S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 14
September 27, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – To whom, and for how long.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Leslie Hachtel’s wonderful blog post welcome.
Today’s question comes from Jenna Da Sie– If you had to give up something – TV? Wine? Starbucks? What would it be and share how you handle it (or don’t).
Seeing this I instantly thought about Lent, and the act of giving something up. Then I was reminded of a rather off-color joke which ends:
…and he said, “I can’t have sex with you because it’s Lent.”
She answered, “Oh my! To whom, and for how long.”
I’ve never done the whole Lent thing. Giving something up I like doing completely for a limited time. I’m a ‘life is for living’ and ‘all things in moderation’ kind of guy.
The idea of giving something up that I like doing, never really enters my head, making this week a real challenge.
I did give up smoking when I was in my teens because it was expensive and stupid, but I can’t say I ever really liked it anyway. I could buy a couple comic books for the price of a pack, so that was really win-win.
Let’s see. What could I give up?
Wine – No way.
TV – We did give up cable a couple of years ago, but still have internet (Netflix, Hulu, Etc.) so does that really count? I haven’t missed live TV at all, except for Green Bay Packer games.
Starbucks – Probably, but not coffee. Hard to believe nowadays one comic book costs about the same as a cup of anything at Starbucks.
Probably the hardest thing I ever gave up was comic books. I collected and read the darn things well into my forties.They just got too damn expensive, plus the plot lines turned into running soap operas instead of the superhero stories I grew up with, so i cut that cord.
As for something I currently have that I’m willing to give up? Nope. I’m in a good place. No reason to rock the boat.
So what is Carrie Elks thinking of giving up? Find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues at: https://carrieelks.com/blog/
And check out Carries wonderful Love in London series:
September 13, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – Stranger on a train.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Jenna Da Sie’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Today my good friend Marc Stevens offers up a writing challenge – Flash Fiction Challenge: Planes, trains, and automobiles (or even boats) give us a quick scene set on/in a moving vehicle.
Fun stuff, and I’ve been playing around with a couple of new characters for a future novel, so here’s a quick peek at them.
Stranger on a train.
Brakes squealing, the dingy subway car lurched to a halt. Doors slid open and grumbling commuters shuffled out.
A seat opened up across from the doors and Katherine slid into it. She let out an exhausted sigh, but let the soft smile linger on her lips. She’d had that dream again, waking her in the middle of the night. This time he’d taken her farther, almost to the point of . . .
Around her, voices stilled.
A lone figure stood in the train car’s doorway. The kind of man that attracted attention in any crowd. A man of mystery, dressed formally but with a dark blue cape on his shoulders, like something out of the past, or the future.
Light from behind cast the form in shadow, but familiarity sent tingles creeping up Katherine’s spine.
It couldn’t be.
As the man crossed into the train, the interior lighting illuminated his features.
Raven haired, a scruffy five-O’clock-shadow darkening his granite jaw, the man scanned the car. Dark, sullen eyes, the kind that burned into your soul, were suddenly directed at her. Eyebrows arched. “Katherine?”
The doors swished close behind him, the train lurched back into motion, as their eyes locked. Trapped in his gaze, her heart thundered in her ears as moments turned into centuries.Then his gaze wavered, dropping to the floor as his cheeks reddened.
Katherine steeled herself. “Damien?”
Her core clenched. Gooseflesh crept up her arms. She’d never met him. Yet, she knew him.
His name, his visage, and his touch were oh so familiar to her. Every night for the past two weeks he’d haunted her dreams, stripping her bare, kissing her crazy, and taking her farther and farther every night toward an inevitable climax. Each night closer, but never there.
He stepped nearer, took the seat next to hers, then gently took her hand. “I thought, maybe, it was time we met.”
***
What do you think? Want to know more about these two? I have a new series percolating that I think they’d fit into perfectly. We will see.
Now check in with the high-flying Marc Stevens, as the Romance Writers Weekly blog tour continues at: https://marcstevenserotica.wordpress.com/
And check out Suburban Spies, part of the Cherished Secrets novella collection:
September 8, 2016
Conquering William – by Sarah Hegger
I just finished reading this book, and it’s awesome:
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Series: Sir Arthur’s Legacy, Book 3
ISBN-10: 1601839162
ISBN-13: 978-1601839169
Blurb
A practical marriage…
He married for convenience, but William of Anglesea had hoped for more than piety from his new bride. Raised in a convent and thrice widowed, prim Lady Alice of Tarnwych seems like an innocent when it comes to the marriage bed—except for the tentative passion he senses in her touch, and sees in her eyes. It seems the bold knight has a new challenge in alluring Alice. But will seducing his intriguing wife lead to his downfall?
An inconvenient desire…
Everything about charming, free-spirited William defies the cloistered world Lady Alice comes from. Duty brings her to their bed—and a long-held hope for a child. Yet after three indifferent husbands, the desire William shows her awakens her own. Little did Alice expect the powerful feelings he would inspire, emotions that make her ready to abandon her rigid beliefs, and the only family she’s ever known—when William’s life is on the line….
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-William-Sarah-Hegger/dp/1601839162/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
iBooks : https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/conquering-william/id1088652673?mt=11&at=1010loXM
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/conquering-william
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/conquering-william-sarah-hegger/1123105724?ean=9781601839169
Bio:
Born British and raised in South Africa, Sarah Hegger suffers from an incurable case of wanderlust. Her match? A hot Canadian engineer, whose marriage proposal she accepted six short weeks after they first met. Together they’ve made homes in seven different cities across three different continents (and back again once or twice). If only it made her multilingual, but the best she can manage is idiosyncratic English, fluent Afrikaans, conversant Russian, pigeon Portuguese, even worse Zulu and enough French to get herself into trouble.
Mimicking her globe trotting adventures, Sarah’s career path began as a gainfully employed actress, drifted into public relations, settled a moment in advertising, and eventually took root in the fertile soil of her first love, writing. She also moonlights as a wife and mother.
She currently lives in Colorado with her teenage daughters, two Golden Retrievers and aforementioned husband. Part footloose buccaneer, part quixotic observer of life, Sarah’s restless heart is most content when reading or writing books.
Sarah is the recipient of the 2015 EPIC Award for Historical Romance.
She is represented my Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates.
Giveaway (to enter please go to sarahhegger.com):
To celebrate the release of #3 Sir Arthur’s Legacy, Conquering William I am giving away 3 copies of Conquering William (US winners may receive their copy as an e-book or paperback, international winners will be provided their copy as an e-book only) and 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards.
To enter, simply become a subscriber to my quarterly newsletter. If you’re already subscribed, or wish to gain additional entries, leave a comment on one of the two blog posts below:
Writing and Research in Historical Fiction: A Peek Into My Method and My Madness
For even more entries, Like my Facebook page and Follow me on Twitter!
Social Media Links:
Website: http://sarahhegger.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahheggerauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahHegger
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100057781039257025684
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahhegger7/
Tumblr: sarahhegger.tumblr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahheggerauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28109716-conquering-william
September 6, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – Things are getting in-tense.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
Ascension by A.S. Fenichel
Now just 99¢
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from A. S. Fenichel’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Check out Fix You by Carrie Elks
Today’s topic comes from the wonderful Carrie Elks – Writing can be in-tense. Do you have a preferred POV (First, second or third person) and do you like writing in past or present tense? How about when you choose a book to read – do the tense and POV come into that choice? Have you ever written or read a book that breaks all your rules yet is so much better for it?
I am very partial to third-person past-tense in reading and writing. it just feels more natural to me. I have read and enjoyed many first-person novels but unless I can really identify with the character, I find it had sometimes to stay in their head in first-person.
That said, I have started writing a novel in first-person that is also present-tense. More as a test to see if I can actually write like this, I also feel the way the main characters point of view changes over the course of the novel makes putting it in present tense more impactful.
Here’s a snippet of Destiny: Cloud Fist
An explosion rocks the ship, throwing me out of bed, and across the cabin. I slam into the wall bruising my head and opening a cut on my left hand. By the time I bandage my hand, throw on some clothes, and make my way to the bridge the hull is already breached and power-suited Korg commandos are on board the Cloud Fist.
“I want those shields up now,” Captain Pulsian is saying as I rush through the hatchway, “and get security to all the main corridors. Keep those commandos off the bridge.”
It’s a relief to see the Captain already on the bridge and in charge. I think maybe we still have a chance. Maybe. It’s my job to be at his side whenever I am on duty and to get to his side whenever there is an emergency like this attack. I’m the ship’s boy, the Captain’s errand runner.
“Anders,” the Captain says. He always calls me by my last name.
“Yes, sir,” I say. Proud to be serving such a great man.
“You’re on Com Two until someone show’s up who knows what they’re doing.”
There’s a body on the floor lying in a pool of blood behind the Com Two station chair. It looks like Matt Chandler, but I can’t be sure. I like Matt. He’s a good guy. But I don’t take time to see if he’s still breathing. I know combat protocol. The Captain drills us all on it constantly. So I sit down in front of the big communications control station.
I know very little about the shipboard communications panel. I’ve never been trained, and I wonder what the Captain expects me to do here. I start to look over the Com Two station to see if it makes any sense, ‘cause that’s orders, and it’s my job to follow the Captain’s orders. It’s to my luck that beside me at Com One is Maura Reuter. She reaches over and flips a few switches on my panel then hands me the head set.
***
I don’t know if I’ll ever finish it. It’s a lot of work to stay in present-tense. I’d love to know what you think of the story and the way I’m telling it.
Let me know in the comments below then slip over to Brenda Margriet’s post as the RWW Blog Hop continues at: http://www.brendamargriet.com/blog
Click to check out Brenda’s wonderful new novel, When Time Falls Still
August 24, 2016
Cover Reveal – Foolish Bride by A. S. Fenichel
Today I’m pleased to offer up a cover reveal for my friend and awesome author A. S. Fenichel:
Title: Foolish Bride
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Series: The Forever Brides
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By A.S. Fenichel
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Genre: Historical Romance
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Release Date : 3/28/2017
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Publisher : Kensington Books
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ASIN: B01HWKOF1K
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ISBN: 9781601839657
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Preorder buy links
Amazon:
Barns & Noble:
iBooks:
Google Play:
Kobo:
Blurb
Sadly ever after. . . unless some dreams really do come true?
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Elinor Burkenstock never believed in fairy tales. Sure, she’s always been a fool for love—what woman isn’t? But Elinor knows the difference between fiction and truth. Daydreams and reality. True love and false promises. . . . Until the unthinkable happens, and Elinor’s engagement is suddenly terminated and no one, least of all her fiancé, will tell her why.
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Sir Michael Rollins’s war-hero days seem far behind him when, after onelast hurrah before his wedding, he gets shot and his injuries leave him in dire shape. He wants nothing more than to marry Elinor, the woman of his wildest dreams. But Elinor’s father forbids it . . . and soon Michael is faced with a desperate choice: Spare Elinor a life with a broken man or risk everything to win her heart—until death do they part?
About the Author:
A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and
pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She’s never looked back.
A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.
Look for her on the Historical or Paranormal Romance shelves. A.S. is the author of The Demon Hunters series, The End of Days Trilogy, Wishing Game, and more. A.S. will be bringing you her brand of edgy romance for years to come.
Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in the East Texas with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden. Her babies are both rescues and include; a demanding dog and a temperamental cat, both bring constant joy and laughter.
A.S. loves connecting with readers. Here’s where you can find her.
Web Site- http://asfenichel.com/
Blog – http://asfenichel.com/blog/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5154640.A_S_Fenichel
Twitter – https://twitter.com/asfenichel
Google +1 – https://plus.google.com/113195747154467378107/posts
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We’d Love to hear what you think of this new cover. A.S. Will be checking in and responding to any comments.
August 23, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – The First Time…
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
Check out Ace by Lyra Parish
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Lyra Parish’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Today I provided our topic – Think back to that day you first decided you were going to write a book/story. Tell us about what led you to start putting those first words on the page.
I came up with this topic because I was remembering back to that time I first decided to write a book. I was completely naive about what it took, but I had this story rattling around in my head.
June, 1980: Yup, 36 years I’ve been at this, and I’ve got the rejections to prove it.
Anyway, I was a new father, and a few days after my son and wife came home from the hospital, we’d just put the baby down for his afternoon nap. I grabbed up my old manual typewriter (no computer back then) and just started typing. 
Yes, I still have that typewriter. I can’t seem to let it go.
Anyway, the story was a fantasy inspired by Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings and Terry Brooks’ Shannara series. I typed for days, every free moment I could find. And it was pretty bad. My spelling, grammar, sentence structure – complete crap.
But I still think the story is pretty good. It took me over 10 years to finish. And by finish I mean just barely begin. I had a very rough, rough draft, but I didn’t know that at the time. I packaged it up and sent it off (with the mandatory Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) and waited for the money to start rolling in. When it came back, it included my first official rejection.
Dear Author? Oh, that can’t be good.
The novel is still a piece of crap, though I have taken it out to work on from time to time. Maybe…someday…until then it’s hidden safely away from the world, in a drawer full of my early writings.
So, what inspired Leslie Hachtel to put pen to paper? Find out, as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues at: https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/
August 16, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – Now what?
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
Check out Ace by Lyra Parish
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Lyra Parish’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Circle of Lies by Fiona Riplee
Today’s topic comes from the wonderful Fiona Riplee – I’m curious what everyone is working on. Write about a new work in progress, new idea, or some characters that just won’t leave you alone.
Right now I’m in edits on Between Venus and Mars, a fun Science Fiction Romantic Comedy scheduled for release next year from Soul Mate publishing as part of their Soul Mate Tree flagship project. I’m very excited about this book and this project.
The Soul Mate Tree
Between Venus and Mars
Once Upon a Galaxy . . .
Zana Starchild is on a mission to restore her tribe’s livestock and save herself from one more meal of kelp. Sure, it’s technically illegal to visit Old Earth, but to a rim rat like Zana, galactic laws are really just guidelines. Her wrecked starship just means she’ll need to use her backup plan to get off the abandoned world, an old Earth legend her uncle passed down to her.
Pulled from a relaxing shower, across the galaxy to Old Earth, Galactic Marshall Kyle Kepler finds himself naked and marooned with a quirky rim rat. Zana’s broken more laws than Kyle can count, and he plans to arrest her, just as soon as he can find transport off the planet and a pair of pants.
A junk heap of a starship, a magical tree, and a roving gang of mutant kangaroos are just the beginning of rollicking intergalactic journey filled with laughs, love, and adventure.
***
Look for it August 2017.
So, what is the amazing Leslie Hachtel working on?
Find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues here: https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/
Check out Emma’s Dance by Leslie Hachtel.
August 9, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – The old man and the beagle-hound.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
Game On by Dani Jace
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Dani Jace’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Click to check out Brenda’s wonderful new novel, When Time Falls Still
Today our topic was submitted by Brenda Margriet – What kind of animal person are you? Do you have pets? If so, how do they influence your writing, or don’t they? What is the most unusual pet you’ve had, either as a child or adult?
I’ve only really owned one pet, a golden lab named Elvis that I acquired from a friend back before i was married. Every other pet in my life has owned me.
Elvis taught me, I’m not really a pet person.Taking care of kids was enough responsibility.
Still, as soon as she could talk, my daughter wanted pets. We went through three hamsters, and dozens of fish, technically my daughters pets that I always ended up taking care of. All the while I held firm: No cats or dogs. Hamsters stayed in their cages (mostly) and fish in their tanks.
Then my wife and daughter conspired against me. I wasn’t even aware we were getting a cat until I almost stumbled over it coming home from work one day. Not mine, but guess who it adopted. Yup. Me.
Shortly after Tiger entered our lives, we acquired Tigger. I didn’t name them, they weren’t mine, but they always seemed to end up in my bed at night.
Well, time passed, and so did Tiger and Tigger. I still miss them, the rascals.
My daughter grew up, moved out, and got married. Her new cat is all hers, though Oasis occasionally ends up in my lap. Recently, however, she and her husband acquired a new family member.
Meet Luka, a beagle/dachshund rescue dog. Luka is my new best friend. Once again, not my dog. I don’t want any pets. But I see her almost every day for a walk around the park and a good petting session. And yeah, I sneak her treats.
To find out about Lyra Parish’s pets, hop over to her blog at: http://lyraparish.com/blog/
And check out her amazing Weakness series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011M9NSNS/
August 2, 2016
Romance Writers Weekly – The spark that fires the imagination.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/
Check out Emma’s Dance by Leslie Hachtel.
If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Leslie Hachtel’s wonderful blog, welcome.
Coming soon.
Preorder today.
Our topic today comes from the amazing A.S. Fenichel – Choose one of your books and tell us where the idea came from. Was it a dream, an overheard conversation, did it spark from a previous book you wrote? How did the idea come to you and how did it evolve into a full story. If you want to share a snippet, that would be awesome too.
July 27, 2016
Release Day – The Mercenary and the Shifters
It’s release day for my friends and fellow Soul Mate authors C.D. Hersh. Check out The Mercenary and the Shifters, the 4th book in their amazing The Turning Stone Chronicles.
A desperate call from an ex-military buddy lands a mercenary soldier in the middle of a double kidnapping, caught in an ancient shape shifter war, and ensnared between two female shape shifters after the same thing … him.
The Mercenary and the Shifters, The Turning Stone Chronicles, book four
Author – C.D. Hersh
Genre – Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Suspense Romance
Heat Level – Sensual
Release Date: July 27th, 2016
Get it here: https://amzn.com/B01I01W2JC
Blurb:
When mercenary soldier Michael Corritore answers a desperate call from an ex-military buddy, he finds himself in the middle of a double kidnapping, caught in an ancient war between two shape shifter factions, and ensnared between two female shape shifters after the same thing … him.
Shape shifter Fiona Kayler will do anything to keep the shipping company her father left her, including getting in bed with the enemy. But when she believes the man trying to steal her company is involved with kidnapping her nephew, she must choose between family, fortune, and love. The problem is … she wants all three.
Bio:
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.
Together they have co-authored a number of dramas, six which have been produced in Ohio, where they live. Their interactive Christmas production had five seasonal runs in their hometown and has been sold in Virginia, California, and Ohio. Their most recent collaborative writing efforts have been focused on romance. The first four books of their paranormal romance series entitled The Turning Stone Chronicles are available on Amazon. They also have a Christmas novella, Kissing Santa, in a Christmas anthology titled Sizzle in the Snow, with seven other authors.
Where you can find CD:
Website: http://cdhersh.wordpress.com/
Blog: http://cdhersh.wordpress.com/blog-2/
Soul Mate Publishing: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdhershauthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/C.-D.-Hersh/e/B00DV5L7ZI
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCDHersh
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CDHersh
Excerpt:
Mike Corritore wheeled up the circular drive of the impressive house on Lakeshore Road and cut the engine on his motorcycle. After a quick glance around, he shouldered the bags containing his clothes, ammo, pump shotgun, and talwar sword. Then he headed for the carved front door. The doorbell echoed inside indicating the mansion had a cavernous entry hall. He searched the entrance stoop for security cameras and found none.
What the heck had he gotten himself into? A rich bitch, with no security on her home, mixed up with a bad syndicate spelled major trouble. With this chintzy level of security, it would take more time than he originally anticipated to make her house and business secure.
After a couple of minutes the door opened.
“Can I help you?” asked an attractive redhead.
“I’m Mike Corritore. Here to see Fiona Kayler. Will you tell her I’ve arrived?”
The redhead looked him over, then braced her legs shoulder width apart and crossed her arms over her curvy bust. “Do you have identification, Mr. Corritore?”
Mike returned her once-over. Her porcelain complexion blushed pink at his bold examination, and she tossed her mane of wavy, mahogany hair defiantly.
Damn, she was gorgeous.
If she thought her insolent pose enough to keep him, or intruders out, she’d better reconsider.
“Hugh sent me.” He stepped forward but she blocked him.
“A driver’s license for your very expensive motorcycle will suffice,” she said, wiggling her fingers at him. When he didn’t comply, she stepped back and reached to the side of the door.
The distinct cachung of a gun cocking sent him flying to the right of the doorway.
“Identification, Mr. Corritore. Please,” she said as she leveled a pistol at him.
Mike dug in his rear pants’ pocket. “Hugh lied,” he said as he held out his driver’s license. “You don’t need protection.”
After inspecting his identification, she lowered her weapon and waved him inside. “For my business, Mr. Corritore. I’m capable of protecting my home, but I can’t draw my gun just anywhere.”
“You should get a conceal and carry license,” Mike said as he entered.
She put the safety on the gun and stashed the weapon in the table beside the front door.
“I take it you’re not the help,” he said, glancing around the entry hall.
She held out her hand. “Fiona Kayler. Nice to meet you, Mr. Corritore.”
“Mike,” he said, taking her hand. Her palm, warm and soft, told him she lived a life of leisure. But her strong grip screamed, No patsy. He held her hand a bit longer than he should have. She wriggled free and waved him to the left.
“Ladies first.”
With a nod, she led him toward a sumptuously decorated room. He followed, his eyes taking in the soft curves of her rear as she sashayed across the marble-tiled floor. Mike’s body reacted to the seductive wiggle of her bottom. She walked as sexy as she looked.
Keep your mind on the job, Corritore. He shifted his gaze away from temptation, searching the ceiling and corners of the entry for security cameras. If she had them, they were well hidden.
The measured click of her high heels on the hard marble tile floor disappeared as they stepped on the thick, white carpet of the living room. This room appeared cozier than the entry. A huge gold, gilt-edged mirror hung over the fireplace reflecting the scene outside the oversized plate-glass window.
She motioned to a seat beside the fireplace. Mike chose a location less exposed to the exterior, where he could watch the entrance to the room. Fiona dragged a side chair across the room to where he sat, positioning it at a right angle to his seat. Two vertical furrows appeared in the carpeting, bisecting their shoe impressions and the vacuumed paths in the thick fibers. Apparently, she didn’t use this room much.
“So, Ms. Kayler—”
“Fiona,” she corrected.
“Fiona, exactly what do you need me to do?” As he said the words, he had a lurid vision of what he’d like to do to this lovely woman. He shook it off. She was Hugh’s friend and in trouble. He had no business screwing around with damsels in distress. They were needy. The last thing he wanted.
“A couple of years ago I had a problem with smugglers. They brought in some hazardous materials which got me in trouble with Homeland Security and the FBI. They cleared me, but my business took a pretty big hit. To keep things afloat, I’ve had to get in bed with some rough characters recently.”
At the phrase get in bed with Mike cocked his eyebrow at her.
“Not literally,” she amended quickly, as a dusky pink blush crept over her pale complexion. “I need my security beefed up so I don’t have a replay of two years ago.”
“Any good security company could upgrade you.”
“I also need someone I can trust implicitly. Hugh vouched for you, and I trust Hugh.”
“We should start with your home security. I didn’t see surveillance cameras at the door.”
“My home is perfectly safe. It’s my business I’m concerned about.”
Fiona crossed her arms over her chest, her body language closing off to further suggestions. Mike followed her motions. As he did, he spotted a red dot on her chest. The dot wiggled.
“Get down!” Mike shouted as he dove for Fiona.
Amazon buy links:
The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00DUMODKI
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619353504
Blood Brothers (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00OVNFC8W
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619358271
Son of the Moonless Night (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00XK3E172
The Mercenary and the Shifters (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 4):
eBook: https://amzn.com/B01I01W2JC
