Sarah Cass's Blog: Sarah's StoryLines, page 38

Tuesday Tales – Bargain

The prompt this week is Bargain.

Everyone was so anxious to see where Velli was. This probably doesn’t answer any of the questions you wanted answered – and likely raises more.

As always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors:

“Drop her.” The voice she recognized as the boss’s rang through the air.

The goons took him literally and she hit the gravel hard. Each little stone forced its way into her flesh like thousands of hungry little birds. It was just pain, nothing near as bad as she’d lived through already.

“Wake.” The boss’s words carried the same buzz of magic that Bacey’s had earlier.

This time she let herself sneeze. She grunted as she pushed herself up on her hands. “Damn it, Bacey. You could have just asked nicely.”

“Bacey isn’t here.” The boss stayed in the shadows, while she’d been dropped in a circle of light. “It’s just you, me, and these two thugs, of course.”

“What is this? A bad gangster movie? What are you going to do next, beat answers out of me?” She got to her feet and brushed the dust off her jeans. “Magic wasn’t needed just because I was grumpy about being interrupted.”

“Magic was needed—and as for beating you up, let’s see how you respond to my questions first, shall we?” He circled around the edge of the light. One of his hands came into view and it was black as coal. A wave of power came at her, one that was old, ancient even.

Velli obliged him and stumbled back to her knees. With a grumble, she wiped the small stones from her palms. “Once again, unnecessary. You aren’t Shifter, what are you?”

“It doesn’t matter. You are. You also know the ancient.”

“You’ll have to be more specific. I’ve known a lot of really old farts in my time. No joke.” She got herself back to her feet. Last thing she’d do was kneel to this guy.

“You know who I mean.”

Despite her efforts to not react, her eye twitched. She forced her lips into what she hoped was a playful smirk to cover her nerves. “Nope, sorry. I told you, I know too many old farts.”

“The Healer.” He stopped in front of her again. “Kane.”

“Who?” She wondered how in hell he knew Kane, and how he knew she knew him. Another wave of magic whipped around her and she obligingly dropped to her knees again. Until she knew more what she was dealing with, she needed to play this right.

“You shouldn’t nap at work. You talk in your sleep. I know you know him. I know him too, have for some time, did you know that?” He started to circle her again. “I know all about your little Tribe. How they pitifully cling to the old ways. It will get them destroyed.”

She’d said the same thing to the Elders, but now she rebelled against it and leaped to her feet.

“Where is Kane?”

The interruption of her attempted irate protest caught her off-guard. She blinked and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not.” As he began to circle her again, she pivoted to follow his path. She had no idea where Kane was, and for the first time that day she was glad. Last thing she needed him to know is she thought she had a way to reach him.

“What do you want? I’m in no mood to bargain. You’ll tell me what I want to know, or you will regret it.” He remained hidden deep in shadow, never allowing her to see his face.

“I want nothing.” She stopped turning, stopped fighting. Just then she was done playing the game. The exhaustion hit her harder than she’d ever expected and she dropped to her knees. “I can’t give you the answers you want. I don’t have them.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She kept her gaze focused on the hands folded in her lap. “I don’t know. I left. He might be there, he might be somewhere else entirely with his mate. I simply don’t know.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Before she could consider what he meant, a bright flash of blue light blinded her. A sharp pain burned from her eyeballs through her brain before the world went black.

*~*

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*~*

 

 

Bounty for Love by AJ Williams

 

| Amazon | B&N | ARe | Smashwords |

Alek Kairis is a man on a mission to keep those around him safe from the dangers of a lurking dirty cop. But, before he can protect everyone, Alek learns of a deep secret that could not just change his life, but change his ability to protect those around him.

Tess Michaels only wanted her brother’s safety; she did not realize that she too would be placed in danger. Yet, the danger that is following her is not the only threat she faces. When she learns the truth of who her son’s father is, not only will her life change, but so will her child’s.
Once the truth comes out, there is no going back for Alek or Tess. What’s worse is that their ever-growing attraction is a distraction that neither of them need. Can Tess and Alek work together, or will danger and secrets tear them apart forever?

Meet Debbi Overstreet from Spy Catcher

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?

I’m the lady’s maid to Lady Aleece Taylor, the only daughter to the Duke of Carlisle. We attended a house party and I went as her companion. Little did I know this one event would change my life forever, in a good way.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?

Lord William Gerrard. Many think of him as a rakehell but when he’s with me he behaves like a perfect gentleman. After we first meet he rarely leaves my side, except at night. The first time I saw him he was studying me through a window at the Whitchurch estate. Interestingly, when I glanced up toward him he hid behind a curtain. There seemed to be an almost immediate attraction between us even though he was aware of my true employment which I didn’t know at the time.

What’s your greatest fear?

At first it was being discovered that I was of low birth by members of the ton which could ruin Lady Aleece. Later, I feared people would try to kidnap me and force me into a marriage with a horrible man.

What’s your motto in life?

I really don’t have a motto.

How do the other characters in your book view you?

Much to my astonishment everyone, even the Duchess of Carlisle, saw me as who I really was. Unfortunately I can’t tell you that, so you’ll have to read the book to find out. Trust me, you’ll be as surprised as I was when I found out.

What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?

Neither. Gossip hurts people. I’d rather spend my time helping people.

What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?

I’m not afraid of anything, even the attempts to (sorry but if I continue I’ll spoil the book)

What was your happiest moment?

There are several in the book, beating Lady Aleece and Mr. Thomas in a fishing contest and when I’m with my Lord Gerrard.

 What trait in others do you find most deplorable?

Lying except when it protects someone, like me.

The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

Blue. It’s the color of the sky and with my blonde hair suits me perfectly

*~*~*~*

Blurb-

While acting as chaperone to Lady Aleece at a house party, little does lady’s maid Debbi realize how her life will change.

Not prepared to fall in love nor see a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her, Debbi’s world begins to turn upside down.

After several attempts on her life, and a run-in with yet another look-alike, she uncovers her true heritage, as the unknown daughter of a countess. Having been raised and trained as a lady’s maid, but educated alongside her employer, Debbi begins to wonder in which world she truly belongs.

Only when her new love’s life is threatened does Debbie claim her rightful place and do what’s necessary to save him.

Excerpt:

After breaking her fast Debbi slipped into an old, well-worn grey gown she always wore when fishing. With her custom-made flies in their protective container she and Lady Aleece, who was dressed similarly, descended the stairs to the main floor, there to be met by Lord Gerrard and Mr. Thomas.

As she stepped onto the marble flooring Debbi couldn’t help but notice how her partner, Lord Gerrard not to mention Mr. Thomas were dressed.

Instead of the immaculately turned out gentleman of breeding she notice he was in more versatile attire. He’d chosen a dark brown bandana tied loosely around his neck. His shirt, of a fawn color, was open at the collar showing a hint of tan matching the hue of his face. With the morning already warming he’d eschewed a jacket in favor of a multi-pocketed vest. She could only guess they were for the necessary accessories required when fishing. Covering his legs a pair of heavy, dark brown britches and well-worn boots on his feet.

“Why, Lord Gerrard, if I didn’t know better you look like you’re ready for a day of fishing.”

“Why thank you and I must say your gown is interesting, to say the least,” he responded.

“Before my father took to his sick bed he had been nearly fanatical about fishing and I seem to have caught the same enthusiasm.”

“Then let us be off,” he said with a smile, offering his arm.

Once on the terrace they collected their fly rods and creels from the footman and joined Aleece and Mr. Thomas on the lawn awaiting the earl to announce the start of the contest.

Glancing around at the other guests, in search of one in particular, Debbi wondered how the others save for Susan and Jeff would survive the rigors of this activity. When she spied the man, Debbi moved in such a way that Lord Gerrard was between her and Thompson. This way she could scrutinize him without appearing obvious. After a minute of studying him she turned to Aleece.

“Yes, you’re correct. If I didn’t know better we could almost be brother and sister. Not that I’d want to be related to him in any way.”

When queried by not only Lord Gerrard but also Mr. Thomas she promised to explain at the first opportunity when they were in private.

Author Page:

Secret Cravings Publishing-http://store.secretcravingspublishing...

Meet Debbie Overstreet from Spy Catcher

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?

I’m the lady’s maid to Lady Aleece Taylor, the only daughter to the Duke of Carlisle. We attended a house party and I went as her companion. Little did I know this one event would change my life forever, in a good way.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?

Lord William Gerrard. Many think of him as a rakehell but when he’s with me he behaves like a perfect gentleman. After we first meet he rarely leaves my side, except at night. The first time I saw him he was studying me through a window at the Whitchurch estate. Interestingly, when I glanced up toward him he hid behind a curtain. There seemed to be an almost immediate attraction between us even though he was aware of my true employment which I didn’t know at the time.

What’s your greatest fear?

At first it was being discovered that I was of low birth by members of the ton which could ruin Lady Aleece. Later, I feared people would try to kidnap me and force me into a marriage with a horrible man.

What’s your motto in life?

I really don’t have a motto.

How do the other characters in your book view you?

Much to my astonishment everyone, even the Duchess of Carlisle, saw me as who I really was. Unfortunately I can’t tell you that, so you’ll have to read the book to find out. Trust me, you’ll be as surprised as I was when I found out.

What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?

Neither. Gossip hurts people. I’d rather spend my time helping people.

What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?

I’m not afraid of anything, even the attempts to (sorry but if I continue I’ll spoil the book)

What was your happiest moment?

There are several in the book, beating Lady Aleece and Mr. Thomas in a fishing contest and when I’m with my Lord Gerrard.

 What trait in others do you find most deplorable?

Lying except when it protects someone, like me.

The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

Blue. It’s the color of the sky and with my blonde hair suits me perfectly

*~*~*~*

Blurb-

While acting as chaperone to Lady Aleece at a house party, little does lady’s maid Debbi realize how her life will change.

Not prepared to fall in love nor see a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her, Debbi’s world begins to turn upside down.

After several attempts on her life, and a run-in with yet another look-alike, she uncovers her true heritage, as the unknown daughter of a countess. Having been raised and trained as a lady’s maid, but educated alongside her employer, Debbi begins to wonder in which world she truly belongs.

Only when her new love’s life is threatened does Debbie claim her rightful place and do what’s necessary to save him.

Excerpt:

After breaking her fast Debbi slipped into an old, well-worn grey gown she always wore when fishing. With her custom-made flies in their protective container she and Lady Aleece, who was dressed similarly, descended the stairs to the main floor, there to be met by Lord Gerrard and Mr. Thomas.

As she stepped onto the marble flooring Debbi couldn’t help but notice how her partner, Lord Gerrard not to mention Mr. Thomas were dressed.

Instead of the immaculately turned out gentleman of breeding she notice he was in more versatile attire. He’d chosen a dark brown bandana tied loosely around his neck. His shirt, of a fawn color, was open at the collar showing a hint of tan matching the hue of his face. With the morning already warming he’d eschewed a jacket in favor of a multi-pocketed vest. She could only guess they were for the necessary accessories required when fishing. Covering his legs a pair of heavy, dark brown britches and well-worn boots on his feet.

“Why, Lord Gerrard, if I didn’t know better you look like you’re ready for a day of fishing.”

“Why thank you and I must say your gown is interesting, to say the least,” he responded.

“Before my father took to his sick bed he had been nearly fanatical about fishing and I seem to have caught the same enthusiasm.”

“Then let us be off,” he said with a smile, offering his arm.

Once on the terrace they collected their fly rods and creels from the footman and joined Aleece and Mr. Thomas on the lawn awaiting the earl to announce the start of the contest.

Glancing around at the other guests, in search of one in particular, Debbi wondered how the others save for Susan and Jeff would survive the rigors of this activity. When she spied the man, Debbi moved in such a way that Lord Gerrard was between her and Thompson. This way she could scrutinize him without appearing obvious. After a minute of studying him she turned to Aleece.

“Yes, you’re correct. If I didn’t know better we could almost be brother and sister. Not that I’d want to be related to him in any way.”

When queried by not only Lord Gerrard but also Mr. Thomas she promised to explain at the first opportunity when they were in private.

Author Page:

Secret Cravings Publishing-http://store.secretcravingspublishing...

Tuesday Tales – Picture Prompt

The prompt this week is this picture prompt.

Well, this is much much later in the story. We are off the reservation now and on Kane’s land in Virginia where he is with his charge, Lily–and Velli’s best friend, the man she was arranged to be married to (and did) on the reservation.

Velli is…well, not there.  So much has happened that you all missed, but needless to say, Kane is searching for her.

As always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors:

“You were gone for a while.” Reed’s voice echoed through the trees on Kane’s right.  The man wasn’t in sight, but Kane guessed he was farther than the voice indicated. A touch of magic could do great things when used right.

Kane finished pulling on the pants he’d left in a cubby hole at the end of the lane that led to his driveway. To the left was a rolling open field that led into the foothills.  It was bordered with a useless barbed wire fence due to the wolf rumors in the area.

To the right was his land. The woods between his home and civilization lined the lane so thick, his driveway was almost completely hidden down toward the end of it. He loved the privacy it afforded. Especially since the owner of the land beyond the fence was one of those survivalists that had decided to live off the land in preparation of the inevitable apocalypse. The man kept to himself and as long as Kane stayed off his land, he wasn’t dinner for the freak.

“Any luck?” Reed’s question was pointless.  If luck had been on Kane’s side Velli would be with him, or he wouldn’t be home.

Still, Kane had begrudgingly started to like the guy, so he allowed himself to respond with only a moderate amount of sarcasm. “Yeah. She’s in my pocket. Oh wait, until I put my pants on I didn’t have one.”

“Classy. Just tell me what happened.”

“The Wolf took me west. Every time I tried to head north back to Canada, he pulled me west. We ended up in Colorado before whatever connection he felt disappeared again.” Kane tugged on his boots and started down the lane toward his driveway. “Her Wolf is dying. We keep losing the bond.”

*~*

Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!

*~*

 

 

Gravely Inanimated by Elizabeth Kolodziej

| Amazon | B&N |

Blurb:

It has been thirty years since England was plagued by zombies. Humans fear for their lives while the dead kill the living.

By the cover of night, a man known only as Aeron hunts these creatures. On one foggy evening he finds Lucille Knight’s life in jeopardy and Aeron’s interest is instantly peaked when he saves the young lady.

But Aeron will have competition when Lucy meets Lord Garrett Ashdown, son of the Inventor, Earl Thomas.

Lucy is drawn to the masked man and equally mysterious Lord. With one concealing his true identity and the other hiding a ghastly secret, she does not know which one is less dangerous.

Will she be able to be with the man she chooses when she learns the awful truth?

Excerpt:

Zombies limped toward me, bloody and disfigured, a chaste moon slinging shadows against their lurching fingers. Their crimson-splattered mouths were hungry for my flesh. A few pulled the lower half of their bodies with their ashen, supple hands.

Some moved faster than others; they must have fed recently. How I had been stupid enough to head home from a friend’s house at such a late hour baffled me now.  Thirty years since the zombie apocalypse and sixteen years since my birth meant I had grown up knowing what should and should not be done. Yet here I was. Fear caused me to think as clear as a drunkard bent over a garbage pail.

Even though Queen Victoria had commanded a good majority of her soldiers into the streets of England to protect her people, it still remained a bloody mess. Some of us still lived with a false sense of security though.

I screamed, the sound echoing off the brick buildings. The streets were empty. Smart people were safe at home. The others were in taverns dancing and drinking. I wondered if anyone heard me or if everyone was ignoring me, as I had done so many times before.

Puddles of water splashed against me as I ran. My boots kept my feet warm, breath heavy against the cold. My hand caught my fall as I skidded to the left, the back of my leather skirt ripping against a wooden box I raced past. The whistle of a train broke through the sound of death following close behind. I ran into a chain-linked fence, and my rubber soles scraped against the stone road as I came to a halt. I had misjudged my aim. I had meant to go down Lily Road, toward my house. Instead I went down Dead End Road…literally.

With my back against the fence, I stared through my strands of shoddy raspberry-colored hair and into the dead faces before me. Ten of them. Slow and stupid, but large in numbers. The queen tried to keep these diseased creatures under wraps. Over the last few months, they began multiplying and soon became too much for our countries troops.

Again, I let out a petrified scream, but no soldier came. I imagined my neighbors shutting their windows and locking their doors. Another attack wasn’t anything new, and everyone depended on the Queen’s men to help.

Here I was, at the mercy of these demons, my black-and-white thigh-high stockings slithering down from my ruffled petticoat. Even with gloves covering my hands, the coolness of the steel gate behind me seeped through.

Crusty dried blood covered the mouth of the zombie closest to me, and I shut my eyes when his mouth showed teeth stained with yellow.

“You can’t see me, you can’t see me.” I mumbled a childish thought, one would have when only a tot.

The static tenor of a thunderous grinding reverberated in my ears. I opened my eyes. What sounded like the ringing of metal slicing through brittle rock was a sword splitting the flesh and bone of the zombie in front of me. I tried to back into the chain-linked fence, hoping to meld into it and be free from the havoc before me. Blood doused my chest; my eyebrows creased my forehead, my mouth deepening with a frown.

Another zombie with haggard brown pieces of hair staggered up to me. Her hand crept toward my face. My muscles clenched, matching my corset-tightened waist. I pressed the side of my face against the steel to the point I knew it would leave an impression. Peeking through the corner of my eye, I witnessed a blade strike her temple. The blood of the monster squirted against me and I flinched.

A gloved hand grabbed my shoulder, and an arm came under me before I experienced cool air sweeping against my sweaty face. The ground became distant as I was lifted over the fence and to the open road on the other side. My blood pumped with fright while I pounded the body holding me, afraid I had been captured by another type of monster. Arms grasped me closer as if I was Hade’s captor, Persephone, and we were crossing through to the underworld.

“Stop that or I’ll toss you back to be food.” He had an acute amorous voice.

One calloused hand was around my thigh and his other held my waist. The rapid wind assaulted me as he took us both away from the zombies now obscured in my rear view.

I was being rescued by some pale stranger with long black hair hiding behind a mask. Thoughts turned into a jumbled mess as I wondered if I should scream for rescue or hold on tighter. How could I know if he was truly here to help me or saved me only to murder me himself?

It was hard to see through it all, but I knew his eyes were boring into me. My breath caught as I feared what we might run into with his vision diverted. My face flushed f

Hump Day Hook 36 – Derailed #Giveaway #HDH

Another Hump Day Hook!

More than that, it’s giveaway week!!  As Derailed has been my latest release I’m having a giveaway for this book!!  (Never fear, if you haven’t read book 1, Changing Tracks we can do that one instead).

Oh, let’s make it sweeter…here’s the giveaway:

One lucky commenter will win one of the following.

1. An ebook copy of both Changing Tracks and Derailed

Or, in the case of already having Changing Tracks

2. An ebook copy of Derailed & either a $5GC to Amazon (or BN) or an ARC of Dark Territory when it’s ready – readers choice!!

The contest will end at 9PM on Thursday July 18th, and the winner will be notified via email.

*~*

Onto the hook!  No details behind this one…it would give things away  :

Why did this have to happen again? Damn him. “Damn you, Cole Mitchell. You made me lie to you. I never lied to you until that moment. How could you do that to me? How could you? I wouldn’t have made you—”

 

*~*

Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published.  Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library!  To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:

An Interview with Jesse Colter of Loving Sarah

 Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?

My name is Jesse Colter, 36, former SEAL, now Chief of Police of the town I grew up in, Marshall’s Creek, Virginia.  My childhood sucked—my father was a drunk and a bully who liked nothing more than to take out his frustrations on me.  My mother disappeared when I was a kid.  He always claimed she ran away with another man, but I’ve always suspected he killed her.  I came to my author’s attention the day I rescued Sarah Marshall from falling out of a tree.

 What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?

Sarah Marshall is the only woman I have ever loved, the only woman I ever will love.  I met her the summer she was 13, dangling upside down from a broken tree limb 40 feet above the ground.  I was nineteen, but she intrigued me.  She was an arresting combination of child and adult.  She grew up rich, but her childhood sucked as much as mine did, just in different ways.  Her father had no time for her, so she was raised by tutors and nannies.  She was the first person to really listen to me.  To value my opinion.  To actually seek it out.  She bullied me into reading all her favorite books just so she could get my opinion on them.  She turned me into an inveterate reader, for which I’ll always be grateful.  My life was a throwaway until I met Sarah.  But I knew if I claimed her, I would ruin her life, and so I left, a decision that would nearly destroy both of us. A decision I will spend the rest of my life making up to her.  Because I can’t imagine my life without her.

What’s your greatest fear?

I’m a dominant—so is my best friend Adam, who also happens to be in love with Sarah.  We want to introduce her to the D/s way of life, but we’re afraid that the abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-fiance will not let her submit to us.  I can’t change what I am, but if it comes down to having to choose between BDSM or Sarah, I’ll choose Sarah, even at the risk of losing part of myself.

 What’s your motto in life?

Honesty

 How do the other characters in your book view you?

My best friend and brother, Adam Sinclair, knows me as a dom, a fellow SEAL, and a man of principle.  We love and admire each other.

What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?

Since I believe that honesty is the only way to build trust, I want nothing to do with gossip.

What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?

I’m sexy (lol).  I love fiercely and forever, and will fight to the death to protect those I cherish.  I abhor bullies and abusers of women—any women.  Women are to be loved, revered, protected and treasured.  With a little spanking thrown in just to spice things up.

What was your happiest moment?

When Sarah told me she loved me.

What trait in others do you find most deplorable?

I deplore dishonesty.

The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?

I would be deep purple, because that is the color of passion.

 

*~*~*~*

| Amazon | B&N | Siren-Bookstrand | Kobo | Sony | Google Play |

Eight years ago Jesse Colter fled his small town, leaving behind eighteen-year-old Sarah Marshall.  Now a retired Navy SEAL, he’s back and he wants only one thing—Sarah Marshall—preferably bound, naked and kneeling before him.

Sarah has never forgotten Jesse.  He’s been the object of all her sexual fantasies since she was fifteen, as well as the star of nightly dreams that have become increasingly erotic over the years.  So when he suddenly reappears in her life, she warily agrees to let him introduce her to his world—the world of BDSM.  When he also introduces her to his best friend, Adam Sinclair, Sarah faces the challenge of submitting to two powerful, Dominant men.

But Sarah has an even bigger problem.  A stalker.  Someone from her past who is determined to destroy any chance she has at happiness.  Can Adam and Jesse love and protect her?  Or will her world explode in betrayal and violence that will destroy them all?

*~*

EXCERPT

Uh-oh.  She was in trouble now.  A quick glance in her rear view mirror confirmed the

strobing red and blue lights of the unmarked police cruiser behind her, a black, Humvee H3 Alpha, powerful and forbidding, with a slight air of menace.  Just like its occupant.

Jesse Colter.

Sarah’s throat thickened and she suddenly couldn’t breathe.  She shut her eyes, trying to calm herself, but her nerves felt like stinging nettles burning her skin.  Why hadn’t anyone told her that the newly-hired Chief of Police she was scheduled to meet with today was Jesse Colter?  She’d left work the moment she heard his name, desperate to avoid this very encounter.  I’m not ready, she thought, pushing against the panic that threatened to overwhelm her.  I’ll never be ready!

Blowing out her breath, she wiped her sweating hands on her skirt.  Her belly clenched as hot juice gathered in her feminine folds.  How could he still affect her like this?  She hadn’t seen him for eight years.  Not since he’d abruptly disappeared the day of her eighteenth birthday.

At least, she hadn’t seen him in person.

But she had seen him nearly every night of those eight years.  In her dreams.  She’d seen him and tasted him and felt him as if he’d been real.  As if he’d been there.  She’d seen him rising over her, preparing to enter her.  Tasted his full, moist lips and thrusting tongue.  Felt his massive cock stretching her, filling her until she was sobbing and screaming out his name—only to wake up on the edge of an explosive orgasm that melted away even as he melted away, like a chalk painting in the rain.  Her dreams of Jesse were just that.  Dreams.

Eyes riveted to the side mirror, she watched, dry-mouthed as he unfolded himself from the interior of the Hummer and rose to his full height of six feet three inches.  He stood without moving, just staring in her direction, his eyes hidden behind the mirrored lenses of his aviator sunglasses.

God, he was even more gorgeous than she remembered.  Gypsy-dark, panther-lean, his magnificent body was taut with the unyielding ripple of tempered steel.  Her eyes roamed over his beloved face, with its strong, square jaw, hawk’s beak of a nose and full, sensuous lips.  And those killer cheekbones—Lord have mercy.  To Sarah’s eyes, there had always been something raw and untamed about him.

There still was.

*~*

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Julie has always loved stories, both reading and writing them, ever since she was old enough to hold a book in her hands.  One of her favorite childhood activities was smuggling books under the covers to read by flashlight after she was supposed to be asleep.

A career as a children’s librarian eventually led to her dream career as a freelance storyteller and puppeteer, a business she operated successfully for twenty-five years.  During that time she created and wrote all the original material for a monthly language arts newsletter full of poems, songs, puppet and flannel-board stories, fingerplays, and other resource material for early childhood educators.  For that endeavor she won the prestigious EDPRESS Award for the best educational newsletter of 1982.  She has also written other resource materials for preschool and early elementary teachers.

After moving more than two dozen times in her life, Julie lives in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.  Now widowed and retired, she once again has time to devote to her two favorite things—reading and writing—especially her new love, erotic romances

MY LINKS:

www.facebook.com/Juliesheltonauthor

www.juliesheltonauthor.com

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16162502-loving-sarah

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?trk=tab_pro&id=241889558

www.amazon.com/author/julieshelton

Tuesday Tales – Court

The prompt this week is Court.

I’m actually much farther than this in the re-writes, but Jean was curious what Velli looked like, so I brought out this excerpt from earlier in the story.  It actually fit with the prompt already, but it’s a little longer…

At this point Kane has been on Tribe lands for only two days…and hasn’t yet met Velli properly…and he still isn’t going to

As always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors:

Through the woods echoed the faint sounds of cheering. Men egged on a mock battle.  The grunts and hits mixed into the cheers of at least two dozen men. Those in battle were holding court over more warriors than Kane had anticipated.  Curious at how well the warriors handled themselves, Kane moved toward the battle.

Using years of skill to remain undetected, he got close enough to see and hear that one of the warriors kept a strong lead.  He circled around until a clear shot of the two in battle made him stop short.

It wasn’t two Warriors battling.

It was just one Warrior and that woman.  The one that had captured his attention at his arrival and remained in his periphery like a ghost since.  Without a doubt the woman had an advantage over the trained Warrior. With an easy grace of movement she laid the Warrior out for loss.

It surprised him for the mere fact that she was almost child-like in size.  In fact at first glance that’s what he’d thought she was.  So short that he imagined her nose would barely touch his chest.

The height didn’t matter, her body and her disposition were all woman. Now as she battled he took another extra few minutes to admire that body again.  Even in battle her feet were bare, leading to slender ankles and lean calves.  Instead of a traditional dress she wore skins mirroring white man style.

Small shorts that exposed most of her legs. Every twitch of the strong muscles in her thighs when she kicked her opponent was on display. For a brief moment his mind latched onto the thought of how those strong legs would feel clamped around his waist.

He pushed aside the thought to continue his perusal.  And there was plenty more to see. The top she wore wrapped tight around her chest, and cropped short just below her breasts. The bare flesh of her stomach showed not a lick of fat, just more lean muscle.

The skins strained over an ample, but not obscene bosom.  Despite the amount of skin she revealed, her chest remained covered. Perhaps in preparation for battle she had them well restrained. Not that he’d have minded seeing any slip of skin.

The male she fought charged, and she spun. She bent at the torso, her leg kicking out to catch the arm that was about to swing a knife at her. The moment she made impact, he ducked to avoid further attack, but she anticipated. She continued her spin and gripped his ankles, flipping him and herself right over top of him. Somehow in the move she managed to take his weapon and step out of the flip.

Even though she’d partially disarmed him, she tossed the weapon she’d gained to the crowd. As he hopped to his feet, she moved away to face him again.  This time she made the charge, feigning right before gripping his left arm and flipping him again.

The cheers grew intense, the exchange of bets growing with each moment of battle.

Out of nowhere the woman he’d been watching grew still.  It didn’t take any effort to figure out she’d spotted him.  There was a crooked lift of her lips, amusement dancing across her features.

Behind her the Warrior moved, and Kane had to fight back the urge to call out a warning.  Not that he had to. In the moment before the blunt edge of the Warrior’s second knife made contact she moved.

Her whole body dropped straight down before spinning around to kick the Warriors legs out from under him. It ended minutes later when the knife she’d tucked in the back of her top drove into the ground right next to the Warrior’s ear.

“Féna!” She snapped, lifting the knife for another attack.  Her knees drove into his biceps, the muscles of her thighs twitching at his fight.  “Yield!”

The Warrior’s hand tapped the ground and a brief nod came even through his frown.  The cheers of the group were mixed, a few of the men had won big on their bets.

In a rare display his Wolf growled its approval.  Never once in all of his many years had the Wolf cared one way or another for a woman.  Now he made his desire known alongside Kane’s. This woman was unique. He wondered if her Shift might be compatible with his.

Now that the group started to mingle and break up he slipped away through the trees.  Not that he didn’t want to get to know any others in the Tribe. Right now he just wanted to get his full strength and bearings back first.

Of course he also wanted to find out about that woman.  Why she alone had stirred his Wolf to attention.

“So I take it you like to watch.”

A shiver ran down his back. Her voice wove through him easily, adding to the images his imagination already employed.  “Depends on what I’m watching.”

“I see. What is it about a battle that gets you going then? Is it the men? I mean, we do have some fine Warriors.” Her light laughter teased him, “Trust me, I know.”

“It wasn’t the Warriors that made me linger.” Much as he wanted to turn around, he knew that seeing her would add to his mental imagery. It could be very detrimental to a logical conversation. If he cared about such a thing. Then again, did he really care about such a thing? Because, damn. She made it seem unimportant.

“Honest. Well, either you’re honest or you just don’t like me thinking you’re ogling men.” The light touch of her fingers to his arm sent a jolt through his entire body. What the hell was it about her?

“No. Just honest. If you were honest you’d admit that you were angling for me to watch you. From the start.” He quirked a brow, “That’s why you haven’t approached me yet. Right?”

“Oooh, conceited too.” A light chuckle reached his ears. Then she stepped around him her presence a rich heat against the sudden cold pit in his stomach.  Chocolate eyes, deeper than he’d imagined sought him out. The sun caught her hair, revealing a red undertone unexpected in a native of the Tribe. Then again, nothing about this woman was expected. “Perhaps I’ve just been very busy. There is a wedding happening very soon, you know.”

“So I’ve heard. The Chief’s son and the Medicine Man’s daughter. Quite a pairing.” Truth be told he’d met neither of the betrothed youths. Then again he’d met very few people on the reservation yet. By choice.  “Are you saying you’re involved?”

A small twitch at the corner of delicious lips belied her amusement, “Yes. I know both of them very well. The wedding is keeping everyone busy.”

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Craving Cowboys – Blog Hop & #Giveaway

Oh goody, a blog hop just for the cowboys. ~sigh~

I could wax poetic for hours about what I love about a cowboy.

Because there’s plenty.

But I’m short on time this weekend, as I’m working on a series with the cowboy’s “opposite” in culture…Indians.

So I’m going to make this real easy on you folks.

My Dominion Falls series has a bad-boy that can handle horses (Cole) – he’s the go-to horse trainer in town, even over Archie, who owns the livery.

It also has a good boy cowboy-turned miner (David).  He’s so good he’ll make your teeth hurt with his sweetness.

In order to win an ebook copy of both books (so far) in my Dominion Falls series* you just need to answer a simple question…

Which side of the coin do you prefer?  The good ol’ boy, David – or the bad-boy Cole?  

It’s that easy!

For more giveaways on the tour, head on over to the Secret Cravings Publishing blog to find them! (or just click on that picture up there, it’ll take you to SCP too)

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*Disclaimer: Winner will receive one ebook copy of Changing Tracks and Derailed. If winner has one or both books, we can discuss alternate options from gift cards to advance copy of book 3, Dark Territory or a copy of Masked Hearts.