Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 31
August 2, 2016
Nothing But Net, getting personal
There’s a line between our work life and our personal life. We like to keep it clear and straight so we don’t cross it. But what happens when it blurs? When that line isn’t as straight as it used to be? Or as clear which side we want someone on?
Excerpt from Nothing But Net
Emma had no right to be so pissed off that he was flirting with one of the moms, but she was. He always treated her like an employee but the woman with heels and perfect hair and one of those hour glass figures Emma had always been envious of… she got him to flirt.
Emma tore her eyes away from his, not willing to give in to anything more than he’d already seen. She studied her clipboard, understanding that learning the names of the players was as important as anything when coaching. She’d asked for pictures to go with the list of twelve girls, but was told they didn’t have any.
At least Emma knew two of the girls. Jeff’s daughter and the perfect mom’s daughter. Two down, ten to go.
She felt Jeff at her side before he was within her sight line, but she knew he was there. “Hey,” he said casually. “Thanks for coming.”
Emma nodded then pasted on a smile for him. “Of course. What time do we need to get started?”
Jeff turned away and surveyed the field. “It looks like we have ten here so we’ll wait a few more minutes. Do you want to meet Taryn?”
Meet his daughter? That felt like something different than meeting the girls at the camp. That felt personal.
Emma couldn’t do personal with him.
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July 31, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Meet & Greet
It’s Q&A Sunday! I’m starting to enjoy this, but I need more questions! If you’ve got anything you want to know, please leave a comment below and I’ll answer your question!
For this week, I have a question from Vicki!
If you could meet one author, who would you meet and why?
I’m very lucky in this sense because the one author that I’d love to meet is one I’ve already met, twice!
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and every July there is a national conference. I’ve been able to go the last two years and both years I made an effort to reach out and meet my favorite author, Jill Shalvis!
Last summer when I was at Nationals I was battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I found out about it after I’d already planned to go and wasn’t willing to let it stop me. I attended a workshop Jill spoke at and went up to her afterward. I told her I was there because of her – it’s the truth. The first romance novel I ever read was one by Jill and I was completely hooked. I couldn’t stop reading them and within a month had decided it was what I wanted to write. I owe my career to Jill and her incredible story telling.
This year I met Jill at the Literacy Signing the night before the conference begins. I told her we’d met the year before but she didn’t recognize me (I had some hair this year). When I said who I was she immediately remembered me and said she’d been thinking of me! Oh. My. God. Jill Shalvis was thinking of me? Wow!
But that’s the kind of person she seems to be. She cares about her fans. She worries about people. She’s funny, and smart, and talented, and kind. How could you not be a fan of someone like her?
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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July 29, 2016
Dominated by the Dragon by Kryssie Fortune
Five Ways to Care for your Diamond
I’m not really a precious stone kind of girl, but I do own a diamond. It’s in my engagement ring, of course.
Since, child bride that I was, we’ve just celebrated our Ruby Wedding, I thought I’d better check out how to keep it sparkly and bright.
I know diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, but I didn’t know they could chip. From now on, I’ll take extra care not to knock mine into anything.
Store away from other stones or wrap in a piece of velvet so as to avoid scratches.
Clean regularly. The best way to me is to soak it in a small glass of gin. Afterward, brush with a soft child’s toothbrush. What you do with the rest of the gin is up to you. (But I’d drink it.)
Ignore anyone who advises you to clean your diamond with toothpaste. It can be too abrasive and rob your stone of its shine.
Regularly check the stone is secure in its setting.
I rediscovered a love of diamonds while writing Dominated by The Dragon. The heroine is heiress to a billionaire who made his fortune dealing in diamonds. Normally a take charge type of girl, she’s sharp, sassy, and for once, in need of a hero.
Step forward Flynn Hemsworth – former super soldier turned mercenary. Thanks to the military he has a dragon demon bonded to his soul.
Hope teaches him about diamonds. In return, he teaches her about submission, spanking, and pleasure tinged with pain.
Dominated by the DragonKryssie Fortune
A former super soldier turned dragon demon must choose between his soul mate and saving the world from a nuclear winter.
The British army’s nuclear testing bonded a dragon into Flynn Hemsworth’s soul. Military scientists vivisected and tortured him until he escaped two years later. Although he’s never aged, he’s been alone and on the run for almost six decades. When he prevents a naked woman from being the prize lot in a coven’s slave auction, he realizes she has an unexplored submissive streak.
Hope Mathews—a sassy blonde with killer keyboard skills—is a strong independent woman. When Flynn prevents her being sold to a demon, she discovers she enjoys spankings and light bondage.
Together Hope and Flynn must shut down a coven of black magicians, rescue kidnapped demons, and stop a black ops nuclear missile hitting the UK. Even if they manage all that, Hope’s the granddaughter of a billionaire while Flynn’s still on the run from the military who want to dissect him again. Can they find common ground and build a life together?
Reader Advisory: Contains explicit language, a virginal heroine who discovers she enjoys spanking and bondage. Add in some serious dragon demon loving, light the blue touch paper, stand back, and watch the sparks fly.
PUBLISHER NOTE: Paranormal BDSM Romance – 63,094 words. BDSM, Exhibitionism, Orgies and Spanking.
Grab your copy now!
Luminosity | Amazon US | All Romance Ebooks
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July 26, 2016
Nothing But Net, expectations
When Emma took the job as camp coach for Taryn’s basketball camp, she wasn’t sure she could handle being around a bunch of little girls all day. The only reason she agreed was knowing Jeff would be there with her to help.
But when Jeff ends up in a meeting all day and missing camp, Emma not only has to spend the day at camp alone, with 12 seven and eight year olds, but she ends up watching Jeff’s daughter half the night, too.
I don’t think either of them were thrilled by that one…
Excerpt from Nothing But Net
When he finally looked at his own house he was confused. His house was lit up. The porch light was on. The interior lights appeared to all be on. And Emma’s gigantic SUV was in his driveway.
How the hell did she get into his house?
Jeff parked next to Emma’s vehicle and got out, knowing he needed to deal with her before he went to get Taryn.
He walked through his wide-open garage and into the kitchen. Where he heard laughter and the television.
What the hell?
“Hello?” he called as he set his stuff on the counter and turned toward the living room to his right.
“Daddy!” Taryn shouted, jumping up from the couch and running to him. She flung herself into his arms, making him nervous. Taryn wasn’t usually an overly affectionate kid. If she was hugging him, he worried it meant something was wrong.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded against his chest. “I thought you were going to get me earlier. I didn’t know what happened.”
“I sent Ms. Isabella a text to let her know my meeting was running late. Why aren’t you at her house?”
“Ms. Isabella had something to do and couldn’t take me with her.”
“So, who’s here?” Jeff asked, dread filling him as he realized he’d left his daughter in the care of someone he didn’t know.
Until she stood up from the couch. Her hair was spilling out of the ponytail he knew she’d worn all day. Her clothes were dirty and wrinkled. Her legs had dirt sprinkled on them. But it was her eyes that told him she was even less thrilled to be there than he was to find his daughter home and not with Isabella.
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July 24, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Plots
How do you come up with the plots of your stories or the center of a series?
Do you draw from personal experience or pure imagination?
I love this question! I have to tell you I have more ideas than I have time to write, which is a great problem! I’ll get to them all eventually, I hope!
I almost always start a plot idea with a title. I don’t know why but titles almost always come to me before I start a story. Once I have a title the story starts to take shape. I like my series titles to all work together so when I have one title the rest fall into place. If the others don’t fall into place and make sense then I start over until I can come up with enough to make sense for the whole series.
Pieces of the story will usually fall into place based on the title, but most of my stories also have a scene or even the idea based on a song. I listen to country music which is full of love stories gone wrong and people falling in love. Even one line in a song has sparked an idea!
Once I have my title and my inspiration, the rest gets filled in with a mix of my experiences and imagination. Even though I’d love to say I’ve done everything my characters have done, I honestly haven’t. But I have done some fun things and used those in my stories.
When I was 21 I went skydiving, which is what Cat’s experience in Wait For It was based on.
I’ve taken a few trips to the Grand Canyon like Claire and Aidan in Lush & Lovely.
The house Xander, from Chubby & Charming, grew up in is the same one I grew up in.
I have a neighbor upstairs that you’ll read about in Wish For It!
I even broke my ankle white water rafting and have no doubt a character someday will do the same!
The majority of the stories is usually just my imagination though. I put in little parts of myself into each story. Whether names of people I know, situations I’ve heard or been in, or things that I’m familiar with. I’m always looking for inspiration though. I make up stories about the people I see out. There were two cute brothers behind me in church one day and they became the Davoli brothers! A bodybuilder at the gym is Graham (in the upcoming Puffy & Precious). I’ll turn anyone I see into an upcoming character, but don’t piss me off or I might have to start writing romantic suspense so I can kill you off!
Just kidding.
Maybe!
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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July 22, 2016
Madame Presidentess by Nicole Evelina
The Free Lover Who Ran for President
If you’ve never heard of Victoria Woodhull, don’t worry. Most people haven’t. That’s because she’s not in 99% of history textbooks. But she was the first woman to run for President in the United States (1872), the first woman to speak before a committee of Congress, the first woman to own a stock brokerage on Wall Street (along with her sister, Tennie) and one of the first women in the country to run a weekly newspaper. But we don’t need to remember any of that, do we?
Ahem. Sorry, I get on my soapbox easily because I became a fan while researching my novel Madame Presidentess (on sale July 25), which is based on her life. Since this is a romance blog, I thought I’d focus on Victoria’s love life. I know, exactly what every woman wants to be remembered for. (Sorry Victoria!) But her views on love and marriage played a huge part in her political career and her adventurous personal life got her into a lot of trouble.
You see, Victoria was an advocate of Free Love. In her day, it didn’t mean unchecked promiscuity as it later would to some in the 1960s; it meant that she believed marriages should come into existence when two people fell in love and be dissolved when they no longer loved each other, without interference from the government or organized religion. It was her second husband, Col. James Blood, who introduced Victoria to this idea. (He was married when they met and likely justified leaving his wife and daughters for her under the tenants of Free Love.)
It was while she was married to James that Victoria supposedly had at least one affair, or up to five, depending on which source you believe. (There are also those who deny that she ever had any, but the majority believes in at least one.) Here’s a quick rundown:
Representative Benjamin Butler – This story comes from a rumor that while he and Victoria were in Washington D.C. when she testified before a committee of Congress, she went to visit him at night. As if all two people can do after dark is have sex. Also during that time he was said to have gotten the committee to agree to let her speak “in exchange for feasting his eyes upon her naked person.” When asked about that rumor, he replied “half truths kill,” which many took as an admission it was true.
I personally don’t think they had an affair. Benjamin Butler is described as toad-like, short and plump with an overly large head and sunken eyes engulfed in flesh. One of his eyelids drooped and he waddled when he walked. Yet, his vitality and power are said to have attracted many women to him. So it’s possible, but I don’t buy it. I did, however, use this situation as the basis for Victoria’s affair with the fictional Judah DeWitt Reymart in my novel.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher – Rev. Beecher was one of the most famous and highly regarded preachers of the late 19th century in America. Despite this, he was widely rumored to “preach to as many as 20 of his mistresses on any given Sunday.” His promiscuity was an open secret. Victoria tried to bring him into the Free Love movement because she knew he had had an affair with Lib Tilton, the wife of Victoria’s own lover, Theodore Tilton. Victoria and Rev. Beecher spent a fair amount of time together when she was trying to sway him to her way of thinking (some of it at night and you know what that means), but nothing I’ve read seems to indicate they had an affair.
Biographer Lois Beachey Underhill is convinced the exact opposite, but I don’t see it, especially since she cites Sachs and Tucker as her sources (see entry on Tucker below), who are suspect at best.
Theodore Tilton – Here is the most likely and most widely accepted of Victoria’s possible lovers. He was known to be handsome and charming and had a reputation for extramarital affairs that may or may not have been justified by Free Love. Theodore and Victoria may have met when both were a part of the suffrage movement. But they certainly met after she published a thinly veiled threat to expose the affair Rev. Henry Ward Beecher had with Theodore’s wife. Somehow, Mr. Tilton ended up writing for Victoria’s paper and she commissioned him to write her biography. This is likely when their relationship began. Though her biography was considered overdramatic and widely panned (except in spiritualist circles), Victoria remained close to Mr. Tilton for quite some time until their relationship ended over him backing Horace Greeley for President instead of her (he wanted the job Mr. Greeley would have to vacate upon becoming President).
Joseph Treat – Biographers of Victoria believe that Mr. Treat was in love with her, and when she turned him down, he wrote a malicious pamphlet telling his story and denouncing her as a fraud. She sued him for libel, but the truth or falsehood was never proven, because he died before the case could go to court.
Benjamin Tucker – He claimed to have been seduced by Victoria, who was much older, when he was only a young man. This claim is highly unlikely to be true. He was paid $5,000 by Emanie Sachs to tell his story for her brutal (and mostly false) 1928 biography of Victoria.
Some books and websites say there were at least a dozen men who claimed to have an affair with Victoria, but these are the main contenders. Between these rumors and Victoria’s open embracing of Free Love in a time when women were meant to be paragons of virtue, it’s little wonder why Victoria wasn’t included in the history books. (Well, there’s more to it than that, but this was also a factor.) Today, she would still be controversial not only for her political opinions, but for her personal behavior. Some would laud her as sex-positive (of which she was likely a pioneer, even though the phrase didn’t exist in her time) while others would call her a slut. Either way, I count her as a strong woman who is worth getting to know.
Madame Presidentessby Nicole Evelina
Forty-eight years before women were granted the right to vote, one woman dared to run for President of the United States, yet her name has been virtually written out of the history books.
Rising from the shame of an abusive childhood, Victoria Woodhull, the daughter of a con-man and a religious zealot, vows to follow her destiny, one the spirits say will lead her out of poverty to “become ruler of her people.”
But the road to glory is far from easy. A nightmarish marriage teaches Victoria that women are stronger and deserve far more credit than society gives. Eschewing the conventions of her day, she strikes out on her own to improve herself and the lot of American women.
Over the next several years, she sets into motion plans that shatter the old boys club of Wall Street and defile even the sanctity of the halls of Congress. But it’s not just her ambition that threatens men of wealth and privilege; when she announces her candidacy for President in the 1872 election, they realize she may well usurp the power they’ve so long fought to protect.
Those who support her laud “Notorious Victoria” as a gifted spiritualist medium and healer, a talented financial mind, a fresh voice in the suffrage movement, and the radical idealist needed to move the nation forward. But those who dislike her see a dangerous force who is too willing to speak out when women are expected to be quiet. Ultimately, “Mrs. Satan’s” radical views on women’s rights, equality of the sexes, free love and the role of politics in private affairs collide with her tumultuous personal life to endanger all she has built and change how she is viewed by future generations.
This is the story of one woman who was ahead of her time – a woman who would make waves even in the 21st century – but who dared to speak out and challenge the conventions of post-Civil War America, setting a precedent that is still followed by female politicians today.
Don’t miss out and preorder it now!
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About NicoleNicole Evelina is an award-winning historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her most recent novel, Madame Presidentess, a historical novel about Victoria Woodhull, America’s first female Presidential candidate, was the first place winner in the Women’s US History category of the 2015 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction.
Her debut novel, Daughter of Destiny, the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view, was named Book of the Year by Chanticleer Reviews, took the Grand Prize in the 2015 Chatelaine Awards for Women’s Fiction/Romance, won a Gold Medal in the fantasy category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and was short-listed for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction. Been Searching for You, her contemporary romantic comedy, won the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.
Nicole is one of only six authors who completed a week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness. As an armchair historian, Nicole researches her books extensively, consulting with biographers, historical societies and traveling to locations when possible. For example, she traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.
Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for The Historical Novel Society, and Sirens (a group supporting female fantasy authors), as well as a member of the Historical Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West, Broad Universe (promoting women in fantasy, science fiction and horror), Alliance of Independent Authors and the Independent Book Publishers Association.
Her website is http://nicoleevelina.com.
She can be reached online at:
https://twitter.com/NicoleEvelina
http://www.goodreads.com/nicoleevelina
http://pinterest.com/nicoleevelina/
https://www.facebook.com/nicoleevelinapage/
http://instagram.com/nicoleevelina
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyi5-knSn0Abm5ujfpcHgbg/videos?view_as=public
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July 19, 2016
Nothing But Net, release day
I’m so excited this book is finally available! Nothing But Net was an emotional challenge to write, but I loved every minute of it! Emma and Jeff were such amazing characters. They were fun and silly and exciting and it was so hard to have them torn apart. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did!
Excerpt from Nothing But Net
The sight of her, uninhibited and wild beneath him, was something Jeff knew he’d never forget. For as long as he lived, Emma would torment him, drive him half-insane. And in that instant he knew, without any inkling of doubt, that he loved her more deeply than he’d ever loved another woman. And that knowledge, that reality, that truth, sent him flying over the edge after her, his own orgasm claiming him the same way Emma had. Controlling him as he pumped into her, filling her, drawing out her pleasure with his own.
He collapsed on top of her, unable to move for long moments. Her arms circled his back and held him tight to her. Her breathing slowed gradually, but Jeff couldn’t bring himself to let go of her. Once he realized his feelings for her were so much more than simple lust, he didn’t want to go through another day without her.
He knew it was crazy. They’d known each other for years, but it had been less than a week since he’d first kissed her, three days since they’d had sex. He couldn’t even call what they did making love, although for him that was in there too.
Emma pushed at his shoulders and he rolled off her. He kneeled on the floor at her side, taking in every inch of her beautiful curvy body. She had dips and valleys that told a story of her body. A body that made his softening cock harden again, already getting ready for her a second time.
Then Emma stood and started searching for her clothes. Jeff wanted to kick himself for thinking she would ever want to be tied down, especially to someone like him. He knew he wouldn’t be enough for Emma. And he wouldn’t hold her back from finding whatever made her happy.
Get it now!
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July 17, 2016
Q&A Sunday: Co-writing
So, this week I have another question from Vicki. She asked,
If you could co-write a book with any author about anything subject, who would that author be and what would that book be about?
This is a really hard question for me to answer. There are so many authors out there that I admire the hell out of. Amazing, wonderful authors that are so crazy talented. Many of them I would worry about not being able to do their work justice.
I’ve also never thought about co-writing. I have some amazing writers in the different groups I’m in, but working together on a project has never been something I’ve given much thought to.
But, since Vicki asked, I’ve been thinking.
I’ve looked into Kindle Worlds recently and have considered writing for a few of those. Roxanne St. Claire is hilarious and clever and insanely creative. Her Kindle World, set in Barefoot Bay, Florida, is funny and sexy and has something for everyone. I would love the chance to write in her world! It’s something I’m considering for 2017.
(If you haven’t read any of these books, you’re missing out. Click the book cover and it’ll take you to Rocki’s page and you can read all about this series. Plus, the first book is free!)
I know writing in a Kindle World wouldn’t really be co-writing with an author, I’ve tried to think of other options. There are a lot of contemporary romance authors that would be fun to write with. Authors that would stretch my talents and my creativity.
Honestly though, it’s hard for me to say I’d want to work with anyone before I’d want to work with Jill Shalvis. She was the first contemporary romance author I’d ever read. If I hadn’t found her books, I wouldn’t be writing at all right now. Her work drew me in from the start and made me want to keep reading, and reading and reading and reading. I haven’t stopped since that first book I read of hers.
I hope that was a good enough answer! I promise to let you know if I work with anyone, but I know it won’t be any time soon!
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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July 15, 2016
Puffy & Precious first look
I know it’s More Than Friends Friday and I’m supposed to introduce you to someone new, but I wanted to introduce you to a couple of my characters instead of an author friend of mine. I promise, you’ll meet a new author next week!
When Fluffy & Fabulous came out I heard you loud and clear! You wanted more. You needed Abby’s story, right? Well, today you get your first peek at Abby’s world in the upcoming Big & Beautiful book nine, Puffy & Precious!
Excerpt from Puffy & Precious
“What do you want, Brett?” I asked, wishing he would just leave.
“I thought you were going to come over last night,” he cooed. The tone that used to send skitters up my spine made me cringe. I wanted to slap him, just get him to leave, but I couldn’t. I really wished I was more like Lexi. She wouldn’t take his shit.
“I told you we’re done. What part of divorced didn’t you understand?”
I cringed as my voice rose. I glanced around the place that had become my home over the last few months. SkinnyCakes saved me, as much as the gorgeous man who was my sole customer at the moment. Thankfully he didn’t appear to be paying any attention to us. I did not need Graham to overhear the drama that was my life. He already knew too much.
Brett leaned on the counter, his face inching closer to mine. I fought the urge to back up, knowing he’d see the weakness and pounce. Not literally, since Brett wasn’t violent. Brett didn’t need violence. He intimidated people with his money and power.
“We talked about that, Abs. We agreed to try to work things out.”
He punctuated his words with a swift move across the counter that separated us. His lips met mine the same second his hand clamped down on the back of my neck. I tried to move away from him, but the asshole was too quick. I was trapped.
I tried to open my mouth so I could bite him, but he had our heads pressed so tightly together that I couldn’t move. Bile rose in my throat. His lips against mine repulsed me. To think I’d once been in love with him. It was amazing how quickly that could fade when you found out your husband was fucking his secretary. What a damn cliche.
Before I could come up with another move, Brett’s lips left mine. I was too relieved to notice that he wasn’t even standing in front of me anymore until I heard the growled words.
“The lady said you were done. I think it’s high time you take the hint and get the fuck out,” Graham spat at Brett. His hand was locked around my ex’s throat, pinching tight under his jaw. It looked pretty damn painful. I wouldn’t have argued if he squeezed just a little tighter.
“She’s my wife, you son of a bitch. Mind your own fucking business,” Brett snarled, his voice coming out as a whispered squeak that nearly made me laugh.
Brett’s body lifted just a little higher, but I could tell it wasn’t because he stood straighter. He clutched at Graham’s wrist, trying to pry his hand free of Brett’s throat. Graham’s arm bulged, the already strained shirt around his muscles getting ready to split under the added pressure of his flex. Dear God, the man was huge. He looked like it wasn’t a challenge for him in the least to lift Brett, and Brett wasn’t tiny. Over the years he’d developed a little bit of a gut, probably from all those fancy dinners he took his secretary to.
Graham though… he couldn’t even spell gut. The man could have won every weight lifting contest out there, but I knew his muscles were from old fashioned hard work instead of the gym. He was wide enough that he had to turn sideways to walk inside, and his chest still nearly brushed the door frame. He narrowed to lean hips, well, compared to his shoulders, and legs that were almost as bulky as his shoulders. I understood what my friends meant when they said they felt small around their husbands. Graham was so big my whole shop felt small when he was there.
I knew it wouldn’t just the crazy, lusty effect he had on me that made everything feel small.
Graham’s voice snapped me back to the scene unfolding before me. “Ex-wife. Which means she’s no longer your business. And unless Abby tells me you two are back together,” he paused and looked at me. His green eyes so intense I almost forgot why he was looking at me. Damn, I did forget. He lifted a dark eyebrow at me, the only indication his shaved head would have dark hair if he let it grow, and I finally shook my head. “Then I highly recommend you keep your fucking hands off her and get the fuck out of here.”
Graham let Brett down. He dropped his hands to his knees and sucked in a few deep breaths. His color finally returned, but damn if blue didn’t look good on him. Graham leaned against the counter with his body positioned between Brett and me, his delectable ass resting on the surface for me to admire.
“You’re fucking nuts,” Brett finally squeaked, his dark eyes shooting daggers at Graham then turning to me. He stood to his full 5’9″ height, which was still a good six inches or so shorter than Graham. “You can’t stop me from coming back. This is a public place.”
“You’re right,” Graham said after a few seconds. I sighed. I sort of liked having him defend me. It was more than a little hot. “But I can make you regret it if you do.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Graham shook his head. “Of course not. A threat implies I might not follow through. I’m making you a fucking promise, dickweed. And I never break my promises. Now, if you’ve got a few good braincells left, I highly recommend you get out of here. Or I might not be able to stop what I already started.”
Brett tossed around a few more glares before finally heading for the door.
Graham turned to me. “Are you alright?”
I nodded and waved my hand, dismissing the whole thing. “Sorry about that. He’s all talk.”
Graham snatched my hand and held it. He looked up at me carefully then vaulted over the counter that sat between us. The move made my head spin and my heart race. All of a sudden I was shaky and didn’t feel good.
“Jesus, Abby, you’re about to pass out. You need to sit.”
I started to tell him I was fine, but the words felt heavy on my tongue. Graham flipped upside down then his arms circled me. “You’re so hot,” I murmured against his chest, inhaling his spicy, sexy scent, then blacked out.
Puffy & Precious will be available September 6! Preorder Now!
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July 12, 2016
Nothing But Net, first look
Nothing But Net will be out in a week! Can you believe it? Since I completely forgot about writing a Q&A Sunday post this week (I was dropping my kids off with their grandparents), I wanted to give you a good sneak peek at Nothing But Net.
Emma has realized she has a problem. She’s got to deal with it and knows the best way is to handle it on her own. She wants to take a break and give herself time to fix herself.
Too bad her boss, Jeff, has other plans.
Jeff needs Emma to help coach his daughter’s basketball camp. He volunteers to help her out, even though he knows being so close to Emma all the time will torture him. He’s always seen her as something other than just an employee, but seeing her in shorts and tank tops for two weeks might kill him.
Until he kisses her. Then he knows for sure she’ll kill him.
Excerpt from Nothing But Net
She shrugged again, her eyes scanning his body. He felt himself stir, wondering if he met her approval. When her eyes finally met his again, he saw more desire than he anticipated. Enough that he had to go to her. Had to take the last few steps across the kitchen. Had to pin her against the counter.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a ragged breath.
“Hell if I know,” he mumbled, then lowered his lips to her.
Emma tasted sweet, like the last bite of ice cream at the bottom of the bowl. She didn’t lean into him, but she didn’t pull back either, which Jeff took as a good sign. He kept his hands on the counter, forcing his fingers to remain in place and not drag her body against his. He toyed with her, wanting to know if he was the only one who felt the attraction between them. He kissed her softly, working his way from one side of her mouth to the other, then brushing her lips with his tongue only to pull back again.
He needed her to meet him halfway.
With a slow groan, her hands caressed his chest. His whole body stiffened, waiting for her next move. Her tongue parted her lips then touched his and he was lost.
On a rough growl, Jeff leaned his weight onto her, letting her feel exactly what she was doing to him. She moaned softly and rubbed against him, her arms winding around his neck and dragging him closer.
He went willingly into her arms. He couldn’t remember the last time a kiss had felt so good. Not that there’d been many in recent years, but Emma made him feel like he was made of flint. One spark from her and he was a bonfire.
His hands went to her waist as her tongue stroked his. He was enjoying the Emma he’d known for years coming out to play. She was confident and playful in her kisses, teasing him enough to get a reaction then diving back in to take control. When he lifted her onto the counter without breaking their kiss, she squeaked and smiled against his lips. He pressed his erection against her and her grin became a groan.
“That sound might kill me,” he whispered against her neck, alternating his tongue and his teeth on her skin.
“I think going back outside and pretending nothing happened is going to kill me.”
Jeff froze. He’d forgotten all about where they were. He had a hand halfway up her shirt and he was grinding himself against her. On the kitchen counter. In Isabella’s kitchen. With his daughter and her best friend right outside the door.
“Forgot about them, didn’t you?” Emma teased.
Jeff shook his head and backed away. “I’m sorry. I did. I shouldn’t have put you in this position.”
Emma smiled at him and tugged him back for another quick kiss. “It was a rather fun position.”
Jeff laughed and rested his forehead against hers. “A few more minutes and it would have been a rather embarrassing position. Especially if anyone came inside.”
Emma glanced at the door and shook her head. “I’m pretty sure Isabella was scheming to throw us together. It’s likely she threatened the girls to keep them out.”
Jeff groaned. He knew Isabella was up to something, but it bugged him that the only reason Emma kissed him was because of Isabella. That he wasn’t enough of a reason on his own. He liked that the women had become friends, but in a rush the last two days of them laughing when they watched him came back in a rush of embarrassment. He nudged his glasses up and rubbed the bridge of his nose, attempting to ward off a brewing headache. He settled the dark metal frame back into place and took a step away from Emma, suddenly annoyed that he’d accosted her. That he had fallen right into whatever plot the two of them cooked up. First, get the dorky guy to check you out. Second, get him to kiss you. He didn’t want to know what she would do to get him into bed.
“I’ll grab the burgers and see you outside,” he grunted, then left.
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