Tina Martin's Blog, page 9
March 14, 2017
#TeaserTuesday - Who Is She??
A snippet from my new novel,
The Things Everson Lost
.
Enjoy!
- - -
Thoroughly seduced by Eliana’s words, he agreed. He’d gotten caught up with staring at her pretty face – appreciating the beautiful woman she grew up to be – her light skin tone, mesmerizing jet black eyes and the way her body was filled out now that she was a full-grown woman. He enjoyed the temporary trip down memory lane, relishing in the memories only they had shared. Not to say his accepting her proposal was her fault because he was the married one. He was responsible for his own decisions.
She led him to the apple. She didn’t make him bite it.
And so that’s where he found himself now – with Eliana in Myrtle Beach for the weekend, standing near the big wheel, in a trance, wondering what he’d do if June ever found out where he really was this weekend.
- - -
So, Everson is with Eliana. Ahem...she's not his wife, so why is he with her? Get The Things Everson Lost from these places:
Amazon KindleBarnes & Noble Nook ScribdSmashwords
Paperback: Amazon | CreateSpace Paperback
Enjoy!
- - -
Thoroughly seduced by Eliana’s words, he agreed. He’d gotten caught up with staring at her pretty face – appreciating the beautiful woman she grew up to be – her light skin tone, mesmerizing jet black eyes and the way her body was filled out now that she was a full-grown woman. He enjoyed the temporary trip down memory lane, relishing in the memories only they had shared. Not to say his accepting her proposal was her fault because he was the married one. He was responsible for his own decisions.
She led him to the apple. She didn’t make him bite it.
And so that’s where he found himself now – with Eliana in Myrtle Beach for the weekend, standing near the big wheel, in a trance, wondering what he’d do if June ever found out where he really was this weekend.
- - -
So, Everson is with Eliana. Ahem...she's not his wife, so why is he with her? Get The Things Everson Lost from these places:
Amazon KindleBarnes & Noble Nook ScribdSmashwords
Paperback: Amazon | CreateSpace Paperback
March 12, 2017
A New Release! - The Things Everson Lost (A Blackstone Family Novel)
I know you guys have been waiting for Everson's story. I read your emails and according to the poll on my website, 'The Blackstones' is the family that you most want to read about this year. So, start the year off with right Everson Blackstone. (BTW...is it just me, or is this year flying by? Can't believe it's mid-March already!) If you haven't read my post regarding Everson you can read it here:
Who is Everson Blackstone?
The Things Everson Lost follows the lives of Everson Blackstone and his wife, June Blackstone. Lately, Everson has been extra busy, always working and something out of the norm - he suddenly doesn't want June to travel with him on his business trips. She always travel with him. It was his idea. Now, all of a sudden, he'd rather go alone. Hmmm...I wonder why.
In this book, you will read about real-life situations in marriage and relationships as well as get an update on your favorite Blackstone men: Bryson, Barringer, Garrison, Rexford & Colton. Also, catch up with Kalina, Calista and Candice.
Buy The Book:
Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook
Scribd
Smashwords
Paperback: Amazon | CreateSpace Paperback
International:Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Australia
Amazon France
Amazon India
Amazon Germany
Also coming to Kobo and Apple iBooks!
Who is Everson Blackstone?
The Things Everson Lost follows the lives of Everson Blackstone and his wife, June Blackstone. Lately, Everson has been extra busy, always working and something out of the norm - he suddenly doesn't want June to travel with him on his business trips. She always travel with him. It was his idea. Now, all of a sudden, he'd rather go alone. Hmmm...I wonder why.
In this book, you will read about real-life situations in marriage and relationships as well as get an update on your favorite Blackstone men: Bryson, Barringer, Garrison, Rexford & Colton. Also, catch up with Kalina, Calista and Candice.
Buy The Book:
Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook
Scribd
Smashwords
Paperback: Amazon | CreateSpace Paperback
International:Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Australia
Amazon France
Amazon India
Amazon Germany
Also coming to Kobo and Apple iBooks!
February 27, 2017
Who is Everson Blackstone?
In the forthcoming novel,
The Things Everson Lost
, you'll get to know Everson Blackstone. At 32 years old, he's the youngest of the Blackstone brothers. (His sister Candice is the youngest sibling.) Everson is easygoing. Laid back. A lot of his time is devoted to work. Unlike three of his siblings, he didn't join the family business. He ventured off to do his own thing, running a successful analyst business. And no one thought he'd ever marry. He said he would never wed, and he never gave an explanation as to why.
That changed, though, when he met June. A year into marriage, he's loving it. Loving her. But then the past comes back knocking...and we find out why it took him so long to fall in love again.
Here's a clip from The Things Everson Lost :
So, for two weeks, Everson worked one-on-one with Eliana, telling himself that he would keep things strictly professional. He was a man. He could handle it. He could decipher if, or when, things started to go too far – when he needed to pull back, hit the brakes and go running home to June. He could handle the business lunches where they’d talk all things Seaton and discussed previous accounting software the company had used in the past. Then those business lunches weren’t enough.
_ _ _ _ _
If he's so happy, who's this Eliana woman? Find out in the full novel, coming March 10, 2017!
That changed, though, when he met June. A year into marriage, he's loving it. Loving her. But then the past comes back knocking...and we find out why it took him so long to fall in love again.Here's a clip from The Things Everson Lost :
So, for two weeks, Everson worked one-on-one with Eliana, telling himself that he would keep things strictly professional. He was a man. He could handle it. He could decipher if, or when, things started to go too far – when he needed to pull back, hit the brakes and go running home to June. He could handle the business lunches where they’d talk all things Seaton and discussed previous accounting software the company had used in the past. Then those business lunches weren’t enough.
_ _ _ _ _
If he's so happy, who's this Eliana woman? Find out in the full novel, coming March 10, 2017!
February 20, 2017
I Heard You Were an Author
-February 22, 2017-
"I heard you were an author."
That's what someone, a woman, said to me this morning. When I confirmed that I was indeed an author, she responded, "Congratulations. You made it."
I was shocked. Before her, before today, no one had ever actually congratulated me on being an author. For making it. She concluded by saying, "Congratulations on finding your passion and walking in your purpose."
I thanked her, scratched my head and said silently to myself, "Walking in my purpose...hmm...?"
Then I got to thinking about all the prior jobs I had. How I wanted to major in computer science when I graduated high school because that's the field the guidance counselor recommended. She said that's where all the money was - in computers. In essence, she was telling me to choose a career path based on the amount of income I would earn - not based on whether I would actually enjoy what I was doing.
Back then, I didn't know what I wanted to do. So, I took her advice. I majored in computers.
I learned how to design websites, make digital thingies, newsletters, posters, labels, forms, templates. I learned that confusing mail merge function in Microsoft Word. Learned how to use Excel. Built spreadsheets and databases from scratch. Made Powerpoint presentations. Learned the intricacies of how computer programs worked. That was my specialty on every job I've ever had. Understanding their programs.
But then, something happened right before I quit my last corporate job - I realized it wasn't what I wanted. It took years (too many years) for me to figure that out, but I did. I didn't want to pursue a career just because it paid a lot of money. I wanted to do something I could enjoy.
My passion.
Writing.
So, I started writing more and more - creating characters and plots. Since this post, I've written over 40 novels, novellas and short stories. When I tell people that, they look shocked, but today, February 22, 2017, somebody congratulated me...told me I made it. As I gave those words further thought, I understood the depth of what she was saying. She didn't mean I made it in the sense that I landed a job making a ton of money (because I'm faaaar from making a ton of money. LOL!) She meant I made it in the sense that I quit my job to follow the dream I had of becoming a writer. An author. I made the dream a reality and I love what I do. That's how you truly know if you made it - not by the amount of money you earn or the accolades you get. But by the joy you feel when you realize you had the guts to pursue a dream and made that dream a reality.
"I heard you were an author."
That's what someone, a woman, said to me this morning. When I confirmed that I was indeed an author, she responded, "Congratulations. You made it."
I was shocked. Before her, before today, no one had ever actually congratulated me on being an author. For making it. She concluded by saying, "Congratulations on finding your passion and walking in your purpose."
I thanked her, scratched my head and said silently to myself, "Walking in my purpose...hmm...?"
Then I got to thinking about all the prior jobs I had. How I wanted to major in computer science when I graduated high school because that's the field the guidance counselor recommended. She said that's where all the money was - in computers. In essence, she was telling me to choose a career path based on the amount of income I would earn - not based on whether I would actually enjoy what I was doing.
Back then, I didn't know what I wanted to do. So, I took her advice. I majored in computers.
I learned how to design websites, make digital thingies, newsletters, posters, labels, forms, templates. I learned that confusing mail merge function in Microsoft Word. Learned how to use Excel. Built spreadsheets and databases from scratch. Made Powerpoint presentations. Learned the intricacies of how computer programs worked. That was my specialty on every job I've ever had. Understanding their programs.
But then, something happened right before I quit my last corporate job - I realized it wasn't what I wanted. It took years (too many years) for me to figure that out, but I did. I didn't want to pursue a career just because it paid a lot of money. I wanted to do something I could enjoy.
My passion.
Writing.
So, I started writing more and more - creating characters and plots. Since this post, I've written over 40 novels, novellas and short stories. When I tell people that, they look shocked, but today, February 22, 2017, somebody congratulated me...told me I made it. As I gave those words further thought, I understood the depth of what she was saying. She didn't mean I made it in the sense that I landed a job making a ton of money (because I'm faaaar from making a ton of money. LOL!) She meant I made it in the sense that I quit my job to follow the dream I had of becoming a writer. An author. I made the dream a reality and I love what I do. That's how you truly know if you made it - not by the amount of money you earn or the accolades you get. But by the joy you feel when you realize you had the guts to pursue a dream and made that dream a reality.
November 6, 2016
#TeaserTuesday - Stranger at the Door
Enjoy this Mini-Excerpt from my new short story - Caught in the Storm with a Lennox, available now at Amazon!
The knock at the door on the snowy, inclement day took Emory by surprise. She’d just stuffed two pieces of firewood in the wood burning heater in her living room when the thumps at her front door jolted her. Who would be out in this kind of weather? A neighbor? Stranded motorist? Idiot, perhaps? Conditions had worsened just as meteorologists had warned on several news outlets earlier in the week. Earlier – when she actually had electricity. The heavy snow no doubt was a direct reason for the power outage and the crazy thing about that was, if it wasn’t for the snow, the temperature would have fallen well below freezing. She was thankful for that but still, forty degrees was anything but balmy. Bottom line – it was cold – too cold for anyone to be outside in this mess of a storm and especially too cold for somebody to be knocking on her door. Whoever it was had to have been either a fool or a desperate person. Maybe a little of both.
Boom, boom, boom.
The knocks persisted and her heartbeats suddenly seemed louder than normal. Wrapped in a long, white cardigan sweater, Emory crossed her arms, not because she was cold. She had the heater pumping out impressive waves of heat in the living room. She crossed her arms because she was scared – alone in a house during a storm while someone was banging on her door. She didn’t have many neighbors and she knew for a fact that the ones who lived the closest to her were staying with relatives.
Boom, boom, boom!
She jumped, actually trembled in her own house as she made her way to the front door. Jeez.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
It was the voice of a man. Crap!
*******
Get your copy from Amazon. Go here for other retailers.
The knock at the door on the snowy, inclement day took Emory by surprise. She’d just stuffed two pieces of firewood in the wood burning heater in her living room when the thumps at her front door jolted her. Who would be out in this kind of weather? A neighbor? Stranded motorist? Idiot, perhaps? Conditions had worsened just as meteorologists had warned on several news outlets earlier in the week. Earlier – when she actually had electricity. The heavy snow no doubt was a direct reason for the power outage and the crazy thing about that was, if it wasn’t for the snow, the temperature would have fallen well below freezing. She was thankful for that but still, forty degrees was anything but balmy. Bottom line – it was cold – too cold for anyone to be outside in this mess of a storm and especially too cold for somebody to be knocking on her door. Whoever it was had to have been either a fool or a desperate person. Maybe a little of both.
Boom, boom, boom.
The knocks persisted and her heartbeats suddenly seemed louder than normal. Wrapped in a long, white cardigan sweater, Emory crossed her arms, not because she was cold. She had the heater pumping out impressive waves of heat in the living room. She crossed her arms because she was scared – alone in a house during a storm while someone was banging on her door. She didn’t have many neighbors and she knew for a fact that the ones who lived the closest to her were staying with relatives.
Boom, boom, boom!
She jumped, actually trembled in her own house as she made her way to the front door. Jeez.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
It was the voice of a man. Crap!
*******
Get your copy from Amazon. Go here for other retailers.
September 12, 2016
#TeaserTuesday - Ground Rules
A sample from the novel, Wasn't Supposed To Love Her. The book is available now. Enjoy!
Royce released a frustrated breath. At some point, he’d tell her who he really was – that he was part of a task force of CIA agents, Feds and a few ex-army soldiers in a new underground effort to combat human trafficking. He had no intentions of hurting her, making her a slave or forcing her to sleep with him. He did however, need to lay down some ground rules – something that proved difficult to do since she’d been sleeping the better part of the seventy-two hours she’d spent at his house thus far. By some miracle, she was awake, standing in the kitchen, back still to him even after he’d asked her a question. Little did she know that was a pet peeve of his. He hated it when someone intentionally ignored him.
“Makeena, I’m talking to you,” Royce said in a stern tone. “I don’t take too kindly to being ignored.”
Makeena turned around this time and looked at him with intense eyes.
The glow in them, the strength of her gaze made him question her mood. One would think an ex-soldier could read body language and facial expressions well. Something about her expression threw him off balance. “Do you talk?” he asked.
“Yes. I talk,” she said, her voice as sweet as honeysuckle. “So…” She crossed her arms.
Cute, Royce thought. Who did she think she was intimidating with crossed arms? “So, what?” Royce heard himself asking.
“I’m your wife now. Is that correct, soldier?”
“Yes. You are.”
Makeena stretched out her left hand and asked, “Where’s my ring?”
A frown cemented on his face. “Your ring?” he asked. None of the others asked him for a ring. She, on the other hand, had like she was ready for this. Ready to be someone’s wife like they were entering into some sort of arranged marriage.
“I don’t have a ring for you,” Royce responded. He wanted to tell her she wouldn’t get one with this not being a legit marriage and all. It was just an undercover sting – marriage on paper so the bad guys didn’t suspect anything.
“When will you have one for me?”
Royce frowned. “Never. It’s not that kind of party.”
Makeena looked confused. For the longest time, she stared at him and didn’t say a word – just stared until the stare became a glare. She was pissed about not getting a ring. What was it with men nowadays? Was she not ring worthy? Then, remembering what she’d learned from her foster mother about how she should behave in the presence of her husband, she quickly corrected her attitude and tried another approach. “Tell me what you expect of me.”
“I don’t expect anything of you.”
“Sure you do,” Makeena said assuredly. “Mama Gertrude said women are supposed to take care of their husbands.”
Yeah… the same Mama Gertrude that sold you for a thousand bucks…
Royce narrowed his eyes at her. She had to have known that fact. How could she not know that Gertrude was selling off her foster kids one-by-one as soon as they were of age, for a thousand dollars a pop?
“So what are they?” she asked.
“I don’t have any expectations of you,” Royce reiterated. “No, wait…I take that back. Actually, I do. I want you to eat. You are my responsibility now.”
* * *Get it at Amazon.
Royce released a frustrated breath. At some point, he’d tell her who he really was – that he was part of a task force of CIA agents, Feds and a few ex-army soldiers in a new underground effort to combat human trafficking. He had no intentions of hurting her, making her a slave or forcing her to sleep with him. He did however, need to lay down some ground rules – something that proved difficult to do since she’d been sleeping the better part of the seventy-two hours she’d spent at his house thus far. By some miracle, she was awake, standing in the kitchen, back still to him even after he’d asked her a question. Little did she know that was a pet peeve of his. He hated it when someone intentionally ignored him.
“Makeena, I’m talking to you,” Royce said in a stern tone. “I don’t take too kindly to being ignored.”
Makeena turned around this time and looked at him with intense eyes.
The glow in them, the strength of her gaze made him question her mood. One would think an ex-soldier could read body language and facial expressions well. Something about her expression threw him off balance. “Do you talk?” he asked.
“Yes. I talk,” she said, her voice as sweet as honeysuckle. “So…” She crossed her arms.
Cute, Royce thought. Who did she think she was intimidating with crossed arms? “So, what?” Royce heard himself asking.
“I’m your wife now. Is that correct, soldier?”
“Yes. You are.”
Makeena stretched out her left hand and asked, “Where’s my ring?”
A frown cemented on his face. “Your ring?” he asked. None of the others asked him for a ring. She, on the other hand, had like she was ready for this. Ready to be someone’s wife like they were entering into some sort of arranged marriage.
“I don’t have a ring for you,” Royce responded. He wanted to tell her she wouldn’t get one with this not being a legit marriage and all. It was just an undercover sting – marriage on paper so the bad guys didn’t suspect anything.
“When will you have one for me?”
Royce frowned. “Never. It’s not that kind of party.”
Makeena looked confused. For the longest time, she stared at him and didn’t say a word – just stared until the stare became a glare. She was pissed about not getting a ring. What was it with men nowadays? Was she not ring worthy? Then, remembering what she’d learned from her foster mother about how she should behave in the presence of her husband, she quickly corrected her attitude and tried another approach. “Tell me what you expect of me.”
“I don’t expect anything of you.”
“Sure you do,” Makeena said assuredly. “Mama Gertrude said women are supposed to take care of their husbands.”
Yeah… the same Mama Gertrude that sold you for a thousand bucks…
Royce narrowed his eyes at her. She had to have known that fact. How could she not know that Gertrude was selling off her foster kids one-by-one as soon as they were of age, for a thousand dollars a pop?
“So what are they?” she asked.
“I don’t have any expectations of you,” Royce reiterated. “No, wait…I take that back. Actually, I do. I want you to eat. You are my responsibility now.”
* * *Get it at Amazon.
