Dani Collins's Blog, page 40

Bites Of Books - Hometown Hero

I recently completed and submitted my thirtieth book. I'm celebrating by offering a taste from each one. Enjoy!

This is one of my favourite covers ever. Hometown Hero kicked off my now seven book career with Tule. If you like series, start here. I'll post the titles for the rest of the Love In Montana series below the excerpt.

~ * ~

Skye and Chase had an unspoken crush on each other in high school. They're getting their second chance and this is their first kiss.

“Can I do something, Skye? It’s not a come-on, I swear, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” He moved into her space.

She swallowed and held her ground, but had the feeling of a groundhog being cast in the shadow of a low-flying hawk. “What?” she prompted.

He set firm hands on her arms and slowly drew her against the heat of his big body.

Indecision had her hands rising nervously between them, but her arms folded as his wrapped around her and he molded her into his hard shape. He even set a wide hand on the back of her head to urge her into resting her cheek against the warm hollow below his shoulder. She was barefoot so the top of her head barely reached his collarbone and his jaw rubbed against her hair while he smoothed his hands reassuringly all over her back.

It wasn’t an aggressive, sexual move. They’d shared some really personal things in the last few minutes and this was a sweet embrace to seal the connection.

It was something Terry would do.

That thought made her stiffen until she realize Chase was stiffening—

“Um—” she blurted, jerking away.

“Yeah, I really meant that to be just a hug.” He eased his hold but left his hands loosely resting on her hips, allowing enough space for her to look up and see his rueful grin. “Let that be proof you’re doing just fine at attracting a man.”

It was the kind of boost her crushed womanhood really, really needed. They hadn’t even kissed and he was hard? Her eyes began to sting and her heart rate skipped into an uncertain gallop.

“I desperately want to kiss you right now,” he said gruffly, one hand rising into her periphery, hesitating, then resting on the side of her neck.

He was giving her time to decide and she’d already made this decision. As he set a possessive hand over her throat and tilted her chin with his thumb, she lifted on tiptoes, meeting the crush of his mouth.

And it was brilliant. No hesitation on his part. The opposite. Mastery. Hunger. He knew exactly what he was doing and it took her apart at the first indrawn hiss of her breath. In fact, she could hardly keep up under the onslaught of sensations. He kissed with firm, assertive masculine want, carefully grinding their mouths together, spreading dampness so their lips slid deliciously and a rush of excitement poured through her, culminating in a flood of wet heat between her legs.

Her arms curled around the back of his neck instinctively, mashing her tingling breasts into the hardness of his chest and even though he held her so close and tight it almost hurt, she loved it. His hands moved on her back, digging into her muscles and sliding low, encouraging her as she leaned her straining, reaching body into his. He caught her bottom lip in a gentle bite and lashed the plumped flesh with his tongue, then released it and swept to soothe the flesh before he delved into her mouth, flicking and coaxing her to play her tongue against his.

Oh God, she could barely breathe, but they only broke away to switch sides and threw themselves into another famished kiss, one she returned from a place of instinct and passion. She knew she ought to be having some kinds of thoughts, but her brain totally shorted out, leaving her flashfiring with bursts of excitement and contractions in delicious pleasure points. This was how it was supposed to be. She understood now.

Except, just as she was giving herself over to the mindlessness of it, his hands tightened on her arms and he set her away, sucking a pained breath through his teeth as he said, “Dinner. We have to leave now or we might not get out of here at all.”

She looked at where her hands had trailed down to rest on his chest. Her trembling fingers rose and fell with his panting breaths. Her own lungs were gasping for oxygen while her head swam and giddy desire filled her.

Real desire. Crazy, let’s do it in the road desire.

His hands moved restlessly up and down her arms. “Skye? I could really use your help here, ‘cause much as we professional athletes have a reputation to uphold, I don’t usually sleep with a woman this fast. Dinner first, for sure.”

“You really want to, though, don’t you?” she asked with wonder, needing to work up the courage to lift her lashes and read his face.

His expression flickered with bafflement, then slow understanding dawned and finally softened to tenderness. “No one since Terry? Really?”

“Not even a date. I’m using you. I’m sorry.” She withdrew her touch, quirking a sheepish look up at him. “I need to get back in the game, Chase. Do you mind taking one for the team?”

His brows came together in pain at her metaphor, but an amused smirk danced around his mouth. “I don’t know, Skye. Seems like a helluva favor to ask a guy when he’s been wanting to make out with you for nearly a decade.”

“You did not,” she scoffed, backing up a step.

He sent her an impactful look that put a funny feeling low in her belly.

“I wanted to make out with you, too,” she admitted nervously, stepping into a cavernous space, still not quite believing he could fully return what she had always felt around him, but wanting to.

He closed his eyes, hands fisting at his sides, reassuring her with the way he seemed to struggle for control. “That is not helping us get on the road, sweetheart. Now go fetch your purse so I can behave like a gentleman.”

He kept his eyes closed and she knew she should do exactly what he said, but getting back here and continuing what they’d started is all she would be thinking about for the two-hour drive and two-hour dinner and...

Letting instinct and desire take over, she moved forward, slid her arms around his waist and lifted to press her lips near his Adam’s apple.

His arms came around her, caging her in an embrace both possessive and protective, but stilling her from provoking him further. “You’re sure?” he said.

“I even stole condoms from the health room. They’re upstairs. That sounds horribly premeditated, but I wouldn’t have told you unless you seemed to want this, too and...you seem to. Which is really amazing to me when....” She licked her lips, encouraged by the way his gaze narrowed on her mouth. “Are you okay with, um—” She swallowed. “Kind of being my first?”

“Put me in, Coach.”

~ * ~

Amazon

US | CA | UK | AUS | Nook | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo

Want more? Read the opening of Hometown Hero in this #SampleSunday post from when the book released in 2014.

Here are the Love In Montana books in order:

Book One: Hometown Hero

Book Two: Blame The Mistletoe

Book Three: The Bachelor's Baby

Book Four: His Blushing Bride

Book Five: His Christmas Miracle (releases Oct 27, 2016)

Note: Scorch takes place in Glacier Creek, but links to His Blushing Bride. We'll callout Book 4 1/2.

Want to be the first to see an excerpt of an upcoming book? Join my newsletter! You'll auto-magically receive a link to download Cruel Summer, a short ebook romance I wrote exclusively for my subscribers.

Bites Of Books - A Debt Paid In Passion

I recently completed and submitted my thirtieth book. I'm celebrating by offering a taste from each book in my backlist. Enjoy!

One of my favourite things about A Debt Paid In Passion is this nice, dramatic opening. Enjoy!

~ * ~

LOOK AT ME, Raoul Zesiger willed Sirena Abbott.

He had to lean back in his chair to see her past the three men between them. He should have been looking at the judge, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Sirena.

She sat very still, face forward, her profile somber. Her absurdly long gypsy lashes had stayed downswept as his lawyer had risen to speak. She didn’t even flick a glance his direction when her own lawyer stood to plead that jail time was counterproductive, since she needed to work to pay back the stolen funds.

Raoul’s lawyers had warned him this wouldn’t result in incarceration, but Raoul had pressed hard for it. He would see this treacherously innocent-looking woman, with her mouth pouted in grave tension and her thick brunette locks pulled into a deceptively respectful knot, go to jail for betraying him. For stealing.

His stepfather had been a thief. He had never expected to be taken advantage of again, especially by his reliable PA, a woman he’d come to trust to be there, always. But she had dipped her fingers into his personal account.

Then she had tried to manipulate him into going easy by being easy.

He didn’t want the flash of memory to strike. His ears were waiting for the judge to state that this would progress to a sentence, but his body prickled with heat as he recalled the feel of those plump lips softening under his. Her breasts, a lush handful, had smelled of summer. Her nipples were sun-warmed berries against his tongue, succulent and sweet. The heart-shaped backside he’d watched too often as it retreated from his office had been both taut and smooth as he had lifted her skirt and peeled lace down. Thighs like powdered sugar, an enticing musky perfume between that pulled him to hard attention as he remembered how tight—almost virginal—she’d been. But so hot and welcoming.

Because she’d known her criminal act was about to come to light.

His gut clenched in a mixture of fury and unparalleled carnal hunger. For two years he’d managed to keep his desire contained, but now that he’d had her, all he could think about was having her again. He hated her for having such power over him. He could swear under oath that he’d never hurt a woman, but he wanted to crush Sirena Abbott. Eradicate her. Destroy her.

The clap of a gavel snapped him back to the courtroom. It was empty save for the five of them behind two tables, both facing the judge. His lawyer gave Raoul a resigned tilt of his head and Raoul realized with sick disgust that the decision had gone in Sirena’s favor.

At the other table, partly obscured by her lawyer, Sirena’s spine softened in relief. Her wide eyes lifted to the heavens, shining with gratitude. Her lawyer thanked the judge and set a hand under Sirena’s elbow to help her rise, leaning in to say something to her.

Raoul felt a clench of possessiveness as he watched the solicitous middle-aged lawyer hover over her. He told himself it was anger, nothing else. He loathed being a victim again. She shouldn’t get away with a repayment plan of six hundred pounds a month. That wasn’t reparation. That was a joke.

Why wouldn’t she look at him? It was the least she could do: look him in the eye and acknowledge they both knew she was getting away with a crime. But she murmured something to her lawyer and left the man packing his briefcase as she circled to the aisle. Her sexy curves were downplayed by her sleek jacket and pencil skirt, but she was still alluring as hell. Her step slowed as she came to the gate into the gallery.

Look at me, Raoul silently commanded again, holding his breath as she hesitated, sensing she was about to swing her gaze to his.

Her lips drained of color and her hand trembled as she reached out, trying to find the gate. She stared straight ahead, eyes blinking and blinking—

“She’s fainting!” He shoved past his two lawyers and toppled chairs to reach her even as her own lawyer turned and reacted. They caught her together.

Raoul hated the man anew for touching her as they both eased her to the floor. She was dead weight. He had to catch her head as it lolled. She hadn’t been this insubstantial the last time he’d held her. She hadn’t been fragile.

Raoul barked for first aid.

Someone appeared with oxygen in blessedly short time. He let himself be pushed back a half step, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the way Sirena’s cheeks had gone hollow, her skin gray. Everything in him, breath, blood, thought, ground to a halt as he waited for a new verdict: that she would be okay.

It was his father all over again. The lack of response, the wild panic rising in him as he fought against helplessness and brutal reality. Was she breathing? She couldn’t be dead. Open your eyes, Sirena.

Distantly he heard the attendant asking after preexisting conditions and Raoul racked his brain. She wasn’t diabetic, had never taken medication that he’d seen. He reached for the phone he’d turned off while court was in session, intent on accessing her personnel file, when he heard her lawyer answer in a low murmur.

“She’s pregnant.”

The words burst like shattered glass in his ears.

~ * ~

Amazon

US | CA | UK | AUS | Nook | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo

Do you like free reads? Join my newsletter and you'll auto-magically receive a link to download Cruel Summer, a short ebook romance I wrote exclusively for my subscribers. You'll also get the first chapter of my upcoming release and other goodies.

Join Now

Bites Of Books - Proof Of Their Sin

I recently passed the thirty mark (three-zero) on completed and submitted books. True story. I'm celebrating by setting up Bites of Books, a new feature that will give you a taste of my backlist.

Today's Special - Proof Of Their Sin

Lauren slept with Paolo the day after learning her husband was dead. The men were best friends. Now she has arrived at a white-tie ball to inform Paolo that she is expecting his child...

Seeing him was far, far harder than she’d expected. He’d been incredibly remote the next morning as the press release was read. She’d been frozen herself, just trying to get through the days until the funeral. The Bradleys had closed ranks, creating a buffer that kept Paolo from approaching. At least, that’s what Lauren had thought at the time, when she’d spared a thought beyond her inward twisting of anguish, grief, and guilt. She’d been grateful not to speak to Paolo after the shameless way she’d behaved.

Now, however, everything was different. Or was it? She was still dying inside at her brazen behavior. Part of her was second guessing her decision to come here. She’d been a fool to imagine there’d been any emotion on his side that night. Obviously it had been nothing more than an exercise in physical gratification. He wasn’t showing any enthusiasm for seeing her. This was the same man who’d frozen her out most of the times she’d seen him. Best to cut to the chase and leave.

“Actually, I’m not here to wine and dine, Paolo. I need to speak to you. I tried to book an appointment through your assistant.”

He kept a bored look on his face while people around them cast curious glances their way. “With the death of your husband, cara, I thought my ties to you were finally severed and we’d never speak again.” Nice. He really did despise her to the core.

Because of Charleston? Or did it go back to her wedding day?

She had never understood Paolo except to liken him to Ryan: driven by his ego and masculine desires, slaying women without even trying because females eagerly set themselves up for the little death such potent men promised.

And delivered. She almost had to shut her eyes to beat back the memory of how beautifully Paolo delivered.

She reminded herself she was one of many women who wished they knew him better, but honestly, she’d had so few occasions to try. He’d bought her a drink in a bar despite being engaged to another woman then sat back while his friend pursued her. He’d kissed her with unexpected passion at her wedding reception then snubbed her when Lauren tried to speak to him a few years later at Ryan’s birthday.

In Charleston he’d been solicitous and tender, then ardent and insatiable.

Then cold. Sub-Arctic cold.

She hadn’t exactly been impressed with herself at that point, making love to her husband’s best friend the night before his death was announced, so she ought to face his hostility without feeling as though a chisel was being hammered directly into her heart, but his enmity hurt. He didn’t have to be madly in love with her, but he did owe her a few minutes to tell him they had a tie between them that could never be severed.

A woman in midnight blue chose that moment to join them, forcing Paolo to drag his gaze with visible annoyance from trying to penetrate Lauren’s to the inquiring face of a woman with unmistakable Italian coloring.

“Isabella,” Paolo said in a tense tone. He slid a possessive arm around her and brushed her cheekbone with his lips, provoking a surprised widening of her eyes. “May I introduce Mrs. Ryan Bradley? An old friend.”

His tone was dismissive, emphasizing ‘old’. Former. A possession of his friend.

Isabella was twenty if she was a day and Lauren felt ancient before her. She was acutely aware of her status as a widow. A cynical and jaded one.

Nevertheless, she managed a courteous, “Call me Lauren, please. Since no one else seems to.” She cast that at both Paolo and the world, accompanying the request with an offering of her hand.

It trembled. She hadn’t let herself think of Paolo with a woman in his life. Seeing him touch Isabella made sharp talons rip into her from the souls of her feet right up to the base of her throat. Of course he had women in his life. They all did.

Isabella cast a look between them, trying to read what may have happened during the infamous disappearance of Ryan Bradley’s wife into the rarely used penthouse of his close friend the night before Captain Bradley’s death was revealed.

Paolo maintained a stoic expression. Nothing, his flat gaze said.

Lauren had perfected the same poker face and baldly showed it to Isabella.

While remaining burningly conscious that her waistline would soon reveal their big, fat lie.

“I can only stay a few minutes,” Lauren excused, thinking that must sound bizarre considering she’d obviously spent as many hours on her appearance as every other woman here. “Would you be very offended if I claimed a dance? I only wished to say hello to Paolo as I was passing through New York. He’s been so kind.” She choked a little on the adjective.

Had it been pity that had prompted him to make love to her? The thought had been lashing her like a whip since he’d given in with a shudder and a curse. Her hand longed to go to her waistline in an attempt to protect her developing baby from such a pitiable start.

“Of course,” Isabella said magnanimously. “And please accept my sincere condolences.”

Appearances again. It seemed Lauren was just as guilty as the rest of the world. Sickly guilty, if she let herself dwell on it, which she tried not to. She woke in a cold sweat too often, worrying her husband’s death was her fault. He hadn’t been happy about her request for a divorce. Had it made him extra reckless when foiling those terrorists?

Pressing the suspicion to the back of her mind, she accepted the condolences for the sake of Ryan’s family, squeezed Isabella’s hand with appreciation and avoided the delving look Paolo turned on her. Ten minutes, she swore to herself. Then she could wrestle herself out of this dress and all the other confines of her life. She would be a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, able to fly into places she’d never dreamed when she’d been a lowly silkworm tied by emotional threads to her grandmother’s estate of maple trees.

“Why here then?” Paolo asked as he steered her toward the dance floor, his tone growling with disapproval. “If you only wanted a few minutes of my time?”

“I—” She had to pull herself together as he set confident hands on her, leading her into a waltz. It had been years since she’d taken the lessons, imagining dancing with Ryan in Vienna when she joined him there, but the trip had never materialized. Nothing truly exciting had ever happened to her.

Except discovering she was pregnant with this man’s baby.

Lauren faltered, searching her memory for the steps and searching for a clear thought in the haze that closed in with Paolo’s disconcerting presence.

Wide shoulders filled her vision. His clean-shaven jaw tempted her lips to lift and taste. He’d been stubbled and masculine and hot, so unquenchably, passionately hot. Demanding when he took control. Skilled and confident and ravenous. Like a wild animal let out of his cage, running her to ground and feasting on her.

Her breath shortened and sexual heat suffused her, making her quiver, filling her nostrils with his familiar scent. It had only been the one night. How could she know his dark, espresso scent so well she could find him blindfolded in this heavily perfumed crowd?

“You’re making a fool of yourself,” he muttered.

The words sliced through her, withering a very sensitive nerve. She knew she lacked experience and sophistication. Why else had her husband cheated on her? Paolo didn’t need to rub it in, though.

Lauren flashed him a livid glance from eyes that burned, but he wasn’t looking at her. He wasn’t aware she was melting under his touch.

“Be a merry widow for your next husband,” he said scathingly. “Ryan deserves better.”

Ryan had lived a double life.

“He had his mail delivered to his mother’s,” she said, shying at the last moment from shattering Ryan’s precious image. He was dead and he’d died with honor even if he hadn’t entirely lived so. “The invitation was forwarded in a packet they sent to me.”

It had been post-marked the day Ryan had gone missing. The engraved envelope was one she’d seen annually and always wound up throwing away because her husband had never been home to take her.

“Initially it only meant that you’d be in New York. I wanted an appointment to see you in your office, but your schedule was booked and my grandmother’s closet is full of dresses like this. When else would I wear one?”

Pride had made her do this. Pride and a perverse desire to thumb her nose at expectations and propriety. Frances Hammond had come home pregnant with her head held high. Lauren Bradley intended to leave the same way.

She lifted her chin, daring him to take that away from her.

Nothing. Not one iota of reaction. Only a disinterested, “Why did you want to see me?”

The moment of truth. She waited until he’d spun her so her back was to the majority of the crowd, making lip-reading from across the room less likely. “I needed to tell you that I’m...” She found the Italian word she’d looked up special. “Incinta.”

If the language switch caused him any confusion, he didn’t show it. In fact, he showed little reaction at all, beyond one contemptuous glance down his nose.

“Congratulations. Whose is it?”

~ * ~

Amazon: US | CA | UK | AUS | Nook | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo

Do you enjoy linked books? Paolo and Lauren make a guest appearance in Bought By Her Italian Boss and a smaller appearance in A Debt Paid In Passion.

Want to catch all my news and free reads? Join my Reader Group! You'll receive a link to download Cruel Summer, a short story ebook romance as a welcome gift.

Reviews - The Secret Beneath The Veil

I'm super thrilled with the reviews I've seen on Amazon and Goodreads for The Secret Beneath The Veil. Thank you!

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

From Amazon:

"This was a story I couldn't stop thinking about throughout the day when I wasn't able to continue reading while at work, which seems to be a trademark of Collins ability for great storytelling. Several of her previous books have stayed with me and that's the reason she's become such a favorite of mine. If you're in need of an escapist read then you'll enjoy this one too."

and

"Good grief. No one gets straight to my heart like Dani Collins! This story was an emotional rollercoaster ride that didn't stop until the very end. Flawless writing with never a dull moment. Absolutely loved it."

From Goodreads:

"I was hooked from page one on this exciting twist on an arranged marriage plot!"

and

"The Secret Beneath the Veil has everything you need in a story; the dramatic scenes at the beginning, the continued exciting ride as Vi and Mikolas get to know and almost trust each other, the suspense with Vi's step dad, the emotion of Vi and Mikolas falling in love, the angst when Vi realises it's a lost cause... Absolutely loved this story and couldn't recommend it enough. 6 stars!"

Thank you so much!

Did you know that honest reviews are super helpful to authors? On the retail platforms they help in ranking and visibility and, of course, help readers to decide whether they'd like to try a particular title. If you have the time, please leave a review. On behalf of my fellow authors, we're eternally grateful!

Other News

I've been teasing quite a bit about my Christmas book, but honestly, I'm trying to hold off as long as I can because the holiday bombardment will start soon enough. Things are coming together behind the scenes very nicely, but I'll save telling you about it for another post.

This week, I've been playing catch up from being away in Oregon. I'm making good headway on my To Do list, But I also did the forbidden. I began writing a Presents that comes out after the one that is due in a few weeks. I know. Gasp!

In my defence, these are the final two stories in the Sauveterre Siblings quartet. I needed to know some things about that final story and the youngest sister before I could continue Ramon and Isidora's story.

Starting today, I'm kicking butt on word count for Ramon and Isidora, trying to find them their HEA. It won't be easy. Isidora had a crush on Ramon from an early age and he was a real jerk to her. She is not in the mood to forgive.

Luckiest Day Of The Year

As you may already know, I'm a bit of a junkie for astrology. Apparently tomorrow, Sunday Sept 25, 2016, is the luckiest day of the year when Jupiter (gifts and luck) brushes elbows with the sun (life and strength.)

It's supposed to be a good time to launch something important. Do I have a book ready? No, dang it, I don't. But the new moon next Friday (in libra) is also supposed to be a good time to start something new, so I'm waiting to start writing a new book then.

I'm going to try to buy a lotto ticket tomorrow. Of course, now you probably will too. Hopefully we'll both win.

Either way, I expect it means everyone's weekend will be stellar. Enjoy!

Dani

Back To Work

Good morning! We left this on Friday (Cannon Beach, OR):

And came home to this (near Princeton, BC):

Actually, it rained all night, the skies cleared, and right now it's gorgeous and sunny, if cool. I'll get my walk in, then I have to get groceries.

We've been away a full week and a little too much of it was driving. Live and learn. We poked our way down to the redwoods and only had three nights on the coast of Oregon. But that did mean we saw this (Crater Lake). That's me, bundled up. It was very windy:

That was a bucket list item, except it was so wonderful, now we feel like we want to go back. It's still on the list!

I also got to have dinner with Maisey Yates and Megan Crane (aka Caitlin Crews.) There really is nothing like getting together with author friends.

Therefore, I did a little more of that on the way home, swinging through Vancouver to present a workshop with the Greater Vancouver Chapter of RWA. Sorry, no photo. I am the worst at remembering to get a photo of myself at a presentation.

If you'd like to see photos from our trip, visit my Album page on my Facebook profile here.

Now it's back to work for this little scribbler. The best/most frustrating thing about a driving holiday is that my brain is on steroids, bubbling with a thousand ideas. I love plotting while on the road and then suddenly the husband is saying, "Was that where we were supposed to turn?" Huh? What? Oh. Yeah.

So I have lots I want to start and much I must catch up.

Still On Shelves - The Secret Beneath The Veil

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

I'm thrilled to say that The Secret Beneath The Veil has been doing very well! Thank you so much for giving this book so much love!

If you haven't had a chance to read the excerpts from this one, they're here:

Read Chapter One Here
Read the beginning of Chapter Two here
Read their first kiss here


Book Trailer - His Christmas Miracle

I'll be unveiling my Book Trailer for His Christmas Miracle to my newsletter group soon. I have so many pieces to put in place first and, you know, took off to Oregon like I'm some kind of slacker.

But I did show the trailer to my writer group yesterday as part of my workshop and after silence through the background song, there was a collective "Ahhh." Which made me very happy. I hope you'll like it too.

Please join my reader group if you want to see that first peek at the trailer. Bonus: You'll get a free download of Cruel Summer as a welcome gift.

I'll send the trailer out when the pre-order links go live. I know the book is in formatting. Once it's approved and loaded, I should be able to get the links. As I said, many pieces. In the meantime, I do have this pre-order link for iBooks.

If you'd like a peek at

Chapter One of His Christmas Miracle it's here in my newsletter from a few weeks ago.

Now my girlfriend has just asked me to walk so I must get out of my pyjamas and look like a human for a while. Have a terrific Sunday!

Dani

Thank You!

You guys! Look what you've done! Thank you!!

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

I'm so thrilled. Here's one of the reviews:

"Wonderfully exciting and fast paced beginning chapters set the scene for what has become one of my favourite read stories in recent times...
Absolutely loved this story and couldn't recommend it enough. 6 stars!."

Thank you, thank you!

Now, if you haven't had a chance to read any of the excerpts from this one, they're here. Enjoy!

Read Chapter One Here

Read the beginning of Chapter Two here

Read their first kiss here


Road Trip

As a little anniversary present to ourselves, we're taking a road trip to drive the Oregon Coast. It's a bucket list item for both of us. I'm really excited.

We'll finish up in Vancouver, where I'll be leading a workshop at the Greater Vancouver Chapter of Romance Writers of America on Sept 17th. Details are here.

Please watch my Facebook Page for photos, and don't worry if you don't hear from me next week. I might still be on the road, or unpacking--my least favourite thing in the world. It's like tearing off a bandage. If I just set aside the time and do it, I'm fine and it's done. Sadly, I usually just pick and pick and whine and whine.

His Christmas Miracle

I keep promising the cover for my upcoming Christmas book. I'm waiting for pre-order links to go live. At least I have this one for iBooks.

Check out the cover and Chapter One in my newsletter from a few weeks ago. I'll have more on this book soon. I've had a book trailer commissioned, which I'll show to my reader group first, and I'll also have a special Christmas craft that goes with this book. I'm so excited for all of these extras, but I'm also Only One Person.

Please join my reader group to see all these things first. Bonus: You'll get a free download of Cruel Summer as a welcome gift.

Have a terrific week. I'm looking forward to decompressing for a few days and coming back refreshed and ready to share more fun news.

Dani

New Release - The Secret Beneath The Veil

The Secret Beneath The Veil releases today--on a new moon (solar) eclipse. Sounds very portentous, doesn't it?

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

Fun fact: The working title for this book was Runaway Bride. If you've seen my #SampleSunday posts, you'll know why. They're here if you missed them:

Read Chapter One Here

Read the beginning of Chapter Two here

Read their first kiss here


Workshop For Writers

Are you in the Vancouver area? I'll be leading a workshop at the Greater Vancouver Chapter of Romance Writers of America on Sept 17th. Details are here.

They're a welcoming group. Even if you're not a writer, just an avid reader, feel free to drop by and say hello. You'll meet many successful and aspiring authors and I'd love to see you and sign a book for you.

Other News - Christmas is coming...

Have you seen the cover for my upcoming Christmas book? I sent it out with a sneak peek at Chapter One in my newsletter a couple of weeks ago. Take a peek here.

If you like what you see, please join my reader group! You'll get a free download of Cruel Summer as a welcome gift.

I'll have a proper reveal of the Christmas book here soon. I've been inundated with revisions as well as a pile of activity in my personal life. All good stuff with loads of family and visiting all summer, but I've pushed a lot of admin tasks off my plate as a result.

I'm trying not to stress about letting a few work tasks slide in favour of spending time with loved ones. My goal for a long time has been to make time for things other than writing. It can be very all-consuming if I let it. This is a better balance and I'm feeling really good about it.

I hope you've had a tremendous summer.

Dani

Hustled To The Altar - New Cover

A fresh look for my romantic comedy Hustled To The Altar Read more at the links below, then keep reading for some free reads.

Amazon

US | CA | UK | AUS | Nook | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo | Smashwords

Revolving Revisions

I've been in a state of revolving revisions and it's not over.

Revisions come in different sizes and I've had pretty much all of them. Some bigger, structural ones are due any day, but some mid-range tweak-here-make-this-clearer-there came through along with a very detailed line edit and two sets of final copy edits.

I actually love the revision process, even though there are times they make me tear my hair out. But seeing the final product come together is always hugely reassuring. Sometimes I get so deeply stuck in a story, I have lost any sense of whether it hangs together or what. Then I get back the line edits and read with new eyes and breathe a sigh of relief.

It's about time to turn my attention to real writing, though. I'm working on a partial and since it's part of a quartet and I still have the fourth book to write, I'm thinking of writing the first few chapters of book four before I try to complete book three. Join my reader group to find out how that goes. (You'll get a free download of Cruel Summer as a welcome gift!)

Finally, have you seen these excerpts from my September release, The Secret Beneath The Veil?

SampleSunday - The Secret Beneath The Veil


Read Chapter One Here.
Read the beginning of Chapter Two here.
First Kiss!

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

It's the dog days of August as I write this and I recently saw August described (in Lenny Letters) as the Sunday night of months. I was always a bit nerdy and looked forward to Back To School, so I don't have a bad case of the blues. How about you? Do you wish summer could go on forever? Or are you ready for cooler nights and a return to routine?

Dani

#Free! - Hustled To The Altar

Good news! My romantic comedy Hustled To The Altar is free! Help yourself at the links below, then keep reading for more free reads.

Amazon

US | CA | UK | AUS | Nook | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo | Smashwords

Revolving Revisions

I've been in a state of revolving revisions and it's not over.

Revisions come in different sizes and I've had pretty much all of them. Some bigger, structural ones are due any day, but some mid-range tweak-here-make-this-clearer-there came through along with a very detailed line edit and two sets of final copy edits.

I actually love the revision process, even though there are times they make me tear my hair out. But seeing the final product come together is always hugely reassuring. Sometimes I get so deeply stuck in a story, I have lost any sense of whether it hangs together or what. Then I get back the line edits and read with new eyes and breathe a sigh of relief.

It's about time to turn my attention to real writing, though. I'm working on a partial and since it's part of a quartet and I still have the fourth book to write, I'm thinking of writing the first few chapters of book four before I try to complete book three. Join my reader group to find out how that goes. (You'll get a free download of Cruel Summer as a welcome gift!)

Finally, have you seen these excerpts from my September release, The Secret Beneath The Veil?

SampleSunday - The Secret Beneath The Veil


Read Chapter One Here.
Read the beginning of Chapter Two here.
First Kiss!

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

It's the dog days of August as I write this and I recently saw August described (in Lenny Letters) as the Sunday night of months. I was always a bit nerdy and looked forward to Back To School, so I don't have a bad case of the blues. How about you? Do you wish summer could go on forever? Or are you ready for cooler nights and a return to routine?

Dani

#SampleSunday - The Secret Beneath The Veil (3)

The Goodreads Giveaway for The Secret Beneath The Veil closes Monday. Scroll down to enter and read the #FirstKiss.

Personal update: My daughter and her boyfriend have both found work and a place to live. It's about twenty minutes from where my son will be going to school. I'll be suffering the pangs of an empty nest come September, but I'm comforted to know my daughter will ensure her brother doesn't starve as he embarks on adulthood. See how much she loves him?

It's been such a busy summer for our family! I thought things were settling down and my only big obligation was my word count for my next book. I began to dawdle and enjoy the beach. Then I was sent revisions, revisions, line edits, copy edits and an Art Fact Sheet.

If you read above where both kids need help moving by September, you'll have a sense of the panic that set in as those things piled into my inbox. So I'll get you your #SampleSunday and get back to work!

The Secret Beneath The Veil - Available now on Mills & Boon!

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

Sample Sunday

Fun fact: I keep a list on the wall in my office (Dani's Wall Of Fame.) I write down the title of my manuscripts as they're accepted along with the publication date. It's both an organizational tool and a brag to anyone who dares enter my Fortress Of Literature. On this poster, I wrote The Secret Under The Veil and didn't notice until recently.

Did you miss the last two posts?

Read Chapter One Here.
Read the beginning of Chapter Two here.

Those are fairly self explanatory and here is their First Kiss. There's a very small spoiler in this scene, but let me ask you - did you really think I was going to let my heroine drown in the beginning of Chapter Two? What kind of Happily Ever After is that?

~ * ~

“You’re not thinking about it? Wondering? Dreaming,” he mocked in a voice that jarred because he did not sound angry. He sounded amused and knowing. “Let’s see, shall we?”

His hand shifted to cup her neck. The caress of his thumb into the hollow at the base of her throat unnerved her. If he’d been forceful, she would have reacted with a slap, but this felt almost tender. She trusted this hand. It had dragged her up to the surface of the water, giving her life.

So she didn’t knock that hand away. She didn’t hit him in the face as he neared, or pull away to say a hard No.

Somehow she got it into her head she would prove he didn’t affect her. Maybe she even thought she could return to him that rejection he’d delivered earlier.

Maybe she really did want to know how it would be with him.

Whatever the perverse impulse that possessed her, she sat there and let him draw closer, keeping her mouth set and her gaze as contemptuous as she could make it.

Until his lips touched hers.

If she had expected brutality, she was disappointed. But he wasn’t gentle, either.

His hold firmed on her neck as he plundered without hesitation, opening his mouth over hers in a hot, wet branding that caused a burn to explode within her. His tongue stabbed and her lips parted. Delicious swirls of pleasure invaded her belly and lower. Her eyes fluttered closed so she could fully absorb the sensations.

She had wondered. Intrigue had held her still for this kiss and she moaned as she basked in it, bones dissolving, muscles weakening.

He kissed her harder, dismantling her attempt to remain detached in a few short, racing heartbeats. He dragged his lips across hers in an erotic crush, the rough-soft texture of his lips like silken velvet.

All her senses came alive to the heat of his chest, the woodsy spice scent on his skin, the salt flavor on his tongue. Her skin grew so sensitized it was painful. She felt vulnerable with longing.

She splayed her free hand against his chest and released a sob of capitulation, no longer just accepting. Participating. Exploring the texture of his tongue, trying to compete with his aggression and consume him with equal fervor.

He pulled back abruptly, the loss of his kiss a cruelty that left her dangling in midair, naked and exposed. His chest moved with harsh breaths that seemed triumphant. The glitter in his eye was superior, asserting that he would decide if and when.

“No force necessary,” he said with satisfaction deepening the corners of his mouth.

~ * ~

Mikolas is a bit of a bastard, but he redeems himself. If you'd like to see how, here are your pre-order links.

Amazon: US | CA | UK | Aus | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay

Goodreads Giveaway

This Goodreads Giveaway for The Secret Beneath The Veil is still open. Enter before Aug 22. Good luck!

.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px;
font-style: normal; background: white; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; }
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink {
display: inline-block;
color: #181818;
background-color: #F6F6EE;
border: 1px solid #9D8A78;
border-radius: 3px;
font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
font-weight: bold;
text-decoration: none;
outline: none;
font-size: 13px;
padding: 8px 12px;
}
.goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover {
color: #181818;
background-color: #F7F2ED;
border: 1px solid #AFAFAF;
text-decoration: none;
}


Goodreads Book Giveaway








The Secret Beneath the Veil


by Dani Collins

Giveaway ends August 22, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

I'll close with my usual plug asking you to join my reader group here. Have a great weekend!

Dani