Rebecca Zanetti's Blog, page 15

They say Moving is Stressful…

What do they know?  Just kidding.  We just bought our dream house up on a hill overlooking a gorgeous lake and mountains reaching to Canada.  The perfect place to write!  The only downside?  Yeah.  We need to pack, move, and unpack.

How hard can it be?  LOL!

Here’s a picture of the new view.  Canada is the other way, BTW.  We’ve lived in our current house for more than eleven years.  That’s a lot of time…and a lot of stuff.  The good news is that we’re only moving a few miles, so we can take and unpack as we arrive, until it’s time for the heavy stuff.  Then we’ve hired movers.

So, my blog may be full of mishaps, stories, and pretty views for the next bit of time.  But one of the cool things about this new property is you can just imagine the cowboys who have ridden through there.  You all know I like a good cowboy!

Other than that, I’ve turned in Page Proofs of RISING ASSETS, Copy Edits of BLIND FAITH, and am now writing MARKED, Janie’s story.  It’s almost finished.

So really, how hard can it be to move?

Filed under: Random thoughts

SWEET REVENGE is on sale for only a bit longer…

Hi all!

It occurred to me that I’d better remind everyone that SWEET REVENGE (sexy Matt’s story) will only be available at the $2.99 price for a little while longer.  I also thought I should post an excerpt for you all.

THE ONE MAN SHE CAN’T HAVE

Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he’s gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

THE ONE WOMAN HE CAN’T RESIST

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She’s spent years running from her own past–the last thing she needs is an romantic entanglement. But Matt’s strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she’s ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt’s past and putting everything–and everyone–he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?

EXCERPT:

Raised voices toward the dartboard brought Laney up short at the far end of the bar. Turning, she sighed. Two burly men stood nose to nose and shouted profanities—something about a borrowed tractor. She was so not in the mood. Steeling her shoulders, she marched out of the office and up to them.

Just in time to duck as a beefy arm swept toward her head, the fist aimed at the other guy’s face.

Then things happened too fast to track.

A hard arm banded around her waist and set her out of the way. A heartbeat later, Matt had both men on their knees, one with an arm behind his back, one with an odd hold on his neck.

Both men whimpered, and one drooled.

Wow. Laney blinked and shook her head. That was unreal. She held both hands out to diffuse the situation. “Whoa, there. Let’s calm down.” Her gaze rose to Matt’s face, and she froze.

The man was beyond calm. No anger, no fear, no expression. He’d put down two hulking men with minimal effort and no emotion. “I believe these gentlemen were heading home,” he said.

One guy gurgled his agreement. The other guy whimpered again.

“It’s good we agree.” Matt released them, and the two scrambled to their feet, almost running each other over to get out of the bar. A step forward, and Matt manacled her arm in an unbreakable grip. “Boss? I’d like a word.” Without waiting for an answer, he maneuvered her through the bar to the back door.

She tried to concentrate. Before she could protest, they stood outside on the steps.

He released her and whirled around. While he’d been calm inside, now fire lanced through his odd gray eyes. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

She swallowed and stepped back. “Excuse me?”

He towered over her, hands on hips, all furious male. “Getting in the middle of a bar fight with men twice your size. You hired me for a reason, right?”

“Well, yes.” Why was he so angry? She tilted her head to the side as irritation filled her. He had no right to question her. “If there’s an altercation in my bar, I need to step in.”

“No.” His voice lowered to a growl. “If there’s a fight, you call me over. You do not step in.”

She frowned. Fury stretched awake inside her, but she kept it in check, keeping control. The idea of losing control of her environment worried her more than the rock-hard male in front of her. “You know you work for me, right?”

“Listen, lady”—red spiraled across his high cheekbones—“you hired me to bounce problems, which I can’t do if your sweet ass is in the way.”

Was that a fact? She took a deep breath and settled on the only solution other than kicking him in the shin. “You’re fired.”

Both of his eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

Satisfaction tilted her chin. Not much probably surprised Matt Dean. “You’re fired.” As an exit line, it nailed the situation. Unfortunately, the toned soldier stood between her and the door. Just who the hell did he think he was? “Now move your sweet ass.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the door. As a move, it was intimidating. “Why am I fired?”

“You leave much to be desired as an employee.” She eyed him, assessing the situation. Nope. The guy might be commanding, but she wasn’t scared. He wouldn’t hurt her. “All you’ve done since being hired is flirt with customers, order me around, and kiss me.”

His chin lowered. “Which of those items is pissing you off the most?”

She narrowed her eyes as heat spiraled through her abdomen. “You can flirt with any dumb bimbo you want, and frankly, the kisses were all right. But ordering me around? Not a chance.”

“All right? The kisses were all right?”

Figured the man would focus on that. She forced herself to lift a shoulder. “Eh.”

His cheek creased, and his eyes warmed. “Maybe we should try again, then. See if I can do better.”

“No.” The spit in her mouth dried up. She hadn’t meant to challenge him…had she? “I don’t, ah, kiss fired employees.”

“So that leaves Smitty.” Matt grinned.

“Very funny.” The tension slowly drained from her muscles in response to his instant humor.

He exhaled slowly. “Listen, I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“You didn’t.”

“I’m also sorry if I was too bossy.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s just, after being in combat, orders come naturally. Seeing you, somebody so small near danger…well, it hits triggers. All sorts of triggers.”

She could handle him bossy or charming. But sweet and honest? She shook her head and gestured toward his hard body. “You’re just…too much.”

He chuckled. “If you give me another chance, I promise I’ll tone it down. All of it.”

Want to read more?  CLICK HERE for the Prologue and First Chapter
Filed under: Sin Brothers Series Tagged: Grand Central, Matt and Laney, paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Sin Brothers, Sweet Revenge

Are you sure there’s sun in Florida?

So…I’m back home from the Coastal Magic Convention, and it was wonderful!  So great to catch up with friends and goof off with fans.  We may have lost at laser tag (barely), but the team we played was on game three and had figured it out.  Once we figured out how to fan out and attack, we were dangerous.  Boone Brux has a fantastic dive and roll move, and Ciara Knight knows how to leap while firing.  Ciara and I accidentally shot each other at one point, but it all worked out.  (Yes, we were on the same team). 

Big Tone went with me to Florida because I figured I’d have more time to spend with him than usual since none of my editors or agent were at the conference, and also, he loves the sun.  It was really nice the day we arrived (we arrived at night though), and then the day we left was sunny.  Other than that…it rained.  Really, really rained.  LOL!  But we still had fun, and he didn’t even mind when a bunch of ladies asked him to strip.  Big Tone is a hottie, and that kind of thing happens at romance conferences.  It just does.  He also thought the gift package from C.J. Ellisson with the dirty dice was hilarious, and he enjoyed meeting my friend Liz Berry, who’s a bundle of fun and energy and is just brilliant at understanding the publishing industry.

The panels were tons of fun. During one, Sara Humphreys and I came up with a fun promo plan we might try out this year, schedule permitting…and I’ll let you know if it all works out!  I think I also coerced a promise out of her to show me around NY next time I’m in town.  :) 

Anyway…it’s good to be home experiencing a blizzard.  Seriously.  Tons of snow…and we’re about to move.  Here’s a very snowy picture of the view from my new office in our new home…and yes, we’re trimming trees in the spring.

Everyone have a wonderful week!

Filed under: Random thoughts Tagged: book signing, Coastal Magic Convention, Daytona Beach, Florida, laser tag

Forgotten Sins is Traveling!

Hi all!  I’m so excited to share that Forgotten Sins is now available in your local bookstore, grocery store, library, etc. in print!  If they’re not stocking it where you are, feel free to request it!  Libraries will stock a book after it’s been requested a couple of times, so feel free. 

This first book in a new romantic suspense series already has more than 100 five-star reviews on Amazon.  Publisher’s Weekly noted that ‘fans of romantic suspense will enjoy the twists and turns Zanetti puts her protagonists through,’ and RT noted that “Zanetti pulls together a heady mix of sexy sizzle, emotional punch and high stakes danger in this truly outstanding tale. Brava!”  The second book, Sweet Revenge, is available in eBook now, with a print date of May.  Smart Bitches, Sexy Books claims Sweet Revenge is a ‘mix of paranormal suspense and extreme sexxytimes.”

Shane and Josie’s book has been available in ebook for a while, so some of you may have already read it.  Let me know anyway if you see the print book around, will you?  And for those overseas fans still waiting to get book 2, Sweet Revenge, in ebook, my publisher has assured me they’re working on the distribution problem.  I’m hounding them as much as possible!

Here’s one of my favorite excerpts from Forgotten Sins from when Shane and Josie are on the run and are taking a quick sleep break in a ramshackle hotel (in different beds):

Shane twitched.  Then gave a low moan.  Pain suffused the sound.

Josie’s heart lurched.  Her mind spun.

No matter who he was, she could only be herself.  If he was in pain, she couldn’t sit by and watch.  She didn’t want to be a person who’d sit by and watch.

An agonized growl rumbled from his chest.

Oh, this was a bad idea.  She crept forward, gingerly resting one knee on his bed and crawling forward.  Reaching his side, she snuggled down, her head on his outstretched arm. Warm cedar filled her senses.  She placed her hand over his heart.  “It’s okay, Shane.  Only good dreams tonight,” she whispered.  With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes.

***

Shane kept his breathing even, his body relaxed.  His heart thumped against her palm.  Awakening, he’d heard her move from the bed and had wondered.  Would she head for the door?  No.  She hadn’t.  The woman had cuddled up with danger to provide comfort for him.  Security.  Love.

His heart warmed until it hurt.  Vulnerability and need filtered through him followed by determination.  He didn’t know how the hell he’d lost her before.  No matter what it took, whoever he had to walk through, he wouldn’t lose her again. 

Filed under: Sin Brothers Series Tagged: alpha males, amnesia story, amnesiac hero, book release, erotic romance, Forever, Forgotten Sins, Grand Central, Hachette, romance, Romantic Suspense, Sin Brothers, Zanetti

I Might be Driving Big Tone’ Crazy

Where I write…

Hi all!  I hope your 2014 is going amazingly well!  As a lot of you know, I resigned from my day job as a college professor to write full time.  It has been quite the transition, and I’m starting to find a routine.

Looks better, right? :)

But first I had to tackle a few projects around the house that have been bugging me–which of course, puts more work on Big Tone’.  His honey-do list somehow tripled since I’m at home now.  LOL!

I am still in the process of redoing my office, and it has been a lot of fun.  I have a huge roll-top desk that I use, and I’m keeping that.  But the other side of the office had an old kitchen table, and I

New desk-across the room

ditched that (it’s going to the lake) in favor of this awesome pottery barn desk.  Of course I bought the cool wall organizers as well.  We haven’t quite put up all the artwork, but we’re getting there. 

 

Organizing, baby!

We also tackled the kitchen cabinets with some color/stain, and we’re heading for new appliances soon.  My oven hasn’t worked right in years, and I’m tired of everything burning on top and not cooking on the bottom.  Time to update.  2014 is the year of health, and that means cooking healthy meals for everybody.

I mentioned last night that maybe we should remodel the bathrooms, and Tony looked at me like I was crazy.  Loony, deep in the voices, crazy.  So I don’t think we’ll be doing that.  Which is okay, because to be honest, I’m knee deep in edits right now and am also working on the next book.  So, I should really get back to work.

Anyway, I hope you are having a wonderful year so far, and I’ll be updating more often. 

Filed under: Random thoughts

@HeatherHowland Thank you! And thanks to the Entangled t...

@HeatherHowland Thank you! And thanks to the Entangled team for the awesome support, editing, marketing…etc! Happy New Year!

Filed under: Random thoughts

A Sale for New Years!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!  I hope your 2014 is amazing and full of adventure and fun!  To kick off the New Year, my publisher has put AGAINST THE WALL on sale for less than a dollar at three retailers.  Yep – that’s .99c.  WHOOT!  There’s nothing like warming up in this chilly winter with a cowboy, and Jake Lodge is more than up to the task.  Enjoy!

“Undeniably steamy and consistently engaging, the first of Rebecca Zanetti’s Maverick Montana series mixes sizzling chemistry and intriguing conflict with deeper emotional themes of loneliness and finding home, making for a read that satisfies on a number of levels.”  ~ RT Book Reviews – 4 STARS

Rebecca Zanetti created a story with an ultimate alpha male and a strong, sassy female lead. I was in love with the story from page one and couldn’t wait to find out how it ended!  - HarlequinJunkie

Filed under: Random thoughts

My Own Drummer

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, whatever you celebrate!  We had a great time here at the Zanetti household – lots of fun and good times.  Big Tone’ always chooses a theme for his gift giving to me–centered around a color.  One year it was red, and I received stunning rubies.  But he goes all out with red gum, candy, a book with a red cover, and towels.  Always two towels.

So I have two red towels, two black towels, two orange towels…you get it.  Finally a couple of years ago, I told him that I loved the themes (and the jewelry) but could do without towels. 

This year was a green and white theme – and the pearls are beautiful.   I tried to take a picture for you, but they keep ending up blurry.  So trust me, I love them.  This too:

Too funny, right?

To be honest, I figure Tony thinks this will keep me from picking out all the M&M’s from his trail mix in his man cave.  I like that he’s a dreamer, because there’s no way.

Now we’re in the process of taking down Christmas decorations, and it looks like a tornado went through the house.  So we ignored the house and went out last night to celebrate my brother in law’s birthday, and we went dancing afterward.  My sister is quite concerned at my lack of rhythm.  She tried everything from patting my hand to trying to move my hips.  I finally reached a conclusion:

I hear a different drummer.

That’s okay.  I told my sister my grand conclusion, and she said that my drummer is a drunk, one-eyed, deaf guy with a peg leg. 

But that’s okay.  I really do hear the beat differently and have given up on trying to match anybody else’s moves.  I just move and have fun.  Frankly, and just between us here on the blog, I’m not entirely sure everybody else is feeling the right beat.  Maybe my drummer has nailed it.

So for 2014, I hope you follow your own drummer whether or not anybody else can hear him.  That old saying, ‘dance like nobody is watching’ is a good way to live.  Dance your heart out this coming year!

Filed under: Random thoughts

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to take a moment and say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Whatever you celebrate this season, I hope your time is full of happiness, laughter, and friendship!  This upcoming year I’ll be posting more, as I’ve resigned from my day job and am going to exclusively work as an author.  Part of that is playing here on the blog with you. 

Filed under: Random thoughts

SWEET REVENGE is now AVAILABLE!

Release day is finally here! 

Readers were introduced to the oldest Dean brother in Forgotten Sins, and now Matt gets his own story.  On the hunt for an elusive surgeon, Matt finds more than he’d planned with a feisty bar owner on the run.  Take a peek at the excerpt–link below.

Rebecca does a wonderful job of intertwining several story lines, making each one a focal point before turning the story on its ear and focusing on something else…For family, for freedom and finally for love! Ms. Zanetti has offered another five star plus book. ~ Shauni from Tea and Book

Click HERE for the Beginning of SWEET REVENGE (Prologue and Chapter 1)

The One Man She Can’t Have

Matt Dean was born to fight . . . and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he’s gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho . . . and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can’t Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She’s spent years running from her own past-the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt’s strong arms offer her protection and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she’s ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt’s past and putting everything-and everyone-he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?

Filed under: Random thoughts