Wow!

This is blog post #1500!  I thought, in honor of that, I'd reshare all my book covers since that's the reason for all this in the first place.  See any you haven't read yet?  Click on the cover and it'll take you to the appropriate page.

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Controlled Desires - Snippet #2

As promised, more Controlled Desires. This is where the similarities between me and the heroine end. My aim is better.

For a week I stewed. I had all sorts of retorts in my mind, should he come into my domain again. No one messed with me in my territory. I’d take care of him next time he was in. Or so I decided without once examining why I was so worked up about it. I’d never got so ridiculously bent out of shape about anything as I had about him simply commenting on my work habits. And a fairly mild comment at that. Then he showed up again and all my put-him-in-his-place plans went right out the window.

My boss was away from the site, due back in an hour or so, and it was way before lunchtime. I was happily singing along with my tunes when I happened to glance up and saw him standing just inside the door.

“He’s not here,” I informed him coolly.

“I know,” he said, steadily approaching me.

“Then why are you?” I asked, frowning.

“Because you need to be taught the value of seeing things through.”

“Oh I do, do I?” I snorted. Who was he to dictate how I did my job? I didn’t care if he and my boss were old buddies. He had no right to step in and reorganize me. Besides, I really did work better when I did several things at once and my boss never had a problem with it. Why should he?

He kept coming. One step after the other. The trailer wasn’t very large but it seemed to take forever for him to reach my desk. Only he didn’t stop on his side of it. No, he circled it. Instinctively, I rolled my chair backward. Shouldn’t have done that because it left him space to stand in front of me. In one swift move he had me yanked up out of my chair, kicking it out of the way and pinning me to the wall. I gasped just as his mouth came down hard on mine.

I’d never been kissed senseless before. By the time he raised his head I couldn’t breathe. I was stunned speechless too, another first for me. My amazement must have shown on my face because he gave me a quirky little lifted eyebrow grin. Before I could collect myself enough to react, he was kissing me again. My hands were above my head, caught by one of his. Damn, they were large! His other had already found its way under my tee shirt. But it was clenched on my side, not on my breast as I expected it to be. As I wanted it to be. I attempted to squirm to get him to touch me. Didn’t work. He had me held fast exactly where he wanted me and I was stuck until he decided to release me. Or move.

I wasn’t having any success, pressing my crotch against him either. God, I needed contact! Only I wasn’t getting it. Anywhere. He had to know I wanted it with how I was struggling. And whimpering. But all he did was kiss me as he kept me firmly in place. On and on he kissed me. Without touching me any more than he needed to in order to hold me still. Then he stopped and stepped away, leaving me panting against the wall, trembling so badly I could barely stand.

“Well, I’ll be going now. I have other things to see to,” he announced blandly.

“Huh? Wait,” I begged.

He paused at the door. “Why? Isn’t that how you do things? A little now, more later?”

Fortunately for him I was still shaking. Otherwise my aim would have been better when I threw my stapler at him. As it was, it bounced harmlessly off the doorjamb just before he chuckled and walked out.

Controlled Desires - Snippet #1

The characters in this book were very interesting to work with. There's a lot of me in her. However, I have no idea where he came from. I sometimes wonder about that, where some of the things I write come from. Stop back tomorrow to see what he does to prove his point.

My boss was tied up out on the site. He said he didn’t mind. He’d wait. So there we were. Me flitting from project to project, doing a little of this, making some progress on a little of that. Him standing stock-still in all his dark, handsome broodiness, watching, scowling a little more each time I switched. Silent. The more he towered over me, the more nervous I became and the more often I jumped tasks.

I guess it got to be too much for him because he finally said, “Stop.”

“What?” I asked, not really understanding his objection.

“How can you work like that? You never get anywhere with anything.”

“Of course I do,” I explained. “I do a little on each thing and then everything’s done at once.”

“But it would be more efficient to do one thing at a time to completion and then move on.”

“Says who? That’s not how I work.”

“Well you should.”

It was my turn to stare. “Of all the nerve!” He was beginning to piss me off with his high-handed attitude. All right so perhaps he wasn’t the one with the attitude. No, that was me. He was still standing there, immobile, watching in silent recrimination as I shifted screens yet again.

“Nerve has nothing to do with it,” he stated mildly. “It’s what I do.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m an efficiency expert. I get paid to observe and cut out the deadwood.”

My mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. Deadwood! Who was he calling deadwood? Not to mention stupid, which was how I interpreted his comment. “I know what an efficiency expert does. But not everyone works the same way you know. Some of us are perfectly capable of multitasking, no problem.”

“Multitasking is all well and good when it’s called for. You’re just wasting time.”

God, I hated his even, reasonable tone. “Just what business is this of yours anyway? I’ve never had any complaints. Everything’s always done on time. What’s your problem?”

Nothing. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have a chance because that was the second my boss arrived, getting him off the hook. As they were on their way out he looked back over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. Of course I took it as him mocking me. Damn him!

Writer News

Two things today.

First, I got a tremendous review on Controlled Desires from Victoria at TwoLipsReviews. I especially liked her thoughts on the characters’ lack of names. Thank you, Victoria! Go here to read the full review.

Second, my new novella, Second Act, has been accepted by Ellora’s Cave. Happy dance! It’s short and sweet with plenty of spice. I don’t have a release date yet but I’ll keep you posted.

Blurb –

Martin Binks has made it big in Hollywood but there’s something missing from his life. When he heads back to his home town to regroup, he finds it in his high school pal, Josie, now a grown woman with curves in all the right places.

Josie Weston is thrilled when Binks walks back into her life. Not sharing her feelings for him was the one regret she’s always had. She was too timid to act on her fantasies when they were younger but now…

Writer Stuff

Bunches of stuff today!

I’m rekindled. Yeah, I know. Not a word but I like it. Linked and Hot Rush are now available in Kindle form.

Linked – Blurb

Tori Banks has been having nightmares of the same two murderers for years. When she hears the latest one reported on the radio she has to question whether all the others really happened too. Can she trust the tall, dark and handsome detective who makes her forget all about cold blooded killers and think deliciously naughty thoughts to believe her?

Detective Guy Breauchard is skeptical to say the least when he sets out to meet a woman who supposedly sees serial killers in her sleep. Needless to say he gets the surprise of his life when he discovers the sexiest female he’s ever encountered really is psychically linked to the pair. Now all he has to do is quit fucking her senseless long enough to catch the killers so he can concentrate on convincing her that they belong together forever.

Hot Rush – Blurb

Rick Jensen is working undercover to bust up the largest drug distribution in the city’s recent history. Everything is going as planned until the hottest redhead he’s ever seen comes storming into the warehouse. Now if only he can stop thinking with his cock long enough to save her luscious ass and convince her that love at first sight really does exist.

Being sentimental has always been Casey Carmichael’s downfall. But this time her impulsiveness lands her right in the middle of a full contingent of heavily armed drug dealers. When one of them tosses her over his shoulder and carries her up to the office the last thing she expects is out of control sex with the undercover cop trying to protect her.

Also, Deal of a Lifetime is now available in print. So there are no more excuses for anyone not to read it. Hmm, I suppose that should include my mother. I haven’t horrified her lately so I think I’ll send her a copy.

One more thing. Heather of Night Owl Romance gave Controlled Desires a 4.5/5 which makes it a reviewer’s top pick. “Ms. Huffert has penned a beautiful erotic story, whose characters and storyline will have readers hearts pounding. Her characters are witty, intelligent, believable and intriguing. The storyline in funny, charming, captivating and really, really hot.” Click here to read the full review. Thank you Heather!

Whatcha Mean, I Can't?

When I was maybe ten my grandmother taught me to knit. I made a very basic scarf and then right to a multicolor, multi-needle ski sweater because I liked it and decided I wanted one. I was told it was too advanced for me. Six months later it got cold and I wore my personally crafted sweater. After that I made various other things and then for reasons I don’t really remember, quit knitting.

A little while ago I was chatting with a friend. One thing led to another and now I’m knitting a sweater. An Aran knit, fisherman’s sweater with lots of different cable patterns. Never tried them before but I remember how to knit and purl so why not? Again, I was told it was too difficult, especially considering I haven’t picked up a set of needled in at least 25 years.

Yeah, like that’s going to stop me. I went yarn shopping and had an absolute blast. Found the most gorgeous feeling and looking llama wool but it needed to be ordered because they didn’t have enough of the color I wanted. That’s okay. I took the pattern book home with me and taught myself how to do the cable patterns. My fingers feel a bit awkward but it really wasn’t that big a deal. The yarn came in and the sweater is in progress. It’s very involved so I’m sure it will take months but I’ll post a pic when I’m finished.

Speaking of things I had no clue how to do but didn’t let stop me, I got a great review for Controlled Desires from Seriously Reviewed. “…this erotica delivered 100% in the erotic end. What more can you ask for in an Exotica title. In the end the relationship issues were resolved between h/h and I was left feeling emotionally (and otherwise :) satisfied.” Thank you! If you’d like to read the whole thing, click here.

Oh My

Time seems to have slipped away from me. Somewhere, I misplaced a week. You’re thinking so what, right? Well, it’s kind of a big deal to me. For ages I’ve been thinking I have a book releasing next Friday. Wrong! It releases THIS Friday. Cool!

Controlled Desires from Ellora’s Cave. This one was fun to write. Neither character has a name. All the time she spent in my head, trying to mingle me with her and she never told me. When I asked him, he said that was something I didn’t need to know. What? I’m not supposed to talk to my characters like that? I’m sure if you check with other writers you’ll find others who carry on the same sort of conversations.

Blurb

She prides herself on being an independent woman, strong and capable, but it hadn’t been part of her plan to go it alone. Then he walks into her office, a man like none she’s ever met who turns her world upside down. His every touch stirs her body into a frenzy and changes everything she thought she knew about herself.

He’s been called a control freak and a take-charge kind of guy who sees right away she isn’t the sort of woman to “take direction”. A pity. He has plenty of ideas on directing her, both in the bedroom and out of it.

It’s bossy meets obstinate in a clash of wills that burns up the sheets and sends sparks flying. Neither of their lives will ever be the same.

Excerpt

For a week I stewed. I had all sorts of retorts in my mind, should he come into my domain again. No one messed with me in my territory. I’d take care of him next time he was in. Or so I decided without once examining why I was so worked up about it. I’d never got so ridiculously bent out of shape about anything as I had about him simply commenting on my work habits. And a fairly mild comment at that. Then he showed up again and all my put-him-in-his-place plans went right out the window.

My boss was away from the site, due back in an hour or so, and it was way before lunchtime. I was happily singing along with my tunes when I happened to glance up and saw him standing just inside the door.

“He’s not here,” I informed him coolly.

“I know,” he said, steadily approaching me.

“Then why are you?” I asked, frowning.

“Because you need to be taught the value of seeing things through.”

“Oh I do, do I?” I snorted. Who was he to dictate how I did my job? I didn’t care if he and my boss were old buddies. He had no right to step in and reorganize me. Besides, I really did work better when I did several things at once and my boss never had a problem with it. Why should he?

He kept coming. One step after the other. The trailer wasn’t very large but it seemed to take forever for him to reach my desk. Only he didn’t stop on his side of it. No, he circled it. Instinctively, I rolled my chair backward. Shouldn’t have done that because it left him space to stand in front of me. In one swift move he had me yanked up out of my chair, kicking it out of the way and pinning me to the wall. I gasped just as his mouth came down hard on mine.

I’d never been kissed senseless before. By the time he raised his head I couldn’t breathe. I was stunned speechless too, another first for me. My amazement must have shown on my face because he gave me a quirky little lifted eyebrow grin. Before I could collect myself enough to react, he was kissing me again. My hands were above my head, caught by one of his. Damn, they were large! His other had already found its way under my tee shirt. But it was clenched on my side, not on my breast as I expected it to be. As I wanted it to be. I attempted to squirm to get him to touch me. Didn’t work. He had me held fast exactly where he wanted me and I was stuck until he decided to release me. Or move.

I wasn’t having any success, pressing my crotch against him either. God, I needed contact! Only I wasn’t getting it. Anywhere. He had to know I wanted it with how I was struggling. And whimpering. But all he did was kiss me as he kept me firmly in place. On and on he kissed me. Without touching me any more than he needed to in order to hold me still. Then he stopped and stepped away, leaving me panting against the wall, trembling so badly I could barely stand.

“Well, I’ll be going now. I have other things to see to,” he announced blandly.

“Huh? Wait,” I begged.

He paused at the door. “Why? Isn’t that how you do things? A little now, more later?”

Fortunately for him I was still shaking. Otherwise my aim would have been better when I threw my stapler at him. As it was, it bounced harmlessly off the doorjamb just before he chuckled and walked out.

More Writer News

I know. Two days in a row. Can you stand it! This is the cover for the Exotika I mentioned last week that doesn’t release until November 27th. Isn’t it gorgeous!

I noticed something about my writing lately. I seem to be stuck in first person mode. Not necessarily a bad thing, just a tad odd. But that’s me, isn’t it? I considered being concerned but decided against it. It’s happened before and wore off. It’ll likely happen again. But it does have me wondering. Do you like reading things that are more of a narrative, a reminiscence rather than a traditional story? Do you mind having only one point of view or do you prefer to know what everyone is thinking?

The only real problem with this is that it’s making progress on what I was revising damn near impossible. Hmm, I suppose that one will have to wait a bit because I’ve learned not to try to force things. Instead I’ve started something new. It was meant to be one of my fun little flashes, a writing exercise for me just to assure myself I still can, but it’s taken on a personality of its own. I’m not really sure where it’s take me but it’s an adventure so I’m going along for now. Maybe I’ll need to reel it in later, maybe not. We’ll see once I get wherever it is this is going.

Now a question for my writer friends. What do you do when your characters leads you in unexpected directions?

One last tidbit and I’ll leave you to it. If you ever find yourself in Portland, Oregon don’t whistle while underwater. It’s illegal there and, as much fun as I’d have reporting that you were arrested for something so silly, it’s kind of far for me to come bail you out. Hmm, I wonder if that includes bathtubs and how, if it does, that one is enforced?

Writer News

It's way early to tell you about this but I'm going to anyway because I really like this book.

Controlled Desires has a release date! November 27th from Ellora's Cave. It's an Exotika. I had so much fun writing it and I think you'll be able to tell when you read it.

Blurb:

I’ve always prided myself on being an independent woman. Strong and capable and able to deal with most everything myself. Not that I want to necessarily, more that I’ve never met anyone with the fortitude to handle me. Until he walked into the office one day and life as I knew it ceased to exist. Or, to be specific, being fucked by him turned my whole world upside down.

He’s your basic superior-acting, control freak, the ultimate take-charge guy. Yes, as you might guess, I don’t do well being told what to do. Only thing is he somehow saw right through all my toughness, straight to my hidden desires. The ones I didn’t even know I have. But now that I do, oh my, how my life has changed! Mm, the things I do for him, with him, in front of him. You can’t begin to imagine…

Happy Writer Girl

I have some news. Questing, the first in the Cosmic Connections series, has a release date – August 26th.

Blurb:

Jordan McKade knows Kiley Fisher is his destiny the second he sees her. She, however, needs a lot more time to accept it. The last thing he wants to do is scare her away before she’s ready and it takes more self-control than he ever thought he possessed not to blurt out how desperately he wants to fuck her no matter how true it is.

Kiley’s problem isn’t that she doesn’t want him. It’s that she’s intimidated by the super sexy Jordan with his overwhelming business success and his voice that is so sinfully sensual she is ready to come every time he speaks to her.

When a no-good crook uses Kiley in his nefarious plans to save his own ass, Jordan comes to her rescue which finally lands them in a setting where they can no longer resist each other and the chemistry that’s been slowly building between them ignites in an inferno of passion.

A second bit of writer news – My wonderful editor has given me an Ellora’s Cave Exotika contract for Controlled Desires, my new hot, hot, hot little story. More on this one later.

I’ll share covers when I have them.