Diane Saxon's Blog, page 18

Love Entwined - Danita Minnis - Character Interview with Roman

Hi Danita and Roman. Thank you for dropping in on us today.
Hi Diane! Thanks so much for having me and Roman on today. It’s so nice to have Roman all to myself – well, almost. It’s just so hard prying him away from Amelie, that gorgeous witch and love of his life.
Can I ask Roman a few questions?
Roman: Diane, I’m all yours
Roman, would you like to tell me what you do for a living, because you sound very rich.
I am. But more than that, I am the driving force behind Cardiff Jewels. My jewellery sells on its name alone. I have no competition.
What was your first impression of Amelie?
Roman leans back in his chair with a wicked grin: Ah, I thought you would never ask. The first time I saw Amelie she was wearing a sexy as hell navy blue suit. The white silk blouse that covered her beautiful breasts was not at all angelic. I thought she would look rather nice lying naked in my bed. She does, by the way.
Describe Amelie. Look, feel, smell.
Right now, I would say she’s dinner. But to answer your question; when we’re out and about, people tell Amelie she resembles the Scottish actress Isla Fisher. I can see that, but I also see Amelie’s delicious curves. I tell you they are hot as Hades and make for one scorching ride. She smells like fine chocolate - and you know what they say about fine chocolate: you can’t eat just one. 
Do you feel the need to protect her – or ravish her?
Roman: Can I have some water? It’s getting hot in here. (Danita hands Roman a glass and he takes a long gulp of water.)
At Danita’s concerned look, Roman assures her: I’ll be fine. Um, how long is this going to take? Danita: Not much longer.  Get back to the ravishing.
Roman: You know me too well. It’s not that I don’t want to protect Amelie - that goes without saying. She’s in Yorkshire with me on a jewellery designing assignment and couldn’t be safer. But Amelie was made for love and – where is she, by the way?
Danita: Just a few more questions, Roman.
You sound like you enjoy having fun. What are your favourite sporting activities?
Roman gives Danita a pained look. Danita grins: Just go with it.
Roman: In a word – Amelie. But we do start the evening with a few laps in the pool. I competed at university.
How would Amelie describe you?
She would tell you I’m an arrogant CEO, a wicked lover, and her Roman Warrior. All true.
What is your biggest flaw?
Like Amelie, I don’t remember our past life and so I can’t remember there are demons stalking us through time. The il Dragone demons are our eternal enemies, they want their high priestess back but I won’t give up Amelie.
How old are you? And what are you doing tonight … no, scratch that, it’s okay, I was getting carried away. Just the first part of the question, then.
Ah, Diane, before Amelie I would certainly have taken you up on that offer! I’m thirty-four, 6’ 4” with blue eyes you could swim in, I don’t have one secret love child to speak of, I’m filthy rich as noted earlier and I’ll even hire someone to do your windows. Sorry, I can’t help flirting – I’ve been at it for too long.
What do you consider your best feature?
Roman winks at Danita, who rolls her eyes.
Roman: Well, for that I must refer to Amelie at a recent swim session, and I quote: “He was superbly endowed. God-like, more than a man should be.”
Roman grins. I don’t make this stuff up.
What’s your favourite drink – alcoholic or not?
I’m not much of a drinker, although I like a good Scotch when I’m trying to loosen Amelie up for the night. Not too much, though, or she’ll fall asleep on me.
Thank you Roman. Have a cup of coffee and relax. I’ll just stroke your knee while Danita tells us all about her new book, Love Entwined.

Love Entwined
Blurb Amelie’s goal is the top of the jewellery designing world. Her orderly life comes undone when jewellery tycoon Roman steals her away on assignment to a remote English estate. He wants Amelie all to himself but St. Clair Manor’s ghost has waited for her much longer than he has.
An unseen gunman takes a shot at Roman and he blames a business rival. But Amelie and Roman are to blame, for falling in love 200 years before in a time neither of them remember.
From the heartbreak of pre-Revolutionary France to modern day corporate wars, Amelie and Roman uncover a history of blood jewels, lust and demons.
When Amelie discovers her inner witch she learns the real reason she was summoned to St. Clair Manor. Il Dragone will kill to get her back. Amelie will kill if they do.
Excerpt “Amelie Laurent, may I introduce you to Roman Cardiff.” Harold gestured toward the Burberry divan in the corner.She closed her mouth and turned, hand extended. The apology died on her lips.Dieu. He was a Greek god in a dark tailored suit. Very tall. Different in reality. Cooler than she expected. There was arrogance in his square jaw. His aquiline nose and thick, black brows made him look like a predator. His expression would have seemed harsh except for the warmth of the sky blue gaze traveling slowly up her body. The eyes gave his features a seraphim quality. They leisurely toured the peachy-pink lacquered toenails peeking through the front of her navy pumps, and then moved up the curve of her hips. She felt those eyes like a puff of warm breath when they grazed the swell of her breasts above the white silk blouse. She was an innocent doe being circled by a panther that was higher up on the food chain and more resourceful. Clearly, he wanted to take a bite out of her. His imperial stance said it was his due. His nostrils flared as he inhaled her scent. Amelie looked down at the large hand holding hers. Warm, like a glove.Finally, his gaze met hers.She did not move, but something sinful shivered inside her. It was the part of her who knew this man. But these feelings weren’t hers—they belonged to that other woman. The one who waited for him at night in her bedroom. He is real. But he could not be her dream lover.With an unholy smile, Mr. Cardiff lifted her hand. Full lips moved over her skin in a warm caress, and she was filled with craving.She jolted out of her reverie, tried to pull away, but he held her there. Her hand relaxed in his.Stop this, you don’t know him!

Love Entwined is available now:Liquid Silver Books: http://www.lsbooks.com/love-entwined-p828.phpLove Entwined Amazon   http://amzn.com/B00F2M3FZI

Connect with Danita:Klout http://klout.com/#/Danita_Minnis/topicsPinterest http://pinterest.com/danitaminnis/Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9183360-danita-minnisNetworked Blogs http://www.networkedblogs.com/user/1345144572Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RomanceAuthorDanitaMinnisFacebook Author Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Danita-Minnis-Romance-Author/433534206657385?ref=hlStumbleupon http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/RomanceAuthorDanGoogle +  https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/115952729941261769379/115952729941261769379/postsAmazon Author page http://www.amazon.com/Danita-Minnis/e/B008EAB4Q2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Cherry Stem Book Blitz and Giveaway

Blurb

Turned at the cusp of a promising career in the adult movie industry, Cherry Stem has to rely on her mesmerizing vampire gaze for her meals and money. With the rent deadline approaching, settling for pocket change isn’t an option, so she reluctantly decides to let tall, dark, and handsome Detective Alex Marsden take her home for the night and fulfill her needs.
Only she gets more than she bargained for.
When Cherry meets Alex, she expects him to be nothing more than another “girl meets boy, girl feeds from boy, girl erases boy’s memories” hook-up. Once missing young women, the vampire council, and her irresistible ex are thrown into the mix though, she realizes nothing is as simple or random as she thought it was.
And Alex is either the biggest gift or the biggest mistake of her un-life.

Excerpt
Hiding my body seemed silly after we’d already had sex, so I didn’t. Not that he looked. He just dropped a duffel bag by the sink.
“Thought you’d want clean clothes as soon as you were dry,” he said. “Got a couple tees and sweatpants from my place. They’ll be too big for you, but at least the pants have drawstrings. Should be good for the night.”
Then he pulled his shirt over his head.
If I were human, I’d have been drowned by the water filling my mouth and clogging my throat while I gaped at him. As it was, I was grateful I’d opened the shower stall door and could enjoy the view.
Most people look better when they’re dressed than when they’re out of their clothes. There are always flaws, something that needs covering up: a slightly jutting stomach, love handles, scars, pimples. Something.
To me Alex was perfect.
I’d already run my fingers down his chest and abs, but seeing the smooth, flawless skin stretch over rippling muscle made me itch to caress it. His shoulders were wide; I knew that already, but the way they rounded, leading to his flexing biceps, was a sight to behold. And that’s what I did. I beheld, wishing he was closer, that I could press my breasts against his chest and see goose bumps rise.
I would probably have kept staring at his six-pack for much longer if his fingers hadn’t gotten in the way. Splayed across his abdomen, they touched what I longed for, ghosting their way down to the front of his pants. I wanted to lick my way along the trail of fine hair beneath his navel that disappeared inside his waistband. I sucked in a breath when he undid the button and another when the zipper lowered, allowing his slacks to fall to the teal, tiled floor.
My gaze followed them, until he stepped out of the pooled fabric and toward the shower stall.
Toward me.

Book Title: Cherry Stem (Book I of the Cherry Series) Author: Sotia Lazu Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy Length: 74K Release Date: 3.15.2014 ISBN: 9781310502491Pre-Order/Purchase Links: B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherry-stem-sotia-lazu/1108360841) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cherry-stem/id797110233) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/395806) | Coming Soon on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Stem-Sot...)

The book is for Adults Only

About the Author

Sotia cries at sappy movies and wishes she could take in all the stray dogs in the world. She lives in Athens, Greece, with her husband—whom she met through writing—their son, and their two rescue dogs, one of which might be part-pony.
Her genres of choice are romances with a twist and urban fantasy novels, always with vivid erotic elements. Her characters aren't exactly hero-material at first glance; she likes making them fight for their happiness. Still, the romantic in her can’t resist happy endings.

Sotia’s books: Amazon (www.amazon.com/Sotia-Lazu/e/B006ZXWZYK) | B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sotia-lazu) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/justsotia) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sotia-lazu/id497791319?mt=11) | Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=%22Sotia+Lazu%22&t=none&f=author&p=1&s=none&g=both)
Find Sotia:Website (http://sotialazu.com)Blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com) Twitter (https://twitter.com/justsotia) Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4597070.Sotia_Lazu)
Or write to her at author@sotialazu.com

GIVEAWAY
Sotia is so happy to be re-launching Cherry Stem, she felt like sharing the happiness :)
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an e-Book or some Author Swag, including a lovely cherry shaped bracelet charm!
NOTE: The giveaway is for Adults Only. Please do not enter if you’re below your country’s legal age.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Entrants can enter more than once with options such as “Leave a comment” and “Tweet about this Giveaway.”



AND THAT’S NOT ALL!
Stop by Sotia’s blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com/) March 15 – March 19 for more goodies and surprises on a daily basis!

LOVING LYDIA - ONE YEAR ON

Did you know, it's now a full year since I signed my first contract to have a book published?



I consider myself supremely lucky. I wrote Loving Lydia, finished the manuscript just before Christmas 2012, edited it, and sent it away to a select few publishers. Both Liquid Silver Books and a New York press replied within a couple of weeks.

I had no idea what an R&R was. I compared the letters. Liquid Silver explained in huge depth what they wanted me to do to make my manuscript right. They loved my storyline. Two main issues loomed. I needed to re-write it in US English - you may think that's not a difficult task what with Word and it's clever conversion. But word doesn't convert such things as car-park to parking lot, nappy to diaper, shingle to gravel. No, this had to be done manually. Every word of the manuscript read through and corrected.

And did you know that cowboys' don't say "then" at the end of a sentence? Well, lucky for me Liquid Silver had the patience to help me.

Issue number two - POV. Gulp. What?

I had to look it up before I could even go back to them and say...umm...what do you want me to do with the point of view - you want me to what? How? Now? You're kidding - scratch that last bit - I wanted to learn. Boy did I want to learn. And I did. Because now I write my US books in US English. I write the POV correctly first time and do you know it is so much easier to write a story correctly from the outset than it is to re-write it?

I'm not saying I always get it correct. In my latest manuscript I had a little fun with the Editors. Lucky they have a good sense of humour. Unphased - did I mean unfazed? Oh, yeah. Plaster/Band-aid - considered/decided, Damned fine/F****** well ... and so on.

I'm just about to celebrate the release of my fifth book shortly, through Taliesin Publishing so watch out for the cover art which is due any time and I hope you will join me again for excerpts and blurb on Flynn's Kiss.

Leave a comment on your favourite US/English whoopsie and I'll be pleased to give one lucky person a free copy of Loving Lydia in whatever format they would like.

Crash Into Love - Sofia Grey - Character Interview with Cass

Hi Sofia and Cass. Thank you for dropping in on us today.
Thank you, it’s exciting to be here. Is your dog friendly?
She most certainly is, she’s big and boisterous but she loves people, especially women. Mind though she does think she’s a lapdog and she will sleep on you.
Come and have a coffee, I have a few questions for Cass if you don’t mind.


Can you tell me what genre you write in?
Well, a few months ago I would have said complicated medical thrillers, but now, I don’t know for sure.  (She smiles). Now I also write erotic romance.
When you go to the beach, do you really expect privacy and peace and quiet to finish your book, or don’t you think you’d just be distracted by all those waves and sandcastles wanting to be built?
Ah well, that’s where the beaches in New Zealand are different to the ones back home. Here they’re often deserted, even at the height of summer – and not because there’s anything wrong with them. It’s just fewer people and more open space.
True I got distracted with my shell collection, and then by a certain guy next door (she blushes), but I had no idea that would happen.
What colour do you paint your toenails?
Shell pink. Is there any other colour for toenails?
Oh well, ummm *stares at her red toenails*
What was your first impression of Jonah?
Oh my. Young, definitely. I thought he was a student. Polite, and intense.
How does it feel to be the ‘older woman’?
I really am a cougar, aren’t I? But it’s only ten years difference, and if you say it quickly enough it doesn’t sound that bad.
(She hesitates, and plays with a shell pendant around her neck). It’s all very new to us both. I still can’t believe we met, and everything that happened since. We’re taking it a day at a time.
What would your best girlfriend think?
I introduced Jonah to Ellie, my best friend, and she was thrilled. She thinks he’s the best thing to ever happen to me. (She blushes)
Describe Jonah.
He’s gorgeous! And he has this tattoo of musical notes on his shoulder, and… He’s strong. Affectionate. He kisses like nothing else, and he makes me feel so alive. You know?



How would you describe yourself?
(Shrugs). I’m Ms Boringly-Normal. I truly can’t understand what he sees in me.


What is your biggest flaw?
Umm, procrastination?
What’s your favourite drink – alcoholic or not?
White wine. A crisp, chilled local Sauvignon Blanc.
For a month long stint at the beach, what did you pack?
Plenty of wine! I didn’t need much in the way of clothing, as I wasn’t planning on going out anywhere, or seeing anyone. I take my laptop and Kindle everywhere though.
Tell me your plans for your next book – or will you ever write another one with a distraction like Jonah?
Hmmm, he’s more of an inspiration than a distraction. I have another two contracted in my medical thriller series, but writing the erotic romance was so much fun, I’m definitely doing more like that. In fact, I’m, uh, working on the second in that series now. With Jonah’s help, of course. (She gives a huge smile).


Thank you Cass. Help yourself to chocolate while Sofia tells us all about her new book, Crash Into Love.
Thanks Diane, it’s been a blast visiting you today. Hopefully we’ve brought a taste of a New Zealand summer to your spring day (peeks outside through the window). It’s definitely colder here!
Blurb:
Cass thought spending a month at a beachside hideaway relaxing and collecting shells would be the perfect escape to finish her novel. When she meets the dark and brooding and much younger Jonah, who's staying next door, her book becomes the last thing on her mind.
Jonah would rather stay home alone than go on vacation with his brother and their friends, but does his best to tolerate the situation after being convinced to go. But when he sees the beauty next door, he can’t avoid his attraction.

Together, they break all the rules, but will Cass be able to bring Jonah out of his shell forever, or will he leave her with only the crash of the surf to keep her company?


Excerpt


I took a deep breath. Dare I say it? “If I was still married, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”“Any children?”“One, a son. Dylan.” My minuscule, beachside romance was about to be snuffed out before it had even started. “He’s about your age.”Jonah snorted into his glass. “I’m twenty-four. You don’t look old enough.”I smiled into my wine. “Thanks. I’m still ten years older than you. I had Dylan when I was sixteen, and I met Colin, my ex, later. You remind me of Dylan’s real father. He was a guitarist, too.” Why was I prattling on? Scare him away Cass, why don’t you?Jonah stared into his glass. “I’m not, anymore.” His voice was so low, I struggled to hear him. “I’m not anything now.” He took a deep breath and pushed himself to a standing position. “I should go.”There was something I had to know, and the wine had made me bold enough to ask. “Why did you ignore me tonight? I didn’t mean to intrude. Your friends invited me.”He stared down at me, his dark eyes burning into my soul. Slowly, carefully, he placed the empty glass on the table and then reached out a hand to me. Surprised, I let him pull me to my feet. His grip was warm and sure, but he let go when I stood before him. I felt a flicker of uncertainty. He opened his mouth as though to speak and then paused. “I couldn’t focus.” The words were slow and measured. “I wanted this instead.” His hand lifted to slide into my hair, pushing back a stray lock and tucking it behind my ear. The breath caught in my throat. Spellbound, I searched his face, seeing the same intensity I glimpsed earlier. Fingertips trailed down my cheek before he traced my lips.“Soft,” he whispered. I was lost. Time stopped. There was just Jonah and me, with the moon and the stars behind his head and his voice in my heart.


Trailer link:
http://youtu.be/PGsW53sFGro
Book links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fmtVML
Goodreads
All Romance eBooks
Entangled
Author links:
www.SofiaGrey.com
Catch me blogging with Allyson Lindt at www.GeminiGirls.comGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.R... http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/T... @SofiaGreyAuthor   https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor  Amazon author profile page: https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey

Author bio:

Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat.

Check out my playlist on Pinterest and listen for free via Pandora.com (Sofia Grey –Crash Into Love station)

Date Host Address 10-March GeminiGirlsEva LefoySotia LazuMichelle Chew Writes www.GeminiGirls.comhttp://writery.wordpress.com/justsotia.blogspot.comhttp://michellechewwrites.blogspot.com/ 11-March Diane Saxon
Talking Book Blogs http://www.dianesaxon.com/blogspot.html
http://talkingbooksblog.net/ 12-March Patricia Bates
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic (review) ofinkandquille.blogspot.ca
http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com/ 13-March Kimber Vale
Review From Here http://kimbervale.wordpress.com/
http://www.reviewfromhere.com/ 14-March Daisy Banks
Flirting With Romance daisybanks.wordpress.com
http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com/ 15-March Love, Lust & Laptops http://lovelustandlaptops.wordpress.com/ 16-March Jennah Scott
Just Contemporary Romance http://www.jennahscott.com/
http://www.justcontemporaryromance.com/ 17-March James di Benedetto
Becky on Books… and Quilts
The La La Land of Books http://www.writingdreams.net
http://beckymmoe.com/

http://saaratis.wordpress.com/ 18-March Krista Ames http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com 19-March Mina Khan
Michelle Chew Writes (review) minakhan.blogspot.com/‎
http://michellechewwrites.blogspot.com/ 20-March Ella Dominguez
Romantic Reads and Such
The La La Land of Books (review) elladominguez.blogspot.com/
http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/
http://saaratis.wordpress.com/ 21-March Barbara Elsborg
In The Pages of a Good Book www.barbaraelsborg.blogspot.com
http://inthepagesofagoodbook.com/ 22-March Parker Kincade http://www.parkerkincade.blogspot.com/ 23-March Silken Sheets & Seduction http://silkensheetsandseduction.wordpress.com/ 24-March Emilia Mancini emiliamancini.wordpress.com/‎ 26-March Laura Kaye http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/ 28-March Rosanna Leo www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com

Hi Allyson and welcome to my blogspot, I believe you have...

Hi Allyson and welcome to my blogspot, I believe you have some really exciting news for us. Come on in and tell us about it.

Cover Reveal, Bits & Bytes Print Anthology
On December 19, 2013, I released the final book in my Bits & Bytes contemporary romance series, Learning New Tricks. The entire series was a blast to write, and it was bittersweet to leave those characters behind.
But I am giving them all a new chance at a new distribution channel. I’ve decided to compile all four books into a single print anthology, available March 15, 2014. After working with the fabulous talent at EDH Graphics (link to http://edhgraphics.blogspot.com/), she’s come up with an amazing cover to encompass all four books. Learn More: http://www.allysonlindt.co/bits-bytes/
I’m also kicking off a month long blog tour to celebrate the entire Bits & Bytes series. Every week will offer insight about a different book in the series, reviews, and a giveaway. And on top of that, there will be a grand prize at the end of the tour for a Kindle Paperwhite. A list of participating blogs can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/virtual-book-tour-bits-and-bytes-series.html, If you comment on this blog, and make sure to click all the right boxes on the Rafflecopter, you’ll get your first round of entries today.

Holding Her Close
Zach Johnston knows one thing: ex-girlfriends are a headache he doesn’t need. Problem is, his first love—and the one women he never got over—Rae Nielson, has the only solution to a corporate takeover threatening the company he built from the ground up. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?Learn More: http://www.allysonlindt.co/bits-bytes/holding-her-close/
Conflict of Interest
Kenzie Carter’s job in publicity is the perfect outlet for her love of order. All of her clients appreciate it, until she meets Scott McAllister. He thrives on chaos and has built a software empire from his love of gaming. When their worlds collide, the boardroom and bedroom ignite.Learn More: http://www.allysonlindt.co/bits-bytes/conflict-of-interest/
Toeing the Line
Zane Petrov’s time in the Air Force doing electronic surveillance has taught him a thing or two about keeping secrets. But when his best friend, Riley Carter, finds out what he’s kept from her, their “with benefits” relationship won’t be what threatens their growing feelings for each other.Learn More: http://www.allysonlindt.co/bits-bytes/toeing-line/
Learning New Tricks
Archer Yates is struggling to keep his comic shop from an epic crash and burn. Tori Rothschild would just be happy not to surrender her sanity to corporate America. A quick fling should be the perfect stress relief—as long as they both remember not to get attached.Learn More: http://www.allysonlindt.co/bits-bytes/learning-new-tricks/

Allyson gave me the option of sharing an excerpt, but I couldn't pick just one, so here they all are:

Excerpt
Holding Her Close Excerpt
A quiet knock filled the dark living room, sending a tremor through Rae, and she paused. She swallowed and padded toward the door. Her heart flipped when she peered through the peephole. Zach stood on the other side, tugging on his ponytail.
She flipped the deadbolt off and opened the door enough to let him in. He took the silent offer and stepped inside, kicking the door shut behind him. His hands rested on either side of her face, and he kissed her. There was hunger in his lips. It stole her breath as he held her close, and she gasped when they broke apart. He studied her, blue eyes frantic.
She didn't know what else to do. She returned the kiss, pushing closer. The sensations set her nerve endings on fire, and she stumbled back, pulling him with her. She hit the arm of the couch, lost her balance, and landed on the cushions.
He laughed as he knelt on the couch, straddling her, and brushed a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. “I couldn't sleep. I was out driving, and I got your message, and I... I don’t even know. I had to see you.”
“What are we doing?”
He shook his head. “Not talking. For God's sake, we've done enough of that.” He leaned forward, lips brushing her collarbone and tracing a line up her neck. “We can hash it all out later, I promise, but I want you so bad right now—and even if you made me talk, I'd tell you whatever you wanted to hear to have you.”
She arched her back and moaned as his lips roamed her skin. “Yeah. Later is good for me too.”
Conflict of Interest Excerpt
“Do you want a lift?” Scott asked.
Her footsteps slowed, and she pulled away. “In the love van?”
He spun to face her, not sure what to make of the comment. She’d nicknamed his car? Fascinating. “Excuse me?”
She nodded at the Escalade in the back of the parking lot. “That one’s yours right? The Game God license plate? The tinted windows meant to keep out even the most penetrating light?”
She knew what the G4M3G0D on his plates meant. She was full of entertaining surprises. He bit back the urge to joke about the word penetrating. “That’s it, but love van, really?”
She fell into step beside him again. “No one’s ever accused you of that before?”
“Not to my face. Interesting assumption.” He moved closer, letting his bare arm brush hers.
“No worse than deciding I was reading some bodice ripper inside.”
He stopped at his SUV, spinning to face her and leaning back against it, one foot propped up on the rubber strip running along the bottom of the door. He looped his thumbs in his pockets. “Fair enough. We’re even on the inappropriate assumption front then?”
She kept her distance but didn’t seem in a hurry to leave. “I didn’t know we were keeping score.”
A gust of wind tore through the parking lot, whipping her ponytail into her face. She hugged herself and shivered as the clouds devoured the last traces of direct sunlight.
He forced his hands to stay by his side, biting his tongue before he could offer to warm her up. Or ask if she’d like to be the one biting his tongue. “Someone’s always keeping score.”
Toeing the Line Excerpt
“You didn’t answer my other question.” Zane smirked and slid from his seat. Coming around to Riley’s side of the table, he dropped to one knee next to her and took her hand in his again.
What is he doing? He’s teasing me, right? Blood rushed in her ears, making it hard to hear. They’d been catching up for all of half an hour, and he was talking about love and marriage?
“Riley Ann Carter.” He locked his gaze on hers. “We’ve known each other forever.”
Oh jeez, he is really doing this. Panic and hope churned in her gut, making her regret the extra shot of espresso.
“You’re the sexiest, most intelligent woman I’ve ever met.” He licked his lips.
Riley’s heart stopped. He’d twitched. The corner of his mouth had pulled up for the briefest moment.
He continued. “With your sister being a close second.”
Her stomach plummeted, relief and disappointment warring for attention. He was yanking her chain. Trying to distract her.
“Would you”—his serious expression faltered again—“and she make out while I watch?”
Was that really relief flooding her or just the tiniest bit of hurt and disappointment? She exhaled, pursed her lips, and then smacked him on the arm. “You’re an ass.”
Learning New Tricks Excerpt
Archer intertwined his fingers with Tori’s and tugged her off the stool. “Come on.” His voice was gentle. “Let’s de-stress.”
She didn’t resist as he pulled her up the stairs to his apartment. She was glad she didn’t mind following him, because she’d used up all her arguments for the day. When they were inside, they both kicked their shoes off out of habit. He locked the door, and then turned her so her back was to him.
His hands rested on her shoulders, thumbs softly kneading her neck. “You were brilliant today.”
She tilted her head forward, moaning at the gentle touch. “I was terrified.”
The massage deepened, and his voice was soothing. “But the important thing is, you did it anyway.”
She leaned into the attention, not sure how to respond. His lips brushed the back of her neck, and she gasped in pleasure and surprise.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“You should have.” She tilted her head to the side to expose more of her neck. She’d turned off the filter which kept her from speaking her mind; part of her wasn’t ready to turn it back on yet. Especially with other parts of her turned on by his touch, and his soft lips. “And you should do it again.”
His tongue glided up her skin until he met her ear, and his teeth nipped at the lobe. His whisper brushed her skin, sending a pleasant chill through her. “Have I ever told you how much I like it when you talk like that?”


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Allyson LindtWebsite: http://allysonlindt.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllysonLindtTwitter: https://twitter.com/AllysonLindtGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7024176.Allyson_LindtAmazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allysonlindt
About Allyson LindtAllyson Lindt is a full-time geek and a fuller-time contemporary romance author. She prefers that her geeky heroes come with the alpha expansion pack and adores a heroine who can hold her own in a boardroom. She loves a sexy happily-ever-after and helping deserving cubicle dwellers find their futures together.

Finding Inspiration in Shropshire

Ask an author where they find inspiration and you will have a million different answers - from the same author.

When I started to write Finding Zoe, I had no idea I would base it in my own home county, after all, I had a perfectly good world I had built on a ranch in America, but when Mac told Michael he was off on location, everything slid into place.

I'm not born and bred in Shropshire, but I found my home here and I'm not sure I'd want to live anywhere else now. So when Mac returned to England it wasn't the hustle and bustle of London I chose for my setting, so well known to everyone, it was the rolling hills of Shropshire. A well kept secret that we don't speak about very often in case more people move here:

So here's an excerpt and the location is real. I walk my dog there and stand in the same spot and gaze over the same view as Mac.

Almost eleven years had passed since he’d been there. Right at this very spot in the heart of Shropshire, England. Eleven years and his heart soared as he stood at the top of Major’s Leap on Wenlock Edge, careful not to get too close to the bluff in case his fear of heights got the better of him. He breathed in the fresh English air, filled his lungs with it.

He gazed over the acres of rich land. He’d forgotten the contrasts of color in the bright English countryside. The lush bottle-green of the trees against the bright emerald and pale jade of the square fields with their acres of crops swaying opulent and thick, contrasted with handkerchiefs of vivid yellow rapeseed fields sitting comfortably next to the mud-brown of the newly plowed areas. Forest-green hedgerows divided the land, populated with poppies splattered randomly over the landscape like droplets of blood.

As the warm English summer wind buffeted him, he closed his eyes and wondered why it had taken him so long to come back.

“Mr. Blunt?”

He knew why.

“Mr. Blunt, sir…are you ready?”

It was because of her.

“Mr. Blunt…”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

Opening his eyes, he sighed. He took a moment longer to scan the landscape, tracking the clear, pale blue sky; he drew his gaze across the horizon. He smiled as he recognized the rise of The Wrekin in the distance and remembered her telling him the tale of some giant dumping a shovel of dirt on the plains of Shropshire, which made the hill.

With a wry smile he turned away, saddened for a moment as he wondered what had become of her. From time to time she still managed to make his heart ache.

He turned away from the view, from the memories, from the dull throb in his chest.

He’d made them all park in the small, rutted parking lot. His entire entourage, nineteen of them, had trudged up the rough terrain of Wenlock Edge just so he could take a look at the view. Like he’d looked at the view so many times—so long ago.


Tell me where you live and why you love it. I'm going to give a copy of Finding Zoe to one lucky commenter.


Diane Saxon Buy the Books http://bit.ly/164ccDv
Liquid Silver Books http://bit.ly/1fBVyls
Amazon.com  http://amzn.to/1blakaP
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/15EXvne

Valentine's Day - My Favourite Trope

Hello and thank you so much for joining me at this most romantic time of year.

I am so pleased to join in this Bloghop to celebrate Saint Valentine's Day and delighted that you've come to have a peek at what I find the best kind of story.

To be quite honest, when I was asked to confess my favourite trope, my confession really has to be - ummm - I don't have one. Well, yes of course I love romance, I think that goes without saying, but a sub-genre plot type I find very hard to select. If you've been to my site before, you'll know I read lots of tropes.

So, I thought stick with what I automatically drift towards when I write. I can't help it. I start to write and suddenly I find a character doing things they shouldn't, words coming out of their mouths that I certainly never thought to put there and the way they automatically turn to is - humour. Yup. I can be straight in the middle of some damned serious fighting and you guessed it. Humour.

But in the romance wrapper, with the humour tissue paper, is the actual gift. The trope. Only when I thought really hard about this did I realise one of my favourites, and the trope I am currently writing is - she's loved him forever and he's never noticed her, something happens and suddenly his eyes are opened.

So for my giveaway today, I'm going to offer Flight of Her Life. Humour from start to finish and one of my favourite tropes... she's loved him forever.

Have a little read, see what you think, then enter the competition by leaving a comment.


Blurb

Traveling from New York City to Houston to meet her future in-laws and announce her engagement, accident prone Bailey finds herself in a situation beyond her control. All flights are cancelled the night before Christmas Eve, leaving Bailey stranded at the airport with a cowboy from her past. Against all odds, Sebastian manages to rescue Bailey from one disaster after another, but is it too late to rescue her from her future? Faced with a heartrending dilemma, does Bailey turn her back on the man who offers her a life of security, or does she run off to Maui with a cowboy?

ExcerptChapter 2One entire week! How in hell’s name was she supposed to keep up the pretense for one whole week? Honestly, when Phillip’s parents saw beneath her cultured voice and her ability to dress slick, the premier family of Houston, Texas were going to run her out of town. They were going to realize what a fraud she was when she made her first move and destroyed their house with a flick of her wrist. Then their precious boy would never be allowed to marry her. Bailey crossed her legs to relieve the ache in one buttock and give the other side of her bottom a little more weight. Sitting on the floor of the elevator for three hours the previous night had not been the most comfortable experience of her life and her backside hurt. She was going to cross her legs on this occasion, but she needed to get out of the habit as soon as she could. After all, she didn’t want people to think she was cheap. She wondered if she would be considered vulgar for spending three hundred dollars on a rare bottle of bourbon and an expensive fragrance in order to impress people she hadn’t even met. Impatient, she flicked her gaze up to check the flight board for the millionth time. She pressed her lips softly together to make sure her lipstick was still in place and glanced around the crowded New York City airport lounge, nervously patting her neat blonde coiffure which had taken her forty minutes to strap down. As her eyes anxiously scanned the room, they fell on the familiar sight of a cowboy by the checkout in duty free. Second time she’d noticed him in an hour and she’d tried not to make eye-contact in case he decided to come over and re-acquaint himself. Unable to resist, Bailey raised one perfectly sleek eyebrow, and leaned forward, pushed her black rimmed glasses further up her nose to take a closer peek. Nice. Purely from a female’s perspective, she could see nothing wrong with the male specimen in duty free. Long lean legs in pale, worn denim, and those thighs under that denim contracted as he bent to pick up his rucksack, sending an unwelcome fission of heat burning a rapid line through her stomach and into her loins, just like he had always managed to do. If she had to judge, she’d bet those muscles filled his jeans better than they used to when she’d been sixteen and he’d been… Aware of her heart rate accelerating, Bailey jerked upright with a short sharp gasp, her eyes widening as the overwhelming sensation of carnal desire took her by surprise. She was an engaged woman—almost—she shouldn’t even be looking at tall, well-defined cowboys, especially ones she had already been…intimate with. Not that it should count as it had been so long ago, but he obviously still managed to make her mouth water. Rucksack flung across his shoulder, his eyes caught hers and pierced through her like a blue laser as he walked straight toward her, leaving no doubt he’d been perfectly aware of where she was the whole time. Desperate not to be caught staring, Bailey dipped her eyes, uncrossed her legs and re-crossed them the other way. She accidently flicked her half-filled coffee cup as she flexed her knee, and felt the searing hot liquid splash down her legs and soak through her short neat black skirt. “Shit.”

Have a lovely Valentine's Day and if you don't get the gift you want, treat yourself to a little humour.

Where to Buy Flight of Her LifeLiquid Silver Books http://bit.ly/IcMuohAmazon UK              http://amzn.to/18iC1n7 Amazon.com             http://amzn.to/1aS34mN
All Romance             http://bit.ly/193gk5c

Now, hop along and see what other tropes are favourite.




a Rafflecopter giveaway ');

Valentine's Day Gift Hop

I'm really pleased you've decided to drop in and visit me at this most romantic time of year. It probably means you've got everything arranged for Valentine's Day ... Yes??

Well you should - and quickly - we don't need any little faux pas do we?
I remember such a faux pas when I first started dating my now husband. 
Valentine's Day - seven months after we had first started dating each other. This was an important day in my mind and being young and with high expectations, I was delighted when the doorbell rang and I had a delicate single silk red rose in a beautiful white satin box, delivered from the florist. Ah, I was overjoyed. A single red rose - from a secret admirer.
As my heartthrob arrived at my front door later that evening, I flung myself in his arms, kissed him wildly and thanked him for my gorgeous silk rose. The frozen silence was a small hint, then he pulled a lovely real red rose from behind his back and handed it to me.
To this day, I have never found out who the silk rose came from.



To celebrate love and laugh at the faux pas in our lives, I'd like to offer a copy of Flight of Her Life to one lucky commenter.

Here's a little taster:



Excerpt
Snorting out a laugh, despite herself, Bailey moved in closer so her nose almost touched his, the small breaths she managed to persuade into her lungs weren’t going to be enough to sustain her. Her eyelashes fluttered, her eyelids started to close. They flew open again as she felt him give a sharp tug at her hair. It tumbled over her shoulders, wild and bouncy, sending pins flying in all directions as she slapped his hand away. “You’ve ruined it. What am I going to do now? Keep your hands off.” His smile was wide and lazy, making her heart hitch as he wrapped a curling tendril of her long blonde hair around his index finger and drew her face back down to his. “I love your hair. Why would you do that to it when it’s just perfect as it is?” Reluctant pleasure at his admiration spread glowing warmth through her chest. His mouth hovered closer, then closer still, his breath fanned across her skin before he dipped in, touched his lips to hers and made her melt. Terror gripped her as she realized what she was doing and with a strength born of desperation, she slapped her hand on the cowboy’s shoulder and sent him sprawling to the floor. “Jesus Christ, Sebastian, what do you think you are doing?” “Saving you from yourself.” He sat up, drew his knees up to his chest and draped his forearms over his knees. “You’re about to make the biggest mistake of your life and someone has to stop you.” Taking a long, slow draught of air-conditioned oxygen, Bailey stared down at his all too familiar face and felt sheer panic engulf her at the thought of how much damage this man could do to her heart. “I don’t need to be saved. There’s no mistake.” “Well, where in hell’s name is he? It’s the day before Christmas Eve, it’s minus ten out there, a blizzard’s coming, and he left you alone. Why?” “I had to work an extra two days to make sure everything was in order before I left for the week.” She begrudged the fact she actually felt obliged to explain anything to him and annoyance had her giving a sharp flick of her foot as she uncrossed her leg once more. The pointed toe of her smart patent heels jabbed neatly into his shin, and for once she felt totally unrepentant about her lack of spatial awareness as he yelped and drew his legs back rapidly. Rolling his eyes, he moved to his knees. “He’s the goddamned boss, Bailey. He left you to clear up while he went on ahead and started his vacation early.” “His parents needed him to attend a function.” “His fiancée probably needed him to help carry her luggage.” “It’s okay, don’t fuss. The luggage is already booked on; I only have my purse with me.” He glanced around, sighed heavily before waving his hand at the empty seating next to her. “Where’s your coat?” “Well, I put it in the top of my suitcase when I arrived, save carrying it.” He rolled back to sit on his heels while he studied her. Bailey felt a warm heat spread up her neck into her face. He was the only person she knew who could make her blush just by meeting her eyes. As she tried to distract herself, she dug into her purse and pulled out a small, black rubber band. She scraped her unruly hair back from her face and held the rubber band in one hand while she pulled her hair through with the other. Wrapped around once, it was too loose, so she yanked it tight and pulled her hair through a second time. Too tight, her two middle fingers trapped between the elastic and her hair. He continued to stare. She glowered back, gave her fingers a desperate wriggle and wondered if he’d noticed. She saw the annoying twitch of amusement on his lips again. “Your arms are going to start to ache if you don’t put them down.” She wrenched at her hand, felt the tear of her acrylic nail as it parted company with her middle finger, just as the rubber band snapped, pinged off and her hair tumbled wildly around her face again. Red poker hot heat surged though her finger making her want to whimper and slide it into her mouth to ease the pain. She stared down at her perfect French manicure, ruined by a missing acrylic on one hand and a broken one on the other. Her eyes rose to his slightly blurred face as he chuckled and rubbed his forehead. “You did not get hit by my rubber band. Do not try to tell me you did.” Sebastian simply removed his hand and let her see the little white wheal mark surrounded by red. She squinted and leaned forward to take a closer look as he picked the broken rubber band up from his lap and wiggled it at her. Blowing out a disgusted breath, she sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. It was probably the safest thing she could do today. She was having one of her minor destroy-the-world days. It would blow over, and tomorrow she would be back to normal. Almost. As normal as her life ever got.   Where to Buy Flight of Her Life
Liquid Silver Books http://bit.ly/IcMuoh Amazon UK              http://amzn.to/18iC1n7 Amazon.com             http://amzn.to/1aS34mN
All Romance             http://bit.ly/193gk5c

In addition our grand prize will be a Kindle Paperwhite and digital new adult romance basket. Every comment on every blog in the hop will count as an entry toward either of the grand prizes.

Fairy Foodies - Daisy Banks

I have been visiting Daisy Banks on various blog sites to celebrate the release of her forthcoming book Valentine's Kisses, where she has tempted me with little snippets from her story. Now, she's made my mouth water with the thought of Fairy Cakes.
Welcome Daisy, come on in and talk food.






All my blogs in this tour are about Fairies, fairy legend and lore. Legends say fairies are fond of some forms of mortal foods. Butter, freshly baked bread, fresh milk and cream are in the list as favourites. There are tales of fairies stealing these things or accepting gifts of them.I do know a tale where a fairy granted the wish of one woman for a child in exchange for a loaf of bread.
There are also cases of warnings for people to leave a little in their glass, be it mead or milk, always leave a drop for the fairies. Never take the last apple, plum or pear from your tree, leave one or two for the fairies. On baking day, along with your usual creations, bake a little something as a gift for the fairies.
I have to say my family didn’t follow this piece of fairy lore and as you know from my other blogs in this tour, we often had evidence of a fairy presence in my parent’s house.
The most important warning concerning fairy food is, if the fairies offer you food and you accept and eat or drink it, you will be lost to the fairy kingdom. There are lots of stories of those who eat fairy food being enchanted by it, lured away and never returning to their mortal homes.
Some tales say fairy food is magical in many ways and makes the person who eats it see things that aren’t true. One story tells of an old man who finds himself at a fairy feast where he drinks and gorges himself on all manner of fine things. But come the dawn the spell of fairy magic is broken and the old man finds himself seated in a stinking bog gnawing on a broken root. Fairy food, it is said, is not to be trusted.
Food and drink play a big part in my story Valentine Wishes, as you will see when you read the story. I thought that as the story has a Valentine theme some fairy cakes suitable for a Valentine party might be nice addition to this blog. You will, of course have to bake them, and if you wish you can make a little extra for the fairies.

Fairy Cake Sponge to make 12 cakes.·        2 eggs ·        115g sugar ·        115g self-raising flour ·        115g butter, melted
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C /Gas 4 and prepare a 12-hole bun/muffin tin with paper baking cases. Whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the flour and the melted butter, gently folding the mixture together. Pour the mixture evenly into the paper cases. Bake the buns for 10-15 minutes, until golden on top and a skewer inserted carefully into one of the buns comes out clean. Allow to cool for ten minutes on a wire rack before removing from tin.
The fun part with fairy cakes is how you decorate them. Do enjoy.


Valentine Wishes published by Liquid Silver Books will be released on the 10thof February. You can pre-order a copy here and get an early bird discount.
http://bit.ly/1l0mX2Y
Here is a little snippet from the story to tempt you.
So far, since Poppy found the three girls, life here had been fun. Being so vibrant and young, energy simply oozed from them. The parties her mortals hosted entranced her. At each event, she sat under a leaf in the garden and sucked energy to her heart’s content. She did wish she could find a way to help them, even if only a little. The trio seemed to be such good mortals, providing flowers and sweet-scented plants in their garden, and they fed the birds at a very pretty bird table. These mortals really cared about their garden. The strangest thing was though, since her arrival, not once had one of them made a direct wish for anything. They seemed not to need any help with romance. She’d seen young men arrive to meet them and whisk them off in cars on a regular basis. Perhaps, as it’s soon to be the most special romantic time of year, I might get the chance to grant a few wishes.Her worst dread remained a too real prospect. One day she would go back to the fairy court and have to tell everyone she’d done nothing at all to help her chosen mortals. She shivered at the thought, for such a confession would be a huge humiliation. The critical expressions some fairies could wear were savage. She’d seen a lot of those before she left on fly about. Don’t think about that! Think about good things.She breathed out a huge sigh. The good things always seemed to revolve around one fairy, one utterly gorgeous, heart stoppingly perfect fairy, who didn’t criticize in the way the others did. She sighed again. Perhaps he never said anything about the disasters because he never noticed me at all. She had to have some successful wishes to speak about when she returned. I won’t go back until I have. The fairy courtiers had come to expect tales of triumph in all dealings with mortals. I must do something to make the lot of at least one of my mortals more bearable, or I risk more than ridicule. If her majesty isn’t impressed I could be banished to the top of some Christmas tree for decades. Worse though, what if he knew? I’d want to dissolve in shame. She gave a shudder and tried to dismiss the image of the reason for her fly about and her venture into the world of mortals. I’ve spent enough time thinking of him.

LinksBlog    http://daisybanks.wordpress.com/Website http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com/Twitter @DaisyBanks12Facebook http://on.fb.me/18iRC35Pinterest http://bit.ly/16sF1XG

Unmasking the Wolf - Christy Gissendaner

Hello Gina, 
Whew come on in, have some chocolate before it melts in the presence of your very hot cover. Wow. Just getting my breath back here. 
Thanks so much for having me, Diane
So let's talk about you in Unmasking the Wolf, I believe this is your story.
Tell me a little bit of what it was like under your father’s rule.
My father, Tony, is like any normal Italian father, a bit overbearing and wants to plan my life for me. Add to that fact he’s the alpha and it just got to be too much for me.
Aren’t you at all scared going out into the world, essentially on your own?
A little. But I have Dominic, my cousin. I can count on him to keep me safe in Boston.
Excuse me for my ignorance, but isn’t Boston a big city? How do you feel about leaving the rural part of Indiana behind?
Excited and nervous at the same time. It’s the first time I’ve left home and I can’t wait to experience all the city has to offer!
What kind of wolf are you?
My family is made up of true wolves, ones that can shift at will. Some unlucky wolves are lunar and can only shift during the full moon.  Thankfully I’ve never had to worry about having my shifting held to a minimum.
Do you think when you meet your mate you will know immediately?
I hope so. But there are so many unknowns in the universe so who really knows?
Does he have to be another wolf or would you consider a … human?
A human? My father would have a stroke! I’m not opposed to being with a human, but even I am not rebellious enough to consider marrying a human.
So, now down to the nitty gritty – what do you think of Lucas Mason? Would you consider him for a romantic interlude?
Luke? Oh yes. Definitely.
Describe Lucas.
Luke is a gazillionaire. Okay, not quite, but closer than I can ever hope to be. He has his own helicopter, for heaven’s sake! And he’s gorgeous. Not in a pretty boy kind of way, but in a drop dead sexy kind. Stunning green eyes. Rumpled golden brown hair. He’s so amazing that it’s a shame he’s not a wolf.





Book Description:
Gina Moretti is determined to escape her rural home of Clinton, Indiana, a place where wolves have met, married, and mated for generations. As the only daughter of the alpha, she’s lived her entire life under her father’s rule. No way is she ready to find a mate until she’s experienced more of the world. Against her family’s wishes, she goes to Boston where her scientist cousin, Dominic, has offered to give her a place to stay. She stumbles, quite literally, into her cousin’s gorgeous boss.
Lucas Mason, a Southern boy turned self-made millionaire, rose above his poverty stricken childhood and now enjoys a life of luxury in Boston. To honor his murdered sister, he hires her lab partner to continue their research. His employee, Dominic Moretti, is on the brink of creating a method to combat the scent of a wolf when his country cousin breezes in. Luke knows in an instant that Gina is his mate. The only problem is…she doesn’t even realize he’s a wolf. 
As Luke and Dominic get closer to medical trials, an unknown enemy becomes determined to stop them…at any cost. Can Luke discover his foe in time to protect his research…and his mate? And what will happen when Gina finds out he’s not quite as human as he’s led her to believe?

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Taliesin Publishing
Number of pages: 130Word Count: 43,898

Trailer:  
http://youtu.be/zcyatUihuBM
Buy Links:
http://www.taliesinpublishing.com/unmasking-the-wolf-p26.php
http://amzn.com/B00H3WHGQY

Short Excerpt
       “Ahhh,” she cried out as she tumbled toward the floor. A pair of strong arms clamped around her and jerked her back to her feet. Embarrassed beyond belief, her cheeks flamed with the knowledge she’d just made a fool of herself. In front of Dominic’s boss, no less. It didn’t take a brain scientist to realize the handsome, make that extremely handsome, man before her was Luke Mason.        He was sex-on-a-platter hot. Chiseled cheekbones, firm jaw, unbelievably straight nose, and a teensy weensy dimple in the center of his chin. This man was a living, breathing Greek god.        “Are you okay?” Piercing green eyes locked with hers as Luke’s grip on her arms slowly loosened.        Gina felt a jolt in the pit of her stomach. Despite Dominic’s warning to blend in, she sniffed the air. She had to. Something about this man called to her animal nature. But there was nothing. Not a trace of the wolf scent. Despite his unbelievable height and incredible physique, only the scent of sandalwood and spice came to her. Disappointment swamped her. He was human.        Luke continued to watch her. Gina knew he waited for her to speak, but her tongue refused to budge. She’d known he would be good-looking, but the newspaper article hadn’t done him full justice. Instead of a suit, he wore casual jeans and a dark blazer. He had the sort of hair that would curl in the rain. She didn’t know how she knew it. She just did. The golden-brown waves were delightfully rumpled in the middle of his head, as if he’d just risen from bed.        Gina gave a tiny moan at the thought of him rising naked from the sheets. He would be gloriously golden, with a tight belly and even tighter buttocks. Physical need rocked her to the core. What was up with lusting after a human? Was it merely the fact he was every woman’s wet dream, or something more?        His sensual lips curved into a sexy smile as he scrubbed a hand over his belly. “Hell of sharp elbow you have there.”        “Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Gina wanted to sink through the floor. Why was she always such a klutz?        “Don’t worry about it.” He drawled in a soft, slow tone.        She’d read he was originally from Jackson, Mississippi. The Southern accent was unbelievably sexy, but not nearly as sexy as the man himself. His face was a mixture of Hollywood leading man and mixed martial arts fighter. He was gorgeous, yet hard. She could easily visualize him serenading a woman one moment, and then fighting to protect her next.


About the Author:
Christy Gissendaner is a romantic comedy author and believes that laughter and love should go hand in hand.
Christy lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. She’s always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!
To find out more, please visit http://christygissendaner.webs.com
http://www.twitter.com/christygis
http://www.facebook.com/christygis
http://www.goodreads.com/christygissendaner