Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 38

Just Another Day (Apr 9)

Rick swore as he walked back to his car. He had his hand on the knob, ready to walk inside, when he heard Michelle laugh. He stopped, a feeling tickling up his spine and telling him not to walk inside. Holding his breath, he peeked through the curtains and his head spun when he saw Tara sitting on the couch with Michelle laughing.

For a moment, he stood there watching her. He wanted to watch her laugh all day, see the smile on her face and the happiness in her eyes. It tore at his heart that he’d been away as long as he did.

A huge part of him wanted to push through the door and claim her as his, but he knew his friend would be pissed. Aaron had gone to a lot of trouble to pull off his plan, and Rick ruining it would not go over well.

So he walked back to his car, climbed in, and left. Driving away from her was the second hardest thing he’d ever done. The only way he’d convinced himself to do it was the knowledge that he’d be with her again soon.

As long as Aaron was right.

It killed Rick to follow her all day long and not get close to her. He’d left once Aaron assured him Tara would be at work, driving to her office. He arrived just as she was getting out of her car. Rick wanted to drag her back to his car and drive off with her, holding her as his hostage until she agreed to never push him away again. When he followed her into work and flirted with the receptionist to get information, he ached to go back to her office. He swore he smelled the fresh lavender scent that had always defined her. He finally left her office, tearing himself away from her.

Rick drove around the town as familiar to him as the woman he’d returned for. He could drive the streets and not get lost, but he didn’t know every house, every restaurant, every stoplight anymore, just like he knew Tara had grown and changed.

His mind wandered as he drove, remembering the feel of her soft skin beneath his calloused fingers, the taste of her lips against his, the way she hummed with pleasure at a kiss.

Before he could think about where he was going, he was parked in front of the lake. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. He’d relived the last night he was there every day since he left. The best and worst night of his life all rolled into one. The night she kissed him, touched him, made love to him.

And then told him to leave and never come back.

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Discovery by Janie Franz

Please welcome Janie Franz here this week to tell us about Discovery.
Discovery

Book 1 in the Ruins Trilogy

by Janie Franz

Anthropologist Kate Ferguson stumbles upon desert ruins, ancient rituals, and psychic gifts, awakening a love that could prove deadly.

Excerpt from Discovery

Though some of Kate’s fellow graduate students would probably have noticed the superb fit of the stranger’s designer suit, it was his black hair, beginning to gray at his temples, which caught her eye. That was an odd quality in someone his age with his obvious Spanish lineage and apparent refinement. She scanned his features, taking in his sensitive mouth and a nose hinting at an Aztec hawkishness.

She quickly rejected the comparison as she turned to Dr. Swartz, her employer as well as her faculty advisor. He had accused her on more than one occasion of trying to find Aztecs under every rock as she researched Aztec/Maya links with the Arizona prehistoric peoples.

Embarrassed at the memory, she turned back to the stranger. His dark gaze concentrated on her intently for a few seconds, and then he retreated into his thoughts as if he could only focus on the world around him in brief glimpses. It didn’t seem like the muddleheaded preoccupation she’d seen among physics majors. And, it definitely wasn’t drugs—or any she had read about—since he just exhibited a piercing moment of clarity and after that withdrew. It seemed a controlled act or one repeated so often it had become habit. His ability to turn on a single moment of intense interest and concentration like switching on a floodlight—and quickly turn it off—fascinated Kate. She wondered if he had family problems preoccupying him—an errant wife or a child flunking school.

Buy now from Muse It Up Publishing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble!

Get to know Kate

What is your name, or nickname?

Kate Ferguson. My full name is Kathryn but I’ve always been Kate.

What do you do?

I’m currently an anthropology grad student, studying connections between Aztec/Mayans and native cultures in Arizona.

What’s your most important goal?

I want to write the definitive book on ancient peoples in Arizona.

What’s your worst fear or nightmare?

I have a secret—actually two. I have a gift of psychometry. That means I can sometimes feel things when I hold objects in my hands. But it is a small gift now. I just get whispers, faint feelings. My fear is that I’ll be found out and that I’ll be made fun of. The other is that even at my age, I’m still a virgin.

About Janie Franz

Janie Franz comes from a long line of Southern liars and storytellers. She told  other people’s stories as a freelance journalist for many years. With Texas wedding DJ, Bill Cox, she co-wrote The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book and The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book, and then self-published a writing manual, Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!  She also published an online music publication, was an agent/publicist for a groove/funk band, a radio announcer, and a yoga/relaxation instructor.

Currently, she is writing her twelfth novel and a self-help book, Starting Over: Becoming a Woman of Power.

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Authors In Bloom Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to my site for the Authors In Bloom Blog Hop! I’m thrilled to be part of such an amazing group of writers. This is fabulous stuff, isn’t it?

If you’re not familiar with me, I’m Mary E. Thompson and I write steamy contemporary romance. My new series, Big & Beautiful, follows eight best friends, brought together by their love of cupcakes and their extra padding. Book eight, Fluffy & Fabulous, will be available April 26, but you can win it here!

You can enter the Rafflecopter below, and make sure you check out all the authors on the hop! You’ll have an amazing garden and new meals to try for a month!

When I told my husband about this blog hop he laughed. The two things I am worst at are gardening and cooking. I promised not to share a gardening tip because it would likely kill your plants, but I am capable of cooking, I just choose not to do it often because hubby loves to cook.

If I do cook, my favorite thing is always breakfast. Friday nights in our house are movie night. We throw a blanket over the ottomans in the living room and put pillows on the floor, slip in a DVD or find something on Netflix, and cook pancakes. The kids (ages seven and five) think it’s the best thing ever to be able to eat in the living room, but even better is eating pancakes for dinner.

We don’t do just any old pancakes though. These are family recipe pancakes (don’t tell my father-in-law I’m sharing his recipe). They’re so good!

Pancakes

1 cup of flour

1 egg

2 tablespoons of oil (we use olive oil)

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon of baking powder

milk (add it slowly until it runs like pancake batter) – you can also use buttermilk

Mix all ingredients together until the batter runs smooth. We liberally add chocolate chips to all our pancakes, but have experimented with food coloring, sprinkles, nuts, and blueberries. You can use the batter for pancakes or waffles, but we usually go for pancakes. As always, pour your batter onto a heated skillet. When you see the batter surface covered with bubbles, you’re ready to flip. My kids love butter and a sprinkling of powdered sugar on their pancakes.

We like to add microwave bacon, sausage, and some scrambled eggs too. And of course, chocolate milk!

Enjoy your pancakes and enter here to win a free copy of Fluffy & Fabulous!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you keep hopping along!

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Just Another Day (Apr 6)

Tara wanted nothing more than to call in to work when she woke up the next morning, but she couldn’t. She had a meeting to go to and she knew she would need those days for closer to her birthday. She still had a few days.

Once she showered and dressed in her black slacks, red boatneck top, and her favorite pair of heels, Tara headed to work. At the office she pushed out of her car and froze. A chill ran up her neck and she knew someone was watching her. Her mind instantly went to him, but she knew it was impossible. He’d left and promised he’d never look back.

Tara shook off the feeling and walked through the small parking lot. When she reached the door she glanced back, hoping to catch whoever was there, but the lot was empty.

All day Tara struggled to let go of the sensations surrounding her. At one point she thought she smelled him. At another point she swore she saw him. Another time she swore she head his voice.

She was losing it.

Tara claimed sick and begged to leave early once their last meeting was done. All she was good for was thinking about him anyway, and that wouldn’t do anyone any good. When Amanda agreed, Tara didn’t waste any time packing up her stuff for the night and bolting for the door.

Going home held no appeal. She knew she couldn’t be alone with her thoughts. They wouldn’t do her any good and she’d likely drive herself insane, not that it was a far trip. She headed for the one place she knew she could go without announcing herself ahead of time, without needing a reason.

“Tara! What are you doing here?” her best friend, and soon to be sister-in-law, Michelle asked.

“Sorry, Michelle, I didn’t know where else to go.” Michelle stepped back to let Tara in. Her eyes swept the familiar space, but something tickled the back of her mind. She sensed him. “Is anyone else here?”

Tara narrowed her eyes and shook her head, but didn’t say anything.

“I must be losing it. I swear, I keep thinking I see someone, or sense him or smell him.”

“Who?” Michelle asked innocently, appearing genuinely confused.

Tara rolled her eyes. “You know who, Chelley. My birthday is in a few days. It’s the same as every other year. For some reason I feel him more this year though. I thought I heard his voice at work today. I’ve been smelling him everywhere too. It feels like he’s been here.”

Michelle waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes. “I wish, hun. He left. You told him to.”

“I know. It was the second biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Second only to sleeping with him in the first place.”

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Husky & Hot, release day

It’s here, it’s here! Drew and Carrie’s story is finally here!

I’m so excited to share this story with you. I know everyone was waiting for this book to come because we all love Drew, but I love Carrie just as much. Truth be told, I created Carrie first then Drew, but liked him so much I decided to weave him through the series a little bit. I’m glad you fell in love with him as much as I did! And we’re all glad Brandi is gone.

Excerpt from Husky & Hot

Drew came over to my side of the table and leaned against the edge of the wood surface. “Thank you. That was a huge help today. Going by what you said, we never would have landed the client, but you were dead on. In all the conversations we had with her she expressed her concern over changing too much. We honored that, but weren’t showing it the right way. We have you to thank.”

I got to my feet and was nearly eye level with him thanks to my heels and him half sitting. Specks of gold floated in the brown depths and my breath kicked up. His eyes held mine then flicked down to my lips. Unconsciously my tongue glided over my lips and his eyes widened as he sucked in a breath. He looked back into my eyes and I could see how badly he wanted me.

The tension between us was so thick I didn’t think I’d be able to move, but I did. My feet carried me closer to him, unintentionally. I took a step, still far enough away that he couldn’t touch me with his arms extended, but getting closer. Another step and another and his hand reached out for mine.

Then someone cleared their throat.

I jumped back, shocked and ashamed. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d made it all the way into his arms, but I had a few ideas.

Instead I turned to the door and saw his mother standing there glaring at me. Her dark eyes narrowed at me, pinching her brows together. Her bun pulled her hair tight, making her look even more like a mean old school librarian than her loose fitting paisley dress that fell to her ankles. Her canvas shoes explained how she was able to sneak up on us, and nearly catch… something.

“Mom!” Drew exclaimed, leaping up from the table. “What a great surprise. What are you doing here?”

Come over to Anna Durand’s blog today and say hi! I’m sharing a little more about Husky & Hot. And pick up your copy today!

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Just Another Day (Apr 4)

Rick rolled out of bed and fought every instinct to leave before his friend woke up. He knew it would destroy his relationship with Aaron, something he would regret. The only question was if he would regret it more or less than what he was being asked to do.

Rick snagged a pair of sweatpants from the floor and pulled them over his naked body. He snatched a t-shirt from his duffle bag and put that on too. Then went in search of coffee, wishing he could have something a little stronger to go with it.

Aaron was leaning against the kitchen counter when Rick walked in. “Hey,” his friend said. “Want coffee?”

Rick nodded and accepted the cup Aaron handed him. “You’re up early.” Aaron nodded, not meeting Rick’s eyes. “You thought I was going to run.”

Aaron finally looked at his friend and Rick knew he was right. He wasn’t proud of it, but he accepted that he had intended to do exactly what his best friend feared. “I know I’m asking a lot of you.”

“Do you?” Rick snapped, his words harsher than he intended.

Aaron held his gaze for a few seconds, not backing down. Growing up they’d been like brothers, always there for each other. The night Rick left Aaron didn’t understand what was happening, but when Tara finally confessed, Aaron called Rick and threatened to kill him if he ever returned. He never did, but the men stayed in touch. Rick never mentioned Tara to Aaron, and Aaron never volunteered information.

Until the night before when Aaron told Rick exactly why he was back in town.

“I know this isn’t fair. If there was any other way I would have found it by now. It’s the only answer.”

“What makes you think she’s not going to rip my balls off?”

Aaron stared at his friend, the silence between them making Rick more and more uncomfortable. He didn’t know what he expected as an answer, but the next words to come out of his best friend’s mouth were the last words he thought he’d ever hear. “She loves you.”

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Just Another Day (Apr 3)

Tara threw her purse on the table and flipped through the mail. She stopped when she saw the pink envelope. It always signaled the beginning for her. Once the cards started to arrive, the memories would flood her. And then she’d start thinking about him.

Abandoning the task, Tara walked through her home toward the bathroom. She stripped as she went, leaving her shirt hanging off the back of the couch, her socks near the TV, her jeans with one leg inside out in the hallway. But her underwear… her underwear she always took off in the bathroom.

Just like he did.

Tara scrubbed her body clean, ready to put her feet up and relax. She didn’t want to think about what she’s lost, including herself. Tara knew she changed when he left, but she rarely acknowledged that truth, even to herself.

No, instead she would rather skip the time of year that always made her think of him, made her want him again.

But one night had nearly destroyed her. No matter what, she knew she couldn’t put herself through that again. She wouldn’t survive losing him twice.

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Just Another Day (Apr 2)

Rick shuffled his feet nervously. He hated doubting himself, but even more that he was doubting his best friend. He had no business being there. As soon as he was discovered there would be hell to pay, he knew that without a doubt. 

But he couldn’t stay away. When Aaron said he was needed at home, Rick dropped everything and returned. 

But once he realized the extent of what his friend was asking Rick was ready to jump the first flight out of town. 

Aaron must have seen the look in his eyes, the look Rick always got before he ran. The look he mastered the last time he saw her. 

The look that haunted him on good days and terrified him on bad days. 

He’d been all over the country because of that look. Sure, he could blame his job as a consultant, but deep down he’d admitted the truth to himself. 

He ran because of her. 

Because one night with her would never be enough. 

Because one night with her left him wanting more. 

Because one night with her had changed him forever. 

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Portrait of a Girl by Luanna Stewart

I’m happy to have Luanna Stewart here with us today to talk about her book Portrait of a Girl!
Portrait of a Girl

Luanna Stewart

When her wealthy art dealer father died, Heather James was expecting a fortune. Instead, his bank account was empty and Heather’s working in a bakery, wondering exactly what happened to her father’s millions…until someone tries to kill her.

Tony Simons is on the trail of an art theft cold case that’s practically giving him frostbite. He’s hoping that by sticking close to Heather—the daughter of his deceased prime suspect—he’ll find the answers he needs. Instead, he’s finding himself distracted by a gorgeous woman who drives him crazy in every way imaginable…

Now Tony’s in serious trouble. Even if Heather can’t—or won’t—tell him where the stolen paintings and money are, she may well have stolen his heart.

And now someone wants her dead…

Excerpt from Portrait of a Girl

She cleared her throat and forged ahead. “I was sure I had everything when I moved into the gatehouse, but I’m missing some—papers. I thought perhaps there were more boxes in the basement. I’d planned to take a quick peek and be out of there before you got home, and you’d never have to know. Since it upsets you so much. For some strange reason.”

Tony leaned across the table, an intense gleam in his eye. “And did you find what you were looking for?”

“Pfft, no. There’s nothing down there except spiders and dust. So like I said, sorry to bother you.” She rose from her chair.

His hand clasped her wrist.

“What are you doing?” she gasped, pulling against his grip.

“You must have heard me putting that lock on the outside door. I made plenty of noise. Why didn’t you call out?”

She continued to tug and twist but it was no use. He was too strong. His hand completely circled her wrist. She was alone in the house with a man who could overpower her and do whatever he wanted. If she screamed, no one would hear. All the questions she had about who he really was came stampeding into her consciousness. She was seriously in danger of peeing her pants.

“I knew you’d be upset, and I was trying to think of another way out.” Keep talking and think of a way to get out of this mess.

“How did that work for you?” His hold relaxed, and he commenced rubbing his thumb against the inside of her wrist.

That’s where the shiver started. It traveled along her arm and settled low in her belly.

No, no, no, she was not getting turned on. She really, really needed to get out of this house. Now.

“Not—not so good.”

He raised an eyebrow and tugged lightly on her arm, moving her slowly around the table to stand directly in front of him.

Standing over him gave her an advantage. She wished she knew how to do one of those flying karate kicks. But she didn’t. And besides, she was afraid it would hurt him.

“Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?” He continued his light caress, his dark eyes growing darker. He grinned, a small dimple creasing his cheek, right next to his mouth. His full, classically shaped lips surrounded by a day’s growth of dark beard parted to reveal a gleam of white teeth. She wanted to tell him everything, every worry, every question. Maybe he could make sense of it, or at least offer some comfort.

The cut on his cheek from the cemetery reminded her that too much weird stuff had been happening. Ever since she arrived in Portland.

Panic tightened her chest.

No, the weird stuff started when Tony moved into the big house.

Buy now from Entangled Publishing, Amazon, 
B&N
, iTunes, 
Kobo, or 
Amazon UK!
Get to know Tony

Luanna opens office door and invites in Tony Simons, lead investigator with International Securities Investigations.

(Tony slouches in a chair) I can give you five minutes, tops.

L:  What’s the rush?

I have a world to save. (sexy grin) But seriously, I have a report to write before I can go home to my beautiful fiancé.

L:  Okay, just a few questions then. (scans her notes) Why did you get into the business you’re in?

I went to college to learn how to be an FBI profiler, majored in criminal law and psychology. Did an internship one summer in the fraud department at a big insurance company and was assigned to track down some stolen artwork. I was hooked.

L:  That’s better than the FBI?

I wouldn’t say better, but I love the puzzle aspect, digging into people’s histories, following clues no matter how inconsequential. Finding the missing clue that leads to the treasure is the biggest high.

L:  Can you share what you’re working on right now?

Nope. Top secret. But we’re really close to finding the scum who raided an art gallery about twenty years ago.

L:  How come it’s taken this long to find them? Don’t thieves sell the stuff and get caught that way?

(shakes head and chuckles) We’re dealing with a whole other class of people here. There are collectors who want something just to own it. It sits in a bank vault or a personal safe and is never seen. But they get off on owning it. (shrugs) The world is full of weird characters. (checks watch and stands) Anything else?

L:  Hey, that wasn’t five minutes!

(flashes another sexy grin and winks) Can’t keep my lady waiting.

L:  Fine, just a few quickies. What’s your favourite colour?

Blue.

L:  What kind of car do you drive?

BMW.

L:  Where are you going on your honeymoon?

(opens door) Top secret. (winks and strides down the hall)

L:  (watches his fine butt until he turns a corner)

Meet Luanna

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. As soon as she discovered her grandmother’s stash of romance novels, all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Luanna now lives in Maine with her dear husband, two college boys, and two cats. When she’s not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious.

Writing under the pen name Grace Hood, she has two novellas published with The Wild Rose Press. She is excited to have a book published under her own name with Entangled Publishing.

Connect with Luanna on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, or Amazon!

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Green Beer and Red Wine (Mar 31)

Christine wasn’t sure what to say. He’d followed her. He’d come back to her time and again. Of course he insulted her first, but he always came back. Was she ready for him?

And did she want him to quit?

“You can’t quit,” she finally said. “You’re very good at your job and it wouldn’t be fair of me to demand you quit.”

His shoulders slumped in defeat. He didn’t meet her eyes. His feet turned and he reached for the door. “I’ll leave you to your night. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t still interested in seeing you,” Christine clarified. “I see no reason it has to be all or nothing. It’s my company, after all. I do make the rules.”

Mac paused then slowly turned to face her. A confident smile spread across his face as he crossed the small entryway to her side. “So you’re telling me I can have both you and the job?”

Christine shrugged. “I don’t see why not. We’re going to have to speak to HR and make sure you know that your job is secure even if we end up not working out.”

“Okay, but before we worry about any of that, I have a question. Am I going to get to kiss you again?”

Christine smiled and crooked her finger at him. Mac didn’t waste any time pulling her against him and sealing their lips together again. When he leaned back to look at her, he smiled and said, “I’m not going to regret that one. Or any of the others.”

He sealed his lips to hers again and they both forgot where they were, until Angela’s squeal broke them apart. “Um,” Christine said, pressing her fingers to her lips, “do you want to stay for dinner? Meet my mom and daughter?”

“Green beer?” Mac teased.

Christine shook her head. “I think we have some red wine though.”

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