Lisa Fox's Blog, page 97
August 20, 2014
Brought to his Knees Box Set feat. Sabrina York
Who Doesn’t Want a Man Brought to His Knees by Love? Eleven Scorching Stories for 99¢
I was thrilled when my latest venture, the Hot Alpha SEALs Megaset, hit the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists and I am very excited about my next release, a collection of steamy stories about men brought to their knees by love. Check out a taste of my story, and read on for more teasers from the collection.
Brought to his Knees Box Set
The Alpha male. Strong. In control. Letting no one and nothing rule him…until he meets the one, and all bets are off. The world tilts, the bed rocks, and suddenly that tough guy finds himself Brought to His Knees—in more ways than one. This collection of ten hot to erotic novellas and one short erotic novel will take you on journeys of lust, love, and adventure, leave you breathless and quite possibly in need of a cold shower. Enter with anticipation. Finish satisfied…
Whipped By Sabrina York
Dane Coulter is mourning the loss of his best friend, fellow Special Ops buddy, Cody. Oh, Cody didn’t die. It’s worse. He’s getting married. Cody is, in Dane’s opinion, whipped.
Dane swears he will never suffer the same fate. But when he meets a woman who can take all his dominant loving and beg for more, he realizes he may have met his match. It’s a damn shame she’s the one woman in the world his man-code deems untouchable…his best friend’s sister.
Read an Excerpt (18+ Only, Please—this is steamy stuff)
He was bigger than he’d been in high school. Bigger, taller and just…more. His muscles, lacquered by a tight black tee shirt, bulged. Tattoos danced over his biceps. The planes of his face were angled. High cheekbones, dark brows, long blade of a nose all the same, but sharper. His eyes hadn’t had those shadows back then either, that predatory glint. His hair—his thick mop of curls—was gone, shaved off, revealing the perfect shape of his head. His chin, however, wasn’t shaved. It was covered by a smattering of dark fuzz. A scar on his cheek, rather than detracting from his looks, made him even more fascinating, dangerous.
And he smelled…delicious. As he moved, his cologne, a clean enticing scent, enveloped her in a cloud.
Oh, he was dangerous all right.
She didn’t care.
The slight buzz from the margaritas at the bachelorette party, the sexual sizzle ignited by the strippers who’d burst in on their party wearing camo fatigues with rip-away crotches, all contributed to her bravado.
In real life she would never hook arms with some random guy and sashay by his side to his room. But hell. This was Dane. The man of her fantasies. And, judging from the hunger in his expression as he looked down at her, the heat that passed between them where they touched, he wanted her.
Thank God she wasn’t still the dorky teen with braces she’d been when they’d last met.
She looked amazing tonight. He happened to wander by and notice her. No one else was around. And he wanted her.
It was as though, somehow, magically, all the stars had aligned.
There was no way—no way—she would miss this opportunity.
Excitement danced low in her gut as he swiped his room key and led her into his suite. It was a nice suite—not as sumptuous as Angie’s, but nice all the same—with a small sitting area and an enormous king bed. The windows looked out on the sparkling lights of the City that Never Slept. Or one of them.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, taking off his watch and dropping it on the table by the door. It drew her attention to his forearms, thick and muscled and sprinkled with dark hairs. They were roped with thick veins. She’d always had a thing for bulky forearms. And she’d always had a thing for Dane. The combination was irresistible.
She tipped her head to the side and blew a bubble with her gum. “Margarita?”
He waved at the glossy wood armoire against the wall. “I have a mini bar. It’ll have to be shots. What’s your poison?”
“Tequila then.” Might as well keep a good thing going.
He hunkered down and searched through the fridge, pulling out a tiny bottle of tequila for her and whiskey for him. He cracked them open and dumped them unceremoniously into two glasses and handed her hers. No ice or anything.
Good thing it didn’t matter to her, or she’d be pissed at his cavalier attitude. The drink was lubricant, a time filler. They were dancing around a seduction, and they both knew it.
Or…not.
Apparently seduction was not necessary. Because Dane took a swig of his drink and said, with no preface whatsoever, “So do you have any no-nos?”
She gaped at him. “No-nos?”
“Anything you won’t do? Because I’ll be frank. I like a little kink.”
Holy God.
First of all, the heat scorching her was mind-numbing. Literally. Mind. Numbing. Those brash words from Dane’s gorgeous lips and she nearly lost her balance.
Second of all—he liked kink.
So, in fact, did she. Nothing super dark, but a little slap and tickle for sure.
“Um…” She took a sip of her drink. She shuddered as the harsh bite of liquor burned through her. It clashed with the flavor of her gum. “What kind of kink are we talking about?”
He strode to his suitcase and fished around, pulling out a long leather strap with two loops on the ends. Her eyes fixated on it. She shuddered.
“I want to tie you up,” he said, his voice low, taunting, as though he expected her to squeak like a mouse and scuttle from the room.
The. Fuck.
“Hmm. I think I can handle that.”
“I’ll probably smack your bottom.”
Also good. She tried not to flinch in anticipation. His hand on her ass? Gawd.
“I won’t hurt you, though. I’m not into that. And of course, I’ll use protection.” He held up a pack of condoms.
Well da-ham. He’d come prepared. A smile curled on her lips.
“Billy said your fee’s been paid.” His brow quirked.
The smile froze on Tina’s face. A combination of horror and rage and something else altogether snarled through her, as she realized how right she’d been. Not only did he not recognize her—after knowing her her entire life, for pity sake—he thought she was a hooker.
Granted, she did kind of look like a hooker, with makeup plastered on as if with a trowel. But still…
She glanced at him from beneath the impossibly long lashes The Master had glued to her lids. Not her style, but she liked the way they looked. The way they made her feel…like someone else. Someone sultry and daring. Someone Dane would want.
To tie up and spank.
Aside from that, the temptation to have him, taste him, fuck him, ran rampant in her. For years she’d fantasized about her older brother’s best friend. All through puberty and long after that. Every man she’d met, dated or been with had been gauged against Dane Coulter. None of them had measured up.
Ah yes, the temptation to have him was overwhelming.
Not to mention how much fun it would be watching him shit a brick tomorrow, when he realized who she really was.
Too delicious to pass up, really. The whole package.
He stood there in the middle of the room, holding the strap in one hand and the condoms in the other, waiting for her reply. Though he was all Dom, she couldn’t help but notice a hint of tension in him, as though he was, on some level, afraid she’d say no and waltz away.
He wanted her. And he wanted her bad. It was the heat in his eyes that gave him away, the way they flicked over her and burned with hunger. Yeah. Irresistible.
Sure. She could be a hooker for the evening.
What people are saying about WHIPPED:
“5 Stars—Whipped by Sabrina York was so good, LOVED all the sexy scenes and then how she mixed in some humor parts. I know she’s super busy but I’m really hoping she makes this one into a series because its that good :)”—Read More Romance
“5 Stars—Oh my goodness! I loved, loved, loved this story! The sex was off-the-charts hot! And I mean HOT! The characters were witty and so entertaining. As always, Ms. York’s humor and witty writing is on full display. I honestly don’t think she could not write a story that doesn’t leave me in awe of her slightly sarcastic, yet always smartly written style. I bow to the master.”— Coffee and Books
“5 Stars—This was a great read that kept me glued to the events. Loved the epilogue!”—Ms Romantic Reads
Oh and here is some inspiration for Dane & his buddies: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boys-in-uniformor-not/
BROUGHT TO HIS KNEES—Available August 19th
Amazon: Check Sabrina’s Amazon Page for this and all her releases: http://www.amazon.com/Sabrina-York/e/B00856PDEO
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brought-to-his-knees-am-griffin/1119993064?ean=2940045653121
Itunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/brought-to-his-knees/id902008990?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
KOBO: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/brought-to-his-knees
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-broughttohisknees-1581282-362.html
Check out the teaser video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbYYLpmDk6c
Review Now on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22796872-brought-to-his-knees
More about Brought To His Knees
Dark Wolf Enterprises by A.M. Griffin: Murder, mayhem and imprinting with a hot wolf shifter… And they say being an accountant is boring.
Building Bridges by Amy Ruttan: A vet tech and a lone wolf rancher ride out a sudden storm, but can they weather the emotions they stir up in each other…
Three Strikes by Anya Richards: Two lonely men. One secret affair. Irresistible passion that will push them both to the breaking point, and beyond.
A Cowboy’s Seduction by Cynthia D’Alba: One exhausted cowboy + One uptight account x A tropical resort = A hot seduction. But who is seducing whom?
Born to Sin by Danica Avet: A tomboy in love makes a desperate attempt to seduce her best friend and succeeds beyond her wildest dreams. But this Alpha male isn’t easily tamed and has secrets that could very well tear them apart.
The Sound of Your Name by Felice Fox: Their silent erotic encounters change his luck and awaken his soul, but secrets and cowboy superstitions can only keep them apart.
Beneath the Pages by Jennifer Kacey: One wicked night with her did nothing but whet his appetite. Now he’ll settle for nothing less than her complete submission.
Cruising for Love by Lynne Silver: A vacation cruise comes with surprises—like the BDSM theme and her high school love, the one man she can’t resist.
Whipped by Sabrina York: A scalding attraction. An irresistible passion. A pity she’s the one woman he can never have…
Chief Sin by Sayde Grace: A taste of Sin isn’t enough. Instead she wants all of him, including the heart she once broke.
Make Me Surrender by Tina Donahue: When it comes to two of the hottest guys in town, she has a proposition…to win their attention, passion, hearts.
About Sabrina York
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching erotic romance. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!
FOLLOW SABRINA
Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork
Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_york
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York
Check out my Pintrest boards (prepare to spend the day): http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/
Filed under: Guest Blogger Tagged: BDSM, Brought to his Knees Box Set, Sabrina York, Submission, Whipped
August 19, 2014
Hero Inspiration of the Day
Broderick Hunter
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Filed under: Hot Men Tagged: Best Abs, Hero Inspiration of the Day, Jeans, Sexy Men
August 18, 2014
So Much Awesomeness!
I’m participating in a bunch of stuff where you can win awesome prizes!
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First, there is the Sex Scene Championship! There are HOT scenes to read and lots of books & goodies to win! I’d really appreciate your vote.
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Next, there is the month long CHRISTMAS BY THE FIRE blog hop! Check it out for some awesome free reads from my fellow Harper Impulse authors and a chance to win books & a $70 Amazon gift card!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY RIGHT HERE:
Read! Enter! Win! Enjoy! A great way to spend a Monday for sure.
Filed under: News Tagged: Christmas, Christmas By The Fire, Erotic Romance, Free Read, Giveaway, Lisa Fox, Sex Scene Championship
August 17, 2014
Sex Scene Championship 2014!
I’m competing today in the Sex Scene Championship and I’d really appreciate your vote!There are HOT scenes to read and lots of books and goodies to win!
Filed under: News Tagged: A Matter of Lust, Erotic Romance, Giveaway, Paranormal Romance, Sex Scene, Sex Scene Championship
August 16, 2014
August 14, 2014
Christmas by the Fire Blog Hop! Part 2
Welcome to the Written Fireside August Blog Hop!
Fifteen authors from Harper Impulse will write fifteen stories all starting from one shared starting paragraph written by competition winner Georgia Beyers!
Be sure to check out all the awesome stories and enter the giveaway! There are books to be had and the chance to win a $70 Amazon gift card!
Join us by the fire!
Lori Connelly – Aug 1,2,3
Erin Lawless – Aug 4,5
Mandy Baggot – Aug 6,7
Aimee Duffy – Aug 8,9
Teresa F. Morgan – Aug 10,11
Angela Campbell – Aug 12,13
Lisa Fox – Aug 14,15
Lynn Marie Hulsman – Aug 16,17
Linn B. Halton – Aug 18,19
Carmel Harrington – Aug 20,21
Charlotte Phillips – Aug 22,23
Romy Sommer – Aug 24,25
Jane Lark – Aug 26,27
Zara Stoneley – Aug 28,29
AJ Nuest – Aug 30,31
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY RIGHT HERE:
***
Christmas Wishes – PART TWO
[Check out PART ONE right here: Christmas Wishes - PART ONE]
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Five hundred.”
Her stomach clenched. She didn’t have that kind of cash on hand. Desperate, she pulled all the money she had out of her pockets and handed it to Liam. He added her bills to his own and counted the pile.
“Four hundred nineteen dollars,” Liam said, offering the man the money.
“Five hundred,” the man repeated.
“Come on,” Liam said, taking a step closer to the man. “Who else is going to offer you cash money right here on the sidewalk? Most of the shoppers are home now or on their way there. You’re not going to get a better offer.”
The man looked at the wad of bills in Liam’s fist and Charlotte prayed to every god she could think of that he’d take the money—she even sent a silent, frantic request to Santa Claus himself. Time seemed to expand, one heartbeat was eons long, and then the man nodded, and Charlotte was able to breathe again.
“Fine,” he said, handing them the box.
The instant the deal was done, Charlotte threw her arms around Liam’s neck and hugged him tight. “You did it!”
He hugged her back, lifting her off her feet, the gun crushed between them as they danced around like lunatics on the sidewalk. Charlotte didn’t care how many nasty looks she got from the passersby. She was too happy let them ruin her moment.
Liam released her as her mad giggles started to fade. She gripped the lapels of his pea coat for balance, trying to steady herself now that she was back on solid ground. She looked up into his eyes and their gazes met, held. Something passed between them, something electric and tingly. Her skin went deliciously tight and heat rushed to her cheeks. Her gaze fell to his mouth, his slightly parted lips, the white plume of his breath. He was so close, she only had to lift her chin the barest fraction of an inch and his lips would be on hers.
A horn blared, followed by a string of angry curses, and Charlotte jumped, rudely dropped back into reality. She took a hasty step away from him, putting some distance between them. What was she thinking? Liam liked to tease her, but there was no way he was interested in her in that way. She’d seen the type of girls he dated—beautiful women in designer clothes, with flawless skin and gym-toned bodies. There was no way she could ever compete with them. He was out of her league. She touched his jacket, then quickly pulled her hand back. Kissing him was dream best reserved for her long, solitary nights. Crazy thoughts like that had no place here. She gathered herself and gave him the best smile she could muster. “Thanks.”
“I’d do anything for you, Charlotte. You know that.” He held her gaze for a moment longer and then looked away. “I guess you should get to your sister’s now.”
“Yeah,” she said, still trying to get her thumping heart under control. “You probably have somewhere to go too.”
“No, not really,” he said, and she knew him well enough to know that smile on his face was forced. “I’m just spending a quiet Christmas alone this year.”
“Oh, no,” she said, taking his hand. She couldn’t imagine anything sadder than spending Christmas alone. “You’re coming with me.”
“Your family won’t mind?”
“Definitely not,” she said, and raised her hand to hail a cab. She flashed him a quick grin as one pulled over. “Besides, a hero can’t spend the holiday alone. That’s against all the rules.”
It didn’t take long for them to arrive at her sister’s Pacific Heights home. Karen greeted them at the door, her eyes going wide in surprise and delight when she saw the package Liam was carrying.
“You got it!” she said, taking the box. “I can’t believe you did it, Char.”
Charlotte grinned and hooked her arm through Liam’s. “I had help.”
“Of course you did,” Karen said. “How are you, Liam? Will you be joining us tonight?”
“If that’s all right with you, Karen.”
“Don’t be silly,” Karen said, escorting them inside. “We love you, Liam.” Charlotte suppressed a sigh as her sister shot a significant look her way. Karen was probably the most unsubtle person on Earth. “Come on in. I’ll get this all wrapped up for Daniel.”
Karen left them alone in the living room, carrying the gun off with her. Charlotte could hear her mom and dad and Daniel’s voices from the back of the apartment—they were probably all in the boy’s room. She looked at Liam and then quickly away. For the first time ever, the silence between them was tense, edgy. The memory of his body pressed against hers was all too fresh in her mind, and the thought of almost kissing him made her dizzy. She needed to get a hold of herself and fast. She didn’t want to be awkward around him.
“So, she said, taking off her coat and hanging it on the rack by the door just to do something. “I guess I owe you one.”
“I guess you do,” he said, circling the room, checking out the stockings hanging from the mantelpiece, the pine Christmas tree, the festive strings of lights. When he met her gaze again, there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
Something about the way he looked at her made her pause. Liam was always a flirt, but this felt different. She swallowed hard and decided to take a chance. “What do you have in mind?”
“Hmm,” he said, a deep hum in the back of his throat that sent heated shivers down her spine. “Well, I have a Christmas wish I was hoping you could help me out with.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” He stopped before her, stood less than an inch away, and her breath hitched. This couldn’t really be happening. It was too good to be true. She wanted to tremble from the excitement, but she didn’t dare move or even blink for fear the slightest twitch would shatter the moment and end the dream.
He held her eyes for a long moment, then looked up at the ceiling, high above their heads. “I’ve always wanted to kiss a beautiful woman under the mistletoe.”
Blood raced through her veins, heating every inch of her skin. “You want to kiss me?”
His gaze flicked to her lips, and a deep, longing ache uncurled in her belly. “Yes.”
Her heart galloped, and she feared she might seriously swoon. “Really?”
He flashed her a quick grin, then dipped his head. She had no time to think, no time to react. His lips touched hers and pure desire overtook every single one of her senses. She froze, too overwhelmed to respond at first. But his lips moved, slowly, tentatively, exploring and caressing, and she was quickly swept away, caught up in his taste, his breath, his kiss.
With a gasp, she kissed him back, and any remaining thoughts she might have had evaporated when his fingers slid up her back to tangle in her hair. She succumbed to his kiss and her own no longer secret desires. He gave her hair a gentle tug, sliding his tongue past her lips and into her mouth. She opened for him with a low moan, let him ravage and take, let the kiss build and build until they were both out of their minds. Her heart thundered in her chest, but maybe it was his heart pounding like that, she no longer had any concept of where she ended and he began.
When he pulled away, he left her panting, wanting, needing more. She clung to him in the middle of her sister’s living room, her knees weak, her breath unsteady. Every hormone in her body was on fire, every nerve ending sizzling. She met his gaze, startled to see her own tangled emotions reflected in his hazel eyes. Lust raced over her, pumping through her blood, but it was a spark of hope that maybe they could have something more that kept her from pulling away. The love that she had so long repressed burst through all the walls she had so carefully constructed around herself. It was too much and perfect all at the same time. She could only laugh at the glorious insanity.
“What?” he asked, his voice soft.
“I have a Christmas wish too.”
“Do you?” he asked, and nuzzled her nose. “I can’t wait to hear it.”
She nuzzled him back and the simple, loving gesture was enough to give her the courage to voice her heart’s deepest desire. “I want more than just this one kiss with you.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “That’s what I’ve always wanted too, Charlotte. I’ve been trying to tell you that forever.”
“Yeah, well, I guess I’m pretty dense sometimes.” She knew she was glowing and she had no desire to wipe the stupid grin off her face. Her own happiness made her bold and she snuggled up against him. “I’ll just have to make it up to you with lots of sex.”
His eyes widened for an instant and he pulled her closer. “I had no idea you were so naughty.” He kissed her on the lips. “I like it.”
She laughed. “You know, right before you called me, I was thinking at the bus stop about if I’d make the naughty or nice list this year.” What a difference one phone call could make. This was the best Christmas of her entire life. “I got Daniel his toy, so that definitely makes me nice. But…” She hugged him tight, his body solid and warm against hers. “I think naughty might be a lot more fun.”
A slow, wicked grin curled his lips. “Naughty does have its advantages.”
She traced the line of his jaw, her heart filled with absolute joy. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Filed under: Blog Tour Tagged: Christmas, Christmas By The Fire, Contemporary Romance, Free Read, Giveaway, Lisa Fox, Written Fireside 
August 13, 2014
Christmas by the Fire Blog Hop! Part 1
Welcome to the Written Fireside August Blog Hop!
Fifteen authors from Harper Impulse will write fifteen stories all starting from one shared starting paragraph written by competition winner Georgia Beyers!
Be sure to check out all the awesome stories and enter the giveaway! There are books to be had and the chance to win a $70 Amazon gift card!
Join us by the fire!
Lori Connelly – Aug 1,2,3
Erin Lawless – Aug 4,5
Mandy Baggot – Aug 6,7
Aimee Duffy – Aug 8,9
Teresa F. Morgan – Aug 10,11
Angela Campbell – Aug 12,13
Lisa Fox – Aug 14,15
Lynn Marie Hulsman – Aug 16,17
Linn B. Halton – Aug 18,19
Carmel Harrington – Aug 20,21
Charlotte Phillips – Aug 22,23
Romy Sommer – Aug 24,25
Jane Lark – Aug 26,27
Zara Stoneley – Aug 28,29
AJ Nuest – Aug 30,31
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY RIGHT HERE:
***
Christmas Wishes – PART ONE
Charlotte sat at the bus stop wondering whether she would make the naughty or nice list this year. Last year she had rescued a stray kitten and therefore considered herself most definitely ‘nice’. This year she had broken Daniel’s heart into a million tiny pieces, so ‘naughty’ seemed to be the only answer. There’d be no Santa Claus coming down her chimney anytime soon.
She sighed and wiped the sheen of clammy fog off her forehead with the back of her hand. Of course, the heartbreak hadn’t happened yet, but it was inevitable. There was no way around it. She could already picture her eight year old nephew’s face when she showed up for Christmas Eve dinner tonight empty-handed. If only she had been a little faster, worked a little harder. A fat drop of rain hit her square on the nose and she scowled as she swiped the moisture away. At least the setting was right. It was a nasty day in San Francisco, cold and rainy and damp. The perfect day to ruin someone’s holiday.
A bus came and went, depositing passengers on the sidewalk, picking up others while she wallowed in her own disappointment. For weeks, she had tried every scheme she could think of to get Daniel the Limited Edition Elite Superstrike N-16 Blaster that the superhero whose name she could never remember always carried into battle. She’d trolled the internet, contacted every friend she had in every state, got up at the crack of dawn to go to toy stores miles and miles outside of the city. Not a single one of her bright ideas had panned out. Today, she had spent the day exhausting her last lead, her very last hope of getting him that gun in time for Christmas. She’d heard a rumor that one, last shop had a gun for sale and was willing to sell it to the highest bidder. She’d gathered all her cash, grabbed her AmEx, and traversed the city in search of her quarry. But once again she was too late, and the toy had been sold to someone else.
She touched the gift card she’d gotten for Daniel in her jacket pocket. Her lips twisted. So lame. Sure, it was just a toy, and the kid would probably get over it, but she had promised—swore—she would get it for him. It was the thing he wanted most for Christmas, and he didn’t ask his mom or his dad or even Santa Claus for it. He asked her.
And she had failed.
She glanced down the street, but the bus she needed was nowhere in sight. Not that it mattered. Dinner at her sister’s wasn’t for hours. Last minute shoppers milled around the stop, chatting amongst themselves or staring anxiously down the street. Women with designer baby strollers prowled the sidewalk, organic coffee in hand. A Salvation Army volunteer rang his bell in front of the pharmacy, his beard saturated from the damp. She shifted to the left as a woman laden with bags took the seat on the metal bench next to her. Charlotte glanced at the brightly wrapped presents peeking out the woman’s bags and then quickly away. Unlike her, that woman was going to make someone’s Christmas happy.
Her phone buzzed and for one, brief moment, she thought about ignoring it. She was not in the mood for any kind of Christmas cheer. But curiosity got the best of her, and she gave into its siren call. A small smile touched her lips when she checked the caller ID and saw that it was her best friend, Liam.
She put the phone to her ear, but before she could even say hello, he blurted out, “Charlotte, listen to me. You need to get to Union Square right now.”
“Why?” she asked, grimacing as a black sedan splashed mucky water up onto the curb. Grit and debris landed a few inches away from her toes. “I’m all the way over in Noe Valley.”
“I’m at a store behind Nordstrom’s that’s about to sell a few of those guns you want,” he said in a harsh whisper. “There are a lot of people here already and more are coming. You need to get here fast.”
She sat up straighter, her misery forgotten. “How is that possible? It’s sold out everywhere.”
“Apparently not. They have at least one here. I can see the box from where I’m standing.” He paused, and she could hear some kind of commotion in the background, raised voices and the sounds of a scuffle. “Hurry up, Charlotte.”
Adrenaline pumped through her veins. Maybe she wasn’t a failure after all. “I’m on my way.”
She ended the call and leapt to her feet. She was going to get that toy no matter what. A cold wind slapped her in the face as she stared down the street, searching for the bus. There was nothing but passenger cars for miles and miles and Charlotte chewed on her lower lip. No time to wait. She stuck out her hand to hail a cab, but none stopped. She bounced on her heels as cars zoomed by. Union Square was way too far away to walk. She needed to get there now. She spotted a cab on the opposite side of the street and without a single hesitation darted through traffic for it. Her fingers closed on the handle just as the driver was about to pull away, and she tugged the door open. There was no time for pleasantries or chatty small talk. She barked out the address and sat at the edge of the faux-leather seat, willing the driver to go faster.
She spotted Liam as soon as she exited the cab, his six-foot-two frame towering over most of the crowd. He smiled when she approached, his grin lighting up his hazel eyes. That grin had always made her feel a bit giddy inside and still gave her the same deep, little flutter it had given her the very first time they met, way back in their freshman year at Berkeley.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said when she joined him at his side.
Her cheeks flushed, but she automatically suppressed the tingle that wanted to race through her blood. Liam was an unabashed flirt. It was dangerous to take him too seriously. She looked around at the crowd gathered on the sidewalk, men and women braving the cold and misty rain in the hope of getting their hands on the ultimate prize. “Anything happen yet?”
He held up a small white piece of paper. “It looks like they’re going to hold a lottery.”
“Where do I get a ticket?” She put her hand on his shoulder and stood up on her tiptoes, searching for anyone official. He put his arm around her waist to help anchor her, and she chose not acknowledge just how good that arm felt around her, how nice it was to be close to him.
“I think they might be all gone. I haven’t seen anyone from the store in a while.”
“Great.” It was the story of her damn life this Christmas.
“Never fear,” he said, giving her a one-arm hug. “I will get you that toy.”
She looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips as her gaze followed the strong line of his jaw, the sharp angle of her cheekbones, the twinkling mirth in his eyes. Fondness made her heart ache. He was a great friend and she loved him a lot—maybe a little too much. “My hero.”
He grinned back at her and brushed a stray lock of hair off her forehead. “Damn right, babe.”
She opened her mouth to tell him not to call her babe, as per their usual routine, but was cut off when the front door opened and two men in polo shirts emerged.
“Hello, everyone,” one of the men said. “We have three Superstrikes for sale.” He pointed to a basket the other man was holding. “I’m going to draw three numbers. Those people will be able to come inside and purchase the toy.” He gestured toward the street and the crowd’s head turned as one to see the four police officers standing at the perimeter. “We ask that the rest of you leave immediately after the winners are drawn.”
People grumbled, nervous tension and aggression building in the air. Charlotte took a little step closer to Liam, glad that she was not alone. She had a feeling things could get out of hand very quickly if the crowd decided to do something rash.
“All right,” the man said and reached into the basket. “The first number is…”
Charlotte held her breath, looking over Liam’s shoulder as the numbers were read, willing his ticket to be a winner. The last number was called and there was a moment of silence before a woman on the other side of the crowd shrieked and held up her ticket.
“There are still two more,” Liam whispered.
The guy from the store chose another ticket, and then another, neither of which matched the numbers on Liam’s ticket. Anger, frustration, and unbearable sadness made Charlotte’s chest heavy. Once again, she had failed. The people around them dispersed slowly, shambling away like shell-shocked zombies. She released her deathgrip on Liam’s forearm and shook her head. “Well, I guess that’s it then.”
Liam’s mouth tightened and he looked like he was about to say something when the store’s front door chimed and one of the winners emerged, a middle-aged man in a dark trench coat. “I’m not done yet,” he murmured and strode toward the man. “Hey,” he called just as the guy was about to turn the corner.
The man stopped and Liam caught up with him. “Hey, I’ll give you two hundred dollars for that toy.”
The man smirked and shook his head. “No way, kid. The thing only cost ninety bucks as it was and I can get over a grand for it on eBay.”
“Not the day after Christmas you won’t,” Charlotte said, as she joined them. “Once Christmas is over, it loses all its value. Nobody cares about getting it on December twenty-sixth.” She reached into her jacket pocket and touched the cash she had gotten out of the bank earlier for her last buying mission. “And we’ll give you three hundred dollars for it.”
***Stop by tomorrow for Part Two!***
Filed under: Blog Tour Tagged: Christmas, Christmas By The Fire, Contemporary Romance, Free Read, Giveaway, Lisa Fox, Written Fireside
Sweet Secrets by Constance Munday
Sweet Secrets by Constance Munday
What will happen when dark secrets threaten a perfect recipe for happiness and newfound love?
Left on her own, Carrie Ann decides it is time to escape her past, empower herself and overcome her confidence issues by turning her secret hobby of erotic cake design into a business. Her world is then turned upside down when she bumps into dynamic and sexy Dominic. Unwittingly, Carrie Ann sows the seeds of disaster from day one, weaving a web of deceit, and before she knows it the lies are multiplying.
As news of her baking brilliance spreads, romance grows. Now, only one thing can ruin their happiness and that is Carrie Ann’s dark deceptions and the battle she is fighting within herself. Will she be strong enough to overcome a past that is set to destroy her dreams for the future and tell Dominic the truth, or will she lose him forever?
Sweet Secrets is available on Kindle, ebook and print from:
Totally Bound
https://www.totallybound.com/sweet-secrets
and all good book suppliers
Excerpt
The sun warmed Carrie Ann Jude’s face as she glanced through the large plate glass windows of the airport. Planes rose into the sky like silver birds, their metal bodies transporting people all over the world on adventures. She tightened her grip on the straps of her handbag. She had been one of those people embarking on an adventure only two weeks ago, except her journey had not started just with feelings of excitement, but trepidation. She pushed her sunglasses up over her head and took out her paperback to flip through. It was hard to concentrate with so many thoughts dancing in her head.
Carrie Ann was so deep in thought she hadn’t noticed the stunning youth about to sit down beside her. Wanting to be alone and not have anyone invading her space, she’d put her large bag on the chair next to her. Before she could say anything, he’d had his hand on it and, much to her consternation, had dropped it unceremoniously onto the floor. Then, not giving her time to move out of the way, he dumped a considerably weighty backpack on her foot.
“Ouch. Watch it!” she cried out, as he bumped against her, slopping his coffee over her hand. “That was hot.” She angrily snapped her book closed, noticing spots of coffee marking the pages.
“Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. Hi.” He had an American accent. “I ought to have asked if you minded if I sat here, but that’s me.”
She looked up to make a rude retort and found herself glaring into an impossibly green pair of eyes. She flushed. It was so embarrassing to be trapped by his compelling gaze.
“I’m so clumsy, everyone says it.” He held out his hand. “I’m truly sorry. My name’s Dominic, and you are…?”
How could she resist those eyes and his flirtatious expression? Carrie Ann took hold of his proffered hand and shook it unenthusiastically. “Carrie Ann.” What she could only describe as an electrical charge danced up her legs and ended with a pleasant fizz in the tips of her fingers and toes. He was very good-looking and his mop of shaggy blond hair that flopped into his face seemed to remind her of…
“Great.” He flashed her a grin. “I’m sorry. Let me get you another coffee.”
“No thanks, I don’t want one.” She was attempting to be more assertive, but it was harder than she’d thought. Actually, everything was so much harder out in the big wide world as she tried to cut ties to her past. Rommy, her father, so named because when he was younger he’d looked devilishy like a true Romany gypsy, had often criticised her for her submissive stance, which was ridiculous since that was what he’d wanted from her. The thought of him sent a creepy crawly shiver down her spine.
No one should feel like that about their father, but she did and she couldn’t help it. On occasion, she wondered if she would ever be able to get over him, shake loose all the hang-ups and phobias he had given her. It had not been abuse, but he had been good at keeping her under. She realised now she shouldn’t have put up with it for so long, she should have fought more for her independence when she’d had a chance to. But that was easier said than done.
The young guy hefted his bag and again knocked her. The nerve of it. She studied him angrily out of the corner of her eye. She had keen powers of observation—it was another one of the little skills she’d developed from being alone so long. Not having a lot to occupy her, she had become exceedingly observant. His arms were bare and muscular and covered in a frosting of tight blond hair. He also had strong, capable hands. Rommy would have said the man’s thighs were those of a rugby player. She had a thing about blond men, she reflected. Perhaps that was why she was instantly captivated by him. That came as a surprise and an interesting one, since anger and desire had a potent effect on her newly liberated self. It would be hard to be immune to his charms and it might be fun to test her boundaries yet again. She was woefully inexperienced with men. In a way, stepping out into the world was like learning to drive, and shy girls like her had to approach it slowly and cautiously and be prepared for any sudden unexpected turns in the road or emergency stops. She smiled to herself. She might have been confined to the house for years and had no experience of love first-hand, but she was living and breathing and had the same desires other women had.
For some reason she was shamefully hot and crossed her legs. It was utterly ridiculous being affected like this since Dominic was sexy and because of that was the kind of guy who wouldn’t flirt with her, well, not seriously. She tugged her skirt down over her knees. When she glanced up, he was watching her with a wry twist to his lips, as if he found her faintly amusing.
He gestured to the terminal board. “I guess you’re heading back to England.”
“Naturally,” she said. Carrie Ann wondered if she had a sticky label on her forehead, stamped ‘England’.
Nervousness made her feel hysterical. She would much prefer to be left alone with her thoughts, besides which it was distinctly embarrassing to have a man’s leg pressed against hers. He kept staring at her and she self-consciously stroked her lip. Why did he keep peering at her, like that? Besides the invisible label, there was nothing else that could make her seem even remotely interesting…was there?
At that moment a stunning girl strolled by and Dominic sized her up with interest, his gaze rippling up and down her from the tips of the high heels she was tottering in, to her layer-cut, multi-toned hair. Carrie Ann’s spirits sank further. She only had to dissect some of the women around her to realise she was at a distinct disadvantage where flirting was concerned. Let’s face it, she wasn’t even dressed for seduction. She was draped in her shabby comfortable skirt and she hadn’t even bothered with her appearance. As for what Rommy would have rather rudely termed ‘slap’—that was like attempting a recipe that was way out of her comfort zone. She’d only recently ventured down the makeup trail and she still didn’t like wearing it, although that might soon have to change, if her career plans took off. Makeup was weird stuff. It never looked right on her—the eyeshadow she’d tried made her dark brown eyes seem to retreat backwards so they seemed far too small, her freckles overwhelmed her complexion and her riotous mousy curls defied brushes, combs and tongs.
Any makeup she had used, she’d mistakenly plastered on to cover the freckles, and red lipstick—as Myra, the girl she had met at the ranch had pointed out—made her appear garish. Myra had given her a stick of lipstick termed nude and that did help, teamed with a tinted moisturiser. Myra was a brick, she thought grimly, pity she lived halfway across the world in Australia. She was also into baking, which had been a plus. It had been great to actually have a kindred spirit to talk with, to enthuse about her dreams to. Her heart soared and dipped. If anything was guaranteed to lift her spirits, it was the prospect of the new plans waiting for her when she got home.
“I don’t bite.” He touched her.
She jumped. He was smiling at her and trying to be funny by dipping his head and making puppy dog eyes at her.
She laughed, she couldn’t help it. “No, I guess not.”
He stretched out his long legs, settling back in his chair. “Did you enjoy it?”
“Enjoy what?”
“Your stay over here in the States. What were you doing? Was it business or pleasure?”
She was still guilty that she’d splurged a considerable amount of Rommy’s nestegg on the short holiday. It was the kind of thing her father, with his thrifty ways, would have termed profligate.
“All pleasure. Something trivial actually. I just had the Arlem experience.” She stared him in the eye, seeing if he got it or not. Most people knew about Arlem or they didn’t.
He broke into a grin. “Wow! You’re kidding. The Arlem experience, that’s way cool. I read about it in a Sunday supplement.” Brow creased, he seemed to be thinking.
“But that’s where the weird people go isn’t it? You a teacher? You don’t strike me as weird.”
She felt a short sharp violent stab of indignation. “The people at Arlem are lovely. They specialise in helping people. People with problems.”
“Yeah, but it’s mostly mental problems isn’t it?”
“Not always,” she snapped. Goodness, he had no tact whatsoever. “And no. I’m not a teacher, I was a visitor.”
He shrugged and looked away. It was as if he hadn’t noticed her sharp tone. “I’ve just been to visit my mother,” he explained. “She lives in California and he—my dad—still lives in England. After that ordeal, there were a few things I wanted to stop off and see here before I headed back. I don’t know why I come back to see her because it winds me up so much. Dad’s worse though, so it’s the lesser of two evils. In case you wondered. They’re divorced although it’s a sham since neither of them abide by the rules. They frequently visit one another to have passionate interludes.”
“Really.” Carrie Ann was intrigued, as in her estimation, romantic folk like that only seemed to exist between the pages of novels. “How modern of them. They must like it and be very much in love to be like that. To want the continual spice.”
He didn’t seem to have heard her. “It’s not like a divorce. It’s like playing at a divorce. In fact, I reckon you’re right. They rather like it. It seems to add something to their love life.”
“I think it’s romantic. Fancy still loving a person when you’re half a world apart.”
“Yes. Quaint. A grown-up kind of game. My father’s version of Viagra. I often wonder if that’s why I’m so messed up. It would be hard not to be, with two parents like that.”
Carrie Ann fell silent. Dominic didn’t look messed up. He seemed the most confident and together person she’d met. Besides being wickedly good-looking. Come on. You deserve a slap on the wrist. He’s so young for one thing. Let’s face it, there’s no way on earth a guy like him would ever want to date you.
About Constance Munday
Constance is nearly always to be found with a pencil in her hand making notes for a new story. She has led a varied life and done many jobs from cup washer, lecturer, to new age healer but has always written since she was a child.
A major health scare recently though, made her see life differently, and after years as a part-time writer, she turned full-time, because as she says – life is too short not to do what you love. She has literally climbed a mountain and made many sacrifices to pen her novels and now builds on a fund of wonderful encounters with intriguing people, plus her imagination, to write stories with strong characters and determined and adventurous women.
When asked what kind of genre is her favourite, romance is always the answer because to Constance, romance – whether hot and steamy or sweet and emotional is always at the heart of a good story. She hopes her stories reflect all of life’s facets from the struggling mother at home who finds a way out of poverty, the ardent and often disappointed dieter, to the girl who triumphs over sickness or has the courage to embrace her rather naughty side.
Constance loves listening to snatched conversations, which often gives her a seed to start a story, taking walks, revelling in the mysteries of life and baking and dancing, when she isn’t tapping away at her latest novel, of course.
She loves her fans and their comments, so invites you to please drop a line and if you have a second, pen a review.
Find Constance on: http://msnc62.wordpress.com/author/constancemundayromance/
Email: constancemundayromance@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Constance-Munday/1389544714601452?ref_type=bookmark
And at her Facebook launch party on the 21st July. Come and join the evening fun…
https://www.facebook.com/events/476944179114198
Filed under: Guest Blogger Tagged: Constance Munday, Erotic Romance, Sweet Secrets
August 12, 2014
Hero Inspiration of the Day
Andres Velencoso Segura
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Filed under: Hot Men Tagged: Hero Inspiration of the Day, Men in Suits, Sexy Men
