Shelli Stevens's Blog, page 20

Merry Christmas!

If you celebrate it, I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! If you don't celebrate, yay, it's the weekend!

It's here, it's here!! Command and Control is out!

I'm sooo excited! Too many months have gone by since the release of my last Holding out for a Hero books, but today Command and Control is available! This is the second book in the series, though each book is stand alone so, you don't have to have read Going Down to 'get' this one. You can buy it in ebook formats at MBAM (Samhain), or Amazon, or Barnes and Noble, or most other ebook retailers!

He's afraid of losing his grip. She's about to untie his last knot…

Holding Out for a Hero, Book 2

Megan Asher has a thriving career, looks, self-confidence to spare. It all means little without the love of her life. Trevor has returned from deployment in Afghanistan a haunted man, emotionally distant and unwilling to connect—except in bed. Then even that fragile thread snaps. Brokenhearted, she is forced to call off their wedding and, after a few months' separation, try to move on.

With every aspect of his life spinning out of his once-legendary control, Trevor Wyatt convinces himself that Megan is better off—and safer—as far away from his demons as possible. Until he comes back to town for his brother's wedding, and discovers Megan is dating.

Suddenly realizing what he's thrown away, he vows to breach the fortress she's built around her heart. They come together in a cataclysm of rekindled passion that unleashes the very demons he never wanted her to witness.

Back to square one, Megan realizes she must take the ultimate risk to slip past Trevor's defenses. Give him control in the one place she can. The bedroom. The seductive move is one she prays will be the first step in helping heal him and their love.

Product Warnings

This book contains a tormented military hero and the sexy woman he's determined to win back. Mild BDSM and kink, and blow jobs of the beverage and non-beverage kind.

EXCERPT:

"Why are you here, Trevor?" she asked again.

"You'll have to tell him no."

Megan stilled. "Excuse me?"

"Henry boy. You'll have to tell him that you can't have dinner with him tonight."

This time she let out a slow, throaty laugh that had his eyes darkening further.

"And why is that?" she asked.

"Because you're having dinner with me."

The hell she was. Megan let the smile on her face become a bit sympathetic.

"I find it best not to go to dinner with my exes," she murmured and pushed back her chair to stand. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

"Because there's so many of them? Exes?" Trevor asked, standing as well and blocking her escape from where she'd been about to slip past him. "We were together for two years and before that, I remember you saying there was no one serious."

Annoyance sparked in her belly and it pricked her to realize she probably wasn't hiding it from her eyes now. "This is all a bit irrelevant, Trevor. I'm not having dinner with you."

He slowly made his way around her desk, and she took a few steps backward, her pulse quickening and her mouth going dry.

"Come on, angel, just admit it," he said softly, advancing upon her. "The idea of dinner with Henry does nothing for you."

"Henry happens to be a very nice man," she said quickly, her back literally against the wall now.

Oh God, if he came any closer—and there, damn it he did! Their knees were nearly bumping now. She drew in a sharp breath, but it only filled her head with the scent of him. His shampoo and soap that was painfully familiar. The faint hint of his cologne. Megan had the urge to nuzzle his neck, to flick her tongue and see if he still tasted the same.

You're crazy, Megan, get it together.

"Tell me about this Henry guy," he commanded softly, his gaze sliding over her face, searching her eyes. "Does he wear starched suits and bowties?"

"Actually, he doesn't." They were just regular ties.

Her heart thumped wildly against her rib cage and the proximity of his body to hers had every tiny hair on the back of her neck lifting up in awareness. Why oh why didn't she share an office with anyone? Most of her days were spent on the phone with clients, answering e-mails or doing paperwork, but very rarely did anyone come in.

She was alone with Trevor unless she forced him to leave. And right now—though her brain was screaming at her to throw him out on his cocky ass—her body was begging him to stay. To stop just looking at her and to touch her. Because she missed him so much. She missed being held in his arms and kissing him. Touching him. Talking…though the talking had ended long before the kissing had.

Every muscle in her body was coiled with tension. With need.

"I've always loved you like this, Megan." He reached out and traced the lapel of her blazer. "But you know that, don't you? All prim and proper in your trim little suits."

"Trevor—"

"Nobody could possibly know by looking at you just what a little animal you are in bed," he muttered thickly, his fingers gliding back up her lapel and then inward, to trace the neckline of her silk camisole. "How when you come hard you can scar up a man's back with those claws of yours."

His words had her biting back a throaty moan. Even as her nipples tightened and dampness gathered in her panties. She could see it in her head. Could almost feel his cock pounding into her again as the weight of his body pinned hers to the bed.

No, sex won't fix anything.

"Remember that time when we first started dating, when I fucked you in this office?" he asked. "When I bent you over that desk right over there, lifted your skirt, pushed those tiny panties you love to wear aside and just took you?"

Her sex clenched with an ache to be filled, because she did remember. But she shook her head, trying to make him stop verbalizing such a sensual memory.

"Remember how you begged me, angel?" He smiled. "'Cause I sure do."

"Please…"

"Does Henry make you feel like this? Does he know that kissing the small of your back makes you whimper like a bitch in heat?" His voice dropped an octave as his finger dipped under the neckline of her top to caress the swell of her breasts.

Push him away. Tell him to stop. But she couldn't. Didn't want to.

"Or when he's sucking on your tits, are you biting your tongue not to call out my name?"

"Trevor," she pleaded huskily, arching into his touch.

"Yeah. Just like that." And then his head descended, his mouth slanting across hers.

Megan couldn't have resisted even if she'd wanted to. She cried out as his lips plundered her, as his tongue thrust fiercely against hers as if to remind her just who was kissing her. As if she could ever, ever forget.

Cheap, holiday read on the Kindle!

I have a short story for .99 on the Kindle! It's from an anthology I was in years ago. It's actually a sweet(ish) story too, so if you want something not as hot, this would be right up your alley. Though it's still a fun romantic story that I still love. (Psst, I wrote it for my more conservative relatives–true story!).  Once Upon a Snowflake is now available on the Kindle.

It's almost Christmas, and Lilly's fleeing the demon's of her past to start a new life. With her young son in tow, she's heading to California to start a new job. But fate seems to have other plans for her …when she gets in an accident during a snowstorm.

Logan, a sexy bachelor in this tiny town, takes her and her son in, offering a job to earn her keep while her car is being repaired.

With a future already set in California, she starts to fall hard for the attractive, protective man who's captured not only her heart, but her son's. And soon she knows she must choose the path of her future, but can she really stay in Snow River knowing she could be putting the citizens of the charming town at risk?

Holiday fun weekend (with pics!)

So I had such a wonderful, crazy, fun weekend. Most of it involved my seven year old, two tweens, and a teenager! Friday night I took them all to downtown Seattle for some festiveness. We grubbed at the cheesecake factory (where I continued my love for Edamame) and then saw all the pretty lights of Seattle, rode the holiday carousel, shopped at Westlake Center, and took a carriage ride!

Saturday was more fun with cookie baking and visit to Santa (where initially I took them to a Santa who looked like a recovering crack addict who probably likes children a little TOO much. We ran from there fast!). And we ened the night with an ugly Christmas Sweater party my friend through. I promise my sweater was totally awesome, and I came in second place, but the guy with the fake mustache and 60′s pants beat me out by a hair ;) I also won a seriously creepy clown figurine (about a foot high) in the elephant gift exchange. He's somewhere in my house now, though I think I've lost him. Seriously. Creepy. I think I want to leave him on a street corner somewhere.

Sunday I took my daughter and her half-sister (one of the tweens) to get their pics done professionally (courtesy of a Living Social coupon!) and they're adorable.

So it was pretty non-stop, holiday fun. Hope you had a great weekend too!

Seattle's steaming up again!

That's right! I know it's a bit overdue, but there's another book coming out in the Seattle Steam series! (The first two books were Dangerous Grounds, Tempting Adam, and my free read a short story Baby It's Cold Outside). I  just signed the contract this morning with Samhain Publishing, and I'm super excited for this book. Yes, I tend to be super excited a lot. You're so nice to tolerate me.

Anyway, here's the unofficial blurb I used when I submitted the book (to give you an idea what it's about!)

Allison Siegel grew up being close friends with cousins Kenneth and Clint Williams. And when she learns Ken's about to marry someone completely wrong for him (namely: a gold digging whore) she tries to stage an intervention. What good friend wouldn't? Apparently, Clint.

Clint has wanted Allie as more than a friend since she grew out of her sneakers and into her curves. And when he learns she's trying to break up Ken's wedding, he doesn't trust her motives, especially since she and Ken had dated for awhile. After giving her multiple warnings to leave Ken alone, Clint takes matters into his own hands.

Kidnapped! Allison can't believe it, but Clint has gone off the deep end, convinced she wants Ken back. Now Clint's taken her off into some backwoods park in Montana to go camping! Not that she should be surprised since he's just about the sexiest forest ranger ever.

Clint has big plans for Allie. Not only will he convince a city girl that she needs to embrace her inner nature freak, but he's going to prove there's sparks flying in more places than just the campfire.

So yay! Look for Seducing Allie sometime next summer (tentatively)!

I should also say sorry that I haven't been around the blog much. Getting a little crazy around these parts with the holiday season (shopping, pictures, shopping, sick kid, shopping, recovering dad, shopping, etc.) I promise to be a much better blogger!

New book out!!

That's right! My book Silk Hauntings is now available on the Kindle! And let me tell ya, more than one thing can go bump in the night

This is the book that I mentioned briefly in my post a couple weeks back when I blogged about my ghost hunting weekend. It's a super sexy novella that throws in bit of paranormal activity.

Here's a peek!

Gavin Mackenzie is a best selling horror author and amateur ghost hunter. His plans to investigate paranormal activity at a local mansion are denied by the sexy new owner; even as she makes it clear she'd welcome him in her bed.

Taylor Ammons is using the mansion for her new business: holding educational sexual retreats for women. She's not prepared for her attraction to her quiet neighbor, or his determination to convince her that the mansion is haunted.

When strange things start happening, Taylor has to bring Gavin in for explorations that go beyond the bedroom.

Available on Amazon Kindle.

REVIEWS

"Silk Hauntings has all of the items that I deem necessary for a great book-sex, ghosts, sex, women learning about their bodies, oh, and did I mention sex? …Ms. Stevens is an author that I plan to read again and again." 5 stars, (JERR) Just Erotic Romance Reviews

"Shelli Stevens has created the perfect ghost, mystery, and love story that will keep you glued to your seat yet make you squirm at the same time." TwoLips Reviews

EXCERPT

Taylor's heart pounded, even after she'd ended the phone call with her client. Her nerves had nothing to do with the client and everything to do with the man sitting at her kitchen table.

He'd come to apologize. How sweet. His gaze had been following her since he'd arrived. Even when she'd been at the stove, she could feel it boring into her back. He still wanted her. Which was a good thing, because the plans she had for him were going to be fabulous.

Why she had a thing for her geeky writer neighbor was a little strange in the first place. Totally out of par with her normal choice in men.

But now that she'd seen what he was like when the sexual beast was unleashed…mmm. She got wet just thinking about it. Maybe after breakfast they could do a little dessert, so to speak.

She returned to the kitchen. "That was just a client saying she was going to be late." She cocked her head. "What are you doing?"

Gavin was wandering around the room with some kind of device in his hand. He turned around, a sheepish smile on his face.

"It's an EMF detector. It picks up disruptions in electronic fields. Look, I know you said you didn't want me to run any tests. But this isn't really a—"

"You're checking for ghosts?" Her eyes widened and she shook her head. Then it hit her, and her stomach dropped. "Oh, my God, I'm such an idiot. You didn't come here to apologize. You snuck in here to run some of those ridiculous tests."

He froze, his expression shocked. "No. No, Taylor. That's not it at all—"

"And I even fed you breakfast." She laughed, feeling stupider with every passing second. Man, she'd been an idiot. Deciding to let him in this morning and taking his apology at face value. "You had me going."

"Taylor—"

"I'm sorry, but I have clients arriving tomorrow and a house to prepare. Run your damn tests, Gavin, and then leave."

Stupid! She was so stupid. Before he could respond, she turned and stalked away. She'd barely taken two steps when his arm wrapped around her waist and jerked her to a halt, then spun her around.

His gaze, hard and determined, caught hers.

"Let go of m—"

Gavin's mouth closed over hers, cutting off her protest.

Taylor slammed her hands against his chest in an attempt to push him away, but it was like trying to move a brick wall.

His tongue thrust past her lips to take control of hers, his hands gripped her hips and he jerked her tight against his erection. His cock ground into her stomach and her damp arousal coated her panties. She stopped trying to push him away and instead, slid her hands up to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer.

He backed her up, not breaking the kiss, until she was against the wall.

"I want you," he ground out, untying the strings of her apron.

Let it snow!

We're getting pummeled in the Puget Sound area with snow. It's fantastic! After a cold summer, and no snow last year, finally we're having some fun weather! A few inches already. Wheee!

The bad news is the kid is sick with that hacking cough and 101 fever, so she doesn't get to experience sledding or snowman building (sigh). She's currently curled up, asleep in the recliner. So I've been getting in a bit of writing, copyedits, cover discussion…good times!

For anyone in the area, hope you're enjoying the pre-winter blast and not too ensnared in the awful traffic it's causing!

Hop on over…

To Beth Kery's blog where I'm guest blogging. I'm giving away a copy of Going Down and sharing an excerpt of the next  book in the series Command and Control.

Drop on by.

Snippet Saturday ~ Make Me Laugh

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today's theme is 'Make Me Laugh'. Check out my excerpt and then visit other sites!

The man she wants is the one she must deceive.

Seattle Steam Book 2

Christy Wallace may be a respectable Seattle Spanish teacher, but she's got a sultry side. She lets it come out to play during the summer, when she moonlights as a Salsa dancing instructor.

Sexy, cowboy Adam wants more time with her than just a fleeting cup of coffee, but she makes it clear that if he wants her, he'll have to sign up for dance class. Amazingly enough, he does. And Christy finds herself falling for a charming country hick with hands as fast as his feet.

Adam's no hick, though. He's the owner of Adam's Apples, the fastest-growing cider business in eastern Washington. To his own surprise, one night with her has him thinking in terms of forever. That is, until he walks into a restaurant for a family lunch—and finds Christy on the arm of his brother.

Is there a logical explanation? Or is something rotten in Seattle?

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EXCERPT

"I'd offer to buy you a beer, but they're free."

Christy glanced up at the man who'd just come to stand beside her.

"And the fact that I already have one?" She tilted the neck of her bottle at him.

He wasn't too bad-looking—a little more beefy than she was used to. Kind of had that whole football linebacker bulk going on, and maybe the mentality of one who'd taken too many hits to the head.

"Yeah, but you're almost done with it."

"So I am." She downed the rest and tossed the bottle in a nearby barrel full of other empty bottles.

"Tell you what, little lady." He giggled—actually giggled. "And you are little. I can get you another beer, or we can dance. Do either of those sound good to you?"

Not really. But then watching Mandy Lou and Adam circle the floor like freaking homecoming royalty wasn't a much better option.

"We can dance."

So, how much was she going to regret this? He grabbed her wrist, almost dragging her onto the dance floor. If he lifted her off the ground at any time and attempted to carry her, it was over.

"So, you're not from around here, are you?"

"I'm from Seattle," she replied as they found a place in-between couples.

He draped a meaty arm around her waist and held her hand with his free one. When his fingers started moving up her ribs, she accidentally stepped on his foot with her high heel.

"Sorry." Yeah right.

"About what?"

God, was his foot so big that he hadn't even felt that? She'd have to try harder next time.

"What's your name, little lady?"

"Not little lady, that's for sure."

"I like you, you're kind of funny."

When Christy looked up at him, he was smiling and she noticed he was missing a few important teeth. Score one for the too many hits in football theory.

"You got a boyfriend?"

"No. And I'm not looking, thanks."

"So are you one of them girls just looking for sex then?"

"Uh, tempting as that may be, I'm gonna have to say no." She gave a shudder of disgust. Weren't country boys supposed to be all polite and gentleman-like?

"Well, I guess we can just dance then."

"I guess so." Christy shot another loathing glance at Adam and Mandy Lou.

Good Lord, could Mandy Lou get any closer to Adam? They didn't need to be that close. It was like they were lovers or something.

The thought stuck. Had they been lovers?

The way the other woman was gazing up at him, and giggling as they danced around the barn…it wouldn't surprise her if they had. Maybe at one point at least. Interesting. She would have to keep a closer eye on those two.

Leah Braemel

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Vivian Arend

Ashley Ladd

Delilah Devlin

HelenKay Dimon

Lauren Dane

Sasha White

Shelley Munro

TJ Michaels

Shelli Stevens

Jody Wallace

Acknowledging our Veterans…one in particular

I want to take a moment (or blog post) to thank all the veterans out there. To those who've served our country, those who continue to, and those who lost their lives serving our country. What you do is amazing and please don't every think we don't appreciate you!

Today I learned I lost an amazing person in my life. She was 93 and lived a long, exciting life. For years after my daughter was born, I would grandmasit her a couple days a week. This would mean spending time with her, taking her to lunch, helping her shop. Keeping an eye on her as her dementia grew progressively worse and consuming.

Toshi, or Phylis as she often went by, was the the mother-in-law of my aunt. She was an American born Japanese woman, born in the early twentieth century. She would often tell me stories of her life and travels. How her mother had taught her the Japanese harp. The years she lived in Hawaii, studied hula, and the husband she lost decades ago to cancer. How she worked with the military during World War II and many years after–how much she loved our country. And sometimes she would talk of the darker stories moments of her life in a Japanese Concentration camp here in the northwest, and how her son (my uncle through marriage) was born there. But there was never any bitterness when she spoke of those times….

Phylis was a fascinating, lovely woman and it was tragic when dementia eventually ripped those stories and memories from her mind. And ultimately the recognition of her family and who I was. She wasn't my biological grandma, but I adopted her so to speak. I have no living grandparents and always adored her.

She will be deeply missed, and yet I'm so happy she's free of the prison that her body became, and can finally reunite with her husband.