The winners for the two $5 gift cards are: Amy Bowens and Jessica Hale!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Holidays with the Beachwalk Babes Hop Winners!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by during the Holidays with the Beachwalk Babes Hop!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Holidays with the Beachwalk Babes Blog Hop
I also like to take some time out to read but because my December schedule always seems to be jammed packed, I love having an anthology of short stories to choose from while winding down and tucked in bed. Just so happens, my very first published work ever, Katrina's Christmas, was included in Holiday Kisses, a Beachwalk Press holiday anthology. And oh yes...it's FREE!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I'll be giving away two $5.00 Amazon gift cards on December 8th.
Leave a comment with your email on this blog to enter.
Below is the FREE link and blurbs to eleven fabulous stories.
Positively Holly by Pepper Anthony
When Holly and Evan run into each other at the Toy Palace the week before Christmas, the last thing on their minds is rekindling their failed love affair. After all, Holly is one of those wide-eyed optimists, and Evan is a man who deals in practicalities. Things would never work out between them. But two cups of coffee, a pair of shopping bags, and a touch of sexy Christmas magic just might help them find their common ground.
When Holly and Evan run into each other at the Toy Palace the week before Christmas, the last thing on their minds is rekindling their failed love affair. After all, Holly is one of those wide-eyed optimists, and Evan is a man who deals in practicalities. Things would never work out between them. But two cups of coffee, a pair of shopping bags, and a touch of sexy Christmas magic just might help them find their common ground.
Hometown Miracles by Patricia Bates
The holidays hold little interest for Leanne Wilson, a single mother who receives devastating news mere days before heading home. Once she arrives, she runs into the one man who holds her heart. But she can’t reach out to him now…after all, this may be her very last Christmas. Jay Locke has loved Leanne for years. When she left town, he forced himself to move on, but now she's back with a darling little girl and a Christmas wish he just can't say no to.
The holidays hold little interest for Leanne Wilson, a single mother who receives devastating news mere days before heading home. Once she arrives, she runs into the one man who holds her heart. But she can’t reach out to him now…after all, this may be her very last Christmas. Jay Locke has loved Leanne for years. When she left town, he forced himself to move on, but now she's back with a darling little girl and a Christmas wish he just can't say no to.
Believe in Me by Aimée Duffy
Leona Sharp and Ryan Lee have been friends forever, it seems. Although there's an attraction between them, they've never acted on it. On New Year's Eve, Leona finally allows herself to give into the temptation, but she vows that it will only be for one night and as soon as the clock strikes midnight they will put it in the past and go on as if it never happened. Ryan, however, has other plans…
Leona Sharp and Ryan Lee have been friends forever, it seems. Although there's an attraction between them, they've never acted on it. On New Year's Eve, Leona finally allows herself to give into the temptation, but she vows that it will only be for one night and as soon as the clock strikes midnight they will put it in the past and go on as if it never happened. Ryan, however, has other plans…
His Holiday Lifesaver by Hazel Gower
Brad isn't looking forward to Christmas dinner with his family as they are always trying to set him up with women. This year he has a plan involving Hailey, a female tourist he rescued at the beach, posing as his girlfriend for the next couple of weeks. The only problem with the plan is he didn't expect to fall in love with her.
Brad isn't looking forward to Christmas dinner with his family as they are always trying to set him up with women. This year he has a plan involving Hailey, a female tourist he rescued at the beach, posing as his girlfriend for the next couple of weeks. The only problem with the plan is he didn't expect to fall in love with her.
Drawn To You by Tara Mills
If a picture's worth a thousand words, what does that make a series of sketches? Drawn to the same beach over and over again to secretly sketch this quiet, contemplative man, Rachel is about to find out.
If a picture's worth a thousand words, what does that make a series of sketches? Drawn to the same beach over and over again to secretly sketch this quiet, contemplative man, Rachel is about to find out.
Reunion by Ashlynn Monroe
Years ago, Shayla left her small hometown to pursue her dream. When she did, her family turned their back on her. Leaving also meant she had to forget about the boy she loved. When her mother dies, Shayla realizes that while some things change, other things are doomed to remain the same. She returns home, but doesn't feel very welcome until the boy who haunts her memories steps into her present. Luc is no longer the farm boy she'd fallen for—he's grown up, and quite nicely too. Can Shayla rekindle what she lost with the man she never stopped loving?
Years ago, Shayla left her small hometown to pursue her dream. When she did, her family turned their back on her. Leaving also meant she had to forget about the boy she loved. When her mother dies, Shayla realizes that while some things change, other things are doomed to remain the same. She returns home, but doesn't feel very welcome until the boy who haunts her memories steps into her present. Luc is no longer the farm boy she'd fallen for—he's grown up, and quite nicely too. Can Shayla rekindle what she lost with the man she never stopped loving?
Winter Break by Kaylie Newell
Harper Smith is a horrible skier. She can't stand it, almost as much as she can't stand her irritatingly sexy ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be a member of the ski patrol. So when she finds herself in a life-or-death situation on a cold, dark mountain, she has mixed feelings when Justin Noble shows up to rescue her. Part of her would rather freeze to death than accept his help. The other part can't help but warm up at the sight of his messy, sun-bleached hair and cocky grin. Without her consent, Harper's heart tips dangerously close to falling for him again. But will this time be any different?
Harper Smith is a horrible skier. She can't stand it, almost as much as she can't stand her irritatingly sexy ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be a member of the ski patrol. So when she finds herself in a life-or-death situation on a cold, dark mountain, she has mixed feelings when Justin Noble shows up to rescue her. Part of her would rather freeze to death than accept his help. The other part can't help but warm up at the sight of his messy, sun-bleached hair and cocky grin. Without her consent, Harper's heart tips dangerously close to falling for him again. But will this time be any different?
Mistletoe & Holly by Tamaria Soana
Zoey is going through the normal Christmas Eve ritual with her three-year-old twins. The only difference is that her husband Preston isn't there to share it with them. He's been deployed overseas and won't be home for the holidays. After Zoey tucks the kids in for the night, she places the gifts under the tree, snuggles on the sofa to watch It's a Wonderful Life, and falls asleep. She's startled awake by a loud noise. Is she dreaming, or is her Christmas wish standing under the mistletoe?
Zoey is going through the normal Christmas Eve ritual with her three-year-old twins. The only difference is that her husband Preston isn't there to share it with them. He's been deployed overseas and won't be home for the holidays. After Zoey tucks the kids in for the night, she places the gifts under the tree, snuggles on the sofa to watch It's a Wonderful Life, and falls asleep. She's startled awake by a loud noise. Is she dreaming, or is her Christmas wish standing under the mistletoe?
Katrina's Christmas by Sidda Lee Tate
Christmas has always been just another day to Katrina Bryant. She works hard and expects her employees to do the same. When her sexy assistant, Grant Ward, quits on Christmas Eve she becomes worried she will never see him again, and she wonders why that bothers her so much. To her surprise, he arrives at her home hours later and whisks her away for a Christmas she will never forget.
Christmas has always been just another day to Katrina Bryant. She works hard and expects her employees to do the same. When her sexy assistant, Grant Ward, quits on Christmas Eve she becomes worried she will never see him again, and she wonders why that bothers her so much. To her surprise, he arrives at her home hours later and whisks her away for a Christmas she will never forget.
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Todd by Elise Whyles
Recently widowed, Mary Todd isn't looking forward to spending Christmas alone. She's determined to keep a low profile during the madness—that is, until she meets her sexy neighbor, Walter. He seems intent on helping her get into the holiday spirit, and she just might let him.
Recently widowed, Mary Todd isn't looking forward to spending Christmas alone. She's determined to keep a low profile during the madness—that is, until she meets her sexy neighbor, Walter. He seems intent on helping her get into the holiday spirit, and she just might let him.
The Gift Beneath the Tree by Lacey Wolfe
Tara won't be spending Christmas with her family this year, but she's not entirely alone. Her roommate, Brad, who's currently single, is also at home with her. Tara goes to bed Christmas Eve with hopes Santa might bring her what she most desires. After hearing a loud crash, she goes to investigate, and underneath the tree, she finds the present she's been dying to unwrap.
Tara won't be spending Christmas with her family this year, but she's not entirely alone. Her roommate, Brad, who's currently single, is also at home with her. Tara goes to bed Christmas Eve with hopes Santa might bring her what she most desires. After hearing a loud crash, she goes to investigate, and underneath the tree, she finds the present she's been dying to unwrap.
Content Warning: some stories contain explicit sex
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Blind Sight by Nicole Storey
Blind Sight (The Celadon Circle)
Excerpt:
Blood
and screaming; screaming and blood. The horrors of the image before her assault
Jordan’s senses, overwhelming them to the point where she must scream herself.
It wouldn’t matter if she did -- the young girl fighting for her life wouldn’t
hear her. Neither would the monster
dismantling her body piece by agonizing piece.
She’d
fought valiantly. The girl – she couldn’t be more than sixteen – obviously
wasn’t the type to roll over and die. The monster liked that. Fear made her
flesh sweeter. Her hair is plastered to her head with sweat. Her breathing
labored, coming in short gasps. Tears cut tracks through the grime and muck on
her face. Jordan figured she’d been on the run for at least an hour or more.
Her
time is coming to an end, though. The blood loss is too great – she’s weak.
Jeans, which were once faded blue, are a saturated burgundy now. She had lost
what was left of her shirt a while back. Strips of skin flap loosely above and
below her bra strap. She’s barely able to stumble through the trees. The
monster allows her to get as far as fifty feet away before it pounces again,
using powerful claws to rake what’s left of the flesh from her back. Its long,
black tongue snakes out, lapping up her blood. Its putrid body shivers in
ecstasy under the bloated moon.
The
girl barely whimpers this time, but sound carries in the silent woods. The
monster stops feeding long enough to place a gnarled, heavy foot on her back,
snapping it like dry timber. There will
be no more running for either of them this night.
Enormous
wings unfurl from the creature’s body, webbed and veined -- not unlike those of
a bat. Fully spanned, they reach at least twelve feet across. Jordan knows she
must get a closer look. With the thought, her body moves, drifting on the
currents of the gentle breeze created by the pines and oaks. Soon, too soon,
she is floating right above it.
As
if it can hear or sense something is near, the thing raises its massive head,
sniffing the air. Its face resembles a gibbon, but the mouth is wider –
distorted and stretched to hold rows of wicked-sharp teeth. Yellow eyes capture
the moonlight, reflecting it like any other animal, only more brightly. Its
body is covered in gray feathers or scales coated in a slimy substance. The
smell is unbelievable – a mixture of skunk, feces, and ammonia that make her
eyes water. Jordan’s seen enough.
Before
she moves away, she takes one last look at the girl lying broken on the ground
before her. She is bruised and shattered,
her blonde hair streaked red with blood. Was she beautiful before? Maybe she
was a cheerleader for her school’s football team. She could have been a
straight -- A student on her way to a full scholarship to Vassar. It didn’t
matter. She was someone’s daughter, perhaps a big sister…someone’s friend.
Jordan wishes she could comfort her, stroke her brow or squeeze her hand –
something to let her know she isn’t dying alone. However, it is against the
rules. The most she can do is make sure her death is not in vain.
As
she moves away from the nightmare, the creature lets loose a scream, raising
goose bumps along her arms. AhOOOoool!
Probably a victory yell for a successful
hunt, Jordan thinks to herself, wishing she could sink a silver knife in
its gullet. She feels herself begin to fade from this time and place, a
sensation of being guided somewhere else. Go
ahead and celebrate, you bastard. That poor girl will be your last meal.
Buy Links:
The first book, The Chosen One, can be found at
Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and Smashwords in e-book and paperback.
Sony: http://bit.ly/11eOO0o
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/17LiB9i
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/147LGYL
Kobo: http://bit.ly/ZlI9UM
Amazon: http://amzn.to/10QEKLq
The second book, Eve of the Beginning, can be found
at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and Smashwords in e-book and
paperback.
Sony: http://bit.ly/18GMoNE
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/11wvPxu
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/147M6y8
Kobo: http://bit.ly/12Xj4i7
Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZlIua0
The third book, The Search for Siren, can be found
at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and Smashwords in e-book and
paperback.
Sony: http://bit.ly/10IgJJU
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/17f2cck
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/147MufX
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1aPMamh
Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZCP6Dh
My first book in The Celadon Circle series, Blind
Sight, can be found at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and
Smashwords in e-book and (soon) paperback.
Sony:
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/18qQm0n
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1bt29LQ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/12zygRS
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/12LMHFS
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/12PBrUy
Nicole Storey lives in Georgia with her wonderful husband,
two prodigious kids, and a plethora of pets. When she isn’t traveling to
magical realms with potty-mouthed pixies or fighting demons, she conspires with
angels and keeps humanity safe from evil. She also enjoys reading, writing on
her blogs, gardening, cooking, and anything associated with Halloween. Nicole
is an author of juvenile fantasy and YA paranormal books and is published with
Inknbeans Press. Her books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo,
Sony, and Smashwords in e-book and paperback.
Contact Nicole:
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/vdebQE
Blog: http://bit.ly/Muj3Me
Publisher: http://bit.ly/LIQnPV
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/KThYif
Official Website: http://bit.ly/15oJb2y
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1593otp
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1593v8d
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
New Release: Logan's Acadian Wolves
Logan’s Acadian Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4)
by Kym Grosso
Blurb/Book Description:
An erotic paranormal romance...
Deep in the heart
of New Orleans, Acadian Wolves’ Alpha, Logan Reynaud, rescues a beautiful woman
in the dead of night. Intrigued by the mysterious human, the commanding Alpha
is determined to elicit all of her secrets, including her deepest fantasies.
After tragedy strikes, Logan discovers dangerous adversaries are planning an
attack in his city. Driven by responsibility and honor, Logan must protect both
his pack and the woman who’s captivated his attention.
Dr. Wynter Ryan, a
leading virologist, is fascinated with her charismatic protector. As the
chemistry ignites between her and the dominant Alpha, she relinquishes her ties
to the past, embracing ecstasy and submission within his arms and intrepidly
acquiescing to her own adventurous instincts. Succumbing to desire, she learns
to trust her Alpha, discovering what it means to be wolf.
Passion and mystery
on the bayou stirs Logan’s wolf, demanding he claim his mate. Yet Wynter’s a
distraction he can’t afford when his priority is to lead his new pack. Will
Logan surrender to the uncontrollable need to claim Wynter as his mate? And
will he be able to keep her alive, finding the killer who threatens the Acadian
Wolves?
Warning: This book contains
several erotic love scenes, including m/f/m menage, and is intended for adult
readers only.
Excerpt:
Wynter barely saw
him coming. Logan leapt across the room,
and as his body touched hers, she gasped.
His hands pressed hard against the glass on either side of her head. The masculine scent of him wafted into her nose
and she fought the instinct to rub her face against his chest. Oh God,
what had she done? How could she be so
stupid as to challenge an Alpha? She
really must be sick. Unable to
speak, she held still. Initially charged
with fear, she realized very quickly that he wasn’t hurting her. The tension between them escalated with every
minute of silence that passed. And then
she felt him, his nose grazing along the side of her neck. A small moan escaped her lips.
At the challenge,
Logan strode across the room, pinning her against the wall. He had
to smell her, taste her. Why would she
deny her wolf? Why play games? Logan didn’t want to hurt her. Oh no.
If anything, he’d like to give her pleasure like she’d never known. But she kept insisting she was human. If she wanted to play, play he would. She was wolf, and he’d prove it to her. But as her sweet scent engulfed his senses,
he began to lose control. His wolf
clawed at his psyche, begging to take the woman. Like freshly cut roses, the heavenly aroma
was familiar yet altogether unique and desirable, although her wolf lingered on
the edge; she was there, he could scent her.
In an effort to
prevent himself from ravishing her right there in his office, Logan plastered
his hands so hard against the window, he thought it’d crack. At the sound of her moan, he darted his
tongue out against her silky skin. He
had to taste her. Just once. Ah fuck, no; his wolf wanted more. Eyes feral, he locked them with hers, taking
her arm. He placed a small kiss to her
palm before dragging his tongue along her wrist all the way to the crook of her
elbow, releasing a growl of satisfaction.
Wynter’s heart
pounded as he gently took her arm into his hands. She shivered as he pushed up her sleeve and
brought her delicate wrist to his lips.
Wet with arousal, she couldn’t break their connection as she stared deep
into his mesmerizing eyes. Oh my God. Wolf. Human.
I’ll be whatever you want me to be…just please, just take me. Wynter thought her knees would give out,
except he had her pressed up against the window. Lost in his spell, she responded by nudging
her own hips against his hard arousal as he tasted her skin.
Logan groaned as
the territorial need to take her consumed him.
He needed to get things under control.
Jax. Fucking, goddamned Jax. His name alone should have killed his raging
hard on, but it wasn’t helping one damn bit.
No, he needed to separate himself from her before he tore her clothes
off. He closed his eyes and blew out a
breath, but didn’t release her.
“Wolf,” he breathed into her hair.
Buy Links:
Smashwords (epub for Nook, Kobo, etc.): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/358032
About the author:
Kym Grosso is the author
of the erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. The
series currently includes Kade’s Dark
Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1), Luca’s Magic Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2), Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves (Immortals of
New Orleans, Book 3) and Logan’s Acadian
Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4).
In addition to romance,
Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate
about autism advocacy. She writes about autism at PsychologyToday.com and
AutismInRealLife.com. She also is a contributing essay author in the book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on
the Spectrum.
Kym lives with her
husband, two children, dog and cat. Her hobbies include autism advocacy,
reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and
children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is
one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about
anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when
not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled
with hundreds of romances.
Author web links: (web, blog, twitter,
facebook, goodreads, etc)
·
Twitter: @KymGrosso
Friday, September 20, 2013
New Release: If You Want Me
An irresistible woman.
An undeniable proposal.
Even the unthinkable can sound reasonable when
you mix alcohol, sexual frustration, and a bachelorette party—especially a bold
proposition. Now in the light of day, Naomi’s hung over, horrified, and anxious
about facing this complicated man again and the unexplored feelings their
encounter brought with it.
She called, he came, but Ryan didn't exactly
conquer. Is it too much to hope that Naomi will give him a do-over? She can’t
avoid him, not when he’s walking her down the aisle. But who ever heard of a
bridesmaid getting cold feet?
Excerpt:
“I
really need to get laid,” slurred Naomi, sagging drunkenly against her friend
Becky.
The entire table fell silent and
stared at her. Every squeal over the upcoming honeymoon, every gush over the
bridal gown came to a screeching halt.
Becky turned on her, aghast, then
shoved Naomi upright in her chair again. “What the hell?” she hissed under her
breath.
Naomi scrunched up her brow,
perplexed as she weaved and wobbled, trying to focus on all the faces swimming
in front of her. The female half of tomorrow’s wedding party. Each of them
decked out and tarted up for tonight’s bachelorette blow-out.
“What?” Naomi asked, stupefied by
the wide eyes directed her way. “It’s been six months. Six damn months!” she
added in a woeful tone. “Who wouldn’t have boner on the brain?”
Two of the women across the table
started to laugh behind their hands, but Becky shot to her feet anyway and
grabbed Naomi’s arm, hauling her up too.
“Sorry about this.” Becky gave
Melissa, the bride, a pained and apologetic smile. “I think someone’s had one
too many appletinis.”
Becky grabbed both purses and
slipped them over her arm and dragged Naomi through the crowded club and out to
the sidewalk. She caught the eye of the first valet she saw and handed him the
ticket. He dashed off to get their car.
“He’s kinda cute,” said Naomi,
swaying on her heels, her eyes fixed on his back as he disappeared into the
night.
Becky gritted her teeth. “Would you
stop?”
“Stop what?” Naomi blinked,
nonplussed.
“The horny talk. It’s
embarrassing.”
Naomi frowned. “Is it? I’m sorry. I
just need sex. I really want it, Beck. I want it bad.”
“So I gather. No alcohol for you
tomorrow.”
That comment earned a snort. “Who
cares about alcohol?”
“It makes you weird.”
“Don’t I know it!” Naomi nodded
sagely. “Beck, I’m getting the strangest ideas.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” Their car pulled
up and Becky caught hold of Naomi’s upper arm and steered her to the curb. A
second valet came forward to open the passenger door while the first man got
out and waited for Becky on the driver’s side.
Naomi gave the guy holding her door
a sweet smile and cupped his ass before dropping gracelessly into the passenger
seat. One of her shoes fell to the pavement next to the car. The guy bent down
and picked it up. He had a funny little smile going, and if she wasn’t totally
mistaken, he was chuckling.
“Like Cinderella!” Naomi laughed
when he handed it to her then stuck her bare foot out the open door at him.
“Don’t you want to put it on me?”
Becky snapped at her from the
driver’s side, “Naomi! Shut the hell up and let the guy close your door.”
Naomi snickered and rolled her eyes
at the valet, making a joke of her uptight friend. “Guess it’s time to go.”
He closed her in with a nod and a
wink. She gave him a little wave that he returned as Becky pulled into traffic.
“Who are you, and what have you
done with my friend?” Becky asked, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.
“She’s in here somewhere.” Naomi
drooped onto her door and squinted at the strobing lights coming right at them.
“Did you notice Ryan at dinner earlier tonight?”
Becky glanced sharply at her
friend. “Is that what this is all about?”
“Hmm?”
“Never mind. Let’s get you home,
dump a ton of water into you, and put you to bed. You need to be in good shape
by tomorrow afternoon or Melissa’s mom is going to kill you, and Melissa is
going to be the one handing her the cake knife she’ll use.”
Naomi laughed as she pictured the
mother-of-the-bride wielding the special cake knife with color coordinated
ribbons fluttering from the handle.
“That’s not gonna happen,” she
assured Becky.
“Of course it’s not. Because you’re
going home and I’m putting you to bed.”
Naomi gave a deep and disappointed
sigh. “Party pooper.”
“And whose fault is that?”
Naomi shrugged then drifted off to
sleep. She didn’t revive until the car pulled in front of her duplex.
“We’re here.” Becky gave her
shoulder a shake. “Wake up. Are you awake?”
“Yeah.” Naomi blinked and rubbed
her temple. “Where’s my purse?”
“On the floor, by your feet.” Becky
hopped out and walked around the car. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”
“I’ve got it.” She shoved her
shoulder against the door and nearly tumbled out. Luckily Becky was there in
time to haul her back before she did a face plant on the driveway. “Thank you.”
Beck held out her hand. “Give me
your damn purse. There’s no way you’re going to be able to unlock the front
door yourself.”
Naomi didn’t argue. She took another
stab at getting out and managed to close the car door without catching any body
parts in it. Weaving on her feet, she clomped up the driveway, her gait even
more ridiculous because she was still holding the one shoe the valet had given
her at the club.
Becky had already gotten the door
open and the inside lights turned on by the time Naomi made it up the three
concrete steps, grabbing hold of the wrought iron banister to keep from
staggering backwards on her way up.
“Should I brew a pot of coffee?”
Becky asked, coming back from putting Naomi’s purse in her room.
Naomi yawned and mussed up her
hair, destroying all the hard work she’d put into getting the big silky curls
just right earlier that evening. “No, I can manage. Thanks for bringing me
home.”
“Should I stay?”
“No. I’ll be fine.”
Becky eyed her skeptically. “You’re
sure? You weren’t yourself tonight.”
Naomi covered her eyes with both
hands and expelled a big alcohol infused breath. “I know, Beck,” she peered
out, pouting at her friend. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you tonight.”
“I guess we all have our off days.
This was yours. I’ll get over it. It’s not like you do this kind of thing, well
... ever.” Becky laughed and came over,
giving Naomi a hug goodnight. “So I’ll see you in the morning?”
“At brunch.”
“Eleven. Don’t forget to set your
alarm. Something tells me you’re going to need it.”
“I got it. I got it.”
Becky kissed her on the cheek,
uncertainty in her eyes as she peered at Naomi one last time. “You sure I
shouldn’t stay?”
“Very sure.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sounds good.”
Naomi limped to the door and locked
it behind her friend. As soon as Becky had backed out of the driveway, Naomi
kicked off her lone shoe, raced to her bedroom, and dumped the contents of her
purse onto the bedspread.
“Oh yeah!” she cheered. Grabbing
the phone, she went immediately to the wedding party contact sheet on her
dresser and followed down the line of ushers for Ryan’s name.
He answered after two rings. Even
tipsy she could hear the question in his voice. “Naomi?”
“Yes. Where are you?”
“At the bachelor party. Why?”
“Here’s the thing. I know you had a
problem with me dating Sam. You were his friend and I created a lot of tension
between you two. I get it. But I’m guessing some of that attitude was just
bullshit. I caught you.”
“You caught me?”
“Yes, I caught you; watching me,
looking at me. I could tell you were covering.”
“What’s this all about, Naomi?
What’s your point?”
“If you want me, I’m yours. I’m
putting on sexy lingerie right now. You have fifteen minutes to get here. You
know the address.”
Naomi cut the call and eased open
the top drawer of her dresser.
* * *
Ryan pulled the phone away from his
ear and stared at it. Was she serious? Was this for real? Could he even make it
in fifteen minutes?
He hadn’t seen Naomi Kendall in
months—five long and lonely months, and then …today. He could hardly tear his
eyes away from her at the groom’s dinner. She looked incredible; that warm
almond skin, those dark brown eyes, all that soft glorious hair. A man could
get lost in that hair. They’d barely had a chance to speak to each other but
he’d tuned in to her voice. No matter where she was, he heard Naomi over all
the rest. Every one of her laughs registered with him. It was excruciating and
thrilling at the same time. Then the party broke up and the guys and girls went
their separate ways. Disappointed at seeing her climb into a car and drive
away, he told himself it was okay, he’d get another shot at her tomorrow.
Talk about being thrown for a
loop.
Well, she’d read him right. How the
hell did she do that? Clearly, he wasn’t as careful as he thought.
“Dude! It’s your turn,” said an
impatient voice.
Ryan looked up and found his
friends watching him. He closed the fan of cards in his hand. There was only
one thing to do. “I fold.”
~Buy Links~
***
Please
visit Tara Mills Romance for
more great titles. You can also find Tara on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
New Release: Daring to Wish
Thank
you so much for having me on your blog today! So pleased to be sharing Daring
to Wish with you.
Blurb
What happens when you
dare to wish?
In
an effort to regain her independence and break out of her shell, shy Eve Ward
writes a daring wish list of all the things she wants to do before her
thirtieth birthday. It’s a good thing the list is for her eyes only, because
some of the items are pretty risqué.
Adrenaline
junkie Lucas Riley becomes Eve’s “victim” in a kiss-a-stranger dare, and she
thinks he’s perfect for her one-night-with-a-stranger wish.
With
Eve, Lucas thinks he’s found the distraction he needs before he has to say
goodbye to his bad boy image. When he finds Eve’s sexy wish list, he can’t keep
himself from giving into temptation and sneaking a peek, and wish number eight
is impossible for him to resist. Being good can wait.
Eve
is thrilled when, out of the blue, Lucas offers to take her skydiving. Her sexy
stranger has helped her tick so many wishes off her secret list. Her confidence
has grown and now she’s having fun both in
and out of the bedroom. It seems too
good to be true...is it? She can’t shake the niggling suspicion that something’s
not quite right.
Content
Warning: contains dizzying heights and
sensual sex
Genre(s):
Contemporary Romance
Excerpt
“Wait.”
Eve froze mid-turn, halted by his husky command
and the tingle radiating from his hand lightly grasping her wrist. She met his
gaze and realized how wrong she’d been. He was a million miles away from being
uncomplicated. The startling blue of his eyes revealed depths Eve could only
imagine drowning in.
“Did you say…nice?”
He leaned closer. “I would say that was a lot better than nice. I’m sure if we tried again we could
manage spectacular. Don’t you agree?” he drawled.
Maybe nice had been the wrong word to choose Eve
relented as she noted his husky tone. It was
infinitely better than nice. Try amazing!
Her breath hitched as she thought of his kiss again. Knowing he enjoyed it
too sent a surge of pleasure through her that settled deep within her belly.
Obviously she could do some things right.
If she intended to fulfill her wishes she was
going to have to find some confidence from somewhere—and fast! At the moment
her confidence seemed to be firmly in the area of her knickers.
Running and hiding now seemed out of the
question. Maybe confidence practice would be the lesser of two evils? She
paused before turning to face Mr. Hotness for confidence lesson one.
“Hmm...” She pretended to consider. “Maybe
you’re right. However, as this was a dare I’m afraid it was a one time
opportunity,” she added with mock apology. “So I guess we’ll never know.”
“You kissed me for a dare?” His brow arched.
Eve nodded. “Uh-huh. My dare was to kiss a
stranger.”
“A dare, huh? I feel so…so violated.” He
clutched his free hand to his chest in feigned hurt, although his eyes brimmed
with humor and a smile tugged at the corner of his delicious mouth.
“Don’t be offended. I did actually choose you,”
she blurted before forgetting her cool, calm, and confident aim.
“So you really thought you could violate me then
run?”
“That was my plan, yes,” she said with a
confidence she didn’t quite feel, especially as she was distracted by the thumb
lightly stroking her wrist.
“And I didn’t even try to play hard to get.
Guess you got lucky.”
“Or maybe you did,” she countered without
thought, mortified as a blush warmed her cheeks at his responding grin.
He grinned, releasing her hand. “Tell me. Do you
like to be dared?”
Her eyes widened at the loaded question. “I…I
find a challenge hard to resist.”
“Damn good thing I’m a challenge.”
Author Bio
A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much
of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world
where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for
those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of
romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that
world and refuse to leave.
I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and
three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe
that words make the world go around.
You can find me here: http://traceyrogers.wordpress.com/
On twitter: https://twitter.com/TraceRbookworm
Or email me at: traceyrogersaut@gmail.com
Or visit my author page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracey-Rogers-Author/197643867052117
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