Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 29

Q&A Sunday: Fall TV 2016

Ooh, I like the question from Vicki this week…

What is your favorite TV show?

Favorite is a tough question because I watch a lot of TV. I used to think I didn’t, but I’ve learned more and more that I watch a ton of TV.

My favorite show though, right now, is Lucifer.

Shocked you, right?

I know, you thought I was going to say something sweet and funny and sexy right?

Have you ever seen Lucifer? It hits two of the three.

It’s hilarious. Seriously, one of the funniest shows I’ve seen. I love shows that have a bit of a surprising humor. That’s Lucifer. It’s also sexy. Oh, so very sexy.

I find I’m drawn to cop dramas. I love Hawaii 5-0, Bones, Castle, and Limitless. We also love Scorpion, Supergirl, The Big Bang Theory, and Two Broke Girls. I’m very interested in The Story of Us and The Great Indoors.

Yeah, I like TV.
What are you excited about this season?
Thanks so much, Vicki, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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Reinventing Mica Avery by Dorothy A. Bell

Dorothy A. Bell is with us today to share a bit about her book, Reinventing Mica Avery! Please say hi!
Reinventing Mica Avery

Dorothy A. Bell

Taking a lesson from a house riddled with mold, clutter, and bitterness, Mica Avery unearths a treasure trove of lost love and forgotten dreams and enough wealth to begin her life anew, if she’s brave enough to grab hold and live it.

Excerpt: Reinventing Mica Avery

She’d never thought of herself as one of those swooning, fluttering types of females. But she sat there, her pulse playing hop-scotch, stomach woozy, and not a damn thing she could do about it. She couldn’t form a simple sentence or focus on anything but Gus Breedon, his tan, hairy legs, his muscular shoulders, and bulging biceps.

Oh, and the earwigs that probably, at this moment, were crawling up the side of the very stump she sat on.

With his hand going to her shoulder, he said, “Put your head between your legs, I hear it’s supposed to help.”

She closed her eyes to say, “It always sounds stupid to me. Who can bend over that far?” She didn’t say it out loud, but she thought, besides, if I look down, I’m gonna stare at your legs, those hairy, muscular, tan legs in those skintight cutoff shorts. Oh, my God.

“I sure am sorry I frightened you. I didn’t mean to.” Gus did have a nice, soothing voice, deep and warm like rich, brown molasses. She had to recover and fast, and made herself think of Gary. She needed to remember how Gary sounded. When she thought of Gary’s voice, she thought smooth, like cold steel. He clipped his words, making noises like a salesman most of the time. Lately, the sound of Gary’s voice irritated her. Yup, that worked—thinking of Gary pulled her completely out of panic mode, leaving her to feel nothing but stupid.

Gus Breedon, of all people, she couldn’t believe it.

“I’m okay,” is all she could say…very clever. “My heart, I think, is slipping back down into its correct position in my chest instead of up in my throat. My pulse has slowed from an all-out gallop to a trot.”

She rarely blushed, but around Gus Breedon she couldn’t stop the rush of heat from infusing her cheeks. Becoming flushed all over, she scolded herself you’re too old for this, too experienced for giddiness.

She had a mad desire to rip her clothes off and run through the sprinkler—with Gus giving chase, naked, of course. Well, what a silly thought. She blushed on top of her blush, and ordered herself to get a grip.

“Where did you come from?” she asked before she had time to think of another ridiculous scenario. Gus had a big face, a manly face, like the Brawny towel guy, only more brawny. Groan—there you go again. She could feel the giggle coming on. She wanted to stop it, stop it right now. She didn’t have time for Gus Breedon. As a matter of fact, she resented his presence altogether, with his hairy legs and big face.

“Oh, yeah. Well, I’m over at the Kramers,” he answered, and glanced over his shoulder toward the construction site. “We’re building an RV garage for them.”

This situation, with all the neighbors watching, all the guys on the construction crew watching her from the moment she’d pulled into the driveway—so typical Perry Grove. She could imagine them watching her, listening to her go around the house, looking in the windows, hollering for Lela.

Suspicious, Mica asked, “I thought you worked at the hospital?”

“The hospital…? Oh, oh, yeah, the janitor cart. I had a construction job, doing a remodel of some storage rooms. I stayed to sweep up, clean up after…you know. When I got off the elevator I went the wrong way. I should’ve taken a left to the service elevator, but I went right. I knew it the minute I turned the corner, and that’s when I nearly took you out. Sorry.”

Mica didn’t know why, but she nodded her head, even though she didn’t understand at all. Gus stood before the patio door, studying it. He bent forward, then squatted down on those magnificent thighs to run his hands along the aluminum channel at the bottom of the door. She wished he would go away. She didn’t need strangers hanging around. Lela would hate it, if she was in there stuck in the tub or something.

Gary should be here, not Gus Breedon. Gus Breedon wasn’t really a stranger, he knew Mica at twelve when she wore braces. Gus Breedon knew her at fifteen, her face one big pimple. And God help her, he knew her at sixteen, pregnant, and in disgrace…in so much trouble.

Here she stood, in trouble again. But this was a private, personal moment. She wanted to keep it between Lela and her, no outsiders allowed in on this one.

Get it now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!
Dorothy A. Bell, author of Oregon historical novels: The Reprobate, The Cost of Revenge, Dance Hall Road and contemporary romance, Reinventing Mica Avery.

I was born in Iowa and moved to Oregon with my mother, father and older sister when I was ten. So I think it’s safe to say I’ve been an Oregonian most of my life.

I’ve known for a very long time that I am a writer. When a work is published, then and only then do I declare myself an author—it’s a process I go through each time. It keeps me humble and grateful.

I believe every writer has their own distinct writing style and methodology. I couldn’t say what mine is. I write to entertain myself first, so I have to have humor. I’m a people watcher, so my stories are character driven. And romance, gotta have some steamy romance in there somewhere or the story doesn’t interest me.

In all of my stories, I portray my leading ladies as strong, independent, intelligent women who command admiration and respect. The heroes of course, have problems with strong, independent, intelligent women, that’s where the humor comes in to play. As a writer, it’s fun to manipulate through dialog and inner action the transformation of a man’s opinion to bring about his acceptance and inspire attraction.

I have a favorite parable I’d like to share:

Once upon a time there was a woman who’d won over a hundred cooking contests in one year and received multiple blue ribbons and trophies. When asked how she’d done it, she answered simply, “I entered.”

That’s it, right there, if you love to write, submit your work. Refine it, learn all you can about plot development, the difference between character driven and plot driven stories, point of view, passive voice, showing instead of telling, the mechanics of course. And for God’s sake be human in whatever you write. Even monsters have feelings. Reveal the truth in your characters. Expose their soul, their underbellies.

I have many, many more books in me. They’re coming as fast as my editor and my publisher can get them out there. Next one up will be an Oregon historical titled, The Widow’s Ferry. A story of three men: one an abuser, one a user, and a married man with a secret past, who want one woman—a strong survivor.

You’ll find old family photos, poems and all my buy links on my blog, plus a link to a free full length Oregon historical novel and several free short stories that I’ve put up on Amazon cloud for easy access.

You can find all of my books on Goodreads, Kobo and Amazon. They are Kindle and Nook, e-book friendly.

Follow me on my blog at http://dabellm3.com

Grab all of Dorothy’s books on Amazon…

Oregon historical, a Laura Creek romance, The Reprobate

Oregon historical, a Laura Creek romance, The Cost of Revenge

Oregon historical, Dance Hall Road

Contemporary romance, Reinventing Mica Avery

Or her publisher’s Website…

Freya’s bower at http://freyasbower.com

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Puffy & Precious, so sweet

First, I want to say congratulations to Stephanie! She won my Puffy & Precious giveaway for a $25 gift card! Thank you to everyone who entered!

I’m still celebrating the release of Puffy & Precious! I wanted to make sure you knew how super sweet Graham was. He constantly went above and beyond to help Abby, even canceling a date to help her get ready for a meeting…

Excerpt from Puffy & Precious

A knock on the door startled me. I padded to it, wondering who was there and hoping they wouldn’t stay long. When it swung open, I was momentarily confused when I saw Graham beaming at me. Then I remembered.

We were supposed to be going on a date.

“You forgot, didn’t you?” he asked, his smile slipping.

I sighed. I could lie, but that wouldn’t do either of us any good. I’d learned that the hard way. “I did. I’m sorry. Come in and I’ll get changed.” I looked down at my yoga capris and tank top with the built-in bra that did nothing to support me and crossed my arms. My face heated. “Sorry.”

Graham shook his head, a smile creeping onto his face. “I like this look. Of course I’d rather not share it with anyone else. What were you doing?”

He followed me into the kitchen and saw the mess. “Were you baking?”

I was going to put the flour away but set it down when I realized I’d have to figure out something after our date. I had to have desserts ready for Mayor Ramsey. And a date wasn’t a good reason for not being prepared.

“I was going to. I have a final tasting tomorrow with the mayor.”

“What do you have ready?”

I sighed and shook my head. “Nothing. I worked for Brett yesterday and was slammed today.”

Graham’s eyes narrowed. “Why were you alone with that guy after the way he touched you Monday? I don’t think I like you being around him.”

My eyebrow arched the same time my hands stuck to my hips. “You are not going to tell me what I can and can’t do. I’ve had enough controlling men in my life.”

“And I thought you were done with him.”

“I am done with him, Graham, but if I don’t do what he asks he’ll call the mayor and shred my chances of getting this job.”

Graham took it in. I could see the war in his eyes before he finally sighed. “I get it. I think you should let your baking speak for you, but I get it. What do we need to do?”

“We? No, we have a date.”

“Yeah, and you’ll be distracted all night worrying about tomorrow. I’m not going to put that on you, and I’m not going to have either of us pretend something more important isn’t going on. I started cooking for Travis and me when I was in middle school. Got pretty good at it, too. Put me to work.”

“I’ve never baked with someone else before.”

“You’ve baked with your Grams.”

I smiled that he remembered. “True, but you’re nothing like Grams.”

He laughed. “Well, I hope not. But I can help, Abby. Let me help you.”

“You do that a lot. Help me.”

“I like to help you.”

I tipped my chin up and waited for his lips to meet mine. He didn’t disappoint, his mouth slanting over mine in a kiss of possession. I was his, and he was telling me he was mine, too.

When he pulled back, long before I wanted him to, he kissed my nose and smiled. “How about I order a pizza and then we can get started?” I nodded. “What are we baking first?”

Order Now!
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                OR
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Q&A Sunday: Time Flies

I sort of hate answering this question. It is one authors talk about a lot, and one I don’t usually answer. But I’m answering it here today…
Aliana asked me…

How long on average does it take you to write a book (a stand-alone story)?

I write fast. I write really fast. Part of writing, for me, is figuring out where the story is going to go. Once I know where the story is going, it’s quick and easy to write. Most of the time.

I can write 2000 words in an hour.

That means very little I know. My books range from 50,000 to 72,000 words total. Most are close to 65,000. If I can write 2000 words in an hour, that’s about 33 hours of writing.

That would be nice.

I’ve written a book in 10 days before. More than once. It’s not easy. I don’t like doing it. But it’s possible for me. I can write 10,000 words in a day.

Five hours of work is nothing, right?

Well, that’s five hours of solid writing. I don’t usually have those hours. I have hours where I write 1000 words. Hours where I write 2500 words. Hours where I write 100 words. Hours where I write 0 words.

My goal is to write 5000 words every day. Sometimes I hit it. Sometimes I don’t.

But that wasn’t the question, was it?

I give myself three weeks to write a book. Start to finish. Yes, then there’s editing. There’s also planning. There’s cover design. There’s formatting. Writing is not all that goes into a book. Of course. But writing is what I do.

Three weeks. It’s close. If I took longer, I’d need to space my releases out more. For this year, 2016, this is working for me. Next year, my books are going to be a bit longer. I’ll need more time to write them. That’s why I’m spreading out releases to every six weeks. For now though, three weeks to write is working for me. I hope it’s working for you, too!

Thanks so much, Aliana, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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Come To The Light by Cynthia Racette

Say hi to Cynthia Racette today! She’s sharing a bit about her writing and an intro to her new novel, Come To The Light!

Tell us a little about yourself. 
We moved to the Buffalo area to be closer to our grandchildren.

How long have you been writing romance?
Pretty much my whole life.

When did you start and why?
I started when my children were small and I needed an outlet for my energies.

What did you do before becoming a writer?
I am essentially the epitome of a right brain/left brain person– right down the middle. I was a chemist before I started doing as much writing. I’m also a weekend artist.

What inspires you?
Almost anything. Something I’ve read or seen on TV…

Do you have a writing process that you want to share?
I write on my laptop in my living room. Not ideal, but what can you do?

What’s the hardest thing about writing?
Finding exactly the right word or phrase I want to express my idea.
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
I get so wrapped up in it I don’t want to stop.

What actor / actress do you see playing the lead characters in your latest book?
Emily Blunt/Bernard Cumberbach

Where did your idea for your latest book come from?
It was a challenge to myself. It’s told from the first person and I wanted to see if I could describe people and feelings and scenes with no visual cues. I think it was a remarkable success.


Tell us a little about it

Come to the Light— contemporary romance, 60k words.
This is the story of a blind woman who is kept captive not only by her blindness but by her mother, who refuses to accept the fact that her lack of sight is forever. She meets a man who falls in love with her despite her handicap. Will she be willing to take one more chance at one more operation for her new love when she has vowed no more?


Find out more about Cynthia on her website!

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Puffy & Precious, release day

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!

I know you’ve been waiting for this day as long as I have! I’m so happy Puffy & Precious is finally available! Abby and Graham were so much fun to write. They’re not typical though. They fight, they make up, they fight some more. They’re both scared and damaged and so passionate it might burn the pages!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! Through Sunday at midnight, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with the ninth word in the Chapter Nine and you’ll be entered to win! Read all about it here.

I have to share again though. Just a little taste of what Graham and Abby are like. I hope you enjoy!

Excerpt from Puffy & Precious

He growled. “We might miss our night out if you don’t stop looking at me like that.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what I’d be missing if we didn’t go. I’m very aware of what I’d get if we stayed in though.”

He warred with himself for about a second before he spun me in my seat and dove in. He knees pried my legs apart the same time his hands cupped my jaw. His lips crashed into mine, not giving me a chance to stall his entry. I welcomed him in, battling his tongue, his hands, his body for the same opportunities. To ravish him the way he did me with every look, every touch. The way he desired me made me feel powerful. It was a heady feeling, to have him want me the way he did. I could feel his need pulsing against my core. I waited, knowing he would sweep me from the truck and carry me inside any second.

The longer he kissed me, the more I needed him. My whole body ached for him, desire pooling low in my gut as moisture pooled within my new panties. He circled his hips against me and I had to break our kiss to release the whimper bubbling within me. His lips trailed down my throat, his hands going to my hips as he pulled me tighter against him.

I wasn’t going to last much longer. I was ready to unzip his pants and push my panties aside and have him right there on the seat of his truck.

But he pulled back. He stalked away a short distance, running his hand over his scalp. I recognized the motion. He only caressed the bare skin of his head when he was frustrated, usually with himself. He stalked back to the truck and rested his forearms on the frame above my head.

“I’m sorry,” he said, sounding like he was being torn in half. “I never should have done that.”

“Why not?”

He shook his head. “You’re too precious to be handled like this, Abby. You don’t deserve me fucking you in a parking lot. You deserve me taking you to a bed and cherishing you.”

I laughed mirthlessly and shook my head. “Actually, Graham, that’s exactly what I deserve. I deserve a man who wants me so much he can’t stop himself from exactly what we just did. I deserve a man who can’t keep his hands off me. Yeah, a bed is nice, but I’ve had years of sex in a bed with a man who only had time for me when it was convenient. I want a man who wants me when it’s not convenient. Who will skip dinner because he can’t wait until after to make love to me. Who doesn’t care if he’s messing up someone else’s night if it means we can order a pizza and eat it naked in bed. Better yet, on the living room floor because we never made it to bed. I don’t deserve a man who’s going to treat me like a prized possession. That’s not what I want. I didn’t think you were that kind of a man, but maybe I was wrong.”

I raised one brow in challenge and waited for him to say something. His eyes were lit with something, but I couldn’t tell if it was anger or excitement.

When he didn’t respond right away, I made a move to climb out of the truck. He blocked my path with his large body and a smirk. “Nice speech. You’re not going anywhere.”

Get your copy NOW!
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Q&A Sunday: What you get

I’m answering another question today. This time it’s all about you!
Vicki wanted to know…

What do you want your readers to get out of your books???

This is an easy one for me. When I started writing, I wrote for me. I felt like I had to. I’d been floundering for a while, but when I sat down and wrote a book, I really felt like it was something I needed to do. Something I was meant to do. It was right. I finally felt like I was doing what I was meant to do.

After the first couple of books, some of you found me. I’ve always been very open to my readers and have traded emails with many of you. One thing a reader said early on was my books gave her hope. Hope for her future.

I still have that email.

It touched me. To be able to do that for someone made me cry. Honestly. She wrote it June 27, 2014. I still want that for you.

Hope.

It’s a simple word, but it means so much. It’s what inspired my tagline – Scintillating Stories with a side of Hope. Yes, I enjoy writing spicy books. But each of them has threads of hope. That’s why I write about characters that you could meet if you wandered into Bite Me! or strolled Paradise Park. I want to share characters that are just like me, and you too. People who are real. With struggles you might have. With challenges you might face. With dreams and hopes and love that you have too.

It’s something that was on my mind a lot when I was writing Puffy & Precious. Abby and Graham are not typical, but they give me hope. They make me think anything is possible. Love is possible.

What do you think? Do my stories give you hope?

Thanks so much, Vicki, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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Puffy & Precious, first kiss

I can’t believe we’re only a week until Puffy & Precious is released! If you haven’t preordered it yet, make sure you do! Then make sure you enter to win a $25 gift card release week!

Abby and Graham have a wild relationship. Nothing about them is ordinary from their explosive relationship to their passion for each other. They both have ghosts in their past (and her present) but if they can get past them, their relationship is promised to be one hell of a fun ride!

Excerpt from Puffy & Precious

I smiled. “I’m not so sure about that. The bookshelf you made was pretty spectacular.”

“I was inspired, I guess.”

“By what?”

He smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “By you, Abby.”

When he leaned down to kiss me, I froze. I wanted his kiss. More than anything, I wanted it. But I hadn’t kissed another man since I left Brett. Brett always made me feel like I wasn’t good enough when it came to anything sexual. Said I didn’t have any inherent sexiness that turned a man on. It was his excuse for watching porn before we slept together. He needed something to get him in the mood.

I didn’t want Graham to feel the same way. I didn’t want him to dismiss me because I wasn’t sexy enough.

But I had no idea how to change who I was.

“Are you okay with me kissing you?” Graham whispered when he was just a breath away. “Because if you aren’t, I’ll stop.”

I shook my head and he started to pull away, disappointment masking his face. “No,” I protested, grabbing onto his arms and getting distracted by the pure power I felt. “I meant yes, I’m okay with you kissing me. Don’t stop. I just hope I’m a good enough kisser.”

“I’ll let you know,” he rasped as he pulled me into his arms and sealed our lips together.

My body peaked instantly. His lips brushed over mine for a soft kiss. Like everything else on him, his lips were big. Easily covering mine. He went back in for another kiss, not rushing it, just enjoying.

It didn’t take long for me to relax and enjoy it. Sex was fun, but I was a sucker for a good make-out session. Brett never liked to kiss much. Graham though, he was proving to be one hell of a kisser.

When I relaxed, his body tightened around me. His arms pulled me closer, but his hands stayed on my back without drifting to any other parts of my body. His tongue dipped between my lips and stroked mine. I moaned softly into his moan, getting lost in the feel of his hard body against mine and his soft tongue in my mouth. He was driving me crazy.

Graham tilted his head and deepened our kiss, his tongue growing bolder. One of his hands slid up my back into my hair. He held my head where he wanted it and kissed me until I couldn’t breathe. Until I didn’t want to breathe unless it was through Graham. I held on to him, pressing my greedy body against him, wanting more, needing more, and not caring how I got it.

Graham gentled our kiss and pulled back, sucking in life-saving breaths with me. His lips danced over my neck, sucking gently on my skin before he nipped at my ear. “I want you, Abby. But I’m not going to have you with his ghost hanging around. If I were a weaker man we’d be in your bed right now and I’d be proving exactly how fucking amazing your kiss was, but I can’t do that to you. I’ll have you when he doesn’t.”

Preorder Now!
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Q&A Sunday: The Male POV

I’m really enjoying the questions you guys have for me. You’re all very insightful people! Today’s question, from Aliana, is all about that exact subject…

Would you consider writing a book strictly from the male character’s perspective?

The male point of view! I sometimes struggle with this, I’ll be honest.

The first book I read from exclusively the male point of view was Mr. O by Lauren Blakely. It was a fabulous book! I loved it, but being in his head the entire time… I’m not sure I could do it.

Most of the time, I like showing both sides. Showing what each character is thinking. For the Big & Beautiful series I stuck to female only because I really wanted you in her head. Writing only in his head is a little scary for me! Not because men are scary, but let’s face it, the men in romance novels are usually the men we want them to be (only being honest here). They’re not always the way they are in real life.

That said, you’re making me think. I have been asked to share the male view for the Big & Beautiful series. It’s something I’m looking at doing for boxed sets (a little extra something to add). But doing a whole book, or whole series, from his point of view… interesting.

I am looking at a spin off series when Big & Beautiful ends. Maybe it’ll be a male point of view series. What do you think? Could I pull it off? Would you want to see that? I’m always looking for a challenge and a way to push myself. Maybe this is the next push!

As always, I’m open to anything. I have a while to get ready for writing that series in the male POV exclusively. Hmm, now you’ve got me thinking!

Thanks so much, Aliana, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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A Major Seduction by CJ Matthew

Please say hi to CJ Matthew today! We’re taking a trip… to Japan!

Setting has always been a major component of my books. In my new contemporary romance quintet, the Colonel’s Daughters, I’ve taken advantage of my own international travel. Creating a fictional Air Force family of five daughters, I have four of the sisters born overseas, in foreign countries: Japan, UK, Italy, and Germany, and one born on the island of Oahu. In each of the five books, as one sister happens to return to the country of her birth, she meets the man of her dreams and must deal with her fate.

Book 1, A Major Seduction, is set in Tokyo, Japan at an AF wedding. Kari, the eldest of the Colonel’s Daughters is a Boston lawyer who will be serving as the maid of honor and Steve, an AF fighter pilot is the best man.

There are several sightseeing scenes in the book and in this excerpt, my hero and heroine are falling in love while visiting the Meiji Shrine.

Excerpt from A Major Seduction

Steve and Kari walked side by side. The smell of wet pine filled his lungs along with a trace of her perfume. He wanted to bury his face in her hair but held himself in check. The gravel crunched as they strolled along and he had to agree with his Japanese buddy, Z, this place was the definition of serenity.

Clearing his throat, Steve read from his notes, “Says here, the entire kit-n-caboodle is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his Empress. The forest has 120,000 evergreens donated from all over Japan. Entering a Shinto Shrine you pass under a Torii, a shrine gate.” He glanced at her and she flashed him that amazing smile.

“The one up ahead is made from 1700-year-old cypress wood and is the largest in the whole country. Here, hold my camera. I’ll use the phone to get us in a selfie under the Torii.”

That accomplished, he approached a passerby, bowed and extended his camera. The older, smiling gentleman seemed to immediately understand his gestures.

Steve gathered Kari close to his side, arm around her shoulder, and beamed toward the camera. The heat of her body was a serious distraction and he prayed the older man would hurry before a telltale bulge in his pants gave him away.

After the stranger took several photos of Steve and Kari together, they bowed their thanks. “Domo aregato.”  Steve stepped away from her in an attempt to clear his head.

He checked his notes. “If we turn left here, the path goes to the Jingu Naien. It’s a giant garden of iris flowers designed by the Emperor for his wife.” A glance at Kari’s relaxed, happy face mesmerized him.

She sighed, “That’s so romantic.”

“Uh, but the iris don’t bloom until June. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s still romantic, with or without blossoms. I’m guessing those were her favorite flowers?”

“You’d be right on the money.” Steve made a mental note to discover Kari’s favorite flower. “Let’s keep going to the inner garden. Check out the main shrine.”

He extended his hand, curled their fingers, and they walked on side by side.

A Major Seduction

CJ Matthew

Kari Phillips has sworn off alpha men, thanks to a childhood spent raising four sisters while her dad served in the air force and her mom was unable to cope with his deployments. Vowing never to follow in her mom’s footsteps, Kari has become a driven, successful attorney. On her way to Tokyo to rescue her best friend’s wedding, she meets a cocky F-15 pilot headed to the same ceremony. When he finagles a seat next to her on the flight, she vows if he gives her any grief, she’ll shove him out of the emergency exit without a parachute.

Major Steve Shorner, a patriotic warrior fulfilling his lifelong dream as a fighter pilot, is finding it tough to live down a couple of practical jokes. Before he heads to Tokyo to be his buddy’s best man, Steve’s commander assigns him to a no-win project in Japan, and links the outcome to Steve’s tryout for the Thunderbirds, the AF’s elite demo team. But after a chance meeting with a beautiful redhead at the airport, Steve acquires a new goal—convince the sexy, workaholic lawyer to bend her rule against military men.

Available October 14 from Amazon!
About the Author

CJ Matthew grew up in an Air Force family traveling and living all over the US and around the world. It proved to be the perfect experience for gathering ideas for future books. And for meeting real life heroes and heroines in uniforms and flight-suits. She spent her high school and university years in California, which inspired her love of marine life, and the Pacific Ocean.

A Major Seduction is the first book in CJ’s contemporary romance quintet titled The Colonel’s Daughters. Each book features one of the five sister’s story. Born in different countries around the world, when each of the daughters happens to return to her country of birth, she’s meets her true love, and is forced to confront her destiny.

In CJ’s paranormal romantic suspense series Dolphin Shore Shifters, the most current release, Toxic Tide is book 5. The series features a pod of dolphins living in the Santa Barbara channel off the coast of California, who are capable of shifting to human form. While posing as real humans, the dolphins work, through their oceanic conservation corporation, Save Blue Water, to protect their oceans at any cost.

Her romantic suspense series, The Paladin Group, launched with Deadly Reboot. The books are set in a small southern town, and star wounded air force veterans, men and women warriors turned civilian attorneys and investigators determined to continue their rescue work.

A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), and Kiss of Death, CJ lives and writes near a lake in the woods northeast of Atlanta. When she isn’t writing or reading romances, CJ spends time with her two grown children, their spouses, a brilliant grandson and a feisty cat named Max.

Schedule permitting, CJ loves to travel, to discover new favorite places and to meet new friends in both the US and around the world.

Max flatly refuses to travel.

Connect with CJ on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads!

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