Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: S.J. Maylee
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to S.J. Maylee and her new entry in her Assassins and Sweethearts series Unexpected Destiny, now available online from purveyors of fine erotic romance. Take it away, S.J.!
Thank you for having me today. I’m thrilled that Unexpected Destiny has released!
These assassins have really gotten a hold on me. I can’t wait till they all have their happily ever after. How did I get here, giving happy endings to assassins?
Initially I was looking to find love for a bad boy. Assassins aren’t usually the hero. They’re the villain. But I wanted to change all that. These four men came to me almost instantly. In no time, I had bits of each of their stories. I knew I had to write it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly on these men who want to save the lives of those who can’t get the help they so desperately need, whose lives are in immediate danger.
Now that I’ve pulled that string, I see a whole mess of stories. Once I tell the stories of these four men, more will come. Great things are in store. I can’t wait to experience it all.
Elizabeth Martin thought she had her happily ever after, until her husband mysteriously disappeared. Aidan Clery is a skilled assassin-for-hire who wants nothing more than to find the love of his life. Fate throws Liz in his path and everything is perfect, except Aidan just won the contract on her life.
The truth surrounding Liz’s estranged husband takes the pair on a dangerous journey. Nothing in their lives will ever be the same. Destiny may be unexpected but it will be up to Aidan and Liz to discover the truth and claim their real happily ever after.
Story Excerpt
Aidan turned off the faucet and caught the reflection of those gorgeous brown eyes in the mirror.
“Oops. Wrong door,” said his girl as she turned around.
“I can share.” He could handle the surveillance later. This woman deserved his attention.
She stopped and turned around. “Okay then.” She took a step toward him. “You know what? I should have asked for confirmation earlier.” Her gaze was full of mischief.
“You’re right. You should have asked.” He took a hold of her hand and pulled her close. “I sure would like to see that tiny scrap of lace.” And just like that his night got infinitely better.
She stopped her forward movement when their chests were a mere inch apart. A nice rosy blush heated her cheeks. He kept hold of her hand while her other played with the lapel of his dark leather jacket. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You need to get back to your friends?”
“Yes, but…” She licked her bottom lip. “Maybe I could stay here for a few minutes.”
“At least a few.” He tapped the bottom of her chin. “How about you start by telling me your name?”
“Liz.” Her gaze met his and he wanted time to stop. Something about the lonely look in her eyes called to him to not let her get away. She shifted closer. “Who are you?”
He pushed his finger over her waistband, rubbing her hipbone. “I’m Aidan.” He squeezed the hand he still held. Her soft body relaxed against his.
“I should probably go. I need to get my friends home.”
“I don’t think you should go anywhere.” He brushed his nose against hers.
A delicious moan slipped from her lips. “I don’t want to leave but I need to make sure they get home safely.”
“It’s nice of you to look out for them.” Damn, she smelled good. It was lilacs or roses or something.
“I’d rather stay here with you.” She leaned in and their lips almost met. “My friends are always right. I should have gone out with them months ago.”
“Stay a few more minutes.” He caressed over her hips to her round ass. Hot tension filled his thoughts. Forget a few more minutes, he’d take all night and then some to explore this beautiful woman.
“More.” She scraped her teeth over her bottom lip.
A second later, the door opened. “Lizzy, we got to go. Emily isn’t feeling well.”
She dropped her head to his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Lizzy.” The woman held the door open. “You’re right. He is cute. Bring him with you. Emily won’t mind.”
“She’ll be right out,” he said. Once the friend left the bathroom, he brushed her hair behind her shoulders and stroked her back.
“I feel like I’m cursed.”
“You and me both, sweetheart.” He didn’t let her go.
“Well.” She looked up at him from under her long, dark lashes. “It’s not what I had in mind but would you help me with my friends?” The soft tone of her voice had him imagining how she’d purr if he made her come. “I think I might be the only one sober and they can be a bit much to wrangle into a cab. They live north in Edgewater and then we could do something, maybe go back to my place.” She worried her poor bottom lip once more.
“I’d like that.” He squeezed her ass. “Sure. I’ll help, Lizzy.” He tugged on her hair. Then he’d help himself to more of her.
Where To Buy
Evernight
Amazon
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
Praise for the first book in the Assassins and Sweethearts Series
Desire Unexpected
5 stars from Cocktails and Books: “Their love for each other was very fierce, and when they began to have sex, it goes completely off the charts. Their love scenes were intense and oh, so hot! They had feeling of a kind of desperation to them. They’ve found what they were looking for in each other, and they’re clinging to it with everything they had.”
4 Hearts from Sizzling Hot Reads: “It had the hot steamy sex scenes but also the mystery behind the group Ethan belonged too. I look forward to more from the Assassins and Sweethearts series.”
4 stars from Redz World Reviews: “over all this is a great start to what promises to be a good series
Where you can find Desire Unexpected
Amazon | Evernight Publishing | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand | All Romance Ebooks | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords
Praise for the second book in the Assassins and Sweethearts Series
Desire Protected
FREE
5 stars from Liz’s Reading Life: Desire Protected is a quick, sensual, heart pounding read that will have you desiring more.
5 stars from a reader, Tracy W: Another well done story from an author I come back to again and again.
5 stars from a reader, Doris O: Suspense, heat, and above all love. Read it, you won’t be disappointed.
Where you can find Desire Protected
Amazon | Evernight | Barnes & Noble | Bookstrand | All Romance eBooks| Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords
About S.J. Maylee
S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.
When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.
As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads
So, Nicola’s been making jewelry
I’m writing, too, never fear, and Palace of Scoundrels and Do No Harm will be out next month to prove it. Buuuuut my budget kinda got blown out of the water this month when 1) I forgot to budget for the cost of an out-of-town convention, 2) one of our cats had a rather expensive vet visit (turns out his kidneys are failing, but the vet said it’s VERY early stages and he could survive for another 1-3 years or even longer. As he’s already 15.5 years old, I’ll be grateful for any extra time I get with him) and 3) Shutterstock surprised me by renewing two photo packages without me expecting it, so that was a surprise hundred on the Amex.
And since the Amazon royalties this month have already been spoken for, I’m falling back on my (ahem) awesome jewelry-making expertise to wire wrap some gorgeous semi-precious cabochons and get them out where customers can buy them. Of the cabs shown below (left to right), I’ve already wrapped and sold the tiger’s eye, I’m going to wrap the dragonstone next in antique brass, the fossilized coral is waiting for some bronze wire and sheet to come in (I’ve been inspired by a Game of Thrones character, what can I say), a friend has already claimed the azurite/malachite, and the labradorite and amethyst will be wrapped in sterling silver if I can figure out where the hell I put the SS I bought last month.
On the left, by the way, is Irena, the tiger’s eye cab wrapped with gold wire, gold beads and brick seed beads. When my buddy Peter heard that I’d bought the cab he said, “Mine! Just tell me when you get it done.” I love it when people do that.
On the right is a piece of picasso marble wrapped in gunmetal wire with silver, black, and base metal beads and a black crystal drop. I couldn’t resist calling it Winterfell — the streaks on the marble look like a forest in winter. Also, I may have been bingeing on Seasons 3 and 4 of GOT, I dunno. This one is still available if anyone has a hankering for it — $40 plus $3 shipping in the US.
In between the writing and the jewelry making I have to finish a quilt for a friend, get some cleaning and laundry done, and finish a long-pending video project for a buddy. But it’s a hell of a lot better than being bored, right?
In other news, I think I may have added a new actor to my favorites stable. I blame myself for avoiding GOT for so damn long, but now that I’m watching it I have to admit that I’m rather taken with Rory McCann, that tall Scottish drink of water who plays the Hound. I’m also kicking myself because he was at LoneStarCon 3 a couple of years ago making the rounds of the room parties, and I thought, “Meh. An actor. Whatever. I’m going to bed.” I swear, one of these days I’m going to stop sabotaging myself…
Fabulous Friday Reads: The Alpha’s Taboo Mate (Blood Moon Lynx #1)
Let’s kick off this lovely weekend with the first entry in Ravenna Tate’s new Blood Moon Lynx shifter series, The Alpha’s Taboo Mate. Take it away, Ravenna!
Writing shifters was something I was asked to do by so many readers, I felt I had to try it. Did I hit a home run? Only time will tell.
THE ALPHA’S TABOO MATE is book one in my new Blood Moon Lynx series. Here is the link to the series page on my website: http://ravennatate.blogspot.com/p/blood-moon-lynx.html
Here’s the series blurb: One thousand years ago, in an unholy alliance, a male lynx shape shifter and a female vampire became lovers. Both knew their mating was forbidden, but their desire for each other was too great to ignore. Under a blood moon, they mated. The lynx bit the vampire woman, marking her as his mate. The vampire in turn bit the male lynx shifter, marking him as hers forever.
But then the lynx took a human female as a lover, betraying the vampire and pack law. When the vampire discovered his infidelity, she struck out against the two, but in the end couldn’t kill her lover. The human female and the lynx turned on the vampire. While she slept in her coffin during the day, they drove a stake through her heart. Unbeknownst to them, in doing so they turned the vampire’s mark of possession on the lynx into a powerful curse that affected his descendants for all eternity.
Despite centuries of mating with other female cat shifters, the male lynx shifters still have vampire blood in their DNA. Because of this, they possess powers that include being able to see minute details at great distances, and being able to travel with tremendous speed while in partial or full shifted form. Their powers are strongest during a blood moon. When they mate with a human, however, the offspring possess enhanced negative traits such as greed and contempt for the pack and its laws.
As the legend of the unholy alliance grew into a myth, fewer cats believed in it, thus exposing all the packs to dangers that still lurk today…
Alpha lynx shifter Canyon Benedict has always known Fiera Kent was his mate. When leopard shifter Hawke Medina tries to claim her, in order to use her as leverage to gain control of the Kent fortune, Canyon takes matters into his own hands. But even after he and Fiera are officially mated, the threat from the Medina family is far from over.
Fiera has loved Canyon from the time she was a child, and is thrilled when he sneaks her away to his family’s secret cabin across the river so they can be mated. But Hawke won’t let it go. Canyon and his father eventually discover illegal business practices that uncover the Medina family’s web of deceit and lies affecting their entire village.
But is it enough? Will Canyon have to fight Hawke to determine which alpha can finally claim Fiera for life?
Story Excerpt
A powerful orgasm overtook her. In response, Fiera arched her back and cried out. Surely his dick inside her couldn’t feel better than this. If it did, she’d pass out from sheer joy. He continued sucking her clit and finger fucking her until the contractions began to subside. Once they did, he lay on top of her again and kissed her.
Fiera wrapped her arms and legs around his hot, hard body and shoved her tongue into his mouth. She tasted her own juices, but she didn’t care. This was so damn wonderful she might never leave this cabin. They could stay here, making love until they couldn’t walk, and she’d be just fine with that.
“Oh, Fiera…” Canyon sat back on his heels and stroked his dick again, then moved closer to her and guided it toward the opening to her wetness. “Are you ready?” His voice was so rough and gravelly, but that only added to the excitement.
“Yes!” She’d been ready for this most of her life. “Take me, Canyon. Make me yours.”
With a loud groan, he began to ease his cock into her pussy. Fiera held her breath and bit her lip because it hurt. “It’s all right, sweetheart. Try to relax your muscles.”
“Okay.” She smiled up at him, touched that he’d noticed her discomfort.
Canyon bent down and kissed her again, gently working his lips over hers until Fiera was so focused on the kiss and the heady sensation it sent coursing through her body, she didn’t realize his cock was finally inside her. There was no pain now, only a fullness that sent shockwaves of desire out to her fingers and toes.
“Oh, yes. That’s it.” When Canyon began to move, Fiera threw back her head and moaned loudly as the most exquisite pleasure flooded her senses. “You’re mine now, Fiera. No one can take you from me. We’re bonded forever!”
Where to Buy
Evernight
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
About Ravenna Tate
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads
Well, I didn’t expect to see this during the Olympics
And no, I’m not going to post any cute gymnasts or divers (although the pics coming out of Rio are indeed yummy). No, my unexpected moment was a letter from Redbubble saying that the Australian Olympic Committee sent them a DCMA takedown notice for my “Olympic Cove: Get Wet!” design, so they’d taken it down. This, by the way, is the image that the AOC says is violating their copyright:
Because clearly this image immediately makes you think about the Olympic Games, right? No? Oh.
*sigh* I’m sending a contesting letter, but I don’t expect it to help. Apparently the IOC managed to get some pretty ridiculous laws passed about copyrighted use of Olympic words, symbols, et al during the London Olympics and some bot came across my Redbubble page and found this. So in the interim this shirt will no longer be available on Redbubble, sorry.
It’s GOOD to have writer friends
This is Jeremy, looking at me and wondering when I’m going to put this warm silver thing down and feed him. He’s one of five cats who do this to me on a regular basis. I’m amazed I ever manage to finish a book.
So I’m working on Palace of Scoundrels (Two Thrones #2) and Matthias is not having a good time. His ally Tomas Villiers, Duke of Kelles and fearsome guardian of the Ypresian North Border, has fallen in love with and kindasorta kidnapped Lady Sibeal LeClerq, daughter of Henrietta LeClerq, Countess of Lierde (also a powerful Terra magistra and owner of the most fertile farmlands in Ypres).
Un petit problem — Sibeal has already been betrothed to Lord Clement Reynard, heir of the Earl of Leuwen (a rather recently ennobled family, and filthy rich). Clement was originally betrothed to Sibeal’s older sister Amelie, but they had a dreadful argument and Amelie broke the betrothal and refuses to take him back. The countess offered the Reynards Sibeal instead, and she was accepted. But Sibeal is in love with Villiers and doesn’t want to marry Reynard. Unfortunately, her mother laid a sterility spell on her and refuses to lift it unless Sibeal marries Reynard, and both Villiers and Sibeal really want children.
So they toss this in Matthias’s lap to sort out, which gives both him and me a headache (there’s a reason why I don’t usually write political intrigue). I was complaining to the brilliant and talented Michelle Muenzler that I had no idea why the Countess was so all-fired to marry one of her daughters off to the Reynards but it had to be important. Glorious woman that she is, she promptly said, “It’s not her pushing this. The Earl has something on the Countess, something major that could ruin her reputation and endanger her lands, and he wants to marry his son into her (major noble) family or he spills the beans.”
Et voila, the clouds parted, the sun shone, and I knew the Earl of Leuwen’s motivation and how this whole mess got started. More importantly, I think I know how to resolve it entertainingly. Now I just have to add a touch more flesh to the problem in Hellas (there’s a reason why I’m calling this Palace of Scoundrels, you know), and I have a complete book. Whee!
Oh, while I’m on the topic of political intrigue and thrones, something has recently come to my attention and I need to swear on the head of Barbara Cartland that I had never seen NOR read Game of Thrones until this July. I’m saying this now because I’m currently on book three and thinking, “Fuck, they have a young queen called Dany and I have a young queen called Danaë. And the Hound calls Sansa “little bird.” And there’s a divine entity called Lys — FUCK. They’re going to think I’m ripping off GoT.” All I can say in my defense is that European history, language, and terminology are being called upon lavishly by both myself and George R.R. Martin, and sometimes there’s going to be overlap. But from this point onward I will do my utmost to stay as far away from the terms of Westeros as possible.
Fabulous Friday Reads: Fierce Temper
Let’s kick off this lovely weekend with the second entry in N.J. Young’s Ozark Magic series, Fierce Temper. Take it away, N.J.!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! I am very happy to share my new release, Fierce Temper! If you like super hot book boyfriends, sizzling M/F/M ménage sex, serious suspense, and a laugh-your-ass off heroine, then I really hope you will check out Fierce Temper!
To celebrate my release, I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card! Enter my Rafflecopter drawing below!
Tessa Lawson has a secret… actually, she has a few. Not only did she used to be known as adult film star Temper Jazz, but she is also on the run after witnessing a murder and stealing $250K from a drug lord. She moved to Magic to hide, but will she be able to hide her heart?
Milo Livingston has his own demons. His guilt over a horrible accident that injured a friend has left him thinking he doesn’t deserve happiness. He surely doesn’t think that Tessa could ever love him.
When Milo’s friend, DEA Agent Archer Collins comes to town searching for Tessa, the trio’s world is thrown into upheaval. Archer is intent on bringing down the drug cartel responsible for his sister’s death. He never expected to fall in love with the key witness he’s been searching for.
After an attempt is made on Tessa’s life, Milo and Archer join forces to protect the woman they care about. Will both men be able to overcome their own demons and trust Tessa with their hearts? And will their love be enough to protect her from the dangerous people who want her dead?
Story Excerpt
Tessa swallowed, the heat from Archer’s touch sizzling through her. Milo’s hand slid to the back of her hair as if he wanted his own turn running his fingers through it. He caressed her hair gently, and she nearly moaned in pleasure.
This was a bad idea. A voice in her head kept saying it. But an even louder voice seemed to be kicking that little voice’s ass. Maybe the timing wasn’t ideal, but she was tired of holding back and putting up walls. She’d tried for so long not to let anyone get close enough to hurt her. Maybe it was time to just let everything go, just let herself go, even if it was only for one night.
“I uh, I mean, I’ve seen just about every emotion on your faces tonight. Anger, concern … desire? At least I think this is what desire looks like.”
“In case you’re unsure, let me clear things up for you.” Milo pulled her up so she stood in front of him. Even though she thought of herself as big, she felt dwarfed next to Milo.
When he leaned into her, her first instinct was to pull away, but Archer had backed up against her, cutting off any escape route. She began to wonder if the two of them had done this together before. They were gentle, but both of them held her firmly enough, making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere.
The heat from their bodies made Tessa’s heart pound and her entire lower half throb. It had been a long time since she’d felt this way. Archer’s hands rested lightly on her waist as he leaned in to nuzzle her hair. Milo’s big hand cupped her cheeks, his thumb rubbing sexy little circles. She swallowed hard, and suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Ever so slowly, he reached up to slide her glasses off. He folded them and handed them to Archer who placed them on the bedside table.
“What are you doing?” she managed to croak.
His hands immediately returned to cup her face, tilting her head up until her eyes met his. Those blue eyes had taken on a smoky tint, and she felt a shudder go through her body as she saw herself reflected in them.
“This. We’re doing this.” He bent his head slowly, giving her time to stop him, time to say no. But she didn’t want to stop him.
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Where to Buy
Evernight
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks
About N.J. Young
I’m a Midwestern girl and a lover of coffee, live music, and horror movies, not necessarily in that order.
I’ve been writing all my life, and I honestly can’t remember a time when I wanted to do anything but write. After many years spent suffering the trials of corporate America and writing about everything from financial risk management to software user manuals to website copy about radiators (sadly, I’m not kidding), I decided take the plunge and start writing books.
I love a good love story with super hot alpha males, strong heroines, a little humor, and a lot of suspense. Sprinkle in some sexual fantasies and a few BDSM aspects, and Boom! These are only a few of the themes you’ll find in my books.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably at Starbucks, or fighting evil with the help of my husband, two children, and our houseful of animals.
I Need My Office Back
As many of you know, I write full time from home, which is an amazing boon and one I’m grateful for each day. I even have my own office where I’m supposed to split my time between writing, sewing, and making jewelry. Except that over the last five years or so it’s gotten difficult for me to sit for long periods of time because my knees lock up and my ankles start to swell (this getting old shit sucks, I’ll tell you). The logical answer to that is to get up every hour and walk around for awhile, but sometimes that’s difficult if you’re hip-deep in a scene and don’t want to leave it. So you keep writing, then get up and almost fall over because your legs have turned to wood. Same problem when sewing or working on jewelry.
So for writing I moved downstairs into the living room, where I would sit with my feet extended on a footstool. It worked pretty damn well for a couple of years because Ramón would head off to the office and I’d have the house to myself, free to tap away on a story while keeping an eye on (and acting as a perch for) the cats. All was well, and many books were written.
And then last year Ramón was laid off in October. It quickly became apparent that working in the living room wasn’t, well going to work anymore. It was fine when I was the only one in the house, but when Ramón was also home all day looking for work, doing phone interviews and the like, it was like trying to write in a particularly loud Starbucks where the barista interrupts you to ask where his clean suit is.
Also, I have a tendency to talk to myself when I write, especially when I’m doing dialogue. And it can be problematic when you’re working on a scene and suddenly your beloved says, “What did you say, sweetie?” Not good when you realize you’ve been saying some really filthy things under your breath. And yeah, okay, I’m just gonna say it. It’s hard to write a hot M/M sex scene with my husband sitting next to me. Go figure.
But he got a new job in March so everything should be copacetic now, right? It is … except that he now works from home. And he likes to eat lunch while watching TV. And during his breaks he likes to check his email and read news on his laptop in the living room. And sometimes the silly romantic fool just likes coming downstairs and kissing me because he can, bless his heart.
Which means that the goal now is to turn the living room back into the public area it’s supposed to be and get my happy ass back into my office for work, and towards this end I have a plan. Thanks to EoS royalties I recently bought a lovely faux leather wingback chair that is also a recliner (in fact, I’m sitting on it right now) and put it in our front room/library. But that’s still a public area, and while it’s peaceful in here it’s also right next to the staircase which mean I now get all of Ramón’s comings and goings in the corner of my eye while working. I’d wanted to put the recliner into my office and work from there, but all available space is pretty much taken up with furniture and computer carts (my office holds the printers and routers).
So I threw this problem to Ramón, who is the master of spatial relations. It turns out that the printer cart is on wheels, and the router cart is 85% full of stuff that doesn’t need to be there (software DVDs and manuals, and a half-finished dollhouse. He suggested that I pick a time when we can disconnect the modem and router temporarily, move the dollhouse and software stuff Elsewhere, move the printer cart over to where the router cart is, find space on it for the modem and router, and reconnect them. That leaves a tidy chunk of open space right next to my office window, which would be a faboo place to put this chair.
So that’s on the cards for this weekend, which means as of next week I actually get to go work in my office AND CLOSE THE DOOR IF I WANT TO. Heaven. Of course the cats aren’t going to like it, so I’m going to have to negotiate visiting hours with them. But soon, my precious, very soon…
Blog Tour: The Fundamental Theory of Us
Today’s guest post goes to Alyse Raines and her amazing new NA erotic romance The Fundamental Theory of Us, now available online from Evernight Publishing and other purveyors of fine erotic romance. Here are ten fun facts about Alyse!
- Six is my fav number. I don’t know why, it just is!
- I cried when I met Carrie Ann Ryan. Like, hands shaking, ugly tears, panda eyes crying. And she hugged me. #allthelove
- I have a Fender Strat and a ukulele and can’t play either of them because of a neurological disorder (Chiari I) that makes my hands weak and shaky. Doesn’t stop me from trying, though!
- When I told a fellow author friend I’m bisexual, her response was texting me nude pics of her in the bath. Yeah, I made that WTF?!?! face too.
- Most of my hair fell out (all over my crown and two big patches on the right side of my head) thanks to my condition, so I shaved my weird-shaped head. Sometimes I wear a wig.
- The crown Prince of Norway (Haakon the HAWT) heard me say he was sexy. And he said thanks. And blushed. And I died.
- I think redheads are sexy. Men AND women.
- But I also have a thing for tall, dark, and inked dudes.
- Don’t make me choose between Starbucks coffee and my own iced mint-and-green tea.
- My family is my life, and I am blessed to have them.
Andrew Warren’s future was with the Marines, until an IED took his leg and derailed his career. Now he’s flunking Fundamentals, and he enlists the help of his fellow App State freshman and off-campus neighbor, Sawyer Layne. It’s not just the beautiful blonde’s looks that intrigue him, but the hurt in her eyes.
Sawyer spends her days surrounded by numbers and nights with a bottle of vodka to numb the darkness of her past. Guys like sexy, tattooed Andrew are exactly what Sawyer needs to avoid. Look but don’t touch—that’s the rule. If only his eyes weren’t so blue, and his abs not so chiseled….
When Sawyer resists his brand of charm, Andrew uses every devious tactic he knows to pull her from her shell. Falling in love was never part of the plan.
Story Excerpt
Sawyer reached her floor and wondered if she should head into town and find an internet café to do some searching and get ahead on some of her schoolwork. Her gaze went to Andrew’s door. Stupid. She shouldn’t get involved. Everything Sawyer touched turned to shit—her entire life served as proof.
She had just put her key in the lock when his door opened, and Rosie bounded into the hall, followed by Andrew. He filled the doorway, his face half-hidden in shadows. His eyes shone, two impossibly blue beacons in the night.
While Rosie licked Sawyer’s fingers, Andrew sucked in a breath and she felt his gaze moving down her body. He never lingered too long, but everywhere he looked, her skin tingled. He looked up at her and she heard him swallow.
“Rosie,” he said, his voice rough and deep. It vibrated through her. The dog gave Sawyer’s hand one last lick and bounded back across the hall, her tail whacking the wall. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.” Sawyer wished he hadn’t seen her in this. “Um, sorry about skipping out like I did. Rachel needed my help.”
Her mouth went dry as Andrew stepped out into the hall, wearing a pair of track pants and nothing else. The man was magnificent. The kind of model sculptors dreamed of carving into marble. Perfectly imperfect with all his scars, tattoos, and muscle. Powerful, but beautiful, too. Oh boy, those abs. If she could move at all, Sawyer would fan herself. Yep, Global Warming was all his fault.
“No worries.” Andrew’s fingers idly moved behind Rosie’s ear. “You left your pizza here, though.”
Sawyer shook her head. “No, it’s yours.”
She thought he’d press the issue, but Andrew only shrugged. “Big night?” He nodded at her outfit.
Sawyer laughed. “Like I said, Rachel asked me to do her a favor.”
One dark brow rose. “And that involved…?” He looked her leather Tinkerbell outfit over once more.
A prickly blush broke out every inch of her bare skin. “Not my idea. I don’t—dress like this. Ever.”
“Well, you look good.” He cleared his throat and glanced at the floor. The muscles in his chest tightened. “I’m just diving into this Fundamentals stuff. Well, drowning, more like it.” He smiled, reaching one arm behind him to scratch his neck.
Go inside. Lock the door. Hide. Sawyer squeezed her eyes tight, filled and emptied her lungs. When she opened her eyes, she saw Andrew watching her, a curious yet guarded shadow in his gaze.
“Do you need some help?”
He let his arm fall back to his side. The muscles flexed and relaxed, making his tattoos dance. “Only if you’re not busy.”
They had an agreement—and Sawyer always kept her word, when she could. “Give me a couple minutes?” She motioned to the leather, and regretted it when Andrew’s eyes darkened.
“Sure. I’ll be here.” He jerked his head toward his apartment.
Sawyer nodded, turned on her heels, opened her door, and slipped inside. For a few seconds, she leaned on the back of the door, giving her pulse a chance to calm down. The wood felt cool against her legs. She stripped out of the jacket, pulled the zipper on the dress, and let it pool around her feet, then stood in her bra and panties and heels, absorbing the chill. Five minutes with Andrew and her core temperature went way past critical.
After a minute, she straightened and gathered the expensive leather, and carried it to her closet, which was mostly empty. Everything she wore could be folded. What was the point of buying nice things when she didn’t want to be noticed? No one paid attention to the girl in oversized thrift-store clothes. No one except Andrew. And now he’d seen her like this. Sawyer caught her reflection in the closet door mirror. Through her white cotton bra, she saw the four long pink marks on her chest.
Sawyer turned away from the mirror. She hung the dress and jacket up, removed her heels and placed them on the closet floor. In her dresser, she pulled out a baggy sweater and a pair of jeans. She removed the makeup Rachel had painstakingly applied and she ran a brush through her hair, remembering that Andrew’s place didn’t have too much light. Besides, they’d be in school mode. Unlike most people she knew, studying to Sawyer was serious business, not an excuse to … do what other people seemed to do.
She left her apartment and knocked on Andrew’s door, keeping her gaze glued to the floor. She didn’t want to see the disappointment in his eyes when he saw her this time—now that he knew what she could look like when she made an effort. Because no amount of hell was worth taking that risk.
Where To Buy
Evernight
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Barnes & Noble
All Romance eBooks
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About Alyse Raines
Alyse Raines was born in Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles. She writes romance, and her obsessions include books, tea, sandals, turquoise jewelry, nail polish, and online shopping. Her debut NA contemporary romance The Fundamental Theory of Us is out now from Evernight.
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Wicked Wednesday Reads: A Wicked Halloween #99cents #preorder
Whee, it’s Wednesday! Never fear, for today I’m here with the nifty paranormal romance box set A Wicked Halloween that features Malediction from Erzabet Bishop and is now on pre-order for only 99 cents!
A WICKED HALLOWEEN: A Paranormal Romance Box Set of Tales Featuring Witches, Vampires, Shifters, Ghosts, and More is now available for pre-order!
Thirteen paranormal romance tales that will thrill and chill you just in time for All Hallow’s Eve. With many of the stories set in Salem—the ultimate city for witchy, demon, and shape-shifting delight—these tales will enthrall you with their sexy heroes and spellbinding characters. Salem has never been this hot!
Stories by: Gwen Knight, Debbie Herbert, Erzabet Bishop, C.E. Black, Angelica Dawson, Charlie Daye, Kiki Howell and Gina Kincade, Phoenix Johnson, Sherrie Lea Morgan, Elizabeth A. Reeves, Linda Thomas Sundstrom and Hope Welsh.
Story Excerpt
Excerpt from Malediction by Erzabet Bishop
Alistair spotted the gorgeous brunette across the room and, when she approached the refreshment table, he followed. For a millisecond he’d taken her for the scrawny woman in the red dress, but on closer inspection he was pleased to note the differences. Same dress, but the way this woman wore it, he was tempted to peel it from her, inch by scrumptious inch.
His pack mate had poured a few bottles of something into the punch and, while it was entertaining to watch some of the guests succumb to the antics of the season, he didn’t quite feel the same about the sexy female in front of him. This woman would be far more interesting sober, he had a hunch and his predictions usually turned out to be spot on. The markings on her arms intrigued him and he wondered if they covered more of her body. Like tendrils of smoke curling around her flesh, they spiraled around her skin in an unending pattern, giving him the urge to trace every single one and see where it led.
He should be home at Briarwood, but his duties as Beta brought him here to make sure Jessup didn’t get too out of hand. So far the pup had been a bit mischievous, but nothing that would make him worry. Whatever concerns he had melted when he gazed at the beauty in front of him, his animal taking control.
Serious gray eyes winked at him from behind an elegant lacy black mask and he had the urge to peek beneath it to see what she was hiding. Full lips bowed below the mask, and her mass of dark hair was wound into an up-do that he longed to plunge his fingers into while he explored her mouth with his.
Jesus, Alastair. Get a grip.
His wolf perked up when she’d come into view and his instinct to bed her followed in quick succession. He shook it off with a frown. One night stands were not his style, especially with women he didn’t know. He had other concerns and, as soon as he made sure Jessup wasn’t going to fuck up and intoxicate half of the wealthier citizens of Salem, he was out of here. Duncan was still missing and he’d left Laurel in charge in his stead.
But, her eyes. Fuck. They fairly glowed with a power that socked him in the gut as they watched him from behind the mask. When she wet her lips and took her bottom lip between her teeth, he almost lost the battle with himself not to let his beast take over and drag her into the nearest coat closet.
“Are you here with someone?” He cleared his throat, aware of the growl threading through his voice.
“No. Are you?”
“Just a couple of friends. What do you think? Want to end up in a compromising situation with a stranger?” He grinned and, seeing Jessup approach, steered her away from the refreshment table. Alistair wanted her to himself, at least for a little while.
“Seven deadly sins? How about a dance? With my footwork, that could lead towards all kinds of infractions.”
“Hmm.” He swung her into his arms and into the crowd, relishing the sensation of his hand on her lower back. The plunging view offered by her bodice made his body stand at attention and the wolf beneath his skin whined with want. “So, which deadly sin could you possibly have that would sink a guy faster than lust? That dress…”
“These shoes.”
“Oh, but those… those are not a sin. Not at all. In fact, I could look at them all night long.”
“You could, could you?” The woman laughed, deep and sensual. Her eyes snapped with amusement. “Then you try wearing them.”
“Maybe I will.” He wanted her, and the closer they got, the more obvious it was going to become. He weaved her around the dance floor, her movements matching his. Her perfume and the spicy scent of her hair were making it hard to concentrate. At the look in her eyes, he dragged her back hard against him, his animal wild in his blood.
“Do you want to get out of here?”
“Please.”
“Let’s get some air.” Alistair led her out onto the balcony, the twinkle lights flickered making the grounds outside the hotel look enchanted. He had to clear his head.
“Who are you?” Alistair brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“I’m just a girl who needs an escape from reality. How about you?”
“Same here.”
“Just a girl, huh?” The mystery woman smiled.
He gathered her into his arms, letting her feel the full force of his arousal. “I don’t know. I’m not feeling much like a girl right now.”
“No. I didn’t think you were.” She leaned into his embrace, her lips curving up in an inviting smile.
“What’s your name?”
“Bridget. Yours?”
“Alistair.”
“Well, Alistair. It’s nice to meet you. I have one question.”
“What’s that?”
“How long is it going to take for you to kiss me?”
“Time me.” Alistair’s mouth covered hers hungrily and he forced her mouth open with his thrusting tongue. She gasped, trembling within his embrace and he pulled her deeper into the shadows, away from prying eyes.
Where to Buy
Nook
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About Erzabet Bishop
Erzabet Bishop is an award winning and bestselling author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Crave, Snow (Three Times More Lucky Box Set), Malediction (upcoming-A Wicked Halloween Box Set), Map of Bones (upcoming-A Wicked Affair Box Set), Sanguine Shadows (Vampire Bites Box Set), The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Heart’s Protector, Burning for You, Red Hot (upcoming), Bayou Shadows (upcoming-Nola Naughty Nine) Hedging Her Bets (Alpha Fever Box Set), Cat’s Got Her Tongue (Alpha Heat Box Set), Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark (upcoming),The Devil’s Due (upcoming), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming), Sigil Fire, Glitter Lust (upcoming), Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Fantasies in Red, Sweet Seductions, Holiday Cruise, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts: Jess, Temptation Resorts: Marnie, Taming the Beast, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies.
Marvelous Monday Reads: R.I.L.Y. Forever
Welcome to another edition of Marvelous Monday Reads, pumpkins! Today I’m featuring Norah Bennett and her debut romance, R.I.L.Y Forever. Take it away, Norah!
Julia and Ethan meet at the age of sixteen and are drawn to one another, first as friends then as lovers. When everything and everyone Julia holds dear is threatened, Julia is forced to do the unimaginable. Under a veil of secrets and lies, the young lovers are violently separated. The last time Julia sees Ethan, he gives her a heart-shaped silver locket with the inscription, R.I.L.Y. Forever.
Twenty-two years pass before Ethan and Julia’s lives intersect again in a small town in Northwest Jersey. Their reunion is unexpected and emotional. Their passion reignites and their relationship flourishes despite Julia’s abusive ex-husband and Ethan’s possessive ex-wife. But the past rears its ugly head and the lovers soon discover that a foundation built on secrets will always crumble. Can Ethan and Julia overcome their painful past and learn the lessons of honesty, trust, and forgiveness in time to save their love?
Story Excerpt
Julia stopped walking, thinking, breathing! Her world narrowed to him—his tousled, thick, brown hair, his mesmerizing gray-blue eyes that changed with his every mood, and his long, thick lashes that were the envy of every girl in high school. Julia devoured Ethan with her eyes. She couldn’t help herself. She was starved. He was taller and more built than she recalled, but his handsome face with its square chin, slightly crooked nose from years of playing football, and full, sensuous lips, was the same image that visited her dreams nightly.
Julia knew the instant he became aware of her. He stopped answering Aimee as his gaze shifted and centered on her. His pupils widened and his eyes darkened to a smoky gray. Aimee followed his gaze. Her brows furrowed and she took a step toward Julia. But Ethan grasped her elbow and shook his head.
Julia’s eyes never left Ethan’s tall, muscular frame as he walked toward her. The room and all its inhabitants fell away until there was only him. The soft caress of his eyes touched every inch of her. She studied his face, but his expression was neutral. He stood silently examining her and it was left to Julia to break the silence. The problem was she had no idea what to say. No words were adequate to express how she felt. But as her eyes locked with his, she hoped they voiced what her lips couldn’t. She missed him. Missed him every second, minute, and hour they were apart. When he was hers, he was her best friend, her lover, her confidant. He was her everything. When she lost him, the ground beneath her feet shook so violently, it brought her to her knees and it took years to learn how to stand on her own, without him.
Tears pooled in Julia’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself. Ethan’s assessing gaze tracked her every movement and then his eyes, followed by his mouth, softened.
He remembered.
Where to Buy
Amazon US
Evernight
All Romance eBooks
About Norah Bennett
Norah is a contemporary romance writer living deep in the woods on a lake in NW Jersey. She has been married for thirty years to the love of her life. She has two adult children, a Great Dane, a Maltipoo, and a Cockatoo. There is never any peace in her house and she likes it that way.
By day she is a serious professor and administrator at a university in the Northeast. By night she lets her imagination flow as a romance writer. Although it is incredibly hard to balance both worlds, it’s a hell of a lot of fun walking around having this delicious secret, this alternate life that few people know about. Welcome to the world of Norah Bennett.
Nicola Cameron Writes 