HelenKay Dimon's Blog, page 22

Saturday Snippet

Today’s topic is an author’s choice. Since the holiday commericals have started I figured it’s not too early to give you a peek at my holiday contemporary romance, WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. Spence and Lila spent a weekend together months ago then went their separate ways. Now they’ve ended up in the same town. Problem is Spence used his brother’s name last time he saw Lila and now she knows who he really is.

Tires crunched on the unpaved ground behind her. She spun around in time to see a truck with the Thomas Nurseries logo take the last bend. Before she could find a weapon or bolt, and boy was she tempted to try a little woman-versus-woods thing all of a sudden, the vehicle rumbled to a stop. She thought it had wandered too far over and out of the parking lot and into the grass, but who could tell.

The bigger problem was the driver. This wasn’t the cute young guy or the safe married one. Nope, since her luck had spun into horror territory and refused to budge from there, the driver was the lying sexy one who looked ridiculously good naked. Not that she remembered or anything.

Showdown time.

Spence, Austin, Ralph, Robin Hood or whatever the hell he was calling himself today jumped out of the truck and slammed the

door behind him. He stalked toward her, his legs eating up the distance between them in long strides. He resembled his brother around the eyes and a little in the way they talked, but the most obvious similarity was in the confident way they moved, head up, broad shoulders back and a laserlike focus forward. It was as if they knew their place in the world and never doubted their judgment.



She wondered what that level of assurance must feel like. Stephen had robbed her of that when he treated her like crap then dumped her before she could dump him. The moron. She wanted to blame him for everything but, really, her taste in men was atrocious. She had no idea when or how that happened. She’d had a happy childhood and what she thought was a solid marriage…until it wasn’t.

She needed a class or something. Either that or a moratorium on men.

“I’m not sure what to call you,” she said, hoping to knock Spence off guard before he reached for the upper hand.

He stopped right in front of her. “That goes both ways, sweetheart.”

“I have some ideas. Want to hear them?”

He crossed his arms over his chest, making the move look like some sort of call to war. “Look, you made your point at the nursery with the whole ‘I don’t know you thing’ and thanks for doing that in front of my brother, by the way. It will be a decade before he lets that go.”

That part made her smile, and heaven knew she didn’t have much to smile about at the moment, including the air whipping through her cheap winter jacket. She kept moving her feet to keep from freezing solid. “Maybe if I had known you had a brother I would have been more careful.”

“We both pretended to be someone we weren’t back in that hotel.”

Funny but she had felt more herself there than she had in years. “I used my real name. I just skipped the usual nickname.”

His mouth twisted. He even let out something that sounded like a snort. “Technicality.”

“The ‘t’ word you’re looking for is truth. Though I can see where you might not be familiar with that word, what with all the lying you seem to do.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“I am two seconds away from backing my car over you. The least you can do is admit you were a gigantic lying ass.”

“Okay, fine.” He surrendered the battle stance and blew on his hands, which did nothing to keep them from turning red. “I’ll concede I wasn’t honest on the name thing.”

For some reason she doubted she’d won anything. This guy didn’t strike her as someone who took losing all that well. “Since it’s true?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Let’s agree we both enjoyed a bit of anonymity that weekend.”

As if she’d let him off that easily. “Only if you agree you were way out of line in using your brother’s name.”

“Austin pointed that out to me back at the nursery.”

It was as if Spence thought that comment was enough to absolve him. Honestly, the man was clueless.

She put a hand to her ear. “I’m still not hearing an apology.”

“Do you expect me to get on my knees and beg?”

Wow, did that bring back memories. Not the begging, that part was all her pleading for him to go faster, but him on his knees and her…yeah, she remembered and she was pretty sure from the satisfied look on his face that he remembered. “I am going to start the car in two seconds, so you might want to run because I don’t plan to brake.”

Amusement danced in his eyes as he lifted one hand in what looked like some demented version of a Boy Scout pledge. “I shouldn’t have lied, or at least should have come clean by day two, and I’m sorry. Honestly, we didn’t spend a lot of time talking and by the time I got your clothes off I didn’t care what your name was, or mine, so long as we stayed in bed.”

Despite the killer smile and sparkle that had moved into his eyes, she kept her defenses up. “And?”

“What?”

“I’m waiting for you to say something to annoy me.”

“I’ve been assured that’s inevitable with my personality.” He held up just one finger now. “Just give me a second.”

___________

Remember to check out the other authors’ snippets:

Rhian Cahill

Leah Braemel

Mari Carr

Shiloh Walker

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Lauren Dane

Shelli Stevens

Jody Wallace

Ode To Vacation

Have I mentioned I was in Hawaii all last week? Not to rub it in, but I had this view for a few days…and miss it now:

The Dream Project

I’m at Genreality talking about my dream writing project. Honestly, getting to write for a living is pretty much the biggest dream I can imagine, but I do have a project I’ve been wanting to try. It’s different for me in some ways – the setting and worldbuilding – but familiar in others – will have a touch of suspense and big emotion. It speaks to my love for all things futuristic and the sci fi geek girl inside me.

Go to the Genreality site and see my plans.

Release!!

My newest Intrigue is out!! SWITCHED, my holiday-themed romantic suspense that starts with commandos storming an office holiday party is now available. You can get it in print or digital from just about any bookseller, including Target, Walmart and many grocery stores.

If you shop at Barnes and Noble you can find it here. At Amazon, it’s here.

Today You Must…

VOTE!!!

To all my U.S. followers, please vote. My parents absolutely instilled in me a passion for politics and a fundamental belief that it is our citizenship duty to vote. We often disagree on who to vote for but I’ve always appreciated their example on this.

I voted by mail this year and am currently in Hawaii for a few days. While I know who I want you to vote for, I really just want everyone to vote…and I want the campaign to be over and the robocalls to stop. I can’t be alone on that last part

Guest Blog: Why I Write

I am thrilled to have fellow Intrigue author Aimee Thurlo visit here today talking about their – yes, Aimee is a “they” – upcoming release, SECRETS OF THE LYNX. The book comes out at the end of the month but you can pre-order it or grab an early copy at the Harlequin website. I love the cover and the blurb. Check it out:

For P.I. Paul Grayhorse, there were no secrets—thanks to his special Navajo gift. He knew why U.S. Deputy Marshal Kendra Armstrong found him in the canyons of New Mexico. Reopening the case that ended his marshal career and killed his partner did more than haunt Paul; it put him in the crosshairs.

Using Paul to flush out her fugitive was risky, but teaming with him was downright dangerous. In his arms, Kendra felt like a woman, with a woman’s desires. But with his powers, could she hide her biggest secret—that she’d fallen for him? And that for the first time in her career, she was afraid…afraid to live without him if she couldn’t get her man?

First, thanks to our buddy HelenKay Dimon for inviting us to guest blog! If you haven’t picked up her latest, SWITCHED, do so immediately. It’s one heckuva story!!!

Now on to why I write. Someone asked me this question recently. I had mentioned that it’s a hard job that demands discipline, and family sometimes has to take a back seat to it. Just like it is with a “regular” job, you do that first, then fit whatever else is necessary into the schedule. This sometimes means shopping for groceries late at night or, as is often the case at the Casa Thurlo, putting it off till you’re out of essentials – I’m talking about toilet paper.

So why do I do this for a living? I can’t imagine doing anything else and the fact that David and I can work together is icing on the cake. He makes sure my heroes sound like real guys, and he can do really exciting action scenes. It’s nice to have him around too. Writing can be lonely, but not if your partner’s nearby.

Our collaboration really comes together, too, in a book like SECRETS OF THE LYNX. I love the mysticism of the Indian fetishes. It’s said that each fetish posses the qualities of the animal it represents and shares those with its owner. Lynx knows what others try to keep secret, and sees what’s not readily apparent.

But the real magic of the story comes from two damaged people who realize that they’re stronger together than they are apart – like it is with David and me. It’s about destiny and reaching for a dream. And it delivers one heckuva high action adventure.

I have to admit that I especially like Paul Grayhorse, too. He doesn’t judge others, though they often judge him. When he sees a streetwalker, he understands that somewhere in there is a woman who dreamed of bigger and better things, but took a detour. That a “Pretty Woman” (movie with Julia Roberts) is there, just beyond what the eye can readily see.

Romantic Times said it best, “Thurlo understands the mindset of the People and uses the beautiful legends and myths that define them to add depth to his action packed tale.”

I hope you’ll have a chance to pick it up!

Saturday Snippet

Today’s topic is “things that go bump in the night” which is probably appropriate for Halloween. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Halloween? Yeah, I know. People love it. Not me. Anyway…thought I’d give you another excerpt from SWITCHED. This one omes out the first week of November. The book mostly takes place at an office holiday party and, really, is there anything more scary than one of those?

“Stay here.” He eased away from her and slipped across the floor in soundless steps. “Royal?”

When Aaron didn’t get a reply, he tapped on the earpiece. He’d just reached the door when it slammed open and into him. The force shoved him back against the wall. His gun jerked from his fingers and clanked against the tile floor by his feet.

The doorknob jabbed into his midsection as he bit back a curse. One of the men he’d seen from the elevator shoved his weight against the door, banging on his thick body until Aaron thought his chest would cave in. The move stole his breath, trapping his hands in front of him and pinning his back to the wall.

He shifted and shoved, trying to get traction and a better grip, but the metal door clipped his gut, and his strength proved useless. Blackness raged through his veins as his gaze bounced between the vulnerable woman frozen in place in the middle of the room and the muscle trying to knock him unconscious with a door.

The sudden roar of Royal’s voice echoed in Aaron’s ears, but he couldn’t make out the words. All Aaron heard was the rush of his own breath as it moved through him. His brain scrambled for a back-up plan.

“Double up.” It was their code for assistance, but Aaron wasn’t even sure he said the words out loud. The doorknob connected with his gut once again and knocked the air right out of his lungs.

The attacker’s friend moved into the room, his shoes quiet against the floor but his shoulders knocking against the doorframe. Risa hadn’t exaggerated. He had a thick neck and biceps that kept his arms from lying close to his side. From this distance, it was clear the guy engaged in some serious training. The type that included flipping tractor tires. This guy obviously was in charge.

The man didn’t even spare Aaron a glance. He aimed the gun directly at Risa’s head. “Enough.”

Aaron blinked, knowing he was the intended recipient of that message. “What do you want?”

“Her.”

___________

Remember to check out the other authors’ snippets:

Rhian Cahill

Mari Carr

Shiloh Walker

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

HelenKay Dimon

Lauren Dane

TJ Michaels

Jody Wallace

Blog Stop

As I mentioned a few days ago, I’m visiting many blogs these days talking about my newest release, LEAN ON ME. There’s one blog that’s not on the Blog Tour list…I’m at the Carina Press blog talking about the book, mountain climbing and fears. I’m also giving away a copy of the book, so stop by and say hello.

Release Day!

Today is the official release day for LEAN ON ME. Small town romance. Hottie alpha hero. High-altitude moutain climbing heroine. How can you say no?

Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world’s highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she’s back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren’t exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.

Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he’s surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she’s staying. Though he’s sworn to stop cleaning up other people’s messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay—his place. Bed-sharing optional, but definitely welcome.

Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.

Some places to buy it:

Amazon

B&N

Carina Press website

All About Romance ebooks

Kobo

iTunes/iBooks

Saturday Snippet

Today’s topic is an author’s choice. I’ve been talking a lot about my contemporary romance release next week, LEAN ON ME. I also have a romantic suspense release about 10 days later from Harlequin Intrigue, SWITCHED. The hero (Aaron) is working undercover security at an office holiday party at a resort not knowing the heroine (Risa) is in the same building to finalize details for her office party later that week. Aaron mentioned the place as a possible party location during their recent date…the one they went on then he never called her again. Aaron also lied to her about his real occupation – oops! When a shoot-em-up disaster unfolds at the resort, Aaron and Risa are thrown together, and she is not happy.

He had one last problem as he glanced up at Risa. “Any chance you have any rope?”

She lifted her arms. “Not on me.”

“Thought it was worth a shot.”

“There are cables and those sorts of things around as part of the construction.”

That meant a trip around the building looking for supplies. He doubted they had that sort of time. “We’ll block the door and trust they’ll be out long enough for us to get downstairs and out of the building.”

“And if not?”

He stood in front of her, his gaze locked on hers. “I can’t be that unlucky.”

“You’re saying that as a tax attorney, of course.”

He didn’t try to hide the wince. He’d hoped he’d have another few minutes before the need for an explanation caught up and smacked him in the face. “What makes you think I’m not a lawyer?”

She eyed his hand. “The gun.”

“I can explain.”

Her head dropped to the side. “Are you going to?”

“Not right now.”

“Normally I’d insist, but since I want to leave this place right now—ten minutes ago, actually—we can save the I-lied-to-you-about-everything conversation for later.”

Not exactly a bullet dodged. “I’m not really looking forward to that.”

“Imagine how I feel.”

___________

Remember to check out the other authors’ snippets:

Rhian Cahill

Leah Braemel

Mari Carr

Shiloh Walker

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Lauren Dane

Shelli Stevens

Jody Wallace