Susan Stoker's Blog, page 12
December 2, 2020
Read Trusting Skylar Now!
Read Trusting Skylar Now!
Trusting Skyler is finally here! YAY!
If you read Defending Raven, you caught a glimpse of the Silverstone crew. I started off this series thinking it would be a bit darker than my others, but it didn't turn out that way! I can't seem to write anything other than gruff, alpha men, who are marshmallows deep down when they meet their woman! lol
Anyway, Bull and Skylar are an unusual match, but they work. Trained killer and kindergarten teacher. Their strengths and weaknesses balance each other out. The big question is what will Skylar do when Bull finally tells her that his real job is not a part-owner in a tow-truck business?
You'll have to read Trusting Skylar to find out! I hope you enjoy it! (And the next time you see a tow-truck driver, you're really gonna wonder if that's his real job or if he has a side gig after you read this! :) )
Also, for the month of December you can get the anthology, 'Tis the Season, FREE through Bookfunnel. I teamed up with 7 other amazing authors (Kristen Proby, Sawyer Bennett, Aurora Rose Reynolds, Natasha Madison, Sarina Bowen, Monica Murphy, and Devney Perry) to bring you all-new holiday stories! Click HERE to download this anthology free!
Happy December!
~Susan
PS. Trusting Skylar is only on Amazon because it's published by my Amazon-owned publisher. I know that's a bummer for my Kobo, B&N, GP, and Apple readers. It is on audio though and you should be able to get the paperback on the other platforms (if they sell paperbacks). The Kindle app is also free, but I know many people prefer to read books all on one app. (Although at least all the books in THIS series would be in one place).
Trusting Skyler is finally here! YAY!
If you read Defending Raven, you caught a glimpse of the Silverstone crew. I started off this series thinking it would be a bit darker than my others, but it didn't turn out that way! I can't seem to write anything other than gruff, alpha men, who are marshmallows deep down when they meet their woman! lol
Anyway, Bull and Skylar are an unusual match, but they work. Trained killer and kindergarten teacher. Their strengths and weaknesses balance each other out. The big question is what will Skylar do when Bull finally tells her that his real job is not a part-owner in a tow-truck business?
You'll have to read Trusting Skylar to find out! I hope you enjoy it! (And the next time you see a tow-truck driver, you're really gonna wonder if that's his real job or if he has a side gig after you read this! :) )
Also, for the month of December you can get the anthology, 'Tis the Season, FREE through Bookfunnel. I teamed up with 7 other amazing authors (Kristen Proby, Sawyer Bennett, Aurora Rose Reynolds, Natasha Madison, Sarina Bowen, Monica Murphy, and Devney Perry) to bring you all-new holiday stories! Click HERE to download this anthology free!
Happy December!
~Susan
PS. Trusting Skylar is only on Amazon because it's published by my Amazon-owned publisher. I know that's a bummer for my Kobo, B&N, GP, and Apple readers. It is on audio though and you should be able to get the paperback on the other platforms (if they sell paperbacks). The Kindle app is also free, but I know many people prefer to read books all on one app. (Although at least all the books in THIS series would be in one place).
November 27, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving and something for you inside!
For all my US readers...Happy Thanksgiving week! Even in the midst of this weird year, I hope you can find something to be thankful for. I'm thankful for all of YOU. My readers mean the world to me!
And for everyone outside the US...happy last week of November! :)
Trusting Skyler>, the first book in my new Silverstone series, comes out in less than 7 days! EEK! I shared the first chapter last week, (and it's on my website), so this week I thought I'd give you a short excerpt and a teaser graphic (See below).
I also have some exciting news to share about a books project I’ve been involved with. I teamed up with 120+ other authors to create BingeBooks. It’s a brand new online community built for readers and just launched last week. You can search the books in a series in order, and binge an author’s complete backlist, see all ofon early chapters until you find what you like. Basically, it’s a site for book lovers to help you discover your next great read. It’s also a social network, so I hope you’ll do me a favor and head here to like and follow me: Binge Books
I hope you all are hanging in there. This truly has been a tough year in many respects for most people. Books have been my refuge, and I hope yours too. While you're taking care of those around you, don't forget to take care of yourself too.
~Susan
Excerpt from Trusting Skylar
“Can I ask a question?” Skylar asked.
“Of course. You can ask me anything,” Carson told her.
“What’s up with the baby seat in the back?”
She watched him carefully to see if he looked guilty about something or tried to lie to her, but his facial expression didn’t change in the least. “We’ve got seats in about half our trucks, and dispatchers are trained to ask if the pickup includes children. We just want to be prepared to transport little kids if necessary.”
It was a good answer. A very good answer.
“And under your seat is a bag with stuffed animals,” he continued. “We get called to a lot of wrecks, and sometimes the kids are scared and upset. If the firefighters or cops haven’t already given them a toy, we’ll do the honors.”
“That’s . . . amazing.”
Carson shrugged. “It’s all part of being a decent human being. Caring about others. My friends and I want Silverstone to be a good place to work and able to offer a safe service for people in need. Most of the time when our services are needed, it’s because someone isn’t having a good day at all. Making their life easier by having a car seat or making their kid smile by giving them a stuffed animal makes the experience just a little bit better. Or at least we hope it does.”
Then he smiled. “And if they have a good experience with Silverstone, maybe they’ll tell their friends, and our business will continue to grow and prosper.”
Skylar chuckled. “I’d say that business model is working for you. Silverstone was the first towing company I thought of when I pulled onto the side of the road.”
“Good. That’s what we want.” Carson flipped on his blinker, and the next thing Skylar knew, they were pulling into a service station. He maneuvered the tow truck with her car behind it as easily as if he were driving a small sedan. He pulled up at the front door of the business and said, “Hang on while I come around,” before jumping out of the truck.
Skylar shook her head and undid her seat belt. She could manage to get out of the truck just fine on her own. She opened her door . . .
Okay, maybe she couldn’t. She knew the truck sat high but hadn’t realized exactly how high until she was looking down at the ground from inside.
Then Carson was there in front of her, grinning knowingly. “Let me help,” he said, not commenting on the fact she obviously hadn’t planned to wait for him.
Not sure how this was going to work, Skylar squeaked in surprise when large hands gripped her around the waist and physically lifted her off the seat. She managed to keep hold of the flowers even as she grabbed his biceps for balance when he put her on her feet.
“Thanks,” she said a little breathlessly.
“You’re welcome,” he returned.
Neither moved for a long moment. Carson’s hands stayed at her waist, and she stood there holding his arms, staring up at him, her mind a complete blank.
“Hey!” a loud, cheery voice called, startling them both.
But instead of dropping his hands, as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t, Carson merely shifted his hold. He turned to stand next to her, and one of his hands rested lightly on the small of her back.
It should’ve felt creepy. Having a man she didn’t really know put his hands on her. But it didn’t.
And for everyone outside the US...happy last week of November! :)
Trusting Skyler>, the first book in my new Silverstone series, comes out in less than 7 days! EEK! I shared the first chapter last week, (and it's on my website), so this week I thought I'd give you a short excerpt and a teaser graphic (See below).
I also have some exciting news to share about a books project I’ve been involved with. I teamed up with 120+ other authors to create BingeBooks. It’s a brand new online community built for readers and just launched last week. You can search the books in a series in order, and binge an author’s complete backlist, see all ofon early chapters until you find what you like. Basically, it’s a site for book lovers to help you discover your next great read. It’s also a social network, so I hope you’ll do me a favor and head here to like and follow me: Binge Books
I hope you all are hanging in there. This truly has been a tough year in many respects for most people. Books have been my refuge, and I hope yours too. While you're taking care of those around you, don't forget to take care of yourself too.
~Susan
Excerpt from Trusting Skylar
“Can I ask a question?” Skylar asked.
“Of course. You can ask me anything,” Carson told her.
“What’s up with the baby seat in the back?”
She watched him carefully to see if he looked guilty about something or tried to lie to her, but his facial expression didn’t change in the least. “We’ve got seats in about half our trucks, and dispatchers are trained to ask if the pickup includes children. We just want to be prepared to transport little kids if necessary.”
It was a good answer. A very good answer.
“And under your seat is a bag with stuffed animals,” he continued. “We get called to a lot of wrecks, and sometimes the kids are scared and upset. If the firefighters or cops haven’t already given them a toy, we’ll do the honors.”
“That’s . . . amazing.”
Carson shrugged. “It’s all part of being a decent human being. Caring about others. My friends and I want Silverstone to be a good place to work and able to offer a safe service for people in need. Most of the time when our services are needed, it’s because someone isn’t having a good day at all. Making their life easier by having a car seat or making their kid smile by giving them a stuffed animal makes the experience just a little bit better. Or at least we hope it does.”
Then he smiled. “And if they have a good experience with Silverstone, maybe they’ll tell their friends, and our business will continue to grow and prosper.”
Skylar chuckled. “I’d say that business model is working for you. Silverstone was the first towing company I thought of when I pulled onto the side of the road.”
“Good. That’s what we want.” Carson flipped on his blinker, and the next thing Skylar knew, they were pulling into a service station. He maneuvered the tow truck with her car behind it as easily as if he were driving a small sedan. He pulled up at the front door of the business and said, “Hang on while I come around,” before jumping out of the truck.
Skylar shook her head and undid her seat belt. She could manage to get out of the truck just fine on her own. She opened her door . . .
Okay, maybe she couldn’t. She knew the truck sat high but hadn’t realized exactly how high until she was looking down at the ground from inside.
Then Carson was there in front of her, grinning knowingly. “Let me help,” he said, not commenting on the fact she obviously hadn’t planned to wait for him.
Not sure how this was going to work, Skylar squeaked in surprise when large hands gripped her around the waist and physically lifted her off the seat. She managed to keep hold of the flowers even as she grabbed his biceps for balance when he put her on her feet.
“Thanks,” she said a little breathlessly.
“You’re welcome,” he returned.
Neither moved for a long moment. Carson’s hands stayed at her waist, and she stood there holding his arms, staring up at him, her mind a complete blank.
“Hey!” a loud, cheery voice called, startling them both.
But instead of dropping his hands, as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t, Carson merely shifted his hold. He turned to stand next to her, and one of his hands rested lightly on the small of her back.
It should’ve felt creepy. Having a man she didn’t really know put his hands on her. But it didn’t.
November 18, 2020
Read Another Moment In Time Now! 💋
NEW BOOK!
Another Moment in Time is LIVE!
I hadn't planned on having a release in November, but when I had three short stories that I needed to publish, I decided this was a good month to do it. Not only that, but I wrote a completely NEW story called First Kiss, which features Annie (from the Delta Force Heroes series) and Frankie (from Protecting Kiera!)
These stories are all "stand alones", you don't have to read my other books in order to enjoy them.
ALSO, this week I wanted to share the first chapter from Trusting Skyler, which comes out in TWO short WEEKS! EEK! This is the first book in my new Silverstone series. The four friends and former Delta Force Operatives have left the Army under not-so-great circumstances. They formed a towing company in Indianapolis, IN, but that's only a front for their real job...hired killers.
The first book features a jaded Hero and an innocent kindergarten teacher he meets when she calls for a tow from the side of the Interstate. I know if you've enjoyed my other series, you'll like this one too. Check out the first chapter on my website, HERE, and get ready to meet your new book boyfriends. :)
(Trusting Skylar and the Silverstone series are published by my Amazon-owned publisher, so this ebook will only be available on Amazon. I'm so sorry to all my Kobo, B&N, Apple, & Google Play readers. I know this is a pain in the butt for you).
Have a wonderful week and don't forget to tell your loved ones how much you care.
~Susan
Another Moment in Time is LIVE!
I hadn't planned on having a release in November, but when I had three short stories that I needed to publish, I decided this was a good month to do it. Not only that, but I wrote a completely NEW story called First Kiss, which features Annie (from the Delta Force Heroes series) and Frankie (from Protecting Kiera!)
These stories are all "stand alones", you don't have to read my other books in order to enjoy them.
ALSO, this week I wanted to share the first chapter from Trusting Skyler, which comes out in TWO short WEEKS! EEK! This is the first book in my new Silverstone series. The four friends and former Delta Force Operatives have left the Army under not-so-great circumstances. They formed a towing company in Indianapolis, IN, but that's only a front for their real job...hired killers.
The first book features a jaded Hero and an innocent kindergarten teacher he meets when she calls for a tow from the side of the Interstate. I know if you've enjoyed my other series, you'll like this one too. Check out the first chapter on my website, HERE, and get ready to meet your new book boyfriends. :)
(Trusting Skylar and the Silverstone series are published by my Amazon-owned publisher, so this ebook will only be available on Amazon. I'm so sorry to all my Kobo, B&N, Apple, & Google Play readers. I know this is a pain in the butt for you).
Have a wonderful week and don't forget to tell your loved ones how much you care.
~Susan
November 11, 2020
First Kiss Excerpt Inside
How in the world did we go from the days/months going by so slowly to them flying by? It's already mid Nov! That's crazy!!!
Anyway, As you all hopefully know, the anthology with 4 short stories in it (Another Moment in Time) comes out next week, including the new one I wrote for Annie and Frankie's first kiss. I've been all over the map with these two and their ages. In Rescuing Emily, Annie was six or seven, in Protecting Kiera, Frankie was in second grade. I think they were a little older in The Gift, then in Shielding Aspen, Annie was thirteen....at the end of Rescuing Mary you saw a glimpse of Annie's college graduation and at the end of the Delta Team Two series (Shielding Sierra...and YES, of course Sierra is getting a story! lol), you'll see her high school graduation.
So why not write a story where Annie and Frankie are 16? Lol
I thought I'd share a short excerpt from First Kiss with you below.I just love these two, and I hope you'll stick around for a bit longer until they get their very own full length book (It'll be called Rescuing Annie, and while I know Annie is kick butt, but everyone needs a helping hand now and then!)
And don't forget that soon you'll get the first book in my new Silverstone Series... Trusting Skylar. It comes out on December 1st which will be here before you know it. It's set in Indianapolis, IN and I really hope you'll love this team of four guys. They own a towing business in the city, but their real job is ridding the world of super evil. :)
Read on and Be Kind!
~Susan
Excerpt From First Kiss
“I didn’t really get to say it earlier, but you looked amazing when I saw you at the airport,” Frankie told her.
He could see her blush even in the dim light coming from inside. “It was the skirt.”
Frankie shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. As much as I loved seeing you in it, it was you. You could’ve been wearing a ratty old T-shirt and sweats and I would’ve thought you were just as beautiful.”
Annie licked her lips, and Frankie couldn’t help but stare at them. He was very cognizant of her parents sitting just inside, though. And the last thing he wanted to do was something that would make them distrust him around their daughter. He’d never disrespect her or her parents that way.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t long to taste her lips. To kiss her the way he’d dreamed of more and more recently.
“So…did you go to the Christmas dance with that girl?” Annie asked.
Frankie blinked in surprise. “You mean Jenny?”
“Yeah. Her.”
“No, of course not. I went with some of my friends, but we left early because it was boring. I have no desire to date anyone else, Annie. Do you?”
“No,” she said without hesitation, making him feel a lot better.
“So we’re exclusive. Boyfriend, girlfriend?” he asked, needing the confirmation. Frankie wasn’t dumb. His Annie could have any guy she wanted. They’d probably line up outside her door to date her if she was open to it.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Frankie?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re here. I missed you.”
Her words felt good. Damn good. “I missed you too.”
“The week’s gonna go too fast.”
It would, Frankie had no doubt about that.
Annie leaned into his side and he put his arm around her shoulders. They sat that way for a long time, neither speaking, just enjoying being in the same physical space.
Eventually, Emily poked her head out of the door and said, “It’s getting late.”
Frankie wouldn’t have minded sitting outside with Annie all night, but her mom’s words were a clear statement that it was time to come inside.
Forty minutes later, Frankie lay in the bed in the Fletchers’ guest room and stared at the ceiling. The present he’d bought for Annie sat on the small table next to the bed. He didn’t know when he’d give it to her, but he wanted to wait for exactly the right moment.
Anyway, As you all hopefully know, the anthology with 4 short stories in it (Another Moment in Time) comes out next week, including the new one I wrote for Annie and Frankie's first kiss. I've been all over the map with these two and their ages. In Rescuing Emily, Annie was six or seven, in Protecting Kiera, Frankie was in second grade. I think they were a little older in The Gift, then in Shielding Aspen, Annie was thirteen....at the end of Rescuing Mary you saw a glimpse of Annie's college graduation and at the end of the Delta Team Two series (Shielding Sierra...and YES, of course Sierra is getting a story! lol), you'll see her high school graduation.
So why not write a story where Annie and Frankie are 16? Lol
I thought I'd share a short excerpt from First Kiss with you below.I just love these two, and I hope you'll stick around for a bit longer until they get their very own full length book (It'll be called Rescuing Annie, and while I know Annie is kick butt, but everyone needs a helping hand now and then!)
And don't forget that soon you'll get the first book in my new Silverstone Series... Trusting Skylar. It comes out on December 1st which will be here before you know it. It's set in Indianapolis, IN and I really hope you'll love this team of four guys. They own a towing business in the city, but their real job is ridding the world of super evil. :)
Read on and Be Kind!
~Susan
Excerpt From First Kiss
“I didn’t really get to say it earlier, but you looked amazing when I saw you at the airport,” Frankie told her.
He could see her blush even in the dim light coming from inside. “It was the skirt.”
Frankie shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. As much as I loved seeing you in it, it was you. You could’ve been wearing a ratty old T-shirt and sweats and I would’ve thought you were just as beautiful.”
Annie licked her lips, and Frankie couldn’t help but stare at them. He was very cognizant of her parents sitting just inside, though. And the last thing he wanted to do was something that would make them distrust him around their daughter. He’d never disrespect her or her parents that way.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t long to taste her lips. To kiss her the way he’d dreamed of more and more recently.
“So…did you go to the Christmas dance with that girl?” Annie asked.
Frankie blinked in surprise. “You mean Jenny?”
“Yeah. Her.”
“No, of course not. I went with some of my friends, but we left early because it was boring. I have no desire to date anyone else, Annie. Do you?”
“No,” she said without hesitation, making him feel a lot better.
“So we’re exclusive. Boyfriend, girlfriend?” he asked, needing the confirmation. Frankie wasn’t dumb. His Annie could have any guy she wanted. They’d probably line up outside her door to date her if she was open to it.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Frankie?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re here. I missed you.”
Her words felt good. Damn good. “I missed you too.”
“The week’s gonna go too fast.”
It would, Frankie had no doubt about that.
Annie leaned into his side and he put his arm around her shoulders. They sat that way for a long time, neither speaking, just enjoying being in the same physical space.
Eventually, Emily poked her head out of the door and said, “It’s getting late.”
Frankie wouldn’t have minded sitting outside with Annie all night, but her mom’s words were a clear statement that it was time to come inside.
Forty minutes later, Frankie lay in the bed in the Fletchers’ guest room and stared at the ceiling. The present he’d bought for Annie sat on the small table next to the bed. He didn’t know when he’d give it to her, but he wanted to wait for exactly the right moment.
November 7, 2020
I have a surprise... release coming later this month!
It's NOVEMBER!
That means we can put up all our holiday decorations, right? :)
This is going to be a busy month for me, as Mr. Stoker and I are headed west! To New Mexico, to be exact, to see my mom. I haven't seen for over a year. I'm very much looking forward to it!
You might have been lamenting the fact that I don't have a release in November...well, lament no more! I have a "surprise" release! It's called Another Moment in Time and will be coming out on the 17th! Which is less than 2 weeks away from now!
It's a second compilation of short stories (the first was A Moment in Time). This one includes 4 stories. The first, Caroline's Surprise was in an anthology last year to help raise money for the Australian wildfires. If you read The Boardwalk in my first compilation of short stories you know that one of Caroline's greatest memories was her surprise 25th wedding anniversary party. This is that story.
The second story is called Carnal Comfort. This one is super hot and has Gillian & Trigger (from Shielding Gillian) in it!
The third story is Best Christmas Ever which was in an anthology last December and has two brand new characters in it (although you might catch a glimpse of the Delta team in it).
And lastly I wrote a brand new story called First Kiss. It's about Frankie and Annie and their...well...first kiss!
I hope you enjoy all the stories and it makes your day a little brighter!
Remember to be kind, even if you don't think the other person deserves it.
~Susan
That means we can put up all our holiday decorations, right? :)
This is going to be a busy month for me, as Mr. Stoker and I are headed west! To New Mexico, to be exact, to see my mom. I haven't seen for over a year. I'm very much looking forward to it!
You might have been lamenting the fact that I don't have a release in November...well, lament no more! I have a "surprise" release! It's called Another Moment in Time and will be coming out on the 17th! Which is less than 2 weeks away from now!
It's a second compilation of short stories (the first was A Moment in Time). This one includes 4 stories. The first, Caroline's Surprise was in an anthology last year to help raise money for the Australian wildfires. If you read The Boardwalk in my first compilation of short stories you know that one of Caroline's greatest memories was her surprise 25th wedding anniversary party. This is that story.
The second story is called Carnal Comfort. This one is super hot and has Gillian & Trigger (from Shielding Gillian) in it!
The third story is Best Christmas Ever which was in an anthology last December and has two brand new characters in it (although you might catch a glimpse of the Delta team in it).
And lastly I wrote a brand new story called First Kiss. It's about Frankie and Annie and their...well...first kiss!
I hope you enjoy all the stories and it makes your day a little brighter!
Remember to be kind, even if you don't think the other person deserves it.
~Susan
October 22, 2020
Shielding Aspen is live! 📗
The third book in the Delta Team Two series is finally live! Shielding Aspen features an impulsive kiss, a jealous ex, a smart Hero who is self-conscious about his smarts, and their future in the balance.
I love these two together. Aspen is a combat medic in a Ranger unit, and Brain is the perfect man to stand by her side, not in front of her. She might not need a man, but someone like her Delta Force soldier sure comes in handy when the worst happens...or...is it the other way around? :)
Enjoy!
~Susan
I love these two together. Aspen is a combat medic in a Ranger unit, and Brain is the perfect man to stand by her side, not in front of her. She might not need a man, but someone like her Delta Force soldier sure comes in handy when the worst happens...or...is it the other way around? :)
Enjoy!
~Susan
October 15, 2020
Read the First Chapter of Shielding Aspen Now! 📗
Less than one week before Shielding Aspen comes out!
For those of you who've forgotten, this is the third book in my Delta Team Two series. Brain (not Brian, but Brain, like what's between your ears!) meets Aspen when she comes up to him in a bar and kisses him. A real kiss. Long, hard, and deep. Then the real fun starts. :)
I love the tag line on the back of the paperback for this story:
An impulsive kiss, a jealous ex, and her future in the balance. He might be exactly what she needs.
I've put the first chapter on my website for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing. It includes that kiss from Brain's point of view. :)
In other good news, the AUDIO for Shielding Aspen is LIVE right NOW! So if you can't wait for the ebook, you can always download the audio.
I hope you're all having a good week. Keep on chugging along!
~Susan
For those of you who've forgotten, this is the third book in my Delta Team Two series. Brain (not Brian, but Brain, like what's between your ears!) meets Aspen when she comes up to him in a bar and kisses him. A real kiss. Long, hard, and deep. Then the real fun starts. :)
I love the tag line on the back of the paperback for this story:
An impulsive kiss, a jealous ex, and her future in the balance. He might be exactly what she needs.
I've put the first chapter on my website for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing. It includes that kiss from Brain's point of view. :)
In other good news, the AUDIO for Shielding Aspen is LIVE right NOW! So if you can't wait for the ebook, you can always download the audio.
I hope you're all having a good week. Keep on chugging along!
~Susan
October 9, 2020
There's something "Sneak Peek-y" Inside 😃
We made it to another month! WHEW! I love autumn. I'd be happy if every day was between 60 and 70 degrees! :)
Two quick things before I get to the teaser for Sheilding Aspen which comes out in less than two weeks...
I've opened signups for my holiday card. It's not an exchange. It's free. It's just me sending YOU a card in December to thank you for reading my books and being a loyal reader. If you're interested, sign up HERE.
To celebrate the third book in the Delta Team Two series coming out this month, I've put the special "tushie" edition paperback of Shielding Gillian up for sale in my online store. This will only be up for a limited time and the only place you can get it is from me. So if you want "Trigger's" handsome tushie to grace your shelf, be sure to pick it up this month, because it'll go off sale on Nov 1st. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, trust me, you want to see this cover! Click HERE to see it, and to pick it up if you're interested.
And, now on to Brain and Aspen. We tend to think of our favorite military heroes as super confident, but Brain is self-conscious about his intelligence. And Aspen is making some hard decisions about her career. Together, they find that they simply work...and when danger strikes, they each show how tough they really are.
I included an excerpt below for those of you who read them. And remember, the AUDIO comes out on Tuesday, so if you can't wait to read the ebook, you can get your listen on! :)
Be kind and read on!
~Susan
“Where do you live?” Aspen asked. She didn’t want the evening to end, but she knew no matter how many questions she asked, it eventually would.
“I have a small house not too far from here.”
“A house?” Aspen asked in surprise. “Not an apartment?”
“Nope. I wanted to feel settled. I’ve got a ninety-one-year-old widowed woman who lives on one side of me, and a family with three kids on the other. There are kids playing outside all the time, as well as older couples sitting on their porches when the heat of the day dissipates. It’s…nice.”
“It sounds like it,” Aspen said, somewhat jealous. She’d always wanted a home. A real home. But her life in the Army hadn’t really been conducive to that. Wracking her brain for something else to talk about, she gazed down at Kane’s arm. It was on the armrest between them, and she blurted, “You have great veins.”
He blinked, then chuckled. “Uh…thanks?”
Knowing she was blushing, Aspen ran a finger over the very prominent vein on his forearm. “It’s just something I notice now. It’s really hard to get an IV in some people, and when I see someone who has veins like yours, prominent, I can’t help but think about how easy it would be to stick you.”
At his choked laugh, she looked up and realized what she’d just said. “Stick with an IV. Like, get a needle in your veins. Shit…I’m shutting up now.”
Kane smiled bigger. “You’re cute.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She’d never been called cute in her life. She was too tall. Too muscular. But somehow, when Kane called her cute in the same sentence he called her darling, it seemed like the best endearment ever.
“Can I call you tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’d like that,” she told him.
“Good. Me too. Come on. It’s late, and I’m sure you have to get up early for PT.”
Feeling disappointed, but knowing their date had to end sometime, she nodded and got out of the car. Kane was there to meet her, and he took her hand and started walking toward her building.
“You don’t have to walk me to my door.”
“I know.”
Aspen couldn’t help but smile. She liked the feel of his hand in hers. A lot. Nervous about what would happen at her door, she kept quiet as they headed to her apartment. Once there, she unlocked it and then turned, staring awkwardly at Kane.
He smiled gently and brought his hand up to her face. He brushed her hair back behind her ear and his thumb caressed her cheek for a second before he dropped his hand. “I had a good time tonight, querida.”
“Let me guess, Spanish?”
He smiled. “Yup.”
“I did too,” Aspen said.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Don’t let the assholes get you down,” he told her before taking a step away.
“No kiss?” Aspen blurted.
Kane shook his head. “If I touch those lips I’ve been staring at all night, I’ll never leave.”
His words were matter-of-fact. He wasn’t flirting. Wasn’t trying to get her to smile.
Aspen licked her lips and saw his pupils dilate as he watched. “But you are going to kiss me at some point, right?” she sassed.
“Oh, yeah,” Kane breathed. “Count on it. Sleep well.”
“You too,” she told him.
“Go on. Get inside and lock the door. I’ll head out when I know you’re safely inside.”
Aspen nodded and kept eye contact with him until the last second. She turned the deadbolt and latched the chain.
“Good night, Aspen,” she heard him say, then his footsteps sounded as he headed back down the hall.
Taking a deep breath, she put her back to the door and slid down until she was sitting on her butt with her knees drawn up. For just a second, she held her breath—then she smiled, huge, and squealed like she was a teenager again.
Evidence was pointing to the fact that Kane was feeling the same chemistry she was. Thank God.
Two quick things before I get to the teaser for Sheilding Aspen which comes out in less than two weeks...
I've opened signups for my holiday card. It's not an exchange. It's free. It's just me sending YOU a card in December to thank you for reading my books and being a loyal reader. If you're interested, sign up HERE.
To celebrate the third book in the Delta Team Two series coming out this month, I've put the special "tushie" edition paperback of Shielding Gillian up for sale in my online store. This will only be up for a limited time and the only place you can get it is from me. So if you want "Trigger's" handsome tushie to grace your shelf, be sure to pick it up this month, because it'll go off sale on Nov 1st. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, trust me, you want to see this cover! Click HERE to see it, and to pick it up if you're interested.
And, now on to Brain and Aspen. We tend to think of our favorite military heroes as super confident, but Brain is self-conscious about his intelligence. And Aspen is making some hard decisions about her career. Together, they find that they simply work...and when danger strikes, they each show how tough they really are.
I included an excerpt below for those of you who read them. And remember, the AUDIO comes out on Tuesday, so if you can't wait to read the ebook, you can get your listen on! :)
Be kind and read on!
~Susan
Shielding Aspen Sneak Peek
“Where do you live?” Aspen asked. She didn’t want the evening to end, but she knew no matter how many questions she asked, it eventually would.
“I have a small house not too far from here.”
“A house?” Aspen asked in surprise. “Not an apartment?”
“Nope. I wanted to feel settled. I’ve got a ninety-one-year-old widowed woman who lives on one side of me, and a family with three kids on the other. There are kids playing outside all the time, as well as older couples sitting on their porches when the heat of the day dissipates. It’s…nice.”
“It sounds like it,” Aspen said, somewhat jealous. She’d always wanted a home. A real home. But her life in the Army hadn’t really been conducive to that. Wracking her brain for something else to talk about, she gazed down at Kane’s arm. It was on the armrest between them, and she blurted, “You have great veins.”
He blinked, then chuckled. “Uh…thanks?”
Knowing she was blushing, Aspen ran a finger over the very prominent vein on his forearm. “It’s just something I notice now. It’s really hard to get an IV in some people, and when I see someone who has veins like yours, prominent, I can’t help but think about how easy it would be to stick you.”
At his choked laugh, she looked up and realized what she’d just said. “Stick with an IV. Like, get a needle in your veins. Shit…I’m shutting up now.”
Kane smiled bigger. “You’re cute.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She’d never been called cute in her life. She was too tall. Too muscular. But somehow, when Kane called her cute in the same sentence he called her darling, it seemed like the best endearment ever.
“Can I call you tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’d like that,” she told him.
“Good. Me too. Come on. It’s late, and I’m sure you have to get up early for PT.”
Feeling disappointed, but knowing their date had to end sometime, she nodded and got out of the car. Kane was there to meet her, and he took her hand and started walking toward her building.
“You don’t have to walk me to my door.”
“I know.”
Aspen couldn’t help but smile. She liked the feel of his hand in hers. A lot. Nervous about what would happen at her door, she kept quiet as they headed to her apartment. Once there, she unlocked it and then turned, staring awkwardly at Kane.
He smiled gently and brought his hand up to her face. He brushed her hair back behind her ear and his thumb caressed her cheek for a second before he dropped his hand. “I had a good time tonight, querida.”
“Let me guess, Spanish?”
He smiled. “Yup.”
“I did too,” Aspen said.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Don’t let the assholes get you down,” he told her before taking a step away.
“No kiss?” Aspen blurted.
Kane shook his head. “If I touch those lips I’ve been staring at all night, I’ll never leave.”
His words were matter-of-fact. He wasn’t flirting. Wasn’t trying to get her to smile.
Aspen licked her lips and saw his pupils dilate as he watched. “But you are going to kiss me at some point, right?” she sassed.
“Oh, yeah,” Kane breathed. “Count on it. Sleep well.”
“You too,” she told him.
“Go on. Get inside and lock the door. I’ll head out when I know you’re safely inside.”
Aspen nodded and kept eye contact with him until the last second. She turned the deadbolt and latched the chain.
“Good night, Aspen,” she heard him say, then his footsteps sounded as he headed back down the hall.
Taking a deep breath, she put her back to the door and slid down until she was sitting on her butt with her knees drawn up. For just a second, she held her breath—then she smiled, huge, and squealed like she was a teenager again.
Evidence was pointing to the fact that Kane was feeling the same chemistry she was. Thank God.
September 24, 2020
Securing Kalee is here!
It's LIVE!
You finally get to find out what happened to poor Kalee.
I know I can't write a book that everyone enjoys, and that's okay, everyone has their own tastes, but I really hope you like how this one turned out. This is kind of a different book for me. It's still a "Stoker Story," but concentrates more on relationships. Kalee and Phantom. Kalee and her dad. Kalee and Piper. Phantom and his team. There's a lot going on in this book, and if you've read my other books, you'll see some characters you might recognize. :)
Not only that, but you get to meet the SEAL Team Hawaii guys as well! (Finding Elodie comes out next year and I think it's one of my favorite books I've written. I "had" to watch Under Siege as "research". It was tough, but I muddled through. HA!)
Not only that, but you also get a glimpse of Jane, who is Storm North's love interest in Securing Jane coming out in Feb as well.
So, there's a bit of teasing in this book, and definitely resolution for Kalee
. You'll learn why Phantom is so intense and that under his gruffness, he's really a big ol' softie.
Anyway, Enjoy being immersed back in the SOP: Legacy world once again!
SMOOCHES!
~Susan
You finally get to find out what happened to poor Kalee.
I know I can't write a book that everyone enjoys, and that's okay, everyone has their own tastes, but I really hope you like how this one turned out. This is kind of a different book for me. It's still a "Stoker Story," but concentrates more on relationships. Kalee and Phantom. Kalee and her dad. Kalee and Piper. Phantom and his team. There's a lot going on in this book, and if you've read my other books, you'll see some characters you might recognize. :)
Not only that, but you get to meet the SEAL Team Hawaii guys as well! (Finding Elodie comes out next year and I think it's one of my favorite books I've written. I "had" to watch Under Siege as "research". It was tough, but I muddled through. HA!)
Not only that, but you also get a glimpse of Jane, who is Storm North's love interest in Securing Jane coming out in Feb as well.
So, there's a bit of teasing in this book, and definitely resolution for Kalee
. You'll learn why Phantom is so intense and that under his gruffness, he's really a big ol' softie.
Anyway, Enjoy being immersed back in the SOP: Legacy world once again!
SMOOCHES!
~Susan
September 17, 2020
Get Your Listen On!
Securing Kalee is LIVE in AUDIO!
For all my audio peeps out there, you can get your listen on (and then brag to everyone that you've already "read" Kalee and Phantom's story!) ha!
But seriously, this book is longer than most I've written, there was a lot I needed to wrap up AND there were a lot of people who decided to show up in this story!
The new SEAL Team Hawaii guys (Mustang, Midas, Aleck, Pid, Jag, and Slate), some of the original Deltas and Delta Team Two. The original SEALs, and of course TEX.
And even though Kalee has been through hell, she's no slouch herself in this book!
I wanted to share a picture from the top of the Kaau Crater Trail on Oahu. You'll read (or hear) about this view and the trail in Securing Kalee. It was so breathtaking, I thought it deserved to be highlighted!
Enjoy the audio, and for everyone else...the ebook will be here in a blink of an eye! :)
~Susan
For all my audio peeps out there, you can get your listen on (and then brag to everyone that you've already "read" Kalee and Phantom's story!) ha!
But seriously, this book is longer than most I've written, there was a lot I needed to wrap up AND there were a lot of people who decided to show up in this story!
The new SEAL Team Hawaii guys (Mustang, Midas, Aleck, Pid, Jag, and Slate), some of the original Deltas and Delta Team Two. The original SEALs, and of course TEX.
And even though Kalee has been through hell, she's no slouch herself in this book!
I wanted to share a picture from the top of the Kaau Crater Trail on Oahu. You'll read (or hear) about this view and the trail in Securing Kalee. It was so breathtaking, I thought it deserved to be highlighted!
Enjoy the audio, and for everyone else...the ebook will be here in a blink of an eye! :)
~Susan
