Welcome to another week of Snippet Saturday, today’s theme is ‘Family’. Read through my excerpt from my book Trust and Dare and then blog hop to the other links below!
One weekend. His rules. Inhibitions left at the door.
Angry that yet another military man has done her family wrong, Abby Cook plots sweet revenge. But when her plan goes awry, she discovers that she’s targeted the wrong military man.
Mason Tyler is not used to being disobeyed. Yet the curvy blonde has rejected his advances at every turn. When he catches her in the middle of a very destructive—not to mention illegal—prank, he offers her a deal. A deal that will keep her out of jail. And let him exact a little revenge of his own.
One weekend in his bed…no inhibitions, no refusals. But when the weekend is up, will Mason be ready to let Abby go?
She drew her lip between her teeth. Maybe it was time to re-evaluate that whole not dating military thing. Maybe her experiences had been circumstantial. Maybe Mason was different. Her stomach twisted at the thought. Oh, but that was a lot of trust. And they were only just getting to know each other.
She lay in bed for a while longer, inhaling the yummy smell of bacon cooking.
Finally, she glanced at the clock. Damn! They’d slept until noon! She grabbed the phone that was on the bedside table and called her brother’s shop.
He answered on the second ring. “Daniel’s Auto. What can I do for you?”
“Danny, it’s Abby.” She sighed.
“Hey, sis. What’s up?” She could hear the sounds of the shop in the background, and he paused to yell something to one of his employees.
“Umm. Well, I screwed up kind of bad.”
“Not liking the tone of your voice. How bad? What’d you do this time?”
“I did that brake fluid thing you told me about on this truck—”
“What? Tell me you didn’t.”
“I did, sorry. And it gets worse. When I did it, it was nighttime. And I, well, I accidentally did it to the wrong truck.”
“Oh God. Abby! You can’t be serious? Is he pressing charges?”
“Well, no… We actually worked out an arrangement.” Her cheeks warmed. Hopefully she didn’t sound as obvious as she felt. “Will you cut me a deal so I can get it fixed?”
“Shit, Abby. You get in more trouble than your high school students.” He sighed. “Yeah, bring it by today and I’ll see what we can do.”
She glanced up as Mason came back into the room with two plates in his hand. He paused in the doorway, watching her closely.
“Look, I’ll call you later, Danny. You’re the best. Love you.” She hung up the phone and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey. Who were you on the phone with?” He crossed the room and set the plates of food on the nightstand. Then he sat down on the bed and ran his thumb over her mouth.
The gesture sent a tremble through her body. “M-my brother. I was arranging to have your truck fixed.”
He was silent a moment, but cupped the back of her neck in a hard grasp, dragging her head close.
“Ah. For a minute, I thought you might have had another guy.” He stared at her. “And I didn’t like the way it made me feel.”
“There’s no one else,” she whispered, her pulse raced at the intensity in his gaze. Was he jealous? And would it be wrong of her to like it if he was?
“Good.” His mouth brushed over hers and she melted, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Okay, so life has gotten busy and I’m being a sucky little blogger again! My apologies.
So I’m working on finishing a manuscript for my agent to shop, and a novella for Samhain. Did I mention I have a new novella series coming out with Samhain? Loving it! The series is called Holding out for a Hero. It follows three brothers who are from a small town (that their ancestors founded!) and each of them went into different heroic careers. I’m having a lot of fun writing their stories! Look for the first one (Going Down–cop term of course ;) to come out this summer.
Also, I’ve been indulging my creative side and experimenting with making bath melts (with cocoa and shea butter). I’ve been buying them online and realizing…hey, I could probably make these. So I experimented today, and this is the result. I must say I’m pretty proud! And I added so much cocoa butter they smell like chocolate! Crazy!
It’s a busy week. I’ve been meeting friends and going out with family because it’s my birthday week. And I come from a family where when it’s your birthday, you get to celebrate for at least a week or two (killer on the healthy eating though! GAHR! I’m trying, though.
Anyway, if I’m a little MIA now you know why. Keep having fun and behaving yourself!
Well, my weekend and Monday had a lot to do with guns. And I thought I’d blog about it!
On Saturday the GSRWA brought in someone to speak on guns. I learned a ton and took lots of notes (not sure it was cute or pathetic that I compared loading a magazine to filling a Pez dispenser?) It was a lot of fun and interactive. We had members turn out whom I haven’t seen in awhile, so that made it even better!
Then this morning I woke up bright and early to go meet Dennis (the speaker) as his first guest to be taken out to the shooting range. The drive out there was so pretty, and when we arrived there were police officers doing some kind of practice drills (or something). So it didn’t feel quite as B.F.E. So we picked a little range section to get off some shots. And Dennis was so great, he let ME do all the shooting.
I was a bit nervous to take my first shot. I mean, how do you hold a gun (and seriously I think I got close to getting it ‘right’ around the 1.5 hour mark!). I was afraid of the recoil everyone warned me about. That my hands would hurt. But after I got set up (he helped me adjust my hands) I took my first shot. And I was addicted. It was way better (and yet oddly similar?) to those little firework gun poppers that shoot out streamers. :P
So then I began to focus on things like my stance and trying to keep my arms from flying up after I pull the trigger. I actually HIT within the circles I was aiming at on the paper target, sometimes really close to the bulls eye. I tried out all kinds of guns (and I KNOW my ‘gun speak’ in this blog will not likely be correct). I used two different Glocks, a Lady Smith and Wesson, a bigger Smith and Wesson, and a…ugh, not sure but it shot .22? I kept the gold casings of each one I shot as a souvenir. I’ve got a .45, .40, .38, .22, 9mm. Shooting the .45 was pretty impressive. I’ll say the larger Smith and Wesson had the most painful/aggressive recoil. I didn’t shoot that more than a handful of times.
So overall, I think using the .40 with the Glock was my fave. Not too heavy and feel pretty awesome. The .22 (can’t remember the gun name) was super smooth and easy, but probably not as impactful. I have to confess, before today I was always a bit anti-gun. They scare me. But holding one, firing with them, and hearing more about them in the chapter meeting really took away some of the fear. It made them NOT so unknown.
First, I’m up for best book of the week at Whipped Cream reviews! Protecting Phoebe received a WONDERFUL review that made me all teary. Come by and vote!
Welcome to Snippet Saturday. Today’s theme is for ‘Lost Loves’. My excerpt is from my novella in Sexy Beast VII. Read the excerpt below and then hop to the other blogs to enjoy more!
Sexy Beast VII
Big and bold, primal and powerful, these men have a seductive sensuality that no woman can resist. Come enter their world of carnal desires and wanton sexuality…if you dare…
“Chanku Challenge” by Kate Douglas
When Beth and Nick first discovered the amazingly sensual power of their Chanku birthright, the desire to mate was fierce and uncontrollable. But Beth remains haunted by an event from her past, and she must confront it in order to accept her new life and find the happiness she so desperately seeks…
“Eye of the Beholder” by Anitra Lynn McLeod
Terrified at the rumors of her new husband’s hideous disfigurement, Larra of Rellmon fears the night and his approach. But as the hooded Dauer caresses her body Larra’s shivers of terror become quivers of ecstasy, and under cover of darkness she willingly submits to complete sexual surrender…
“His To Reclaim” by Shelli Stevens
Five years ago Gemma gave her heart and soul to a fellow werejaguar only to have him disappear. Now Hunter has come back and kidnapped her on her wedding day in order to make her his again, and he will tempt, tease and taunt her body to the heights of hedonistic pleasure to get exactly what he wants…
EXCERPT
“I’ve come here to talk.” His gaze once again turned unreadable. “I want to explain why I did what I did.”
“I’m sorry, would that be kidnapping me on my wedding day? Or the part where you fucked me five years ago and forgot I existed.”
He was across the floor, pulling her up from the bed before she could blink.
“I never forgot you, angel,” he said thickly, his face pressed close to hers. “Let’s just clear that up right here and now.”
Her heart tripped, but she swallowed the hope that threatened. She couldn’t afford such weakness.
“Forget I said anything. It doesn’t matter anymore.” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to say, “I’m in love with another man, or have you forgotten?”
His nostrils flared, and he shook his head, mouth thinning. “Don’t lie to me, Gemma. I know you better than that.”
Was she really that transparent? Frustration boiled in her belly. It wasn’t right that he could read her so easily!
“Apparently you don’t know me that well.” She lifted her chin, forcing her gaze to be deliberately hard. “You have to let me go at some point, Hunter. So know this. Once you do, I’m going straight back to Jeffrey, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”
He blinked, the only indication that she’d gotten to him was the slight tic in his jaw.
“Angel, what makes you think I’ll let you go?” he asked softly. His gaze moved over her body. “You promised me forever, and I don’t take well to people breaking their promises.”
She stopped breathing. Her legs weakened and her mind spun. He was screwing with her head. Of course she knew it. There was no possible way he could literally keep her hidden forever. But it still didn’t stop her gut reaction and desperate panic.
She clenched her fists. She couldn’t love him again. Wouldn’t love him again. Gemma reloaded with the only ammunition she had and then took her shot.
“You were not my only lover, Hunter.”
He flinched, his face tightening as if she’d hit him. But he recovered all too soon, saying stealthily, “But I was your first, Gemma. And I intend to be your last.”
The sheer arrogance of his statement had her reacting without thought, swinging her palm toward his cheek.
He caught her wrist, eyes burning.
She finally broke, everything inside her crumbling. There was no fighting him.
“I hate you, Hunter. Do you have any idea what you’ve done to my life?” she choked out, tugging at her wrist. “I was going to start over today with a decent man. I’d put you behind me. And in one day, you’ve demolished every step I took to get over you.”
“First, Jeffrey is not a decent man by any means.”
“Oh! What gives you any right—”
“And, second,” he ground out. “I don’t want you to get over me. Ever.”
She swung at him with her other hand, but he captured her second wrist just as easily as the first.
He dragged her body fiercely against his until her curves were squashed against every hard inch of his body; his cock jammed fully erect into her belly.
Heat flared in every inch of her body, and tingles of awareness seared her blood.
His mouth hovered above hers, his breath hot against her face. “You haven’t forgotten me any more than I’ve forgotten you, angel. Admit it.”
“But I deserve to,” she whispered. “I have every right.”
“Yes.” His forehead touched hers, his voice unsteady as he said, “But thank God you didn’t.”
He crushed her mouth with his, the ruthless invasion of his tongue leaving no doubt in her mind that he meant to claim her again tonight.
Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today’s theme is ’shopping’! Enjoy my snippet from Ain’t Misbehavin, then blog hop to the links below! I’m also at the Aphrodisia blog if you want to drop by!
On a pre-wedding vacation to Europe with her friend, Lena learns her fiancé is cheating on her. Deciding she needs to have some fun herself, she indulges in the sexy New Yorker who’s been trying to get into her pants. But will she lose her heart in the process?
Business brings Tyler to Amsterdam, but a petite bombshell on vacation is what convinces him to stay. Each day brings them closer, and he begins to think she could be the one to curb his bachelor ways. Until he realizes that he’s just the pawn in a game of revenge.
EXCERPT
They reached the heart of the city and exited the bus, walking
around the shops and exploring at random.
Lena found a chunky silver bracelet and funky purse to buy for
Stephanie, and then picked up a necklace with an Eiffel tower charm on it
for Lakisha back at work.
The brief thought of getting Keith a paperweight crossed her mind,
but she quickly dismissed the idea. The bastard didn’t deserve the crumbs
from her croissant.
Tyler had picked up numerous gifts for his sisters and parents and
now hauled around a large shopping bag.
Suddenly, Tyler grabbed her hand and dragged her into a small
shop. He approached a sales lady and started speaking in French and
gesturing toward the mannequin in the window.
Lena frowned. What the heck was he saying? Jeez, she should have
paid more attention in French class. She went to look at the mannequin in
the window.
“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I could never wear this. This kind
of dress looks good on tall women who are shaped like a coat rack.”
Tyler raised his eyebrows as the sales lady came over and fussed
around Lena. She scowled as she went to work figuring out her
measurements.
A moment later, the lady shuffled her into a small fitting room as
she clutched the dress. She fought the urge to hurl it over the curtain in
rebellion. With a sigh of surrender, she started to undress. When she’d
finally figured out how to put the dress on, she turned to the mirror. Her
jaw dropped.
The black fabric was silk. A thick strap curved over one shoulder,
leaving the other bare. It clung to her curves and fell just above her calves.
“It makes my boobs look great,” she murmured, running her hands
over her torso. She turned, glancing over her shoulder to get a look at her
backside. “Not bad on the butt either.”
“Lena, are you going to come out and show me?” Tyler called from
the other side of the curtain.
She started to and then paused, biting her lip. “No, I don’t think I
will. You picked a winner. I’ll get it, but I want it to be a surprise when
you see me tonight.”
There was a pause from his side of the curtain. “Okay.”
When Lena came out a moment later, she saw Tyler signing a
receipt. Her stomach clenched, and she ran toward him.
“Oh, no. You can’t buy this for me. It’s insanely expensive.”
The sales lady gave her a sharp glance but didn’t comment.
“Don’t worry about it. And you weren’t supposed to look at the price tag.”
He plucked the dress from her hands.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. “You didn’t need to
buy that for me.”
“I know I didn’t, but I did. Deal with it.” He dropped a quick kiss
on her lips and then tucked the bag under his arm.
Well, I had an interesting weekend. Somewhat…do I remember it? Let’s see. Friday started it, and while I got some bad news (losing my health care), I wasn’t the only one. Another writer friend lost her day job (I won’t out her in case she’s keeping it hush hush…though I did on twitter. Wait, she outed herself). So to commiserate our losses together, we went out to a wine bar, ate schnazzy food, drank wine and then proceeded to watch the crappiest movie ever.
I was going to put pictures up of it (as I generally do when I discuss movies), but I’m still too angry at that life suck to give it much attention. Let’s just say we had been about to see Valentine’s Day, and changed it to Wolfman, thinking it would be a nice little paranormal romance. Yeah….not so much. More like a B movie slasher flick. And I like some B movies–Army of Darkness is a cult classic! But Wolfman was two hours of my life I’ll never get back.
Saturday was a Cherry Plotters day. A group of us authors get together and plot, plot, plot! I’m excited for the two authors who plotted for. So much fun and always good food. And a great view! Plus they’re helping me on our loop with my proposal I’m working with for my agent. Loving it!
Sunday…we shall not discuss. Or, okay, let’s just say my child had a ‘going problem’ and we didn’t leave the house. But what I did do during my hours of isolation, was put together and photograph my donation to the Brenda Novak Diabetes auction! I’ve got a cute little ‘bag’ (I say bag, because it’s in a bag instead of a basket, or really, if you win it, it’ll show up stuffed into a nice and neat flat rate box!). So here’s a peek at the pic I took. My auction page isn’t updated, but it’ll be here eventually.
(click to make it bigger!)
Anyway, off to bed. Because I slept like arse last night and I need to be up early to have a final doctor’s visit before my health care goes bye-bye. Sigh. I was so hoping for health care reform…..but that’s a whole other blog topic.
So I left town for about twenty-four hours with my kid to go to a family cabin (not mine, but I get to use it every now and then!). It was fabulous. There’s no internet, and so I bring my laptop and just work. I finished some stuff for my Samhain editor, and almost finished a proposal I’m working on for my agent.
And I built a fire (yes! Without lighter fluid even! Despite my brother telling me it could not be done!) Check out the pics.
Then I did some beach combing the first day, and the second I took my daughter on a nearly 4 mile hike. She’s six, so what a little trooper she was. It’s along a bluff and up hills and down hills, and then back on the beach. She only got grumpy near the end (my bad, should’ve brought a snack!).
Here’s some pretty pics! This is from a trail on Whidbey Island.
(At the beginning of the hike, which started after a big climb up stairs and a hill!)
(Overlooking the prairie that’s been relatively the same since the 1850’s)
(Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula across the way)
(we were hiking up on the bluffs by the trees, then had to climb down to the beach!)
Bottom line I had a great couple of days. So nice to bond with nature and we had some great weather (high 50’s I think!). I have to confess I didn’t completely disconnect with the internet. I tweeted from my phone a couple of times ;) But for the most part…I chillaxed. Even watched some of the Olympics!
Since I’m no longer blogging at Naughty and Spice, I’m going to be blogging much more at my own blog. Or attempt to!
Today is Fat Tuesday! Which is totally appropriate since I ate the most fabulously fattening breakfast at a place called Voula’s in Seattle. I’ve only been three times, but I swear I should’ve introduced myself because I’m GOING to be a regular!
Voula’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network (which I’ll include the clip below). I ordered something called the Pinata Benedict. It’s like eggs Benedict, but with instead of Canadian bacon it has smoked pork (which they smoke in the parking lot!) Soooo good! And the people there are so much fun.
If you’re in Seattle, you totally need to check this place out! But for now, check out the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives video below!
Welcome to another week of Snippet Saturday, today’s theme is ‘Family’. Read through my excerpt from my book Trust and Dare and then blog hop to the other links below!
