Zara Stoneley's Blog, page 10
January 21, 2013
Don't you love a man in uniform? 'The Military Wife' by Lucy Felthouse
The Military Wife by Lucy Felthouse Three hot and romantic military tales from the pen of uniform aficionado, Lucy Felthouse.
The Military Wife
Tess’ salacious fantasies about her husband, Aidan, see her through the long periods of time when she doesn’t see him—when he’s away on tour with the Army. The rest of the time, she has to deal with day to day life alone. One day, a dull chore is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of her husband, and things quickly hot up in their kitchen, and beyond.
Passing Out Passion
When Christina attends her brother’s passing out parade with her parents, she’s full of pride at his achievement. What she’s not expecting, though, is to bump into old flame Phil Ashdown. They didn’t part on good terms and the atmosphere between them is awkward. But when they’re forced into conversation, it turns out that all those years ago, there was a misunderstanding. One that can very easily be put right.
Double Vision
Becky’s a military wife with a uniform fetish. She loves nothing more than having fun in the bedroom with her squaddie husband, where they share and act out many of their fantasies. However, there’s one fantasy that she’s never divulged, as it breaks their rule about bring other people into their sex life. One day, though, Becky decides to bite the bullet and tell Paul everything. She never expects him to make her fantasy come true. But then, Paul’s a very resourceful man.
Available from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B1UL5W0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00B1UL5W0&linkCode=as2&tag=lucyfelthouse-21
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1UL5W0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B1UL5W0
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-themilitarywife-1043690-144.html?referrer=6bdb1f9160564c0525b41f36e51861a0
*****
Excerpt:
Tess grumbled to herself as she heaved the shopping bags out of the boot of her car. It was a pain in the arse having to do this all by herself. Yet she’d been through this more than once, and it was going to be for the foreseeable future. May as well just get on with it and shut up moaning, she thought.
Just as she got to her front door and started fumbling for her key, risking dropping all her bags in the process, a voice said, “Let me help you with that.”
Tess dropped the bags.
She whirled to face the owner of the voice, unadulterated joy on her face.
“Aidan!” she shrieked. And, without caring who could be watching, she hurled herself into her husband’s arms. Luckily, Aidan had been fully expecting this kind of greeting and had braced himself. Supporting his wife’s bottom with his hands as her legs clasped around his waist, he felt himself stiffening almost immediately. You couldn’t blame him though, it had been months since he’d been home.
As she took his face in her hands, Tess was almost teary with happiness. She leaned in for a kiss that would show her husband exactly how much she’d missed him. Tightening her legs around him, she smiled into his mouth as she felt his erection nudging against her bottom.
What seemed like hours later, the couple finally came up for air. Surveying the damage around them, Tess made a quick decision.
“Grab the other bags while I dump this lot in the kitchen. Then lock the door behind you and get upstairs.”
Grinning, Aidan moved to do as he was told. Tess scrabbled items back into carrier bags and rushed into their home to put them down. Now the kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it. But she didn’t care. Her man was home. Smiling to herself, she turned as Aidan came in with the rest of the bags. She gestured to the floor and he put them down.
“Corporal Scott reporting for duty ma’am,” he said, snapping her a smart salute.
Bastard, she thought, he knows what it does to me when he goes all military on me. We’ll be lucky to make it upstairs at this rate.
Tess drank in every inch of her husband. The climate in Afghanistan had given him a decent tan, but of course he hadn’t been on holiday. He’d been fighting a war, and she was eternally grateful that he’d come back to her in one piece. He was still wearing his combats, with the regulation boots, but no headgear. He looked hot.
“Come here, soldier,” she said, crooking a finger, “and kiss me.”
*****
Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over seventy publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include Best Bondage Erotica 2012 and 2013, and Best Women's Erotica 2013. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies. She owns Erotica For All, and is book editor for Cliterati. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9
January 8, 2013
Meet the 'Master of the Inn' with Ella Jade!
I'm delighted to have Ella Jade here today, talking about 'Master of the Inn' which was released yesterday.
The Pleasure Inn series launches with Master of the Inn. This is book one in a multi-book series that centers on Pleasure Inn and the couples who spend a weekend indulging in their fantasies. The first book introduces us to Logan and Elyse and we learn how the inn came to be. Each book to follow will feature a new couple but the reader will be able to keep up with Logan and Elyse's relationship as they progress. The books can be read out of order but Master of the Inn sets the stage.
BlurbPleasure Inn… Where all of your fantasies become reality.Executive chef Elyse Clapton has had it with city life. She’s spent the last few years building her cheating boyfriend’s trendy New York City restaurant into a success. When their relationship ends, so does her desire to be in his kitchen. She flees to a quaint inn she remembers visiting as a child. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets the sexy, reclusive inn keeper.Handyman Logan Cole inherited Pleasure Inn against his wishes. Ever since he got caught up in a scandal involving another man’s wife, he keeps to himself – finding solace in a bottle. He didn’t realize how lonely he’d become until Elyse shows up on his porch. He’s instantly drawn to her and convinces her to stay at the Bed and Breakfast.Elyse comes to town looking for a getaway. She never expects to fall for Logan. It doesn’t take her long to believe the inn’s motto. Logan’s dominance in the bedroom makes all of her fantasies a reality.ExcerptA light came on in an upstairs window indicating someone was there. Elyse walked up the front steps and tried the handle, but it was locked. Just as she reached for the bell, the door flew open and a large, muscular figure appeared. The old screen door and the absence of lighting in the foyer concealed his face.“Hi,” Elyse said. “I was driving by and wondered if you had any vacancies.”“Here?”“This is an inn, isn’t it?”“It hasn’t been for over four years.” He turned on the porch light. “I thought everyone in this town knew that.”His disheveled appearance made her think he wasn’t planning on entertaining visitors. His dark, thick hair looked as if he’d run his fingers through it causing it to stand on end. He hadn’t bothered to button his faded blue jeans or put on a shirt before coming downstairs. Elyse couldn’t help but notice how his well-defined abs disappeared into his waistband.“I’m sorry.” She moved away from the entrance. “I’m intruding.”“No.” He stepped out onto the porch in his bare feet. “I just didn’t expect anyone out here at this time of the night.”“I drove from the city. I thought I might stay the night. I used to come here as a kid.” She looked past his shoulder into the foyer. She saw a fresh stack of wood in the corner and several cans of paint. “Are you renovating?”“Trying to.” He nodded. “It’s a work in progress.”She caught a wave of alcohol on his breath. “Are you just passing through?”“I’m not sure. I just needed to get away and I remembered how perfect this place always was.”“Yeah,” he looked over his shoulder. “Not so much anymore.”“What happened?”“My uncle owned the place, but he couldn’t keep up with the maintenance. He and my aunt retired and left it to me. It’s just been sitting vacant since then. It needed a ton of work. I didn’t realize how much until I actually started ripping things out.”“How long have you been renovating?”“A little over six months.” “Well, thanks for your time. Maybe I’ll visit when you’re finished,” She smiled encouragement, but disappointment filled Elyse’s heart at the thought of not staying there. “Good luck with the renovations.”When she turned to leave, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Wait.”When she turned, his ice blue eyes held her gaze. The intensity there made her stomach flutter. It should have been a warning sign to run fast and far, but her body responded in other ways. The sensation he created from just one touch coursed through her system, landing straight between her legs.Oh my…“For the past few months I’ve been renovating the third floor. If I’m going to live here and run this place, I wanted my rooms to be done first before I started on the rest of the inn. There are two bedrooms up there; both have private bathrooms. You could stay if you want.”“That’s very nice of you, but—”“Your room has a lock.”As if that would keep you out. You have the keys.“I’m not ready to have guests yet, so I wouldn’t charge you.”“I couldn’t, but thank you.”“You drove all this way to Pleasure Inn. There isn’t another place for miles. Spend the night and then you can leave in the morning.”She wasn’t familiar with the surrounding area and the drive had made her tired. What if she couldn’t find another place to spend the night?“I don’t blame you for being cautious.” He shrugged. “You do what your gut tells you: but you’re more than welcome to stay here.”She stared into his deep eyes for a few moments. She’d left the city to get away and forget about the disaster of a relationship with Phillip. She’d done nothing but work for years. She hadn’t been to a restaurant or on a vacation in months. She was too busy cooking for others. Would one night in a beautiful Victorian inn be so bad? How could it be, especially when the inn keeper looked like a goddamned Calvin Klein model?“I’ll stay on one condition.”“Sure.”“You have to tell me your name.”“Oh.” He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled for the first time since greeting her. “Forgive my manners. I’m Logan Cole.” He extended his hand to her.“Nice to meet you, Logan,” She said properly as she shook his hand. “I’m Elyse Clapton.”“Welcome to Pleasure Inn, Ms. Clapton.” He dipped his head as he held the door open for her. “Where all of your fantasies become reality.”
***Buy Links - Amazon, B&N
Look for the next book in the series, Indulging the Professor due out March 2013.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love connecting with readers. Please find me at…
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hlhttp://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com
The Pleasure Inn series launches with Master of the Inn. This is book one in a multi-book series that centers on Pleasure Inn and the couples who spend a weekend indulging in their fantasies. The first book introduces us to Logan and Elyse and we learn how the inn came to be. Each book to follow will feature a new couple but the reader will be able to keep up with Logan and Elyse's relationship as they progress. The books can be read out of order but Master of the Inn sets the stage.BlurbPleasure Inn… Where all of your fantasies become reality.Executive chef Elyse Clapton has had it with city life. She’s spent the last few years building her cheating boyfriend’s trendy New York City restaurant into a success. When their relationship ends, so does her desire to be in his kitchen. She flees to a quaint inn she remembers visiting as a child. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets the sexy, reclusive inn keeper.Handyman Logan Cole inherited Pleasure Inn against his wishes. Ever since he got caught up in a scandal involving another man’s wife, he keeps to himself – finding solace in a bottle. He didn’t realize how lonely he’d become until Elyse shows up on his porch. He’s instantly drawn to her and convinces her to stay at the Bed and Breakfast.Elyse comes to town looking for a getaway. She never expects to fall for Logan. It doesn’t take her long to believe the inn’s motto. Logan’s dominance in the bedroom makes all of her fantasies a reality.ExcerptA light came on in an upstairs window indicating someone was there. Elyse walked up the front steps and tried the handle, but it was locked. Just as she reached for the bell, the door flew open and a large, muscular figure appeared. The old screen door and the absence of lighting in the foyer concealed his face.“Hi,” Elyse said. “I was driving by and wondered if you had any vacancies.”“Here?”“This is an inn, isn’t it?”“It hasn’t been for over four years.” He turned on the porch light. “I thought everyone in this town knew that.”His disheveled appearance made her think he wasn’t planning on entertaining visitors. His dark, thick hair looked as if he’d run his fingers through it causing it to stand on end. He hadn’t bothered to button his faded blue jeans or put on a shirt before coming downstairs. Elyse couldn’t help but notice how his well-defined abs disappeared into his waistband.“I’m sorry.” She moved away from the entrance. “I’m intruding.”“No.” He stepped out onto the porch in his bare feet. “I just didn’t expect anyone out here at this time of the night.”“I drove from the city. I thought I might stay the night. I used to come here as a kid.” She looked past his shoulder into the foyer. She saw a fresh stack of wood in the corner and several cans of paint. “Are you renovating?”“Trying to.” He nodded. “It’s a work in progress.”She caught a wave of alcohol on his breath. “Are you just passing through?”“I’m not sure. I just needed to get away and I remembered how perfect this place always was.”“Yeah,” he looked over his shoulder. “Not so much anymore.”“What happened?”“My uncle owned the place, but he couldn’t keep up with the maintenance. He and my aunt retired and left it to me. It’s just been sitting vacant since then. It needed a ton of work. I didn’t realize how much until I actually started ripping things out.”“How long have you been renovating?”“A little over six months.” “Well, thanks for your time. Maybe I’ll visit when you’re finished,” She smiled encouragement, but disappointment filled Elyse’s heart at the thought of not staying there. “Good luck with the renovations.”When she turned to leave, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Wait.”When she turned, his ice blue eyes held her gaze. The intensity there made her stomach flutter. It should have been a warning sign to run fast and far, but her body responded in other ways. The sensation he created from just one touch coursed through her system, landing straight between her legs.Oh my…“For the past few months I’ve been renovating the third floor. If I’m going to live here and run this place, I wanted my rooms to be done first before I started on the rest of the inn. There are two bedrooms up there; both have private bathrooms. You could stay if you want.”“That’s very nice of you, but—”“Your room has a lock.”As if that would keep you out. You have the keys.“I’m not ready to have guests yet, so I wouldn’t charge you.”“I couldn’t, but thank you.”“You drove all this way to Pleasure Inn. There isn’t another place for miles. Spend the night and then you can leave in the morning.”She wasn’t familiar with the surrounding area and the drive had made her tired. What if she couldn’t find another place to spend the night?“I don’t blame you for being cautious.” He shrugged. “You do what your gut tells you: but you’re more than welcome to stay here.”She stared into his deep eyes for a few moments. She’d left the city to get away and forget about the disaster of a relationship with Phillip. She’d done nothing but work for years. She hadn’t been to a restaurant or on a vacation in months. She was too busy cooking for others. Would one night in a beautiful Victorian inn be so bad? How could it be, especially when the inn keeper looked like a goddamned Calvin Klein model?“I’ll stay on one condition.”“Sure.”“You have to tell me your name.”“Oh.” He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled for the first time since greeting her. “Forgive my manners. I’m Logan Cole.” He extended his hand to her.“Nice to meet you, Logan,” She said properly as she shook his hand. “I’m Elyse Clapton.”“Welcome to Pleasure Inn, Ms. Clapton.” He dipped his head as he held the door open for her. “Where all of your fantasies become reality.”
***Buy Links - Amazon, B&N
Look for the next book in the series, Indulging the Professor due out March 2013.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love connecting with readers. Please find me at…
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hlhttp://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com
January 1, 2013
Welcome to 2103 and Kayla Jameth!
Hi everyone, and Happy New Year - I hope 2013 will be everything you're hoping for!
I've got a special guest to help me kick off 2013, Kayla Jameth, who is going to spill the beans about her new release 'From the Ashes' - a m/m version of Cinderella set in 16th century France.
Zara, thank you for agreeing to have me on your blog to talk about From the Ashes, my Cinderfella (m/m Cinderella story).Why France?Because the original Cinderella story is a French story. I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy so there you have it. Plus I get to use some French endearments.
Ten words to make my buy it?Lots of hot sex in a cute story. Oh-la-la!
Would you like to meet Cinder’s and Henri in real life (or are they based on someone you do know?!)I'd love to get to know them better.Cinder is an absolutely wonderful person, mostly sweet, but a little snarky.Henri wants to think of himself as a self-made man in an era when most the notables weren't. He's more down to earth than one would expect in the French court.
Have you had a good Christmas?Yes, I have. The family gets together for a good dinner after opening all the presents.
Do you like to stick to the traditional, or do something we wouldn’t expect over the festive season?My hubby says that I'm very traditional.
Any New Year's resolutions?Nothing in particular. Maybe just hug and tickle the kids more.
What have you got planned for 2013?I've got a short story with Alexios and Galen. I'm about 2/3 done with a novel, continuing their story.I've also got a short story featuring Andreas and Theron from an upcoming novel called A Spartan Love.They are all from my Apollo's Men series.If I get all that done, I have a story titled Fan Service sitting in the wings.
Thank you for being a wonderful host. I hope you have a wonderful year.
Thanks Kayla! All the best for 2013 x
BLURBCinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?EXCERPT
Cinder glanced around. Paper lanterns floated in the trees, lined the walks, and graced the gazebo near the reflecting pool, giving the grounds a mystical air. Their warm glow caught the dancing jets of the fountain splashing merrily to his right. The musical, crystalline tones carried on the night wind’s breath. He was reminded of the enchanted gardens in the fairy tales his father had read to him when he was a child. What would happen to him if he dared walk there?Henri led him toward the gazebo. Soon he would find out.The cool breeze caressed his uncovered neck. Cinder shivered at the ethereal touch. Henri turned to him, the question clear in his eyes, but he didn’t know how to answer. Instead he breathed in the tangible scent of rich earth and flowing water, hoping to calm his bounding heart.Henri lightly stroked his arm. Cinder’s breath caught at the silky brush of the other man’s fingers. He drew another shaky breath. Henri may have meant to soothe him; instead his touch set Cinder’s wayward body aflame.They left the last of the courtiers behind as they entered the dim interior of the fanciful pavilion. Vines climbed its intricately carved posts, perfuming the air within. The music and voices of the aristocrats faded away. Only a single intrepid nightingale could be heard over the cheerful burbling of the fountain. Hidden from the rest of the court, an unworldly sense of peace filled him. Was his very own fairy tale about to come true?Bespelled and bemused, he could feel the magic in every beat of his heart, in every trembling breath he drew.Once inside the bower, Henri reached to cup Cinder's cheek. Unused to being touched, he nearly flinched away but managed to still, heart pounding, before giving himself away. The older man's thumb slid across his cheekbone and came to rest lightly on his mouth. Why did he want to lean into that caress?The other man's warm, slightly musky scent filled his nostrils, drowning his senses.Henri's other hand wrapped around his waist and drew him close. He leaned closer while tipping Cinder's face upwards. Cinder's breath left him in a rush, stirring the noble’s hair. Henri was all that he could see, his mouth slowly, carefully descending toward Cinder’s. If he allowed this, the other man might discover his deception. He couldn’t risk that, so why then did he ache to feel Henri’s kiss? Their lips brushed, light as thistle down.Surprisingly, Henri's mouth was soft and warm upon his own. After a moment, it pressed more firmly against his. Something fluttered in his chest, trying to get out.Cinder didn't think to pull away until he felt Henri's tongue seeking entrance. The hand on his face slipped to his nape and held firm. He froze in shock, not even daring to breathe, as flames rushed through his body. The very beat of his heart betrayed him.The questing tongue stroked his lips and pushed between them. It slid over his teeth, seeking to enter. When he protested, Henri swept in and began a lazy, sensuous exploration that left him breathless.Soon he found himself returning the caress. Henri responded to his fledgling attempts by pulling him closer and moaning into his mouth. He had never experienced anything so sensual and erotic. He fed his own needy pleas to the other man one at a time.Finally they separated slightly, Cinder panting heavily, trying to catch his breath. Was Henri as affected by their kiss as he was? A quick glance confirmed Cinder was not alone in his arousal. Flushed and gasping, Henri gazed at him with eyes full of wonder and something unnamed smoldering in their depths.
BUY LINK: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=410
ABOUT THE AUTHORA knight and a former princess, Kayla Jameth now spends her time writing m/m romance. A true Renaissance woman, she has done everything from cross stitch like a proper lady to welding with the best of them. An eclectic life has left her with a unique understanding of the world inhabited by men and an appreciation for the difficulties faced by men in m/m relationships. It is her devout wish that her experiences translate into a richer telling of such tales.
Find her here:Blog: http://kaylajameth.blogspot.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Author.Kayla.JamethTwitter: https://twitter.com/KaylaJameth
December 30, 2012
Shocks, Sex and Sharing... 'bye, 'bye to 2012
It's been a bit of a shocker (in a good way) 2012, so I thought I'd have a very quick run down of 'my' 2012 and look at some of my resolutions, good and bad, for 2103.
So, the shock bit first.... Well, on the personal front I was offered my first publishing contract - minor shock - and it was for a (very) erotic romance - bigger shock. I've been writing fairly spicy contemporary romance for a while, but an Xcite Books competition tempted me to write something a bit naughtier, and it erm, came naturally!
'Forfeit' was written in February 2012 and hit the virtual shelves in April, followed fairly closely by 'Freefalling' and then 'Riding High'. I also had my first short story published in an anthology, and my erotic Christmas romance 'Good Enough to Share' hit Amazon and a Bestseller list in December. (Big smile!)
My first paperback will be out next spring, which is quite special, and I've also just signed a contract with Breathless Press. Phew... So, 2012 was big on the shock and sex and ended with some great sharing!! If you've not read them yet, and have a new kindle dying out for some stories, why not check out my books and reviews here on the blog, or on my website?
Quite a few people have asked about the impact of 'that book'. Well, I don't write BDSM, but I'm sure that love it or hate it, it hasn't done any harm! The rise and rise of e-book readers has had to have had an impact on sales of erotic books - they're more readily available, easier to buy and can be read discretely, but yes, maybe all the hype has made it acceptable to admit to reading something a bit naughty!
On the less erotic side, I've signed a contract with Lyrical Press for a contemporary romance, 'Text me, Tweet me, Need me' to be published as Susie Medwell, and am looking forward to seeing that hit the shelves in the Spring.
And what's up there on the 2013 list? Well, I'd say shocks, sex and sharing should still feature! I've decided 2013 should be the year for working hard and playing hard (I'll try my best to keep up).
If you're one of the people who've been asking about a a sequel to 'Riding High', then it's on the way. How could I possibly keep James to myself? He's a story that's just crying out to be shared. I just love my dark, strong, sensitive, mysterious men. And, James is one hell of a strong, silent type with a hurt that's buried so deep inside that.... okay, I'll stop there, but I promise you'll be able to find out more soon.
And once again, thank you so much if you downloaded a copy of 'Good Enough to Share' and helped send it straight on to the Bestseller lists. Book 2 in the series is on the way, look out for a few teasers early next year, followed by the next episode in the lives of the four friends. (I promise you will have learned so much more about them by this time next year).
I've also got another contemporary romance simmering away, which will follow on nicely to 'Text me, Tweet me, Need me' .....
Soooo.. I'm going to have to strictly limit my time on Facebook and Twitter, and hope that 2013 brings longer days!
If you've not checked out my new website yet then have a peek, and keep an eye on it as I'll be making announcements there about new books, as well as here on the blog. And on that note I'm off to make the most of what remains of 2012. It has been a great year, and I'm looking forward to all the challenges of 2013.
Massive thanks to everyone who has shared 2012 with me, I've met some wonderful new friends, had some great guests on the blog and visited all kinds of people in all kinds of places!
I hope you've had a great Christmas - and may 2013 be a brilliant year for you,
Zara x
So, the shock bit first.... Well, on the personal front I was offered my first publishing contract - minor shock - and it was for a (very) erotic romance - bigger shock. I've been writing fairly spicy contemporary romance for a while, but an Xcite Books competition tempted me to write something a bit naughtier, and it erm, came naturally!
'Forfeit' was written in February 2012 and hit the virtual shelves in April, followed fairly closely by 'Freefalling' and then 'Riding High'. I also had my first short story published in an anthology, and my erotic Christmas romance 'Good Enough to Share' hit Amazon and a Bestseller list in December. (Big smile!)
My first paperback will be out next spring, which is quite special, and I've also just signed a contract with Breathless Press. Phew... So, 2012 was big on the shock and sex and ended with some great sharing!! If you've not read them yet, and have a new kindle dying out for some stories, why not check out my books and reviews here on the blog, or on my website?
Quite a few people have asked about the impact of 'that book'. Well, I don't write BDSM, but I'm sure that love it or hate it, it hasn't done any harm! The rise and rise of e-book readers has had to have had an impact on sales of erotic books - they're more readily available, easier to buy and can be read discretely, but yes, maybe all the hype has made it acceptable to admit to reading something a bit naughty!
On the less erotic side, I've signed a contract with Lyrical Press for a contemporary romance, 'Text me, Tweet me, Need me' to be published as Susie Medwell, and am looking forward to seeing that hit the shelves in the Spring.
And what's up there on the 2013 list? Well, I'd say shocks, sex and sharing should still feature! I've decided 2013 should be the year for working hard and playing hard (I'll try my best to keep up).
If you're one of the people who've been asking about a a sequel to 'Riding High', then it's on the way. How could I possibly keep James to myself? He's a story that's just crying out to be shared. I just love my dark, strong, sensitive, mysterious men. And, James is one hell of a strong, silent type with a hurt that's buried so deep inside that.... okay, I'll stop there, but I promise you'll be able to find out more soon.
And once again, thank you so much if you downloaded a copy of 'Good Enough to Share' and helped send it straight on to the Bestseller lists. Book 2 in the series is on the way, look out for a few teasers early next year, followed by the next episode in the lives of the four friends. (I promise you will have learned so much more about them by this time next year).
I've also got another contemporary romance simmering away, which will follow on nicely to 'Text me, Tweet me, Need me' .....
Soooo.. I'm going to have to strictly limit my time on Facebook and Twitter, and hope that 2013 brings longer days!
If you've not checked out my new website yet then have a peek, and keep an eye on it as I'll be making announcements there about new books, as well as here on the blog. And on that note I'm off to make the most of what remains of 2012. It has been a great year, and I'm looking forward to all the challenges of 2013.
Massive thanks to everyone who has shared 2012 with me, I've met some wonderful new friends, had some great guests on the blog and visited all kinds of people in all kinds of places!
I hope you've had a great Christmas - and may 2013 be a brilliant year for you,
Zara x
December 28, 2012
Need something spicy after all that turkey?! - Come talk to Raven McAllan!
Well, I just knew that inviting Raven over here would be a brilliant antidote to that over-full partied out feeling - so I'll hand over to her! Hope you had a brilliant Christmas, Raven, take it away!
So… Susie (I also write/chat on FB as Susie Medwell!) said, come on the blog and write what you like…Does she know what she said???She's given me free rein… ohhhh.But hey no I wouldn't do that to her. No, not really. However… let's face it, there's so much I can chat about I personally don't need to be naughty… Them there others can do it.After all the sweet, rich food and treats over the festive season, now it's time for something hot and spicy!Yes, you've guessed it (or maybe you haven't, but don't worry I'm going to explain); Teaching Teacher is now published! Hot and spicy the perfect antidote for too many sweet things. Oh I'm not saying Seb and Ruari aren't sweet, sure they are. However the heat and spice overwhelms everything else. And ohh, well…. aahh.Darn it there's a lot of oh and ahh-ing going on, and I'll stop immediately. Sufficient to say, Teaching Teacher is about two hot-bods, who have to fight more than their growing attraction to each other.
Here's the blurb… Finding love in a new town had not been in Seb's plans. But life has a tendency to throw you curveballs – like Ruari.When the new head teacher walks into his bar, Ruari knows he has to have him, and damn the consequences. When lust turns to love, nothing else matters. Together they will overcome, no matter what. Or will circumstances drive them apart?
And a wee tease for you…Ruari's head was spinning, his arms were stiff, his cock ached, and he wanted to be alone with Seb. It seemed like hours, but was probably no more than forty-five minutes, before he judged they could leave his bar staff to finish off. He swung behind the bar, grabbed a surprised Seb, and kissed him full on the lips. Cheers and catcalls sounded from the people around the bar."You." He finished off with a squeeze to Seb's ass, "are a fucking star. Definitely, a fucking star.""Too much info boss." Dave was smirking at him.Oh fucking shit. He realized where he was. Bollocks and buggery and any other appropriate epithets. How the hell was he going to sort this monumental cock-up out? He chanced a look at Seb's expression, and sighed inwardly with relief. Seb was laughing."Feet. Mouth into?" Seb asked him.He nodded. "As Ever. Okay we're finished here. Coffee?"Seb nodded. Kizzy, who had walked up to them unnoticed made a face, and sniggered. "That is the most pathetic euphemism I've heard boss. Coffee. Hah!" She carried on past them, still sniggering."Gotcha there, Boss." Dave patted him on the back. "Take yourself off for er coffee. Don't forget the Swiss roll with it.""Hells bells." Ruari almost pushed Seb through the door and into the stairwell of his flat. "Are you sure you still want to take a chance on me. I shouldn't be let out without a keeper. And my lips sealed."Seb pulled him tightly towards his body. Cock found cock and reacted in the best possible way. "Oh, you're not reneging now, boss man." Seb moved so his cock surged upwards. "All that is so easily arranged.""Huh?" He was so caught up in the sensations of Seb hard against him, he'd lost the thread of the conversation."Lips sealed and a keeper. I'll be happy to be in change of all that. Soon." Seb said."Okay, so, first we have coffee?"Seb smiled and squeezed Ruari's arm. "Coffee, where's your car?"
www.ravenmcallan.com
and you can find me on facebook and twitter.
Teaching teacher is available fromhttp://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=391
Allromance ebooks, bookstrand and Amazon
December 23, 2012
Yay! Christmas Six Sentence Sunday #SixSunday
Hi everyone, hope you're having a great Sunday, I'm going to try (oh, yeah) and relax a bit before chaos rules tomorrow!! My six this week is from my #1 Bestseller (whoopee! Massive thank you to everyone who has bought it), a hot erotic Christmas romance 'Good Enough to Share'.
Enjoy :-)
He still had his hand in my hair and I felt like I should be running, before this all went wrong, but I didn’t want to. Then he kissed me. He’d kissed me before, on the cheek, on the head, even on the lips. But this was different. His perfect lips met mine with the lightest of touches, but it was like a deep caress, it filtered through me and there was no way I could move. The tip of his tongue skated along my lower lip and I needed him so much it made me feel hollow inside.
Click here and check up all the other great six sentence Sunday snippets!
Enjoy :-)
He still had his hand in my hair and I felt like I should be running, before this all went wrong, but I didn’t want to. Then he kissed me. He’d kissed me before, on the cheek, on the head, even on the lips. But this was different. His perfect lips met mine with the lightest of touches, but it was like a deep caress, it filtered through me and there was no way I could move. The tip of his tongue skated along my lower lip and I needed him so much it made me feel hollow inside.
Click here and check up all the other great six sentence Sunday snippets!
December 17, 2012
Guest Post Doris O'Connor, with a Giveaway!
Hello everyone and a big Thank you (!) to Zara, for inviting me to share a little about, For The Love Of Mutt, my Christmas story with Breathless Press.
A homeless shelter at Christmas may seem an odd place to find one's soul mate, but love knows no boundaries - or does it?Anja has grown fond of the wolf like dog hanging around the shelter. With her soon to be ex -boyfriend putting pressure on her, her canine friend proves to be more reliable than any human could ever be. If only he were more than just a dog.Helping others is not always easy to do, unless Ethan can do so undercover. However, hiding your true self brings problems of its own. Finding a mate had not been in Ethan's plan of action, but Anja's easy acceptance of Mutt breaks through all of his defenses.
The problem is he is not what he seems and will his deception by proxy prove the end of them before they even have a chance at love?
When I first heard about the submission call back in the Summer, I just filed it away, as a maybe … if I can come up with something. But, then my muse set to work, and in the middle of a rare heat wave for us here in the UK, I sat down to write this story.All I had in my head to start with was my heroine listening to a jingle and getting annoyed. I knew she was either engaged, or about to be engaged and not too happy about that. I knew she was quite well off, and didn’t really care about that either. I also knew she was passionate about making a difference this Christmas. Then in popped my hero—a shifter, who is not who he seems to be. Jaded and disillusioned with humans and the female of the species in particular, he too wants to make a real difference this Christmas, and he decides to so under cover. As Mutt he knows that he gets to know the real people. What he didn't count on was that he would find the mate, he was destined to be with, and that said mate would be human.Here is the moment it dawns on Anja that the dog she's been letting into her life, isn’t a dog at all.
Excerpt:"Shower, you say?"Anja released the breath she'd been holding and nodded."I guess that would be a good idea.""You think? What did you do? Roll in dung?" She slammed her hand on her mouth in horror at her insensitivity, but he just laughed, and murmured something she couldn't quite catch. "Is everything all right, my dear?" Mary asked."Yes, fine. I was about to show him where the showers are. So if you follow me..."She weaved her way through the throng of people, out into the corridor, and up the steep stairs leading up to the second floor. She didn't need to look over her shoulder to know that he was following her, so aware was she of his presence. The wooden stairs creaked under her feet, yet he didn't make a sound despite his much heavier frame, his footfalls as light and graceful as a predator's. She stopped at the top of the stairs and watched his silent approach. Again she was struck by the contradiction between his appearance and his commanding presence. A presence that had her leaning towards him, even as her nose protested at the noxious fumes coming off his clothing.She stepped to the side as he came close and gestured toward the door to the shower units. "Showers are in there. I'll see whether I can find you something fresh to wear. Mary just had a new batch of donated clothes in."She risked a peek at his face and promptly wished she hadn't. The quiet intensity with which he was studying her did strange things to her equilibrium. She leaned against the wall for some support and breathed a sigh of relief when he smiled, turned, and walked through the open door towards the showers all lined up against the wall. He shrugged out of his jacket as he went and even though she knew he would see her staring if he turned around, she couldn't quite get her feet to move. He discarded the jacket on the floor and toed out of the sorry excuse for shoes he was wearing. The muscles in his back bunched and moved as he made short work of his trousers and Anja barely suppressed a gasp. He wasn't wearing any underwear and he had the most perfect male ass she'd ever had the good fortune to ogle. And Anja was no stranger to ogling. The internet was a wonderful thing, after all.He was surprisingly clean under the clothes. She heard him whistle as he turned the water on and stepped under the stream. Rivulets of dirt created an intricate pattern on his broad back as the filth washed out of his hair and ran down his torso, over the slim hips, trim ass, and powerful thighs, then down toward the tiled flooring of the wet room. He reached for one of the shower gels stacked along the wall and proceeded to lather up his hair. When he turned around Anja prepared herself to flee, but his eyes were closed, and she stood frozen to the spot, unable to tear her gaze away as he soaped up his body. She followed the movement of his hands with her eyes, and bit her lip when he reached his cock. Thick and long, it hung semi-erect between his legs and hardened under his ministrations.
Groaning, he cupped his shaft. He spread his legs and started pumping in earnest, putting one hand against the wall for support. Faster and faster that hand moved and Anja rubbed her thighs together at the answering ache in her pussy. Who'd have thought that watching a man jack himself off would be such a turn-on? His face contorted as though in pain, his balls drew up, and his thighs shook, until finally with a roar of completion he shot his load into the streaming water and sagged back against the wall.And still, she couldn't bring herself to move. Now that he was washed free of the grime, she could admire the powerful angles of his face. His shoulder-length hair stuck to his skin and his full lips, partially hidden by his goatee, opened in a fanged smile. A smile she had seen countless times in his other form.The room spun and this time Anja couldn't hide her gasp when he opened his eyes and he stared straight at her. Mutt's golden eyes glowed and the man's growl travelled across the distance separating them, as he grabbed a towel and stalked toward her.***
Buy Link: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=10&products_id=399&zenid=efqamhvml9jepl8g3mdrd6ffk2#.ULCvlodripAPinterest board:http://pinterest.com/dorisoconnor/for-the-love-of-mutt/
Author Bio:Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris... at least that's what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps.She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get. From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed.Find Doris on the web here:Website Blog Twitter Facebook PinterestGiveawayTo celebrate the release of For The Love Of Mutt, I am giving away an e-copy of my back list. Check it out here. Winners Choice!Just tell me in the comments how you will be making a difference this Christmas.
December 12, 2012
An Interview with Victoria Embers, author of 'My Vampire Lover'
My Vampire Lover - a series of erotic short stories by Victoria Embers
Bio: Victoria Embers splits her time between being a stay-at-home mom and reading vampire fiction. She believes good romance should make you purr while good erotic fiction should make you scream, but in a good way of course. Embracing her love of vampires and werewolves and the naughty situations they find themselves in, she’s currently writing an erotic short stories series called My Vampire Lover with a blend of paranormal romance and erotica featuring, you guessed it, vampires and werewolves.Question time!
What inspires you to write?Actually I’m new to all of this. A friend suggested I sit down and write the story I have been telling her and that’s what I’m doing. It’s a new adventure for me and I’m very excited about doing something creative.In one or two sentences, give the core premise behind your story.In the first installment of this erotic short story series, Caroline, a werewolf and golden guardian of the realm, has discovered a new love in her vampire captor. She's willing to risk everything, even her life, to prove to him she loves him and has forsaken all others including her family and her pack. The next story I’m releasing next month is called “Redemption (My Vampire Lover #2).”Raphael, a vampire and prince to the realm, faces a great challenge. After giving his blood to Caroline to drink, Raphael knows her life is hanging between life and death. Will she survive? And if so, what will she become being born as a werewolf pure blood? Raphael knows he must work fast to protect Caroline from his father discovering her existence while he also figures out how to save her.What is the theme of the overall series?I love the romance novels where the lovers want to be together, but can’t. I like the idea of Caroline and Raphael wanting to be together, but because they come from different worlds it is a big struggle for them.Is this book a part of a series?Yes, actually. I’m writing My Vampire Lover as a serialized series of short stories. I have the attention span of a ferret and I have heard other Indie authors say that it is very tough to write a full 80,000 or 100,000 offering of an ebook. I learned recently that an ebook that size is called an Epic. That was too scary for me and too much pressure and I am a very impatient person when it comes to getting tasks done. So with that in mind, I thought releasing each story separately would be something I could accomplish, start small and build on it.Are you’re confident in this approach then?To make a long story short (if I may put it that way)…yes,I am. I decided after a lot of soul searching to put myself out there in the sea of Amazon in a little boat, instead of a big boat. Lol! But seriously, I’m hoping to release a short story each month to readers, around the end of the month.I think it’ll be a very exciting experience for both me, as a writer and the reader. I’m hoping if the reader is ready for my approach and that they will enjoy the anticipation of getting the next story, without having to wait too long. And I’ll get to learn more about what they think of the recently released story and get feedback. I like interacting with my friends on Facebook and other social networking sites, so I hope I get feedback from anyone who starts reading my series, My Vampire Lover. You know? It’s going to be fun.How long do you think each story will be? Who will tell the story? I know in this first story, Conquest your female heroine, Caroline is a werewolf and she tells the story. Will she tell all of them?I plan for each story to be one scene or a few scenes, averaging around 2,500 to 5,000 words each, probably more like 5,000. I’m currently working on the second one now. Originally I thought Caroline, my werewolf heroine who is kidnapped by her vampire captor who then turns into her lover, would tell the story. But now I want to have each story go back and forth. I think that will be more fun. Caroline has told the first story from her point of view in “Conquest.” The next story will be told by her vampire lover, Raphael. He will tell the next story.How many books to you anticipate will be in this series?Probably around 10 to 12 short stories.
Excerpt from “Conquest (My Vampire Lover #1)”: I felt his warm, wet tongue dart in my mouth, sucklingly my bottom lip. A sting of pain surfaced.I shrieked, quickly pulling away from him.He held me fast in his arms. Our eyes locked.Again I tasted the sweetness of blood, but this time it was my own. Carefully, I licked my bottom lip where he had bitten me.Another gleam from the moon shone upon his face, his bright eyes sparkled with a savage knowledge beyond lust and desire, one of sheer hunger. He would be mine.Before I could stop him, he slashed at his well-toned chest with his nails. Lines of blood formed across his muscles.“Drink of me.”Then he resumed fucking me fiercely, refusing to stop.I stared at the streams of blood rolling down his chest as I rode him. The wolf in me instantly awoke. Warm rushes of power and hunger rose up in me. The wolf was coming for me and I wouldn’t be able to deny him.“Let it go,” my vampire lover whispered into the night. “Drink of me. I’ll make you queen when Father dies and we’ll rule this kingdom together despite them.”The moon bathed him in its lush glow and I couldn’t resist marveling at his naked form. He was exquisite. His thick, muscular chest glistened with blood and sweat and I held on to his shoulders as I drove my hips down upon his, feeling his magnificent cock serge deep inside me. Each stride I took sent me ever closer to him forever. I took his mouth with a savage intensity I had never known and then I lavished my kisses upon his chest, licking his blood and sweat in long, broad laps.We will be together.I leaned my head back, exposing my neck completely. “Do it. Do it now. He’s here!”Answering my request, he pulled me into his embrace and sank his teeth into my neck.I cried out, instantly thrusting myself upwards to meet his fanged kiss. A flood of raw, electrifying sensations exploded inside me and multiple orgasms rocketed through me.He lifted me slightly off the bed and he drank from me, holding me gently in his arms the whole time.I pressed my back into his firm hands and focused on meeting his tempo as I rode him. The room began to spin. Blood trickled down my chest, running past my belly button and along the inside of my thighs. A delightful shiver of fear passed through me as my vampire shuddered and came inside me. I will be his.Full Story:I have the full 2,500 word short story Free at Smashwords.Here’s the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256625Contact the Author:Victoria Embers – Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/victoria.embe... – http://twitter.com/victoriaembers
My Vampire Lover Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/MyVampireLoverSeriesByVictoriaEmbers?fref=ts
My Blog – http://victoriaembers.wordpress.com
Invitation:I’d like to invite any Indie Authors reading this article to be featured on my blog. I’m wanting to build my audience and I’d like to highlight other Erotica authors who are writing in this genre. Please see http://victoriaembers.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/guest-author-guidelines/for more information.
December 8, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday #SixSunday
Hi everyone, hope you're having a great Sunday! My six this week is from my recent release, a hot erotic Christmas romance 'Good Enough to Share'.
Enjoy :-)
“I never abandoned you.” The husky edge to his voice is doing strange things to my insides. His hand is warm against my cheek, his thumb rough as he strokes over my burning skin.“I can’t do this.” Tears are prickling hot against my eyelids and when I open my eyes and look up I can feel them spill over. I know now why I’m scared, it’s because I want him so much and I already know it would never work in a million zillion years.
Click here and check up all the other great six sentence Sunday snippets!
Enjoy :-)
“I never abandoned you.” The husky edge to his voice is doing strange things to my insides. His hand is warm against my cheek, his thumb rough as he strokes over my burning skin.“I can’t do this.” Tears are prickling hot against my eyelids and when I open my eyes and look up I can feel them spill over. I know now why I’m scared, it’s because I want him so much and I already know it would never work in a million zillion years.
Click here and check up all the other great six sentence Sunday snippets!
December 5, 2012
Guest Post - Becca Dale
I'm really pleased to welcome Becca Dale to my blog today. She's talking about her new erotic romance 'The Millionaire and the Girl Next Door'. Read on for an exclusive excerpt - and a contest!
A Story Within a Story
Thanks for having me here today, Zara. *You're very welcome!* As the holidays approach and the world gets a little crazy, I am thinking about all the things that make me smile. Mostly family comes to mind, the fun, the annoying, and even the slightly off kilter relatives that always seem to pop out of the woodwork for the big holidays. I’ll always remember the first time my quiet and conservative husband met my family. All he could say was, “They’re so loud.”
What else should I have expected from a man whose relatives speak to the person directly across the table or on either side. No shouting across the room. No spontaneous games of pillow football. And heaven forbid, no unplanned wrestling matches. The unexpected that pops up whenever my relatives gather always seemed like a bonus to me. With the hub’s family, we know what to expect: quiet chatter, good food, a gentle catching up—which is nice, don’t get me wrong. But with mine, a feeling of expectation hovers, that Christmas morning edge no matter the time of year. Will Cousin Kelli finally bring a guy younger than her father to the party? Will Uncle Blake and Uncle Cain slip a bit too much brandy in the eggnog and get Grandma tipsy? Such gatherings are never dull. We have much the same things as at my husband’s gatherings, tons of good food, laughter, a time to catch up, but the sense of what will happen next can’t be ignored. And that is a special thing to me. After more than a quarter century of married life, my quiet, gentle man is now usually smack dab in the middle of whatever chaos occurs, a giant grin on his sexy face as he shouts across the room and encourages complete abandon and unmitigated joy. Have to a man who can be the well-mannered engineer in one setting and the favorite crazy uncle in the next. Who could ask for a better bonus than that?
Perhaps that is part of the reason I adore a bonus. It’s like opening a gift and finding not only what you had hoped for but a little something unexpected and sweet that the giver has slipped in just because he knows you’ll love it. That’s the way I feel when a story emerges within a story. The Millionaire and the Girl Next Door demanded that the hero solve an old mystery surrounding his new home. The locals all claim that an axe-wielding ghost haunts his property, but he doesn’t believe until she comes to him in his dreams. Jake struggles to find a way to help her find peace without losing himself to her pain.
The Millionaire and the Girl Next Door Blurb
Tired of chasing his family’s need for money and power, millionaire Jake Wescott heads to Freewill, Wyoming and the beautiful piece of heaven that calls to him.
The girl next door, Christa Dunham puts family first, and she’s determined to protect them from the city boy before he ruins their hunting grounds or steals her heart and then walks away when the lonely nights get too long.
Neither of them expects the attraction that pulls them together nor the lost spirit who wants to drive them apart. Confronting the past leaves them both anxious to find a love beyond a lifetime.
Exclusive Excerpt:
“Forget it, Wescott. It was a dream.” He spoke aloud, hoping he would believe it, but when sleep returned, so did the nightmare.
He stood in the corner of a small, dimly lit cellar. The rock walls crumbled in places, and the air felt damp. He shivered when a rat scurried past. The door opened, and a dark haired man entered dressed in Puritan clothing. The stranger carried an old-fashioned lantern in his hand. The additional light revealed a fragile looking woman huddled on a thin pallet against the opposite wall. Her clothes bore the signs of repeated struggles, and bruises marred her fair skin and emphasized her large gray eyes. Jake could not understand the man’s mumbled words, but he could clearly hear the girl and feel her stress as if it were his own. “Please, let me go. I promise no one will ever know. Please!” Her words became sobs, her body a trembling mass. He wanted to comfort her, to protect her, but he could not move, his boots frozen in place. When the other man crossed the room and jerked the woman to her feet, fear escalated to hysteria. She fought hard, screaming and clawing at her attacker until he slapped her. The blow slammed the girl’s head into the stone wall. Appalled, Jake could only stare helplessly. The beating continued until the assailant shoved the woman on the pallet and fell over her, struggling to hold her down while he fumbled with his trousers. Sickened, Jake forced the dream away, unwilling to witness what came next.
He awoke calling the woman’s name, but when he tried to repeat it, it hovered unclear on the edge of his mind. Adrenaline filled his system, making his hand tremble. He drove his fingers through his still damp hair, seeking to calm the anger and frustration circling in his head and gut. Although the clock said it was barely dawn, a faint light filtered through the windows. There was no chance in hell he could go back to sleep. Jerking on a pair of running shorts and a clean T-shirt, he woke Bud and headed out the door. With luck, a run would blow away the feeling of disgust the dream had left behind.
Buy Links : http://www.authorbeccadale.com/#!books/cnec
About the AuthorBecca Dale writes erotic romance with a passionate soul. Her work skirts the very edge of sensual versus erotic romance, which is why fans often use the term sweet-heat, and she tells her editors she is naughty enough. She also strives to make her characters true to life, the type of people readers might know or could meet in the grocery store who just happen to have great sex lives.
Website: http://www.authorbeccadale.com/Blogger: http://beccadale.blogspot.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becca.dale.71Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeccaDaleAuthor
Contest:This is stop three on a five day blog tour. Every comment you leave, takes you one step closer to winning anything from my Decadent Publishing backlist and your choice of any Western Escape title. In addition, drop by my website to link to Decadent Publishing’s Give a Reader a Reader. You could win 45 eBooks for you and a loaded Nook eReader for a friend. Join the fun!
Tomorrow’s stop: http://kdgrace.co.uk/ Yesterday’s stop: http://smutters.co.uk/
A Story Within a Story
Thanks for having me here today, Zara. *You're very welcome!* As the holidays approach and the world gets a little crazy, I am thinking about all the things that make me smile. Mostly family comes to mind, the fun, the annoying, and even the slightly off kilter relatives that always seem to pop out of the woodwork for the big holidays. I’ll always remember the first time my quiet and conservative husband met my family. All he could say was, “They’re so loud.”
What else should I have expected from a man whose relatives speak to the person directly across the table or on either side. No shouting across the room. No spontaneous games of pillow football. And heaven forbid, no unplanned wrestling matches. The unexpected that pops up whenever my relatives gather always seemed like a bonus to me. With the hub’s family, we know what to expect: quiet chatter, good food, a gentle catching up—which is nice, don’t get me wrong. But with mine, a feeling of expectation hovers, that Christmas morning edge no matter the time of year. Will Cousin Kelli finally bring a guy younger than her father to the party? Will Uncle Blake and Uncle Cain slip a bit too much brandy in the eggnog and get Grandma tipsy? Such gatherings are never dull. We have much the same things as at my husband’s gatherings, tons of good food, laughter, a time to catch up, but the sense of what will happen next can’t be ignored. And that is a special thing to me. After more than a quarter century of married life, my quiet, gentle man is now usually smack dab in the middle of whatever chaos occurs, a giant grin on his sexy face as he shouts across the room and encourages complete abandon and unmitigated joy. Have to a man who can be the well-mannered engineer in one setting and the favorite crazy uncle in the next. Who could ask for a better bonus than that?
Perhaps that is part of the reason I adore a bonus. It’s like opening a gift and finding not only what you had hoped for but a little something unexpected and sweet that the giver has slipped in just because he knows you’ll love it. That’s the way I feel when a story emerges within a story. The Millionaire and the Girl Next Door demanded that the hero solve an old mystery surrounding his new home. The locals all claim that an axe-wielding ghost haunts his property, but he doesn’t believe until she comes to him in his dreams. Jake struggles to find a way to help her find peace without losing himself to her pain.
The Millionaire and the Girl Next Door BlurbTired of chasing his family’s need for money and power, millionaire Jake Wescott heads to Freewill, Wyoming and the beautiful piece of heaven that calls to him.
The girl next door, Christa Dunham puts family first, and she’s determined to protect them from the city boy before he ruins their hunting grounds or steals her heart and then walks away when the lonely nights get too long.
Neither of them expects the attraction that pulls them together nor the lost spirit who wants to drive them apart. Confronting the past leaves them both anxious to find a love beyond a lifetime.
Exclusive Excerpt:
“Forget it, Wescott. It was a dream.” He spoke aloud, hoping he would believe it, but when sleep returned, so did the nightmare.
He stood in the corner of a small, dimly lit cellar. The rock walls crumbled in places, and the air felt damp. He shivered when a rat scurried past. The door opened, and a dark haired man entered dressed in Puritan clothing. The stranger carried an old-fashioned lantern in his hand. The additional light revealed a fragile looking woman huddled on a thin pallet against the opposite wall. Her clothes bore the signs of repeated struggles, and bruises marred her fair skin and emphasized her large gray eyes. Jake could not understand the man’s mumbled words, but he could clearly hear the girl and feel her stress as if it were his own. “Please, let me go. I promise no one will ever know. Please!” Her words became sobs, her body a trembling mass. He wanted to comfort her, to protect her, but he could not move, his boots frozen in place. When the other man crossed the room and jerked the woman to her feet, fear escalated to hysteria. She fought hard, screaming and clawing at her attacker until he slapped her. The blow slammed the girl’s head into the stone wall. Appalled, Jake could only stare helplessly. The beating continued until the assailant shoved the woman on the pallet and fell over her, struggling to hold her down while he fumbled with his trousers. Sickened, Jake forced the dream away, unwilling to witness what came next.
He awoke calling the woman’s name, but when he tried to repeat it, it hovered unclear on the edge of his mind. Adrenaline filled his system, making his hand tremble. He drove his fingers through his still damp hair, seeking to calm the anger and frustration circling in his head and gut. Although the clock said it was barely dawn, a faint light filtered through the windows. There was no chance in hell he could go back to sleep. Jerking on a pair of running shorts and a clean T-shirt, he woke Bud and headed out the door. With luck, a run would blow away the feeling of disgust the dream had left behind.
Buy Links : http://www.authorbeccadale.com/#!books/cnec
About the AuthorBecca Dale writes erotic romance with a passionate soul. Her work skirts the very edge of sensual versus erotic romance, which is why fans often use the term sweet-heat, and she tells her editors she is naughty enough. She also strives to make her characters true to life, the type of people readers might know or could meet in the grocery store who just happen to have great sex lives.
Website: http://www.authorbeccadale.com/Blogger: http://beccadale.blogspot.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becca.dale.71Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeccaDaleAuthor
Contest:This is stop three on a five day blog tour. Every comment you leave, takes you one step closer to winning anything from my Decadent Publishing backlist and your choice of any Western Escape title. In addition, drop by my website to link to Decadent Publishing’s Give a Reader a Reader. You could win 45 eBooks for you and a loaded Nook eReader for a friend. Join the fun!
Tomorrow’s stop: http://kdgrace.co.uk/ Yesterday’s stop: http://smutters.co.uk/
