Dani Jace's Blog, page 13

Weekend Writing Warriors – Home Sweet Home

It’s home sweet home this week with sentences from my steamy contemporary, Hot as Blazes releases this Tuesday, June 9.  I’m so excited about this coming home story about a young woman whose life has taken a bad turn. Excerpt in 8.

The dated Shaker-shingle beach house brought Jo Mercer to tears. She’d doubted ever seeing it again. After parking, she wiped her eyes and patted the dash of her dad’s classic Bronco her brother, Bobby, had left at the airport for her.

As she stepped out of the truck, a warm Outer Banks sea breeze kissed her cheeks. Dune grasses waved in welcome. Home. The only sweeter thing would have been a husky Dahlin’ from Bobby’s best friend, Ray.

Unfortunately, her stealth homecoming prevented opportunity. Ray was the last one she wanted to know her big California surfing dream had ended like a movie of the week crime drama.

Hot as Blazes is available at all major e-book retailers.  Amazon  B&N  All Romance

Hope you enjoyed this snippet and will visit other amazing Weekend Writing Warriors posts for #8Sunday.

Romance Writers Weekly – Lost Love Flash Fiction

This week on Romance Writers Weekly, Fiona Riplee wants a 250 flash fiction story about a lost love that includes the words hammer, chisel and coping saw. Hope you’ve visited Veronica Forand’s blog.

First a little set up. This winter, I really got into the pirate show on Cinemax, Black Sails, and have been itching to write something about a hot scalawag like Charles Vane. Since a lot of my stories take place on the Outer Banks and the notorious pirate, Black Beard, aka Edward Teach, had a home base there in a small cove now known as Teach’s Hole, I’m using the place as a setting for this week’s flash fiction. The characters are shifters from my novella White Doe. Now for the flash:

 

Jim ran his gloved hand over the sandy ocean floor of the cove named Teach’s Hole. A flash of metal caught his attention. Bubbles streamed around scuba mask as excitement built. Treasure. He could use a bit of luck.

He’d merely been coping after losing Julianna, his life mate. Stupid hunter didn’t think anything of shooting a wolf. Jim chiseled open the bastard’s neck with his own fangs in revenge. His fellow shifter and friend, Shane was there in minutes, with his wife, but not even Cheyenne’s healing blood could save Julianna.

Jim shook the sand scoop and a ring of gold with an unusual green stone shimmered.

Later, that evening he sat on the beach by the bonfire with Shane and Cheyenne. He loved them to death, but their closeness only kept his loss as fresh as an open wound. Taking the ring from his pocket he surveyed the engraving on the band.

“What does it say?” Cheyenne rose from Shane’s lap to have a look.

“Tempus Viator.”

“Tempus is Latin for time.” Shane came over.

“Time for a big pay out.” Jim shoved the ring on his index finger. The green stone glowed. Electricity shot through his body. His heart hammered in his chest. He sawed in quick breaths as he was sucked into a vortex of blackness. In a distant voice, Cheyenne screamed.

A velvety voice pulled him from the abyss.

“Julianna?” Why she’d wear a voluminous long skirt and have a sword strapped to her hip?

Thank you Fiona! I’d been trying to come up with a sequel for White Doe using the hero’s buddy Jim, but couldn’t figure out how to pull it off. This little flash fiction time travel piece revealed it all to me! Whoo Hoo! Now, I must find time to write it! Brenda Margriet is next on the hop. Let’s see how she uses these interesting words, especially coping saw.

Weekend Writing Warriors – Revealing Old Hurt

Today on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday, I’m sharing ten sentences from my untitled contemporary romance. While hibernating the winter in a beach house Josh is being paid to remodel, the former K9 handler is befriended by a service puppy in training and her owner.

Josh has finished his work on the house for the day while playing sitter for the pup, Sky, is sacked out in front of the fire place when she returns and Josh has just invited her to stay dinner after he

“Has she been under your feet all day?” she asked sitting at the bar.

The devoted look of love she gave Sky made his heart ache. She’d have to give up the dog  and he knew that hurt. Sky had climbed up on the sofa and napped with him after lunch. Normally he didn’t stop but to eat, but she relaxed him and he hadn’t slept that well the last couple of nights. “She’s sweet and it’s like she knows how much I miss my dog.”

“Did he or she pass away?” she asked with kind eyes.

“He was my K9 in the army.” He turned back to the pot, before continuing, “During the attack on our base, I went down and another handler took him to safety. The bird flew me out before I could say goodbye…

Hope you enjoyed this snippet. Hope you’ll check out the other amazing authors at Weekend Writing Warriors.

My full length novel, Hot as Blazes is due out June 9!

 

Romance Writers Weekly – A Fan Girl Moment

This week’s questions for authors of Romance Writers Weekly are from Jeanne McDonald.  Hope you’ve already visited Susan Scott Shelley.

1. Describe that moment you first felt like a true author (not just an aspiring one).  When I received a message on Facebook from my soon to be editor at Lyrical saying she’d sent me an e-mail and they were offering me a contract on Hot as Blazes.

2. Name three authors who you inspire you.

Jo Davis, because of her prose and love scenes. Lori Foster’s ability to whip them out and keep changing up the characters with equally good writing. Lastly, the authors of my chapter. I was unpublished when I joined my Chesapeake Romance Writers. Now that I’ve been published and it is amazing to hear my chapter sister’s stories of getting their first book published!

3. Describe your favorite fan moment (either you as the fan or one of your readers approaching you as a fan).

Oh my God, this recently happened.  The founder of a blog reviewing site who’d read Hot as Blazes through NetGalley sent me a private e-mail that blew me away. It read:

Thank you. I grew up on the OBX. I have friends who are firefighters, police officers and I worked for the Town of KDH in the municipal center. My husband and I owned our first home in Grandy. You reminded me of my home, friends and family. Your story was awesome and I loved Ray and Jo. I always request books from netgalley that feature the beach. Yours was the first that rang true for me. I run Romancebookworm’s Reviews if you ever need something feel free to ask.

For a local to give me kudos on the setting and characters of my book is probably the best compliment I will ever receive! BTW, KDH is Kill Devils Hill, one of the towns on the Outer Banks. What a total fan girl moment!

Now let’s see about Kate Robbins’ fan girl moment and when she felt like an author for the first time!

Weekend Writing Warriors – Serving a Cool One to a Hot Neighbor

Hope you are having a fantastic Memorial Weekend and taking time to remember those who gave everything for our freedom.

Today on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday, I’m sharing ten sentences from my untitled contemporary romance. While hibernating the winter in a beach house Josh is being paid to remodel, the former K9 handler is befriended by a service puppy in training and her owner.

Josh has finished his work on the house for the day while playing sitter for the pup, Sky, who is sacked out in front of the fire place. He’s put a pork loin in the oven, reasoning he’d like to have cooked meal after having been in court most of the day and hopes Tori will accept his invitation. He’s just opened the door after hearing coming up the deck stairs.

She knelt in her heels and scooped Sky into a hug. “I’ve got to stop doing this.”

He chuckled, “Turning her into a lap dog already?”

The worry returned to her face before she said, “I know…it’s just that…never mind.”

“A court date warrants a beer, or something stronger?” He motioned to the bar hoping to get the full story as he appreciated her curves filling out her business skirt.

“A beer would be nice…you’re cooking?” she asked sniffing as she cast a glance across the bar to the kitchen area.

“Yeah, and I can do laundry too.” He rolled his eyes, cranked off the top of a long neck he’d pulled from the fridge and handed it to her.

Her tongue traced along her full lips before taking a swig, sending his mind back into the gutter.

Hope you enjoyed this snippet. Now its time to check out the other amazing authors at Weekend Writing Warriors.

Once the heat gets started, it’ll never stop…

Hot as Blazes is due out June 9. A beach setting with firefighters…

What could be hotter!

Weekend Writing Warriors – Searching for an Old Friend

Today on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday, I’m sharing 8-10 sentences from my untitled contemporary romance. While hibernating the winter in a beach house Josh is being paid to remodel, the former K9 handler is befriended by a service puppy in training and her owner.

Josh has finished his work on the house for the day while playing sitter for the pup, Sky, who is sacked out in front of the fire place. He’s put a pork loin in the oven, reasoning he’d like to have cooked meal after having been in court most of the day and hopes Tori will accept his invitation when she returns for Sky.

He sat on one of the bar chairs and opened his laptop to check his e-mail. One from a K9 handler he’d served with sparked his curiosity. Luc was like a ghost in the database of military K9s.

During his weeks of rehab, he’d hunted for his four-legged brother to no avail. The handler who’d taken him when they were under fire swore the dog was alive when he’d been shipped back to the states. This new e-mail listed a couple of other former handler’s to check with. Josh refused to believe his buddy had been unadoptable and put down. Pain lanced his heart at the thought.

Drumming footsteps on the outside stairs had Sky trotting to the door. Josh turned the knob before Tori could knock.

The worried frown on her face transformed into a surprised grin as she said, “Oh, hey.”

Hope you enjoyed this snippet. Now its time to check out the other amazing authors at Weekend Writing Warriors.

Once the heat gets started, it’ll never stop…

Hot as Blazes is due out June 9. A beach setting with firefighters…

What could be hotter!

Romance Weekly – Hot as Blazes Character Interview

We’re doing a short character interview this week on Romance Weekly courtesy of Xio Axelrod.  Hope you’ve already visited Veronica Forand.

Ray Andrews, is my Hot as Blazes firefighter hero in the novel of the same name I’m interviewing today.

Sitting in the big man’s recliner in my den, he makes it appear small. Two-hundred and forty pounds, he’s built like an NFL tight end.

“Okay, Dani, let’s go.” He leans forward, propping his his elbows on his muscular thighs making me wonder where he finds jeans to them and his trim waist.

Yeah, sorry. First question…what’s your favorite word?

His pale blue eyes brighten as he slowly smiles. “It’s Dahlin. I gave Jo the pet name a long time ago. Before she knew I was in love with her.”

His easy Southern dialect would put anyone at ease. Your fondest childhood memory?

“Surfing with Jo and Christmases spent with her family. Her brother, Bobby and I were best friends for years before Jo and I got together.” He looks reflective a moment then continues. “Their dad, Cappy, was like a father to me. He and 9/11 are the reasons I went into firefighting.

Wow. You never told me 9/11 had an influence.

“Really?” He chuckles. “Didn’t I share that in my character outline?”

That’ll teach me for not finishing the thing. On to the next question. Name something in your past you wish you could do differently?

He leans back in the chair and rubs his chin. “It’d be to tell Jo I was in love with her before she left for college, but then it could have changed everything.”

True. Vanilla or Chocolate?

“Scotch,” he says laughing.

Figured that. Last question. If you could have lunch with one famous person (alive or not) who would it be and why?

“Hmm…probably sounds shallow, but I’d like to meet Guy Fieri. I like to watch his show on the Food Network. He actually held a family reunion on the Outer Banks once.

Yeah, that’s right you like to cook. Jo’s like me she’s not into the culinary arts.

“She has other talents…better talents.” He raises a brow.

LOL…got it.  Well thanks for the interview.

“Any time, Dani.”

Met Ray and Jo in Hot as Blazes on June 9. Now, let’s see what Leslie Hachtel’s character has to say.

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors – Moving Forward

Today on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday, I’m sharing 8-10 sentences from my untitled contemporary romance. While hibernating the winter in a beach house Josh is being paid to remodel, the former K9 handler is befriended by a service puppy in training and her owner. Last week he opened his door to find the woman he met on the beach with a bag of puppy chow and the pup, Sky, sitting at her feet. She explains she has to be in court in Virginia and her dog sitter cancelled. Standing half-naked in a towel he barters asking about her discount at the home improvement store where she works.

“Twenty percent.”

“That’ll work, I need a new reciprocating saw.” He winked.

Jeez, why did he have to be such a good-looking dog lover? She extended her hand, saying “Thanks, I should be back around five.” Warm fingers clasped around hers with solid grip that felt secure. Something her marriage had sorely lacked. That nightmare that would end today.

She turned and descended the deck stairs for her car waiting in his driveway. This time, she didn’t look back like the day she’d met him on the beach. Today was all about moving forward.

Hope you enjoyed this snippet. Now its time to check out the other amazing authors at Weekend Writing Warriors.

Once the heat gets started, it’ll never stop…

Hot as Blazes is due out June 9. A beach setting with firefighters…

What could be hotter!

Favorite Villains on Romance Weekly

Favorite villains is the question this week on Romance Weekly. Fiona Riplee wants our top five and why. Hope you’ve already visited J.J. Devine for her five baddies.

There were a couple of book villains I liked but wasn’t sure everyone would know them, so I stuck with movies and TV/Cable shows. Initially I thought coming up with a list would be tough, but it seems I like villainous guys more than I thought. Mine aren’t serial killers, except maybe the vampire. They’re are only a tad crazy. I abhor mean/nasty women, so there’s no bitches on my countdown.

5) Drago of Rocky IV – Body, body and body. Need I say more. Plus Dolph Lundgren redeemed himself as He-man of Masters of the Universe.

4) Hans Gruber Die of Die Hard & Snape of Harry Potter – Both snarky and high-browed. Allan Rickman is great in all of his rolls. He has a wide range from the comedic alien in Galaxy Quest to the serious colonel in Sense and Sensibility.

Fair Use through Wiki – link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Darth_Vader.jpg

3) Darth Vader of Star Wars – Can’t get much darker than Darth and I love villain or hero with a commanding deep voice like James Earl Jones. Darth also redeems himself at the end of the first trilogy.

2) Eric Northman of True Blood – A fanglicious Viking vampire. I loved his dark humor and sexual prowess, especially with Sookie.

1) My newest villain and bad boy love is Charles Vane of Black Sails – A day long marathon before the start of the second season introduced me to the smoky voiced, Charles Vane and I wanted more! The man could read me the phone book and have me on my knees. He’s the only guy in dreds that I’d do! LOL! He’s got a hot body with intense eyes and is smarter than he’s given credit. His only weakness – a woman who betrays him. Romantic…huh.

Fiona Riplee follows me on the hop. Can’t wait to uncover our questioner’s favorite villains. It was fun to check the dark side of my soul, Fiona!

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors – Bartering Payment

Today on Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday, I’m sharing 8-10 sentences from my untitled contemporary romance. While hibernating the winter in a beach house Josh is being paid to remodel, the former K9 handler is befriended by a service puppy in training and her owner. Last week he opened his door to find the woman he met on the beach yesterday with a bag of puppy chow and the pup, Sky, sitting at her feet. She introduces herself and apologizes for barging in on him. Explaining she has to be in court in Virginia and her dog sitter cancelled.

“Guess you figure I’m a push over for furry face.” He glanced at the black bundle that seemed content against his muscular shoulder.

Lucky dog. “Umm yeah.” She checked her watch. “Can I get your number?” she asked while digging her phone from her bag, “Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”

“You get a discount at the home improvement store where you said you work?” He rubbed his chin covered in a sexy brown scruff that her fingers itched to touch.

God, the man didn’t even care he was half-naked in front of her as he bartered payment. He knew he had her at a disadvantaged no matter who showed more skin.

Hope you enjoyed this snippet. Now its time to check out the other amazing authors at Weekend Writing Warriors.

Once the heat gets started, it’ll never stop…

Hot as Blazes is due out June 9. A beach setting with firefighters…

What could be hotter!