small-town security guard, Gill Martin, has lived in Mystique Pointe his entire life. His dating prospects are non-existent and he doesn't particularly like his job, but at least it's better than unemployment. Besides, he hasn't got any better ideas.
Big-city artist, Tommy Hearne, knows exactly what he wants out of life: a successful art career and a successful relationship. He also knows that living in Liberty City is his best chance for pursuing both. Unfortunately, for him, neither of these pursuits seem to be panning out quite to his liking.
When Tommy and his misfit band of friends roll into town for the Laissez Faire, Mystique Pointe's annual music & art festival, worlds definitely collide. A fiery tryst sparks more than just a lust connection, but what happens when the weekend is over?
EXCERPT
Tommy followed closely behind Gill as they made their way out to the parking lot. He did a quick head count and realized that there were only five of them and that lap-sitting wasn’t going to be on the menu after all. But when Kat took out her keys to trigger the unlock remote and Tommy saw the responding lights on a tiny Fiat 500, he almost cheered. There was barely room for two grown men in the back seat. Good thing he was willing to make the sacrifice and let the others ride in comfort.
“Amy, why don’t you sit up front?” Kat had opened the driver-side door and was about to climb in when she added, “You can pull the seat forward and let the two leggy boys have a bit more room. Sorry, Tommy—looks like you’re gonna have to squeeze in on top.”
Tommy had never been so happy to be the short man out. He waited to see which side of the car Alec chose, and made sure he was at the opposite door. And when Gill climbed in, his T-shirt rucked up slightly, giving Tommy the most delicious glimpse of skin above the most perfect denim-clad bubble butt he’d ever seen. Oh, thank goodness for well-lit parking lots.
“You getting in?” Gill had an expression on his face Tommy was unable to read. Although, if it they’d been working with a bit more than car lot lights, he was sure he’d be able to see another blush staining that handsome face.
Poking his head inside the car, he carefully leaned across Gill’s lap and braced himself on Alec’s leg before climbing in entirely and sitting carefully on top of Gill. There really wasn’t a lot of room in Kat’s car. Despite only being five-foot-eight, Tommy still had to keep his head ducked down to avoid bashing his skull against the roof. He also used it as more excuse to snuggle down closer to Gill. But, hey—not my fault the girl drives a Fiat!
“Sorry it’s such close quarters guys. The car was a graduation gift from my grandparents. I wouldn’t have picked it, but who says no to a free car, right?” Kat caught Tommy’s eye in the rearview mirror and winked. Yeah. Definitely not his girlfriend. Tommy didn’t get the feeling she was upset about his crawling all over Gill. Potential matchmaker, maybe? “Luckily the campground isn’t that far, so you won’t have to suffer long.”
“I don’t mind. Really.” Tommy wriggled slightly and rested his fingers at the back of Gill’s neck. It couldn’t be classed as a grope. He still wasn’t a hundred percent sure if that would even be welcomed. But it was a touch, and a delicate one at that. And it was enough for Tommy to feel the shiver that it elicited from Gill.
“Sorry, Gill. Hope I’m not crushing you.”
“Oh. No. You’re fine.” Gill’s voice was low and slightly hitched. His glasses had started to creep down his nose and Tommy reached up, without thinking, to adjust them.
“Don’t want to lose those.” They were so close that, had it been a colder night, Tommy’s breath would have fogged Gill’s lenses. And, fuck, didn’t that send indecent thoughts straight to his groin. Images of fogging up the car windows with Gill or, to be precise, images of what they might be doing in order to cause said situation, sent a message straight to Tommy’s dick. He fidgeted slightly, not wanting to reach down and adjust the hard-on he’d hoped he could keep at bay.
He was about to fidget again when the sound of Gill clearing his throat distracted him slightly from the problem at hand. And alerted him to another. Of course, describing the feeling of Gill’s answering erection under his ass as a problem couldn’t have been further from wrong. Gloriously, heroically magnificent, perhaps. But not a problem.
Tommy turned slightly to make eye contact with Gill but found the other man uncomfortably looking in the other direction. He twisted slightly, making sure his ass did a slow grind into Gill’s crotch as he did so. Yep. That got his attention.
WHERE TO BUY
✽ Amazon Canada
✽ Amazon UK
✽ Amazon US
✽ ARe
✽ BookStrand
✽ Evernight Publishing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A pragmatist with a romantic soul & a dirty mind, L.D. is a fan of horror movies, hot sex, and Happily Ever Afters. Easily distracted by shiny things, she’s a slightly neurotic, highly ambitious dreamer who enjoys dabbling in photography & pretending she can carry a tune.
In another life, L.D. was a newspaper reporter, an entertainment & music writer, travel writer, website content editor, and a marketing shill. Now she prefers to spend her time writing hot, steamy fiction (with a healthy dose of romance) about intriguing, sexy men. Of course, whether these pretty boys end up between the sheets with other gorgeous lads or up against a wall with a spicy and spirited heroine, all depends on which direction her imagination takes her on any given day.
Although she dreams of living some place isolated with an endless supply of wine and an infinite number of titles on her eReader, she currently lives in down-town Toronto with her husband and their rock star cat.You can find her online pretty much everywhere: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Goodreads, her Amazon Author page, her blog, and her official website.
August 8, 2015
Wren Michaels Visits Today!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
Well, I actually based Jake Griffin on Josh Groban. LOL I have been obsessed with that man forever and decided to put him in one of my stories. As for Emma, well I wanted to do something different in the paranormal world outside of vampires, witches, weres etc. So I went with old-world Gypsy magick and built it from there. Dragos kind of came out of nowhere and was the first shifter I ever wrote about.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
Well this will be a spoiler . So AVERT THINE EYES if you don't want to be privy to info before you read it. But in the original version of ELUDING ILLUSIONS, I killed off Dragos completely. Only after my CP's gave me several lashings about it did I work him back into the story. So if you liked the Dragos character, thank my CP's, Jennifer and Sonia.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Music is my go-to muse. I try to use cultural based music for my diverse characters to help me channel the feel of the setting and people.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
Well this one had a bit because of my love for Josh Groban. So a lot of Jake's nuances and comic relief are a result of Josh's funny personality.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Well I'm deep into the writing cave now, working on a couple different projects. I left my naughty fairy tales open for some follow up books, so I'll be tackling those soon!
Blurb
Emma Banciu dreams about her novels taking on a life of their own. Thanks to a centuries old Gypsy curse, they tend to do just that. Writing with pen and paper she brings things to life, and hell hath no fury like an antagonist scorned. Now she's on the run from Kyrin, an evil demon warlord who surfaced from one of her first manuscripts. And the only way to get rid of him is to destroy the manuscript.
Enter JG1988, her long-time online friend. He knows nothing of the curse nor the magick Emma possesses. His only wish is to finally meet her in person and take their relationship to the next level. He reveals a surprise of his own when he shows up at Emma's door as international recording artist
Jake Griffin.
Destroying the manuscript will not only get rid of Kyrin, but also end her relationship with Jake. But keeping secrets from him may end up doing just that. In order to survive they'll resort to love, lies, and a little Gypsy magick.
Buy Links Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand |Evernight Publishing | iBooks | Smashwords | Goodreads
Excerpt Jake lead herintotheadjoiningroomwhereababygrandpianosatinthecorner.Turningthepianobenchsideways,he satbackand motioned for her to sit in front of him. His arms slid alongside her shoulders as he reachedoutfortheivorybars, and he tightened his legs against her outer thighs. The heat radiating off him surrounded Emma like a blanket of safety. Shesnuggledupagainsthischestashisfingerstickledthekeys.Succumbingto the enchanting melody, her eyes fell closed.Hischestpressedagainstherback,risingandfallingashesangout the verses hewrotejustforher,simplytitled,Emma'sSong. The wordstookherbreathawayhowhespokesolovinglyofherthroughsong.Eachrefrainmorepassionfilledthantheonebefore,pouringhisheartoutwitheachnote.The emotions wellingupinsideconfusedher,assheletherselfbecomeentrancedbyhisbaritone voice.Fear and happiness pooled in her eyes, releasing in tears that slid over her cheeks.Theymetforthefirsttimetonightinpersonyetitfeltliketheyhadknowneachotheralltheirlives.Theirelectronicrelationshipmanifestingintosomethingrealandtangibleexcitedher,butalsoscaredhertodeath.The keysstoppeddancing,andtheroomheldasilencemarredonlybytheheavingofJake's breath.Reopeninghereyes,Emma turnedherheadtowardhim.Hisfingertipspressedagainstherjawline,guidingherheadas heleanedin.Theirlipsmetwithacautioustenderness.Sheswungherbodyaroundontheseat,raisingherhandstoencompasshisneck.Hepulledhercloser, partingherlipsasheswepthistongueoverhers.Aninnateachepulsedthroughher,takingoverherself-control.Hisverytouchtingledeverynervealongtheway.She slippedherfingersthroughthebackofhiswavyhair,massaginghisheadinrhythmwiththeir exploratorykisses.Hisbreathinggrewheavier,ashecradledherinhisarms.A startlingmixtureofsharpchordsrangoutthroughtheairasherbacklandedagainstthekeys.SoftlaughterdancedthroughtheirkissasJake pickedherupbythe hipsoffthebenchandplacedherontopofthebabygrand.Herchestheavedinsuccessionwiththethumpingofherheart.Hestaredatherwithsuchintentshe'dneverseen.Hisintense eyeshypnotizedher,holdinghergaze.“I'vepicturedthisathousandtimes,butnothingcomparestotheactualtasteofyourlips,” hewhispered,ashelaidherback,brushingthe chestnut locksofhairfromherface.Lush lipscaressedherneck,kissingthedelicateskindowntheplungingnecklineofherdress.Wordsmadenosense. Theycirculatedin herhead,jumbledbytheemotionscoursingthroughher.Herbodyachedforhimtotakehercompletelyashishandscaressedthelengthofherbody,exploringeveryinchofher,memorizingeverycurve.She dreamed about this moment. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her head screamed no, she'd only hurt him. But her heart shouted louder as she let her fingers ride up the length of his forearms, pressing against the hard muscle.“As breathtaking as you look sprawled across my piano, I have a better idea,” he whispered. Pulling her to him, he slid her off the piano. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her to the sofa, laying her beneath him. Carefully, he slid the silken dress above her hips, exposing her stomach where he decorated her skin with the warmth of his tongue and lips. A shiver climbed her spine releasing itself in a vocal aching of want and need.
Author Bio:
Wren Michaels hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet, and carried her away below the Mason-Dixon line where she promptly lost all tolerance for snow and cold. They decided they'd make beautiful babies together and they got it right on the first try. Now Wren lives happily ever after in the real world and in the worlds of her making, where she creates book boyfriends for the masses to crave.
Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page | Website | Tsu | Goodreads
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
Well, I actually based Jake Griffin on Josh Groban. LOL I have been obsessed with that man forever and decided to put him in one of my stories. As for Emma, well I wanted to do something different in the paranormal world outside of vampires, witches, weres etc. So I went with old-world Gypsy magick and built it from there. Dragos kind of came out of nowhere and was the first shifter I ever wrote about.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
Well this will be a spoiler . So AVERT THINE EYES if you don't want to be privy to info before you read it. But in the original version of ELUDING ILLUSIONS, I killed off Dragos completely. Only after my CP's gave me several lashings about it did I work him back into the story. So if you liked the Dragos character, thank my CP's, Jennifer and Sonia.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Music is my go-to muse. I try to use cultural based music for my diverse characters to help me channel the feel of the setting and people.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
Well this one had a bit because of my love for Josh Groban. So a lot of Jake's nuances and comic relief are a result of Josh's funny personality.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Well I'm deep into the writing cave now, working on a couple different projects. I left my naughty fairy tales open for some follow up books, so I'll be tackling those soon!
Blurb
Emma Banciu dreams about her novels taking on a life of their own. Thanks to a centuries old Gypsy curse, they tend to do just that. Writing with pen and paper she brings things to life, and hell hath no fury like an antagonist scorned. Now she's on the run from Kyrin, an evil demon warlord who surfaced from one of her first manuscripts. And the only way to get rid of him is to destroy the manuscript.
Enter JG1988, her long-time online friend. He knows nothing of the curse nor the magick Emma possesses. His only wish is to finally meet her in person and take their relationship to the next level. He reveals a surprise of his own when he shows up at Emma's door as international recording artist
Jake Griffin.
Destroying the manuscript will not only get rid of Kyrin, but also end her relationship with Jake. But keeping secrets from him may end up doing just that. In order to survive they'll resort to love, lies, and a little Gypsy magick.
Buy Links Amazon | Amazon UK | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand |Evernight Publishing | iBooks | Smashwords | Goodreads
Excerpt Jake lead herintotheadjoiningroomwhereababygrandpianosatinthecorner.Turningthepianobenchsideways,he satbackand motioned for her to sit in front of him. His arms slid alongside her shoulders as he reachedoutfortheivorybars, and he tightened his legs against her outer thighs. The heat radiating off him surrounded Emma like a blanket of safety. Shesnuggledupagainsthischestashisfingerstickledthekeys.Succumbingto the enchanting melody, her eyes fell closed.Hischestpressedagainstherback,risingandfallingashesangout the verses hewrotejustforher,simplytitled,Emma'sSong. The wordstookherbreathawayhowhespokesolovinglyofherthroughsong.Eachrefrainmorepassionfilledthantheonebefore,pouringhisheartoutwitheachnote.The emotions wellingupinsideconfusedher,assheletherselfbecomeentrancedbyhisbaritone voice.Fear and happiness pooled in her eyes, releasing in tears that slid over her cheeks.Theymetforthefirsttimetonightinpersonyetitfeltliketheyhadknowneachotheralltheirlives.Theirelectronicrelationshipmanifestingintosomethingrealandtangibleexcitedher,butalsoscaredhertodeath.The keysstoppeddancing,andtheroomheldasilencemarredonlybytheheavingofJake's breath.Reopeninghereyes,Emma turnedherheadtowardhim.Hisfingertipspressedagainstherjawline,guidingherheadas heleanedin.Theirlipsmetwithacautioustenderness.Sheswungherbodyaroundontheseat,raisingherhandstoencompasshisneck.Hepulledhercloser, partingherlipsasheswepthistongueoverhers.Aninnateachepulsedthroughher,takingoverherself-control.Hisverytouchtingledeverynervealongtheway.She slippedherfingersthroughthebackofhiswavyhair,massaginghisheadinrhythmwiththeir exploratorykisses.Hisbreathinggrewheavier,ashecradledherinhisarms.A startlingmixtureofsharpchordsrangoutthroughtheairasherbacklandedagainstthekeys.SoftlaughterdancedthroughtheirkissasJake pickedherupbythe hipsoffthebenchandplacedherontopofthebabygrand.Herchestheavedinsuccessionwiththethumpingofherheart.Hestaredatherwithsuchintentshe'dneverseen.Hisintense eyeshypnotizedher,holdinghergaze.“I'vepicturedthisathousandtimes,butnothingcomparestotheactualtasteofyourlips,” hewhispered,ashelaidherback,brushingthe chestnut locksofhairfromherface.Lush lipscaressedherneck,kissingthedelicateskindowntheplungingnecklineofherdress.Wordsmadenosense. Theycirculatedin herhead,jumbledbytheemotionscoursingthroughher.Herbodyachedforhimtotakehercompletelyashishandscaressedthelengthofherbody,exploringeveryinchofher,memorizingeverycurve.She dreamed about this moment. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her head screamed no, she'd only hurt him. But her heart shouted louder as she let her fingers ride up the length of his forearms, pressing against the hard muscle.“As breathtaking as you look sprawled across my piano, I have a better idea,” he whispered. Pulling her to him, he slid her off the piano. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her to the sofa, laying her beneath him. Carefully, he slid the silken dress above her hips, exposing her stomach where he decorated her skin with the warmth of his tongue and lips. A shiver climbed her spine releasing itself in a vocal aching of want and need.
Author Bio:
Wren Michaels hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet, and carried her away below the Mason-Dixon line where she promptly lost all tolerance for snow and cold. They decided they'd make beautiful babies together and they got it right on the first try. Now Wren lives happily ever after in the real world and in the worlds of her making, where she creates book boyfriends for the masses to crave.
Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page | Website | Tsu | Goodreads
August 2, 2015
Q & A with Cait Jarrod from the "Girl Code" Anthology!
Welcome Cait Jarrod! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly and showcasing "Girl Code"!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters? -They come to me from different avenues, like television personalities, the news, and people I come across. Any colorful character I come across or a good line I hear, I’m taking notes.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book? -I have an interesting one. I went to the movies to see American Sniper with my husband at the planning stages of FAITH. Chris Kyle was such an inspiration that I added him as an inspiration to the hero’s brother’s saga. His sacrifice, along with all military men and woman and their families have my respect and gratitude.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind? -Not really. Let me rephrase, right now, I don’t, but I do love writing early in the morning. Just give me a cup of coffee and the writing flows.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books? -In some stories, I’ve referenced real-life a lot. Between places I’ve lived near or visited to family member’s occupations, I’ve managed to incorporate some part of my life into every book. My debut book, Kidnapped Hearts, my husband’s law enforcement experience came into play. The setting of the novel takes place near where I grew up. In Entangled Love, the advertising executive heroine derived from one of my daughter’s jobs. The location, Santa Monica California, came to life because of a family vacation.
Q) What are your upcoming projects? -I’m working on a romantic series that takes place in Montana; the series aptly named Montana Dreams. Here is DIVINE’s, book one of the series, blurb:
A friends to lovers story.When Matt Carson runs his thirteen-year-old grief-stricken heart to his favorite spot along the river to be alone and think, a fiery red head invades. From a life-saving feat to a first kiss, Trina Lovett turns his life upside down and he likes.
Fast-forward ten years, Matt is in the United States Marines station overseas and Trina is in college to become doctor. Until now, they’ve kept in constant contact. But when the communication cease and her mother insists Trina date a man more worthy, someone with status, loneliness gives into what every fiber in her body screams not to. She allows him to put a ring on her finger.
But Matt returns home…is his love and passion strong enough to survive? Is the power that ignited in Trina the day she met him so resilient she’ll move beyond misfortune and her parents’ smothering to find her way back to him?All proceeds from sales are going to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Introduction by Julie Ann Walker.
Girl Code blurb: Four best friends struggle with decisions that affect their lives, their hearts, and their futures. As sisters, they embrace the Girl Code. HOPE
Josephine "Joey" Lockhart escapes her past, herself and her home town of Pearl, Ohio to Florida after high school. Years later, she meets a man that refuses to let her hide behind her camera lens and encourages her out of her shell. Will he be the one to push her to feel for the first time? LIVE
After seven years in drug hell, detoxing Juliette "Juls" Carrington returns to her hometown Pearl to attend her grandmother's burial. Once more rejected by her family, she has a swim in a pond nearby when a mysterious camper, an ex-drunk, coaxes her to come to his hut in the woods. Together they must fight their inner demons for a chance to love...and live. FAITH
Selena Bodine escaped into the United States Air Force to leave behind a painful past and the one man who she refused to let herself love. Years later, an urgent call from her father brings her back to Pearl, Ohio and face to face with the man she still loves. But will the secret that Cullen is investigating her threaten their second chance? PERSISTENCE
Laydi Michaels has been running away from her past and bad memories for years. Finding herself wasn’t an easy task, but she’s managed to finally get to a point to where she wants to be. Only to wake up married to her boss….who fired her the night before. Wrapped in a case that puts her life in danger, and dealing with a grave situation back home in Pearl, Laydi figures out she wasn’t close to finding herself, and now, she’s risked everything.
5 star Goodreads review! It's not often you read an anthology and truly love every story in it but I really did. These four authors are amazing women who I'm sure will continue to give us well written, heart warming, action packed, and steamy love stories for years to come.
Author bios and contacts: Cait Jarrod
"I write what I love to read - Romantic Suspense/Mystery- I love writing and creating the meet-cue (the point where the hero and heroine meet) to the blossoming of the romance. Add a suspenseful plot or a good mystery to the equation and the perfect book is born to curl up to and lose yourself in, taking you away from reality, troubles."
As a child, I entertained myself for hours playing pretend, but not with dolls and such. I created stories and pictured them in my mind, sometimes even acted them out, my well preserved secret until now. I spent years after leaving school trying to figure out my niche. Not being a literary enthusiast, I never thought my childhood pastime would lead in this direction.
In life, one door closes and another opens, so I'm told. This was true for me. I lost my mother, my best friend, to cancer. After a year without her, I picked up her favorite hobby...reading. After one book, a romantic suspense, I was hooked. In the past, I'd fall asleep after a few minutes of reading. Now, books rank up there with a good red wine. It didn't take long for my childhood muse to come back in adult version urging me to put the scenes in my head on paper.
I hope I have provided you with the escape similar to the ones I conjured in childhood and rediscovered as an adult, and I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I have loved creating them.
Cait's debut novel, Kidnapped Hearts won awards in the categories of Best Happily Ever After and Best Suspense. Cait lives in Virginia with her husband and three daughters.
Find Cait at: Cait’s Classy Chicks Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/629181983825796/ Cait's Newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/76093C2B11569E7C Website:http://caitjarrod.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cait-Jarrod-Author/500705936640529?ref=hl Twitterhttps://twitter.com/CaitJarrod Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caitjarrod/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966274.Cait_Jarrod Google+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/+CaitJarrod/posts email: cait.jarrod@aol.com
D.C. Stone
"I write romantic suspense because I can connect with it, and love the thrill of kicking ass and being sexy while you're at it."
D.C. Stone is an e-book author and full-time fraud investigator when she isn’t diving into the world of Fiction. After serving eight years of service with the United States Air Force, she went on to transition into the world of Financial Crimes and became a lead investigator for many years. When she isn’t trying to solve a new puzzle in the world of fraud, she is engulfed with coffee, her laptop, and all those crazy characters in her head. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, Kiss of Death, and the Liberty State Fiction Writers. Come stop by on Facebook, Twitter or her website and say hello!
Find DC at: Website: http://www.authordcstone.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorDCStone Twitter: https://twitter.com/DCStoneauthor Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541023.D_C_Stone
Jessica Jayne
"My writing interests vary much like my reading interests. Though I mainly write romance type novels with a spicy twist, I have lived what some might call a suspenseful life. As a survivor of stalking and sexual assault, I learned the ins and outs of the legal system pretty quickly. It helped to precipitate my interest in getting my law degree... that and the fact that I grew up around attorneys. So adding suspense to my writing is no big surprise to me or anyone that knows me."
I am a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English because I could not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing. It is such a pleasure to be able to share all the stories in my head!
In the journey of life, I got my law degree (and license) and also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always an adventure.
I love to read and write... obviously! I’m a huge sports fan, especially college football and the Ohio State Buckeyes! Go Steelers! Go Rays! Go Lightning! I LOVE to travel... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to travel. And I love sharing my love to travel with my children. Did I say I love to travel? I love to drink coffee in the morning and tea at night! I love a good glass of wine, especially if it comes from a bottle made by the FOOLS wine club… yep, I’m a founding member of that crazy group! J I love hanging out with my family and my friends! Music makes me happy. I’m a mix between country girl and city chic. But I love nothing more than putting on my jean shorts, tank top, cowboy boots and hat and watching Tim McGraw or Eric Church belt it out! I’m a sucker for a cowboy hat! J
Favorite quote: “If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.”
Find Jessica at: Website: http://jessicajayneauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jessica-Jayne/388268367912903 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJayne13 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545547.Jessica_Jayne Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thejessicajayne/
Lea Bronsen
"I love how well-chosen words can make your heart beat a little faster."
Lea Bronsen likes her reads fast, hot, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and erotic contemporary romance.
She is signed with Evernight Publishing, Decadent Publishing, and Insatiable Press.
Find Lea at: Website: http://leabronsen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeaBronsen Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeaBronsen Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966248.Lea_Bronsen Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lea-Bronsen/e/B00BTFT8KS Email: leabronsen@yahoo.com
Girl Code Print Copy Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters? -They come to me from different avenues, like television personalities, the news, and people I come across. Any colorful character I come across or a good line I hear, I’m taking notes.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book? -I have an interesting one. I went to the movies to see American Sniper with my husband at the planning stages of FAITH. Chris Kyle was such an inspiration that I added him as an inspiration to the hero’s brother’s saga. His sacrifice, along with all military men and woman and their families have my respect and gratitude.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind? -Not really. Let me rephrase, right now, I don’t, but I do love writing early in the morning. Just give me a cup of coffee and the writing flows.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books? -In some stories, I’ve referenced real-life a lot. Between places I’ve lived near or visited to family member’s occupations, I’ve managed to incorporate some part of my life into every book. My debut book, Kidnapped Hearts, my husband’s law enforcement experience came into play. The setting of the novel takes place near where I grew up. In Entangled Love, the advertising executive heroine derived from one of my daughter’s jobs. The location, Santa Monica California, came to life because of a family vacation.
Q) What are your upcoming projects? -I’m working on a romantic series that takes place in Montana; the series aptly named Montana Dreams. Here is DIVINE’s, book one of the series, blurb:
A friends to lovers story.When Matt Carson runs his thirteen-year-old grief-stricken heart to his favorite spot along the river to be alone and think, a fiery red head invades. From a life-saving feat to a first kiss, Trina Lovett turns his life upside down and he likes.
Fast-forward ten years, Matt is in the United States Marines station overseas and Trina is in college to become doctor. Until now, they’ve kept in constant contact. But when the communication cease and her mother insists Trina date a man more worthy, someone with status, loneliness gives into what every fiber in her body screams not to. She allows him to put a ring on her finger.
But Matt returns home…is his love and passion strong enough to survive? Is the power that ignited in Trina the day she met him so resilient she’ll move beyond misfortune and her parents’ smothering to find her way back to him?All proceeds from sales are going to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Introduction by Julie Ann Walker.
Girl Code blurb: Four best friends struggle with decisions that affect their lives, their hearts, and their futures. As sisters, they embrace the Girl Code. HOPE
Josephine "Joey" Lockhart escapes her past, herself and her home town of Pearl, Ohio to Florida after high school. Years later, she meets a man that refuses to let her hide behind her camera lens and encourages her out of her shell. Will he be the one to push her to feel for the first time? LIVE
After seven years in drug hell, detoxing Juliette "Juls" Carrington returns to her hometown Pearl to attend her grandmother's burial. Once more rejected by her family, she has a swim in a pond nearby when a mysterious camper, an ex-drunk, coaxes her to come to his hut in the woods. Together they must fight their inner demons for a chance to love...and live. FAITH
Selena Bodine escaped into the United States Air Force to leave behind a painful past and the one man who she refused to let herself love. Years later, an urgent call from her father brings her back to Pearl, Ohio and face to face with the man she still loves. But will the secret that Cullen is investigating her threaten their second chance? PERSISTENCE
Laydi Michaels has been running away from her past and bad memories for years. Finding herself wasn’t an easy task, but she’s managed to finally get to a point to where she wants to be. Only to wake up married to her boss….who fired her the night before. Wrapped in a case that puts her life in danger, and dealing with a grave situation back home in Pearl, Laydi figures out she wasn’t close to finding herself, and now, she’s risked everything.
5 star Goodreads review! It's not often you read an anthology and truly love every story in it but I really did. These four authors are amazing women who I'm sure will continue to give us well written, heart warming, action packed, and steamy love stories for years to come.
Author bios and contacts: Cait Jarrod
"I write what I love to read - Romantic Suspense/Mystery- I love writing and creating the meet-cue (the point where the hero and heroine meet) to the blossoming of the romance. Add a suspenseful plot or a good mystery to the equation and the perfect book is born to curl up to and lose yourself in, taking you away from reality, troubles."
As a child, I entertained myself for hours playing pretend, but not with dolls and such. I created stories and pictured them in my mind, sometimes even acted them out, my well preserved secret until now. I spent years after leaving school trying to figure out my niche. Not being a literary enthusiast, I never thought my childhood pastime would lead in this direction.
In life, one door closes and another opens, so I'm told. This was true for me. I lost my mother, my best friend, to cancer. After a year without her, I picked up her favorite hobby...reading. After one book, a romantic suspense, I was hooked. In the past, I'd fall asleep after a few minutes of reading. Now, books rank up there with a good red wine. It didn't take long for my childhood muse to come back in adult version urging me to put the scenes in my head on paper.
I hope I have provided you with the escape similar to the ones I conjured in childhood and rediscovered as an adult, and I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I have loved creating them.
Cait's debut novel, Kidnapped Hearts won awards in the categories of Best Happily Ever After and Best Suspense. Cait lives in Virginia with her husband and three daughters.
Find Cait at: Cait’s Classy Chicks Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/629181983825796/ Cait's Newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/76093C2B11569E7C Website:http://caitjarrod.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cait-Jarrod-Author/500705936640529?ref=hl Twitterhttps://twitter.com/CaitJarrod Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caitjarrod/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966274.Cait_Jarrod Google+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/+CaitJarrod/posts email: cait.jarrod@aol.com
D.C. Stone
"I write romantic suspense because I can connect with it, and love the thrill of kicking ass and being sexy while you're at it."
D.C. Stone is an e-book author and full-time fraud investigator when she isn’t diving into the world of Fiction. After serving eight years of service with the United States Air Force, she went on to transition into the world of Financial Crimes and became a lead investigator for many years. When she isn’t trying to solve a new puzzle in the world of fraud, she is engulfed with coffee, her laptop, and all those crazy characters in her head. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, Kiss of Death, and the Liberty State Fiction Writers. Come stop by on Facebook, Twitter or her website and say hello!
Find DC at: Website: http://www.authordcstone.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorDCStone Twitter: https://twitter.com/DCStoneauthor Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541023.D_C_Stone
Jessica Jayne
"My writing interests vary much like my reading interests. Though I mainly write romance type novels with a spicy twist, I have lived what some might call a suspenseful life. As a survivor of stalking and sexual assault, I learned the ins and outs of the legal system pretty quickly. It helped to precipitate my interest in getting my law degree... that and the fact that I grew up around attorneys. So adding suspense to my writing is no big surprise to me or anyone that knows me."
I am a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English because I could not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing. It is such a pleasure to be able to share all the stories in my head!
In the journey of life, I got my law degree (and license) and also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always an adventure.
I love to read and write... obviously! I’m a huge sports fan, especially college football and the Ohio State Buckeyes! Go Steelers! Go Rays! Go Lightning! I LOVE to travel... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to travel. And I love sharing my love to travel with my children. Did I say I love to travel? I love to drink coffee in the morning and tea at night! I love a good glass of wine, especially if it comes from a bottle made by the FOOLS wine club… yep, I’m a founding member of that crazy group! J I love hanging out with my family and my friends! Music makes me happy. I’m a mix between country girl and city chic. But I love nothing more than putting on my jean shorts, tank top, cowboy boots and hat and watching Tim McGraw or Eric Church belt it out! I’m a sucker for a cowboy hat! J
Favorite quote: “If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.”
Find Jessica at: Website: http://jessicajayneauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jessica-Jayne/388268367912903 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJayne13 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545547.Jessica_Jayne Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thejessicajayne/
Lea Bronsen
"I love how well-chosen words can make your heart beat a little faster."
Lea Bronsen likes her reads fast, hot, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and erotic contemporary romance.
She is signed with Evernight Publishing, Decadent Publishing, and Insatiable Press.
Find Lea at: Website: http://leabronsen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeaBronsen Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeaBronsen Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966248.Lea_Bronsen Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lea-Bronsen/e/B00BTFT8KS Email: leabronsen@yahoo.com
Girl Code Print Copy Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 28, 2015
Sabrina Page LUKE Cover Reveal!
Cover Reveal Title: LUKE (West Bend Saints, #3) Author: Sabrina Paige Genre: New Adult Release: August 2015
Luke Saint F**k being good. I won’t be tamed. There are three things in life I’m damn good at: f**king, jumping out of planes, and chasing forest fires. And definitely not with someone like Autumn Mayburn. She's uptight, smart-mouthed, and hell, she has a kid. Did I mention she’s ten years older than me? There are a million reasons I shouldn't touch her. F**k all of those reasons. The single mom with the smokin’ hot body and the sass to match is going to be mine.
Autumn Mayburn There’s nothing on this earth I despise more than a bad boy. Especially an infuriatingly cocky, womanizing, oozes-sex-from-every-pore bad boy. I’m a mom. A businesswoman. I have responsibilities. The last thing I need is to get laid and played by Luke Saint. He thinks that just because he saved my orchard from a fire, he can tell me how to run it. He thinks he knows what I need, what I crave. The problem is, I think he might be right.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Luke looks down at me, his blue eyes flashing. "You're damn uppity for someone who needs something from me." Someone who needs something from me. My mind flashes immediately to sex and I hate myself for it. "Uppity? I didn't ask you to come in here and cook. Or poke around my orchard." He leans in close to me. Too close. I can smell him, soap and aftershave, clean and masculine. "I wasn't poking around," he says, his voice low. "And if I did, you wouldn't be complaining." Heat rushes through me at the thought of Luke poking around anywhere, and I force the thought out of my head. "I don't need you. For the record." The way he looks at me makes me blush even harder. "We both know that's not true, Red," he says. "I don't," I say, unable to hide the irritation in my voice. "And this little charming flirting act of yours might work on girls your own age, but it doesn’t work on me." Luke grins. "So you admit it's charming, then?" "I said it was an act." "You said charming," he says, pulling coffee from his bag. "Now, can you make coffee, or is your coffee just as crap as your food?" I take the bag from his hand, groaning in frustration. "You don't have many friends, do you?" "I could ask the same thing of you, sweetheart," he says. "Why don't you make the coffee and then get out of my kitchen?" "It's my kitchen," I say as I fill the pot with water. "And you're working for me. Apparently. Which we haven't even discussed. Aren't you concerned it's slightly inappropriate, cooking your employer breakfast?" Luke walks up behind me, his hand on the side of the sink. His breath is warm on the back of my neck, and I swear that as soon as it hits my skin, I stop breathing. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, and the water overflows from the coffee pot, running down the sides of the glass and over my hands, but I don't move. Luke reaches around me with his other hand, shutting off the water. His arm grazes my shoulder and sends a jolt of electricity runs through my body. "This is nowhere near inappropriate, Red," he whispers, his voice barely audible against my ear. "Inappropriate would be if I cooked you breakfast in the morning, after you came on my tongue the night before." I swallow hard, my heart beating so fast I swear it's going to beat right out of my chest. Then he walks back to the counter, nonchalant like he didn't just talk about me coming on his tongue, and busies himself with preparing breakfast. I stand at the sink for a moment, my hand gripping the edge tightly, and when I glance over at him, he looks at me and winks. Damn it, I think. Hiring him is a very bad idea.
Sabrina Paige writes about smart, sexy women and the hot alpha males who love them. Outlaw bikers, cowboys, and military men make her swoon. She has found her own happily ever after with her active duty military husband and adorable toddler. If you sign up for my mailing list, I promise not to spam you! But I will send you advance notification before I launch my next book, so that you can get it at a discounted price! Use this link to subscribe: https://tinyletter.com/sabrinapaigero... You can also find me at www.sabrinapaigeromance.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Paige/1503278426560082 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8182909.Sabrina_Paige?from_search=true Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrina-Paige/e/B00JYH2V7K/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1432437135&sr=8-1-spell Twitter: http://twitter.com/SabrinaPaigeRom West Bend Series:
July 26, 2015
Michelle Roth visits with Book 1 in her Diamond and Diamond series!
Welcome back, Michelle! Thanks so much for coming back to Written Butterfly!
Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, Slow Burn. This is the second in my Romance on the Go series, Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators. In this sexy installment you'll get to know Rick Diamond. He's the driving force behind Diamond and Diamond.
Rick is painstakingly dedicated to his job. When the CEO of Cynertex contacts him about a case of corporate espionage, he goes undercover in a science lab to find out who's selling company secrets. All hell breaks loose when he realizes that he's falling for his main suspect!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
It happens in strange ways. Sometimes I'll be sitting in the car and things will just come to me. Other times, a conversation with hubs will shake something loose in my brain. Suddenly I'm typing away furiously in my cell phone. Hubs and I were caught in traffic behind a bus. In our area there are these ads for Diamond and Diamond.. but they're attorneys. We were just rambling and I said, “That sounds more like a couple of slick private eyes, ya know?” From there we started riffing. Thus, Rick Diamond was born. :)
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I try to keep my books as close to real life as I can. There are paranormal elements obviously, but I wanted the characters to feel genuine and true to life. As for what bleeds over into my personal life, some of the characters are loosely based on people I know. In other words, don't make me mad or you may die in my books ;)
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now I've got three open series that I'm working on. The Transfigured Ones, focuses on a world where vampires live out in the open with humans. The Darkness Calls is the first in the series. The follow up, Bite Me is my current work in progress. I hope to have that wrapped up by the end of the month. There will be six in total.
This series, Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators is a contemporary romantic mystery series about a team of detectives that are cold as ice undercover and sizzling hot between the sheets. The first two installments are out, and I've got a total of six planned so expect four more of these puppies!
The Forsaken Few is about a group of shapeshifters that live outside the bounds of normal shifter society. For whatever reason, they've either been ousted or left their families in search of something different. The first in this series will be out in August or early September. I've got quite a few of these mapped out.Blurb:
While working undercover in the Cynertex development department, Private Investigator Rick Diamond finds himself taking a very personal interest in one of the lab technicians, Tessa. He's completely shocked, though, when he discovers that he's falling for his prime suspect.
Tessa Fitzsimmons finds herself immediately drawn to Rick Dante, the new intern at work. She's captivated by his charm and his nearly heart stopping grin. All it takes is one incredibly passionate night together and already she's beginning to see a future for them.
Rick knows he's taking a huge risk by dating a suspect but he can't seem to help himself. If she's guilty, it will absolutely tear him apart. And, if she's innocent? She might not be able to forgive him when she finds out who he really is.
Buy Links:Amazon Amazon UK All Romance Evernight Publishing
Excerpt:
Tessa laughed as she pulled him toward the Twirling Teacups. Rick groaned and asked, “You know they're gonna take away my man card, right? I just have to give it to the guy taking the tickets.”“C'mon,” she said, nudging him. “We can't come to Centreville and not ride the teacups!”She tried not to laugh as he made a big production out of it. He counted the tickets, then looked at the ride. Then he looked back at her and asked, “I can drive, right?”Deadpan, she said, “I thought I would drive.”He raised his eyebrow but said nothing. The slight smirk on his face spoke volumes though. It clearly said, “There is no way I'm letting a chick drive me around in a teacup.”“Fine. You can drive.”Rick grinned and handed the tickets to the ticket collector, who clearly overheard her complaint if the smirk on his face was any indication. He just pointed and said, “You folks can have the pink one on the right.”Tessa laughed and said, “Oh good. My favorite color.” Rick said nothing, though his look promised retribution. He merely slid into the tea cup and patted the bench next to him. When she was seated next to him, her thigh brushed against his. His tone conversational, he said, “So, this is the most emasculating first date I've ever had. This is a record.” “So, I guess that means no carousel?” Tessa teased, as the music started up and the ride began to slowly move.In answer, he grinned and then spun the wheel so she swayed into his chest. She started to right herself, but Rick put a halt to that when he wrapped an arm around her. Most of her upper body was now pressed against his chest. The look on Rick's face was a mixture of both amusement and desire. As they continued to spin, neither of them manning the wheel, his smile faded. With a look of concentration, he slowly closed the distance between their mouths. Tessa stretched up, pressing her lips against his. At the first brush of her lips against his, she felt a jolt of awareness run through her. When his hand came up to cradle her cheek, she let out a soft sigh of pleasure. He took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, twining with hers. She couldn't stop the soft moan that rose from the back of her throat as his hands cruised lazily along her hips and back. Even through the layers of her sundress and the thin cotton sweater she wore, she could feel the heat of his hands on her body. His hands moved to tangle in her hair as he gentled the kiss. But instead of backing away as she expected, Rick began to nibble at her jaw and then trace a path down the side of her throat with his tongue. Tessa could do nothing but tilt her neck and enjoy the sensations as he swirled and nipped at her. Her arousal grew with every hot, open mouthed kiss he placed against her sensitive neck. It was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
About Me:
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she’s not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she’s probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book. In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
Contact Info:
Twitter: @mroth_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthorWebsite: http://www.michelleroth.net
Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthorGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_RothAmazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAWEmail: michelle@michelleroth.net
Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, Slow Burn. This is the second in my Romance on the Go series, Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators. In this sexy installment you'll get to know Rick Diamond. He's the driving force behind Diamond and Diamond.
Rick is painstakingly dedicated to his job. When the CEO of Cynertex contacts him about a case of corporate espionage, he goes undercover in a science lab to find out who's selling company secrets. All hell breaks loose when he realizes that he's falling for his main suspect!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
It happens in strange ways. Sometimes I'll be sitting in the car and things will just come to me. Other times, a conversation with hubs will shake something loose in my brain. Suddenly I'm typing away furiously in my cell phone. Hubs and I were caught in traffic behind a bus. In our area there are these ads for Diamond and Diamond.. but they're attorneys. We were just rambling and I said, “That sounds more like a couple of slick private eyes, ya know?” From there we started riffing. Thus, Rick Diamond was born. :)
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I try to keep my books as close to real life as I can. There are paranormal elements obviously, but I wanted the characters to feel genuine and true to life. As for what bleeds over into my personal life, some of the characters are loosely based on people I know. In other words, don't make me mad or you may die in my books ;)
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now I've got three open series that I'm working on. The Transfigured Ones, focuses on a world where vampires live out in the open with humans. The Darkness Calls is the first in the series. The follow up, Bite Me is my current work in progress. I hope to have that wrapped up by the end of the month. There will be six in total.
This series, Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators is a contemporary romantic mystery series about a team of detectives that are cold as ice undercover and sizzling hot between the sheets. The first two installments are out, and I've got a total of six planned so expect four more of these puppies!
The Forsaken Few is about a group of shapeshifters that live outside the bounds of normal shifter society. For whatever reason, they've either been ousted or left their families in search of something different. The first in this series will be out in August or early September. I've got quite a few of these mapped out.Blurb:
While working undercover in the Cynertex development department, Private Investigator Rick Diamond finds himself taking a very personal interest in one of the lab technicians, Tessa. He's completely shocked, though, when he discovers that he's falling for his prime suspect.
Tessa Fitzsimmons finds herself immediately drawn to Rick Dante, the new intern at work. She's captivated by his charm and his nearly heart stopping grin. All it takes is one incredibly passionate night together and already she's beginning to see a future for them.
Rick knows he's taking a huge risk by dating a suspect but he can't seem to help himself. If she's guilty, it will absolutely tear him apart. And, if she's innocent? She might not be able to forgive him when she finds out who he really is.
Buy Links:Amazon Amazon UK All Romance Evernight Publishing
Excerpt:
Tessa laughed as she pulled him toward the Twirling Teacups. Rick groaned and asked, “You know they're gonna take away my man card, right? I just have to give it to the guy taking the tickets.”“C'mon,” she said, nudging him. “We can't come to Centreville and not ride the teacups!”She tried not to laugh as he made a big production out of it. He counted the tickets, then looked at the ride. Then he looked back at her and asked, “I can drive, right?”Deadpan, she said, “I thought I would drive.”He raised his eyebrow but said nothing. The slight smirk on his face spoke volumes though. It clearly said, “There is no way I'm letting a chick drive me around in a teacup.”“Fine. You can drive.”Rick grinned and handed the tickets to the ticket collector, who clearly overheard her complaint if the smirk on his face was any indication. He just pointed and said, “You folks can have the pink one on the right.”Tessa laughed and said, “Oh good. My favorite color.” Rick said nothing, though his look promised retribution. He merely slid into the tea cup and patted the bench next to him. When she was seated next to him, her thigh brushed against his. His tone conversational, he said, “So, this is the most emasculating first date I've ever had. This is a record.” “So, I guess that means no carousel?” Tessa teased, as the music started up and the ride began to slowly move.In answer, he grinned and then spun the wheel so she swayed into his chest. She started to right herself, but Rick put a halt to that when he wrapped an arm around her. Most of her upper body was now pressed against his chest. The look on Rick's face was a mixture of both amusement and desire. As they continued to spin, neither of them manning the wheel, his smile faded. With a look of concentration, he slowly closed the distance between their mouths. Tessa stretched up, pressing her lips against his. At the first brush of her lips against his, she felt a jolt of awareness run through her. When his hand came up to cradle her cheek, she let out a soft sigh of pleasure. He took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, twining with hers. She couldn't stop the soft moan that rose from the back of her throat as his hands cruised lazily along her hips and back. Even through the layers of her sundress and the thin cotton sweater she wore, she could feel the heat of his hands on her body. His hands moved to tangle in her hair as he gentled the kiss. But instead of backing away as she expected, Rick began to nibble at her jaw and then trace a path down the side of her throat with his tongue. Tessa could do nothing but tilt her neck and enjoy the sensations as he swirled and nipped at her. Her arousal grew with every hot, open mouthed kiss he placed against her sensitive neck. It was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
About Me:
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she’s not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she’s probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book. In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
Contact Info:
Twitter: @mroth_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthorWebsite: http://www.michelleroth.net
Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthorGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_RothAmazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAWEmail: michelle@michelleroth.net
July 24, 2015
Q & A with Deanne Parker!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today! Q)How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
The concept for the main character, Ryan Wills, actually was inspired by a philosophy class I took. John Locke’s, the civil savage. From there a friend and I were going to enter a writing contest asking what the 11th commandment is. THOU SHALT NOT HAVE SEX WITH ANDROIDS is what I came up with. I am a huge fan of Star Trek, Star Wars and science fiction in general. From these humble beginnings I wrote A Test of Wills.
Q)Is this part of a series? If so, tell us about it!
A Test of Wills is the first in a series. The next book will be more about some of the inner workings of the Meridian Project brought up in the first book. Without giving too much away Ryan’s past comes back to haunt her, again.
Q)How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
Real life absolutely influences my writing. For example, Ryan from A Test of Wills is basically me without a filter. A few of the snarky things she has said have come out of my mouth. Some of the more cutting remarks were not said by me but I did think them.
Q)What are your upcoming projects?
I am currently working on an erotic romance trilogy. I hope to finish the first book by the first of August. If all goes well.
I am also working on the second book in the Wills series and I am tinkering with a novella.
BlurbWhen a witty computer genius purchases a sexy android, she gets the surprise of her life.Thou shalt not have sex with androids. Yeah, right. Taylor, my sexy android, makes my body tingle and fills my head with illegal thoughts. To hell with the law; I might just have my wicked way with him.
But before I can pursue that train of thought, I'm distracted by the fact that something called Meridian Project just hacked my computer. What the hell?
Encountering a parade of hopeful but clueless ex-boyfriends and a shadowy corporation that is up to no good tests my patience and my self-restraint. I'm determined to get the answers I'm looking for…if I don't kill someone first.
To discover the company's secrets, I will have to reveal my own if I ever want to learn the truth.
Content Warning: contains sex, violence, and liberal use of curse words
Excerpt"Why are you so quiet, Taylor?" I ask.
"I was thinking. Mike is interesting."
"Yes, he is."
"Do you love him?"
I pull onto the highway before answering. How do you explain love to an android? I would kill for Mike because I care for him, but he's my friend and that love is different than other types of love. I decide to keep it simple. "Yes, I do, but not romantically. We're just very good friends."
Taylor nods and turns to look out the window.
"I do have to apologize for him."
"Why?"
"Because he asked you if you were anatomically correct and fully functional. That's private." I would still love to know the answer, but that would set me up for some sleepless nights.
"That's okay…and I am."
I whip around to stare at Taylor, and he's looking out the window. "You're what?"
He looks at me with those liquid brown eyes. "I am anatomically correct and fully functional."
Time stops for me when I hear those words. I completely forget that I'm driving and lean closer to him. A car horn blares, and I jerk my attention back to the road. Why the hell did I have to bring that up again? I'm already having problems trying to get Taylor off my mind. Now I have to deal with a fully functioning Taylor. Once again, this is a mistake. It is against the law to have sex with an android.
Where to BuyAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/Test-Wills-Deanne-Parker-ebook/dp/B00WANG43C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437748307&sr=8-1&keywords=deanne+parker
Biography Deanne Parker, a voracious reader, is an avid science fiction and romance fan. She decided to meld her two loves and wrote her first novel. By day she is a culinary goddess, and at night she dreams up new ideas to write about. She lives in Colorado with her husband and dog. To contact Deanne, send all correspondence to: DeanneParkerWrites@yahoo.com
July 22, 2015
Welcome Libby Bishop!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
With this book, the dynamics were clear once the female character—Mara—came to my mind and started talking. I knew exactly how these characters worked, what their motivations were. Normally, the world grows as I write it, and I learn new things as I dig deeper into the world, but with this shifter world was crystal clear.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Not really. The characters/ideas normally come to me and I start writing immediately because I don’t want to lose the voice or idea!
Q) Is this part of a series? If so, tell us about it!
Yes! This is the first book in the Green Mountain Shifters trilogy. I’m currently finishing up the second book and hope to have it to the publisher by the middle of August.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now, this is the only book I have scheduled out this year. But I’m hoping book two will be out before the end of the year.
BLURB: Shifter politics can be a real bitch.
Mara Kane is a twenty-six year old woman who happens to have bear blood. She can’t shift…yet. But that doesn’t stop Lee Underhill, an exiled bruin, from taking his revenge out on her. After all, it was her father who played the largest role in him being exiled from the Clan and Northeast pack. Lee’s demands are clear—if she isn’t married and mated to a bruin in her clan in three days, she has to marry the bastard’s son.
The hell with that.
Ramsey McGregor is the son of her Clan’s alpha, and one day he’ll take his father’s place. When he finds out what Lee is forcing on Mara, he, as well as her father and his, decide to do the only thing they can to keep her with them—marry her to him. No territorial council would ever dispute the union. But can he soothe Mara’s nerves enough to bring on a true mating? Or will the Clan have to fight Lee and his people to keep her with them?
EXCERPT:
Once the two men were out of the room and the door was closed, Angus stepped in front of her, clasping her upper arms gently in his large hands. She had to crane her neck to look up at him, as he was six-foot-seven and she was only five-foot-six. Short for a bear shifter, but her human blood didn’t allow for the usual tallness.
“Not marrying him could mean a war, but we do have options.”
“What would those be, Angus?” she inquired, trying to swallow her anger. He knew it wasn’t directed at him, so she wasn’t worried about the bite in her tone. “I’m a twenty-six-year-old woman—this loophole in the treaty should’ve been taken care of decades ago.”
Regret pinched around his eyes. “I know, and we are working on it—all territories, but it’s a slow process. The alpha women of the Pack Councils have been pushing its importance for years. We just haven’t gotten to it yet.”
Much of the old treaty, which included the wolf and cat shifters, had been changed and updated for the times. But these things took time, especially when the treaties involved six territories, each with their own Pack Council.
Though, cat shifters were in prides, wolves in packs, and bears in clans, Pack Council was just easier to use. The US government preferred it as well—simpler when dealing with the ruling parties.
“We could fight them, but that would endanger us from the Northwest clans. Or, and this is only if you agree, we marry you to one of our bruins. But, if for any reason you can’t go through with the mating, we’ll have to hold a territorial council meeting and try to force the change in law.”
But that could still lead to the war Lee Underhill knew they didn’t want. There was no choice here—it was marriage to someone she knew, or risk war, because she was not marrying Cole Underhill. Under anycircumstances.
She sighed, most of the anger leaving her on the exhale. Acceptance took its place. “Do I get to choose the bruin?”
Angus’s hands left her, and the kindness in his gaze told her the answer was no.
“It’s best that I choose. As the alpha of the clan, the Northwest Pack Council won’t argue with my choice, nor the choice of your father—my second-in-command and top enforcer.”
Her gaze flicked to her father, who gave a nod. His body language told her to listen to Angus.
“Who did you two choose for me to marry?”
“My son, your future alpha.”
That froze her in place. Ramsey McGregor was a good man, and a great bruin, but he was twenty years her senior and was known to not be interested in marrying. Not that she could blame him. Shifters lived a long time, around two hundred and fifty to three hundred years. He was only forty-six—young, but not unheard of to have a mate.
“But I’m… I’m not a full bear. I may never shift.” She hoped she would one day.
“True, but with what I smelled when you were looking at Cole, I would say it’s more than likely you will. Your bear is strong, Mara, and you are your father’s daughter.” He smiled briefly. “And you are fast becoming one of the top liaisons within the Northeast Pack.”
A liaison to the government, keeping them up to date on the changes in the pack as well as fielding the concerns the government had with the pack. She had a good relationship with the state government—Vermont accepted the shifters with more ease, since they’d been there before it was a state, and had helped form what it presently was. She was also on good terms with her Federal government contacts. She’d never thought that would be her place, but she found she liked navigating those waters.
“Have you talked to him about this?”
“Yes. He’s downstairs with Rayna.”
Angus’s wife, and one hell of a force in terms of being a bear. She’d seen the woman take down shifters twice her size in a matter of minutes.
Rayna had taught her how to stand her ground and fight when needed. She and the two men in the room with her.
“What does he say about this?”
Her father moved to stand beside Angus. “He’s not happy with the Underhills. He was around when we exiled Lee thirty years ago, and saw the upheaval that caused.”
She’d heard about it. Eleven bruins and three women chose to go with Lee, siding with him. They could have stayed, but the trust in them was in tatters and they felt it easier to start over.
She met her father’s blue gaze. “So, he’s okay with marrying me?”
He placed a hand on her cheek. “He feels it’s his place, as an alpha-to-be. But mostly because he agrees that it’s best you marry a bruin who has pull within the Council. A lesser bruin won’t survive a challenge from Lee or Emery, and no one will challenge the marriage of you and the son of an alpha.”
Made sense. She still didn’t like—still hated it—but the choices were limited. It was give Ramsey a chance or risk war. Not much of a choice, really. And she did trust him, wholly. That trust had been won when she was six years old and she’d first seen him shift—he was massive to her then, still was. She remembered fondly how he’d lowered his head to her and she nervously placed her palm against his soft-but-slightly-rough fur. That moment, between bruin and human, had shown her that she was protected by more than just her father in the big, wide world.
That she would always be protected by Ramsey—both the man and the bear.
Looking back to Angus, she asked, “It’s almost midnight now—when do we get married?”
WEB/BUY LINKS:
EVERNIGHT: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/claimed-by-the-bruin-by-libby-bishop/
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Claimed-Bruin-Green-Mountain-Shifters-ebook/dp/B0121JSHZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437588531&sr=8-1&keywords=claimed+by+the+bruin
https://libbybishopromance.wordpress.com/
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
With this book, the dynamics were clear once the female character—Mara—came to my mind and started talking. I knew exactly how these characters worked, what their motivations were. Normally, the world grows as I write it, and I learn new things as I dig deeper into the world, but with this shifter world was crystal clear.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
Not really. The characters/ideas normally come to me and I start writing immediately because I don’t want to lose the voice or idea!
Q) Is this part of a series? If so, tell us about it!
Yes! This is the first book in the Green Mountain Shifters trilogy. I’m currently finishing up the second book and hope to have it to the publisher by the middle of August.
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now, this is the only book I have scheduled out this year. But I’m hoping book two will be out before the end of the year.
BLURB: Shifter politics can be a real bitch.
Mara Kane is a twenty-six year old woman who happens to have bear blood. She can’t shift…yet. But that doesn’t stop Lee Underhill, an exiled bruin, from taking his revenge out on her. After all, it was her father who played the largest role in him being exiled from the Clan and Northeast pack. Lee’s demands are clear—if she isn’t married and mated to a bruin in her clan in three days, she has to marry the bastard’s son.
The hell with that.
Ramsey McGregor is the son of her Clan’s alpha, and one day he’ll take his father’s place. When he finds out what Lee is forcing on Mara, he, as well as her father and his, decide to do the only thing they can to keep her with them—marry her to him. No territorial council would ever dispute the union. But can he soothe Mara’s nerves enough to bring on a true mating? Or will the Clan have to fight Lee and his people to keep her with them?
EXCERPT:
Once the two men were out of the room and the door was closed, Angus stepped in front of her, clasping her upper arms gently in his large hands. She had to crane her neck to look up at him, as he was six-foot-seven and she was only five-foot-six. Short for a bear shifter, but her human blood didn’t allow for the usual tallness.
“Not marrying him could mean a war, but we do have options.”
“What would those be, Angus?” she inquired, trying to swallow her anger. He knew it wasn’t directed at him, so she wasn’t worried about the bite in her tone. “I’m a twenty-six-year-old woman—this loophole in the treaty should’ve been taken care of decades ago.”
Regret pinched around his eyes. “I know, and we are working on it—all territories, but it’s a slow process. The alpha women of the Pack Councils have been pushing its importance for years. We just haven’t gotten to it yet.”
Much of the old treaty, which included the wolf and cat shifters, had been changed and updated for the times. But these things took time, especially when the treaties involved six territories, each with their own Pack Council.
Though, cat shifters were in prides, wolves in packs, and bears in clans, Pack Council was just easier to use. The US government preferred it as well—simpler when dealing with the ruling parties.
“We could fight them, but that would endanger us from the Northwest clans. Or, and this is only if you agree, we marry you to one of our bruins. But, if for any reason you can’t go through with the mating, we’ll have to hold a territorial council meeting and try to force the change in law.”
But that could still lead to the war Lee Underhill knew they didn’t want. There was no choice here—it was marriage to someone she knew, or risk war, because she was not marrying Cole Underhill. Under anycircumstances.
She sighed, most of the anger leaving her on the exhale. Acceptance took its place. “Do I get to choose the bruin?”
Angus’s hands left her, and the kindness in his gaze told her the answer was no.
“It’s best that I choose. As the alpha of the clan, the Northwest Pack Council won’t argue with my choice, nor the choice of your father—my second-in-command and top enforcer.”
Her gaze flicked to her father, who gave a nod. His body language told her to listen to Angus.
“Who did you two choose for me to marry?”
“My son, your future alpha.”
That froze her in place. Ramsey McGregor was a good man, and a great bruin, but he was twenty years her senior and was known to not be interested in marrying. Not that she could blame him. Shifters lived a long time, around two hundred and fifty to three hundred years. He was only forty-six—young, but not unheard of to have a mate.
“But I’m… I’m not a full bear. I may never shift.” She hoped she would one day.
“True, but with what I smelled when you were looking at Cole, I would say it’s more than likely you will. Your bear is strong, Mara, and you are your father’s daughter.” He smiled briefly. “And you are fast becoming one of the top liaisons within the Northeast Pack.”
A liaison to the government, keeping them up to date on the changes in the pack as well as fielding the concerns the government had with the pack. She had a good relationship with the state government—Vermont accepted the shifters with more ease, since they’d been there before it was a state, and had helped form what it presently was. She was also on good terms with her Federal government contacts. She’d never thought that would be her place, but she found she liked navigating those waters.
“Have you talked to him about this?”
“Yes. He’s downstairs with Rayna.”
Angus’s wife, and one hell of a force in terms of being a bear. She’d seen the woman take down shifters twice her size in a matter of minutes.
Rayna had taught her how to stand her ground and fight when needed. She and the two men in the room with her.
“What does he say about this?”
Her father moved to stand beside Angus. “He’s not happy with the Underhills. He was around when we exiled Lee thirty years ago, and saw the upheaval that caused.”
She’d heard about it. Eleven bruins and three women chose to go with Lee, siding with him. They could have stayed, but the trust in them was in tatters and they felt it easier to start over.
She met her father’s blue gaze. “So, he’s okay with marrying me?”
He placed a hand on her cheek. “He feels it’s his place, as an alpha-to-be. But mostly because he agrees that it’s best you marry a bruin who has pull within the Council. A lesser bruin won’t survive a challenge from Lee or Emery, and no one will challenge the marriage of you and the son of an alpha.”
Made sense. She still didn’t like—still hated it—but the choices were limited. It was give Ramsey a chance or risk war. Not much of a choice, really. And she did trust him, wholly. That trust had been won when she was six years old and she’d first seen him shift—he was massive to her then, still was. She remembered fondly how he’d lowered his head to her and she nervously placed her palm against his soft-but-slightly-rough fur. That moment, between bruin and human, had shown her that she was protected by more than just her father in the big, wide world.
That she would always be protected by Ramsey—both the man and the bear.
Looking back to Angus, she asked, “It’s almost midnight now—when do we get married?”
WEB/BUY LINKS:
EVERNIGHT: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/claimed-by-the-bruin-by-libby-bishop/
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Claimed-Bruin-Green-Mountain-Shifters-ebook/dp/B0121JSHZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437588531&sr=8-1&keywords=claimed+by+the+bruin
https://libbybishopromance.wordpress.com/
July 19, 2015
Welcome Michelle Roth! Q&A about her new Vampire Novel!
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly!
Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, The Darkness Calls [The Transfigured Ones]. This book is entirely new territory for me. Where most of my works have been ultra-realistic contemporary romance, I wanted to add in a touch of the paranormal here!
I was daydreaming one afternoon, as I'm prone to doing and I wondered what life would be like if we lived in a world where we actually knowingly co-existed with vampires. Not in an overtly us vs. them way like the Sookie Stackhouse series, but in a world where all the fuss had long since died down. What would that universe look like? How would humans and vampires interact? How would they feed? How would they work? Interesting questions, right?
In The Darkness Calls, you'll find answers!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
It happens in strange ways. Sometimes I'll be sitting in the car and things will just come to me. Other times, a conversation with hubs will shake something loose in my brain. Suddenly I'm typing away furiously in my cell phone. The inspiration for the characters in THIS particular book came from a book I read. The heroine's reaction to the big “I'm a vampire” reveal seemed really off to me. So I started thinking about ways that it could have been plausible. That's how the entire The Transfigured Ones series came about.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I try to keep my books as close to real life as I can. There are paranormal elements obviously, but I wanted the characters to feel genuine and true to life. As for what bleeds over into my personal life, some of the characters are loosely based on people I know. In other words, don't make me mad or you may die in my books ;)
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now I've got three open series that I'm working on. This series, The Transfigured Ones, focuses on a world where vampires live out in the open with humans. The Darkness Calls is the first in the series. The follow up, Bite Me is my current work in progress. I hope to have that wrapped up by the end of the month.
Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators is a contemporary romantic mystery series about a team of detectives that are cold as ice undercover and sizzling hot between the sheets. The first two installments are out, and I've got a total of six planned.
The Forsaken Few is about a group of shapeshifters that live outside the bounds of normal shifter society. For whatever reason, they've either been ousted or left their families in search of something different. The first in this series will be out in August or early September.
Blurb:
When Lilly Ferguson narrowly avoids being mugged after work, she's shocked to find that she's gotten the attention of Talan McKenna. He's the sinfully handsome owner of the Foxwood Casino and Spa where she works. There's only one problem, though...
Talan is one of the Transfigured. Like half a million others across the globe, he possesses a very specific genetic mutation. It leaves him with the inability to age, an aversion to sunlight, and a thirst for human blood. When he learns of Lilly's tragic past, he worries that it's an obstacle he'll never be able to overcome.
Despite her heartbreaking history with the Transfigured, Lilly immediately senses that Talan is different. Where her fears once lay, there's only a sense of peace and comfort. Just as they begin to build a love made to last several lifetimes, a shadowy figure from her past emerges and threatens to destroy everything.
Buy Links:
Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA All Romance Evernight Bookstrand
Excerpt:
Within ten minutes, she was surrounded by two security officers and a doctor. He gently prodded at the knot on the back of her head, while she held ice against her throbbing cheek. As he started to shine a small flashlight into her eyes, she heard a deep voice in the hallway murmur,
"Where's the girl? Was she seriously hurt?"
When he stepped through the door, she realized it was the owner of the casino. She had seen glimpses of him on occasion, but she'd never actually spoken to him. His eyes swept the room and landed on her.
She blinked in surprise as he knelt down next to the doctor, so he was eye level. His eyes settled on the bag of ice she held against her face. He didn't speak. The small tic in his cheek was the only reason she could visibly tell that he was upset. Otherwise, his facial expression gave away nothing. His voice was devoid of any emotion when he spoke. "Miss..." he paused, prompting her for her name.
"Lilly. Lilly Ferguson."
He nodded and continued, "Miss Ferguson. You're okay?"
She winced. "I hit my head. He hit me in the face. Otherwise, I'm fine."
His eyes swept over her, as if he was trying to verify for himself. His eyes took in her bag. The strap had a tear, but for the most part it was still intact.
Lilly followed his line of sight and took in the torn bag. "That was a casualty of war, too, I guess," she said with a smirk.
A slight smile curved his lips as he said, "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm surprised you didn't just give it to him, though."
"I'm not willing to part with what little I own, Mr. McKenna," she answered honestly.
He nodded as if he understood.
Lilly stared blankly at him. She had serious difficulty thinking he'd be able to relate to her in any way. He was one of the Transfigured. Rich as Croesus, he owned the casino, and was a huge power player among his kind.
Her thoughts must have been written all over her face because he said, "I've had almost five hundred years to become who I am, Little One. I can still remember when I had nothing. When I was nothing. I admire your spirit."
She swallowed, uncertain.
"Will you be okay to drive home?" he asked.
The doctor cut in from the other side of the security office. She hadn't even realized that he'd moved. He said, "I wouldn't recommend it, Mr. McKenna. She needs to rest in a dark, quiet room at the very least for the next eight hours. She's showing signs of a mild concussion."
"Very well," he said, addressing the doctor. He turned to face her and said, "Someone from the hotel will ensure that you get home safely."
"But," she asked. "What about my car?"
"It can be delivered to you. When do you work next?"
She blinked, trying to fight the fuzziness in her mind, and said, "Tomorrow afternoon."
He shook his head and said, "We'll reassign your shifts for the next two days. Take the time off."
"Thank you," Lilly said. She couldn't imagine doing much of anything except laying under her blankets, if her head persisted in feeling like this.
"Keys," he prompted.
She picked them up, then she winced as there was dried blood caked on the car key. She gingerly removed it from the ring and said, "Sorry. It may need a rinse. I managed to gouge him a couple of times."
His eyes widened incredulously for a moment before he reached out and took the key from her.
He didn't seem to have an aversion to the bloody key. It was, she supposed, his meal of choice. A slow smile, a genuine one, pulled across his face. He said, "Yes, Miss Ferguson, I do admire your spirit."
About Michelle:
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she's not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she's probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book.
In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
Contact Info:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mroth_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthor
Website: http://www.michelleroth.net
Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/
GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_Roth
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAW
Email: michelle@michelleroth.net
Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, The Darkness Calls [The Transfigured Ones]. This book is entirely new territory for me. Where most of my works have been ultra-realistic contemporary romance, I wanted to add in a touch of the paranormal here!
I was daydreaming one afternoon, as I'm prone to doing and I wondered what life would be like if we lived in a world where we actually knowingly co-existed with vampires. Not in an overtly us vs. them way like the Sookie Stackhouse series, but in a world where all the fuss had long since died down. What would that universe look like? How would humans and vampires interact? How would they feed? How would they work? Interesting questions, right?
In The Darkness Calls, you'll find answers!
Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
It happens in strange ways. Sometimes I'll be sitting in the car and things will just come to me. Other times, a conversation with hubs will shake something loose in my brain. Suddenly I'm typing away furiously in my cell phone. The inspiration for the characters in THIS particular book came from a book I read. The heroine's reaction to the big “I'm a vampire” reveal seemed really off to me. So I started thinking about ways that it could have been plausible. That's how the entire The Transfigured Ones series came about.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
I try to keep my books as close to real life as I can. There are paranormal elements obviously, but I wanted the characters to feel genuine and true to life. As for what bleeds over into my personal life, some of the characters are loosely based on people I know. In other words, don't make me mad or you may die in my books ;)
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
Right now I've got three open series that I'm working on. This series, The Transfigured Ones, focuses on a world where vampires live out in the open with humans. The Darkness Calls is the first in the series. The follow up, Bite Me is my current work in progress. I hope to have that wrapped up by the end of the month.
Diamond and Diamond Private Investigators is a contemporary romantic mystery series about a team of detectives that are cold as ice undercover and sizzling hot between the sheets. The first two installments are out, and I've got a total of six planned.
The Forsaken Few is about a group of shapeshifters that live outside the bounds of normal shifter society. For whatever reason, they've either been ousted or left their families in search of something different. The first in this series will be out in August or early September.
Blurb:
When Lilly Ferguson narrowly avoids being mugged after work, she's shocked to find that she's gotten the attention of Talan McKenna. He's the sinfully handsome owner of the Foxwood Casino and Spa where she works. There's only one problem, though...
Talan is one of the Transfigured. Like half a million others across the globe, he possesses a very specific genetic mutation. It leaves him with the inability to age, an aversion to sunlight, and a thirst for human blood. When he learns of Lilly's tragic past, he worries that it's an obstacle he'll never be able to overcome.
Despite her heartbreaking history with the Transfigured, Lilly immediately senses that Talan is different. Where her fears once lay, there's only a sense of peace and comfort. Just as they begin to build a love made to last several lifetimes, a shadowy figure from her past emerges and threatens to destroy everything.
Buy Links:
Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA All Romance Evernight Bookstrand
Excerpt:
Within ten minutes, she was surrounded by two security officers and a doctor. He gently prodded at the knot on the back of her head, while she held ice against her throbbing cheek. As he started to shine a small flashlight into her eyes, she heard a deep voice in the hallway murmur,
"Where's the girl? Was she seriously hurt?"
When he stepped through the door, she realized it was the owner of the casino. She had seen glimpses of him on occasion, but she'd never actually spoken to him. His eyes swept the room and landed on her.
She blinked in surprise as he knelt down next to the doctor, so he was eye level. His eyes settled on the bag of ice she held against her face. He didn't speak. The small tic in his cheek was the only reason she could visibly tell that he was upset. Otherwise, his facial expression gave away nothing. His voice was devoid of any emotion when he spoke. "Miss..." he paused, prompting her for her name.
"Lilly. Lilly Ferguson."
He nodded and continued, "Miss Ferguson. You're okay?"
She winced. "I hit my head. He hit me in the face. Otherwise, I'm fine."
His eyes swept over her, as if he was trying to verify for himself. His eyes took in her bag. The strap had a tear, but for the most part it was still intact.
Lilly followed his line of sight and took in the torn bag. "That was a casualty of war, too, I guess," she said with a smirk.
A slight smile curved his lips as he said, "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm surprised you didn't just give it to him, though."
"I'm not willing to part with what little I own, Mr. McKenna," she answered honestly.
He nodded as if he understood.
Lilly stared blankly at him. She had serious difficulty thinking he'd be able to relate to her in any way. He was one of the Transfigured. Rich as Croesus, he owned the casino, and was a huge power player among his kind.
Her thoughts must have been written all over her face because he said, "I've had almost five hundred years to become who I am, Little One. I can still remember when I had nothing. When I was nothing. I admire your spirit."
She swallowed, uncertain.
"Will you be okay to drive home?" he asked.
The doctor cut in from the other side of the security office. She hadn't even realized that he'd moved. He said, "I wouldn't recommend it, Mr. McKenna. She needs to rest in a dark, quiet room at the very least for the next eight hours. She's showing signs of a mild concussion."
"Very well," he said, addressing the doctor. He turned to face her and said, "Someone from the hotel will ensure that you get home safely."
"But," she asked. "What about my car?"
"It can be delivered to you. When do you work next?"
She blinked, trying to fight the fuzziness in her mind, and said, "Tomorrow afternoon."
He shook his head and said, "We'll reassign your shifts for the next two days. Take the time off."
"Thank you," Lilly said. She couldn't imagine doing much of anything except laying under her blankets, if her head persisted in feeling like this.
"Keys," he prompted.
She picked them up, then she winced as there was dried blood caked on the car key. She gingerly removed it from the ring and said, "Sorry. It may need a rinse. I managed to gouge him a couple of times."
His eyes widened incredulously for a moment before he reached out and took the key from her.
He didn't seem to have an aversion to the bloody key. It was, she supposed, his meal of choice. A slow smile, a genuine one, pulled across his face. He said, "Yes, Miss Ferguson, I do admire your spirit."
About Michelle:
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she's not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she's probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book.
In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
Contact Info:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mroth_author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrothauthor
Website: http://www.michelleroth.net
Newsletter: http://michelleroth.net/mailing-list/
GooglePlus: http://google.com/+MichelleRothAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8178847.Michelle_Roth
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Roth/e/B00KQNZOAW
Email: michelle@michelleroth.net
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