Shelli Stevens

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Friends. My excerpt is from my upcoming book Foreign Affair (which comes out in just a couple weeks!) Check it out and then blog hop to the other peeps listed below! Have a great weekend!

Revenge can be sweet…and oh so sexy.

Lena Richards’s whirlwind vacation to Europe with a friend is a welcome chance to shake her pre-wedding jitters—until she learns her high-school sweetheart is cheating on her, Hawaiian-style. Figuring all’s fair, she indulges in a fling of her own with a sexy New Yorker she meets in Amsterdam whose kiss blows her mind—and the lid off her hormones.

Tyler Bentz is wary that the petite bombshell, who only a short time ago insisted their one kiss must never happen again, has done a complete 180. His questions only make it clear she’s interested in probing of the sexual kind. Who is he to turn her down?

As they burn their way across Europe, something shifts, and it’s not just the earth moving with their exploding passion. Lena begins to realize what it really means to fall in love. And Tyler finds himself tumbling hard and fast.

Reality catches up with them in Paris, leaving Tyler to wonder if Lena’s really the one, or if he’s nothing more to her than a pawn in her game of revenge.

This book has been previously released.

Product Warnings
Americans misbehaving in Europe. An attraction more potent than any drug Amsterdam has to offer. A fling that breaks all the rules. And the creative, sensual use of Chinese takeout.

Pre-Order at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

EXCERPT

When Stephanie came out of the bathroom, Lena had curled up on her side on the bed.

“Ummm, Lena? What’s going on?” Stephanie sat down next to her and touched her shoulder.

Lena didn’t look up, her face smashed against the pillow, eyes unblinking as she stared across the room. The anger grew thick in her throat, and she had to force the words out. “Keith is cheating on me.”

Stephanie stayed silent for a second and then a short burst of laughter. “What? Of course he’s not. Keith? That boy is as straight and narrow as they come.”

Lena rolled onto her back. “Well, Mr. Straight-and-Narrow is in Maui right now screwing some other woman.”

Stephanie shook her head. “How did you figure that out?”

“His mom told me.” Lena sat up and hugged her knees, a harsh laugh escaping her. “His mom had a complete breakdown when she realized she’d unintentionally informed me that her son was cheating on me.”

“I can’t believe it,” Stephanie repeated, her voice growing with rage. “What an ass. What a dumb-ass prick.”

“I can think of better things to call him.” Memories of this afternoon floated through her head. “I don’t know…maybe its karma. I cheated on him too.”

“Excuse me?” Stephanie’s head swiveled back to her, and her eyebrows rose. “You cheated on Keith? Bullshit. When?”

“Earlier today.”

“What? But you were with Tyler and me all morning.” Her eyes widened. “Shut up. What happened in that hour alone together? Did you guys have sex?”

“Sex? Are you kidding me? Of course we didn’t.” Lena paused to bite her lip. “But we did kiss.”

“You kissed.” Stephanie’s expression dimmed and her lips curled downward. “That’s it?”

“Yeah.” Lena touched her mouth, which started to tingle as she remembered the kiss. “And it was absolutely amazing. So romance novel cliché. I say no, and he still kisses me, and damned if I didn’t enjoy it.” She shook her head. “But it
was wrong. It shouldn’t have happened.”

“And you consider that cheating?”

“Well, yeah, I suppose.”

“It doesn’t even compare. Kissing a guy is like breaking a nail to me.” Stephanie flung her hands up in the air. “It happens all the time. And for the record, you know I’ve always thought Keith was a complete idiot.”

Lena pulled herself off the bed and walked to the mirror hanging above the dresser. She stared at her reflection—her pale appearance. What the hell was Keith thinking?

The fury that had been simmering inside her boiled over. She closed her hands around a hairbrush on the dresser and threw it across the room.

“You know what, Steph? Besides that kiss, I’ve never once cheated on him. And I’ve wanted to. I’ve had opportunities, but did I? No. Because we were in a committed relationship. Doesn’t that mean anything to anyone anymore?”

Stephanie stood up and walked over to her. “Of course you didn’t cheat on him. You’re too good for him. I’ve been telling you this all along, but you just didn’t get it.”

Lena moved to the sink to splash some cold water on her face. She wanted to slam her fist through the mirror.

“Look…something’s bothering me here, Lena.” Stephanie began in a cautious tone. “You’re very angry, and have every right to be, but you’re not crying. You don’t seem very…heartbroken.”

Of course she was. Wasn’t she? Lena braced her palms on the sink and stared down the drain. Or maybe Stephanie was onto something. Why wasn’t her heart cracking into a billion little pieces? She didn’t want to acknowledge the
possibility out loud.

She shook her head and averted her gaze. “The tears will come later, I’m sure.” But would they?

“So what are you going to do? Do you want to go back home?”

“Not with Mr. Happy Pants away getting laid in Hawaii.” Lena dragged a damp towel down her face and then met Stephanie’s gaze in the mirror. “So what am I going to do? Besides get really drunk, because, hello, that’s a given.”

Stephanie came up behind her and placed comforting hands on her shoulders. They stared at each other in the mirror.

“You’re going to go to Paris and stay at the apartment I’ve rented.”

“I couldn’t do that.” Could she? The idea of retreating to Paris to lick her wounds had appeal.

“Of course you can. And you will.”

“Will I now?” Though it would be good to get away and think. Or not think about a certain bastard fiancé.

“Yes, you are.” Stephanie suddenly grinned. “And you’re going to have Tyler take you all over Amsterdam for the next few days before you leave.”

“Tyler is going to show me around? You think I should have Tyler show me around?” Lena started to laugh and then faltered. Oh. Now there was an idea… “I think I just made up my mind what I’m going to do.”

Stephanie nodded. “Oh, now see, there you go. That sounds positive. What are you going to do?”

“Maybe I shouldn’t say what I’m going to do, but who I’m going to do.” Lena folded her arms across her chest. “Tyler.”

Stephanie choked, and her eyes widened. “I don’t think I heard you right. Did you just tell me you’re going to do Tyler?”

Lena turned around, determination pumping through her blood. “If my fiancé thinks he’s the only one who’s going to have a last-minute fling before the wedding, then he’s an idiot. I’m going out, and I’m getting laid.”

Megan Hart — Read in bed!
Eliza Gayle
Rhian Cahill
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Leah Braemel
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels
Zoë Archer
Lacey Savage

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Setting! Check out my excerpt and then hop along to the other blogs! Have a great weekend!

Revenge can be sweet…and oh so sexy.

Lena Richards’s whirlwind vacation to Europe with a friend is a welcome chance to shake her pre-wedding jitters—until she learns her high-school sweetheart is cheating on her, Hawaiian-style. Figuring all’s fair, she indulges in a fling of her own with a sexy New Yorker she meets in Amsterdam whose kiss blows her mind—and the lid off her hormones.

Tyler Bentz is wary that the petite bombshell, who only a short time ago insisted their one kiss must never happen again, has done a complete 180. His questions only make it clear she’s interested in probing of the sexual kind. Who is he to turn her down?

As they burn their way across Europe, something shifts, and it’s not just the earth moving with their exploding passion. Lena begins to realize what it really means to fall in love. And Tyler finds himself tumbling hard and fast.

Reality catches up with them in Paris, leaving Tyler to wonder if Lena’s really the one, or if he’s nothing more to her than a pawn in her game of revenge.

Pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

EXCERPT

“Will you please get up? You’re sleeping the entire day away.”

Lena groaned and pulled the pillow over her head. She may as well have had a hangover for how awful she felt. What a long flight that had been.

“It’s not daytime, Steph. It’s the middle of the freaking night.”

Stephanie spun from the mirror and pounced on her, dragging the blankets off Lena’s curled up body. “It is the middle of the night in Portland. We, in case you haven’t noticed, are in Amsterdam. Amsterdam, Lena. It’s ten in the morning here. Now get your ass out of bed before I drag you out.”

Lena answered with her face still buried against the pillow. “Can’t we just take a couple more hours to sleep?”

“No, we can’t sleep. I want to go eat Dutch pancakes and drink wonderful coffee.” Stephanie grabbed Lena’s leg and jerked her toward the edge of the bed. “Once you have your coffee, you’ll feel fine.”

Lena pulled her leg back from Stephanie and then sat up on her own.

“Jesus.” Stephanie sat back on her heels, her face settling into an expression of wonder. “What did you do to your hair?”

“Don’t make me hit you. You know I’m not exactly Mary Poppins in the morning.” Lena yawned and patted down the hairs on her head that were sticking straight up. “I’ll go shower.”

An hour later they strolled down the streets of Amsterdam, careful to avoid the astonishing amount of bicyclists. Cars rarely passed by.

Lena had traded in her pajamas for jeans and a black sweater, with a heavy wool coat to combat the cold. She nursed a latté as they walked the streets of the city. The weather must’ve been just above freezing. It almost hurt to breathe. Not
that she cared. She was in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

“This is too amazing. Saying thank you seems somewhat inadequate.” Lena glanced at her friend, giving her a big grin. “So where do we go now?”

“This great café.” Stephanie stepped to the right and allowed a bicyclist to pass on the left. He smiled, waved, and pedaled on by. Stephanie’s gaze followed him down the road. “People are so friendly here. Not to mention hot.”

“I don’t really look anymore.” Lena shrugged and paused to lean over the rail of the bridge they were on. “But this view is gorgeous.”

The canal shimmered in the muted winter sunlight. Tour boats glided through the icy water. Beyond the canal lay buildings that had probably been around longer than America had been a country.

Lena inhaled the cool air and watched her breath drift upward as she exhaled. “Do you smell that? It smells like aged Gouda…” Her nose scrunched. “And cigarettes.”

Megan Hart — Read in bed!
Eliza Gayle
Rhian Cahill
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Zoë Archer

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Fear. Check out my excerpt and then hop along to the other blogs! Sorry I can’t be more chatty, BFF is in labor!

The man who vows to protect her may be her biggest threat.

Savage, Book 1

Being the daughter of a world-renowned scientist, Sienna Peters has struggled to carve out her own career in the field. But her world is sent spinning when she discovers a secret species being held in the lab where she works, and the horrible things being done to them. Compelled to do more than hand off an information-packed jump drive to her father, she sets out to free the creatures.

The minute his team enters the compound, federal agent Warrick Donovan knows their mission will have more trouble than they bargained on. Unfortunately, trouble comes in the form of Sienna Peters, the younger sister of his close friend. Now not only does he need to save her pretty ass, he needs to discover just how involved she is with the imprisonment of the shifters.

Sienna knows she should trust no one—not even the man she might still love. But as the danger escalates and past passion ignites, her heart has other ideas. Even when the shroud of mystery is ripped off more than one stunning truth…

Warning: Must love alpha males, be intrigued by federal agents who may or may not shift into wolves, and most importantly be prepared for intense action of the dangerous and sexual kind.

Coming this Spring!

EXCERPT

The creatures inside the cell continued to howl and scream as their bodies contorted. Fingers splayed out at awkward angles, stretching longer and longer, while joints grew thick and gnarled. Hair poked through the human skin covering the—oh God it was a wolf. The smell in the hall was rancid with sweat and human waste…animal waste.

Her heart stuttered at the sickening scene, and she wasn’t even aware that she’d stopped fighting Warrick, but now clutched his shirt in fear.

Unable to close her eyes, Sienna watched as another creature appeared to shift back into human form, the fur on its body retracting as smooth dark skin appeared. And the change kept happening to all the creatures. Obviously uncontrollable, inexorable and agonizing. They were human, and yet they were animal.

Her gaze connected with one of the creature’s—a woman—inside the cell, and the glaze of pain in her stare had everything inside her clenching with compassion and helplessness.

“I’m taking the tango outside to the van,” Warrick said.

Her body jerked as he kicked open a door, his shoulder digging into her stomach. Then the door swung shut and the inside of the lab disappeared. But what she’d seen had been burned into her mind—she couldn’t get rid of the image.

Warrick’s grip on her tightened as he lowered her back over his shoulder and to the ground. Before she could get her balance or take note of their surroundings, she was forced up against the side of the building.

She welcomed the rough brick surface against her bare shoulders. It jarred her back to reality a bit. The slight chill in the night air added to the goose bumps that already covered her, but the proximity of Warrick’s hard body radiated a heat that reminded her this whole situation was entirely too real. What she’d seen was real. She swallowed against the nausea that now threatened.

Warrick’s arms came down on each side of her head and his face closed in on hers, his expression fierce, any trace of softness from earlier long gone. She blinked, trying to gain her surroundings, to calm herself, to form a clear thought.

“Tell me, Sienna. What the hell are you doing here tonight?”

Her heart couldn’t seem to slow from its erratic pace. In a daze, she shook her head, trying to suck a breath. “It’s not possible…things like that just can’t exist.”

He laughed mockingly, even as something hard—frightening—flickered in his eyes. “To the rest of the world, they don’t.”

“I…oh my God, Warrick, I don’t feel so well.” Her body started to tremble and she shook her head. “I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here! Warrick, let me—”

“Hey.” Warrick caught her chin in gentle hands and forced her to look at him. “Look at me, Sienna. Come on, look at me. There’s a good girl. You’re all right.”

She stared into his eyes, almost hypnotized at the intensity and firm conviction in his gaze. The reassurance and calm that Warrick had always been so good at giving. He stroked his thumb in a gentle caress down her cheek.

“You’re all right, Sienna. Okay, sweetheart? Take a couple deep breaths. You’re fine.”

And suddenly she was. His familiar, gentle voice and reassuring words sucked the fear and anxiety right out of her. It was the closest she’d been to a panic attack in years.

Her muscles lost the tension she’d been holding and with each slow breath she dragged in she became more aware of everything. The smell of freshly cut grass and the scent of Warrick’s soap. The sound of the suffering creatures inside, mostly muted by the thick brick walls of the building.

“Better?”

Sienna gave a heavy nod to Warrick’s soft question. “How did you find out about them, Warrick? Those creatures? Are your friends going to hurt them?”

“Are my friends going to hurt them?” The gentleness in his expression vanished, replaced instead with disbelief as he leaned his face closer to hers. “My friends are on a damn rescue mission from whatever the hell kind of evil your employer was behind.”

A flush of guilt stole up her neck and she averted her gaze. She couldn’t exactly deny his accusation. But what did Warrick mean by rescue mission? And who were the other guys who he was communicating with?

Feeling much calmer now and a little more in control, she asked, “How did you know they were here, Warrick?”

Warrick stared at her, his gaze narrowed with consideration. The intensity of his stare had her squirming and her gaze shifting away from his.

“You didn’t answer my question, Sienna.”

“I’m here for the same reason you and those men are. To set them free.”

Her admission was met with silence. A sliver of unease moved through her and she turned her head to glance back at Warrick. If his gaze had been intense before, it was downright intimidating now. Even though they’d grown up together, and she knew instinctively he’d never hurt her, a shiver of fear ran down her spine.

Megan Hart — Read in bed!
Eliza Gayle
Rhian Cahill
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Leah Braemel
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is “Endings” and unfortunately I completely forgot about this until the 12th hour! (SORRY!!!)

So I’m just going to link to the other blogs, and wish you all a very happy and safe New Year’s Eve!

Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Leah Braemel
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels

First, before I jump into Snippet Saturday, let me just do a quick announcement that Dangerous Grounds is still free on the Kindle and Nook for another week! Pick it up at Amazon or Barnes and Noble .

Now onto Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Beginnings.Check out my excerpt, and then hop around and read others! Thanks for stopping by, have a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate!).

The man she wants is the one she must deceive.

Seattle Steam Book 2

EXCERPT

“Do you want it wet?”

What? Christy Wallace snapped her attention away from the intriguing man standing in front of her, and back to the woman speaking. “I’m sorry?”

“Your cappuccino, Christy. You usually order it wet, but I just wanted to make sure.” Madison, who owned the shop, gave her a patient smile even though there was a line of customers to the door.

“Oh. Yes. Wet, please. Thanks, Madison.” She flushed, her face giving away the direction of her thoughts. Great, now the entire store probably thought she was some tawdry sex fiend.

Normally the question wouldn’t have been such a doozy. She was a regular at Ooo La Latté—had been coming here since shortly after Madison had opened shop—and ordered the same wet cappuccino every day.

But her brain had gone to pot the moment she’d walked through the door and laid eyes on him. The man standing at the end of the line looked like he could’ve been the stunt double in any James Bond film. Well, a blond Bond. Wait, wasn’t Bond blond now anyway? In any case. He had a lean muscular body, hard jaw-line, sensual mouth…and a
butt you could bounce a quarter off.

This was the first time she didn’t mind waiting ten minutes in line for coffee. Not with the view standing in front of her. Her imagination had gone into overdrive. Those hands…those hands on her body. His body on her body—in her body. The fantasy had gone on and on—only to be broken when Madison confirmed her usual order.

Christy shifted as she waited for her drink, trying to forget about the man who now stood beside her. But, God, he smelled good. She leaned forward slightly and inhaled again. Even over the intense coffee aroma she could smell his cologne. Something woodsy and oh-so-male.

“What’s the difference?”

She blinked and then blinked again. Oh God. He was actually talking to her? Her nerves jumped to life. “Difference in what?”

“Between wet and dry cappuccinos?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her as he accepted his drink from the barista.

She ran her tongue over suddenly dry lips. His gaze dropped to observe the small movement and her nipples tightened under her sweater.

Christy bit back a groan. What the hell was happening here? She’d been attracted to men before, but never this quick. Sex. Ah, there it was. She needed to get laid. Two years without sex turned her into a sex-starved nympho.

“Wet is with more milk and less foam.” She lifted her gaze from his solid chest and up to his amused hazel eyes. Jeez, he was tall. At only five-one, she’d wager he had at least a good foot on her.

“Hmm. I guess I can understand that.”

“One wet cappuccino.” The barista grinned and handed Christy her drink.

“Thank you.” She took it with a grateful smile.

The man next to her looked at her beverage and then gave his a pensive look. “I’m not used to fancy drinks. I just wanted a cup of coffee.”

Fancy drinks? Definitely not a local. Christy offered him a smile. “Espresso drinks really aren’t all that intimidating. And you know, rumor has it they’re even made with coffee.”

“I don’t think I’d have a clue where to begin.”

“Ah.” She walked towards one of the leather couches in the shop, elated when he followed. “See, I think what you need is an espresso tutor.”

He sat down next to her, stretching his long legs out in front of him. The plush couch seemed suddenly inadequate.

“An espresso tutor, huh?” His mouth curved into an answering smile. “You have any idea where a fellow might be able to get one of those?”

Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Leah Braemel
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Winter! Check out my excerpt and then hop over to the blogs listed below!

Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

EXCERPT

“You want to leave tonight?” He glanced at the clock above the fireplace. “It’s almost one in the morning. Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. A hotel?” She shrugged and headed toward the
door.

“The nearest hotel is at least an hour or two away.”

“So I’ll drive all night back to San Francisco.”

Was she completely insane?

“Wait.”

She paused, turning to face him and raising an eyebrow.

Or maybe he was the one who was crazy. Was he really going to
tell Justin’s girlfriend to spend the night here? The wind whistled outside
the windows, and the faint ticking of the clock confirmed his decision.

“You can’t get back on the road this late at night. It’s probably
going to snow.”

“Snow?” Her eyes widened, and she looked horrified by the idea.

“Yeah, snow. White, cold stuff? Couldn’t you smell it in the air?”

“Smell the snow in the air?” She blinked and shook her head. “Umm. I’m from San Francisco. I have no freaking idea what snow in the
air smells like.”

“I think you should stay here tonight.”

She cocked her head and her eyes narrowed. “Are you hitting on
me?”

“Am…am I hitting on you?” he sputtered. “No. Of course not.”

“Hmm.” She dropped her suitcase on the floor and walked past
him toward the bedroom. “Too bad. You’re kind of cute. Okay, I’ll stay.”

She thought he was cute?

He watched her retreating figure, noting again the curves under the
bizarre, but sexy, outfit. The blood in his dick stirred, and he groaned in
alarm.

Oh, God. What was he doing? She was not his type. She was
nowhere near his type. Not to mention she was Justin’s girlfriend.

“So are we sharing a bed, or are you going to be a gentleman and
take the couch?” She laughed, and the soft, feminine sound tantalized his
senses like silk. “I promise not to bite if you want to share a bed. Unless
you’re into that kind of thing.”

She turned around and batted her eyelashes at him. Lord, she was a
flirt. And damn it, it was working. He shifted, his pants feeling a little
tighter in the crotch now.

“I’ll take the couch.” Like any horny gentleman getting hit on by
his brother’s gothic girlfriend would.

“Bummer.” She smiled faintly. “Hey, if your name’s not Roger,
what is it?”

They didn’t even know each other’s names. The last few minutes
seemed surreal. He was sharing the cabin with a complete stranger.

“It’s Chase.”

“Cool. I’m Nikki. Short for Nicole.” She gave a slight nod. “Thanks
for letting me crash here. I’ll get out of your hair in the morning.”

Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
TJ Michaels

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Family! Check out my excerpt from Going Down, and then check out the other blogs listed below. Have a great weekend!

One man wants her heart. The other wants her dead…

Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1

Eleanor Owen needs to get out of Chicago and quick. It’s not that she doesn’t want to obey the subpoena to testify against her drug-trafficking ex-boyfriend. It’s making it to the witness stand alive, should a dirty cop make good on his threats.

Tiny, remote Wyattsville, Oregon looks like the perfect place to disappear, but it’s hard to blend into the woodwork when one of the town’s infamous namesakes sends her heart racing. Worse, Mr. Tall, Hot and Packing is the town sheriff, which means she should stay as far away from him as possible.

Tyson Wyatt is positive the sexy new girl in town is hiding something. Question is, what? He vows to feel out her secrets—including what she feels like beneath him. Preferably naked. Until then, he’s not buying the story she’s selling.

Their chemistry is sheet-melting hot, and Ellie realizes much too late that the man with the badge is as dangerous to her heart as her ex is to her life…

Now Available at Samhain Publishing Kindle  Barnes and Noble

EXCERPT

Tyson watched as she tilted the beer bottle back, wrapping her lips around the rim and taking a sip. Jesus, she looked sexy sucking on a Budweiser.

“No, unfortunately my nephews and nieces couldn’t be here today,” his mom said, moving next to her husband, who promptly draped an arm around her shoulder. “But they send their love to everyone.”

“Now that’s too bad. I have a serious hankering for some of Ryan’s jambalaya.” Tyson rubbed his belly and winked down at Ellie. “My cousin went to college down in Louisiana. He makes a mean jambalaya.”

Her eyes light up with amusement. “I swear, you have a hollow leg. You always seem to be thinking about food.”

His dad chuckled, brushing a kiss across his wife’s forehead. “All the boys are like that. You wouldn’t have believed the grocery bill when they were teens.”

“I can only imagine,” Ellie said. “You have my sympathy.”

“Speaking of food, how’s that salmon coming, Pops?” Todd asked, crossing the grass toward the barbeque. “I’m starving. Didn’t quite wake up in time for breakfast this morning.”

Trevor snorted and glanced at Ellie. “That’s code for he was sleeping off a wild night at some girl’s house.”

“Why you jealous bastard,” Todd yelled, taking a playful swing at the back of his brother’s head.

Trevor ducked and countered with a light jab to Todd’s shoulder.

“Are you guys always like this?” Ellie asked in an amused whisper, leaning into him.

“What do you mean?” Tyson caught her hand and stroked the inside of her palm, then couldn’t resist teasing, “We’re on our best behavior today.”

She laughed as her fingers curled around his. “I highly doubt you guys are ever on your best behavior.”

Tyson smiled at that. She was pretty much dead on.

When he glanced at his parents, he found his mom watching them with a considering expression, her mouth curved into a tiny smile.

Don’t get your hopes up, Mom, he warned silently. Ellie wasn’t in town for long, and he wasn’t thinking beyond a summer fling. Even as the thought flickered through his head, the denials came rushing up behind it.

Well, shit.

“So, Trevor, I hear Megan’s back in town,” their dad announced suddenly.

All talking and laughter ceased, leaving a silence that was only disturbed by the occasional cries of seagulls.

Tyson’s breath held as he took another sip of beer and tried to glance over at his brother inconspicuously.

Trevor’s expression was unreadable, his gaze shuttered. But Tyson didn’t miss the way his fingers tightened around the bottle in his hand.

“Is that so?” Trevor finally replied in a voice without inflection. “I hadn’t heard.”

Their mom cleared her throat. “Maybe you should invite her over to join us? She’s not far from here—”

“No.” The harsh word whipped through the group, snuffing out any hope his parents might have for further discussion.

Even Todd’s cheery mood diminished some and he turned to check on the salmon, his smile gone.

Ellie moved closer to Tyson’s side and tightened her grip on his hand, obviously sensing the tension.

But then she surprised him, clearing the air with a bright, “That salmon smells wonderful. Do you guys ever go out there and go fishing?” She gestured to the ocean that lay just beyond the fenced line of Wyatt property.

“Hell, yeah, we do,” Todd said, his grin returning. “I’m the one who caught the salmon we’re grilling right now.”

“Bah! I believe I caught this one,” their dad corrected. “Yours was barely six pounds.”

“Bullshit it was, Pops!”

Any remaining tension from the family dissipated as the two began arguing good- naturedly.

Trevor had turned away from the group, silently staring out at the water.

“Good save,” Tyson finally murmured against Ellie’s ear. “Thank you for that.”

She squeezed his hand and glanced up at him. “No problem. What was that all about anyway?”

He hesitated, but then decided Trevor was too far away to hear.

“Megan was Trevor’s fiancée until they broke up last year. He won’t admit it, but I think Trevor still has some pretty strong feelings for her.”

“Why did they break up then?”

Again, he hesitated. “Trevor’s unit in the Army deployed to Afghanistan for a year. When he came back…I don’t know. Something changed. Their engagement ended shortly after that.”

Sympathy flashed across her face, before Ellie turned to watch Trevor. “I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“I need to go throw together the fruit salad,” his mom said, passing them on the way to the house. “Ellie, why don’t you come help? You can tell me more about yourself.”

Ellie’s eyes widened and her fingers clenched around his, but she said a bright, “Sure.”

Tyson bit back a laugh as he watched her follow his mother inside. He should’ve seen that coming a mile away. It wasn’t every day he brought a girl to the Saturday barbeque…hell, it wasn’t ever.

Which made him wonder again how he was going to convince himself this was a summer fling.

With a sigh, Tyson took another swig of his beer and went to check out the salmon that he was pretty sure he’d caught.

Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Selena Blake
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Leah Braemel
Louisa Edwards
TJ Michaels

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is secondary characters. Check out my excerpt and then hop along to the other blogs listed below :D

Revenge can be sweet…and oh so sexy.

Lena Richards’s whirlwind vacation to Europe with a friend is a welcome chance to shake her pre-wedding jitters—until she learns her high-school sweetheart is cheating on her, Hawaiian-style. Figuring all’s fair, she indulges in a fling of her own with a sexy New Yorker she meets in Amsterdam whose kiss blows her mind—and the lid off her hormones.

Tyler Bentz is wary that the petite bombshell, who only a short time ago insisted their one kiss must never happen again, has done a complete 180. His questions only make it clear she’s interested in probing of the sexual kind. Who is he to turn her down?

As they burn their way across Europe, something shifts, and it’s not just the earth moving with their exploding passion. Lena begins to realize what it really means to fall in love. And Tyler finds himself tumbling hard and fast.

Reality catches up with them in Paris, leaving Tyler to wonder if Lena’s really the one, or if he’s nothing more to her than a pawn in her game of revenge.

Pre-order on Amazon

EXCERPT

Lena removed her sunglasses and grabbed the paper menu off the table, relieved to see it also offered the English translation of the food. “I’m starving. Do you think they’re serving lunch yet?”

“Hello, hot guy at the bar,” Stephanie whispered, ignoring her question. “And he was showing strong signs of interest when we walked in.”

“Now that’s a surprise,” Lena murmured. “You could draw looks from the blind.”

Stephanie raised her eyebrows and smiled at the man, making Lena glad that she had her back to him.

“Okay, he’s coming over.”

“What?” Lena dropped the menu, her pulse quickening. “Are you nuts? He could be a complete wacko.”

“Well, hello,my fellow Americans.” The voice, a deep and sensuous baritone, lifted the minuscule hairs on the back of Lena’s neck.

I will not turn and look.

“Oh, now that’s too bad.” Stephanie pouted. “I was hoping you’d be foreign and not another boring American. Accents are so delicious.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” He didn’t sound apologetic in the least. “Was that an invitation to sit down a second ago?”

“You’re a quick one.” Stephanie slid over in the booth and made room for him.

Lena saw his backside first as he walked past her. Okay, so he looked good from behind. His hair was brown and cut short, but it had some curl to it. A hunter green crew neck sweater covered thick, broad shoulders and muscular back. Hmm. A possible swimmer? Her gaze traveled down to the solid looking butt tucked into faded jeans.

The front of him would be a big mess. No man could look that good on both sides. He probably had yellow teeth, acne scars, and crossed eyes.

He turned around.

Sweet Jesus. This icon of a man could make the statue of David appear to be an overweight nobody. It shouldn’t be legal for a man to look this good. Lena’s defenses went on red alert, a common reaction when she was confronted with an impossibly good-looking man.

His brown eyes met hers across the table, and he gave her a broad smile, displaying perfect, white teeth. She gave an inaudible harrumph. What, did he promote toothpaste, too?

“So where are you from, Mr.…?” Stephanie asked as she trailed a manicured nail up his sleeve. She didn’t seem near as bothered as Lena by their new friend.

“Bentz,” the man replied. “But formality is wasted in a place like Amsterdam. Call me Tyler. I’m from New York.”

“New York?” Stephanie replied. “I love New York. Great shopping. The name’s Stephanie, and this is my best friend Lena.”

Tyler shook Stephanie’s outstretched hand and then turned to Lena, who’d tucked hers back into her lap.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bentz.” Lena gave an inward groan, wishing she didn’t sound so damn stiff.

Tyler cocked an eyebrow and pulled his hand back, keeping his gaze locked on her.

Lena didn’t answer and shifted uncomfortably in her seat, turning her gaze away from the amusement in his brown eyes. The hot body she could ignore, but the steady intensity in him struck a chord in her.

Stephanie grabbed another cigarette and lit up.

“So, where did you say you girls were from?”

“Portland, Oregon. Well, she is. I’m from Seattle.” Stephanie blew a stream of smoke into the air and declared, “I think I want a beer. Do you think they sell joints in here?”

Lena’s stomach flipped, and she jerked her gaze to her friend. “You’re not really going to smoke marijuana, are you?”

“Don’t be a prude, Lena.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I know you took a hit on a joint in high school. And besides, we’re in Amsterdam. It’s practically expected of you.”

“You just had to bring that up,” Lena muttered, her cheeks warming. She glanced at Tyler. “I never inhaled.”

“Mmm hmm.” Stephanie laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how defensive she gets about that.”

Tyler smiled, glancing down at his menu. “Well, I’m just going to have a Hoegaarden.”

“A what?” Lena asked, curious despite herself.

“It’s a white beer,” he explained. “It’s great over here. Make sure you ask for a lemon though.”

“Oh. Like a hefeweizen? That’s my favorite.” Easy girl, it’s just a beer. She forced a casual shrug. “It’s too early for beer, though. I’ll just have water.”

Stephanie gave her a pensive look. “No beer? What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing. I just don’t want to drink some hole garden, or whatever you call it. I’m just here to grab something to eat.”

As if on cue, the waitress appeared and took their orders. After she left, Tyler turned back to the women. “So, what brings you two to Amsterdam? Business or pleasure?”

“Hopefully pleasure.” Stephanie’s voice turned husky. “I’ve been searching for a way to unwind for the last couple months. And I think I may have found it.”

“Oh, Jesus,” Lena mumbled under her breath. Stephanie sure didn’t waste any time. She’d baited the hook and was trolling the waters.

“And you?” Tyler turned to her. “Pleasure as well?”

“What?” Lena gave him a sharp glance. “I’ll have you know I’m en—”

“Lena.” Stephanie interrupted her, stopping her before Lena could declare her engagement.

Lena scowled, remembering their deal that they were just two single women on this trip.

“I’m enjoying myself on this vacation. Nothing but hotels, tourist traps and lots of pictures. In fact, Steph, remind me to pick up one of those snow globes, will you?”

The other two stared at her, their expressions twisted to show their puzzlement. Could I sound like more of an idiot?

Before turning back to Tyler, Stephanie nodded as though she were beginning to understand what was going on in Lena’s head.

“And why are you here? You look too well dressed to be backpacking.”

“I did the backpacking scene in college. I’m just here for a few days on business.”

“Well, that’s too bad.” Stephanie pouted. “Although, what a place to mix business with pleasure.”

Overkill, Steph. Overkill. Lena’s jaw clenched as she slid out of the booth. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Tyler watched Lena scurry away, noting her perfect backside. Well, well. Maybe Amsterdam did have its perks.

He’d begun to regret his decision to take the assignment here. He was bored out of his mind, and it had only been two days. Most of the work had been completed in the first day, and he hated doing the tourist thing by himself. He still had until Tuesday before he was due to fly back to New York.

Maybe, if he could convince her, Lena could help pass some of the time by. She intrigued him. He wanted to spend more time with her. Get her to come out of her shell a bit. Lord knew what he’d find underneath that protective demeanor, but he knew it would be worthwhile to find out.

Lauren Dane
Rhian Cahill
Eliza Gayle
Anne Rainey
Jody Wallace
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Alison Kent
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Shiloh Walker
Leah Braemel

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is Action. Please check out the excerpt from my book Negligee Behavior, and then skip around to the blogs listed below.

When lingerie heiress Brandy Summer gets cold feet and runs out on her Vegas wedding, she has nowhere to turn—so she hijacks a hunky biker waiting for a red light and begs him for help. What she doesn’t know is that her instincts are right: the groom has a hidden agenda. He needs her money to pay off his gambling debts and she’s his ticket to the good life.

Marco Vargas isn’t sure what he’s getting himself into when he rescues Brandy, but figures he’ll do the chivalrous thing. He offers her a job in his bar and the chance to sort out her feelings. But it seems that keeping Brandy hidden is easier than keeping his hands off her—and what will happen when Brandy discovers that Marco has secrets of his own?

Order from Carina Press |Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Also available in Audiobook

EXCERPT

Marco gritted his teeth and shook his head. How did he let it get to this point? How the hell did he end up hiding in a hotel room closet with a choir teacher?

She took a hurried step backward when someone passed by their hiding spot. His hands automatically reached out to steady her and landed on a pair of soft curvy hips.

Well, look at that. Maybe the choir teacher was hiding something under the drab clothing.

His blood pounded a little faster and he took a deep breath in. The smell of apples assailed him again, and this time it didn’t seem quite as weird.

Without thinking, he moved his hands down her hips and was rewarded with a stinging slap across his knuckles.

She tensed, as if worried the swat had been too loud. But after a moment the sounds of two people speaking quietly in the room were clearly heard.

Hmm. Gordon obviously wasn’t alone. Had Brandy figured it out yet?

“I’m just going to shower,” a man’s voice said.

He heard Brandy’s nearly silent gasp as she shifted forward, trying to peek through the edge of the closet door. Ah shit, this couldn’t be good.

The bathroom door closed, followed by the sound of the shower running.

“Don’t forget, darlin’—I charge by the hour.”

Marco leaned forward and whispered into her ear, “Do you have your purse?”

He felt her nod. The curls on her head tickled his chin.

“Do you want to stay and talk with Gordon?”

“What do you think?” Her tone turned waspish.

“Okay, we’re going to have to make a run for it. Listen carefully.” He kept his voice encouraging. “I want you to open the closet and head straight out of the room. Got it? Don’t look back and don’t stop to talk to whoever else is out there.”

Again she nodded.

“Okay.” He took a deep breath, adrenaline pulsing through his veins. “Now!”

She pulled open the door and leaped out. There was a surprised gasp from the person sitting in the room. Brandy stood stock-still in front of the closet, staring in disbelief at the woman on the bed, obviously ignoring his advice to just run and not look. He stole a quick look at the naked woman on the bed—fried blond hair and perky boobs—eyeing Brandy with open curiosity.

Damn it. He needed to get Brandy out before the shit really hit the fan.

“Nobody said anything about doing a group thing.” The woman on the bed transferred her attention to Marco, her slow smile showing off some seriously screwed up teeth. “But I’m not complaining.”

“A group thing?” Brandy sputtered glaring at the naked woman on the bed. “You—you—you—”

Marco swore and grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the door. She followed, but her eyes never left the other woman.

The bathroom door swung open just as Marco closed the hotel room door after them. He was nearly dragging her by the time he pushed the button for the elevator. The doors opened and he pushed her in, just as footsteps sounded running down the hall.

“Love muffin!” A man yelled. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Marco hurried into the elevator before he could get a peek at the now infamous Gordon. The doors slid shut and a second later they could hear him pounding on the elevator and screaming her name. Well, not her name, but his choice endearment, love muffin.

Brandy leaned back against the wall in the elevator, her eyes closed.

“Are you all right?” Marco watched her, his body buzzing like he’d had too much caffeine. But it wasn’t caffeine that had him on edge. It was the anticipation of her reaction. She was a time bomb that could go off at any moment.

God, please don’t let her have a breakdown. He was really, really bad at comforting weepy women.

Lauren Dane
Anne Rainey
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Selena Blake
Taige Crenshaw
TJ Michaels
Vivian Arend
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lacey Savage

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is sexy. Check out my excerpt and then hop around to the other blogs :P

One man wants her heart. The other wants her dead…

Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1

Eleanor Owen needs to get out of Chicago and quick. It’s not that she doesn’t want to obey the subpoena to testify against her drug-trafficking ex-boyfriend. It’s making it to the witness stand alive, should a dirty cop make good on his threats.

Tiny, remote Wyattsville, Oregon looks like the perfect place to disappear, but it’s hard to blend into the woodwork when one of the town’s infamous namesakes sends her heart racing. Worse, Mr. Tall, Hot and Packing is the town sheriff, which means she should stay as far away from him as possible.

Tyson Wyatt is positive the sexy new girl in town is hiding something. Question is, what? He vows to feel out her secrets—including what she feels like beneath him. Preferably naked. Until then, he’s not buying the story she’s selling.

Their chemistry is sheet-melting hot, and Ellie realizes much too late that the man with the badge is as dangerous to her heart as her ex is to her life…

Buy at Samhain Publishing | Kindle |Books on Board |Barnes and Noble

WARNING:
A city girl on the run, and a small-town sheriff set to seduce. Explicit sex. Dirty talk. A hint of danger. Oral sex with a cupcake.

Medium rare. Perfect. One for dinner, and she’d keep the other for lunch tomorrow, saving her from having to cook again. Although, cooking had somewhat become her source of entertainment.

She grabbed a potholder and pulled the steaks from the oven. As she began to set them down a sharp rap came at the door.

Jumping with a curse, she dropped the pan fully onto the stove and placed a hand over her pounding heart.

Really? Again?

She moved toward the window, experiencing a sense of déjà vu, which only doubled when she spotted the sheriff’s car outside.

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.” She shoved a strand of hair from her eyes, ignoring the way her pulse quickened.

And she knew it wasn’t just from the possibility that he’d discovered she wasn’t who she claimed to be.

She considered putting on a sweater, since she was still in the thin tank top and pants she’d worn to do yoga in. But then another knock came and she muttered under her breath, moving to answer it.

“Sheriff Wyatt.” She forced a pleasant expression as she swung the door open. “Something I can help you with?”

Tyson leaned against the doorjamb, a disarming smile on his face and a bottle of wine in his hand.

“Thought I’d drop by and see if you wanted to have dinner.”

Ellie blinked, opening her mouth to reply, but then closed it again. Was the sheriff hitting on her?

“Oh, well, I just cooked some steaks…” she protested lamely.

“Great. Steaks. Plural. As in enough for two?” His smile widened as he straightened and stepped through the doorway. “Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

It hadn’t been an offer, dammit! She bit back the words and gave an uneasy laugh.

“Umm—”

“I promise to return the favor, Ellie,” he murmured with a wink, shutting the door and taking a step toward her. “Tomorrow you can come to my place and I’ll cook. I make a mean lasagna.”

Oh, yeah, he was definitely hitting on her.

Ellie unconsciously backed away from him, completely thrown off balance by his directness. Her butt bumped against the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and she came to an abrupt halt.

Tyson took another step forward, until his hips brushed hers, pressing her back against the wooden shelf. The smell of soap and woodsy cologne immediately tickled her senses. He’d changed out of his uniform and through his jeans she could feel the thickness of his cock and the heat of his hard body.

Her mind screamed at how absolutely bizarre this was. She didn’t trust him—didn’t trust any law enforcement officer right now. And yet, having the sheriff’s muscled body pressed up against hers sent awareness sizzling through her. Tightening her nipples and creating a throbbing ache between her thighs.

What was it about him that made her want to do all kinds of raunchy, naughty things that would probably have gotten her kicked out of Catholic school eight years ago?

“You know, Ellie, we’re neighbors.”

“Are we?” And why did her voice squeak?

“Yeah. I’m just a couple minutes up the road.” His gaze met hers, the pupils in his clear blue eyes dilated. “So if you need to borrow a cup of sugar, or…something, all you need to do is ask.”

Ellie swallowed hard and gave a quick nod. “I-I’ll remember that.”

“You do that.” He set down the bottle of wine on the shelf, his face drawing even nearer to hers. “You know what else?”

Mutely, she shook her head, not even about to guess what he was going to say next. Her mouth watered and it had nothing to do with the steaks in the kitchen.

It had been months since she’d had sex, and right now she was on the verge of grabbing the back of his head and kissing the hell out of the slightly loony—or maybe just drunk—sheriff.

He lowered his head, until his mouth was just a breath’s away from hers. “I had your name run.”

And just like that, her arousal vanished. Drying up as fear closed off her throat.

She couldn’t reply, even if she’d wanted to. Just lifted one brow and made a small gurgle of sound as she exhaled.

“You were right. Twenty-four-year old from Brooklyn,” he murmured, tracing her jaw with the backs of two fingers. “But you weren’t entirely truthful, were you, sweetheart?”

Her knees buckled, threatening to give out. Oh no. He’d figured it out.

Caught by his hypnotic blue gaze, she found her head moving back and forth.

“I didn’t think so,” he said, as his thumb made a slow glide over her bottom lip. “But I can see why didn’t want to tell me.”

“You don’t understand.” The words erupted from her in a husky plea.

“Oh, no, I do, Ellie.” He gave a soft laugh. “An indecent exposure charge is probably something you don’t want to brag about.”

Ellie blinked, her heart thundering in her chest.

“Indecent exposure,” she repeated, relief slamming through her. He hadn’t figured it out. “Right.”

“I mean, I suppose I can understand. It was Mardi Gras and you probably didn’t realize that bus was full of senior citizens when you flashed them.”

Holy crap, what had her cousin been smoking?

“Yeah…something like that,” she muttered.

“You’re a fascinating gal, Ellie.” He pulled away and grinned, grabbing the bottle of wine again and heading toward the kitchen. “Do you need some help with dinner?”

Ellie wanted nothing more than to slide down to the floor and bury her head in her hands. Instead she settled on silent scream and face scrunching, since his back was facing her.

“No, it’s pretty much ready,” she finally answered, her voice surprisingly steady as she moved after him.

Lauren Dane
Anne Rainey
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Myla Jackson
Selena Blake
Taige Crenshaw
TJ Michaels
Vivian Arend
Delilah Devlin
HelenKay Dimon
Shelli Stevens
Lacey Savage
Selena Robins