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Marvelous Monday Reads: Open World – C.O.V.E.N.
Yes, it’s Monday once again, angels! Let’s ease into the week with another edition of Marvelous Monday Reads with Open World – C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss. Here’s a peek at how Open World came to be:
The world of C.O.V.E.N. (Clans of Vegas – Endless Night) first appeared in Evernight Publishing’s anthology Keyboards & Kink (available here: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/keyboards-and-kink/ & at other fine e-tailers) in Casey’s story, AFK.
In AFK, we saw a peek into I-D-8 Entertainment’s in-production MMORPG: Clans of Vegas – Endless Night, also known as C.O.V.E.N. when Beth and another gamer got sucked into the game for real.
Now, when it comes to Open World, it’s actually made up of parts from two novellas that had been previously published. Those stories were my very first published ones released in 2008 under my alter ego’s name. A few years ago, I received the rights back on them, and they sat in a file until this year. There’s been some major work done to revamp them from a sci-fi’ish plot to the computer gaming one present in the book today. I am so excited these stories, and more to come in the C.O.V.E.N. world, have found new life and a great new home with Evernight Publishing.
In the story, Open World, some of the employees of I-D-8 have joined together for a LAN party to test the game. For definitions on the computer gaming term: open world, check out http://www.techopedia.com/definition/3952/sandbox-gaming.
The world has broken out in wars. Las Vegas has been ravaged by chemical warfare and is now home to several clans and creatures.
Welcome to I-D-8 Entertainment’s newest game: Clans of Vegas—Endless Night.
Friends and family have gathered for a crunch time playtest of C.O.V.E.N.. When a horrible thunderstorm hits, everyone’s sucked into the game for real. In the MMORPG, Hope Collins is kidnapped by Buzz and forced to submit to his whims. Her boyfriend, Alden, has to delay his quest of defeating a clan’s prince to save her, but time and circumstance don’t seem to be on his side. Faith Collins is bombarded by strange dreams brought on by Buzz. Her boyfriend, Tavis, learns to dream walk, but can he help break the spell she’s under and save her before she’s lost to him?
C.O.V.E.N. is more than just a game. It’s a whole other world.
Story Excerpt
He homed in on the guy, and repulsive vibes poured over him. Thoughts, full of ill intent, infiltrated his mind.
The man’s here to claim. Conquer. End game…power.
The prince had changed his name, but to what he didn’t know. He couldn’t fault the man on that kind of switch. He and his buddy, Tavis, had assigned themselves new names, too.
Alias or no, though, the royal’s presence was a cause for high concern.
Does he know of mine and Tav’s existence? Our ultimate mission?
He calmed his thoughts, fixated on the man again. Answer—negative. Good.
The prince didn’t know about the two of them, but the man did have the same plan…make nice with the family to apprehend one of the two daughters, or the cousin if need be.
He snorted. Same plan. Yeah, right. In the prince’s case, his eagerness to have one of the women stemmed from nefarious reasons.
Den’s eyes shot open. The black of the grill and the off-white concrete appeared less vibrant than they had moments before. The light of day dimmed more. He blinked, then looked up. The sky had darkened with the formation of thick gray clouds. The forecast had mentioned a thirty percent chance of showers, but everyone believed if it were to rain it wouldn’t happen until much later or the storm would fizzle after it spent itself in the upper elevations.
Frustrated over his uneasiness due to the perplexing vibes, his trying to rationalize the afternoon and the changing weather, he ran his fingers through his hair.
And what the fuck were all those thoughts about? Mirroring that of my C.O.V.E.N. character and the quests I’ve been on? Nothing like this ever’s happened before. Did the programmers do something to the game to affect us?
As one of the level designers on the development team, he’d been a part of the alpha-testing and minor playtests during the creation process. Mr. Gott, the head honcho of the whole design department, thought implementing a lot of tests along the way would cut down on major changes during the last phases. From what he understood, the closed-beta test he, Mr. Gott and several others had performed a handful of weeks ago to check a couple of clans, hadn’t turned out as well as expected. Hence the LAN party, a crunch time playtest to see what was going on before they implemented another beta run. All the designers and programmers, along with any friends and family members who were interested in giving C.O.V.E.N. a try, were present.
Except if there’s something in the game that’s going to mind fuck everyone, shouldn’t we call it a day? I didn’t sign on for crap like this. I’m sure no one else has either.
Where to Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
About Casey Moss
Casey Moss delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…
Where to find Casey Moss
Marvelous Monday Reads: Surrender Sweet Succubus
Hello, and welcome to another edition of Marvelous Monday Reads! Today I’m featuring the paranormal erotic romance Surrender Sweet Succubus by Jewel Quinlan, which stars a fertility specialist with some very interesting cross-specialization. Read on!
When Dr. Stephen Wallace, a fertility specialist from Sydney Australia, is approached by his brother and sister-in-law for help conceiving a child there is no way he can refuse. Since they have already exhausted all the possibilities modern medicine can provide, Stephen turns to his skills as a shaman for alternative solutions. His search leads him to Las Vegas, Nevada on a slim lead to capture a succubus who he hopes has the power to help. But when he meets Geneva, the exotic and passionate succubus, he finds himself being captured instead.
Story Excerpt
“I came here because I was looking for a succubus…” he began.
“Mm hm. Well, you found one.”
He lost his train of thought as she rolled a tube of lipstick over her lips. The same lips that had been wrapped around his cock last night doing the most wicked things to him.
She finished and started to walk back into the bathroom but her feet stopped short just before the door as if she had hit an invisible barrier. The look on her face was almost comical.
“What the…?” She backed up a step and then tried to move forward again but was halted once more in the same place. She reached in front of her and grabbed the doorway then tried to pull herself through but from the waist down, nothing else moved.
“What the hell is going on?!” She sounded scared now.
He stood. It was working, the binding spell was working! “Okay, I don’t want you to get upset but I put a binding spell on you.” He couldn’t help feeling bad about it. It wasn’t really in his nature to cast such spells but it had been necessary.
“You did what?” Her tone turned to acid and her eyes narrowed.“A binding spell,” he repeated, “So you can’t go more than three yards away from me. Sorry, were you trying to go to the bathroom?”
He moved closer to give her more slack so she could go in. She stumbled slightly as the perimeter of the bind shifted. She straightened, looking even more upset, and moved away from the bathroom towards the front door.
“How dare you!” she raged. “I am not to be held in bondage by any man. Release me at once!” Her hands scrabbled at the door behind her for the knob.
“I’ll remove it, I swear! It’s just, I need your help with something and I didn’t want you to disappear. I wasn’t sure how you would react when I told you I knew what you were.”
“You think I’m going to help you now!?” She looked like she would hit him if she could. Her eyes blazed emerald fire.
“I think, when you listen to what I have to say, you will.”
“And what if I don’t want to listen? You’re going to force me?”
He started to negate it but then stopped. She was right. The look in his sister-in-law’s eyes had haunted him since they’d spoken. He couldn’t let her down. Couldn’t let them both go on with the heartache of being childless. He shook his head, not knowing what to say.
“That’s it, I knew it! You men are all the same. You just take what you want and bend other people to your will.”
He held his hands out to her in pause. “Now look, I don’t even know if you can help me. I just wanted the opportunity to discuss it with you. That’s all. But before we do there’s something else I have to tell you about.” Better to come clean right away. He slowly inched forward towards her.
She yanked the door open. “I don’t care! Whatever it is, I’m not doing it you jerk!” she said, turning to go.
He quickly called out, “I just wanted to be honest and tell you…”
She took one step and then crumpled into a heap on the carpet.
“…about the sedative.”
Where to Buy
About Jewel Quinlan
From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels. She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.
Where to find Jewel Quinlan
Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: Doris O’Connor
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to the magnificent Doris O’Connor, whose gorgeously hot new book Through the Dom’s Lens is now available from Evernight Publishing and other purveyors of fine erotic romance. And now, here’s Doris!
Thanks so much for having me here today.
I read an interesting article recently, about what Men really see when they look at you, and you could sum it up as such.
Whatever you don’t like about yourself, chances are your man loves it, because it makes you unique. Add to that my gran’s saying that men want something to hold onto when they fuck…(yes, she really did say that to me, when I was modelling back in Germany and starving myself to be skinny)… and I do wonder why so many of us struggle to just accept what and who we are.
Sure, there will be men who prefer skinny women, just like there will be men who prefer curvy ones, and plenty of other themes in-between. We all have a type we go for, after all.
Here comes another saying from my dear gran. For every pot there is a lid. In other words there’s someone out there for everyone. Sometimes you just need to kiss some frogs before you find your prince.
Now, in Sally’s case she kissed one rather ugly frog that made her not only wary of men, but means she hates her picture taken. Add to that the fact that she really wants to experience the lifestyle, and it narrows the field even more.
So, when her sister asks her to step in for her at this photo shoot, she can’t resist temptation, even though she is full of self-doubt and apprehension.
It falls to Master J to convince her that she is exactly who he’s been looking for…
Sometimes doing a favor can change your life forever.
Never one to rate her curves, Sally thinks her glamorous sister has lost the plot. Stand in for her at a photo shoot with the most sought after bondage photographer ever?
She’ll be laughed out of the studio, or arrested, or both. However, the temptation to actually meet the man she’s been secretly lusting after for months proves too hard to resist.
Junsako cannot believe his eyes, when Sally turns up. It’s been a long time since the Dom in him felt such an instant pull to anyone. All those curves will look beautiful in Shibari suspension, and Sally proves to be a born submissive. If only she would let go of her body issues and see the beautiful woman he sees through his lens.
Only one thing to do—convince her—with as much kinky sex as possible.
Story Excerpt
“I want you to do something for me, pet. I want you to close your eyes and remember that feeling.”
She frowned at him, but her eyes fluttered shut and after a while she smiled.
“Good, you’re there in your mind?”
“Yes, Sir, I think so.”
“Good girl, now open your eyes and look at the screen again.” She tensed immediately and her smile slipped, but she did open her eyes and glanced at the screen. He’d changed the image to a slide of the process of her being bound. The first one showed her stood in front of him, looking nervous as hell, and she tensed even more when she saw it.
“What do you see, pet? Truly look at the picture, past the body, concentrate on your facial expression and remember how you felt.”
She bit her lip, and her nose screwed up in concentration, but eventually she answered him.
“I was nervous…” she glanced at him and then continued in a whisper, “and turned on.”
“Good girl, now the next picture. What do you see?”
In this shot she was half in her chest harness and blindfold, and Junsako hardened as he, too, remembered the heady thrill of binding her soft flesh in the rope. The picture didn’t do the eroticism of the art justice. In his mind’s eye, however, he heard her soft sighs and mewls, he felt the rope slide through his fingers and mark her skin, as she sank further into that blissful state of submission.
Sally remembered it, too, if her increased breathing and the dampness seeping through his sweat pants were any indication. He didn’t say anything else, afraid to break the moment, just continued to bring up picture after picture, until she wriggled on his lap, and he was hard enough to pound concrete again.
By the time they were back at the picture he intended to use, tears were falling down Sally’s cheeks, but she was smiling this time.
“Thank you, Sir, for helping me remember what it felt like. I still see a fat woman, though. I know I’m not skinny and … oh.”
The breath whooshed out of her lungs when he stood up with her and flung her over his shoulder. It was a matter of moments to cross the distance to his bedroom, and Sally shrieked when he threw her on the bed face down.
Before she had even stopped bouncing he grabbed her ankles and yanked her down until her ass hung over the edge with her knees on the floor. He kicked her legs apart, and took a moment to admire the view in front of him. With a flick of the remote he turned on the ceiling spotlights. The soft lighting illuminated Sally’s shapely ass. With her legs spread wide, he had a perfect view of her glistening pussy. Her cunt got wetter the longer he just stood there and watched her, and when she tried to push herself up on her elbows he urged her back down on the bed with his hand flat on the small of her back.
“Stay still, pet. It amuses me to watch you like this. You have the most perfect ass, my love. It will look even more beautiful when it’s pink from my hand.”
Sally whimpered, and more of her juices slipped out of her clenching hole.
“I’m going to spank that ass now, and then I’m going to fuck it. My little pet will like that, I think. Give me a color, pet.”
****
Sally’s heart beat so fast in her ears she was sure she’d have fallen to the floor had she not been lying down already. Junsako’s dirty words made her so wet her juices were sliding down her inner thighs, and she found it difficult to concentrate on his words.
An open handed spank to her left ass cheek stung, and before she could open her mouth another one followed to the right side this time.
“I asked you a question, pet. What color are you?”
“Gr-green.” She murmured the words into the cover, as he dug his fingernails into her tender skin and grabbed a generous handful. That should have mortified her, but somehow it didn’t.
“I can’t hear you, pet.”
His strained voice soothed her concerns. He sounded like a man aroused, and it gave her an enormous thrill that he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.
“Green, Sir. I’m so green. Please don’t stop. I—”
The next spank set her ass on fire and sent her further up the bed, until her hips dug into the edge. It was padded, with little hard nobbles, and just the right height to stimulate her clit, as she discovered with the next few well-placed open handed swats from his hands. He hit a different spot on her ass every time, and with the added stimulation from the torture devices attached to the side, she was close to coming in record time.
Higher and higher she flew until time lost all meaning, and all that mattered was the breathtaking pause before he spanked her again. When he finally stopped heat radiated from her ass all over her body in rolling waves of bliss, and she ground herself against the edge. So close, she was so damn close.
Junsako grabbed her hips and pulled her away from the bed, and Sally whined her protest.
He kissed her shoulder, and chuckled into her neck, as his whole body seemed to engulf her. His hard cock nestled in the cleft of her ass, and he delivered little bites along her back, parallel to her spine. Every sharp sting made her moan, interspersed as it was by his murmured words.
“So beautiful, my pet. This luscious body belongs to me, and you will not come without my permission, will you, pet?”
PLUS: Check out a Bonus Scene from this story here on Doris’s blog.
Where To Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
Amazon UK
Bookstrand
All Romance E-books
About Doris O’Connor
Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris… at least that’s what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.
There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps.
She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get. From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed.
Where to find Doris O’Connor
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
All Romance E-books
Bookstrand
Marvelous Monday Reads: Untangle Me
Hello, and welcome to this holiday edition of Marvelous Monday Reads, angels! Let’s warm up the last Monday before Christmas with the smouldering paranormal erotic romance Untangle Me by S.J. Maylee. This is what S.J. has to say about her book, its hero and the pleasure of little luxuries:
The hero of Untangle Me is a successful businessman. With all his wealth, extravagances are easy to come by. I believe luxuries don’t have to be costly or out of reach. Here are my top five inexpensive favorite things:
- Spritz of lavender water on my pillow. Certain smells can take my stress away. There’s nothing like my mom’s cooking or a fresh cup of coffee, but when I need to quiet my mind and breath deep, a simple spray of lavender can help my mind let go and relax.
- Chocolate. Any kind of sweet yummy chocolate is an indulgence. It doesn’t take long to enjoy a little morsel either, but they take me to a happier place.
- A snazzy drink. For me it will probably be a cup of coffee from my favorite local coffee joint. I make an excellent cup of coffee at home, but there’s something about going out and having it done for me that makes it better.
- Watch something funny. It doesn’t matter if it’s an old favorite or something new. Every week, I take the time to sit down, put my feet up, and laugh.
- Call a friend. I have several friends that live several states away. Although I might not have seen them this year, a few minutes on the phone will bring us right back together and will do wonders at stripping away my stress.
These are just a few of my favorites. One of them is Ivy’s favorite too. She’s the heroine in Untangle Me. You’ll have to read the story to find out which one and the heart breaking reason why she needs it. I wish I could talk about it more. I love this story and I hope you will too.
Ivy’s revenge on the people behind her family’s downward spiral is simple and it’s working. There’s no need to long for help from the wealthy business owners who turned their backs on her father. Ivy may be worn out, but she’s finding herself again after joining the local BDSM club.
Seth has it all. He has homes around the world and the little red speedster he dreamed of as a little boy, but none of the things he can buy satisfy him, not the socialites hanging on his arm or the submissives falling at his feet. Then, he hires Ivy to plan his next event.
Seth and Ivy enjoy each other’s company in and out of the planning stages for Seth’s charity event. Their playful bets lead them to a first date. When their secret kinks are revealed, the pair fall deep, but it’s not meant to last. Past hurts come back to haunt Ivy. Now, it’s time for Seth to use all he’s learned, regardless if he can win back the girl.
Story Excerpt
Where was Seth?
Once in the center of the dance floor she turned in a circle, looking every direction.
There.
From the center seat at the bar, Seth’s direct stare held her captive. A new song excited the crowd and cheers surrounded them, but neither of them paid it any attention.
His jacket and tie were gone, giving her a closer look at his all-male body. The top button on his white shirt was undone. She wanted to undo the rest and get a glimpse at what lay underneath. Round shoulders tapered to his waist. She bit her lip as she imagined his length.
He made no move to come to her, his elbow still rested on the bar. He was a man waiting for the world to come to him.
Not the world. Her.
The comfortable confidence and the heat shining in his eyes turned her on. She swayed her hips to the hypnotic beat. Her hands felt their way up her thighs, around her hips, and an inch past her waist, he got up and walked towards her.
In no time, his feet stepped in between hers and together they rocked to the music. The drums and base from the band pushed a rhythm into her body, driving her desire. Their fingers interlaced. She snuggled closer and breathed in his clean musky scent.
She wanted to touch him, but he kept a hold on her hands. He pushed them both behind her, causing her back to arch and her breasts to press deliciously into his hard body. Heat rolled through her. She let her head fall back, exposing her neck.
His lips brushed across her collarbone. They continued to rock back and forth, their hips swaying and rubbing together. He took her wrists in one hand and his other stroked down her neck, over her shoulder, caressed the side of her breast, and around her waist to land on her butt. He squeezed her ass and pressed her into the hard ridge of his cock. She lowered her chin and moaned as she took in his expression filled with raw desire. A slow devilish smile lit his features and sent a tremble through her.
The song ended and another began while they continued their dance. He let go of her hands and she wrapped them around his neck. Both of his hands molded her ass. She nuzzled his neck, taking a nibble and a few kisses as she breathed him in. She wanted more.
Lots more.
She made her way closer to his mouth. Before she stole a kiss, she looked into his eyes. His brown eyes had darkened to the color of night, matching his hair. She sucked on her lower lip.
“You know what you’re doing, right?” he asked.
“I know I want you.”
“The Masters work the back rooms on club nights. But we can stay on the dance floor all night, if you want.”
“You’re talking about the one on one rooms?” She sucked in a breath.
“I don’t think this crowd is prepared to see what I want to do to you.”
“Can we go back there? I want to go back there.” She looked directly into his eyes.
Where to Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Bookstrand
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.
Where to find S.J. Maylee
Marvelous Monday Reads: Night of the Horse
Welcome to Marvelous Monday Reads, angels! Enjoy an entirely pumpkin spice-free Marvelous Monday Read with the delightful new paranormal erotic romance Night of the Horse by Elodie Parkes. This is what Elodie has to say about her book:
Hi Nicola,
Thank you for inviting me here to talk about my hot new Evernight release, ‘Night of the Horse.’
The inspiration for the book came from seeing a paddock with more than thirty horses grazing in it. I have to travel sometimes with my job, and there’s a particular route I need to take to get to one part of the county. It takes me through beautiful countryside and past what I believe is the back of a horse stud. The first time I saw the paddock full of horses they were dotted about grazing. It’s a massive grassy area that slopes upwards to a hedgerow. I slowed my Jeep right down to look at the horses, but another vehicle suddenly came along on the country road and I had to drive on. On my way back, I hoped to see the horse again, but they were gone.
When I was asked to go that way again for work, I took my camera, hoping to photograph the horses, because they are all different colors and sizes, and very lovely.
The paddock was full of them again and they were running, galloping around and around as if they were in some mysterious race only they knew about. I found a place to take my Jeep off the road and walked back to photograph them. I’d only taken a few minutes to do it, but when I reached the paddock where the fence allowed access, only two horses were left, a white one with a long flowing mane and a tall glossy black one. Who knows where the others had gone, maybe over the hill through a gap in hedgerow I couldn’t see.
I stood by the fence and both horses walked down to me. I had climbed onto the bottom wooden bar of the fence and balanced there. The black one came right away up to me and nudged my shoulder. Then the white one pushed his head away turned back to me and nodded. I think they were used to someone coming along with apples or carrots, but it was funny and so nice to have those two gorgeous animals communicate with me like that.
On my way back home after work the paddock was empty. That night I started writing, ‘Night of the Horse.’
A lonely young woman signs up for dance lessons. Two gorgeous guys find her as fascinating as she finds them. On the country road where she lives, she hears horses in the night, and opens her bedroom window to watch them gallop. They’re beautiful, a silver white horse and tall black horse…they turn to stare at her. Had they heard and understood when she sighed over them?
Story Excerpt
She gazed at Jude. When he opened his arms to her, she went into them. He held her close, a hand in her hair and an arm around her waist, cradling her against his chest. She raised her head, and Jude bent his, until his lips were so close to hers it was agony as she craved his kiss.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, unable to stand the wait.
Jude kissed her. A wave of desire started in her stomach and reached to between her legs, where she pulsed with need. He kissed her and she clung to him, kissing him back eagerly. Jude held her head and moved his face against hers as they caught their breath. His eyelashes brushed her cheek.
“Do you want more?” His voice was velvet, dark and enticing.
Where to Buy
Evernight
Amazon
Amazon UK
All Romance eBooks
BookStrand
About Elodie Parkes
Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.
Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent, darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
Elodie writes for, Hot Ink Press, Moon Rose Publishing, Eternal Press, and Evernight.
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.
Where to find Elodie Parkes
Blog
Tumblr
Facebook
Twitter
Google +
Pinterest
YouTube
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Smashwords
KOBO
SONY
Barnes and Noble
All Romance eBooks
Elodie is giving away five copies of the book Night of the Horse. Enter the draw via the Rafflecopter with just a comment on the blog.
Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: Jewel Quinlan
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to Jewel Quinlan, whose hot new erotic romance Rock Star Ex is now available from Evernight Publishing and other retailers of fine erotic romance.
Hi Nicola! Thanks for having me on your blog J and hello to your readers!
Wow, Nicola, you’ve been a busy girl. So impressed by all the work you have completed and all that you have in progress. I LOL’d at the title at the top of your Works in Progress page “Sleep? What means this word, sleep?” I can totally identify.
Where Jewel Gets Her Writing Inspiration
I think all kinds of artists are asked this question and I’ll have to listen more carefully next time I hear someone answer it. For me, inspiration seems to be coming from everywhere. I’m lucky, I suppose, because I never seem to lack for ideas. It’s just the finishing-the-story aspect that I used to struggle with until this year. Anyway, I continue to be surprised by the sources of inspiration. One time I went to see a movie and, during the previews, they showed clips of fireworks in trailer. From that I had an awesome flash of an idea for a post-apocalyptic story I’ve been dying to write. Just from that, I had a fabulous notion on how to upheave the normal story world. I immediately pulled my cell phone out and furiously typed notes in the dark theatre while people nearby glared at me. Jeez! Don’t they know inspiration striking when they see it? LOL.
Another time I was on a long drive through the desert and a whole bunch of super plot points for a story struck me. Luckily I had a note pad and pen handy so I could scribble notes in my lap as I drove. (Don’t ever do this, it’s very dangerous) Thankfully there were only the tumbleweeds around that day who could have been victims of my distracted driving. From then on I have been practicing using the dictation feature of my iPhone. However, the sound of my own voice is so distracting, it’s taking some time to get used to it. But then, I had a hard time getting use to my laptop as well. The sound of typing and a blank white screen is enough to wipe any writer’s mind clean, in my opinion.
I also had a flash of inspiration while re-watching Bedazzled for the hundredth time. I was never inspired while watching it any of the other 99 times, why now? But you learn not to question it. Whenever I have an idea I immediately write it down somewhere; leftover tissue, napkin, bubblegum wrapper, whatever. The important thing is that I don’t leave it to my shoddy memory. Inspiration is as flighty as a feather in a hurricane. It’s cut from the same cloth as dreams. So, when it comes into view, you have to latch tightly onto it.
For me inspiration comes from continuing to living a fabulous life and having great new experiences while exploring this awesome world. Yeah, except for the sleep deprivation aspect, writers have it pretty good.
Now, on to details of Rock Star Ex which is currently available…
Social media consultant Eve Everett is less than thrilled when her business partner hooks them up with a job covering celebrity rock band Arsenal. Their new lead singer, Devon Quinn, is the man who broke her heart five years ago. But there’s no way Eve can turn down the assignment. It’s the big break their fledgling company needs.
To boost Arsenal’s social media presence the band’s manager wants intimate coverage, especially of Devon, which means traveling with the band in their tour bus while they promote their new album. It’s not long before Devon tries to rehash the past but Eve would rather leave it buried where it is.
When Eve is asked to be part of a music video, she decides it’s a great opportunity to reap some revenge by showing Devon what he’s missing. But soon she’s the one losing control. Will Devon once again claim her heart as well as her body?
Story Excerpt
Excerpt:
“It’s good to see you again, Eve,” he said softly so the others wouldn’t pick up on it. He knew she wouldn’t want to hear it. It couldn’t be helped, but it just had to be said.
Her head snapped up, eyes wide.
“That’s what I wanted to say the other night, but you didn’t give me a chance.”
Big mistake.
Her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t give you a chance? Then I’d say we’re even.”
“Look, Eve, things didn’t happen the way you’re thinking. It wasn’t like that.” He set the bottom of Tommy’s guitar on the floor, his hand on the neck, and leaned closer in to talk to her.
“The way I’m thinking?” she repeated. Standing up straight, she stuck one foot out to the side and said in a low hiss, “Look, Devon, the facts are the facts. You left and I never heard from you again. Not once. It has nothing to do with the way I’m thinking.”
He tensed. It was happening again. She was misunderstanding him. “No, look, that’s not what I mean, okay?”
“Oh, then what do you mean?” She cocked her head at him and waited.
“It’s…it was hard on the road, to keep in touch with anyone, for a lot of reasons. You don’t know what it was like. I mean we were bouncing around from place to place, driving for long periods of time and then having to work until really late at night. It was pretty much impossible to communicate. Besides, you had no answering machine back then, remember?”
She visibly puffed up. “I see, so it’s my fault you couldn’t communicate with me?”
“I’m not saying it was anyone’s fault, Eve. Just that there was no way to call.” He felt relieved. He had finally been able to tell her, to explain. Maybe now she would understand. Well, when she calmed down at least.
“And you couldn’t write a letter?” She spoke quietly but the words dripped acid.
She had him there. Even though she was several inches shorter he suddenly felt very small. He looked down and stuck a hand in his pocket, not knowing what to say. That was an even more complicated topic.
Her cold eyes were on him. The silence stretched on for another moment. Before he could gather any other words to try to explain she turned and headed back up front, her ponytail slapping him in the face as she went.
Where To Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks
Goodreads
About Jewel Quinlan
From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels. She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.
For more information visit www.jewelquinlan.com, or you can follow her on Facebook, and Twitter.
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Marvelous Monday Reads: Under The Alpha’s Protection
Welcome to Marvelous Monday Reads, angels! Let’s warm up the first Monday in October with the smouldering paranormal erotic romance Under The Alpha’s Protection by Doris O’Connor. This is what Doris has to say about her book:
Thanks so much for having me here today!
Let me take you back to your University days. Imagine the most popular guy on campus, the one all the girls lust after, and all the boys emulate to be like. Got that picture in your head? Now look at yourself, or in this case Nikita. Can you see her, geeky, studious, and carrying far too many pounds to attract much male attention?
Then imagine the crowded commons room. It’s fresher’s week and Nikita is feeling rather overwhelmed, and who comes to her rescue? None other than that most popular guy on campus, of course, Raoul. What follows is a five year strong friendship, which sees these two support each other through thick and thin. Raoul never crosses that line of friendship, no matter how much Nikita might secretly wish that he did. Of course he wouldn’t be interested in her in that way. He favours the cheer leader types, that he can boss around, and that will not give him lip back … or so she thinks.
What Nikita doesn’t know is that Raoul is a wolf shifter, and that his beast has chosen her for his mate.
This Alpha will do anything to protect his mate, especially from his baser urges. His little human would never willingly submit to him or any man … or so he thinks.
When a threat to his leadership results in an attack on Nikita, everything changes.
Nikita Ashton and Raoul Saint Germain have been friends for five years, so when Nikita is attacked, there is only one place she can run to—straight into Raoul’s arms.
Raoul is the Alpha of his pack and he is furious that the woman he loves has been harmed on his territory. Were it not for the fact that Nikita does not believe in anything even remotely paranormal, his wolf would have claimed her aeons ago.
Nikita is in need of tender, loving care, not his baser needs that are threatening to overtake him.
However, when Nikita admits that she knows about his being in the lifestyle, the Dom in him cannot resist the challenge to make her his submissive.
Blissfully happy in their new Dom/sub relationship, everything changes when Nikita is kidnapped. Can Raoul get to her in time to save her life?
Story Excerpt
“Drink, squirt.”
Nikita didn’t even think to argue, so enthralling was his deep voice, and she drank the cool liquid eagerly, until he took the water bottle away and his hot, firm lips touched hers. Her barely banked down arousal flared into an inferno again, and she moaned when he broke the kiss and licked along her jaw. His curiously rough tongue reminded her of her cat at home, and created exquisite friction along her sweat slicked skin.
“Get on the bed for me and lie down on your front.” The whispered words into her ear galvanized her into action, and he murmured his approval.
“Good girl. I’m going to restrain you now, my sweet girl. Just your arms to start with, and then I’m going to fuck you.”
She couldn’t stop her moan at those words, and he laughed, the sound so low and sexy, Nikita was sure she could come from listening to his voice alone. He ran a hand down her spine until he reached her butt, and then he scraped his nails along the tender flesh. The burn was pain and bliss all wrapped into one, and she jumped when he parted her ass cheeks.
He dropped a kiss on her anus and slipped a finger into her pussy causing her to pant, and her internal muscles pulled tight, and tried to draw the digit inside. Raoul laughed softly and slipped another finger into her desperately clenching cunt at the same time as his tongue pushed through the tight ring of her muscle that had never been breached before. Warmth spread through her as that tongue probed in tune with his fingers in her pussy. He took her right to the edge and then withdrew.
“Nooooo.” The high-pitched wail leaving her mouth didn’t sound like her voice at all. Raoul paid no heed to her whimpering. Instead he grasped one of her arms and pulled it upwards, and then there was the sound of Velcro and something soft and thick wrapped around her wrist.
He ran his finger underneath the restraint, and then his face appeared in her blurry vision. Unlike earlier when her mind had played tricks on her, this time round all she saw was Raoul in all his ruggedly handsome glory. Her mouth went dry at the sight of his bare chest. He must have somehow got undressed when she wasn’t paying attention, too caught up in the myriad of sensations he’d already coaxed from her body.
If this was what kinky sex did, then Nikita couldn’t understand why more people didn’t embrace this lifestyle. Never in her life had she been this turned on. Raoul repeated the process to her other arm until she was tied and couldn’t move.
“What’s your safe word, squirt?”
“Red, but I don’t need it. Please don’t stop.”
“Good girl.”
The approval in his voice washed over her senses, and Nikita was close to tears, so overwhelmed was she by the intensity of the moment.
With her breasts squashed into the bed, her nipples chafed against the cover, and she bucked when he slid his hands under her and pinched each nipple in turn. With his naked chest pressed against her back, exerting pressure on the left-over soreness there, Nikita felt owned, and used, and she reveled in that feeling, as he rolled each hard nub between his fingertips and pulled. Darts of arousal shot through her body to her clit, and she couldn’t help her breathless moan.
“Oh, that feels so good.”
He kissed her shoulder and withdrew again. Tiny stings to her back made her gasp. Each sting was soothed by soft lips.
“Turn your head and look at us in the mirror. I want you to see me fuck you. I want you to see my cock plundering your sweet cunt, so that you’ll know who owns you.”
Instead of appalling her, those words excited her further, and she dutifully turned to look. Even though her vision was hazy she could see him towering over her, his body so big and dark compared to her, and every fiber of her being tensed when she caught the first glimpse of his cock. Thick and long, it rose from its thatch of dark hair, his heavy balls swinging underneath as he moved. Raoul took himself in hand and stroked his dick from head to root with slow measured moves that had her mewling anew.
“Beg me for my cock, girl. Tell me you want it. Tell me you’re mine.”
“Yes, anything, please. I need you …. I need your cock … Sir.”
The tagged on address made him growl, and Nikita closed her eyes when he placed several cushions under her hips until her ass was elevated.
“So wet, so beautiful. Who owns this pussy, squirt?”
“You do, Sir.”
“Damn fucking right, I do.”
He slid the thick head of his erection through her pussy lips, and Nikita held her breath as his heat branded her. He repeated that process over and over until Nikita wanted to scream and her nerve endings were strung so tight, she could barely breathe. She yanked on her restraints, but it was useless. When he finally breached her hole it was with agonizing slowness that awakened every one of her vaginal nerves, and she grit her teeth at the sensation of being filled and stretched to capacity.
Where to Buy
Evernight
Amazon
All Romance e-Books
BookStrand
About Doris O’Connor
Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris… at least that’s what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.
There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps.
She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get. From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed.
Where to find Doris O’Connor
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
All Romance E-books
Bookstrand
Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: Annalynne Russo
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to Annalynne Russo, whose smouldering new erotic romance Blood of the Nile is now available from Evernight Publishing and other retailers of fine erotic romance.
Maliyah Aziz has no time for men. Employed by the U.S. Government overseas, the self-described workaholic refuses to let a relationship derail her flourishing career. But when her estranged father passes away abruptly, she must re-examine her priorities and return to Cairo, a place plagued with bittersweet memories of her childhood.
For eight hundred years, vampire Ramses Shakir maintains a low profile, making a living along the trade routes of the Nile River. Although not until he forms a partnership with a human by the name of Anwar al Aziz, does he truly make his mark on society. Together the two men amass a fortune and forge an unbreakable bond. Suspicious of Anwar’s sudden death, the vampire turns to his best friend’s daughter in search of answers. As they scour all of Egypt for clues, the last thing Ramses and Maliyah expect to find is love.
Story Excerpt
Ramses dragged his fingers through his damp hair as perspiration gathered at the base of his skull. That day, the temperature in the Sahara surpassed one hundred degrees and Maliyah wasn’t doing him any favors by turning up the heat. The wanton tease made him want to yank off the flowing, floral print dress she wore and fuck her silly. Visions of her sweet ass plastered against the windows of the train car danced in his head. He wanted her naked and it didn’t matter if a whole caravan of desert nomads stopped to catch a glimpse. Their coupling was bound to happen. Why not sooner than later?
Nonetheless, Maliyah made a good point. Ramses had promised her cousin Husani that he’d keep his hands to himself. A man of honor, he intended to stay true to his word. He wouldn’t touch Maliyah. At least, not with his hands. His mouth and cock, on the other hand, were both fair game.
Before Maliyah returned from the powder room, he reached into the small rolling suitcase he’d brought along for the trip. He pulled out a red paisley necktie and placed it next to the other articles of clothing he’d dangled over the chair. There was a good chance he’d need to be tied up in order to keep his paws off Maliyah. The necktie would come in handy if that turned out to be the case.
The door swung open and Maliyah sauntered in. Her hair was now loose, its shiny, brown tentacles hung haphazardly in front of her face. She’d removed most of her make-up and traded in her three-inch heels for a pair of simple strappy sandals. She looked up at Ramses. Her green-gold gaze locked with his. At the same time, her lower lip jutted out to entice him with its sultry pout.
Maliyah stepped closer and spoke into his chest. He could feel the heat from her skin tickle his nerve endings. “So now what? We’ve got eleven hours to kill and I’m saving the fashion magazines Salma shoved in the side of my bag until I get desperate?”
“You? Desperate?” Ramses repeated. His raspy tone came out as sensual and breathy, with a hint of sarcasm mixed in to keep Maliyah on her toes. “It’d be a pity if we let that happen. I think we can find something to keep us occupied. Maybe there’s a deck of cards in my carry on.”
Maliyah put her hand to her lips as if to giggle, but instead a loud snort came out through her nose.
Is she mocking me? Ramses thought to himself. She hadn’t uttered a single word, yet he knew her snicker was meant in protest.
Only Maliyah, a siren who embodied the perfect combination of subtle innocence and feisty femme fatale, could dish out corrosive rancor just as well as she could take it. That time, she’d done so without even opening her mouth. Although Ramses had great reverence for the Egyptian culture in which he was reared, he found himself drawn to Maliyah’s freethinking, American tendencies. He respected her desire for independence and the rebellious streak she wielded at every turn.
Before he could think of a saucy comeback, Maliyah had already placed both hands on Ramses’ bare shoulders. She massaged his biceps and let the pads of her fingers caress their way up and down his arm. Soon, they became tangled in the shaggy, black hair that gathered at his neck.
“How could a game of cards possibly keep me amused? Not when I have all this tempting, well-toned flesh at my disposal.”
“Wait,” Ramses said, pulling back slightly. He hadn’t anticipated Maliyah’s aggressive pursuit. His need for her bordered on the absurd, but he knew he’d have to take things slow. Otherwise, his vampire persona might make an unexpected appearance. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. “What about the pledge we made to Husani?”
Maliyah leaned in, and her heated breath skated across his tanned skin, sending a direct signal to his cock. It was time to come out and play. Whatever sport Maliyah wanted to tackle, Ramses would step up to the plate.
“I made no such promise. Just keep your hands to yourself, lover boy. Let me do all the work,” she said, darting her tongue out to taste him. God damn, Maliyah was a woman after his own heart. Her succulent lips blazed a path from his neck, passed the sparse patch of hair that peeked out from the top of his shirt.
Maliyah hiked the shirt up past his navel. Her eyes followed the line of dark curls downward until she once again spotted the thick erection through his jeans. She sank to her knees, and then used her hands to remove his belt. One by one, she undid the buttons of his 501’s, as a flush of red spread across her face. She must have realized that he wore nothing underneath.
Ramses’ shaft was as hard as stone. It sprang eagerly from his jeans. Maliyah lowered them to the floor and without hesitation licked the head of his cock into her mouth.
“To hell with restraint!” Ramses groaned.
Where To Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
Bookstrand
All Romance Books
About Annalynne Russo
A native of sunny San Diego, California, Annalynne Russo always had a vivid imagination. As a child, she loved to escape reality by immersing herself in books and poetry. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature, Annalynne worked as both a bilingual elementary school teacher and curriculum developer for more than 10 years. But soon her dream of becoming a writer became too difficult to ignore.
Nowadays, she passes the time fantasizing about hot and sexy heroes that nearly leap out of her imagination, begging for their stories to be told. A firm believer in the phrase, Love Conquers All, Annalynne is a sucker for a juicy romance and spends almost as much time reading as she does writing.
Fabulous Friday Reads: Arms of Serenity
Welcome to the weekend, and let’s kick it off with the new erotic romance Arms of Serenity from Donina Lynn, now available from Evernight Publishing and other purveyors of fine erotic romance. Here’s what Donina has to say about her new book:
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! I’m very excited to be here and to be sharing my debut novel Arms of Serenity.
When I first sat down to think about what I wanted to write, the one thing I knew I wanted to incorporate was a message. That being that the events of the past shouldn’t dictate how we live our lives in the future. We should learn from our experiences and look to the future as an opportunity for a new beginning. Simple, right? But when we are unable to move beyond those events and they threaten to determine who we are today, is it ever that easy to forget and find the peace within ourselves to allow happiness into our lives? Life and especially love are never that simple.
In Arms of Serenity, you meet Nick and Becca. Both are emotionally damaged and in desperate need of someone to show them how to let go of their pasts and that love is possible as long as they are willing to let it in. Their story is full of inner struggles, laughs, romance and even a smidgen of danger. Doesn’t every good love story need at least one or two bad guys?
Plagued by guilt, Nicholas Hollsten ended his military career in the Special Forces and returned home only to be forced into a life he never wanted. Nick found himself running his father’s company and making good on a promise to his team. Angry and frustrated with the direction his life was taking, he calms his thoughts by filling his evenings and bed with soft distractions. Until one woman captures his interest.
Rebecca Klayton thought she was happy in her small town, running her bakery and avoiding love. That emotion only meant heartache and being left exactly where you started—alone. Lesson learned. But, when the sexy stranger from their hot New Year’s Eve party shows up at her counter, will she be able to ignore the temptation or will she find what she’s been missing in the Arms of Serenity?
Story Excerpt
Becca got as far as the curve outside before she heard Nick’s voice calling her name. She closed her eyes and groaned.
Almost made it.
Why was he following her? Couldn’t he just leave her alone? She held up her hand to signal a taxi and hoped ignoring him would work until one stopped.
Becca heard him say her name again. Only this time he was too close to pretend that she didn’t hear him. She turned to find him holding the picture frame.
“You forgot this.”
He just wanted to give her the frame. She sighed in relief and reached to take it from him.
“Thank you.”
He looked at her and put a smug smile on before saying, “You forgot these also.” He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a glimpse of white lace material.
Becca gasped when she realized it was her forgotten panties. She got closer to put her hand out.
“Thank you for finding them.”
Nick pushed them back in his pocket. “How about that coffee?”
Becca took a step back and crossed her arms. “Are you seriously holding my underwear hostage until I go out on a date with you? Doesn’t that border on blackmail?”
Nick laughed. “Just using whatever means I have at my disposal to get you to say yes.”
Becca would laugh too if she wasn’t so angry. He was being an arrogant pushy ass. She glared at him. From his polished shoes, tailored pants, and what looked like a cashmere sweater, he was head to toe everything that Becca wasn’t. Why was he doing this? Damn him for coming after her. Damn him for wanting more when he could go back into the ballroom and have anyone of those models sitting at the table.
“You’re not my type.” She turned away from him and once again put her hand up in the air.
She stood there not wanting to look back. He hadn’t answered her, and Becca silently hoped that he had walked away. She was a mess. Her insides trembled at the conflicting emotions of anger and longing coursing through her. It would be so easy to give in and go with him.
Becca felt a hand brush against her neck and his voice against her ear.
“I’m going to have to argue that statement. I seem to remember being exactly your type last night as you shook and screamed in pleasure when I was buried deep inside of you.” He kissed the spot behind her ear, and she gasped in response. Shivers cascaded through her, and she leaned back melting into his body.
Becca cursed herself.
Dammit, Becca get some control! He’s just a rich guy who thinks he can get anything he wants.
Becca pulled away and turned around to face him as a taxi finally came to her rescue. Opening the door, she stood behind it to use as a barrier between them and took a breath to steady her trembling legs and gain some courage.
“Nick, last night was great, and thank you for not saying anything back in there.” She nodded her head in the direction of the hotel and continued. “But I’m just not interested.” She got in the cab, closed the door, and stared ahead as she gave the driver her destination. As the taxi pulled away, she could see him in the rearview mirror. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, she left him just standing and staring after her.
Where to Buy
Evrnight Publishing
Amazon
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
About Donina Lynn
Hi! I live in a small rural Pennsylvania town on the outskirts of the Poconos. As in small, I mean we don’t even have a traffic light. We do, however, have a DG, a pizzeria and a Chinese restaurant. Thank goodness! Because, I would probably starve without takeout and a microwave. Cooking is something I enjoy during the holidays and for special occasions. But on a normal day, I take full advantage of a supermarket’s frozen section.
Even though I was born and raised a country girl, my idea of communing with nature is gazing out my window while guzzling mass quantities of coffee. Next to the microwave, my Keurig is my prized possession. Seriously, the inventors of that gadget deserve an award and are personal heroes of mine.
When I’m not at my day job, hanging with my family or friends, curled up with my Kindle, or typing away at the computer, you can find me in front of the TV watching anything paranormal, sci-fi or a good action flick. Kudos go to any movie or show that incorporates explosions, big guns, and gratuitous butt shots.
My addiction to romance novels started as soon as I could turn a page and has stayed with me until much later in life when I decided to sit down and give writing one a whirl. Who knew that decision would have brought me here? I am extremely grateful it has and hope you enjoy reading about the characters that have taken up residence in my head. There is a bit of a warning, however. I have a fondness — bordering on obsession — with the military, public service, bad boys, and men with bald heads, goatees or tattoos. Heroes with one or many of these traits might be a reoccurring theme until I can work through these issues. 🙂
Where to Find Donina Lynn
Website
Evernight Publishing
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon
Marvelous Monday Reads: Sin’s Flower
Welcome to Marvelous Monday Reads, angels! Is it hot where you are? Well, it’s about to get hotter, because today I’ll be featuring the sinfully saucy contemporary erotic romance Sin’s Flower by Carlene Love Flores. This is what Carlene has to say about her book:
Hi Nicola! Greetings readers and visitors! I hope you’re all finding a way not to melt on these hot, hot days and nights of summer. I know as romance writers, we don’t do a whole lot to help in the cooling off department. It’s our goal, or at least one of them, to deliver a steamy read. I do have some good news though! Sin’s Flower, while sizzling hot, is also set during Christmas time in the remote riverside town of Bugscuffle, Tennessee. So perhaps you’ll find yourself pleasantly experiencing both ends of the spectrum with Jaxon and Lily. Please enjoy this sneak peek of their story and have a great summer!
When Jaxon James, a sexy rock star and struggling single-father, is invited to ditch California and spend Christmas in Tennessee with his estranged family, he hesitantly accepts for his young daughter’s sake. But his attraction to his best friend’s baby sister, Lily Elstone, threatens to unravel the bonds he’s made for his daughter. The honorable thing to do would be to give up Lily. But his instincts are telling him she’s exactly the one who could bring light to his life and the missing fire to his bed. Unfortunately, Lily’s too sweet for his world. He fears his rock and roll life style will taint her. How far are Jaxon and Lily willing to go to find what’s missing at home?
Story Excerpt
Jaxon watched Lily’s hands sinking down into the sand from behind as hesitancy chopped up his steps. Years of ending up in dire situations had made him a decisive man when he needed to be. He was making one of those executive decisions right now. It didn’t matter why she’d come. And he was close to dismissing his reluctance over whose baby sister she was. Not when she wore that swishing angelic lavender top that covered her from neck to shoulder to fingertip, driving him insane with curiosity. God, and that flaming hair which had gone from neon just yesterday to a flattering shade of cinnamon temptation tonight. His grip tightened around the folding chairs he’d gone to fetch. Purposefully, he slowed down.
Then stopped.
Wanting her was one thing, but hurting this young woman was not okay.
Standing back, he took another couple minutes to contemplate what could happen tonight. What he could control and make happen.
He knew they should talk. He just hoped she didn’t mind how close he intended on being to her while that happened. His grip loosened and one of the folding lounge chairs fell to the sand. There would be plenty of room for the both of them on the one. He walked until he made it back to her side and unfolded the chair to its full length.
“Uh, hi,” she said shyly, her brow furrowing in concentration.
“Hey.” He sat down and held his arms out to assist her. “Sit with me?” He hadn’t given her much of a choice and caught her eye scanning the sandy trail where he’d come from. “Yeah, I figured we didn’t need that one.”
“Oh, okay. Wait, just so we’re clear here. You want me to sit, where exactly?”
God, she would kill him tonight. That amount of cute couldn’t be faked. “Here, with me.” Her eyes widened in disbelief so he scooted until he was flush with the back of the nylon chair and then opened his legs, letting one straddle each side. “There’s room.”
“You’re crazy,” she said shaking her head.
He let out a faked huff. His quick decision had been too fast for her and she wouldn’t believe this was his way of comforting her. “I’ll go fetch the other chair.”
She gouged her hand into her hip. “Wait. It’s just…I really don’t think I’m gonna fit.”
A hurricane couldn’t have swayed her decision to stay put. But she eventually bent her knees, bracing herself with strong hands, and lowered herself until her squeezable bottom met the chair. Because he wanted her closer, he took the liberty of placing his hands at each side of her waist and scooted her back until she was flush with his chest and his lap.
On second thought, that was way too close.
Someone would kill him for the throbbing going on so close to their little sister. He wiggled an inch of space between Lily and his now obvious and straining erection. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her thinking he was incapable of a conversation without sex ending up front and center. He had amazing amounts of control in that department. It came along with all the years he’d practiced on the road. Tonight, plainly put, he just wanted to be close to someone, to Lily. And this was the way he knew how to do that.
“So what did you want to talk about?” he asked.
“I, I don’t know.” It sounded like nerves had her.
They didn’t have to start with words. Fuck him for his appetite but he could say more by doing this anyway.
Hey you, horny fucker. This is the part where you pat her on the head, say you’re sorry, and send her back to her big sister. This is not the time for indulging. Pack it up, Jaxon.
Yeah, no questions about it. That’s what he should do.
Where to Buy
Evernight
Amazon
All Romance e-Books
BookStrand
About Carlene Love Flores
Carlene Love Flores is a big fan of the stars (especially Orion), honest music (especially Depeche Mode), and her travelling family (no favorites there-she loves them all). These things have always inspired her to think up edgy, intimate love stories and continue to do so. If she could touch someone’s heart with her writing the way others have done for her, she’d say truly there never lived a luckier girl.
Where to find Carlene Love Flores
Website
Evernight Publishing
Facebook
Twitter
Waterworld Mermaids
Nicola Cameron Writes 