Lacey Wolfe's Blog, page 20

That time already?

I logged into my email tonight and saw I had a new email from 1&1 - my domain provider. To be honest, I normally delete the emails because they are asking me to refer friends and such. I spam people enough with my books, they don't need me spamming them as well that I think they should use 1&1.com Note: Awesome provider. I've NEVER had a problem with them!

Before I clicked delete, I noticed the subject line: Domain Renewal Notice.

What?! I just did that. Surely they are wrong. I look at today's date--nope not wrong. Is it really been almost 2 years since I got my first contract and began my website? YES! Which left me amazed. 

I've done a lot in 2 years and each month gets better and better. In some ways I wish it would slow down. Especially since this last year flew by. 

If you're a fan of mine, I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I still have a million more stories to tell. :) If there were a few more hours in the day and the year was a little longer, I might get more accomplished.

What I'm working on

I'm finally in the writing groove again. I find I go through spurts. And for 2 years now in a row, March-May I don't write. Odd. But it must be something about that time of the year. I'm overly busy with school functions and I do spring cleaning.

As I move back into gear, I find I'm working on 2 projects. 

ARRANGED LOVE - A funny, quirky story about two people being set up by their crazy parents. 

UNFORGETTABLE - A novella length story in a new series I hope to launch soon called The Gentleman's Club. 
ARRANGED LOVE had my full attention for quite some time, but Neil from UNFORGETTABLE suddenly blew into my head and demanded some time. He had only been a thought and a future project, but he wasn't having that. And man, he's something! A smoking hot older man. 

Besides these two stories I am writing, I expect to have edits for IT MUST BE FATE - the follow-up to BIDDING WARS soon. I don't have a release date yet, but as soon as I do, I'll let you know!

I need to write the third and final book in the Love Strikes series (Bidding Wars and It Must Be Fate are in this series). Still trying to figure out the dynamics of it.

And also, I have plans to get Diane's story going form the Brookfield Series. She's getting impatient as well. 

I really wish my mind and fingers could type faster. I could get a whole lot more done then I do. And it doesn't help its summer vacation. Loads of plans and things to do. As long as no other muses show up, I think I'll be fine for the time being. :)

Bidding Wars - Chapter One

Have been interested in Bidding Wars, but just not sure? I thought I'd share Chapter One with you. 

Chapter One

As the realtor’s car pulled up to one of the most stunning houses Molly Harper had ever seen, she knew: this was it. This gorgeous home was going to be hers. Sometimes you just knew things right away. It was love at first sight—the believable kind.

Molly climbed out of the midsize sedan and gazed up at the beautiful two-story colonial-style home. The house was a pale yellow with hunter green shutters. The railings on the wraparound porch were white. The paint was starting to chip off some, but in her eyes, it was one of the things that added character to a house. And unless the inside had no flooring and holes in the walls, she was certain that this was what she’d been looking for.

Tall trees surrounded the home, leaving plenty of welcoming shaded corners. The bushes needed a good trimming, but a little landscaping would fix that. Turning a little, she studied the property lines. The neighbors’ homes weren’t too close to make it feel as though they could see everything she did, but close enough for them to be there in an instant if you needed them.

Diane smiled at Molly and began to walk to the front door that would lead into what Molly was certain would be her dream home. As she stood on the front porch, her phone rang in her purse. A quick glance at the screen showed her ex-husband was calling. Rolling her eyes, she quickly stabbed the reject button.
Diane studied the MLS listing as she unlocked the door. “This home was recently renovated, according to the listing agent. It’s been freshly painted, with new carpets and hardwood throughout. The only note on here is that the appliances are a little dated. The seller is willing to replace them if you desire.” Diane opened the door and stepped back so Molly could enter first.

Taking a deep breath, Molly walked into the large open foyer. To her right was a formal dining room with a gorgeous chandelier, and to her left was the formal living room. Directly in front of her was the staircase that she assumed would lead her to the bedrooms, but at the moment she wanted to explore the first floor. As she walked farther, she came to the kitchen—a very big one. Much larger than any she had seen since her quest for a new home began. She rubbed her hands along the cool granite countertop and imagined rolling out dough for fresh bread or pasta. She opened one of the dark wood cabinets, liking the amount of room inside.

Then she saw the stove and couldn’t suppress her giggle. “You’re not kidding about the appliances. Though that can easily be replaced.”

Diane opened the oven and grimaced. “I can’t believe the seller didn’t take the time. It’s all rusted inside. If you want this house I’ll be sure to add new appliances to the offer.”

“It’s fine. I’d rather pick out my own stove anyway. I love cooking, and I want to make sure this kitchen has everything I want in it.”

Diane shrugged and made notes in her folder before ushering Molly into the family room. It wasn’t the biggest she had seen, but it was cozy. A huge stone fireplace dominated the corner. Behind her was a full wall of windows, including a set of French doors that took her out to a sunroom. “All that’s left to see is the upstairs, but I think this might be just the place for me.” 

The first room she went to upstairs was the master bedroom. She could easily put a king-size bed in there and have plenty of room. A small sitting room was attached. Her thoughts instantly went toward nursery, but then she shoved that away as quickly as it came. The bathroom shocked her. The bathtub looked as though an army could fit inside of it. She’d hate to see her water bill after filling it one time. She roamed the rest of the upstairs, looking in all the closets and testing all of the light switches. This was home. It had to be hers. It was time for things to start looking up for her. The past year had been hard. As she rubbed her empty ring finger, she tried not to dwell on it. At this moment in her life, she was picking up the shattered pieces and starting fresh. A new journey.

She met Diane back in the foyer. “This is my home. I can feel it. This place has seen better days and needs some TLC—a bit like me, I suppose—but to me it’s perfect.”

“It’s only been on the market one day, so we should probably get back to my office to get the offer together tonight. This one is going to go quick.”

“Let’s do whatever we have to.”

Molly opened the front door and stepped onto the porch. She inspected the cracked paint on the railing while Diane locked up the house. The sound of wheels crunching on the driveway made her look up and freeze. Someone else wanted to see her house. A very attractive blond man with a nice tan stepped out of the vehicle. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw his police uniform.

“Everything OK, officer?” Diane stepped off the porch.

“Yup. I live nearby and saw this place come up for sale. I wanted to check it out.” He placed a hand over his eyes to shade the sunlight as he looked out over the property.

“In the market to buy or just checking out the house out of curiosity?” Diane grabbed a business card from her folder and handed it to him.

He took it, shoving it in his pocket right away. “I’m looking to buy. My lease is almost up, and I love this neighborhood. It’s a great place to live. And with this economy, it might be a good time to buy.” He cleared his throat. “My agent should be here soon. Just thought I’d look around a little before he arrives. I’ve been out a few times and found if I don’t like the outside, there’s no reason to see the inside, right?”

Molly wanted to tell him to back off. This was her place. He might as well climb back into that car with his fine self and look elsewhere. Diane must have sensed it, because she nudged Molly forward and gave her a stern look. Molly had hoped the officer didn’t notice, but no such luck. A smile crept to his lips and an amused stare caught her eyes for a moment.

“Well, Officer,” Diane looked closer at his shirt, “Logan, we’ll get out of your way.”

Molly didn’t want to get out of his way. She’d much rather chain herself to the front porch. Her hands were numb. Glancing down, she saw she’d been clutching the railing to the point her knuckles were white. Damn it, let go! She had to get her offer in and fast. And it had to be an offer the seller couldn’t resist. Especially if there was a chance this cop would be putting one in soon as well.

She climbed into Diane’s car. “He can’t have it. It’s mine.”

“It’s not yours yet. But we’ll put together an offer the seller can’t refuse…if you’re willing to.”

“Yes!”

“Thank you for not saying anything to him about liking the house. If he knows for sure you’re interested, it could become a competition. And, like I said, this house just came up. This is a popular neighborhood. We need to act fast or this could go into a ‘highest and best’ situation.”

“What is highest and best?” Molly did not like the way it sounded.

“Basically, there are several offers. You don’t know where yours stands compared with everyone else’s. And it’s up to you to give your best offer. The best one wins. However, best doesn’t always mean the most money. Cash will almost always get the house. But a big earnest amount shows how serious you are.”

Her stomach hurt, and her heart pounded in her chest. “I don’t want to get into a situation like that.”

Diane pulled the car away from the home. “Sometimes you have to go a little out of your comfort zone. But if you love the house that much, it’ll be worth it.”

* * *

A few days had passed since Molly had put her offer in. It had been impossible to concentrate on work, or anything else for that matter. She kept thinking about the house and how many others had seen it. Why hadn’t the seller responded yet?

But the thing that haunted her the most was the look she’d seen in the police officer’s kind green eyes when he gazed at the house. She knew exactly what he was feeling—she’d experienced it as well. A warmth around the heart, giving the feeling of being at peace and at home. In her fantasies, he was like any man and would try to get the best deal he could and offer under asking.

As she flipped though the channels, petting her cat, Tigger, looking for something with no romance—and no colonial-style houses—her cell phone rang. Reaching forward, she picked it up from the coffee table and saw her ex-husband’s name. She supposed it was time to see what in the world he wanted.

“Steven, hey.”

“How are you?” 

“I’m good.” She’d never tell him otherwise.

“I have some big news, and I wanted you to be the first to hear it.”

“OK.” She took a deep breath. “What is it?”

“Terry and I are having a baby.”

She was silent. She knew this was coming. Any day now she expected to hear it from someone, whether it was at the grocery store or a family member calling. She hadn’t expected Steven to call her, and she didn’t know what to say.

“Molly.” 

“Uh, yeah. Um, congrats.”

“I don’t expect you to be happy for me. I wanted you to know before the news got around.” He cleared his throat. “I figured it was the least I could do.”

The least he could do. She really wanted to yell at him and tell him how she felt, but what good would it really do? “OK.”

“I won’t keep you.”

“OK. Well, bye.” She hung up and buried her face in her hands, fighting back any tears that threatened when her phone rang again. It better not be Steven again.

She picked the phone up from her lap and saw it was Diane. Something in her gut told her it wasn’t the news she was wanting. She gazed up toward the ceiling and mouthed a silent prayer before answering.

“Hello.”

“Molly.” 

She could tell by her agent’s tone that her gut feeling was right. “You have bad news. Give it to me.”

“It’s not entirely bad, but I’m sorry to tell you that there have been multiple offers. You have forty-eight hours to decide what your absolute highest and best offer is.”

“Crap. OK.”

“You already have a damn good offer, and I doubt anyone has trumped it. Give it a lot of thought. You still have some wiggle room on the amount you were preapproved.”

“Max it out. The full amount I was preapproved for. I need this house.”

“You sure? That’s nearly forty thousand over asking price.”

“Diane, if I lose it, I’ll be devastated. I might as well give the best fight I can.”

Diane was silent a moment. “OK, I’m going to draw up the papers. Check your e-mail in about twenty minutes.”

“Will do. Thank you.” She hung up and dropped the phone next to her on the couch. She let out a loud moan, which was followed by Tigger kneading her paws into her thighs. She scratched the cat under the chin. “Don’t you worry. Mommy’s getting us a brand new home and you’ll get your own room. I just need to convince the competition to drop out.” 
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Coming In July - Wanted: Wife!

Coming July 15, 2013 - Wanted: Wife. A few years ago I had a short story in an anthology. The publisher closed and I got my short story back. The story was well liked, so I expanded it! And now a much longer story will be coming your way soon!

Help Wanted: A Wife

Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.

Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?
Excerpt "I'm making coffee, want any?" Darcy called from the kitchen.

As Steven entered the kitchen he said, "I'd love a cup."

Steven leaned against the counter. Darcy poured water into the coffee maker and then scooped the coffee in. After she pressed the brew button, she turned and stared back at him.

"That wasn't so bad," he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, it was okay."

Steven laughed. "Your parents were kind." He reached his hand out toward her.

Darcy walked to him, taking his hand.

"Your dad gave us his blessing."

"I had no doubt he would. Your family is well known."

Steven wasn't sure what had come over him, maybe it was the scotch he'd shared with her dad, but he couldn't resist the beautiful woman in front of him. He tugged her to him, and her body molded against his perfectly. With his free hand, he pushed her hair behind her ear and then pressed his lips to hers. He expected resistance from her, but she opened up right away, wanting the kiss as much as he did.

Sliding his hand around her neck, he tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss. Her fingers danced around his waist and the little sensation went straight to his groin. Releasing her hand, he gripped her waist and pulled her into him. He was hard and it pressed into her and she didn't seem to mind. Damn this woman! She should be pushing away from him, reminding him they were to stay friends, but instead he kept hoping her hand would find its way lower.

Could they do this once and then pretend it never happened? His erection was telling him yes, but his brain was telling him no. He started to pull away from the kiss, but Darcy wouldn't let him.

God, he was turned on and wanted to touch her, taste her, explore her. He needed her!

"Stop, Darcy." He pushed her off him.

She stepped back, a shocked look on her face.

"I can't control myself. I want to take you to bed so bad."

"I want that too." She moved closer to him again and wrapped her arm around his neck and let her other hand dangle at his waistband. "Can't we have a little fun?"

Do it or not? Yes or no? His core ached and taunted him. Taking a deep breath, he decided to listen to the head below.
He lifted Darcy up and sat her on the counter. His lips were everywhere. Her neck, collarbone. His hands were greedy as they worked the buttons on her blouse. "Stop me now, Darcy."

She gazed into his eyes and then cupped his erection through his pants. "No."

"No turning back?"

"No turning back."

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What day is it?

I feel about like this little block guy over there. What day is it and am I missing something?

The kids are out of summer vacation. They've been home since the 22nd of May. Since then I have no idea what day of the week or date it is. And on top of that, the husband took a few days off as well, totally messing up any normalcy.

Is it Saturday, Wednesday, Friday?! HELP! 

My normal everyday schedule will be on hold until August 7th when the little ones return to school. Getting much of anything is going to be tough this summer, but you know what, the kids are only here for a short time before they too are adults. *sigh* Its sometimes hard to remember that. When they are laying on the floor crying about some little thing. You can't help but think, I can't wait until they are grown up -- or even a teenager. My oldest will be 9 in August and I can't believe where the time has gone. So while I have no idea what day and sometimes time it is, I'm happy to have this time with them. 

Of course, I still want to try and get some writing in. Thankfully their good kids, and like my to buy them things with my royalties. :)

Enjoy your summer have a great day -- whatever day it is!

Garden Update!

I imagine you've been siting here anxiously waiting for an update on my first attempts at a flower garden, right? Okay, well I'm going to keep living in my bubble world where it's true. :) Original Post HERE

I moved my creeping phlox from the main flower garden. It wasn't doing well. And in its place, I planted lobeilia (the blue flowers). The creeping phlox is now in a very sunny area and I assume happier. It didn't regain blooms. Guess I'll see how it is in the spring.

My mystery lillies are finally blooming. So excited. When we bought the house last year, these had been chopped down for whatever reason. They are so pretty. Shame on the landscapers. 

Enjoy the photos. I just might be getting this gardening thing down.  The main garden area. Full of impatients and laboilia's. Next year I will buy soil and not use the stuff that was already there. Flowers around the mailbox. The lillies!

Sinful Saturday - To kiss...or not to.

Welcome to Sinful Saturday! Below you will find 7-10 sentences from my newest release, Bidding Wars.

He was close enough now that she felt his warm breath touch her skin. Opening her eyes, she saw his focus was on her lips—his mouth inches away. If she made the slightest movement, she’d taste him. 
She ached to grip his shirt and pull him to her. If they kissed, it would be passionate and ignite a fire deep within her. She hadn’t kissed another man since Steven. Could Luke be the first? 
She pushed up on her tiptoes. She was going to do it. Reaching out, she was about to wrap her hand around his neck. Her gaze was locked on his, and it was as though they were moving in slow motion. 
“Sheriff, you in there?” A man pounded on the door, sending it flying open.
Sigh...now what would've happened had someone not interrupted?

A sheriff plus a nurse plus a house equals trouble…

Nurse Molly Harper has had a tough year. But when she decides to regain control of her life, buying her dream house becomes her first priority. Finding the perfect house and falling in love with it—that’s the easy part. The hard part is getting rid of the obnoxious man who thinks he’s going to be the new owner. Even if he is gorgeous. And the sheriff…

Sheriff Luke Logan needs to buy a house. Getting out of the renting game will help in the custody battle for his son, so when the perfect place pops up right on his street, he can’t believe his luck. But there’s already an offer on the table, and the woman won’t back down. Too bad she doesn’t know that he always goes after what he wants, and he has no intention of letting her have “his” house. Even if she does make him feel that he might need more than just a house to make a home…

Amazon | Nook | All Romance
Go check out some more sinful saturdays

Bidding Wars

Wow! What a month. Two releases. I'm worn out. Thank goodness summer vacation is around the corner and I can relax. Oh wait, I'm a writer, I don't really get to relax too much!

Today is the official launch day of Bidding Wars, my first full length sweet. This book is very dear to me and I hope that its well liked by readers. This was one of those stories that literally hit me out of no where. And this so far has been the hardest story I've had to find a home for. Yes, I write erotic, and my Brookfield series is pretty tame, but still sexy. Well this story is very sweet. The intimate scene is pretty much closed door. It's cracked just a little. And this just might be why it was so hard to find a home.

Trust me, I don't think it's because it was a bad story. This one is full of my own passion. But, sex is in right now and I think it was hard for some houses to take a chance on it. And you know what, that's perfectly fine! I'm very pleased with who the story ended up with. The cover is perfect. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better one.

And if you pick up Bidding Wars--which I hope you do-- and you love it. It's going to be a part of a trilogy. The Love Strike Trilogy. The next book has been contracted and I suspect will be out in the fall/winter of 2013. It will feature Sandy, who you'll meet in Bidding Wars. And the follow up book will be Theresa, who has a very minor roll in Bidding Wars.

Now, to learn a little bit more about Bidding Wars - follow this LINK for an excerpt, the blurb, and all the buy links!

Or go to one of these retailers: Amazon | Nook | All Romance

 Lacey

Giveaway Time!

With the release of Bed, Breakfast, and You, I decided it was time for a GIVEAWAY!

So, what will I be giving away? 
Your choice of any book in the Brookfield Series AND a Starbucks gift card. You need a nice beverage while you read, right? Now if you've read them all (and I'd like to think you have), we'll of course work something else out if you're the chosen winner.

But for now, it's simple, feel out the rafflecopter below. Currently, I am thinking there will be not 1, but 3 winners! And who knows, as the week goes on, I may add more.  Not familiar with my Brookfield Series? Follow this LINK to learn a little more. It's more a contemporary romance series. Its must tamer than my erotic work. There are still intimate scenes, just not detailed.

Thank you so much for entering! And good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

My first flower garden

Don't laugh. But you see that photo? Its my first attempt at a flower garden. The area is more shaded then I had thought. It's right next to my front door and my door has sun on it all day. This little spot...not so much. Only early morning sun. So yes, those are fake flowers in the pot on top of the frog. I didn't want to commit flower murder.

Planted are impatients--that I bought my mistake. Guess it was a blessing in disguise since these are shade flowers. And also in there is creeping phlox. I've had these flowers now for a little over a week and I hope the garden perks up soon. 

I think I may have to move the creeping phlox, because the flowers are falling off and these flowers like their sun. I'll give them a little longer and then move them. Hopefully by the end of May I can update with a more full and flowery garden.

Got any gardening tips you can share?