Tina Christopher's Blog, page 9

Weekend Writing Warriors-Tangled Redemption Snippet 14

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I am continuing to share parts of Tangled Redemption, book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. We first meet Sydney in Tangled Hunger, book 2 of the Celestial Surrender series.

In last week’s snippet Nasir turned “owning” Sydney into a competition. Miguel is not happy that he allowed himself to be sucked into one of Nasir’s games, but he couldn’t stop himself. He expected the competition to take place in the ring, but the Big Bad has turned it into a sexual contest where Miguel and Jayden share Sydney. This snippet is a couple of pages later and in Sydney’s point of view.

“Sydney vacillated between raging anger, worry and arousal. Of all the things she’d anticipated, being handed over as a toy to two of the most attractive men she’d seen in a very long time had not been part of her imagination.

And that was the problem.

How could she even consider this? They worked for the monster, probably had done plenty of monstrous things themselves. But she had taken the time to notice the sleek lines of Calatrave’s body, the delicious package that was hidden behind just one thin layer of clothes. And then there was Jayden. There wasn’t the instant need to touch she had with Calatrave, but his body was a piece of art and she wanted to stroke and explore.”

Here is the blurb:

Sydney Radnall is no man’s toy, despite fate’s attempt to make her just that. A kidnapping puts her at the mercy of a sadistic Feral commander. Being held prisoner is bad enough, but her Naema blood is powerful. In her current Vampiric company her presence is like ringing a dinner bell.

In an attempt to break the commander makes her the pet of two of his lieutenants. Miguel is one of the most dangerous men she has ever met, but she can’t stop the attraction blazing between them. Then there is Jayden, a Vampire who is as surprising as he is sexy. Two Vampires she should not be attracted to, should not want to surrender to, should not trust.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Secrets and lies shadow their connections, making it impossible to see clearly. What are the chances of her finding lifemates while surrounded by enemies? And making the wrong decision could not just shatter her heart. It could cost her life.

Tangled Redemption will release on October 22nd.

I’m on the road at the moment and not quite sure when I’ll have access to internet. I’ll do my best to come around today, but it may be later in the week.

Have an amazing week and as always Happy Writing!

Teach Me by Ella Sheridan Cover Reveal

I am excited to share the gorgeous cover of fellow Naughty Girl Ella Sheridan. *drumroll*

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Isn’t it pretty? Check out the details.

Teach Me (Southern Nights Book One)

A woman determined to heal…

Shy researcher Jess Kingston spent the last eight weeks recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack. Body healed, she’s ready to put her life back together—except her ex isn’t ready to let go. She won’t cower in a corner while Brit tortures her, but she’s powerless to fight back.

A man determined to resist…

Ex-military security specialist Conlan James avoids commitment like the plague. His job, his Harley, and the occasional one-night stand are all he needs, until the day he rescues Jess from a tense situation and realizes he can’t get her off his mind. He can teach her to protect herself, but protecting his heart is another matter.

A madman determined to win…

As the deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Brit heats up, so does the hunger between Con and Jess. Safety might be found in numbers, but in bed, all bets are off—and the wrong move could lead to heartbreak. Or death.

Preorder Links

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ARe

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Excerpt:

What the hell are you doing here?

This wasn’t the first time in the last five minutes that Conlan had asked himself the same question. Maybe if he had an answer, the revolving door in his brain would stop spinning, but that didn’t seem likely. Not anytime soon. Not with the beautiful brunette he’d come to see sitting close enough that, if he let himself look, he could detect the light dusting of freckles across her nose. But he wasn’t looking, and he shouldn’t be here, so how had he ended up standing in line behind the thirtysomething latte league? It sure as hell wasn’t for the coffee.

Legs braced wide, he shifted from one hip to the other, the creak of his motorcycle chaps reminding him he could be enjoying a few extra minutes on the Harley before work instead of spending that precious time here, mooning over a woman. Doe Eyes. The first time he’d seen her all those months ago, he’d thought her eyes reminded him of sweet Georgia pecans and skittish does. The name stuck, as had the memory of her eyes—and a hundred other glimpses he shouldn’t have taken.

Another name called, another latte dispensed, another shuffle forward.

He hadn’t seen those eyes in eight weeks, and yet still he’d shown up every Monday, like clockwork, hoping for one more glimpse and calling himself an idiot. Wasn’t like he planned on asking her out. So why the hell did he torture himself with these weekly forays into enemy territory?

Sex. Or sex appeal, at least.

Another step closer to the counter. The move didn’t ease the constriction behind the zipper of his jeans. This was what she did to him, thinking about her. Especially now, after so long apart.

The thought had a snort escaping. Ahead of him, Mr. Suit and Tie startled and glanced over a shoulder, but Conlan ignored the look. He was too busy figuring out when “this” had become enough like a relationship in his head that he would think things like “after so long apart.” Doe Eyes might appear prominently in his thoughts from time to time—especially certain times—but he’d never seen her outside of this coffee shop. And he wouldn’t. A quick roll in the hay was one thing, but Doe Eyes wasn’t the kind of woman who had one-night stands. He could tell that much just by looking at her. She was a relationship kind of woman, and he was a relationship-phobic kind of guy. Which meant he seriously needed to get a grip—and not on the part of him growing even harder at the idea.

Idiot was right.

He should be at work. Southern summer heat brought out the crazies almost as well as full moons did, and JCL Security was feeling the impact, juggling cases like they had eight arms, which they didn’t. Too many sleepless nights had been spent at his office, especially with the Bennett case coming up. Just a couple more weeks before Thea Bennett had her bastard of a husband before a judge and hopefully out of her life, but the paper- and prep work to get the high-profile bastard there had been a bitch. He seriously needed to—

“Conlan, hey!”

For a passing moment he was convinced the voice belonged to the woman filling his thoughts. But when the high, candied voice called again, he realized it was coming from the counter. The cashier. Tonya, Tammy? Tracy? He couldn’t remember. She was blonde with a deep tan he would’ve deemed impossible in a landlocked city like Atlanta, the shade a stark contrast to her white smile. Stepping up, he threw her a grin. “Hey.”

She batted long lashes, almost hiding the way her glance slid down to the crotch of his jeans, framed in his leather chaps. “Long time, no see.”

He winked automatically. “It’s a long wait between Mondays.”

The girl giggled. “Your usual?”

“That’s right. Thanks,” he said, passing over a ten-dollar bill.

She made change, certain to caress his hand as she laid the money in his palm. Conlan was more interested in the dark Colombian roast another employee was walking toward them. High-octane all the way. The sight of the near-black brew had him salivating for something other than Doe Eyes for the first time that morning.

He reached the condiment counter just as his phone buzzed in his back pocket. Probably Jack. Retrieving the cell confirmed his suspicion.

Where the hell are you? his partner had texted.

Piss off, Con replied, a grin tugging at his lips. The irony that he’d spent too much time asking himself the very same question didn’t escape him. In a half hour he’d be at the office and they could both stop wondering.

With a little back-and-forth he managed to cram the phone back in his tight jeans. He glanced around absently, and his gaze snagged on a pair of amber-brown eyes that suddenly met his.

He froze.

Doe Eyes dropped her chin and shifted over the slightest bit, enough that her friend’s position blocked her from view, but not before he caught the blush coloring her creamy cheeks.

His cock banged against his zipper as if begging to be let out. The bite of pain caught his breath in his throat. Jesus, what the hell was he—

Don’t! Ask. Again. He knew what the hell he was doing here, and he needed to go; he really did. He needed to stop letting his dick run this show, grab his coffee, and get back to reality.

He was restless, that was all. He was a man who needed action. Needed to be doing something, anything, not sitting behind a desk like he’d been for weeks while prepping Thea’s case. Usually he worked off his frustration in a way that involved cool silk sheets and bare skin and satisfaction on both sides, but there’d been no damn time. Just his hand and the additional chafing it provided, which wasn’t near as effective—or satisfying. That had to be the reason he couldn’t stop thinking about his mystery woman.

Of course. That had to be it.

Popping the lid off his cardboard cup released the rich aroma of ground coffee beans into the air. He lifted his cup and blew across the hot liquid, the sound almost a sigh of relief. He was already reaching for the packets of sugar when black squiggles caught his eye. There. On the part of the paper sleeve now facing him, he could see a name and number were clearly written: Tiffany. A 470 area-code phone number.

So that was her name. Sounded like an eighties pop star. A glance over his shoulder found the cashier leaning across the bar where drinks were picked up, her mounded breasts shelved there, on display. Come back soon, she mouthed, her shoulders doing a little wiggle. On reflex, he threw her a grin, but her seemingly seductive move couldn’t pull his glance downward. His dick didn’t even twitch. Apparently only one thing could trigger his runaway libido this morning.

He added the sugar, trying to ignore the panic in his gut and his one-track mind. The latter was impossible. He wanted to know Doe Eyes’ name, her phone number. Were her breasts as full as they looked beneath that starched white button-down? Was her hair as soft as he swore it would be when he fisted it between his fingers?

He stirred a bit too vigorously, and coffee sloshed over the side of the cup.

Don’t look. Don’t. He realized he’d closed his eyes. A sigh escaped as he rubbed a thumb and finger against them, but as soon as the lids popped open, he searched for her. Had to see her. Felt his heartbeat pick up knowing she might meet his eyes.

He was so screwed—and smart enough to admit it. He let go, let the conflict and the churning in his gut and the tension cramping his muscles go. And then he looked toward her table.

It was empty.

“Well shit.”

He stood for a moment, cursing himself, the coffee, and everything else he could think of. When another customer stepped up behind him and cleared his throat, wanting access to the counter, Con grabbed his cup and headed out the door. On his way, he chucked the coffee in the trash without a single sip.

 

Author Bio:

 

Ella grew up in the Deep South, where books provided adventures, friends, and her first taste of romance. Now she writes her own romantic adventures, with plenty of hot alpha men and the women who love and challenge them. With a day job, a husband, two active teenagers, and two not so active cats, Ella is always busy, but getting the voices in her head down on paper is a top priority. Connect with Ella at www.ellasheridanauthor.com .

 

Author Website: www.ellasheridanauthor.com

Author Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/IJkRf

Author E-mail: ellasheridan.writer@gmail.com

 

Social Media Links:

 

Amazon Author Page                        https://www.amazon.com/author/ellasheridan

Facebook Author Page                    https://facebook.com/ellasheridanauthor

Twitter (@AuthorESheridan)       https://twitter.com/AuthorESheridan

Goodreads                                              https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350508.Ella_Sheridan

 

Publishing History:

 

Secrets To Hide Series -

 

Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/genres/series/secrets-to-hide.html
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Ella-Sheridan/e/B00G3BYYN4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/ella-sheridan
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=series&qString=Secrets+to+Hide
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=ella+sheridan

 

Dirty Little Secret (Book One)

Naughty Little Christmas (Book Two)

Just a Little More (Book Three)

 

 

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors-Tangled Redemption Snippet 13

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I am continuing to share parts of Tangled Redemption, book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. We first meet Sydney in Tangled Hunger, book 2 of the Celestial Surrender series.

In last week’s snippet Nasir offered Sydney up to his lieutenants. Miguel and Jayden spoke up and Nasir turned it into a competition. Miguel is not happy that he allowed himself to be sucked into one of Nasir’s games, but he couldn’t stop himself. He expected the competition to take place in the ring, but the Big Bad has other plans. Interesting punctuation has been used to give you the full paragraph. We are in Miguel’s point of view.

““No,” Nasir stopped them from leaving for the ring; all levity had disappeared from his face. “I don’t want my lieutenants fighting over food.” The hairs on the back of Miguel’s neck rose; “You will share.”

Miguel bit his tongue until he tasted blood. He knew he had been too blunt, too forceful with Nasir over the last few months, but he had reached a point where he no longer cared. This had now come back to bite him.

He preferred to initiate any sharing; his leader knew that and he still would make him go through with this. Miguel could step away, leave Sydney to Jayden, but he wasn’t prepared to do so. “

Here is the blurb:

Sydney Radnall is no man’s toy, despite fate’s attempt to make her just that. A kidnapping puts her at the mercy of a sadistic Feral commander. Being held prisoner is bad enough, but her Naema blood is powerful. In her current Vampiric company her presence is like ringing a dinner bell.

In an attempt to break the commander makes her the pet of two of his lieutenants. Miguel is one of the most dangerous men she has ever met, but she can’t stop the attraction blazing between them. Then there is Jayden, a Vampire who is as surprising as he is sexy. Two Vampires she should not be attracted to, should not want to surrender to, should not trust.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Secrets and lies shadow their connections, making it impossible to see clearly. What are the chances of her finding lifemates while surrounded by enemies? And making the wrong decision could not just shatter her heart. It could cost her life.

Tangled Redemption will release on October 22nd.

I’ve had some sad family news. My brain is all over the place and what little focus I had is mostly gone, so I am still working on the outline for my next story. Fingers crossed I manage to make progress soon.

Have an amazing week and as always Happy Writing!

Teachers’ Pets Event and Give-Away!

I am part of this fabulous group of ladies. We are all authors and we all like our books on the naughty side, which is why we have a blog called “Nice Girls Writing Naughty” with monthly events and parties.

We also have a Facebook group where nothing is taboo and man candy is part of the every day timelines;). Come over and join us!

This month Dakota Trace is hosting our party and she talked us all into turning our heroes into our very own Teacher’s Pets…not that it took very much convincing.

Check in with all of us for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. And every author is also giving away a prize on their blog. I am giving away a copy of Tangled Redemption or another book of mine of your choice. The publication date is October 22nd. The contest ends Sunday September 28th at midnight.

Now, please let me introduce Miguel Calatrave, also known as the Spaniard. He is a Vampire and one of the heroes of Tangled Redemption. Miguel is in a tough position and when Sydney and Jayden step onto the stage things get even more interesting.

1. When I graduated high school I was voted the most likely to take over the galaxy. They weren’t too far off.

2. Growing up I wanted to be a doctor. You could say things didn’t turn out as planned.

3. On Friday nights you’d have found me in the library studying or in the dojo woking toward my next Dan.

4. The hottest teacher at Escola Reina Elisenda was Senora Renata Galarza and she taught Science. It’s difficult to look amazing in goggles, but she always pulled it off. The tight white lab coat didn’t hurt either.

5. In High School I was the president of the Science Club. In college I moved on to computers. A couple of friends and I developed a MMOG and had a lot of fun. Turned out we knew what we were doing and sold it.

Tangled Redemption is book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. You will be able to read Miguel’s story from October 22nd 2014. I don’t have a cover yet, but here is the blurb:

Sydney Radnall is no man’s toy, despite fate’s attempt to make her just that. A kidnapping puts her at the mercy of a sadistic Feral commander. Being held prisoner is bad enough, but her Naema blood is powerful. In her current Vampiric company her presence is like ringing a dinner bell.

In an attempt to break the commander makes her the pet of two of his lieutenants. Miguel is one of the most dangerous men she has ever met, but she can’t stop the attraction blazing between them. Then there is Jayden, a Vampire who is as surprising as he is sexy. Two Vampires she should not be attracted to, should not want to surrender to, should not trust.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Secrets and lies shadow their connections, making it impossible to see clearly. What are the chances of her finding lifemates while surrounded by enemies? And making the wrong decision could not just shatter her heart. It could cost her life.

My Favourite Re-Reads!

The fabulous Veronica Scott has asked me a question, so I am sharing some of my very favourite books, the ones I have read and re-read a dozen times over at the USA Today Happy Ever After blog. If you haven’t read anything by Veronica yet run to the closest computer and download her books now;).

Weekend Writing Warriors-Tangled Redemption Snippet 12

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I am continuing to share parts of Tangled Redemption, book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. We first meet Sydney in Tangled Hunger, book 2 of the Celestial Surrender series.

In last week’s snippet the Big Bad couldn’t make up his mind what to do with Sydney. In the end he offered her up to his lieutenants. Everyone jumped at the opportunity, but Miguel and Jayden spoke up first. Miguel is not happy that he allowed himself to be sucked into one of Big Bad’s games, but he couldn’t stop himself. Interesting punctuation has been used to give you the full paragraph. We are in Miguel’s point of view.

“Nasir stroked his thumb up and down Sydney’s neck as he studied the two of them. Miguel remained impassive, knowing he’d set things in motion when he spoke up-the tension between Nasir and him would come to a head.

“Wonderful, a competition,” Nasir lifted her hand to his lips; Sydney’s arm twitched. “Honorable Radnall, two of my finest want to be your suitor. You’ve already met the Spaniard, Miguel Calatrave; please allow me to introduce Jayden Maywater.” He turned to Miguel, still holding Sydney’s hand, something that made Miguel want to rip off his. “I have to say I’m surprised at your interest. You don’t generally snack with us.””

Here is the blurb:

Sydney Radnall is no man’s toy, despite fate’s attempt to make her just that. A kidnapping puts her at the mercy of a sadistic Feral commander. Being held prisoner is bad enough, but her Naema blood is powerful. In her current Vampiric company her presence is like ringing a dinner bell.

In an attempt to break the commander makes her the pet of two of his lieutenants. Miguel is one of the most dangerous men she has ever met, but she can’t stop the attraction blazing between them. Then there is Jayden, a Vampire who is as surprising as he is sexy. Two Vampires she should not be attracted to, should not want to surrender to, should not trust.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Secrets and lies shadow their connections, making it impossible to see clearly. What are the chances of her finding lifemates while surrounded by enemies? And making the wrong decision could not just shatter her heart. It could cost her life.

Tangled Redemption will release on October 22nd (at least that is the plan at the moment). I am in over my head on edits for Dirigibles and want to finish them today. My mum is coming to stay with me on Monday for a few days and I want to have everything off my plate. It’s going to be a long Sunday. Wish me luck;).

Next I want to work on the outline for another steampunk story and I have an idea for another sci-fi story, the start to a series, but it needs to grow beyond the concept so I can turn it into an actual story;). I need more hours in the day. Who decided we needed to work for a living?!

Have an amazing week and as always Happy Writing!

Weekend Writing Warriors-Tangled Redemption Snippet 11

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I am continuing to share parts of Tangled Redemption, book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. We first meet Sydney in Tangled Hunger, book 2 of the Celestial Surrender series. Here is the preliminary blurb:

Sydney Radnall is no man’s toy, despite fate’s attempt to make her just that. A kidnapping puts her at the mercy of the sadistic Feral commander she had tried to take down. Being held prisoner is bad enough, but her Naema blood is powerful. In her current Vampiric company her presence is like ringing a dinner bell.

When the leader tries to break her by handing her over to his inner circle she ends up as the pet of two lieutenants. Miguel is one of the most dangerous men she has ever met, but she can’t stop the attraction blazing between them. Then there is Jayden, a Vampire who is as surprising as he is sexy. Two Vampires she should not be attracted to, should not want to surrender to, should not trust.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Secrets and lies shadow their connections, making it impossible to see clearly. What are the chances of her finding lifemates while surrounded by enemies? And making the wrong decision could not just shatter her heart. It could cost her life.

In last week’s snippet Jayden watched Sydney face off with the Big Bad who is currently trying to decide what to do next with Sydney. He is surrounded by his lieutenants. Jayden is one of them and we are in hiss point of view, but the Big Bad speaks first. Interesting punctuation has been used.

“I am surrounded by my best and brightest. We’ve made a lot of progress and are only a few days away from our biggest coup to date; you all deserve a reward.”

Every muscle in Jayden’s body tensed; if Zwelenki didn’t give her to him he would fight any of the other lieutenants for her.

“Well, who wants this delicious Naema as their personal slave?” He raised his hand to stop responses. “She is too valuable to just tear apart. Whoever takes her has to keep her alive.” His smile clenched Jayden’s insides. “That doesn’t mean she has to be happy about it.”

Tangled Redemption is back with my editor and I am moving on to Dirigible Are Forever. And my mum has come for a visit from Germany. She is staying with my brother at the moment, but the plan is for me to head north for a visit today. This means I may not be able to come around until later tonight.

I am trying to decide what to do next. I had planned to work on one story, but circumstances are making me put that one aside and move on to something else. I just need to find my focus and decide what that will be. Too many ideas and concepts, too few concrete plans;).

Have an amazing week and as always Happy Writing!

Quoting Shakespeare

I have this poster above my desk in my office and every time I read it I am surprised how deep William Shakespeare has sunk into the English language.

Have you been quoting Shakespeare recently?

 

Weekend Writing Warriors-Tangled Redemption Snippet 10

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I am continuing to share parts of Tangled Redemption, book 4 in the Celestial Surrender series. I still don’t have a blurb;). We first meet Sydney in Tangled Hunger, book 2 of the Celestial Surrender series. She ends up kidnapped by Miguel, a Vampire who has the impossible task of balancing the survival of one with that of a galaxy. And then there is Jayden. His one mission is to take out the Big Bad, but now he has to balance her life with his job.

Tangled Redemption is a Sci-Fi story and takes place in a universe inhabited by humans, Vampires and Naema, a race that has been likened to angels. There is a tenuous peace between the three races, but a faction of the Vampires, the Ferals, does not want to bow down to human law. You could say there is a smidgeon of tension between them and the rest of the galaxy, expressed through a kill-on-sight order against them.

In last week’s snippet we met Jayden for the first time. We are in his point of view. He is currently watching Sydney face off with the Big Bad, keeping himself ready to jump in-he has no idea how-to assist her if necessary. She just told Big Bad she left behind easy to follow instructions on how to continue her work dismantling his empire. Big Bad speaks first and you are seeing some creative punctuation;).

“ His smile disappeared. “Don’t lie to me; you travelled to Parvati to investigate my connection to the human who supplied us with food. I am impressed; no one has ever come close to putting us together.” He shrugged. “But you left nothing behind because you didn’t trust your own judgment after your husband played you like a beginner’s tutorial for StarNet.

Jayden only saw the flinch because he watched her so closely. Going by Zwelenki’s satisfied smirk he’d also seen it. His good mood restored, he walked up to the Naema and circled her like she was a curiosity; Jayden prepared himself to respond at any moment.”

I am about half-way through the edits of Tangled Redemption and hope to finish them today. This may result in me making my rounds late in the day. Once the edits are done I have to move onto the one thing I dislike more than anything: write a blurb! Give me a synopsis any day;). I am thinking about bringing the Tangled Redemption snippets to an end. I can either continue, move on to Tangled Hunger (book 2 in the series) or share snippets from a steampunk project I love, but am unsure if it will ever see the light of day. Do you have a preference?

Have an amazing week and as always Happy Writing!

Get your shifty read today!

Tina Christopher:

If you like great writing with a lot of fun thrown in check out the fabulous Storm Grant.

Originally posted on Gina X. Grant:

TODAY! Shift Happens is available from all your fave retailers:

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And all my other books are available at these sites, too.

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