Vallory Vance's Blog, page 8
November 16, 2013
It’s Here – One Stormy Night!
One Stormy Night, is here and a part of the Romance on the Go series!
You can pick up a copy at a discount from Evernight Publishing for a short time!
November 15, 2013
Spotlight on Thunderstruck by Laura DeLuca
Taranis, the Celtic god of Thunder, has spent an eternity longing for the touch of a single mortal woman. He has followed her through incarnations, but always his powers were too much for her to bear.
Tara is a deaf woman, struggling to fit in the hearing world. She hides a gentle heart behind a tough exterior. Will she let down her defenses when a handsome mute tries to win her heart?
And even if she does, can Taranis’ love come without a death sentence?
~~~Excerpt~~~
Taranis watched Tara climb onto her moped. She ran her fingers through her short black hair before pulling on her helmet. Mortals would never have been able to see so clearly, but even from across the street he could make out every detail of the art that was etched across her muscular yet feminine arms. They were drenched in color from the corner of her shoulder to the tips of her elbows. On one arm he saw a frog and a crow alongside the Puerto Rican flag, which was the heritage she had chosen in this new life. There was even a flamenco dancer adorned in a pink and green gown, forever frozen in her graceful dance. The other arm displayed a garden of colorful flowers— roses and lilies in blue, black and orange. Taranis imagined the fragrance of those flowers would be more intoxicating than any within the earth because they were drenched in her natural scent. He also noticed that mixed in among the tattoos that spoke of her Latino heritage; there was also a Celtic tribal band wrapped around her left ankle. Taranis knew it was a sign that a part of her was still drawn to the life she had lived before—the life he had been a brief but traumatic part of.
Taranis pushed the negative memories away. This was a new era. A new world. One where anything was possible. There were times when the magic of technology seemed to dwarf the powers of the gods themselves. First sign language and then computers with their artificial voices had made it much easier for Taranis to blend in among the mortals. Taranis especially loved the women of the twenty-first century. They were so bold and fearless, unafraid of demanding equality from their male counterparts. Tara was a prime example of that feminist drive. It seemed in each life time, she grew even stronger and more durable. He admired her strength and perseverance, but he also saw the sad and lonely woman she hid beneath the tough and snarky façade.
For two years he had watched her, yearned for her, but he was biding his time and building her trust. He had interacted with her in his human guise. Yet, he hadn’t given into the temptation to pursue anything more than a casual friendship, even though her smile insinuated she was open to more. He knew it was fear that restrained him. Each time he thought about romantic innuendos, he remembered Calista lying dead in his arms with blood dripping down her pale neck. Still, he hungered for Tara with a passion unlike anything he had ever known. He had waited centuries for her to return to him after his failure with Calista. He was sure that in this new world where their paths had finally crossed again, he would find a way to make her love him. He didn’t want to risk her life, but Taranis had a secret hope. He believed the very characteristic that she considered her greatest flaw would be the one thing that ensured their happiness in this life and all that followed.
Buy Links: Amazon Smashwords Barnes & Noble Goodreads
A few words from the author…
Short stories have never been my forte. Just like in real life, I am a little long-winded. When my publisher announced they were doing an anthology called For the Love of the Gods, I didn’t really plan to participate. Then while I was standing in the shower, I was struck with inspiration. But I can’t take full credit for it and neither can my muse. Thunderstruck only exists because of my friend, editor, and fellow author, Tara Chevrestt. She is not only the person who my main character is based on. She’s also the beautiful model on the cover of the e-book!
It’s no surprise that Tara is an inspiration to many. She is an amazing writer, a no-nonsense editor, and an active feminist. She has a spunk and fire few people can claim and she’s never afraid to tell things how they are. Tara is also deaf, and while she’s faced a lot of discrimination because of her lack of hearing, she’s never let that stop her from getting what she wanted. More importantly, she doesn’t let it stop her from being happy with who she is, imperfections and all. This was the image I wanted to convey when I wrote Thunderstruck. Tara’s colorful vocabulary and the fact that she can kick some serious butt are only a small part of the story. The most important lesson I wanted people to take away with them is that, like Tara, we should all embrace who we are, including the imperfections that make us unique.
Tara’s motto is “Strong is Sexy” and she proves those words every single day. My fictional Tara could never do justice to the real lady, especially not in only thirty-five pages, but it gives you a little piece of the fire that drives a strong woman forward. Get to know Tara and you’ll have no trouble believing she could capture the love of a god.
~~~About the Author~~~
Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.
Author Links: Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads
~~~Giveaway~~~
Laura is giving away an eCopy of Thunderstruck during her tour.
For a chance to win please visit the Rafflecopter here.
November 13, 2013
One Stormy Night Cover Reveal
Before we get to the cover for One Stormy Night, let’s talk about this short story. I began writing this a while ago and tucked it away.
After reading a few books from the Evernight Publishing line called Romance on the Go, I thought about Alexis and Shane. This would be a perfect place for these two. Their story is not a novel length work, but it is sweet and sexy and deserved more than space on my hard drive. A big thank you to Evernight Publishing for thinking so, as well!
***And here it is***
Alexis Joplin enjoys the perfect working relationship with her co-host on the popular travel show, Overnight Stays. Not only does her charismatic partner act as her mentor in the television industry, but he brings her coffee for early morning meetings.
Shane Fowler has endured raised eyebrows and nagging questions from his closest associates about exactly why he and Alexis are always together. His usual response of just friends has become a joke around the studio. Even for him, it’s beginning to feel like a lie.
On their final trip before Shane begins a new position, he and Alexis find themselves in the midst of a late summer storm. But is it only lightning sparking through the night sky or is something just as heated brewing between them?
November 10, 2013
November 7, 2013
Spotlight on Seal the Deal by JoAnne Kenrick
Seal the Deal by JoAnne Kenrick
A 1Night Stand Story
~~~~
Isle of myth and magic. Destined mates. One extraordinary date.
After being ditched at the altar, Finn Kneale isolates himself at Port St. Mary’s magnificent lighthouse. A violent storm ravishes the coastline, pitching the maritime tower into the Irish sea and transforming Finn into a seal. Carefree at first, he soon longs to walk as a man again. When leap year arrives, bathing land and sea in magic, Finn temporarily regains his human form. If he can’t find his soul mate in twenty-four hours, he’ll be back to cavorting among the waves.
Anne Ward—resident midwife and newcomer to Port St. Mary, Isle of Man—guards some wild secrets of her own while avoiding entanglements with married doctors. A believer in fate, she seeks out Madame Eve’s exclusive agency to help find her destined mate.
1Night Stand matches these two lonely souls. But will their extraordinary date allow Finn and Anne to open their hearts to magical possibilities and Seal the Deal?
Excerpt:
Finn Kneale slid from his watch-point rock a few miles out from the little tourist trap where he had lived for most of his life. Under the miraculous February 29th lunar eclipse, he delved into the depths of the Irish Sea. The orb hanging over the ocean like a dimmed lantern held his last chance to undo the spell shrouding him in misery. Water lapped, and he twisted, clapping flippers over the sea foam. Waves crashed over his mottled gray-and-black seal self. Excitement rushed through him and exited in a loud, brassy roar. Then he unleashed another and another, each increasing in volume for the benefit of his aquatic friends. The barked announcement told the world Finn hoped to meet his mate tonight.
He floated in the shallows, waiting, watching as the old, white lighthouse fluctuated in and out of existence. The sliver of moonlight cast a silvery glow over the once-in-ruins building sitting proud again, high on the cliff’s edge. Its beacon shone bright, yet the gray sky pitched gloom below. He had all of twenty-four hours to seal the deal—as long as the lighthouse stood—then the energy balance would return to normal along the rocky shores of the Isle of Man, the historical maritime building vanishing once again. At least, that was the story his father had relayed every morning for the last four years.
Shimmying his slippery body across the pebbled beach of Port St. Mary, he took cover between tall, bulky rocks for the transformation. Safely hidden, he squeezed his eyelids closed and tried to envision his human self. Too much time had passed; he wasn’t sure his memory was close to the mark.
Think, Finn, think.
Soft cotton towels against his whiskers, the warm touch of the sun on his shoulders as he worked the farm, tasty homemade soup tangy on his tongue. Soft flesh of a woman beneath him. Oh, to be admired for his manliness rather than his cutesy seal features and bubble-blowing talents. Fragmented recollections of the little things were all that had survived years of watching the shoreline.
Buy Links: Decadent Publishing Amazon Barnes & Noble
About the Author:
JoAnne Kenrick is a multi-published author who writes both contemporaries and paranormals. Her Irish Kisses series earned her the title of a Bookstrand bestselling author, and contemporary romance bestselling author at ARe and Amazon.When JoAnne’s not writing, she enjoys creating book adverts and crafting.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids, and two puddy cats. When they aren’t demanding her attention she strums away on the keys of her little laptop, creating worlds and adventures she could only ever dream of. Come across the pond and faraway….with JoAnne Kenrick. Get exclusive sneak peeks at her new and upcoming releases by signing up to her quarterly newsletter here: http://tinyletter.com/joannekenrick
Author Links: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Website
November 4, 2013
Blessed
I saw this video and it reminded me of something. Something that happened over twenty years ago to a naive twenty-one year old woman.
Even though we are one in the same, I admire her belief that no one was better than someone who would willingly hurt her.
Model Representation of man who stuttered my breath.
You see, twenty years ago, I dated a handsome blonde with pale blue eyes and a sexy French accent. When he called my name, it was like a choir of angels singing my praises. That him, being him, could even look at me was enough to have me melting at our every encounter. I couldn’t deny this man a thing. He was that freaking beautiful. And did I mention that he was a French national?
I would probably still be bowing in his gorgeous aura if he hadn’t jumped stupid after a few months into our relationship.
I remember this as if it happened yesterday. He had to return to France until his reapplication for a Visa was approved. We were to spend his last night in his apartment located at the rear of his father’s New Orleans’s house.
The main house sat on Esplanade, one of those grand mansions in the Treme neighborhood. My Lord, how lucky could a Mississippi girl be to have a boyfriend residing in one of those historic homes?
Believe me, I felt privileged to hold his hand as he guided me up the cobble stoned walkway to his apartment. The sense of elation didn’t leave me until the main course was served.
I don’t eat carrots. So the rabbit stew that he presented to me loaded with carrots was picked over.
“You don’t like it?” he asked.
“I don’t like carrots, baby.” I answered honestly.
“Then you don’t eat” He picked up my plate and flung it across the room.
Oh, shit! Your ass is crazy!
Praise God and all the saints in Heaven. I started the holy mass in my head, fleeing from the worldly pain that was about to overtake me.
Which one of us was psycho?
Seven years later, I was a troop leader for the girl scouts and he was deported for felony assault charges against his live-in girlfriend.
Readers, writers, and those who happen upon this post, look out for the women in your lives. Let them know that their place in the universe is greater than the lustful gaze of one human’s eyes.
I want to personally thank my father for showing me how true this is.
And if you are in need of help, try ADVA.
Cause shit like this ain’t never sexy!
November 3, 2013
Upcoming Author Chat with Tamaria Soana
Join Tamaria Soana for an all day Author Chat.
Where: Beachwalk Press Reader’s Group on Facebook
When: Monday, November 4th all day!
Tamaria Soana will be popping in and out all day sharing excerpts from her three Beachwalk Press novellas, answering questions, and doing a giveaway!
Click here to join the Beachwalk Press Reader’s Group now!
Places you can connect with Tamaria Soana:
Author Links: Site Facebook Author Page Twitter
November 1, 2013
Spotlight on Hey, Santa by Jessica E. Subject
She doesn’t want a lot for Christmas…
Claire Otton dreads spending another holiday alone. When her best friend convinces her to approach the sexy mall Santa, she takes the chance and asks him out, hoping for so much more.
He’s waiting under the mistletoe…
Although Andreas Castellanos blends in on Earth, he knows he will never belong. But when the gorgeous woman he’d been staring at invites him to dinner, he has a hard time saying no.
All they’re asking for…
Can these two lonely souls find magic together or will their secrets steal their chance of a happy Christmas?
FREE on Amazon October 31st – November 4th
Amazon Buy Links: US Canada UK
Excerpt:
“You can’t be serious.” Claire mustered the dirtiest look possible for her best friend.
Tiffany held out her hands and air-squeezed the man’s firm rear end from a distance. “C’mon. Look at that ass.”
“Yes, but a Santa Claus? How do I know what he looks like under that suit and beard?”
Imagining removing the white hair to find a wrinkled old man, she shuddered.
“Only one way to find out.” Smacking Claire’s butt, Tiffany urged her forward. “Go ask him.”
She planted her feet. Thank goodness she hadn’t worn heels for their marathon shopping trip two days before Christmas. “If you’re so interested, why don’t you?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes, sighing. “Because I’m engaged to be married to the love of my life. You’re the Grinch who needs to get laid.”
“I’m not a Grinch,” she snapped. Breathing deeply, she counted backwards from ten. “I’m sorry. This is a very stressful time of year for me.”
“I know.” Tiffany cupped her elbow. “I just want to see you happy at Christmas again. It doesn’t have to be a miserable holiday anymore. That’s part of the reason I dragged you with me today.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat, tears welling already. Please don’t let me turn into a blubbering mess in the middle of the mall. While she appreciated her friend’s concern, she coped better on her own. “I…I should go home. I can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”
About the Author:
Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.
When Jessica isn’t reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.
Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.
Author Links: Website/Blog Twitter Facebook Pinterest Goodreads
October 30, 2013
Haven’t Been Around Much Lately (Sad Face)
Hi All,
I haven’t been on the blog lately and I apologize for that. Life has gotten in the way.
Luckily some fantastic authors have stopped by and picked up my slack. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read the posts, you just may find your next great read from:
All Shades of Passion – A multi-author anthology (erotic romantic shorts)
Love Resurrected by Kristy Centeno (paranormal romance)
Snug Fit by Anna Bayes (erotic short story)
The De La Cruz Saga by P.T. Macias (romance with a Spanish flavor, muy caliente)
Renzo by Jamallah Bergman (interracial romance series)
Night of the Horse by Elodie Parkes (paranormal menage)
Black Baroness by R.B. Michaels (erotic short story)
Taken by Lust by Leteisha Newton (interracial erotic romance)
Thank you. Thank you.
As for me I’ve just received edits for a short story, One Stormy Night, to be released by Evernight Publishing prior to the end of the year. I’ll be working on those this weekend.
The Beginning of Forever, the conclusion of Amber and Kevin’s story, is out there on the web waiting to heat up your chilly weekend!
Just see what one Amazon reader wrote:
If you haven’t had a chance to read In The Moment then you should before you read this installment so you can appreciate the amazing love between Kevin and Amber. Truly Kevin is my hero, he is everything a real woman would want in her man. This story picks up with the two planning to marry but also Amber trying to get pregnant. Amber’s desire to have a family with Kevin really test their strength, faith and love. For Kevin he’d give her the world but not at the risk of her health, Kevin feels that the two of them have enough love to adopt but his life wouldn’t matter without her in it. Wow! what a man. Kevin in his usual determined way must prove to Amber that together they can make anything work, getting Amber to believe it herself is her walk of faith. I just loved this couple they were real, funny, sexy and just wonderful. I especially loved the ending of course it could be a new beginning for Kevin and Amber come on Vallory what do you think? This is a great read you won’t be disappointed but get In The Moment first. Enjoy
Do I love this because it’s glowing? Yes. I also love it because at least for one reader, the point of the story hit home.
I’m also finishing a short story for early next year. This is a departure from my usual contemporary romance and delves into the paranormal world. We’ll see how that goes. Maybe the Ngali and Widatsi will get a few likes in January. I don’t know but Logan and Ada called me to them and I had to answer.
Lastly, it’s almost November and I’ll be taking part in NaNoWriMo. Last year, I didn’t finish a completed novel. This year, I hope to pen A Loving Affair. In this next installment to the Rose Gold Collection, you’ll meet my first African-American hero, Xavier Loving.
Y’all keep reading, writing and playing nice!
~Val
October 26, 2013
Taken by Lust Virtual Tour!
Stopping by on her Virtual Blog Tour for the release of the much awaited Taken by Lust, best-selling author LeTeisha Newton has agreed to give readers an excerpt of the books, the run down on exactly how she came up with her characters, talk about a possible series, and a Giveaway to a lucky commentator! Don’t miss out on the fun, you’ll regret it.
Let’s get this show on the roll.
~~~Excerpt~~~
Selene wasn’t particularly a fan of girl’s night out. Granted she loved to party, loved to get on the dance floor and shake her troubles away, take a few shots of liquor, and call it a night. What she didn’t like was the persistent need for her so-called friends to set her up with some man to take home for the night. She was no virgin, so it wasn’t a prudish nature that made her patently against the idea. It was the simple fact that she wasn’t going to treat her body like it was some kind of meat market. Every time they did this to her she imagined herself naked on a butcher’s counter with a sign around her neck that said “fresh meat.” She hadn’t felt that way since her freshman year in college when she, admittedly, had been a little looser with her morals. Now, three years after graduating from law school and at the ripe age of thirty-two she wasn’t in the mood for Mr. Right Now. She wanted Mr. Forever, and her friends could take a long walk off a short pier if they thought she was going to change her mind on that.
Club Posh, an exclusive club that she and her friends had just recently gotten membership into, was full of exquisitely dressed people of the upper echelon. Posh was a place to rub elbows with doctors, lawyers, judges, celebrities, and old money. Selene and her friends represented the first three of those categories: Maddy the neurosurgeon, Sasha the judge who was pushing for an early appellate seat, and Selene the corporate lawyer. They were a mix for sure. This was a place they could let their hair down, so to speak, and Selene was happy for the opportunity. She’d both figuratively and truly let her hair down. Her hazel gaze scanned the crowd, her plump lips pursing as she looked for her friends from her seat at the bar.
She sighed, taking another shot. It was nice to feel kind of muddled. It made it easier for her to look at her friends, Maddy and Sasha, without thinking too hard about who she wanted to slap first when they walked up with three men. Maddy, the shortest of their trio, swept back her mass of chocolate dreadlocks over one shoulder, watching Selene with laughing brown eyes. Selene had always found Maddy beautiful in a girl-next-door sort of way. She was just over five feet tall and slender, maybe one hundred pounds soaking wet, her red mini dress hugging her shape nicely. She was on the arm of a tall, olive-skinned man whose hair was cut into a stylish mop of curls that brushed his ears. He wore a pair of charcoal chinos with a lavender shirt. Any man who could wear that color with pride made her smile. She may just like him enough not to scream.
Sasha was taller than even Selene’s five-foot-ten height by at least two inches. Her black hair was cut pixie short, showing off her heart-shaped face, dark eyes, and full lips to perfection. Sasha was the fashionista of them all. She wore high-waist white shorts with a striped gold and black shirt tucked in. Curvy in a way that made Selene envious, the outfit showed off her long legs and rounded hips nicely. On Sasha’s arm was a man just about her height in a black on black suit. His smile was charming; thick and long eyelashes framed green eyes while his blond hair fell neatly to his shoulders. Selene had to admit that their choices were nice indeed. Too bad she wasn’t in the mood.
The third man had an air about him. Selene couldn’t put her finger on it, but she could sense it. He watched her with an unblinking stare, so still she wasn’t sure that he was breathing. She didn’t know how her mind felt about being watched like that but her stomach went flip-flop. She was happy to be sitting. He was taller than her. Taller than anyone in the group. She figured him to be at least six foot four. He was broad at the shoulders, narrow at the hips, and his black suit flowed over him like water. He wore a black shirt but broke it up with a pure white vest and tie. She’d always loved a man who wore vests. It looked classier to her for some reason. His jaw was strong, covered with a light five o’clock shadow. His lips were narrow, but sensual. She didn’t know why she thought that, but there it was. His midnight hair was thick and fell just above his shoulders before curling slightly.
Most startling about him, over everything else, were his eyes. They weren’t real, they couldn’t be. But Lord they were mouthwatering. They were the color of vapor, not quite light enough to be silver, but not dark enough to be gray. She felt trapped in those eyes, like she was falling in quicksand and couldn’t break free. He stepped closer to her and she couldn’t move. She waited with bated breath. She wanted him to touch her, wanted to feel his gaze on her. She was eager, to the point of wanting to squirm, but she didn’t. She sat there, waiting for him. Waiting for the touch of his hands.
“Selene, this is Connor,” Maddy said, breaking Selene and the mystery man’s stare. Selene shook herself, feeling anger mount as swiftly as desire had seconds before. Selene didn’t even spare the man on Maddy’s arm a glance.
“This is William,” Sasha said, but again Selene didn’t react. She had found her anger again, just that fast. She was more comfortable with anger than she was with being embarrassed about the fact that she’d been staring at some stranger like he was all that existed in her world.
“I am—”
“I am out of here,” Selene said, not wanting to admit that the deep timbre of mystery man’s voice could be panty-dropping material if she let it. She didn’t want to know his name, she didn’t want to know him. She just wanted out of there.
“Selene!” Maddy gasped, but Selene pushed out of her seat and started to walk away from them. She had nowhere to go but forward, right next to snake eyes, but she wasn’t going to be deterred. She was going to get to the floor, dance a little, and then go home. She’d strangle her friends later.
“Pietr,” snake eyes finished, as if she hadn’t interrupted his earlier words and grasped her wrist as she passed by. She turned to jerk away and he was there, pulling her in close.
She could smell him. He smelled of the wild, of forest and brooks. She inhaled deeply, pulling his scent deep into her belly, feeling off balance, lost. What the hell is wrong with me? she thought. She couldn’t look away. His body was hard, solid, and she gripped his lapels to balance herself. Her breasts were crushed against his chest, her hips just under his groin. She could feel the imprint of his cock in her stomach. In her head she knew that something was wrong, something was very wrong, but she couldn’t stop herself. She felt the pulse of electricity where his hand gripped her wrist. She could feel every zing with each pound of her heart. She could barely catch her breath. She had to get away, had to get to freedom. This wasn’t right. She’d never reacted to a man like this. Still holding her to his chest, he wrapped his other arm around her, anchoring her. He spread his large hand across her back, so hot it was like a furnace. He leaned down as if in slow motion.
“Mine,” he whispered in her ear, and the slide of his exhalation over her shoulder sent chills down her skin.
“Well, it’s a good thing we brought him along,” she heard Maddy saying from what seemed like a mile away.
“Finally hit one on the head,” Sasha tossed back.
“You have no idea,” Pietr said, but he was looking at her. “Shall I order a drink for you, mikro?”
“No,” she was finally able to whisper. She swallowed and tried to speak again. Her body was throbbing.
“I want to dance,” she whispered, trying to think of anything to get away, to get free. “Let me dance for you.”
“You haven’t seen anything until you see her dance.” She didn’t even know which one of her friends said that, she was just happy they had. Pietr smiled down at her and slowly let her go.
“I will be right here. Dance for me.” As she turned away his hand glanced over the globes of her ass and she trembled.
He let her go and she could breathe. Her mind was working again, and with its function came fear. What the hell was happening to her? She’d never had a connection with a man like that in her life. She wasn’t one for bouts of fancy. She either got to know them over time, and then felt something for them, or she didn’t. Selene was not prone to moments of passion where she nearly lost her mind with wanting a man. Her friends stepped up to her side, laughing and giggling. She bet they’d shared a high-five before they came after her, but she didn’t care. She needed to get away.
“We did good this time, Sas. She couldn’t even think when that man came over,” Maddy said.
“Maybe she will get laid tonight. Lord knows she needs it. She works too hard,” Sasha said.
Her friends appeared at her side just as a deep reggae song pumped over the speakers. They dipped and rolled at her sides and Selene fought to calm down. She needed to think. If she didn’t play this right she wouldn’t get away. She sighed roughly, trying to push the tension out of her body and move her hips to the beat. She swayed and shimmied, raising her hands to the sky, for all intents and purposes looking as if she was dancing for Pietr at the bar. She didn’t dare look at him. She didn’t want to be lost again. Instead she looked around the club for the exit, her escape. She kept dancing, turning to get a better view of the exit. She moved, twirling around her friends, rubbing her hips at the right time, tossing her odd-colored hair over one shoulder, and licking her lips. She did everything she could until she saw her opening. She backed up as a waiter passed her on the floor carrying champagne for the dancers. She kept backing up, dancing through guests, her friends following her in the weaving pattern. They’d done this enough that it wasn’t odd. When she broke away from them they were laughing too hard to care and she slipped out the back door.
The cool air kissed her skin and she took a deep breath, clearing her head. Maybe it had been the alcohol, or the fact that she hadn’t been sexually active in nearly a year. Maybe Pietr had just been like no man she’d ever met before. Either way, though, she couldn’t give in. She was a sensible woman with an important career. She didn’t have time for one night stands or temporary flings. She knew she was being a bit childish to want love, real love, but she didn’t care. If she didn’t have love, she didn’t want anything else. She shook her head, happy the cool air was clearing her mind so quickly. She pulled her small card purse from the bust of her dress and waved her hand to hail a cab.
If she felt a pang of disappointment to be riding away from Pietr instead of falling into his arms again she didn’t admit it out loud.
~~~Q&A Time~~~
So LeTeisha, tell us how you came up with these characters.
Well, to be honest, it started with my four best-friends from throughout my life, Adelis Arroyo, Lauren Smith, Drea Simmons, and Beth Gonzales. I wanted to write a book with them in, a tight group of girls who support one another. But I think they would have drawn the line at me giving them some hot love scenes, no matter how much I begged. So that idea morphed into them being there to support my main character much like they’ve done in my life. I created a woman, Selene, who was not looking for Mr. Right because she didn’t believe he existed. I created Pietr who was Mr. Right and Exactly What You Need, and made it so that he would not be afraid of her biting tongue. Finally I threw in friends that would stop her from running from the best thing in her life, and Taken by Lust was born.
Since there are some other pretty important women in the novel from Maddy to Beth, are you planning on any other books?
You know, I’m working on it. I’ll even let you in on a secret. *whispers* Maddy will probably be next. It’s hinted at in the second chapter, and through to the end, but you’ll have to read the book to figure out who, and what, her man ends up being. I don’t know if I’ll go through all six women who show up in the book. Like I said, my best friends may not want me writing scenes about their girly parts, but at least the two fictitious characters, Maddy and Sasha, will. (Because I even made the four women based on my friends look like them in real life, so they know it’s them, besides the names!)
I guess we won’t being seeing their fleshy bits then. What about this giveaway, which I know everyone is dying to read about?
Here’s the deal, I love giving copies of my books to readers. It’s all because of them that I am where I am, that I’ve seen the heights I’ve reached. What I want to do is offer a free copy of Taken by Lust to the first person who can post a picture of what animal my hero can turn into. (Hint: viewing the first Teaser Trailer on my YouTube page is a MAJOR giveaway. www.youtube.com/LeTeishaNewton) That’s it, that easy. Answer correctly and I will send you a free eBook copy of the novel.
Thank you LeTeisha for stopping in today!
No thank you. It’s been a blast, and I hope to do it again sometime. Happy reading, and remember: Life is a story. How will yours read?
You can find LeTeisha on Twitter @LeTeishaNewton , her blog http://leteisha.worpress.com , or on her Facebook page where she loves to do giveaways at https://www.facebook.com/pages/LeTeisha-Newton/319803981363025?ref=hl
