Tracey Steinbach's Blog, page 7

Palessa - Unchained Hearts

****Blurb******
Book 1 in the Baxter Family Saga Series

Kyle Avery, CEO of Mama Avery Foods, has been summoned to a special meeting by a note from her late mother, Virgilia Avery. When she arrives, she meets the elusive mogul Newton "Cass" Baxter, CEO of Baxter Chemicals and learns of the nearly forty year history her mother shared with Cass, as well as the obstacles they'd been forced to endure. As Kyle struggles to understand their history, she's forced to confront the man who loved and left her, Brandon Hall, VP of Baxter Chemicals and the adopted son of Cass Baxter. Kyle and Brandon unite in love, but separate in tragedy. They are forced to deal with the sad legacy of their parent's lives as well as their own heartbreak. It's up to them to finally break the chains which bind their hearts and find their own path to happiness.
*Content Warning: Adult Content, may have some explicit scenes.
**EXCERPT****

When she finally got her ticket, she stood at the door, digging through her purse. Just as she reached for the handle, her hand touched someone else's. She looked up at him and felt a sudden jolt through her body. Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity.

Virgilia was suddenly lost in his warm emerald green eyes. He looked at her brown eyes and caught his breath.
"After you," he said, as she suddenly remembered where she was and why.

"Thank you," she managed to get out as she walked through the door he held open.

Neither of them had ever felt that way before and didn't know what to make of it. Was it a case of static? It felt a little too good to be just a random shock.

Virgilia tried to shake it off as she made her way into the theater. It was packed and she craned her head to find a possible seat. There were a couple of vacancies close to the front. Virgilia hated being that close to the screen, but as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers. She found a seat and relaxed a bit. Not long after, her green-eyed doorman sat next to her.

"I'm not following you," he said, grinning at the look of surprise on her face. "This is just the only seat which seems to be left"

"Don't worry. I didn’t think you were following me"

"Why not? Aren't you worth following?" he flashed Virgilia a devastating smile which made her blush. Before she could even think of an answer, the lights dimmed.

She felt him lean in to her "We will continue this discussion later." Her stomach shivered as she cleared her throat and focused on the screen.

Throughout the movie, the audience’s reaction just heightened the tension of the scenes. Virgilia had no idea how big this shark was, but she knew the next time she decided to go to the beach, she would definitely rethink it.

A couple of times, the movie made her jump, much to the amusement of her doorman.

"Don't worry, Precious," he whispered. "I'll protect you"

Virgilia felt the pit of her stomach flutter when he called her "precious." If it were any other man, she would have been offended, even threatened. With him, it felt natural to hear him to call her that and she didn't even know his name.

When the movie ended, she stared at the screen, reading the credits. When she turned to glance at him, he was gone. Virgilia felt a pang of disappointment.

As she exited the theater, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to see him smiling at her.

"You never did answer my question. Don't you think you're worth following?"

"I will only answer questions from men whose names I know."

"Fair enough" he said as he extended his hand "My friends call me Cass."

"I'm Virgilia," she said as she shook his hand

"That's quite a name. I think I'll call you 'Lila' for short."Normally she hated it when people called her by some modification of her name, but this one seemed different. "Do you often change the name of the people you meet to suit yourself?"

"Only the special ones."

Virgilia felt her cheeks get hot and her stomach do backflips. No stranger had ever made her feel so at ease.

For his part, Cass was fascinated by this vision he saw before him. There was something about this woman, a light, a fire which drew him in and made him want to lose himself in those gorgeous brown eyes. He’d never felt anything like it before and was not going to let this opportunity pass him by.

"Yes," Virgilia said, suddenly.

"Yes, to Lila?"

"That too, but I meant the answer to your question." Cass looked a little lost and then she said, "I am worth following."

Cass felt his heart flip as he grinned. "Shall we?" he said offering his arm.

They walked around and talked for what felt like minutes, but turned out to be hours as evening turned to dusk. Virgilia's face hurt from smiling so much; she couldn't recall the last time she had such fun by herself or with anyone.

Cass found her smart and witty and even more beautiful than when he’d opened the door for her. He had met some stunning women in his life, but tonight, they seemed merely passable compared to Lila.

"It's getting late." She said "I had better get home"

"I'll walk you." he announced.

"No, I don't live too far from here."

He held his hand up. "I'm not letting any woman walk alone at night anywhere, no matter how close she lives."

They’d only just met, but the look on his face said he wasn't going to take ‘no’ for an answer. She thought better of starting an argument as they slowly made it to the gate of her house.

"Well, this is me," she said.

He nodded and looked at the house. It was small, modest, and held a bit of charm with the low white fence separating it from the house next door.

"Cass, I had a wonderful time."

"So did I," Cass said as his gaze moved from her eyes to her lips. "I want to do it again."

Virgilia wanted the same, but she had to be practical. "Maybe we should leave it at tonight."

Cass looked Virgilia straight in the eyes with a determination he felt deep within him. He was not used to hearing the word ‘no’ from a woman. But from this woman, the thought of not seeing her after tonight was completely unacceptable. "I don't believe you believe that. I can see it in your eyes…"

http://www.amazon.com/Unchained-Hearts-Baxter-Family-Saga-ebook/dp/B00HL37QII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393003423&sr=8-1&keywords=unchained+hearts+palessa
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPalessa

http://authorpalessa.wordpress.com/

**BIO***

Palessa started reading her first romance novel, at the age of 11. Then she got introduced to V.C. Andrews, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Anne Rice and many more notable contemporary authors as well as some of the classics, A Tale of Two Cities, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Great Gatsby and others. It was during her teenage years that she dabbled in writing. First, it was in her diaries, then she started creating characters, stories about romance, the supernatural and much more. Being an I.B. student as well as entering college, left little time for writing and so she put it and the ideas aside to pursue a career. It would take almost 20 years, a radical move from the city she grew up in, Miami, FL back to her Caribbean birthplace, and a chance Facebook meeting with Sable Hunter to start the juices flowing again. After some fits and starts, the Baxter Family Saga was born. Unchained Hearts is Palessa's first published fiction book with Beau Coup Publishing. She considers herself just a storyteller that sees no reason to shy away from the juicier romantic elements. She currently lives in the mountains of Jamaica with her crazy, cracker-munching-mutt Ivy and a farm, primarily managed by agribusiness partner, also known as Dad.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7765546.Palessa
https://twitter.com/authorpalessa

Halloween Blog Hop

http://sablessweetdreams.blogspot.com/2013/09/attend-our-blog-hop-starting-october-1.htmlHello out there! Happy Halloween! 
So, I decided to have a contest. One of the things that's hardest for me as a writer is coming up with names. I almost always end up using names of people I know. I have a new book floating around in my head. I have 14 started in my WIP folder, why do I need a new one?!
Anyway, I thought you guys might like to help me come up with the name of my villain. I've already used Vyktor in a previous story, so that one is out. Think Richard Dawson in Running Man, only younger. Think Adult version of Hunger Games with a twist. Think sinister, obscenely wealthy, handsome. I need a first and last name.
Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you. And don't forget to stop by the other participants' blogs.

Souls Around The World Blog Hop

Things that go bump in the night. The first thing that popped into my head wasn't shifters or vampires. It was me. Me bumping into the corner of the bed on my way back from the bathroom. Me bumping into a wall because my eyes are half closed when I go to get a drink from the kitchen.
The next idea that came to me was the Wizard of Oz. A talking lion, a dancing scarecrow? Witches and flying monkeys? I've loved that movie since I was a kid. I wanted to click my heels together and go to a land far, far away full of bright colors and interesting people. I still do. Today, though, I create the places I want to visit and the people I'd like to meet. 


'); a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back to School Blog Hop 2013

Untitled Excerpt for Book 3 of the Heroes of Trasco County Series

Cars pulled to the right and waited as the fire engines and rescue trucks sped past. Even the vehicles traveling on the other side of the road moved out of the way. An amber glow could be seen for miles above the rooftops. The night was overcast with no visible stars. Ash blew around the sky while thick black smoke poured from the windows. The moon played peek-a-boo with the clouds and it only seemed to make the light brighter.

Chase looked up as another fire engine and ambulance pulled up to the scene. He counted four counties’ fire and rescue squads, along with a volunteer department from the southern part of Trasco County. He went back to the task of checking and triple checking everything was ready if a patient needed it.

The volume on the scanner was turned all the way up on the fire engine parked beside them, so they could hear all communications. From what he could gather, the school would be a total loss on the north end but they thought the south and east end would be repairable. But that would be better determined tomorrow during the daylight hours when the inspector and chief could check it out. They were doing a last sweep for people as the hoses from the trucks bathed the building in water. The scanner squawked to life with an urgent voice. Someone had been found. Unconscious but alive. Phil, Chase’s best friend, was on his way out with her.

Chase had the gurney waiting for her when Phil came out. He started to assess her condition.

“Her name’s Rachel.” Phil said.

“You know her?” Chase asked.

“She’s the new art teacher I told you about the other day.”

“Oh yeah, I remember now.”

He checked Rachel’s vitals. Her oxygen level was lower than it should’ve been but her other readings were in the normal range. He covered her mouth and nose with the oxygen mask. She had a small gash on her forehead with a goose egg rising underneath that was already bruising.

Chase recalled the conversation with Phil about the woman on the gurney. He’d said he’d met her once and instantly liked her.

Chase drove Rachel to the hospital and took her in through the emergency doors. She was wheeled away immediately into a trauma room and out of his sight. He had no reason to stay but leaving her seemed wrong, even though he didn’t know her. He hung around until the doctor came out to say she had a minor concussion and smoke inhalation, but she should be fine. They were keeping her overnight, since she lived alone and there was no one to care for her.

He thanked the doctor then left the hospital. On the way out, his phone rang with a text. Chase took his phone from his pocket then slid his finger across the screen.

I’m safe.

A relieved smile curved his lips as he replied to Phil. Heading home in a few. See you there.

Chase took the ambulance back to the garage and parked it. He restocked the supplies he’d used, then changed and cleaned the gurney. When everything was ready for the next emergency, Chase clocked out and headed for home.

The house stood dark when Chase pulled into the driveway. Phil still hadn’t gotten home. Phil almost always stayed until everything had been done. That was one of the things Chase loved about him.

It was the wee hours of the morning, but Chase knew Phil would be hungry when he got home. So, after Chase emptied his pockets on the counter, he opened the fridge and pulled out the sliced turkey, lettuce and tomatoes for sandwiches.

Sandwiches made, Chase went to the bedroom to strip off his clothes before he walked to the bathroom for a shower. After washing his hair and body, he shut the water off and picked up a towel. In the middle of drying off, Chase heard Phil’s key in the door. He wrapped the towel around his waist, walking toward the front room.


One lucky commenter will win a copy of their choice of one of my books. 

Author Interview - Allison Cassatta

I had the pleasure of sitting down with my dear friend Allison Cassatta and she told me some fun facts about herself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Do you have a favorite character that you’ve written? Yes, I think—despite all his issues—Dorian Grant (from Sin & Seduction) is my favorite. He’s not a nice guy at all. He’s a violent drug addict, but he’s very real. He came alive more for me than anyone else did. And even after falling in love, he stayed true to his nature. He didn’t wuss out. My second favorite would have to be Cash from the League of Slayers books. I thought Deacon rocked, but when it came time to write Cash, that man just did something for me. He’s the broken hero who is all strength and tries like hell to hide his heart. He fails of course, and he has a hell of a time letting people in, but he gets there eventually.
What time of day is the most productive for you? Early morning or late at night. Well, any time I have an empty house, really. I can pretty much sit down and go to it if I’m in the mood to do so.
Do you remember your very first professional review? If so, was it good or bad? I want to say it was on Sins of the Heart, which is a bittersweet romance and people don’t seem to like those unless you tell them up front that’s what they’re reading. The reviewer said she/he felt every single emotion in that short story,
Where would your dream vacation spot be? Honestly, I don’t know there are a ton of places I want to go, like Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Thailand, The Caribbean. Right now, my main destination is Boston to visit family, and of course, like a good little witch, Salem.
What’s your favorite Disney movie? Aladdin. Hands down. Wait. I liked Lilo and Stitch too.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls from The Little House on the Prairie. Was there someone like that for you? A female Perry Mason. No kidding. My grandfather was a lawyer, and I was always told I could be a good lawyer because I could argue a point until people saw things my way. *shrugs* Then, when I started reading vampire books, I wanted to be like Lestat. *swoons*
How much time do you spend on research? Not as much as I should. Then again, I don’t write much about things I don’t know. Places are researched more than anything, and it usually happens when I get to a scene somewhere specific and don’t know how to describe it.
Describe your writing process. Sit down at my desk or at Starbucks, crank up some music and make sure there is plenty of coffee nearby. I don’t know what it is about caffeine, but it’s like brain fuel. No kidding. I don’t do outlines or plot maps or any of that. I tried once and it didn’t get me too far. I just start writing and hope the characters keep telling me how they want their story to go. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

Allison's links:Website: www.allisoncassatta.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allison.cassatta.page?ref=hl
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4417507.Allison_Cassatta
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/allisoncassatta
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/allisoncassatta

Caliente Blog Hop

Official Blurb for Libby’s Fireman:





Libby’s Fireman is the story of a little girl, her mom and the fireman who falls in love with both of them. Libby is exuberant, outgoing and fearless. She’s also six years old. When she gets stuck in a tree, trying to get her Barbie doll to fly, Jack comes to her rescue. Jack is immediately taken with the little girl. He loves children, going out of his way to help them whenever he can. In bonding with Libby, Jack gets to know Tara, her mom. Tara melts a little each time she sees Jack with Libby. She was attracted to him but now her heart is becoming involved. Little by little, the three of them become a family.


An excerpt from Libby’s Fireman, (Book 1 Heroes of Trasco County) coming July 2013 from Secret Cravings Publishing:



Jack had felt himself start to harden at the thought of making love with Tara. Now that he had Tara in his arms, his cock was hard and aching. His hands moved over her back and back down to her waist. Fisting the material in his hands, he lifted her shirt enough to get his hands on bare skin.

Jack groaned, feeling her soft skin under his hands and her taste on his tongue. He couldn’t wait to get her fully undressed to explore every curve she had.

Jack broke their kiss to lift her shirt up and off. He stared down at her, licking his lips at the way her bra accentuated the curves of her breasts. His eyes lifted to meet hers. He smiled at her as his hands lifted to cup her breasts. Jack let out a low chuckle when he felt the tremor move through her. His hands massaged the firm globes, working his fingers into the top of the cups. He tugged the satin down until he could see the rosy tips of her nipples.

Jack saw Tara’s eyes widen when he dropped to his knees. She started to speak until his lips wrapped around one hard peak and then whatever she was going to say came out as a whimper instead. His tongue teased and tormented her nipple until he felt her hands move to his hair to hold him there. He sucked her nipple hard, using his teeth to graze it.

The sounds Tara were making spurred Jack on. He moved his head to her other breast, giving that one the same treatment as the first. While he worked her nipples his hands moved to the snap on her skirt. He pulled the denim apart and let the skirt fall to the floor at her feet. He pulled back from her breast to look at her. “So beautiful.” He whispered into the quiet.

Jack leaned in to lay an open-mouthed kiss on her stomach. He licked his way to her navel, dipping his tongue inside and swirling it around. He used his teeth as he moved down to the top edge of her panties. His fingers hooked in the silk at her hips and started pulling them down. When he got them down to her knees, he let go and let them pool at her feet.

Jack laid a kiss on her hip and another on the neatly trimmed patch of hair above her pussy. He pushed her legs further apart and dipped his head between them. His tongue slid, slowly through the wet folds to gather the taste of her. He growled deep in his chest and dove in for a deeper taste. His tongue found the entrance to her pussy and pushed inside. Tara’s hips bucked. He heard her moan as he flicked his tongue in and out of her.

Jack abandoned her entrance to wrap his lips around the hard bud of her clit. He sucked and nipped and licked until he felt Tara’s legs start to shake under his hands.

“Jack! I’m going to fall. My legs won’t hold me with you doing that!” Tara’s voice was pleading. Her nails were leaving marks in his shoulders as she tried to hold on.




http://store.secretcravingspublishing...


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author...