Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 42

Husky & Hot Cover Reveal

Husky & Hot is by far the steamiest book I’ve ever written. It was a ton of fun though. Carrie and Drew (yes, Xander’s friend, Drew) burn up the pages in this story of heartbreak, going for your dreams, and finding out who’s really there for you when your world falls apart.

Carrie has only ever wanted to be a mom. She went to college, hoping to find the man of her dreams, and majored in business, just to have something to do. Now, years out of college, Carrie is still single, still childless, and still working a job she despises.

In one night her whole life seems to change. She hooks up with a guy at a party, a guy who isn’t at all who he seemed. Then Carrie gets a new job, one that gets her away from Beth the Bitch, the boss she hates. But when the guy and the job collide, Carrie doesn’t know if she can handle it all, or if it’s bringing her closer to what she’s always wanted or pushing her away.

Excerpt from Husky & Hot

Then I saw him across the room. It’s so cliche to say the world stopped, but… no, it didn’t stop. But I did. He was gorgeous. Tall, dark hair, stubbled jaw, tequila colored eyes… yep, I was sunk. His broad shoulders and trim waist were enough to get my attention, but when I saw the tattoos covering his exposed forearm I nearly drooled.

I was a sucker for tattooed men.

His forearm was completely covered with colors. From my distance I couldn’t make out what any of the tattoos were, but it was hot.

His black dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows and looked amazing with his khakis. I wanted to peel that shirt off and see how many more tattoos he had. It was absolutely ridiculous.

Then I saw him watching me. Busted. I smiled and raised my glass to him, not remotely worried about the hot guy catching me checking him out. I turned back to the party and tried to look interested in the conversation around me. Damn, where was Riley, or Charlie, or Sam, shit anyone.

I weaved through the crowd, looking for someone to talk to. Instead I ended up near the edge of the room again. The bar was close so I downed the rest of my drink and headed that way.

“Are you having fun?” a smooth voice asked from directly behind me when I was in line at the bar. He was close enough that I could feel his heat through the thin fabric of my tank top. Without looking I knew it was the hottie from across the room.

“I know a few things that could make it… more fun,” I teased, looking over my shoulder.

I wasn’t a fool. If he came over to hit on me, he liked some of what he saw. I was a size 20, nowhere near skinny, but my skirt accentuated my assets and he was obviously an ass man. I had plenty of ass to spare, but my curves were relatively well balanced for being as big as I was.

Not that I minded my size. I loved being a bit husky. It meant men couldn’t push me around, literally and figuratively, as much. When I stood my ground I was an oak tree, not a toothpick swaying in the breeze.

“Maybe we should find someplace a little quieter so we can explore those options,” he whispered, his breath tickling my cheek.

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Temptation (Feb 29)

Becca couldn’t believe what he admitted. It shocked her more to know he’d wanted to kiss her when they’d met than it did that he’d actually kissed her.

She’d wanted him to kiss her almost as long as he wanted to, and if she hadn’t thrown him out of her life… She didn’t want to think about that.

“How is that possible?”

Charles shrugged, irritatingly casual about his confession. “You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. Now, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Becca ducked her head, not comfortable accepting a compliment from him. She wanted to believe him, but the most beautiful he’d ever seen? She knew he was giving her a line.

His hand cupped her jaw and rose her face up to look at him. “I’m serious, Bex. I’ve always wanted you. Jeff never knew, but I’d like to think he would have been okay with it. He always asked me to watch out for you, to help him make sure you were safe. I don’t know if he knew he wasn’t going to be around long enough to see you grow up or what, but he always wanted me to look after you.”

Tears filled Becca’s eyes. She hated the thought of her brother believing he would die young. It broke her heart to imagine him thinking he wouldn’t be there, and hated even more that he wasn’t there. She knew he’d have loved to see her end up with Charles. Jeff was Charles’s biggest fan.

“He would have been thrilled to see us together. He loved you.” Charles swallowed hard and Becca could see how much he was still beating himself up. “I forgive you, you know. I was hurt and emotional back then, but I’ve come to realize throwing you out of my life wasn’t fair.”

“I was never really out of your life. I’ve always tried to find out everything I could about you. I was surprised when you showed up here, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You always knew how to find me.”

Becca nodded. “I guess we were meant to be in each other’s lives. Even if we end up as just friends.”

Charles growled. “I’ve got you. I’m not letting you go. It’s going to take an act of God to get me to let you go ever again. I’m in this, Bex, I’m in this for good.”

Becca smiled and leaned in to kiss Charles again. When she pulled back she looked up at him through her lashes and said, “I hope you live close by.”

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Temptation (Feb 28)

“Jesus,” Charles said, dragging his lips from Becca. He wanted to kiss her forever, but he couldn’t continue much longer without needing to get his hands on her too. And even though he wasn’t being very respectful with the way he was kissing her, he couldn’t do anything beyond kiss her in public.

He wasn’t going to share her, or the hot noises she made, with anyone else.

Charles rested his forehead against hers, not letting her move away from him. He struggled to catch his breath, finding it harder to do breathe when her saw her chest heaving with her attempt to slow her own breathing. His fingers itched to touch her and started to work toward her. He stopped himself, but it was a struggle to not touch her.

“I’m sorry,” he breathed. “I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”

“Like hell,” she argued, fire blazing in her eyes. “You should have kissed me like that the second you saw me.”

Charles grinned. He couldn’t help it. He leaned back in, anxious for another taste of her lips. Becca didn’t hesitate to kiss him back. He felt himself growing harder, to the point of being almost painful. He knew she felt it too, but he didn’t say anything.

Then she rolled her ass against him, nudging the side of his erection with her hip.

He groaned. Then gripped her harder. His one hand pulled tighter on her hair, tight enough that he knew it had to be hurting her. He forced his grip to loosen so he didn’t hurt her, then lost his control again when her hand left his neck and trailed over his front, drifting lower and lower until she reached the barrier of his waistband.

They broke apart again, chests heaving, eyes blazing. “What are we doing?”

Charles didn’t know the answer to the question any more than Becca did. He wanted to tell her something, but he didn’t know what to say. All he did know was he had to do the last thing he actually wanted to do.

He slowly peeled his hands from her and gently eased her back into her own chair. His erection still reached out to her, but he ignored it, knowing they needed to talk before they did anything else.

“I can’t stop myself any longer. I’ve wanted to do that ever since the first time I saw you-”

“Yesterday?” Becca squeaked.

Had it really only been a day since their lives collided again? Charles shook his head, trying to clear the fog. He couldn’t believe it was only a day, but it was. One day since she’d spotted him in the diner. One day since she’d yelled at him to leave. One day since he’d ambushed her at the bar with her friend. One day since she invited him back into her life.

But Charles knew one day ago wasn’t what he meant. And he owed it to her to know it too.

“No. I’ve wanted to kiss you since the day we met. Since the first time Jeff brought me to your house. Since the day I first saw you, when you were far too young and innocent for the dirty thoughts I had about my friend’s little sister.”

She gasped, and he nearly dragged her off to his bed. But first, he had to know what that noise meant.

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Temptation (Feb 27)

Charles’s kiss was tentative at first. His lips were soft, gentle, but he was kissing Becca. She wanted to reach up and grab his shirt, crushing him to her, but the sounds around them echoed in her ears and she stopped herself.

Then Charles parted his lips ever so slightly and brushed his tongue against the seam of her lips. Becca couldn’t stop the groan that escaped her lips, or the eager way they opened to allow him in. Her arms circled his neck, encouraging him to keep going.

Charles didn’t disappoint her. He plunged his tongue into her vacant mouth, seeking hers. His hands circled her waist, pulling her closer. The chair she was sitting on prevented them from getting close enough. Becca wanted to climb into his lap, to cradle him between her thighs, but those damn customers surrounding them stopped her again.

She settled for pulling him as close as they could get, smiling when he nipped her lower lip and pulled it into his mouth. Her fingers dug into his hair, keeping him from moving too far from her. He released her lip and slid his tongue back between her lips.

This time he slowed their kiss. He sipped her mouth, tasting her like he would a piece of fine chocolate. Becca enjoyed the slow, sensual kiss that shot her temperature high. She’d never been kissed like that before. Like she was the only person in the whole world he wanted to kiss, like he’d be content to sit there all day sampling her lips.

Then his hand slid up her back and paused at her neck, then continued, his fingers tunneling into her hair. He closed his fingers and tugged her hair gently to tilt her head up to him. And devoured her.

He tugged her forward, sliding her legs onto his lap so she sat sideways on his legs. His arm was clamped around her back, holding her close to him. Close enough that she could feel him growing hard against her hip, making her want to feel him against the rest of her.

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#EggcerptExchange Jem by Michelle Abbott

Please welcome Michelle Abbott, author of JEM!

JEM

Michelle Abbott

Two injured, stubborn souls meet unexpectedly. Will they save each other from their demons or have they been too damaged for too long to see past the pain?

Growing up, all Jem knew was hatred and the pain from his father’s fists. Taunted by the kids at school, he was alone, until a girl with carrot coloured hair sat next to him.

She smiled.

She listened.

She cared.

She was his angel, and he knew he’d love her forever. But Jem’s father hurts him in a way he never expected by taking him away from her.

Now eighteen, scarred inside and out, Jem trusts no one and has worked hard to ensure he’ll never be helpless again. But then he runs into his angel. The only problem is she doesn’t recognize him. Jem needs her to remember him, to show him that their time together meant to her what it did to him. For once in his life he wants to have mattered to someone, to her.

Devon is attracted to the muscular, tattooed, pierced hottie standing by the pub quiz machine. That is, until he punches a guy clean across the bar for daring to touch him. She’s had her fill of violent men and intends to avoid this one at all costs.

Excerpt from JEM

I pull back the duvet and try to make as few movements as possible as I crawl in beside her and let the warmth from her body and the duvet envelop me. Her red hair is splayed across my pillow. I reach out and stroke my fingers through the silken strands. My pillowcase isn’t getting washed again. It can smell of her forever so that whenever I lay my head on it, I can pretend she’s with me. Maybe it will be okay to move a little closer. I’m right on the edge of the mattress. If I fall out of bed I’ll wake her. I scoot closer to her, close my eyes and inhale. She smells of roses. Maybe I should get her some flowers. I picture myself holding a bunch of red roses and chuckle to myself. Nah, I’m not the suave type. Maybe I’ll get a rose tattoo to remind me of her scent.

Buy it now!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon Australia

Interview with Jem

1.   What is your j ob?

I work at an amusement arcade, fixing the machines when they go wrong, handing out change and that kind of thing. It pays my bills, it’s local and the hours suit me.

2. And you currently live in…?

Hemsby in Norfolk. I’ve got a trailer right by the sea. There’s nothing like walking along the beach every morning. It keeps me calm.

3. Level of schooling, or are you self-taught?

I had to quit school when I was small because my asshole of a father moved us all at the last minute after someone reported him to social services for child cruelty. He never enrolled me in another school. I taught myself all I need to know.

4. Favorite food?

Don’t have one. I eat to live, I don’t live to eat.

5. What is your most important goal?

To get Devon to remember me and love me again. To take care of her and show her that I never forgot her and never stopped loving her.

Get to know Michelle!

Michelle Abbott lives in the UK and hates describing herself in 3rd person.

She loves to write new adult romance about heroes who begin as the underdog and are protective of their girl.

She’s an avid reader of romance, is addicted to coffee and loves wine and chocolate, so yeah, not the most healthy eating and drinking habits She spends way too much time online when she should be writing. She collects teddy bears and occasionally knits a couple of rows on a sweater she started years ago, which she may eventually finish in time to wear for her funeral

Website http://www.michelleabbott.com/

Twitter   https://twitter.com/michelleabbott4

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/MichelleAbbottRomanceAuthor

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7034278.Michelle_Abbott

To get to know the other authors involved in the Eggcerpt Exchange, search social media for #EggcerptExchange. You just might find your next favorite author!

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Temptation (Feb 25)

Charles wanted to kick himself. He almost kissed her. He wanted to. So badly. She’d leaned into him, her eyes closed, and he almost kissed her.

At the last minute he stopped himself.

But when she said she wanted his friendship there was something in her eyes, something that made him wonder. Something that gave him hope.

“Are you sure friendship is all you want? I saw the way that other guy kissed you. Are you looking for more than a friend?”

Becca sucked in a quick breath and her eyes widened. His did too as her chest inflated and reached toward him. God, Charles wanted to touch her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted her to be his.

And if he wasn’t mistaken, she wanted the same thing.

Becca shrugged. “I’ve definitely considered the possibility of more, but none of the guys I’ve been with held my interest for too long. There’s always something…”

“Missing,” they finished together.

“Yeah. It’s strange, you know. I want someone who knows me, but no one really does. I pretty much keep to myself. I don’t go out much and I don’t share a whole lot with new people. It’s hard to open up sometimes.”

“I know you,” Charles said, taking a chance she would understand the underlying implication.

Becca grinned. “Yes, you do.”

“What does that mean, Bex?”

“You’re the only one who’s ever called me that, you know. Most people call me Becca or Bec, but you always call me Bex.”

“Is that okay?” Charles asked, leaning slightly toward her.

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and Charles’s eyes went there. She nodded and he licked his lips, imaging his teeth holding her lip.

She got just a little closer, her body drawn to his. Charles couldn’t stop himself, he leaned forward, then paused, wanting it to be her decision to kiss him. Needing to know she wanted it as much as he did.

Her eyes met his, shining with desire that he felt all the way to his toes. He couldn’t stop if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to. He had to know what she tasted like, how soft her lips were. And he wasn’t waiting another second to find out.

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Temptation (Feb 24)

Becca melted into Charles. She’d never imagined she’d be lucky enough to feel his arms around her. He’d hugged her before, but it was always a friendly, you’re-my-best-friend’s-sister kind of hug. As he held her in the coffee shop though, she knew he was comforting her.

And she was going to enjoy every last second of it.

When Charles finally eased back, he cupped her jaw and looked into her eyes. Becca’s heart sped up and her eyes drifted closed, waiting for Charles to kiss her.

And waited.

And waited.

“I’m sorry you had to go through all that,” Charles said, making Becca’s eyes snap open. “I wish I’d been there for you.”

Becca shrugged and tucked her chin away, pulling free of his grasp. She immediately felt the loss of his touch, but she couldn’t torture herself. He still saw her as Jeff’s little sister. Not someone who would see her as the woman she’d become.

“It’s all done now. It sucks, but I’ll deal with it. You just push forward and move on, you know.”

Charles watched her closely then shook his head. “You shouldn’t have to. You’ve been through enough. I still just don’t know if I-”

“Please don’t tell me again that you think you should vanish. That you don’t believe you should be here. I don’t think I can handle losing you again.”

“Losing me?” Charles asked. “What do you mean?”

Becca couldn’t believe she’d said that. How could she be so careless with her words. Of course Charles would pick up on it. She might as well have told him she was in love with him.

“I just meant your friendship. I could use a friend, one who knows my past and accepts it without questioning.”

Charles held her gaze for a moment, then finally nodded.

Becca wanted to believe she saw something more than friendship in his eyes, longing, hope, desire even. But she knew she had to be lying to herself. Projecting what she wanted onto him. Charles didn’t want her. He couldn’t.

Could he?

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Fat & Fine release day

Fat & Fine is here! You can finally read about the smart-talking, sassy, sexy Sam Reed! I loved Sam from the first book (Chubby & Charming), but I knew she was going to have to wait for her happily ever after. As soon as I met Brady I was certain he was right for Sam, but unfortunately she wasn’t so sure. It took them a while to figure things out, but in the end I’m pretty sure it all worked out!

Excerpt from Fat & Fine

Heather leaned over to me as Dad started talking. “He’s gorgeous. Where did you find him?”

I smiled, “He already told you, we met at his gym.”

Heather shook her head. “I don’t know what shocks me more… that you’re going to the gym or that you brought home such a hottie. Not saying I ever thought you couldn’t get a guy like him, but damn. He puts Channing Tatum to shame.”

I laughed. Channing Tatum was a god in Heather’s world. Saying Brady was hotter was the highest compliment she could give a man. Of course I agreed with her.

“When he first started talking to me I thought he hated me. He can be really intense. Then these jerks at the gym were nasty to me and Brady kicked them out then comforted me. He told me he’d wanted to kiss me since he first saw me. He’s an amazing kisser.”

Heather raised her eyebrows and glanced over at Brady. “I can totally see that. I bet he’s spectacular in bed, too,” she whispered conspiratorially.

“Actually, I wouldn’t know,” I confessed, feeling strange having the conversation with Heather. We’d never been overly close, although we loved each other. I couldn’t recall any time we’d ever talked about sex. Although technically we weren’t then either.

“How do you not know? I’d have jumped him on day one. What are you waiting for?”

I peeked at Brady, but he was still wrapped up in a conversation with my dad. “We’re taking things slow. My last relationship ended pretty bad and Brady’s cautious, too. We decided not to rush into anything and get to know each other first.”

“Wow,” Heather said with arched brows. “If Mom knew that she’d probably like him a bit more. Sorry about her. You know how she is.”

I shrugged. “I’m used to it. She asks me at least once a week when I’m going to get a ‘real’ job. She thinks I just sit around all day and watch TV.”

Heather laughed. “You would think someone who spent their life as a housewife would know how easy it is to be insanely busy without a job and would realize you have all that plus work. I couldn’t survive without my housekeeper.”

“Yeah,” I argued, “but you have kids. If there’s one thing Mom is even more disappointed in me for it’s that I’m 29 and haven’t brought any grandkids into the world yet. You’d think five would be enough.”

Heather nodded. “I know I’m done. I think Brian is, too. It’s up to you and Brady now.”

“Whoa, we’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks. We’re not walking down the aisle yet. We’re not even sleeping together.”

Heather shrugged. “Some people wait. Maybe he’ll want to wait until he’s married. Is he a virgin?”

I narrowed my eyes and thought back over our conversations. He’d never mentioned it either way. “I don’t think so, but I haven’t exactly asked for his list of past lovers. We’re just not there yet. He hasn’t said anything about waiting for marriage. We’re just going slow.”

Heather looked over at Brady again, staring just a little too long. Thankfully the men had turned their conversation to sports so Mark was oblivious to Heather’s longing looks at my boyfriend. Thankfully I found it more entertaining than irritating.

“Would that be a deal-breaker for you? If he wanted to wait?”

My head tipped to the side while I thought about it. I glanced over at Brady and he winked at me then leaned close. His lips brushed my throat then ran up to my ear. He nibbled my ear lobe then whispered, “I’m not a virgin and I’m not waiting for marriage. Just waiting until I can control myself around all your sexiness. Hopefully that’s not a deal-breaker.”

His tongue darted into my ear, making my eyes slip closed. He nipped my ear again then sat back up as though nothing had happened and rejoined the conversation with my dad.

“What was that?” Heather whispered in my other ear.

Brady’s hand squeezed my thigh and I grinned. “He heard everything we said,” I told Heather. “And he said he’s not a virgin and not waiting for marriage.”

Heather’s eyes danced over to Brady’s and her cheeks pinked. “Oh, my God, I feel so high school right now. How embarrassing,” she whispered.

Brady leaned over again, his lips tickling my ear as he spoke. “Tell Heather not to be embarrassed. I’m pretty fucking thrilled to put Channing Tatum to shame and it’s nice to know she’s on our side, not your mom’s.”

I grinned as he spoke and as soon as he moved away Heather yanked my arm over to her side. “What did he say?” she hissed.

I repeated his words and watched my cool, calm, and collected sister turn bright red. After a few seconds we collapsed into a heap of giggles like when we were kids. Mom’s eyes narrowed on us and she demanded to know what was going on. “Nothing!” we chorused then fell against each other giggling again.

Get your copy of Fat & Fine today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Smashwords!

And… if you haven’t started the series yet… Chubby & Charming is now FREE at all retailers! Get your free copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Smashwords!

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Temptation (Feb 22)

Charles felt his heart expand. For a minute he thought she meant she wanted him, like in her life, in her heart, maybe even in her bed. But it was Becca. Sweet, innocent, beautiful Becca.

She’d never want him.

“What happened to your parents? Where are they?”

Becca shrugged and her lower lip trembled. “They’re not around. After Jeff…” She shook her head. “Mom couldn’t handle being around anymore so she took off. Dad… well, dad and I were never close. You know how he is. We’ve barely spoken in years.”

Charles wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. It took everything within him not to. He knew she wouldn’t want him to touch her though. And he couldn’t bear to have her pull away from him.

“I’m sorry, Bex. That’s why I need to stay away from you. If it weren’t for me-”

“Don’t,” Becca threatened. “Don’t you dare tell me everything is your fault. That you’re to blame. Dammit, Charles, you need to let go of all that. I was shocked when I saw you. All the pain of losing Jeff, and my mom, and my dad, came back, but so did all the love. Please don’t push that away.”

Charles didn’t know what to do. He stared up at her, willing Becca to make a move to tell him what she wanted from him.

Then she lowered herself into the chair next to his and looked up at him through her dark lashes. “I need to feel loved again, Charles,” she whispered.

His heart cracked for the young woman she was, for the pained woman she’d become. He wanted to hold her, to help her, so he did. He pulled her into his arms and held tight.

And prayed she wouldn’t push away.

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Temptation (Feb 21)

Becca couldn’t believe she found him. She was certain he’d be long gone, but when she looked into the Starbucks, wondering how crazy they would think she was asking if they’d seen him, she saw Charles sitting in the window. 

“Why did you leave?” she demanded. 

Charles gaped at her for a few minutes as though he couldn’t grasp that she was actually standing in front of him. When he finally spoke he sounded defeated, “I shouldn’t have come in this morning. I never should have kept going there once you started. Your life is better off without me. All I’ve ever done is destroy it.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Charles sighed heavily as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. “That guy in the diner-”

“Earl?” 

“Yeah, I guess. He said you told him you’re an only child. You shouldn’t be. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be. I wanted to protect you, but all I do is cause you pain. I won’t bother you again, Bex.” 

Panic filled her, tightening her throat and squeezing tears from deep inside. She’d already lost so much in her life. Seeing Charles again brought back a lot of pain, but also a lot of happiness. She couldn’t lose him too. 

“You’re all I have left. You can’t disappear on me again.” 

Charles shook his head, already protesting as Becca spoke. “You have people who care about you. Abby, Earl, the guy who kissed you on the street, your parents. You don’t need me.” 

Becca forced a smile. “I have Abby and Earl, but the others… I don’t have anyone else. I want to have you.” 

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