Té Russ's Blog, page 3

Cover Reveal...and More...

Michelle Drake manages everything and everyone to perfection. Everyone except herself. When it lands her in the hospital, she has no choice but to follow doctor's order: decompress. When her best friend helps her "runaway from home", her only plan is to chill out and enjoy her long overdue time off. But an unexpected visitor on her doorstep and her sexy as sin neighbor shake up those plans.Those stony glares and razor sharp tongue of hers may intimidate other men, but Lucas LeRoux is unfazed by them. He knows beneath that tough exterior there's a softness, like the curves of her body he felt when she accidentally landed in his arms. He's determined to make her his and he's just the man for the task of tearing down the walls she's built up and get her to finally let her hair down and enjoy life, not just manage it all of the time.
Still shooting for a February release. Look for it near the end of the month (fingers crossed).
Also, January’s reader of the month was announced in the February newsletter. Check your email to see the winner and enter for your chance to win this month’s giveaway. Or enter here. We’re talking about love songs this month in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Don’t forget to enter this month’s Reader of the Month Giveaway.

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He bought me shoes...

**Unedited, subject to change*


"Anyway, I'm more interested in the way talking about him has you all flustered.""I am not flustered," Michelle argued."You were literally just stumbling over your words a few minutes ago," Laurel pointed out. "What's the deal between the two of you?""There's no deal...Like I said I've run into him a few times.""And what was your conversation about today that's got you so riled up.""He bought me shoes.""That bastard," Laurel gasped, feigning shock. "Why would he do such a thing?"Michelle went on to explain to Laurel their run-in at the park. "So wait," Laurel said. "You mean to tell me, that he bought you some sensible shoes after you nearly broke your ankle? Oh yeah, he's a terrible terrible man, Michelle.""Whatever, Lo," Michelle said, as she looked down at the shoes. "I wonder if the actual issue is it that you like him, and it's freaking you out?""I do not like him.""You've never been a good liar, sweetie.""I can't like him, I don't even know him to like him.”"Well...change that. You're there. He's there. Get to know him. You're obviously attracted to him. Why not find out if the feeling is mutual?”

~~~~~


"The big dipper actually isn't a constellation, it's an asterism...a pattern or group of stars. It's part of the Ursa Major, also known as the celestial Great Bear. There are many different mythos on the constellation and..."Michelle looked up at the sky and squinted as the guide continued on. She decided at the last minute to come out on the stargazing hike she'd read about online.She sighed, looked down at the pamphlet they'd given her when she'd first arrived and then looked back up."Having trouble?"At the sound of Luke's voice, Michelle whirled around and found him staring at her."Hi," Luke said, shoving his hands in his pockets."Hello Luke," Michelle said, as she began to walk again."I gotta admit," Luke said, walking in stride alongside Michelle. "I wouldn't have imagined you to be into astronomy.""You shouldn't make assumptions about people you don't know, Mr. LeRoux," Michelle said. It didn't matter to her that his assumption was dead on, she was still annoyed by it. "And you're slowing us down, we're missing the guide's storytelling.""I can tell you stories about the stars," Luke said with a grin.When Michelle didn't respond, he continued on, pointing up at the sky. "That constellation there is called Andromeda."Michelle stopped again and looked up to where he was pointing."It's said that her mother, Queen Cassiopeia, boasted that she was more beautiful than the Nereids, sea nymphs. Well that shit pissed off the Nereids, and they went to Poseidon, who decided to send a sea monster to destroy their land. The king went to an oracle to find out how they could save their land and was told that they'd have to sacrifice Andromeda. His punk ass went along with it and they tied her to a sea cliff to await her death."Michelle glanced over at Luke and found him staring at her again."So...that's how she died?" she found herself asking.Luke's lip quirked up and he shook his head. "Nah, as she was out there waiting to die, Perseus rolled up on her. He'd recently completed a life-threatening mission, killing Medusa. You've heard of her, right?""The one who turns people to stone," Michelle said.Luke nodded, "I bet with that glare of yours–""Finish the damn story.""Anyway," Luke continued. "Perseus saw Andromeda, heard her screaming for her life and went to rescue her. He pulled out Medusa's severed head and held it up to the sea monster, turning it to stone. Perseus freed Andromeda and they instantly fell in love and got married.""No such thing.""Pardon?""Instantly falling in love," Michelle grumbled. "There's no such thing.""That's another debate for another time," Luke chuckled. He looked up to the sky again. "After Andromeda's death, Athena placed Andromeda's image in the sky, between Perseus and Cassiopeia."Michelle let out a scoff. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that bitch, in life or the afterlife. Leaving me to die?"Luke threw his head back and laughed."You are something else, Nubia."She remembered him saying that to her at the park."Why do you keep calling me that?" she asked as they started walking again."You've never heard of Nubia?" Luke asked. "From the comic books...black Wonder Woman?""Comic books?" Michelle repeated. "Figures you'd be into that kinda thing.""Figures...what is that supposed to mean?" Luke asked. He stopped and turned to face her. "Ooooh, you finally looked me up, didn't you?""No," Michelle huffed."You're a terrible liar, Michelle," Luke taunted. "You did your little Google search and figured that it must automatically mean that I'm into all things nerd, like comic books, right?""That's not–""Didn't you just say a few minutes ago that you shouldn't make assumptions about people you don't know?"As Michelle opened her mouth to say...she wasn't quite sure what she was going to say, the guide spoke up."That concludes the end of our tour. You're free to stay out and stargaze a while longer, or you can head back to the lodge. We have a few refreshments and hot cocoa."She wanted to be annoyed with Luke for making her miss the last portion of the tour, but she honestly wasn't. Although she was annoyed by the way he'd managed to get her flustered...again."You have an...interesting way of storytelling," she said."And you have an interesting way of deflecting."They stood staring at each other for several long, heated seconds.Luke was the first one to break their eye contact. Michelle watched as he looked down and smiled."Nice shoes," he said."Oh...yeah...well, I figured they wouldn't be completely useless out here.""You have a funny way of saying thank you.""Thank you, Lucas, for the shoes. They're quite comfortable. And...""And...what, Michelle?""I apologize for the way I reacted over them the other day.""Apology accepted. On one condition.""What condition?" Michelle asked, raising an eyebrow."Have dinner with me. Tonight."

Sample Sunday - "...you were on your Nubia vibe and shit."

A Super Short Sample Sunday for you guys from Runaway Love.*Unedited, Subject to Change*
Hoping for a February release...we’ll see though.



Luke was sitting with Ciara when she walked into the restaurant."This spread on your new place has gotten me a lot of attention.""Uh-huh," he said, sitting up a little straighter and taking a swig from his beer as he watched his new neighbor saunter to the bar. She said something to the bartender and then passed over some money."Luke? Lucas, did you hear me?" Ciara griped."Yeah, sure," he murmured, as he took the woman in from head to toe.Her hair was still pulled back in that sleek ponytail, giving him a full view of her caramel colored face that he realized was even more beautiful up close. And familiar looking, though he couldn't quite pinpoint where he knew her from.She was wearing a black turtle neck sweater dress that hugged her body in a way that had him envious of the fabric.He blinked when he heard a man sitting at the bar near him exclaim, "Damn, that's a fine ass woman.""Yeah," the guy who was sitting with the man agreed."I'm about to go and see what's up.""You think you'll be able to hook up with her?""Watch and learn my friend."Luke's grip on his beer bottle tightened as he watched the overconfident man stumble his way over to her. It was obvious that he'd had too much to drink. He leaned over her shoulder, a little too close in Luke's opinion. Clearly the woman felt the same way. She turned and looked up in disgust and tried to move away.Before Luke could process what he was doing, he was already on his feet and moving in their direction."I already told you," he heard the woman say, "I'm not interested.""Look, baby.""Are you hard of hearing, my man?" Luke asked."Who the fuck are you?" the drunk slurred. "Me and this honey were have a private conversation. So why don't you go on back to your own business."Luke placed a hand on the man's chest to stop him from moving in on the woman again."When a woman says she's not interested and motherfuckers don't seem to be able to process that shit, I make it my business. So why don't you go on and get the fuck out of here, before things turn ugly."The drunk shook Luke's hand off of him and wobbled back as he spat out, "She wasn't all that fine no way!”
“Damn idiot,” Luke murmured.Once he was a safe distance away, Luke turned to the woman, who was now holding a bag of food."Are you okay, Miss?"Her eyes narrowed into a glare which he had the feeling made lesser men tremble in their boots."I'm fine. And I was doing just fine before you came over here.""Oookay.""I didn't need some knight in shining armor to come and rescue me from the drunk asshole. I could have handled him myself.""Whoa," Luke said, holding up his hands. "Hey, I could look at you from my table and tell you were on your Nubia vibe and shit. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to have a little back up. I apologize for...intervening when it obviously wasn't necessary."The woman gave a short nod and pivoted on her heels."I'm your neighbor by the way."That seemed to stop her in her tracks. She turned and looked at him again."My neighbor?" she repeated."Yeah. Over on East Chop. I saw you out on your porch the other night," Luke said. He extended a hand out to her. "Lucas LeRoux."The woman looked down at his hand and then she looked up over his shoulder."Mr. LeRoux, it might do you well to remember that sometimes people like to sit outside and enjoy the view and a modicum of decorum wouldn't kill you.""What?" he asked, confused.Before he got a chance to ask what the hell she was talking about, she'd turned and left, leaving him standing in the middle of the restaurant.

Happy New Year * January Newsletter is Out

Happy New Year! January's newsletter is out! If you haven’t already checked it out already, you can read it here. There’s a contest too, so don’t miss out.

Happy Holidays!

Hey guys!
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. If you signed up to receive a holiday card from me, I dropped them in the mail yesterday so be on the lookout for them soon!

There are so many things to read this holiday season! So I decided to share a few that I’ve been seeing on Facebook. If you haven’t already, you should check them out. *Click on the link to go to their amazon page*






In case you haven’t heard, I’ve got a new lil holiday short of my own out now called Santa, Baby! and it’s available on Amazon. So pick it up now (along with all the other shorts I shared!). It’s only .99 cents and you can read it during your lunch break, or while you’re cozied up by the fireplace with your hot cocoa (spiked if you’re like me

A...Musing...

So if you haven't heard by now, I've got a tiny new release out.

This story wasn't "planned". By planned, I mean it wasn't on my roster, at least not for this year anyway.

But when my characters speak, I listen.

And oh...did these two speak. Like from out of no where!

So I plotted (heavily...it was required, all things considered) sat my ass down in my desk chair and got to work.

I wrote until they stopped speaking.

And this is how A Dash of Love was born.

I hope you enjoy this small labor of love. I'm sure some of you will want more. I get it, I really do. But I simply wrote this the way I was instructed to write it. And if they return demanding...I mean requesting...me to write more, I shall do so.

But for now...

Happy Reading.

Té

Purchase your copy of A Dash of Love!

#SampleSunday-“You willing to put a wager on that?

Laila tightened her grip around the miniature golf club. Her eyes squinted as she contemplated what her best move would be. Finally, she gently swung the club and hit the golf ball. She watched, holding her breath as the ball rolled toward the wind mill. The ball sailed through the opening, barely missing one of the blades that spun around.She let out a sigh of relief and heard Zeke chuckle behind her."Not bad."She turned and playfully glared at him."You think you can make a better shot than that?""I know I can, baby," he said, confidently. "Hole in one.""No fucking way," Laila laughed."I'm trying to tell you, I'm a beast at this mini golf.""You willing to put a wager on that?""Name the terms.""Loser has to do anything the winner wants.""Anything?" Zeke asked."Are you scared?""No, I'm excited. Trying to figure out what I'll have you do once I sink this shot."Laila threw her head back and laughed, "Kinda gettin' ahead of ourselves, aren't we?"He playfully pushed her out of the way."Just know that whatever I have you do, you'll more than likely end up naked."Part of her suddenly hoped he got that hole in one, as her mind went wild with ideas. She watched as he concentrated on his turn. When he finally hit the ball and it effortlessly went through the windmill, they hurried to the other side of the obstacle.And made it just in time to watch the ball drop into the hole."Oh!" he yelled, lifting his hands over his head. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. "I told you, girl. I'm a beast at mini golf.""It seems that way," she said, giggling as he nuzzled his nose against her neck. "So," she said, as she pulled off a piece of the funnel cake they were sharing. "What am I going to have to do?"He reached over and swiped away the powdered sugar from the corner of her and licked off of his finger."Come have dinner at my place. Tomorrow night."She tilted her head to the side, surprised by his request. "That's it?"Zeke took a bite of the fried dough and shook his head, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. "That's most certainly not it. That's just the beginning.""A deal's a deal," she sighed, feigning disappointment.
It wasn't often that she was okay with losing, but she had a feeling Zeke's win would be mutually pleasuring for the both of them tomorrow night.
~Cover Reveal coming this Wednesday~

#SampleSunday- "You willing to put a wager on that?"

Laila tightened her grip around the miniature golf club. Her eyes squinted as she contemplated what her best move would be. Finally, she gently swung the club and hit the golf ball. She watched, holding her breath as the ball rolled toward the wind mill. The ball sailed through the opening, barely missing one of the blades that spun around.She let out a sigh of relief and heard Zeke chuckle behind her."Not bad."She turned and playfully glared at him."You think you can make a better shot than that?""I know I can, baby," he said, confidently. "Hole in one.""No fucking way," Laila laughed."I'm trying to tell you, I'm a beast at this mini golf.""You willing to put a wager on that?""Name the terms.""Loser has to do anything the winner wants.""Anything?" Zeke asked."Are you scared?""No, I'm excited. Trying to figure out what I'll have you do once I sink this shot."Laila threw her head back and laughed, "Kinda gettin' ahead of ourselves, aren't we?"He playfully pushed her out of the way."Just know that whatever I have you do, you'll more than likely end up naked."Part of her suddenly hoped he got that hole in one, as her mind went wild with ideas. She watched as he concentrated on his turn. When he finally hit the ball and it effortlessly went through the windmill, they hurried to the other side of the obstacle.And made it just in time to watch the ball drop into the hole."Oh!" he yelled, lifting his hands over his head. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. "I told you, girl. I'm a beast at mini golf.""It seems that way," she said, giggling as he nuzzled his nose against her neck. "So," she said, as she pulled off a piece of the funnel cake they were sharing. "What am I going to have to do?"He reached over and swiped away the powdered sugar from the corner of her and licked off of his finger."Come have dinner at my place. Tomorrow night."She tilted her head to the side, surprised by his request. "That's it?"Zeke took a bite of the fried dough and shook his head, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. "That's most certainly not it. That's just the beginning.""A deal's a deal," she sighed, feigning disappointment.
It wasn't often that she was okay with losing, but she had a feeling Zeke's win would be mutually pleasuring for the both of them tomorrow night.
~Cover Reveal coming this Wednesday~

#SampleSunday- “You willing to put a wager on that?"

*Unedited, subject to change*

Laila tightened her grip around the miniature golf club. Her eyes squinted as she contemplated what her best move would be. Finally, she gently swung the club and hit the golf ball. She watched, holding her breath as the ball rolled toward the wind mill. The ball sailed through the opening, barely missing one of the blades that spun around.She let out a sigh of relief and heard Zeke chuckle behind her."Not bad."She turned and playfully glared at him."You think you can make a better shot than that?""I know I can, baby," he said, confidently. "Hole in one.""No fucking way," Laila laughed."I'm trying to tell you, I'm a beast at this mini golf.""You willing to put a wager on that?""Name the terms.""Loser has to do anything the winner wants.""Anything?" Zeke asked."Are you scared?""No, I'm excited. Trying to figure out what I'll have you do once I sink this shot."Laila threw her head back and laughed, "Kinda gettin' ahead of ourselves, aren't we?"He playfully pushed her out of the way."Just know that whatever I have you do, you'll more than likely end up naked."Part of her suddenly hoped he got that hole in one, as her mind went wild with ideas. She watched as he concentrated on his turn. When he finally hit the ball and it effortlessly went through the windmill, they hurried to the other side of the obstacle.And made it just in time to watch the ball drop into the hole."Oh!" he yelled, lifting his hands over his head. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. "I told you, girl. I'm a beast at mini golf.""It seems that way," she said, giggling as he nuzzled his nose against her neck. "So," she said, as she pulled off a piece of the funnel cake they were sharing. "What am I going to have to do?"He reached over and swiped away the powdered sugar from the corner of her and licked off of his finger."Come have dinner at my place. Tomorrow night."She tilted her head to the side, surprised by his request. "That's it?"Zeke took a bite of the fried dough and shook his head, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. "That's most certainly not it. That's just the beginning.""A deal's a deal," she sighed, feigning disappointment.It wasn't often that she was okay with losing, but she had a feeling Zeke's win would be mutually pleasuring for the both of them tomorrow night.




~Cover Reveal coming this Wednesday!~

Sample Sunday...I don’t need to protect my face, do I?

***unedited, subject to change***

He took a sip of his wine and his eyes scanned the room. He hadn't seen her yet, but he could sense her presence.He stopped in front of Boomer and Silas and fist bumped each of them."How was Kyra?" Boomer asked.Zeke rolled his eyes and shook his head. "A handful."Silas tipped his wine glass back, and Zeke caught the hint of amusement playing across his lips."You son of a bitch," Zeke laughed. "You were originally assigned to Kyra weren't you?""Yep," Silas said."Did you even really have security work to do?"Silas shrugged and took another sip of his wine, and Boomer let out a howl of a laugh."You owe me, Si," Zeke grumbled."Gotdamn," Boomer bellowed.Zeke looked over his shoulder to see what had elicited such a response from Boomer and his grip tightened around the stem of his wine glass.Long cocoa legs on sky high stilettos were under a thick set of thighs, which were encased in a body hugging dress. It was black lace, overlaying brown fabric that matched her skin and sent Zeke's mind into hyperdrive with thoughts of what her body would actually look like out of the dress. The front of the dress had a plunging neckline, showing off more of that delectable looking skin.Her long hair was loose and hung down to her ass, something he'd never seen before. Zeke watched as Laila's luscious looking lips, covered in a brown lipstick, tilted up into a thankful smile as she took a glass of wine from a waiter. She turned her back to him again and headed for one of the balconies that led outside."That's Dex's old partner, right?" Silas asked."Yeah," Zeke mumbled. "I'll see you guys later."Zeke made his way through the crowd, until he was standing at the door of the balcony. He leaned against the doorjamb and took her in again from head to toe."Are you just gonna stand there gawking, or are you going to speak?"Zeke smiled as Laila turned to fully face him."I don't need to protect my face, do I?"He looked into her light brown eyes, still as sharp as ever."Are you referring to when I kicked your ass when we first met?"Zeke threw his head back and laughed. "You got in one kick and a head butt. I'd hardly call that kicking my ass."Laila's eyebrow rose and Zeke shook his head."Okay, so it was a good ass kick and head butt. You may have kicked my ass a little."Laila's lips rose into a smile. "Hello, Ezekiel."Zeke took a step towards her."It's good to see you again, Laila.""Last time I saw you was in my hospital room."On the mission, they'd worked together, Laila had gotten into a fight with Dex's ex, Stephanie, and ended up knocked out. Zeke had been the one to get her to the hospital."How's the head?" he asked, shoving his hand in his pocket to keep from reaching up to touching her head. He knew if he touched her head, he'd be tempted to burying his fingers in the silky strands of her hair."It's good," she said, touching the back of her head."What have you been up to since then?"Laila shrugged. "Just working nonstop. I figured we would have seen each other again before now, since I've been doing some freelance work for Dex.""Yeah, I heard. I've been working on the East Coast for the last few months.""That explains it then."Zeke looked into the ballroom and then back at Laila."You here alone?"Laila nodded and sipped her wine."Boyfriend was too busy?"Not long after Zeke first met Laila, he'd tried to ask her out, but before he got the chance Laila let him know that she was "kind of seeing someone"."About that boyfriend..." Laila said, biting the corner of her lip. "I have a confession to make.""A confession?""Yeah. I wasn't completely honest with you, when I told you I was seeing someone before. We'd actually been broken up for a while. I just wasn't really in a place where I was ready to date."Zeke nodded his head."I kinda figured that out.""You did?""Yeah.""Why didn't you say anything?" Laila asked.This time Zeke shrugged."I figured you had your reasons for not wanting to date at the time. So I wanted to respect your space.""That was...very noble of you."Zeke took a chance and stepped a little closer to Laila, mere inches between their bodies. He was pleased when she didn't back away."Are you still in that place you were before? Not ready to date?""Depends on who's asking."Zeke smiled and was just about to open his mouth to speak when Dex's mother's voice came over the speakers."If everyone could please find their seats, dinner is about to be served."


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