What Defines You? Guest post by author @ChandraRyan #eroticromance #scifirom #menage

What Defines You?
Guest Post by author Chandra Ryan

I’m big on definitions. Not the meaning of words, although my kids are always asking me for them. But on the moments, decisions, and values that shape us into the people we are. In the past I’ve blogged about the moment I knew my husband and I would be able to face the challenges of life together. And I’ve written about my mother and her common sense advice, which has always kept me grounded in moments of crisis. But this blog isn’t about me nor is it about the factors that shaped me into the person I’ve become. This blog is about my most recent heroine, Dr. Lisa Colt and what defines her.

It’s probably no huge surprise that, like most people who’ve worked, sacrificed and studied to get the title “doctor” placed in front of their name, it’s her job. As a geneticist for the government, she had no life outside of her lab. No life, that is, until she went on vacation and had a brief fling that would change everything. On that vacation she fell in love with a man named Ben and ended up pregnant with their son, Nate. But her job destroyed any chance the relationship might have. So when she loses her job and is thrown in prison by the people she’d sacrificed so much for, she’s left to question everything about her life. Including how she’s always defined herself. And now she wants more.

When she’s given the chance at a fresh start, will she choose an old flame or a new love to keep her warm at night? Or will the men make that choice for her?

Shared Objective

Universal Defiance, Book Two

by Chandra Ryan 

When Lisa and her son are rescued from a military prison, one look at the genetically altered mercenary who carries her to freedom puts some racy ideas into her head. Dixie is strong, handsome and kind, an unfamiliar combination. Her job as a government geneticist usually sends men running, not rushing to her aid.

Unfortunately Dixie isn’t alone. Lisa’s ex, Ben, is another member of the Coalition, the band of rebels fighting against the government that locked up Lisa. After their split two years ago, she never thought she’d have to face his scorn again. But now she has to work with him without giving in to old temptations. Or so she thinks.

The men need her for her genetics skills. When they discover they’re both attracted to her, they have to find a way to share or risk destroying their friendship. And Lisa finds that two sets of sexy hands all over her body are hotter than one.

Inside Scoop: This ménage features a kiss between two men that sparks a plan to steal a woman’s heart.

A Romantica® futuristic erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Read An Excerpt:

“A lover’s genetic status wasn’t important to you?” He looked at her skeptically. “Forgive me if I call bullshit on that one. I’ve had women stand up and move to the other side of trains to avoid being near me. I don’t even want to tell you what they’d do to avoid being under me.”

The loneliness that haunted his eyes was something she could easily relate to. Suddenly wanting to comfort him, she reached across the table and let her hand rest on top of his. “Believe it or not, being a geneticist for the government doesn’t exactly have men beating down my bedroom door either.” She ran her thumb over his hand affectionately. “That’s probably why I never tell anyone what I do—did—for a living. It got to where I couldn’t stand the wariness in their eyes. Like if they fell asleep they’d wake up in a lab somewhere.”

He cocked his head and studied her a little more closely. “Did you ever tell Ben that?”

She looked down as she remembered the fight they’d had. “It’s hard to see your enemy as anything else.”

“But you said it didn’t matter to you.”

She glanced over at Nate as he shifted in his sleep. “Ben was never my enemy. I, however, was his before I ever said hello.”

“You two are going to have to work together. I can order him to be civil. But you don’t exactly fall under my jurisdiction.” He looked down at her hand as if it were an alien entity. “Will you be okay with that arrangement?”

“Will we be working together a lot?” She didn’t hate Ben but she wasn’t fond of the way he looked at her and talked to her with disdain.

“As much as it pains me to admit, Ben is the brains of this group.” Dixie shifted nervously and, for the first time since they’d met, looked uncomfortable. “He’s going to be assisting you.”

“I’ve already perfected the procedure. I don’t need an assistant, just a laboratory to work in.”

He took a heavy breath in and released it slowly. “Okay, he’s not assisting so much as…” His words died as he looked away from her uncomfortably again. It was then that the pieces slid together for Lisa.

No longer feeling the need to comfort him, she pulled her hand away. “Keeping an eye on me and double-checking my work.”

Dixie had the grace to look guilty before he nodded.

“I see.” She stood slowly and walked over to the door before turning back to look at him. “Say what you will about Ben, but at least he’s always been straightforward. His feelings about me are the same to my face as they are behind my back.” She opened the door and gestured into the night. “If you don’t mind. I’ve had a long day and tomorrow is going to be,” she rubbed her temple with her free hand as a headache bloomed, “difficult.”

He rose gracefully from the table and crossed the room in quick, even strides. “I understand.” He stopped when he stood in the doorway. “Before I go, though, I want you to know that having Ben verify your findings wasn’t my idea.”

She continued to rub her temple as he spoke. “Well, it sure as hell wasn’t Ben’s. He’s under the impression we’re not going to be seeing each other anymore. He’s pretty damn happy about that too.”

“I know. I’m going to clear up that misunderstanding as soon as I leave here.” He ran a finger down her cheek until it rested under her chin and then forced her to look up at him. “At the end of the day, he and I are both just soldiers fighting someone else’s war. This order goes over either of our heads.”

For one moment Lisa thought he might kiss her. Which was ridiculous. They’d only just met. And, though she’d been told she was pretty, she couldn’t be considered beautiful on her best days. With everything she’d been through, today could easily be considered one of her worst and she probably showed it. She shuddered to think of how she must look after weeks of captivity and her rescue. Still, he hovered over her and his gaze locked with hers.

In that moment, staring into his green eyes, she saw his loneliness mirror hers and almost wished he would kiss her. Only, that would make her the whore Ben called her. Wouldn’t it?

Before she could worry any further about the implications of wanting to kiss him, he smiled. “You look worried. Tell me, do I frighten you?”

“No.” A shiver swept through her but it had nothing to do with fear. His smile made her focus on his mouth and staring at his mouth brought back the desire to be kissed.

“Are you sure?” Instead of stepping back and giving her space, he braced one arm above her on the doorjamb and leaned even closer to her.

Yep. It wasn’t fear she was feeling. If she had to give it a name, she’d call it anxiousness. That fluttery feeling she’d get in the pit of her stomach when she knew everything was about to change. “I’m sure.”

“Good. I like you.” He stared at her for another moment before pushing away from the doorjamb. “I’d like to think the feeling is mutual.” He turned and then took several steps into the night.

If you want to know more, you can find Shared Objectives on Amazon, Ellora’s Cave, or on my website: www.ChandraRyan.com